Our organisation

Incorporated in 2007, CES’ charitable objects are community development, environmental protection and the prevention and relief of poverty. CES has been at the forefront of community energy development since then, supporting communities to take control of and benefit from their local renewable energy resources and help lower carbon emissions.

CES is a membership based organisation with over 400 Members across Scotland and is open to non-profit-distributing community groups to join. The Board of Community Energy Scotland is made up of up of elected and co-opted Directors. Elected Directors are nominated and voted in by Community Energy Scotland’s Members at its Annual General Meeting. Co-opted Directors are then invited by the elected Directors to join the Board to bring in additional skills and experience. Each Director brings to the Board a wide range of experience and expertise, from community development, banking and financial expertise, grid and technical knowledge, international work, social enterprise, academia and many other skills, all directly relevant to the work of Community Energy Scotland.

The Carbon Neutral Islands Project Summary

The Carbon Neutral Islands project is a programme aimed at supporting islands to become carbon neutral by 2040. In May 2022 the Scottish Government announced that Hoy, Islay, Great Cumbrae, Raasay, Barra & Vatersay and Yell are to be part of its Carbon Neutral Islands project. These Islands will demonstrate the low carbon energy potential of Scotland’s islands as hubs of innovation in renewable energy and climate change resilience, whilst positively impacting on island economies and population retention and growth.

The Carbon Neutral Islands project will help to deliver key commitments in the National Islands Plan and will create jobs, protect Scottish island environments from climate change, and contribute to the Scottish Government’s 2045 net zero commitment.

Job Purpose

Community Energy Scotland is looking to recruit an energetic, well-organised and self-motivated individual to be part of a team tasked with delivering the next phase of the Carbon Neutral Islands project.

Working as part of a team in CES, and in partnership with other island communities, to provide resource & support for off-grid islands to develop an understanding of their unique challenges, support them in their journey to net zero and use the learnings to inform the development of a Community Action Handbook.

Location

Location is flexible across Scotland, the successful candidate will need to travel to the off-grid islands on the West Coast of Scotland. Homeworking is an option. We currently have office provision in Benbecula and Lewis and expect to resume offices in Orkney in the near future. We have staff in Glasgow, Edinburgh and around Inverness area and are used to working as a remote team. Some travel to other areas in Scotland is likely to be required, while keeping our carbon footprint down following CES’ environmental policy.

Our organisation

Incorporated in 2007, CES’ charitable objects are community development, environmental protection and the prevention and relief of poverty. CES has been at the forefront of community energy development since then, supporting communities to take control of and benefit from their local renewable energy resources and help lower carbon emissions.

CES is a membership based organisation with over 400 Members across Scotland and is open to non-profit-distributing community groups to join. The Board of Community Energy Scotland is made up of up of elected and co-opted Directors. Elected Directors are nominated and voted in by Community Energy Scotland’s Members at its Annual General Meeting. Co-opted Directors are then invited by the elected Directors to join the Board to bring in additional skills and experience. Each Director brings to the Board a wide range of experience and expertise, from community development, banking and financial expertise, grid and technical knowledge, international work, social enterprise, academia and many other skills, all directly relevant to the work of Community Energy Scotland.

The Carbon Neutral Islands Project Summary

The Carbon Neutral Islands project is a programme for government commitment aimed at supporting islands to become carbon neutral by 2040. In May 2022 the Scottish Government announced that Hoy, Islay, Great Cumbrae, Raasay, Barra and Yell were to be part of its Carbon Neutral Islands project. These Islands will demonstrate the low carbon energy potential of Scotland’s islands as hubs of innovation in renewable energy and climate change resilience, whilst positively impacting on island economies and population retention and growth.

The Carbon Neutral Islands project will help to deliver key commitments in the National Islands Plan and will create jobs, protect Scottish island environments from climate change, and contribute to the Scottish Government’s 2045 net zero commitment.

Job Purpose

Community Energy Scotland is looking to recruit an energetic, well-organised and self-motivated individual to be part of a team delivering the next phase of the Carbon Neutral Islands project.

Working as part of a team in CES, and in partnership with the six island communities on the development of fully detailed, costed and resourced locally led investment strategies for each of the 6 islands.

