Sustainability Officer

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Chief Operating Officer Group works closely with the Home Office’s policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the department’s priorities.

The group is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Communications, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Private Office, Security, Estates and Information.

We’re looking to fill two roles within HOPS Environmental Sustainability Team:

Role 1 is a Sustainability Officer (Climate Change, Net Zero and Water) who will play a key role in identifying/developing the suite of policies and action plans to deliver targets set out in the Greening Government Commitments (GGC) targets and Home Office’s Climate Change Adaptation, Net Zero and Water Strategies. The role holder will actively work to reduce our carbon emissions, better manage our water consumption and make our estate and operations more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Role 2 is a Sustainability Officer (Circular Economy and Ecology) who will play a key role in identifying/developing the suite of policies and action plans to deliver targets set out in the Greening Government Commitments (GGC) targets and Home Office’s Circular Economy, Waste and Ecology Strategies.

Both roles will sit within Home Office Property Services (HOPS) and the role holders will work to deliver our Greening Government Commitments (GGC) and wider environmental aims.

Job description

Role 1 Climate Change, Net Zero and Water

You will have responsibility for identifying and developing policies and action plans for the departments net zero, climate change adaptation and water strategies.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Working closely with the Sustainability Strategy and Policy Lead, subject matter experts and wider stakeholders to identify, develop and implement actions to support delivery of the department’s Climate Change Action Plan, Net Zero target, Water Management Plan and related GGC targets.
• Monitoring and reporting progress against internal and external targets and commitments, in collaboration with the Sustainability Data and Reporting Team.
• Embedding regulatory requirements and emerging best practice into standards for the departments Climate Change and Net Zero policy and procedures, driving sustainable outcomes wherever possible.
• Creating and embedding climate change, net zero and water policy, procedures and guidance into delivery of HOPS wider delivery.
• Providing subject matter expertise and advice on climate change, net zero and water matters, including support and direction to Procurement, Facilities Management, Project Delivery colleagues and our staff and building users.

Role 2: Circular Economy and Ecology

You will have responsibility for identifying and developing policies and action plans for the departments waste & circular economy & ecology strategies.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Working closely with the Sustainability Strategy and Policy Lead, subject matter experts and wider stakeholders to identify, develop and implement actions to support delivery of the Circular Economy strategy and related waste management activities and related GGC targets.
• Monitoring and reporting progress against internal and external targets and commitments, in collaboration with the Sustainability Data and Reporting Team.
• Embedding regulatory requirements and emerging best practice into standards for the departments waste management processes, driving circular economy outcomes wherever possible.
• Providing subject matter expertise advice on circular economy and waste management matters, including support and direction to Procurement, Facilities Management, Project Delivery colleagues and our staff and building users.

Ecology

• Working closely with the Sustainability Strategy and Policy Lead, subject matter experts and wider stakeholders to identify, develop and implement actions to support delivery of the department’s ecology commitments.
• Developing a biodiversity baseline for key land holdings on the Home Office estate, develop an action plan and manage the implementation of nature recovery initiatives.
• Providing technical advice, guidance, training, resources and support to project delivery teams in delivering voluntary nature recovery initiatives and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG+10) requirements for construction projects, working with stakeholders such as project teams, local authorities and local interest groups to implement best practice nature outcomes for our property projects.
• Overseeing the management and maintenance of Home Office’s land holdings, driving continuous improvement of our natural capital assets.

Broader Responsibilities (applies to both roles):

• Ensuring that all areas of responsibility drive environmental improvement and support the government’s sustainability agenda and targets.
• Building constructive working relationships with Home Office and HOPS stakeholders and third-party contractors to support delivery of their objectives.
• Maintaining a culture of responsiveness, responsibility, continuous improvement, mutual support and pride in where we work.

You will be expected to keep abreast of current and emerging innovation on all aspects of sustainability, with particular focus on your own areas of responsibility and factor this into future interventions.

You will be crosscutting across different areas of sustainability and you will be required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Working pattern

Due to the business requirements of these roles, they are only available on a full-time basis. However, compressed hours are available.

Training

You will receive full training and support to perform your preferred role.

