Principal Climate Adaptation Consultant

Role Location: one of AtkinsRéalis UK hub offices (eg Birmingham, Bristol, Epsom, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Peterborough)

AtkinsRéalis is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering, and project management consultancies, and is playing a key part in leading the global agenda on climate change.

AtkinsRéalis’ Climate  team works across technical advisory in climate change policy, climate risk, adaptation and resilience, international development, climate finance, climate-related financial disclosure (TCFD), Net Zero transition, and nature-based solutions.

The climate team sits within AtkinsRéalis’ Sustainable Futures Practice, alongside experts working on Net Zero transition planning, carbon reduction, air quality and international advisory projects. The team work collaboratively across the wider business, in particular with transportation and water teams.

Our exciting portfolio of projects and clients continues to expand, and we are looking to recruit a number of people with an understanding of climate risks and climate change advisory services. For this role, we require a driven Principal/Associate Consultant to contribute to our work on climate risk assessments, adaptation planning, climate disclosure, and the development of weather and climate services. The successful candidate will have a background in some or all of these areas and will manage teams, projects, and client relationships.

Our climate change work is diverse and includes, for example, the following:

• Water sector (e.g. assessing the impact of climate change on future water supplies,  advising on adaptation options, and TCFD reporting).
• Transport sector (e.g. reviewing technical standards and identifying areas which may require additional measures to account for climate change projections).
• Energy sector (e.g. evaluating the financial impacts of climate change across supply chains and operations).
• Cities and local authorities (e.g. climate risk assessments, adaptation plans, and how to integrate climate resilience into investment decision-making).
• Working with clients to help them meet climate-related reporting requirements (TCFD, Paris-Alignment, EU Taxonomy, Adaptation Reporting Power etc), and develop strategies to manage climate risks.
• Multilateral development banks and governments (e.g. enhancing organisational capacity by developing climate risk frameworks, climate risk assessments for infrastructure investments, and providing advisory support for international development projects, including climate finance).
• In general, the work is a mixture of strategic planning, applied science and economics, evidence-based policy advice, and engineering, supported by other AtkinsRéalis  specialist teams in these areas.

Additionally, the post holder may also work on a wider array of projects, which may include engineering feasibility studies, ESIAs, water resources planning, flood risk assessment, urban redevelopment or policy work, depending on the post holder’s background, interests, and business requirements.

Our clients include UK water companies, the Environment Agency, energy and transport companies (e.g. High Speed Two Ltd)., government agencies and local authorities, European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank.

Requirements:

• A degree in a relevant technical discipline (at least a 2:1 in geography, environmental science, climate science, environmental economics or engineering).
• Desirable that the candidate has a relevant Masters or PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Relevant experience in the climate change industry, preferably in a consulting/ advisory role.
• Experience in leading and coordinating project teams/workstreams/deliverables and experience in developing proposals/bids to win work from clients.
• The candidate is well established in climate change advisory in the UK or internationally, bringing unique expertise and network or clients and project partners.
• Be available to travel across the UK and occasionally overseas, subject to prevailing government guidance.

Responsibilities:

• Depending on experience, to lead on delivery of key climate advisory service areas, such as climate risk assessment, adaptation & resilience planning, climate finance, climate & weather services.
• To work effectively as part of a team and with other professionals (environmental scientists, engineers, planners, economists) throughout AtkinsRéalis and our partners, to provide a consistent and integrated service to our clients.
• To identify new opportunities, develop external networks, and develop new business working with other AtkinsRéalis teams.
• To lead business development efforts in your area of expertise and help to grow the climate consultancy business. 
• To support the delivery of new digital products and projects.

The Individual:

• Driven to create positive impact and climate action.
• Highly motivated and proactive; focussed on achieving and delivering technical excellence to high standards.
• Skilled at collaborative working in teams with range of different technical backgrounds, with good interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively. 
• High-level technical performance in climate change analysis and report writing.
• Flexible and keen to take on new challenges, learn, and develop new approaches to a wide range of problems.
• Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and visual), ability to communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders, and able to adapt communication style to different audiences.
• Well organised - able to plan ahead and deal with multiple projects running at the same time.
• The candidate is likely to be involved in contributing to sectoral climate change agendas, through membership of professional organisations/ standards committees/ high level engagement with one or more industry sectors.

What we offer?

AtkinsRéalis recognise that there are many well qualified people who are looking to further their career, but who cannot commit to full time employment. We support flexible working arrangements and are interested to discuss how we can accommodate individual requirements.  As part of this commitment, we understand the need for a diverse and flexible workforce, where a work-life balance is important. So, by default AtkinsRéalis offers flexible working, where there is no fixed 9 ‘till 5, no need for a 5-day week, no requirement for a full-time contract, and no requirement to spend all your working time in the office.

Rewards and Benefits:

We offer a competitive salary that is regularly tested against other consultants with a default 25-days leave each year plus bank holidays and options to buy some or sell of that leave. Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

New name, new era. We are AtkinsRéalis. It will take some time for all our information to update – you can still refer to our fantastic benefits via the link below:

YourReward at SNC-Lavalin (snclavalin.com).

Training:

AtkinsRéalis is committed to developing its people both personally and professionally. Our colleagues have the advantage of access to a high ranging training portfolio and development activities designed to help make the best of individual’s abilities and talents. We also actively support staff in achieving corporate membership of relevant institutions.

Additional Information:

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance.  If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop. To help embed inclusion for all, from day one, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee networks to support staff from different backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

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