The Role

Do you want to make an impact in delivering net-zero for two London boroughs and 500,000 people?

Do you have experience in climate change and sustainability?

Do you want to be at the forefront of delivering on one of our top priorities?

We are recruiting for a Policy and Programme Lead (Climate Change and Sustainability) with a passion for climate change coupled with deep experience and knowledge of all the interlinking aspects of climate change, and the know-how to deliver impactful change in organisations. We need someone to help us drive forward and implement our ambitious climate action strategies and plans. If you join us you’ll be:

• Programme managing the delivery of our climate action strategies and plans
• Driving and shaping local climate and environment policy
• Developing and leading innovative projects
• Working in partnership with key institutions, organisations and neighbouring boroughs
• Engaging directly with residents on our climate change plans

Who we are:

You’ll join the ‘Green Team’, sitting in the Chief Executive’s Group at the corporate centre of the organisation. You’ll work closely with the other Policy and Programme Lead for Climate Change, as well as the Policy & Review Manager, the Climate Change Partnerships and Engagement Officer and our communications team. You’ll have responsibility for leading on specific climate policy and programme areas including finance and resources, housing, regeneration, waste and recycling, schools and children’s services. You’ll also play a key part in outreach with our communities and local businesses.

You’ll have close links with the wider corporate policy team, our insight and analytics and performance teams, as well as communications and engagement colleagues and technical specialists delivering climate and sustainability projects across the organisation. So, whilst a background in your policy areas is desirable, experience in each of these areas is not essential.  

We are adaptive, inclusive, forward thinking and focused on delivery of impactful climate action to a challenging timescale.

For further information relating to our climate change team please refer to our video Working to Achieve Climate change at Richmond and Wandsworth Councils via https://youtu.be/HBaG3d_mHNQ

Why are we recruiting now:

A vacancy has come up in the team, which has given us a chance to look at what resources we need to meet the challenges posed by climate change for the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth Borough Council. Our key areas of focus are:

• Implementing our action plan, including identifying and securing the funding needed
• Showing the carbon impact of actions as well as the co-benefits of climate action
• Stepping up our communications and engagement work to help residents understand climate change and make changes themselves

What do we offer:

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including, working from home and other arrangements. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore. We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 39 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.

Flexible Working:

At Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, we care more about how you work and what you achieve, rather than where you work on any given day. The difference you can make to our local communities is what really matters most to us, service delivery must always come first. We have carefully considered agile ways of working to provide the best experience for residents, stakeholders and our staff. Our agile working strategy actively supports and encourages a dynamic work environment and daily working experience. Agile working helps put the needs of our staff at the centre of everything we do, so if specific flexible working arrangements helps you with this, feel free to let us know.

Your wellbeing and the flexible way in which you can work is and will remain a key priority for Richmond and Wandsworth Councils. We want you to thrive and feel empowered in your work!

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date:  Sunday 10^th April

Shortlisting Date: W/C 11^th April

Interview Date:  22nd  April 2022

If you want to have a quick chat about the role and find out more, then please contact Andrew Hagger, Policy and Review Manager at andrew.hagger@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

If you are having difficulty in applying online, please contact the Recruitment Team at recruitment@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Useful Information:

The application process for this campaign will be anonymised.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Your health and wellbeing is our top priority. Should you become unwell due to Covid-19 during the recruitment process we would very much appreciate receiving an update from you as soon as possible.

We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils