ADAS, part of the RSK Group is seeking to employ an Climate Adaptation Consultant, on a full-time permanent basis, with hybrid home and office working available out of the ADAS Boxworth office near Cambridge, or RSK offices in Bristol or Glasgow.
This is an exciting opportunity to work on one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: how do we produce safe, nutritious food in a sustainable and profitable way while adapting to climate change. Consultants will have the chance to work across all aspects of agricultural systems on a wide range of topics, although this role will predominantly focus on climate adaptation and resilience.
As an climate adaptation consultant you will work with a range of clients from government and the food supply chain to assess climate risks and support adaptation of food production systems so that they are more resilient to climate change. This will consider all scales of system, from individual farms through to national-level, and will consider how to build resilience while increasing overall environmental sustainability and maintaining productivity and profitability of these systems.
You will be involved in supporting climate change risk assessments, aligning analyses to relevant standards such as TCFD, ISO methodologies and Defra adaptation guidance, and interpreting and using climate projections (e.g., Met Office) to assess potential future impacts from climate change. Project work will include identifying options for adaptation and developing plans/strategies. You will also work in strategy development to support the transition to net zero and climate resilience, including alignment to Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) Disclosure Framework and the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) S2 climate change reporting standard. You will also have involvement in stakeholder communication, consultation, and engagement activities. Significant experience in these areas is not required, but some exposure is preferred.
Suitable candidates will be required to deliver consultancy solutions to a range of different clients from both public and private sectors. The focus is on desk-based qualitative and quantitative analysis / research and reporting, working with local government, other public sector organisations, farmers, advisers, supply chain actors. The role requires practical problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate well with a range of stakeholders.
This role works across multiple sectors, but with a strong focus on land-based sectors, especially food and agriculture, habitats and nature, therefore interests and experience in those sectors will be a benefit.
Key Responsibilities
* Approach: take a rigorous approach and attention to detail in both quantitative and qualitative research and analysis.
* Writing: demonstrate strong writing skills and the ability to present messages in a clear and concise way to a range of different audiences (often non-technical). Candidates should be comfortable using Word and PowerPoint to create engaging materials for presentation (this will be assessed as part of the recruitment process).
* Data analysis: demonstrate strong quantitative/mathematical and Excel skills (this will be assessed as part of the recruitment process).
* Communication: act professionally in front of a range of audiences, communicating in a clear manner through emails, videoconferencing (TEAMS) and face-to-face meetings.
* Project management: be organised and manage their own work to deliver into multiple projects. In time, starting with small projects and building to larger ones as experience grows, to take on the management of projects (with support from senior staff).
* Contract management: ensure contracts are managed on time and to budget.
Person Specification
Previous consultancy experience delivering climate change risk assessments or wider sustainability in UK land-based sectors (e.g. agriculture, forestry, local authority), or other related areas. Degree or relevant vocational qualification in a relevant science or land-focussed subject such as, but not limited to, Agriculture, Biology, Geography or Environmental Science.
* Understanding or experience working within relevant climate change topics, including climate change risk, transition plans, adaptation strategies, or industry frameworks such as TCFD or TNFD would be an advantage.
* Competent user of Microsoft Software, including TEAMS, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
* Understanding of data science modelling would be an advantage, such as to be skilled in the use of macros (Excel), R programming language or other similar coding methods (e.g., Python) to support in the development of complex data analysis and simple modelling tools.
* Be flexible and able to work under tight deadlines – many of our projects are short turn around and require staff to be able to plan their time to meet these deadlines and be flexible to manage competing deadlines and changing projects.
* Fluency in English to communicate in a clear and concise manner, both through written (email, reports) and verbal applications.
* Have a full UK driving licence and own transport (the Boxworth office has limited public transport access).
KPIs / Success factors
* Timely delivery of quality reports that require minimal editing
* Delivery of utilisation targets
* Positive feedback from team
Salary and Benefits
* Salary £30,000 - £35,000 per annum, depending on experience.
* On the job training and mentoring will be provided, alongside industry relevant qualifications.
* Contributory Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
* We encourage Continuing Professional Development and support Chartership to relevant professional bodies.
* Encouragement to participate in and lead relevant professional committees.
* Allowance for membership to one professional body.
* Flexible benefits programme with the option to buy additional holidays and private health care.
* Volunteer days allowing staff to support local good causes and environmental activities
* RSK EV scheme, cycle to work scheme and other benefits
#sustainability #EnviornmentalScience #Agriculture
RSK will not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies other than RSK PSL or Secondary agencies.
Interview process
* Closing date 17th March
* Interviews – in person at CB23 4NN – ADAS Boxworth 26th / 27th March
* Prior to interview you will be required to complete a written assessment – without the use of AI, and an excel assessment – about 1.5 hours of time. For the interview you will need to prepare a 5 minute presentation.