Atkins is a multi-disciplinary consultancy, globally employing some 18,000 engineers, scientists, architects and consultants in disciplines including energy, rail, highways, design, water and environment.
The Water and Environment business of Atkins covers all aspects of water, planning and environmental management. In addition to its own diverse client base, it acts as internal consultant to other Atkins’ disciplines.
The Climate Futures team is focussed on promoting climate action for sustainable development by providing expertise in climate impacts, vulnerability and risk; climate finance; and the development of weather and climate services with sector experts from other Atkins’ teams.
We work directly with several International Financial Institutions (IFIs) as well as for internal clients engaged in major infrastructure projects in the UK and internationally. A large part of work is in the water and natural environment sectors, but we also work with colleagues across the business, for example on urban development, transport and energy. Greenhouse gas management and climate change mitigation are led from other departments, although close links are maintained.
The Climate Futures team also has close links with the Water and Environment Futures team and Acuity, Atkins’ management consultancy.
Role :
Due to our expanding portfolio of projects and clients, we are looking to recruit an additional consultant into our Climate Futures team. The successful candidate will take a key role in our UK work, providing technical expertise on the UK Climate Projections and the analysis of weather and climate data in the Water and Environment and Transport sectors. There will be opportunities for international work on climate risk and vulnerability assessments for our International Financial Institution (IFI) clients. The candidate with work with a team of climate risk and climate finance experts and report to our Associate Director for Climate and Resilience.
Although some of our climate change work is related to the core functions of the Water and Environment business e.g. assessing the impact of climate change on future water supplies, the role is much broader and covers multiple sectors. Each team member offers unique sector, technical or data expertise for a range of applied science and evidence-based policy and strategic advisory projects. This role will provide climate data analysis and application of risk assessment methods, ranging from Environmental Impact Assessments and Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments through to the development of more complex models that link weather or climate data to project, river catchment or national risk assessments.
Our UK clients include water companies, Highways England and HS2. Our international clients include the AfDB, DFID, FCO, EBRD, EIB, EuropeAid and the World Bank.
Requirements:
The post holder will have at least an MSc in climate change or a closely related discipline, with experience and interest in climate change impact and adaptation assessment. We welcome candidates with any good first degree, which may be a natural / physical / environmental science, engineering or economics with strong analytical skills and an excellent knowledge of UK Climate Projections and global and regional weather and climate data sets.
The post holder will have the following essential attributes:
o Recent research or work experience, including climate risk assessment work for UK water companies and other clients.
o Excellent report-writing skills, with the ability to review evidence and produce succinct and timely summaries.
o Good numerical skills, with experience of working with spreadsheets, spatial data using GIS, weather and climate information.
o Experience of water/energy demand modelling hydrological modelling, flood risk assessment or other risk assessment methods.
o Some experience or an interest in developing expertise in Python, R or other programming languages for manipulation of large data sets and the development of risk assessment models.
o Good presentational skills.
o Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence at all levels within and outside Atkins.
o Be able to work as part of a team, as well as individually.
Training and Development
The post holder will have access to Atkins’ comprehensive training and development programme covering project, commercial, stakeholder and technical areas. This is bespoke to each employee and is agreed as part of the annual appraisal process.
It is likely that the post holder will have chartered scientist, chartered engineer and / or environmentalist status, through the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) or similar body or an equivalent level of training and development.
Rewards and Benefits
Please refer to our website for details of our full benefits package
This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary it will be discussed with you at interview.
If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.
