Step Up to Net Zero offers fully funded five-month work placements to support Glasgow organisations in reaching their net zero and circular ambitions. Step Up to Net Zero has undertaken an assessment for the organisation to identify circular and net-zero opportunities and has developed a bespoke Action Plan with recommendations for circularity, carbon reduction and waste management.

Your role as a placement participant will be to support the organisation in implementing the Action Plan, progressing activity that supports the organisation to adopt more circular principles, improve current sustainability practices and reduce their carbon footprint.

The successful participant will be upskilled/reskilled on the net-zero and circular economy agenda throughout their placement and will gain real industry insights and experience. They will also be provided with external mentoring support and industry-specific training opportunities during their placement. At the end of the funded placement, the organisation may choose to retain the participant as an employee. Alternatively, Step Up to Net Zero would support the participant in their path to further employment.

Glasgow’s business community has a significant role to play in supporting the city’s ambitions to become net zero carbon by 2030, and a circular city by 2045. The Step Up to Net Zero project has been designed to address several key priorities for Glasgow City Council including supporting a just transition as well as encouraging and enabling the business community to take action towards becoming more sustainable and circular.

Key Responsibilities

• The recommendations set out in each business’s Action Plan are specific to the individual organisation, and therefore your responsibilities will vary according to the organisation you are placed with. Examples of responsibilities could include:
• Complete a high-level audit of procurement processes to identify opportunities to make the supply chain more sustainable.
• Build upon existing systems and processes to enable energy/emissions data to be gathered consistency and accurately to assist with monthly reporting to senior management.
• Contribute to internal training and communications for other members of the team to understand actions they can take to embed circular economy and net zero practices in their activities.
• Review previous energy/resource efficiency audit reports to identify the priority actions for the organisation to progress.

Essential skills, experience and qualifications

• Knowledge of, or interest in, waste management, net zero and circular economy business models.
• Able to work under own initiative and manage own workload.
• Ability to display an inclusive approach when working with a diverse range of people.
• Good communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Good digital skills.
• A proactive approach to solving problems and finding solutions.
• Be professional, friendly, and welcoming.

It is expected the successful candidate would:

• Follow the policies and procedures of the organisation.
• Maintain high levels of time management.
• Clearly communicate with colleagues.
• Be prepared to react to all reasonable ad hoc duties.
• Carry out the role in a professional and approachable manner.

Package

• 16-25 hours per week (Individual employers may choose to increase the hours beyond 25 hours per week or pay a higher hourly rate. This will be agreed with the participant in advance.)
• £14.50 per hour (equivalent of a £27,500 salary)