Sustainability Policy Officer (Synergy Programme)

Pay £44,447 to £46,547

Job description

If you’re someone who can use your experience to drive Synergy’s sustainability ambition, we want to hear from you. But most importantly, we’re looking for applications from people who can also demonstrate a passion for our core ambition - delivering a once in a generation, transformed service that Civil Servants will use as a result of the Synergy Programme.

Drawing upon your knowledge and experience, you will have a key role in supporting the Design Sustainability Lead to work with cluster Department Sustainability Specialists and within the Synergy Programme to promote sustainability, influence and embed environment and social improvements into the design, testing and deployment of the Synergy new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, Business Process Service (BPS) and The Synergy Shared Services Hub (SSSH).

Duties and Responsibilities

The role holder will play a key role in the development of Synergy Programme’s approach to sustainability. They will work closely with team members and other key stakeholders across the government community to:

• leverage work already done;
• ensure effective policy and data collection and sharing;
• work to understand, benchmark and track sustainability benefit opportunities; and
• create roadmaps and partnerships to enable the change required.

Key responsibilities

• Understand the sustainability ambitions and policies of the four (Synergy) Government Departments, identifying and helping to resolve any potential issues.
• Collation and presentation of sustainability information to embed it into policy and process, programme governance, working groups and to teams within the four “cluster” Departments.
• In conjunction with key stakeholders and sustainability colleagues, translate Synergy Sustainability blueprints into definitions and interventions and enable the embedding of sustainability in the ERP, Business Process Services (BPS) and Future Shared Service Organisation (FSSO).
• Work closely with key stakeholders across government to support the definition and implementation of key performance indicators, based on a scientifically robust evidence base of data.
• Implementation of appropriate monitoring of the environmental performance of our shared services supplier base.
• Support the development of the Synergy business cases process by co-ordinating the information on sustainability impacts and benefit opportunities. Work with analysts to benchmark, track (quantitative or qualitative) and realise benefits.
• The development of relevant sustainability documentation e.g. tender documents, specifications.
• Support the co-creation of a Sustainability Knowledge Hub; enabling capture and continuous improvement of Synergy sustainability opportunities.
• Play an active role in the cross-government community to further the sustainability agenda.

Person specification

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

• Experience of working in a dedicated environmental sustainability team and integrating it into wider organisational practices: Understanding how sustainability principles can be embedded into new ways of working, while demonstrating responsibility for environmental reporting or policy within your organisation (Lead Criteria).
• Driving Sustainability Outcomes through Initiative and Organisation: Be a self-motivated, effective organiser who can use their initiative in the design and delivery of sustainability outcomes.
• Strategic Support for Sustainability Implementation: Previous experience of supporting the development and implementation of a sustainability strategy.
• Enabling Behavioural and Cultural Change for Sustainability: Proven experience of supporting and influencing organisational behavioural and cultural change.
• Stakeholder Engagement across Diverse Perspectives: Effective stakeholder management skills, including experience of working with stakeholders and different levels who have diverse perspectives.
• Applying Government Digital Service Principles to Sustainable Technology: An understanding of the principles of the Government Digital Service and sustainable technology.
• Using Analytical Insight to Shape Sustainability Decisions: Good analytical skills and experience using these skills to inform approach and decision making.

Qualifications/Accreditations: Candidates must be (or willing to become) a member (minimum Affiliate) of The Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP).

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