Could your knowledge and passion help create zero carbon schools in the East and West Midlands? 

Let’s Go Zero – the campaign working for every UK school to be zero carbon by 2030 – is launching a network of climate advisors in the region, offering schools, colleges and nurseries free guidance on practical, effective climate action. 

We are looking for six Climate Action Advisors who will be a part of the East/West Midlands team supporting school leaders, local authorities and others to carry out projects that reduce emissions and inspire students and the wider community. This might include creating energy efficient buildings and new green spaces, or changes to school food and travel.  

We know schools are eager to take climate action, but often lack the information to do so. You will play an important role helping them develop their plans, secure funding, and work in partnership to achieve their goals. 

You will be a point of contact for individual schools, but also develop relationships with councils and multi academy trusts, and share advice through webinars and live events. You will also report back on the challenges faced by the schools you support, and work with communications colleagues to share stories about exciting projects in your area. 

You’ll need a track-record in either climate change, decarbonisation, sustainability or education (gained through paid work or volunteering), as well as experience providing advice to others and explaining complex options. 

We are holding an assessment day at our office in Victoria on Tuesday 26 September for the 12 shortlisted candidates. To ensure our recruitment process is equitable we will reimburse off-peak transport costs and pay a set amount as a contribution to acknowledge your time. 

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks will be carried out for the successful candidates.

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Job title: Climate Action Advisor 

Job purpose: To provide schools, colleges and nurseries in the East/West Midlands region with guidance to support their climate action. Working as part of a team to ensure that all schools in the region are supported. Being a conduit for best practice data and examples – to support the wider Let’s Go Zero campaign vision. 

Terms and conditions: 

Permanent employee 

4-5 days per week (flexible) 

Home based in the West Midlands with travel to visit schools in the region 

Reports to: Climate Action Advisors Project Manager 

Responsible for: This role has no line management  

 Duties and key responsibilities  

• Be the first point of contact for schools to access climate action advice in the West Midlands.  

• Advise school leaders, multi academy trust leaders, local authorities and local networks about climate action in buildings, estates and within school activities. 

• Develop relationships with local authorities, supporting their current initiatives, building on the work already being done to support schools in the area. 

• Attend and speak in person at local and online events to encourage climate action. 

• Visit some schools in person to provide direct 1:1 guidance to school leaders. 

• Record all school engagement, advice and action in the Let’s Go Zero tracker - sharing key findings and new contacts with the rest of the team. 

• Work in partnership with other Climate Action Advisors across England. 

• Produce case studies of action in schools to be shared with the wider climate action network. 

• Communicate complex guidance to a mixed audience – helping school leaders, estates staff, finance teams and teachers to understand their impact and possible action. 

• Work with the communications team to generate insights into Let’s Go Zero work, contribute to articles and blogs. 

• Support future new initiatives announced by our coalition members, the Department for Education, or other organisations working in schools, to ensure a smooth flow of information and support, enabling schools to transition to zero carbon.  

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 across your work.   

Scope and accountability  

Decision making and limits of authority 

• Responsible for working with schools directly and managing these relationships. Will seek authority from the Climate Action Advisors Project Manager when decisions have strategic or reputational implications. 

Financial resources 

• No financial resources 

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 

• No line management responsibilities 

Legal, regulatory and compliance 

• Ensure compliance with Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts financial policies and procedures. 

• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations. 

• Ensure compliance with Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts Safeguarding policies and procedures and data protection in relation to grant management.  

• Personal compliance with Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts health and safety procedures, Equal Opportunities & Diversity procedures.  

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

EXPERIENCE 

• A track-record in either climate change, decarbonisation, sustainability or education (obtained through previous roles, volunteering or other routes). 

• Experience providing advice to others and explaining complex options.  

KNOWLEDGE & EDUCATION/TRAINING 

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

• Good understanding of climate action in schools, colleges or nurseries.   

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Excellent communication skills to be able to share guidance with school leaders individually and in groups.  

• Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise accordingly. 

• Collaborative mindset with ability to work effectively with a range of partners and team members and colleagues to help them improve their skills and knowledge. 

• Good IT skills for use in monitoring and evaluation of Let’s Go Zero schools.  

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES 

• Passion and commitment to a climate action.  

• Able to work outside office hours from time to time, using sustainable transport whenever possible. 

• 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.