Could you lead a project unlocking public and private finance for all UK schools to become zero carbon by 2030? 

Replacing crumbling classrooms with energy efficient buildings lowers emissions and creates a more comfortable, more inspiring learning environment. But schools struggle to fund these essential upgrades. With tens of thousands of schools in need of major work, the creation of new funding channels could will have a major impact across the country and create solutions that could be applied across the whole of the public sector and beyond. 

Let’s Go Zero, the campaign for all schools to be zero carbon by 2030, aims to develop a scalable blended finance solution that will rapidly decarbonise the UK education sector by giving nurseries, schools and colleges better access to low-cost finance. This could be in the form of new funds, loans or partnerships 

The Green Finance Specialist will develop and deliver this project, which would bring together finance sources from the public and private sectors. To do so they will build and maintain a creative and collaborative network of experts, and work with political decision makers and potential sources of private finance to generate practical support. They will regularly communicate information about the project to internal and external stakeholders. 

Applicants will need extensive working knowledge of finance systems (particularly blended finance solutions), and mechanisms for financing retrofit action. They will also need experience developing and running an impactful and strategic project involving multiple colleagues, external consultants and stakeholders. 

If you could lead the development of game-changing financial innovation that will help all schools become zero carbon, please apply.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If you are successful you will be notified within 3 weeks of your application.

JOB DESCRIPTION  

Job title: Green Finance Specialist

Job purpose: To develop, design, manage and deliver the Let’s Go Zero Innovative Finance project with the aim of creating a scalable blended finance solution to rapidly decarbonise the education sector in the UK.  With input and guidance from the Ashden impact and policy leads, to gather and deliver insight on impact gained from the Innovative Finance project.   

Reports to: Director of UK Programmes 

Terms and conditions: 

Permanent employee or contract 

4-5 days per week (flexible) 

Based in Ashden office in London Victoria and working from home as appropriate/agreed.   

Direct reports: Innovative Finance Project Coordinator (if suitable)   

Duties and key responsibilities  

• To develop, design, manage and deliver the Let’s Go Zero Innovative Finance project with the aim of creating a scalable blended finance solution to rapidly decarbonise the education sector in the UK. 

• Build and maintain a creative and collaborative network of experts who will help design and support the innovative finance programme.  

• Working with other senior staff: maintain effective relations with relevant government departments, political decision makers and potential sources of private finance, to generate and unlock practical support for the project. 

• Develop and design a public/private blended finance solution that will give schools, colleges and nurseries in England access to low cost finance to help them become zero carbon by 2030.  

• Working with the Climate Action network manager: create an initial pipeline of schools accessing the finance solution, by way of a pilot to demonstrate the solution’s viability and fine tune it. 

• Following a successful pilot stage, unlock further investment to accelerate and scale up delivery so that all schools are decarbonised by 2030. 

• Produce verbal and written reports on action and impact for internal and external impact assessments.  

• Responsible for the day-to-day management of the Let’s Go Zero Innovative Finance Project budget (approx. £50k per year). 

• Represent Let’s Go Zero, engaging and influencing decision makers across the sector.  

• Manage the Let’s Go Zero Innovative Finance coordinator to scale up the campaign to decarbonise UK schools. 

• Work with the communications team to generate insights into the innovative finance programme for identified audiences. Contribute to articles and blogs.  

General responsibilities 

• Keep up to date with developments affecting your work and maintain and improve personal competence through continuous professional development. 

• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position. 

• Support and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. 

• Support and promote sustainability and carbon reduction actions within Ashden, SFCT and our wider work.  

Scope and accountability 

Decision making and limits of authority 

Responsible for all day-to-day decisions with regards to the running of the Let’s Go Zero Innovative Finance project. Will seek authority from the UK Head of Programmes when decisions have strategic or reputational implications. 

Financial resources: 

Management of Innovative Finance budget up to £50k PA, but will seek authority from the Head of Let’s Go Zero for spending greater than £5k. 

Information resources: 

• Correct storage and processing of information on Let’s Go Zero schools and networks. 

• Correct storage and processing of monitoring and evaluation information on Let’s Go Zero schools and networks. 

 People management: 

• Line management of the Innovative Finance co-ordinator 

• Supported by the Head of Let’s Go Zero, senior level stakeholder management  

 Legal, regulatory and compliance: 

• Ensure compliance with SFCT financial policies and procedures 

• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations. 

• Ensure compliance with Ashden Safeguarding policies and procedures and data protection in relation to grant management.  

• Personal compliance with SFCT health and safety procedures, Equal Opportunities & Diversity procedures 

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

EXPERIENCE 

• Extensive working knowledge of public and/or private finances, as well as blended finance solutions. 

• Experience of developing and running an impactful and strategic project involving multiple colleagues and external consultants and stakeholders. 

• Developing and managing professional networks. 

• Mentoring colleagues to help them improve their skills and knowledge. 

 KNOWLEDGE & EDUCATION/TRAINING 

• Excellent knowledge of finance systems and mechanisms for financing retrofit action.  

• Good understanding of decarbonisation in the education sector, government education and/or net zero policy. 

• Excellent IT skills. 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Ability to manage time, prioritise, plan-ahead, and see the big picture. 

• The ability to confidently present Let’s Go Zero and sector specific detailed information to internal and external audiences. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail, required for writing external papers. 

• Ability to assimilate information from multiple sources and use it in project management. 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES 

• Passion and commitment to a rapid and just transition.  

• Able to work outside office hours from time to time. 

• Active and self-led learner who keeps abreast of developments. 

• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.