Climate Risk Consultant

The Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) is a well-established organisation in the heart of government which uses statistical analysis and probabilistic financial models to assess a wide range of risks facing the public sector.  Using these techniques, we aim to enhance the stewardship of public sector finances by providing expert advice to government departments in areas including contingent risks, insurance, pensions, and social security.

Increasingly we are advising departments on climate change risk and are working with HM Treasury to support central government Departments to produce TCFD (Taskforce on Climate Related Financial Disclosures) reporting. It is expected that this work will involve finding needs in common between departments and developing approaches and tools to meet these. To compliment the skills and experience in our existing team we want you to bring experience and expertise in TCFD reporting. This may have been gained in-house or working at a consultancy.

This role provides an opportunity to work on climate risk in the public sector, working with a range of Government Departments and public service bodies. You will be responsible for input to strategic decisions on prioritisation of areas of climate risk and TCFD advice for public service bodies, and developing this and related business through discussions with clients. You will liaise with central government stakeholders with relevant TCFD / climate policy responsibilities (i.e. HMT, DESNZ and Defra) to help establish and embed public sector best practice.

You will lead production of climate risk and TCFD-related advice across a portfolio of projects, aiming to deliver on time, at cost, and to a high quality.  This will increasingly involve managing the work produced by analysts and actuarial trainees and training them in the aspects where you have expertise. As part of your role, we expect you to help grow and develop both your own skills, and those of junior colleagues. You will work with a team of actuaries, trainee actuaries and analysts to carry out your role.

You can find out more about GAD, our work, the open positions, and our assessment process in the following recruitment pack and YouTube video:

• GAD Actuary I&I Recruitment Pack – June 2023 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
• Actuaries in government – YouTube

We are looking for specific experience in the following areas (but don’t expect candidates to cover all of them):

• Understanding the TCFD reporting recommendations at a high level, with practical experience of providing input to them directly or as an advisor. This could include:
  • Inputting to / using the outputs of scenario analysis and use of a range of climate scenarios (e. International Energy Agency, Network for Greening the Financial System, Shared Socioeconomic Pathways, Representative Concentration Pathways).
  • Climate-related risk identification exercises, including risks to infrastructure
  • Quantification of climate related financial risks to a business, pension scheme, bank, insurer or any other entity
  • Drafting of TCFD reporting
  • Providing advice on measures to address climate related risks
  • Assessment of greenhouse gas emissions across a complex organisation (including Scope 3)

1. To lead delivery of high-quality analytical advice to a range of public service clients relating to climate risk and climate-related financial disclosures. The role will need to be undertaken in accordance with GAD’s values; our goal of agile working is particularly relevant in this context.

2. Specific areas of work may include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Climate risk identification and quantification
• Climate scenario analysis
• Other climate risk advice, for example assessing climate risks to policy

3. To contribute to GAD strategic approach to attaining and delivering climate risk work including advice on central government TCFD reporting. This includes prioritising areas of work, planning resources, updating business plans, and preparing approaches to existing and potential clients.

4. To work with colleagues to ensure all work is appropriately scoped and delivered in an efficient and timely manner with a focus on providing value for money for our clients. This may include:

• Specifying work, monitoring output and providing feedback
• Effective project management including managing of budgets
• Motivating and team building
• Operational duties – scheduling work, leave management, exercising financial control as required

5. In all cases the role requires a consistently high level of service to be provided and for work to be undertaken to a high professional standard. This includes

• Providing/supporting appropriate quality advice (oral or written) to agreed time-scales and within budget, as necessary;
• Utilising innovative approaches to improve work processes
• Adapting to changing client needs and balancing conflicting priorities;
• Complying with GAD guidance.

6. To help contribute to the development of more junior colleagues including helping plan GAD’s approach to staff learning and development plans for climate risk.

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Knowledge of TCFD reporting and analytical techniques and concepts to support production of disclosures (Essential)

As well as competitive salaries, we offer a substantial package of benefits:

• 25 days annual leave per year, increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service. In addition, 9 days public and privilege days leave per year (pro rata for part time colleagues)
• Hybrid working – GAD expects colleagues in the office 50% of the time. We would expect you in either our Canary Wharf or Edinburgh office, at least two / three days a week, dependent on operational requirements and typically the other days at home.
• Pension -An average employer pension contribution of 27% per year.
• Professional Fees – you can claim back the cost of professional fees associated with your role.
• Extensive talent, career and personal development, with up to ten days a year, being used for Continuing Professional Development.
• Family-friendly policies such as help with caring responsibilities, special leave, generous paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• Complimentary BUPA health check for permanent colleagues
• Community volunteering programme, the opportunity to join a trade union, access to Edenred discounts, some examples include, 5% off supermarkets, and up to 40% off gym memberships and social groups
• Salary advances for travel costs, including season tickets and cycle-to-work schemes

Job contact :

• Name : Recruitment Team
• Email : recruitment@gad.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@gad.gov.uk