Green Economy Officer

**Grade / Salary: ME13 £45,021 - £48,060 per annum**

**Advert Text**:
**The Role**

The Green Economy Lead role is an exciting, varied and hands-on role dedicated to the development and delivery of projects which help drive the transition to a low carbon economy in Merton. Key areas of work will include working with businesses, their representatives and educational providers to boost green skills and jobs and the circular economy. This role sits within Merton’s economic development team but will also work in a cross-cutting and collegiate way with colleagues across the council including our Climate, Adult Learning and Towards Employment teams. You will work as part of a large, friendly regeneration team including highways, planning, urban design, flood risk and climate change, with opportunities for development and growth in skills and experience across different disciplines.

We are looking for someone who is proactive with excellent communication and project management skills, and the ability to engage and collaborate with a range of colleagues and external partners and stakeholders such as the South London Partnership and Merton's Chamber of Commerce. You will have a proven track record of working across and successfully influencing different organisations such as Business Improvement Districts and other business groups, or working directly with businesses.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Work with businesses and business organisations in Merton to lead the transition to a low carbon and circular economy in Merton
- Manage projects that improve Merton’s economic resilience to the impacts of climate change.
- Promote participation in green and low carbon economic activity through job creation, upskilling, reskilling and enterprise and innovation.
- Drive sustainable behaviour change and initiatives which support the decarbonisation of local businesses.
- Bridge the gap between our Climate Emergency work and our medium to long term economic recovery work.

**Authority Context**

Achieving net zero has long been a high priority for the London borough of Merton. We have strong and consistent political and internal support to embed net zero practices across the council. This was highlighted through the unanimous support for Merton’s declaration of a Climate Emergency in 2019, as well as Merton’s commitment to being a net-zero carbon council by 2030 and a net zero carbon borough by 2050 as set out in our Climate Strategy and Action Plan adopted in November 2020. The council has dedicated an additional £4million towards climate projects in the last two years on top of existing budgets to support the delivery of Merton’s net zero targets.

You'd be joining a friendly team that works on exciting projects with colleagues across the council, community partners and other stakeholders. We offer a range of benefits including opportunities for flexible working where this fits in with the team.