Person specification

Essential criteria

You must be able to demonstrate:

For Role 1

• For the Net Zero, Climate Change & Water role, you will be expected to have a comprehensive knowledge and experience in developing and implementing either:

  1. Net Zero and energy efficiency strategies and policies, or
  2. Climate change strategies or policies.

  You will be expected to quickly develop the skills and knowledge to become subject matter expert on Net Zero, Climate Change and Water Management.

• Experience working in a sustainability/environmental management role within a property environment, with a strong understanding of legislation, regulation, and best practices related to the disciplines for which you are applying.
• Demonstrable ability to develop a diverse range of policies, standards and interventions which will drive clear outcomes.
• Experience of working with and influencing multi-discipline stakeholders.
• The ability to quickly navigate complex relationships with senior leaders in a large, complex organisation building credibility and trust and an ability to influence constructively and command confidence at all levels.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and experience of leading teams to solve problems through innovation.

For Role 2

• For the Circular Economy and Ecology role, you will be expected to have a comprehensive knowledge and experience in developing and implementing either:

  1. Circular economy and waste management strategies and policies, or
  2. Ecology strategies and policies.

  You will be expected to quickly develop the skills and knowledge to become subject matter expert on both Circular Economy and Ecology.

• Experience working in a sustainability/environmental management role within a property environment, with a strong understanding of legislation, regulation, and best practices related to the disciplines for which you are applying.
• Demonstrable ability to develop a diverse range of policies, standards and interventions which will drive clear outcomes.
• Experience of working with and influencing multi-discipline stakeholders.
• The ability to quickly navigate complex relationships with senior leaders in a large, complex organisation building credibility and trust and an ability to influence constructively and command confidence at all levels.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and experience of leading teams to solve problems through innovation.

Desirable criteria for both roles

• A degree in an environmental discipline OR substantial experience of working within the sustainability/environmental sector.
• Professional membership of an environmental body e.g., Institute of Sustainability & Environmental Professionals (ISEP) or working towards accreditation.
• The ability to influence key senior stakeholders, colleagues and customers towards solutions that support the business outcomes.
• A proven track record in driving environmental sustainability initiatives in property-focused roles.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.

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Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.

1. Application – by 29th May 2026.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• A CV.
• Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words).
• Evidence of the Behaviour Communicating and Influencing (maximum of 250 words).

Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.

The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.

Please also state on your personal statement if you are applying for role 1Sustainability Officer (Climate Change, Net Zero and Water) or role 2Sustainability Officer (Circular Economy and Ecology).

For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.

2. Sift – 2nd June 2026.

The sift will be held on the Personal Statement, CV, and the Behaviour Communicating and Influencing.

Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement and CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of all the remaining elements submitted (Lead Behaviour). Candidates who fail to meet the minimum pass score for the initial sift will not have their remaining submitted elements scored and will only receive a sift score for that assessed at the initial sift.

3. Interview – 23rd June 2026.

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours (as listed in the job advert) and Experience based questions. All Behaviours listed in the selection process will be scored at the interview.

In addition, candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation that will be delivered at interview. The presentation question/scenario will be disclosed closer to the interviews.

The presentation will be assessed against 'Behaviours' on the 'Success Profiles' and will be specifically assessed against the Behaviour Making Effective Decisions.

The interview will take place via MS Teams.

For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.

Problems during the application process

If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.

Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.

Location preferences

You can select up to threelocations in order of preference. Please ensure that these are locations you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at one of your preferred locations and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.

Reserve lists will be held for each location. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by location.

Breaking Tied Scores

The behaviours have been ranked in order of importance to enable us to differentiate between candidates with tied interview scores.

Standards

All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Multiple roles

As part of the recruitment process, you will be given the opportunity to express your role preferences. Please bear in mind that any offers will be made in merit order, and we cannot provide an assurance that all successful candidates will be offered their preferred role.

Additional Security Checks

As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. The level of Criminal Record Check required for this role is Basic. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.

Further Information

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs

• Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Home Office Resourcing Centre
• Email : HORCCampaignTeamCorporateEnablers@homeoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles. and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

Candidate_Information_v17_April_2026 Opens in new window (pdf, 207kB)2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)