The Climate Change Committee is the independent expert statutory adviser to Parliament and the UK Government on climate change policy. It was created as a key part of the long-term legal framework set out in the Climate Change Act (2008). The Act sets a long-term target for 2050 (Net Zero, a 100% reduction in net emissions from 1990) and requires that carbon budgets (five-year caps on emissions) are set on a path towards the long-term target. The Act also requires that the UK assesses and responds to the risks that it faces as the climate changes.
The CCC has established itself as a high-profile, high-impact expert body in the analysis of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Its reports can be accessed from the CCC’s website: www.theccc.org.uk
The CCC is comprised of two Boards (‘the Committee’ and ‘the Adaptation Committee’) and an analytical secretariat. The Committees have a distinguished membership of leading experts from the fields of climate change, science, engineering and economics: www.theccc.org.uk/about-the-ccc/the-committee. The Committees are supported by a Secretariat of around 40 economists, operational researchers, scientists and other analysts.
The CCC was the first body of its kind in the world and brings together different strands of expertise from its members, from government, the research community and business. It draws on existing information and undertakes its own analysis to provide expert advice to Ministers and to Parliament. It is required to give advice to Ministers on climate change matters covered by the Climate Change Act and on an ad-hoc basis as and when requested.
Job description
This role will join the Carbon Budgets team, within the CCC’s secretariat. This team is responsible for leading and coordinating the analysis carried out by our specialised teams (including energy supply, transport, buildings, agriculture, and industry), to provide advice on carbon budgets and monitor progress on the path to Net Zero across the UK. The overarching nature of the team means that the role will provide an opportunity to gain a broad understanding of the range of social, political, and technological solutions required to address climate change.
This role will contribute to our upcoming advice reports to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on what their latest emissions targets should be, to be published in Spring 2025. The role may contribute to these projects in the following areas:
- Producing and presenting analysis on the recommended pace of decarbonisation in each nation.
- Engaging with relevant internal and external stakeholders.
- Coordinating inputs to the reports from colleagues across our specialised teams.
- Writing certain sections and/or chapters of the reports.
- Presenting findings to the Committee.
Beyond the Devolved Administration target advice reports, the role will lead on the CCC’s progress reports to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Devolved Administration parts of the CCC’s annual UK progress reports, and the CCC’s ongoing engagement with government colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The role may also contribute to various other projects on the roadmap:
- Analysis for annual progress reports. This will involve processing and visualising the latest emissions data, and sector-level indicators of progress.
- The Carbon Budgets team also plans to conduct an internal review of the CCC’s models and analytical processes, with the aim to improve the long-term efficiency and technical capability of the organisation. This role will have an opportunity to be involved in this process, to consider how the contributions of the devolved nations should be factored into the design of future models.
The role will require excellent analytical skills, including a strong grasp of the principles of data analysis. Good knowledge of Excel is essential and some experience with R/Python (or similar tools) is desirable. Experience working in energy or climate policy is desirable, though not essential.
In addition, the role will suit somebody who communicates well and asks thoughtful questions. An enthusiasm to collaborate and cultivate a supportive, inclusive working environment is core to this role.
Assessment criteria
The application process follows the Civil Service Success Profiles framework. Applications for this role will be assessed against the following aspects of this framework: Behaviours, Technical skills, and Experience.
If we receive a very large number of applications, applications will be sifted against the lead behaviour, “Delivering at Pace”, and/or Technical skills.
Behaviour 1 (lead behaviour): Seeing the Big Picture (assessed at application and interview)
This behaviour is assessed because the team intends to conduct a strategic assessment of the CCC’s models and technical capacity. Applications will be assessed against the following aspects of the behaviour:
- Understand the strategic priorities of your organisation and align your work accordingly.
- Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area.
- Recognise the diverse perspectives of stakeholders, and how they relate to the organisation’s wider strategy.
In your response, please use the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, and Result), using an example that demonstrates the bullets above. Most of your answer should focus on the ‘Actions’ taken.
Behaviour 2: Delivering at Pace (assessed at application and interview)
The Carbon Budgets team coordinate the analysis that underpins our reports on mitigation. This involves ensuring the contributing teams can deliver high-quality analysis while meeting the deadlines. Applications will be assessed against the following aspects of the behaviour:
Show a positive approach to ensure results are achieved on time whilst still enabling innovation.
- Ensure the most appropriate resources are available for colleagues to use to do their job effectively.
- Regularly monitor your own and other’s work against milestones and reassess priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance.
In your response, please use the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, and Result), using an example that demonstrates the bullets above. Most of your answer should focus on the ‘Actions’ taken.
Technical skills: Analytical (assessed at application and interview)
Please outline how you have demonstrated the following analytical skills. Note, you do not have to use the STAR format in your response.
- Extensive experience with Excel, and some experience of R/Python or similar tools, for data analysis.
- Applying appropriate quantitative analytical tools and techniques, and synthesising evidence from a range of sources, as appropriate.
Experience
The requirements for this role are:
- A degree in a numerate discipline (e.g., engineering, environmental science, economics), or equivalent experience.
- Experience working on collaborative analytical projects.
- Experience working in a field relevant to energy or climate (not essential, but desirable).
The CCC has affiliation with the Government’s analytical progressions: GES, GORS, GSS, or GSR, and it is possible for analysts to maintain these memberships at the CCC. If you are a member of one of these professions, please ensure that you indicate this in your application.
Things you need to know
The CCC office is based in Canary Wharf, London, with staff expected to attend the office for at least 40% of their contracted hours. The pay band for this SEO role is £45,308 - £49,775 and the expectation is that the successful candidate will join on the minimum of the pay band.
We support a wide variety of working patterns such as compressed hours, hybrid working, part time hours, job sharing and flexi time. National pay bands may be used where staff apply to work from home for more than 60% of their working hours and live outside London. Regular attendance at our London office, for example for meetings and training, will still be required. The national pay band for this grade is £41,557 to £45,561.
The Climate Change Committee are committed to creating a workplace culture where all staff feel valued, supported and can develop their potential. We work hard to ensure all staff can flourish and succeed, working with and respecting people’s different backgrounds and personal circumstances. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position. For more information on our EDI commitments, please read our strategy available on our website.
The CCC cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. The CCC does not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.
Please also note the following:
- Security: Successful candidates must pass basic security checks.
- Nationality requirements: Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non-EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.
- Feedback: Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.
- Guaranteed Interview Scheme: The Civil Service and the CCC embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
