Salary
Real Living Wage (tax and NI exempt for first 12 weeks)
This placement offers a valuable opportunity to apply academic knowledge in a real-world sustainability context, gaining hands-on experience in emissions reporting and environmental performance analysis.
* Working hours: full-time, flexible
* Duration: 5 months
* Working pattern: hybrid
* Wage: Real Living Wage (Tax and NI exempt for first 12 weeks)
* Location: Holyrood, 1 Horse Wynd EH99 1SP
The organisation
The Scottish Parliament plays a vital role in Scotland’s governance. Its key functions include holding the Scottish Government to account, making laws, and debating issues of public importance.
Behind the scenes, the Scottish Parliamentary Service provides politically impartial support to facilitate these processes. It also manages essential services, including maintaining the parliamentary estate and ensuring the smooth operation of the Parliament.
The SPCB is committed to sustainability, continuously working to improve its environmental performance. Our targets include a 66% reduction in carbon emissions by 2026 and achieving Net Zero by 2038.
This placement offers a unique opportunity for a student to gain first-hand experience of sustainability work within a parliamentary setting.
The Role
As part of our duty under section 44 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, the Scottish Parliament must measure, report, and reduce emissions.
The main purpose of this placement is to calculate emissions associated with the Parliament’s operations, including Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions for the financial year 2024-25. While established procedures exist for carbon footprint calculations, this placement provides scope to review and refine these processes.
The role involves engaging with various teams—including Procurement, Facilities, Sustainability, and contract managers—to streamline data collection and improve efficiency.
Key Tasks:
* Collect and input Scope 1 (gas and diesel) data into the carbon footprint spreadsheet
* Collect and input Scope 2 (electricity) data into the carbon footprint spreadsheet
* Calculate Scope 3 emissions, including supply chain, travel, waste, and water consumption
* Update the Scottish Parliament Value Chain Emissions Module with 2024/25 spend and item data
* Calculate emissions for:
o MSP constituency offices
o Business travel
o Commuter travel (using survey data from staff, MSPs, and contractors)
o Waste production
o Water consumption
* Identify opportunities for data cleansing and process improvement
* Analyse data and present findings in line with previous Annual Sustainable Development Reports
* Update data collection procedures for future work
* Input data into the Scottish Government public sector reporting template
* Contribute to sections of the Annual Sustainable Development Report
* Assist in defining requirements for automated data collection
The Candidate
The ideal candidate will have:
* A degree (or working towards one) in climate change, environmental science, sustainable development, or a related discipline; alternatively, a background in data analysis or accountancy
* Knowledge of sustainability, climate change, and carbon accounting
* Strong analytical and data management skills
* Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
* Excellent research, investigative, and problem-solving skills
* Strong report writing and presentation skills
* The ability to work independently and manage tasks proactively
* Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Application Procedure
Apply via the Bright Green Business web link provided and click on the APPLY button. You will need to register in order to upload your CV and Cover Letter as your application. Please note that CV and Cover letter will need to be uploaded as ONE document.
Note:
All communication is via EMAIL so always check your JUNK MAIL/SPAM folders for our responses.
Important:
* You must be eligible to work in the U.K. for the full length of your placement. Valid Visa will be sought.
* You must be available for the full length of your placement and be able to travel to the location.
We welcome applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy, and maternity.
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