The Mineral Products Association (MPA) is a prominent UK Trade Association representing the Mineral Products Sector, including cement, aggregates, concrete, asphalt, and more. Our sector employs 80,000 people, generates £22 billion annually, and produces 400 million tonnes of material each year, making it the largest material flow in the UK economy. The member companies we represent range from multinational groups to SMEs.

This is an exciting opportunity to support the UK minerals industry in its decarbonisation journey. The Energy and Climate Change Technical Advisor will provide technical analytical support in all MPA work relating to energy and climate change and the transition to net zero. Examples of the work to be undertaken include modelling that underpins net zero roadmaps, collating evidence of disproportionate energy costs in the UK compared to competitors overseas, impacts of UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) changes on the sector, gathering evidence and information on trade to track implementation of key policies like the UK carbon border adjustment mechanism and responding to consultations.

The role is analytical and data driven and will also include the development of tools to enable regular reporting of progress against the roadmaps and help MPA members assess their carbon footprint.

Reporting to the Executive Director for Cement, Lime, Energy and Climate Change the role will be based in the MPA Cement and Lime team, but will provide some support to all MPA product groups on climate change matters.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Support the Executive Director in delivery of industry objectives on climate change and energy.
• Analyse policy changes (e.g. UK ETS, Energy Intensive Industries (EII) exemption, mineralogical exemption) and produce models that demonstrate potential impact on MPA members
• Monitor standards relating to net zero/ decarbonisation roadmap development, reporting and target setting.
• Represent MPA as an expert on standardisation committees relating to emissions reporting.
• Develop roadmaps based on data collection, analysis and consultation with members.
• Develop tools to enable progress against the roadmaps to be reported.
• Develop tools to enable MPA members to calculate their carbon footprint and keep these updated with the latest information.
• Present to key government & industry stakeholder groups the roadmap outcomes and the challenges and opportunities for the sector.
• Build network with key organisations like the Climate Change Committee to ensure sector progress is reported and key challenges are known and understood.
• Contribute to the sector’s Net Zero and sustainability strategies as well as provide a focus for information and analysis on the industry’s emission performance.
• Work with colleagues across MPA to produce and update carbon reporting tools including Environmental Product Declarations that help demonstrate product carbon impacts.
• Input and present to MPA Committees and members.
• Represent MPA at external meetings as required.
• Provide input to, and lead, MPA response to relevant consultations.

DIMENSIONS/TERRITORY/SCOPE of ROLE

The scope of the role is assigned/agreed via annual objectives, monthly reporting and regular project and working group meetings.

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) is the Trade Association for the aggregate, asphalt, cement, concrete, lime, mortar and silica sand industries. It represents over 400 members in the UK who supply over £9 billion worth of materials which underpin the UK’s £120 billion construction sector.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE JOB

The appointed individual is likely to be a science or engineering graduate with around 5 years’ experience in the field of climate change in a similar industry, consultancy or trade body. The candidate should possess:

• Strong administration skills, including experience of managing committees to deliver agreed outcomes;
• Strong IT literacy including a sound knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, Word, MS Teams and SharePoint;
• Knowledge and experience of UK and EU legislation in relevant areas and an understanding of the processes involved in development of standards and regulations is desirable;
• Experience of managing projects with multiple stakeholders using appropriate methodologies;
• Excellent organizational skills, effective time management, the ability to work independently, excellent attention to detail, positive client service attitude, the ability to multitask, and the ability to be flexible with changing priorities;
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written;
• Ability to foster effective working relationships and build consensus;
• Ability to interact and influence a variety of users and senior management;

The successful candidate will need to be an enthusiastic self-starter, highly motivated and able to work effectively with minimal supervision. They will form part of a small but highly effective and agile team as well as work closely with MPA member companies, central/devolved government departments and the regulatory agencies.