Agricultural Climate and Sustainability Consultant

Agricultural Climate and Sustainability Consultant

Location Hybrid, Cambridge, UK

The Vacancy

ADAS, part of the RSK Group is seeking to employ an Agricultural Climate and Sustainability Consultant, on a full-time permanent basis, with hybrid home and office working available out of the ADAS Boxworth office near Cambridge.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on one of humanity's most pressing challenges: how do we produce safe, nutritious food in a sustainable and profitable way while adapting to climate change. Consultants will have the chance to work across all aspects of agricultural systems on a wide range of topics.

As an agricultural climate and sustainability consultant you will work with a range of clients from government and the food supply chain to support in the decarbonisation of food production, whilst increasing overall environmental sustainability and maintaining productive profitable agricultural systems. You will be involved in modelling agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water-use efficiency, identifying opportunities to benefit nature, developing environmental mitigation strategies, assessing climate risks and vulnerabilities and other aspects to support the environmental sustainability and resilience of food production in the UK.

Suitable candidates will be required to deliver consultancy solutions to a range of different clients from both public and private sectors. The focus is on desk-based modelling and reporting, working with farmers, advisers, supply chain actors and government. The role requires practical problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate well with a range of stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop tools to collect, analyse and interpret farm and supply chain data to support reporting into baseline GHG emission assessments (aligned to GHG Protocol standards, Science Based Targets) and other sustainability assessments (water, nature, resilience).
• Provide consultancy input into projects linked to climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation within agriculture.
• Draft reports that are compliant with industry standards and client requirements.
• Manage small projects to deliver on time and within budget.
• Support senior staff in drafting tenders and proposals as required.

Person Specification

• Relevant post graduate experience in UK agricultural or food production systems, or delivering consultancy linked to UK agricultural production (arable and/or livestock).
• Degree or relevant vocational qualification in a relevant subject such as Agriculture, Biology, Geography or Environmental Science.
• Understanding or experience working with farm-level carbon accounting, or industry frameworks such as TCFD or TNFD would be an advantage.
• Competent user of Microsoft Software, including Windows OS, TEAMS, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Understanding of advanced data science modelling would be an advantage, such as familiarity with coding in Excel VBA, R, or Python.
• Fluency in English to communicate in a clear and concise manner, both through written (email, reports) and verbal applications.
• Have a full UK driving licence and own transport (the Boxworth office has limited public transport access).

Salary and Benefits

• Salary up to £35,000 per annum, negotiable depending on experience.
• On the job training and mentoring will be provided, alongside industry relevant qualifications.
• Contributory Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
• We encourage Continuing Professional Development and support Chartership to relevant professional bodies.
• Encouragement to participate in and lead relevant professional committees.
• Allowance for membership to one professional body.
• Flexible benefits programme with the option to buy additional holidays and private health care.
• Volunteer days allowing staff to support local good causes and environmental activities.
• RSK EV scheme, cycle to work scheme and other benefits.

Those candidates that pass the initial sift will be invited to interview - ideally face to face, in Boxworth Cambridge on 14-15th May 2025. For the interview, the candidate will be required to complete three exercises in advance: a short timed written report; a timed data handling task; and the preparation of a presentation for delivery in the interview. Each interview will last up to one hour with a panel of 2-3 assessors.

About Us

ADAS is the UK's largest independent environmental and agricultural consultancy. Our goal as a company is two-fold: secure British food and enhance the environment. Established over 75 years ago and part of RSK Group since 2016, we offer high-quality, research-based tailored solutions for a wide-ranging client base. From working with small and medium-sized landowners to helping shape government policy with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), we are adept at collecting and analysing data and creating bespoke strategies to achieve the best outcome for our client's unique needs. We are a trusted brand when it comes to managing the countryside: we do more than simply tick checkboxes; we will formulate a strategy that benefits the landowner and nature - our approach is fluid and changes according to requirements.

As well as agricultural research and consultancy, ADAS provides ecology, arboriculture, archaeology, planning, and landscape services to a growing base of clients working across multiple sectors. Our technical specialists have supported both local and nationally significant utility, transport, infrastructure, government and development projects. Some of our client relationships span over 40 years. We evolve and innovate with our clients, thereby ensuring that we provide a practical, reliable, and responsive service.

ADAS is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then.

At RSK, we operate as a group of businesses that work together seamlessly, aiming for growth through diversification. Our strategy helps us build a strong and resilient business, capable of weathering external challenges, while also providing greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our employees.

Since the beginning, our philosophy has remained the same: employ, develop and reward talented individuals. People are crucial to our company, and we recognise that our success hinges on our colleagues' growth. We're committed to preserving RSK's people-first culture, promoting innovation, and fostering a supportive and caring environment for collaboration. At RSK, we want you to be part of our successes and help you reach your career aspirations. We take pride in offering employees fulfilling and challenging careers by promoting ongoing growth and empowering individuals to excel.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating the diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company.

By providing workplace adjustments, we make it easier for people to confidently explore and pursue our career opportunities and recognise that flexibility is key to fostering a dynamic and thriving workplace. Many of our office-based positions benefit from a flexible working arrangement, allowing our team members to achieve a balance between professional and personal commitments.

We actively encourage applications from candidates of all genders, races, ethnicities, ages, neurotypes, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, and those with disabilities.

If you're passionate about making a difference, join us as we work together to build a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for all. Do you have what it takes?