Climate Adaptation Consultant

ADAS, part of the RSK Group, is seeking a Climate Adaptation Consultant for a full-time permanent role, with hybrid home and office working available from the ADAS Boxworth office near Cambridge, or RSK offices in Bristol or Glasgow
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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, although this role will predominantly focus on climate adaptation and resilience.

As a Climate Adaptation Consultant you will work with a range of clients from government and the food supply chain to assess climate risks and support adaptation of food production systems so that they are more resilient to climate change. This will consider all scales of system, from individual farms through to national‑level, and will consider how to build resilience while increasing overall environmental sustainability and maintaining productivity and profitability of these systems.

You will be involved in supporting climate change risk assessments, aligning analyses to relevant standards such as TCFD, ISO methodologies and Defra adaptation guidance, and interpreting and using climate projections (e.g., Met Office) to assess potential future impacts from climate change. Project work will include identifying options for adaptation and developing plans/strategies. You will also work in strategy development to support the transition to net zero and climate resilience, including alignment to the Transition Plan Taskforce (TPT) Disclosure Framework and the International Sustainability Standards Board’s (ISSB) S2 climate change reporting standard.

You will also have involvement in stakeholder communication, consultation, and engagement activities. Significant experience in these areas is not required, but some exposure is preferred.

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 qualitative and quantitative analysis/research and reporting, working with local government, other public sector organisations, farmers, advisers and supply chain actors. The role requires practical problem‑solving skills and the ability to communicate well with a range of stakeholders.

This role works across multiple sectors, but with a strong focus on land‑based sectors, especially food and agriculture, habitats and nature; therefore interests and experience in those sectors will be a benefit.

• Approach: take a rigorous approach and attention to detail in both quantitative and qualitative research and analysis.
• Writing: demonstrate strong writing skills and the ability to present messages in a clear and concise way to a range of different audiences (often non‑technical). Candidates should be comfortable using Word and PowerPoint to create engaging materials for presentation (this will be assessed as part of the recruitment process).
• Data analysis: demonstrate strong quantitative/mathematical and Excel skills (this will be assessed as part of the recruitment process).
• Communication: act professionally in front of a range of audiences, communicating in a clear manner through emails, videoconferencing (TEAMS) and face‑to‑face meetings.
• Project management: be organised and manage their own work to deliver into multiple projects. In time, starting with small projects and building to larger ones as experience grows, to take on the management of projects (with support from senior staff).
• Contract management: ensure contracts are managed on time and to budget.

Previous consultancy experience delivering climate change risk assessments or wider sustainability in UK land‑based sectors (e.g. agriculture, forestry, local authority), or other related areas. Degree or relevant vocational qualification in a relevant science or land‑focussed subject such as, but not limited to, Agriculture, Biology, Geography or Environmental Science.

• Understanding or experience working…