Location is flexible across Scotland, the successful candidate will be expected to travel to participating islands. Homeworking is an option. We currently have office provision in Benbecula and Lewis and expect to resume offices in Orkney in the near future. We have staff in Glasgow, Edinburgh and around Inverness area and are used to working as a remote team. Some travel to other areas in Scotland is likely to be required, while keeping our carbon footprint down following CES’ environmental policy.

Location

Location is flexible across Scotland, the successful candidate will need to travel to the off-grid islands on the West Coast of Scotland. Homeworking is an option. We currently have office provision in Benbecula and Lewis and expect to resume offices in Orkney in the near future. We have staff in Glasgow, Edinburgh and around Inverness area and are used to working as a remote team. Some travel to other areas in Scotland is likely to be required, while keeping our carbon footprint down following CES’ environmental policy.

Can you develop a Policy and Advocacy Strategy for a national community support organisation?

Do you have knowledge of the process of and challenges involved in deploying renewable energy systems?

Do you have excellent relationship-building skills, and the ability to confidently communicate with the highest level policy influencers and key decision makers?

Can you deliver policy interventions on behalf of, and in consultation with, our members?

*What is it like to work for CES? Here’s some feedback from our January 2023 Staff Satisfaction survey*

• Really supportive and encouraging team. Love working collaboratively with colleagues and communities.
• CES feels both friendly and professional, which is very much a reflection of management attitudes.
• Feeling trusted to get on with work and being allowed flexibility when required.
• Staff wellbeing feels like a high priority at CES.
• Working with people who care on interesting projects
• I have a job that pays well, feels significant, based where I want to live, and I genuinely like the people I work with.
• Feel valued as an employee and the aims/vision of CES align strongly with my own

Role

We are looking to recruit an energetic, well-organised and self-motivated individual to develop plans and capability for delivering local low carbon transport initiatives across the Network 76 project area. Technical training will be provided where required, alongside personal development opportunities and support from the wider Community Energy Scotland team. The work location for the post to be agreed with the successful candidate - Glasgow and surrounding areas can be considered, as well as the project area.

The purpose of the post is to provide technical, community and project management support to the six N76 project partner organisations, with the aim of developing plans and capability for delivering local low carbon transport initiatives across the N76 project area.

Network 76 in Motion (N76) is proposed as a long-term community led transport project, encompassing a partnership of community trusts within the Glenkens - New Cumnock – Keir, Penpont and Tynron triangle of the Southern Uplands.

It is based on a 5-year phased approach to developing a sustainable community transport network within Mid and Upper Nithsdale, The Glenkens, the southern locality of East Ayrshire and beyond. The first 3 years will focus on local action; with the aim of gathering granular baseline data, developing community ideas, objectives and raising wider awareness, then building on this understanding by initiating community led sustainable transport projects in each of the partner communities. The final 2 years will move the focus to wider transport connections spanning across and between partner communities; examining the potential for community leadership and collective action.

Job Description

Research and develop links to regional transport networks:

• Support N76 partner communities in building relationships with external stakeholders (including road, rail and bus operators, local and national governments and national transport agencies)

• Meet with external stakeholders to discuss partnership working

• Gather data to provide an insight into bottlenecks, identify drivers for investment and identify future travel policy/priorities

• Create a low carbon transport map of the N76 project area

Assist in local consultations and transport planning:

• Assist the six N76 partner community organisations in hosting consultation events and surveys to identify communities’ specific travel needs and wishes including barriers to wider travel

• Gather data on local service provision, common and important journeys and links, and barriers to sustainable transport across the N76 project area

• Co-produce six local transport plans (one with each of the N76 partner organisations)

• Compile a partnership report including baseline data and options for low carbon transport actions the N76 partner communities could take collectively

Build capacity for action among the N76 community partners:

• Organise and facilitate regular (bi-weekly) project partner meetings

• Organise 5 monthly educational and capacity building events

• Support N76 partner groups to follow up recommendations of their local transport plans by helping with planning, funding applications and delivery

• As a member of the CES development team, assist in developing plans and funding for years 2-5 of the N76 project

Work within and alongside the wider CES team:

• Play a full role in the evolution and operation of the team at Community Energy Scotland, and support the success of Community Energy Scotland as a whole

• Ensure work activity is well communicated to the wider CES team

• Represent Community Energy Scotland at public events when necessary

• Assist in the development of Community Energy Scotland’s wider Community Energy Economies agenda; a portfolio of innovative community energy projects, research activities and policy engagement intended to create new opportunities for community energy and help communities to directly address local energy needs

