Sustainability Community Engagement Officer Net-Zero Energy

Climate17 is seeking a Sustainability Community Engagement Officer for Net-Zero Energy in Poole, UK. The role involves engaging with community energy groups, supporting local projects, and delivering initiatives related to net zero strategies. Key responsibilities include capacity building, stakeholder networking, organizing workshops and events, and communication efforts. Candidates should have relevant experience and be available to work primarily in the Greater South East region.
Community Engagement Officer Net-Zero Energy

The post holder will work across the Greater Southeast region to identify and engage community energy groups, supporting the successful development of local projects. This role will involve formulating and delivering community energy-related initiatives while supporting the delivery of local net zero strategies.

Key responsibilities include:
• Building capacity and capability within the community, and raising awareness of opportunities to develop local community energy projects.
• Developing robust and transparent processes for engaging diverse community organizations.
• Networking and establishing, building, and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders.
• Identifying community energy potential and assisting groups in preparing specifications and tender documents.
• Preparing and delivering community energy capacity building workshops.
• Hosting events within the community.
• Producing and distributing a range of communications to raise awareness of community energy opportunities.
• Preparing, delivering, and facilitating presentations/open meetings and discussions as required.
• Developing relevant tools to support local net zero communities.
• Disseminating information and learning to community organizations.
• Supporting community energy groups’ activities.
• Contributing to reporting, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
• Providing regular updates on projects for social media and website pages.
• Representing the GSE Net Zero Hub at national and local outreach promotion events.
• Ensuring work activity is well communicated within the wider GSE Net Zero Hub team.
• Travelling to meet key stakeholders and visit communities/sites across the Greater South East.

Ideal Skills & Experience include:
• A degree in community development, renewable energy, or a relevant qualification.
• Significant experience working with community organizations in community development.
• Knowledge of local community energy and Net Zero sectors.
• A strong awareness of the requirements for effective team-working and the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, stakeholders, and the wider public.
• Effective partnership-building skills and practical experience in partnership working, especially with community groups.
• Detailed knowledge and demonstrable practical experience in community energy development.
• Well-developed interpersonal communication skills to form effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders in public and private sectors, including senior management.
• Excellent presentation skills, with the ability to present complex ideas in a comprehensive and accessible format.
• Experience in writing reports and contributing to performance management and reporting.
• Experience in organizing, hosting, and supporting public events, following best practice and safeguarding processes.
• Experience in fundraising, project grant applications, attracting investment, and crowdsourcing funds.
• Practical experience in the delivery of small to medium-scale renewable energy capital projects is desirable.
• Candidates should be available to work the majority of the time in the Greater South East.