Overview

The Sustainability Behaviour Change & Engagement Officer will support the delivery of sustainability engagement and behaviour-change activity across the University, helping staff and students take practical action in support of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy.

Based in Estates & Facilities Management, the role will help translate University-level sustainability commitments into clear guidance, local actions and practical engagement activities. The postholder will work with colleagues across Schools, Faculties, Professional Services and the Students’ Union to support a One University approach to sustainability, with a focus on the everyday behaviours and decisions that influence energy and water use, resource consumption, waste, reuse, travel and lower-carbon ways of working.

The role will support the Sustainability Programme Lead by helping to coordinate engagement mechanisms such as the Sustainability Network, local sustainability action planning, impact reports and staff and student sustainability initiatives. The postholder will act as an approachable point of contact for sustainability queries, signposting colleagues to the right guidance, tools, data and specialist advice.

The postholder will produce clear guidance, updates, toolkits, case studies and digital content that help people understand sustainability impacts, why they matter and how they can contribute.

This will be an active delivery role, not simply an advisory post. The postholder will help coordinate engagement activity, support local action and follow up with colleagues to ensure sustainability opportunities are translated into practical change.

Main duties and responsibilities:

  • Support the delivery of sustainability engagement and behaviour-change activity aligned with the Environmental Sustainability Strategy.
  • Act as an approachable point of contact for sustainability queries from staff, students and local sustainability leads.
  • Support the Sustainability Network, staff and student sustainability activity and other communities of practice.
  • Help Schools, Faculties and Professional Services develop local sustainability actions using impact reports, guidance and feedback.
  • Contribute to behaviour-change interventions that make sustainable choices easier, more visible and more rewarding.
  • Support targeted engagement projects linked to energy and water use, resource efficiency, reuse, waste reduction, sustainable travel and lower-carbon ways of working.
  • Produce clear engagement materials, guidance, toolkits, case studies, web content and updates.
  • Maintain sustainability engagement records, contact lists, action trackers and shared information systems.
  • Gather and present information to support reporting, dashboards, rankings, governance updates and the annual sustainability report.
  • Support sustainability meetings and working groups, including agendas, minutes, action logs and follow-up.
  • Liaise with colleagues across EFM, academic departments, Professional Services and the Students’ Union to support coordinated sustainability activity and communications.
  • Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for someone who is interested in sustainability, people and practical change to develop experience in engagement, behaviour change, project support, reporting and stakeholder coordination within a large, complex organisation.

Person specification

Essential:

  • An honours degree or equivalent experience.
  • Awareness of behaviour-change approaches, organisational culture or community engagement.
  • Demonstrable interest in sustainability and environmental issues.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build positive collaborative relationships with a range of stakeholders.
  • Ability to produce clear written materials, such as guidance, briefings, web content, case studies or updates.
  • Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
  • Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks, deadlines and stakeholder requests.
  • Ability to organise, summarise and present information clearly, including using spreadsheets or similar tools.

Desirable:

  • Experience supporting engagement activity, behaviour-change initiatives, campaigns, events or practical projects.
  • Understanding of sustainability within a university or large, complex organisation.
  • Experience of supporting meetings, events, networks or communities of practice.

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with this role’s criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

For informal enquiries about this job, contact James Merryclough, Sustainability Programme Lead, on: j.merryclough@sheffield.ac.uk or on 07415 604224

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