• Undertake other tasks as agreed from time to time with the line manager and CES senior management team

• Subject to Covid restrictions, some travel to meet clients and visit sites is anticipated.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• A relevant Engineering/Science degree or demonstrable equivalent experience

• Familiarity with the rapidly developing challenge of decarbonising and improving rural travel options, and with a range of emerging low carbon transport technologies and practices (eg. electric vehicles, car clubs, active travel promotion)

• Strong numeracy and literacy skills

• Awareness of the requirements for effective team-working and working effectively in high-performing teams

• Determination and perseverance in the face of obstacles and challenges

• A high level of self-motivation and strong commitment to the ethos and purpose of Community Energy Scotland

*Location

This post is based in the N76 Project area (Dumfries & Galloway & East Ayrshire).

We welcome candidates from the wider surrounding area (including Glasgow and central belt) but note that candidates will be required to attend some in-person meetings and events as part of this post, for which travel expenses will be covered.

When not attending meetings or events, there is potential for either home working or working from the premises of one of the N76 partner communities. Exact arrangements will be conformed to suit the needs of the successful candidate.

Organisation Summary

Community Energy Scotland is a Scottish Charity with around 400 non-profit community group members. We want to strengthen and empower local communities by helping them to own, control and benefit from their local renewable energy resources & decarbonisation activity; control and reduce their energy costs; regenerate their communities and play their part in the low carbon transition.

Our staff work on cutting-edge innovation projects in Scotland and internationally, delivering benefits to communities from local renewable energy and storage.

Community Energy Scotland provides independent and ongoing practical & technical support for community project development. We make it possible for member organisations to link up and network, both with each other and with policy makers. Collaboration with like-minded and relevant organisations is the norm for us, where we provide a collective voice on your behalf and represent members at policy level. Our service contracts are delivered regionally, nationally and internationally.

Project summary

The Carbon Neutral Islands project is a programme for government commitment aimed at supporting islands to become carbon neutral by 2040. In May 2022 the Scottish Government announced that Hoy, Islay, Great Cumbrae, Raasay, Barra and Yell are to be part of its Carbon Neutral Islands project. These Islands will demonstrate the low carbon energy potential of Scotland’s islands as hubs of innovation in renewable energy and climate change resilience, whilst positively impacting on island economies and population retention and growth.

The Carbon Neutral Islands project will help to deliver key commitments in the National Islands Plan and will create jobs, protect Scottish island environments from climate change, and contribute to the Scottish Government’s 2045 net zero commitment.

The project will involve carbon audits across the islands and a pilot phase to inform learning. A report on the project will be published over the summer and plans will be developed for individual islands in collaboration with key partners and the communities involved.

The project will also align with the Scotland wide net zero work and contribute to the Scottish Government’s 2045 net zero commitment. Whilst working closely with communities to move towards net zero in a fair and just way, the Carbon Neutral Islands project aims to share good practices and learnings from the project with all other Scottish islands.

Overall Purpose

Working as part of a team in CES, and in partnership with the six island communities to deliver a climate accounting exercise and contribute to the delivery of community Island Climate Plans by 31st March 2023.

Job Description

Main Tasks

• To deliver CES’ roles and responsibilities in the Carbon Neutral Islands project.

• Delivery of an in-depth climate accounting exercise on the six carbon neutral islands to provide the community with a clear account of the state of greenhouse gas emissions related to each island.

• Delivery of baselining, gap analysis and data collection for the six carbon neutral islands.

• Supporting island communities to carry out meaningful local participation and engagement to inform the climate accounting and Community Climate Plans.

• Supporting island communities with familiarisation of framework & metrics, baselining & gap analysis and data collection for climate audits.

• Working with a communications officer to share information and data, communicating widely across the islands.

• Carrying out options appraisals and analysis of the technical & financial feasibility of climate projects identified by each island community.

• Support to communities in compiling, delivering and reporting the Community Climate Plans.

• To establish, build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in the island communities.

• To generally support community energy groups and their activities and collaborate with local organisations to further the aim of a Just Energy Transition.

• To undertake other duties as may be required from time to time by the Chief Executive.

Administration

• To keep all personal work records up to date such as annual leave requests, My Hours and Monday.com

Other Tasks

• To prepare, deliver and facilitate presentations/open meetings and discussions when required.

