Student & Graduate Placements

Background

The devolved government for Scotland has a range of responsibilities which include: health, education, justice, rural affairs, housing and the environment.

Everyone who works with us has a part to play in a common goal: to make our country better. We want to live in a successful Scotland: a healthy, safe, well-educated country, with a vibrant economy and opportunities for all. We want Scotland to be fair, tolerant and green. Put simply, we want a Scotland to be proud of.

The Energy and Climate Change Directorate works to deliver a low carbon society, with sustainable economic growth and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

We are responsible for:

• helping Scotland become a prosperous low carbon economy, with secure, affordable and sustainable energy
• promoting Scotland's climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency programmes internationally
• working locally to help individuals, businesses and communities make sustainable choices

As part of the Energy and Climate Change Directorate, the post holder will work closely with policy areas across Government and contribute to policy development. There will be opportunities to engage with stakeholders and provide advice to senior colleagues and Ministers.

The Role

This post will have two strands.

1. Support the review of the Public Sector Climate Change Reporting (2015) Order. The successful applicant will work with team members on a review the effectiveness of the existing secondary legislation, processes and protocols surrounding Public Sector Climate Change Reporting. The review will be done in collaboration with those who do the reporting and make use of the reports, so much joint working is required. The post-holder will compile background information, develop discussion documents and play an important role in meetings to agree a proposal for improving the Reporting Duties and associated processes, which will then be consulted on more widely.

2. Support the establishment of a Just Transition Commission to provide advice to Scottish Ministers on how to transition to a low-carbon economy in a way that is fair. This will involve providing policy support to Ministers ahead of decision making.

The Candidate

• All candidates must be studying toward or have a relevant degree (HND or higher)
• Experience of working independently as well as in a team
• Ability to collate and analyse a wide range of information to draw out key messages and findings.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to build constructive working relationships with people within and outside Government.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to clearly communicate often complex information to a range of audiences, including senior colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to balance competing demands and deliver short, medium and long term objectives

* This position requires you to be either part of the EEA or Commonwealth.