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Sustainability Graduate
Fixed Term Contract – 2 years
Full Time 35 hours per week
Salary £22,447
Monday to Friday (open to flexible working arrangements)
Hybrid - Based in London or Liverpool

Want to make a real difference to the lives of people? For over 90 years, The Riverside Group has been providing affordable housing across the UK to people as well as care for the elderly and support for those who face homelessness.

The difference you’ll make

In this role you will support the delivery of the Climate Responsibility Strategy across a range of sustainability areas, providing technical and administrative support.

You’ll also support in the research, development and implementation of actions, processes and projects that ensure the Group achieves its sustainability targets.

So, who are you?

We’re looking for someone with a relevant degree and an interest in sustainability in the built environment. You’ll be a team player who can also take ownership of your work, responsibilities and deliver on commitments.

Although not essential, an understanding of corporate sustainability strategy for a large and varied portfolio of assets, would be an advantage.

About the GEM Programme

In addition to unrivalled on-the-job training to build your knowledge and skills, you’ll join this award-winning graduate development programme which is nationally recognised for its outstanding work in building careers in housing. You’ll join the specialist GEM Sustainability Stream and engage in unique and challenging learning experiences with your peers. You’ll build a strong national professional network and be supported to achieve a Chartered Institute of Housing qualification .

To find out more about the role and the GEM Programme, please visit https://thegemprogramme.com

Please note: The GEM Programme will carry out the shortlisting process on behalf of Riverside.

Enjoy the rewards

Working with us, you’ll enjoy competitive pay, 28 days holidays plus bank holidays, a wide range of benefits, flexible working, and the chance to learn valuable new skills. We empower our people to do great work by investing in learning, personal development, and technology.

If you’re the kind of person that wants to do a really great job and make a difference to our customers, we think you’ll love it here. Sound like a challenge you’d like to take on? Then get in touch and let’s talk about how you can help us transform lives and revitalise neighbourhoods.

We encourage applicants from all sections of the community so that we can truly reflect the neighbourhoods in which we work.

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.

**For your application to be considered, please attach your CV plus a personal statement detailing your interest in the role and sector

ROLE PROFILE

Role requires you to:

• Support the Head of Sustainability and Sustainability Manager in delivering the Group’s Climate Responsibility Strategy.
• Ensure business requirements and proposed solutions have been captured effectively during meetings and follow up with attendees to ensure they are clearly understood and align to business processes, standards and service quality.
• Monitor the progress of implementation, reporting on risks and updating reporting lines.
• Track the progress of these actions.
• Support sustainability colleagues in the development, delivery and monitoring of specific sustainability projects, including personal research. These may be:
  • Electric vehicles charging and fleet decarbonization
  • Sustainability reporting – SECR, ESOS, ESG, TCFD
  • Sustainability metrics
  • Retrofit - energy efficiency measures
  • Retrofit – funding
  • Energy efficiency advice
  • Biodiversity and access to nature
  • Community resilience
  • Sustainable procurement
  • Carbon zero in new and existing homes
  • Renewables
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders effectively including third-party suppliers and residents, providing advice and support and building constructive working relationships to effectively deliver the Group’s Climate Responsibility Strategy.
• Ensure effective communication and engagement activities are delivered to all key stakeholders and progress updates and key messages are communicated regularly as required.
• Carry out research for self-development and to increase the understanding within the business of innovative products and procedures, the impact of new and upcoming policy and changes in the operating environment.
• Using the above, contribute to the development, review and effective use of sustainability policies and procedures, identifying areas where amendments are required as a result of legislative changes, policy updates or customer and stakeholder needs.
• Contribute to the production of a suite of accurate and timely reports to key stakeholders.
• Ensure internal business processes are followed in line with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of processes and procedures.
• Respond flexibly to any necessary changes in work priorities and undertake other duties when required to support the effective operation of the service.
• Ensure that all data protection requirements are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements.
• Ensure that health and safety requirements are met in accordance with the Group’s policy, procedures and statutory requirements.
  

Person specification

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Relevant environmental, sustainability or built environment degree or qualification
• Interest in, and commitment to, sustainability in the built environment.
• Takes ownership of their work and responsibilities, delivering on commitments.
• Manages their own time, knows the right priorities to pursue and is self organised.
• Academic or working knowledge of at least one of the below:
  • Electric vehicles charging and fleet decarbonization
  • Sustainability reporting – SECR, ESOS, ESG, TCFD
  • Sustainability metrics
  • Retrofit - energy efficiency measures
  • Retrofit – funding
  • Energy efficiency advice
  • Biodiversity and access to nature
  • Community resilience
  • Sustainable procurement
  • Renewables
  • Carbon zero
• Personal commitment to diversity, treating others with dignity and respect, with a real desire to understand and meet diverse customer needs and aspirations.
• Able to communicate information in writing and verbally to colleagues at all levels
• Able to identify customer needs and design solutions to meet them
• Excellent team player who can work flexibly to meet business requirements.
• Ability to show initiative and propose solutions to issues identified.
• Results focused with the ability to take ownership of tasks.
• Evidence of using sound judgement when making effective decisions.

Desirable

• Understanding of corporate sustainability strategy for a large and varied portfolio of assets.
• Knowledge of relevant sustainability reporting standards, legislation and/or codes that underpin the delivery of an efficient and effective housing service.
• Understanding of risk management, property management and property related compliance requirements.
• Experience of successfully managing budgets in line with agreed financial protocols.