Location: Home working with regular meetings in Oxford, United Kingdom
Department: Engagement and Science
Reports to: Programme Manager
Direct reports: N/A
Salary: £7,000 inc VAT
Contract: 1 September to 2 December
Deadline for application: 28 August 2018
Interviews: Due to the immediate nature of this piece of work, applications will be screened and candidates may be interviewed before the closing date
OVERVIEW
Earthwatch is looking for a consultant to conduct a systematic literature review and produce a technical report and policy summary that provide clear guidance on the top ten actions individuals can take to reduce their plastic waste, to help address the issue of plastic pollution in UK freshwater environments. We are looking for someone with a good working knowledge of the issue of plastic pollution and current policy framework, who has demonstrated experience of conducting systematic literature reviews.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; Earthwatch is unable to support visa applications.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Role purpose:
To conduct a systematic literature review and produce a technical report and policy summary that provide clear guidance on the top ten actions individuals can take to reduce their plastic waste, to help address the issue of plastic pollution in UK freshwater environments.
Major duties:
To perform a systematic literature review to identify available scientific data and reputable grey literature, in order to detail, quantify and prioritise:
- The most prevalent identifiable macro-plastic items (by volume) found in the natural environment in the UK, with a focus on freshwater
- The interventions / actions that would reduce the presence of each item in the freshwater environment and the associated unintended consequences, particularly with respect to water and carbon footprint and sustainable land use
To produce a full technical report based on the results of the review, including an executive summary and introduction and outlining methods (including calculations), results, conclusion and discussion (including assumptions and limitations), with a full list of references.
Requirements:
- At least an MSc level education in a relevant discipline
- Experience of working with limited supervision on literature reviews, and producing high quality reports to deadline. Ability to analyse large quantities of material from the literature and in conducting systematic reviews and/or meta-analysis
- A strong working knowledge of the issue of plastic pollution, particularly in terrestrial and freshwater environments and knowledge of the policy framework for plastics and plastic waste
- Critical analysis skills, particularly the ability to express information concisely and logically and present findings in an impartial and evidence based manner
- Experience of working in the fields of public engagement and environmental behaviour change
- Ability to present results to academic and non-academic audiences
- Experience of conducting your own research on plastic pollution in marine or freshwater environments (preferable)
Other Criteria:
- This role operates on a short-term consultancy basis. As such you must have access to full text online journals, or a university library or equivalent that will enable such access. It is essential you have this for the full duration of the post
- The candidate must be able to attend at least two meetings in person at our Oxford office during the contract, and attend regular remote meetings (e.g. by Skype)
Apply for this role – For more information, and details on the application process, please download the RFP / job description below
