Back

Chair of the Planetary Health and Sustainability Committee

  • Location : Remotely, with attendance in person at some meetings and conferences
  • Status : Five Year Term (2025 – 2030)
  • Salary : Voluntary role/unpaid
  • Closing date : 03/10/2025
  • Interview date : 09/10/2025

Job purpose

To lead the work of the Royal College of Psychiatrists to improve the sustainability of mental health care in the UK by chairing the Planetary Health and Sustainability Committee (PHSC).

Geographical Remit

This role will provide specialist and expert advice to College Honorary Officers and Vice Presidents. It will ensure the College maintains a leading position by working collaboratively across the UK to support influencing, sharing of expertise, learning and best practice.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Provide leadership to the PHSC by setting key objectives and developing strategies across the short and long term to develop changes that are discrete and integrated while working with College staff to ensure meetings operate smoothly and productively.  
  2. Increase awareness of the committee’s work by supporting, creating and promoting projects which champion sustainable values of mental-health care  
  3. Develop relationships with relevant stakeholders and organisations whose work intersects with the topics of mental health, environmental health and sustainability. 
  4. To improve the sustainability of College processes and advise Council on sustainability in relation to the College’s own activities including the College premises, travel, organisation of meetings, events and conferences and general energy requirements  
  5. Support the College to maintain its support, as a member of, the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC)  
  6. Oversee and develop existing workflows including recruitment, management and reporting of the College’s Sustainability Scholar Scheme and review of submissions for the annual College’s sustainability award 
  7. Ensure PHSC representation at College’s quarterly Net Zero meeting and PPAC. 
  8. To identify and develop potential areas of collaboration within and outside of the College.    

To learn more about what the College is doing to combat the climate and ecological emergency please read our position statement: Our planet’s climate and ecological emergency.
 

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this post, please submit a CV and a covering letter demonstrating experience (one A4 side) to governance@rcpsych.ac.uk.

For any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Theo Roberts, Membership and Governance Executive Officer.

Closing date: Friday 3 October at midnight

Interview date: Thursday 9 October 

JD Chair of Sustainability Committee