Climate Change (Adaptation) Officer

The Climate Change (Adaptation) Officer leads the Councils work on climate resilience and statutory adaptation duties. The role manages delivery of ANDBCs Climate Adaptation Plan, supports services to integrate climate risk into planning and operations, and works with partners to strengthen borough-wide resilience. The postholder also supports adaptation governance and reporting, ensures compliance with the Climate Change Act (NI) 2022, and helps align adaptation and mitigation actions.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• To manage and co-ordinate preparation of the Councils statutory Climate Adaptation reporting in line with NI Climate Change Act requirements.
• To coordinate corporate governance, reporting and documentation for the Adaptation Plan.
• To support all Council departments to integrate adaptation priorities, climate risk, and resilience considerations into:
• Service plans
• Capital and regeneration projects
• Procurement and contracts
• Business continuity and emergency planning
• To build staff capacity across all council services through training, guidance and toolkits.
• To maintain and continually update the Councils Climate Risk Assessment, ensuring risks to services, assets, communities and infrastructure are regularly evaluated against latest evidence, projections and operational changes.
• Ensure alignment with the ANDBC Climate Adaptation Plan and any statutory reporting requirements under the Climate Change Act (NI) 2022.
• To work with departments to identify emerging risks, impacts and required adaptation measures.
• To work collaboratively and engage directly with infrastructure owners, government, utilities, emergency responders, businesses, and community groups to support joined-up adaptation planning.
• To co-ordinate the development and operation of the Climate Resilient Communities programme and associated forums.
• To develop and maintain reporting structures for adaptation governance, including preparation of update papers, risk summaries, and progress reports for senior leadership.
• Ensure coordination of cross-departmental contributions to adaptation governance, ensuring decisions are informed by robust risk evidence, service-level insights and borough-wide impacts.
• To identify funding opportunities to support adaptation initiatives.
• To prepare reports, briefings, presentations and updates for Corporate Leadership, Elected Members and partners.
• To represent the Council in Northern Ireland wide adaptation networks.
• Undertake any other appropriate duties as may be allocated from time to time in accordance with the general nature of the post.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The person specification provides information on the qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills required to carry out the duties of the post. The essential criteria will be used for shortlisting and as part of the selection process.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential Requirements: A third-level qualification (e.g., degree) in Environmental Management, Geography, Climate Change, Sustainability, Engineering, or a related field.

Desirable Requirements: Postgraduate qualification in climate adaptation, resilience, environmental management or related discipline.

EXPERIENCE

Essential Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate at least two years experience in roles involving climate, environmental, or resilience-related responsibilities, including specific and personal examples showing:

• Climate Adaptation & Risk Assessment.
• Integrating Adaptation into Services / Projects.
• Stakeholder & Partnership Working.
• Programme Monitoring & Reporting.

Desirable Requirements: Experience applying NI Climate Change Act statutory duties or other regulatory frameworks. Experience developing adaptation indicators, risk registers or resilience scorecards. Experience supporting or servicing governance structures (e.g., boards, steering groups). Experience working with community resilience, public engagement or emergency planning teams. Experience of developing or supporting funding bids or externally funded projects.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY

Essential Requirements: Strong understanding of climate change adaptation and resilience principles. Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret climate and risk data. Ability to clearly communicate technical information in accessible formats. Strong organisational and project management capability. Political sensitivity and experience working with Elected Members or senior leaders. Ability to work independently, manage competing deadlines and deliver at pace.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Essential Requirements: Full current driving licence and use of a car, or access to a form of transport that allows you to meet the requirements of the role. Be prepared to work outside of normal working hours at weekends, evenings and public holidays as dictated by the needs of the service. Access to a good internet and WIFI service if working from home or on a hybrid basis.