Change Agents UK

EcoCampus Housing Coordinator

Location: Worcester

Number of Positions: 1

Salary (per annum pro rata): £20,000

Start Date: January / February 2021

Length of Contract: 12 months

Potential for extension or longer-term contract, subject to funding and performance.

Overview:

As EcoCampus Housing Coordinator you will lead the on-the-ground delivery of a new pilot, taking the ‘EcoHomes’ programme – a new version of the EcoCampus phased approach to embedding an Environmental Management System (EMS) - into two Housing Associations, whose head offices are based in Worcester. EcoCampus is operated and managed by the environmental consultancy, Loreus Ltd, designed to help higher and further education institutions implement a formalised Environmental Management System and achieve certification to ISO14001:2015. It is divided into 4 phases with certificates awarded at each - Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Scheme participants receive online/telephone support, access to training workshops, written resources and external audits.

You will be responsible for assisting the delivery of the scheme in two housing associations, in partnership with the University of Worcester, using the EcoCampus framework and support package to analyse current practices, embed new ways of working and developing systems to create sustainable practices. Students from the University of Worcester will assist (on a voluntary basis and as part of formal learning if taught in Worcester Business School (WBS)) and as such the post holder will work as an Academic Support Assistant within WBS taught sessions introducing EMS development and auditing skills and supporting students to engage in audit and sustainability strategy development assignments.

This role will be based in three partner organisations across Worcester. The post-holder will work with each during the course of a week, making the role varied and exciting. A detailed work plan will support this, enabling the post-holder to deliver against project objectives and access support and guidance from each partner as needed. There may be some home working requirement in line with Covid-19 regulations.

We need:

An enthusiastic team player with a passion for sustainability. An innovative and creative thinker, with the ability to problem-solve and successfully implement their own ideas in partnership with others.

Strong analytical skills and the ability to gather and interpret complex data, enabling the Housing Associations to develop new ways of working and improve their environmental performance. Attention to detail is crucial to enable the pilot’s success and for the partners to learn from its implementation.

Using your strong organisational skills you can work flexibly across multiple sites and balance different priorities with several delivery partners and their organisational cultures and needs. This is a junior role but carries some level of project leadership to deliver the pilot, with support from the partnership of organisations taking part.

Essential:

• Demonstrable ability to motivate others into action and work in partnership.

• Knowledge of, commitment to, and ability to articulate, sustainability issues and their importance within a work environment to a wide audience.

• Demonstrable commitment and motivation to complete the project and deliver the projects aims.

• Creative and innovative thinker and problem-solver that can formulate ideas and appropriately execute them

• Conscientious organiser, able to plan and organise their work appropriately.

• Ability to analyse and interpret data with strong attention to detail, in order to develop plans for environmental improvements.

• ICT literacy in all Office applications but especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Experience of project management and administration.

Desirable:

• Candidate must be a graduate.

• Previous experience of event organising in either a voluntary or paid position.

• Experience of communications, marketing or similar.

• Experience of coordinating and motivating a team of volunteers.

• Knowledge and understanding of implementing an Environmental Management System

What’s in it for you?

This is a great opportunity to start your career in Sustainability. You will have opportunities to learn about being a team player, developing communication skills in different mediums, and stakeholder management experience. You will gain project management skills including event planning and management, project implementation and evaluation. You will also gain insight into a wide range of environmental management issues.
The skills, experience and knowledge gained from this post will open up many opportunities for a wide-range of sustainability work.

You will be given full support and training by Change Agents UK for the duration of the 12 month position. In addition you will receive EcoCampus implementation support from Loreus including training in:

• Introduction to environmental management systems (ISO14001:2015)

• Developing and implementing environmental management systems (ISO14001:2015)

• Internal auditing - Environmental legislation

• Introduction to energy management systems (ISO50001:2018).

Day in the Life / Key responsibilities:

1. Coordinate ‘EcoCampus Housing’ - a nationwide initiative delivered by Loreus for the UK – across two housing associations in Worcester.

2. Utilise the documented resources, support, training, and audit materials to enable participating organisations to develop, implement and maintain a formalised environmental management system, in line with the requirements of ISO14001:2015.

3. In partnership with the University of Worcester, recruit, coordinate and motivate a network of student volunteers to undertake audits at each housing association.

4. Work as an Academic Support Assistant within WBS taught sessions introducing EMS development and auditing skills and supporting students to engage in audit and sustainability strategy development assignments.

5. Monitor and report on progress against objectives, using quantitative and qualitative data, creating an end of year report for all partners and external bodies.

6. Act as an ambassador for sustainability among internal and external stakeholders.

7. Actively network with colleagues across all partner organisations and external communities to ensure sharing of best practice across the sector.

8. Suggest new initiatives and approaches to further enhance environmental performance and sustainability engagement programmes.

Details:

Hours/Week: 35

Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays

Work outside normal hours: Possibility of some work outside normal hours to undertake audits.

Deadlines:

Closing Date: Sunday 3rd January 2021

Telephone Interview Date: w/c 4th January 2021

Interview Date: 11th and 12th January 2021

This recruitment is being managed by Change Agents UK, please direct all correspondence to contact@changeagents.org.uk or call 01572 723419

Please note that the Change Agents UK office is closed between 23rd December and 4th January. If you have any issues with the online portal during this period please submit your CV and Cover Letter (up to 400 words) via email before the deadline, including confirmation that you have right to work in the UK.

For office use only

CAUK reference 2393

Employer: Change Agents UK (on behalf of Platform Housing Group and Sanctuary Housing Association)

Probation period: 6 months

Reports to: Locally appointed line managers

Closed - no further applications permitted