• To play a full role in the evolution and operation of the team at Community Energy Scotland, and support the success of Community Energy Scotland as a whole

• Ongoing requirement to ensure work activity is well communicated to the wider CES team

• Subject to Covid restrictions, travel to meet clients and visit sites/islands is anticipated.

Person Specification

The post holder will be expected to work on their own initiative, be self-motivated and well organised, in order to meet the deadlines and funding requirements of this project.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• A degree in community development, renewable energy or other relevant qualification or significant commensurate experience

• Knowledge of the renewable energy sector, decarbonisation, climate accounting and Net Zero

• A high level of self-motivation and strong commitment to Community Energy Scotland, its ethos and purpose

• Strong awareness of the requirements for effective team-working

• A good understanding of community development

• Effective partnership-building skills and practical and effective experience of partnership working, especially with community groups

• High quality communication, representation and co-ordination skills

• Ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines

• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, stakeholders and the wider public.

• Determination, perseverance, and sound problem-solving skills in the face of obstacles and challenges

• Good understanding of inclusion and dignity in a charity setting both internal to CES and with our prospective clients/partners

• Familiarity with research projects, working to funding specifications, team-working in a research focussed manner.

*Flexible – but resident on a Scottish Island is preferred. We currently have office provision in Benbecula and expect to resume offices in Lewis and Orkney in the near future. Homeworking is also an option. Some travel to other Scottish Islands is likely to be required, while keeping our carbon footprint down following CES’ environmental policy.

Fixed Term Contract to 31 March 2023 Grant allocation for the financial year 2023-2024 for the Carbon Neutral Islands project is subject to written confirmation by the Scottish Ministers following the outcome of the annual spending reviews.

Organisation Summary

Community Energy Scotland is a Scottish Charity with around 400 non-profit community group members. We want to strengthen and empower local communities by helping them to own, control and benefit from their local renewable energy resources & decarbonisation activity; control and reduce their energy costs; regenerate their communities and play their part in the low carbon transition.

Our staff work on cutting-edge innovation projects in Scotland and internationally, delivering benefits to communities from local renewable energy and storage.

Community Energy Scotland provides independent and ongoing practical & technical support for community project development. We make it possible for member organisations to link up and network, both with each other and with policy makers. Collaboration with like-minded and relevant organisations is the norm for us, where we provide a collective voice on your behalf and represent members at policy level. Our service contracts are delivered regionally, nationally and internationally.

Project summary

The Carbon Neutral Islands project is a programme for government commitment aimed at supporting islands to become carbon neutral by 2040. In May 2022 the Scottish Government announced that Hoy, Islay, Great Cumbrae, Raasay, Barra and Yell are to be part of its Carbon Neutral Islands project. These Islands will demonstrate the low carbon energy potential of Scotland’s islands as hubs of innovation in renewable energy and climate change resilience, whilst positively impacting on island economies and population retention and growth.

The Carbon Neutral Islands project will help to deliver key commitments in the National Islands Plan and will create jobs, protect Scottish island environments from climate change, and contribute to the Scottish Government’s 2045 net zero commitment.

The project will involve carbon audits across the islands and a pilot phase to inform learning. A report on the project will be published over the summer and plans will be developed for individual islands in collaboration with key partners and the communities involved.

The project will also align with the Scotland wide net zero work and contribute to the Scottish Government’s 2045 net zero commitment. Whilst working closely with communities to move towards net zero in a fair and just way, the Carbon Neutral Islands project aims to share good practices and learnings from the project with all other Scottish islands.

Overall Purpose

Working as part of a team in CES, and in partnership with the six island communities to deliver Community Island Climate Plans and contribute to the delivery of a climate accounting exercise by 31st March 2023.

Job Description

Main Tasks

• To deliver CES’ roles and responsibilities in the Carbon Neutral Islands project.

• To develop community climate change plans on the six carbon neutral islands, which build on the in-depth climate accounting exercises.

• Supporting island communities to carry out meaningful local participation and engagement to inform the Community Climate Plans.

• Identification of common values, needs and goals on each island and provision of educational materials and training sessions to help the communities fill in knowledge gaps.

• Working with a communications officer to share information and data, communicating widely across the islands.

• Working with communities to compile surveys, supporting them to distribute them locally.

• To undertake surveys, analysis and compile reports on the social inclusivity of project activities and identify opportunities to improve the accessibility and suitability of activities to wider demographics.

• Working as a team to carrying out options appraisals and analysis of the technical & financial feasibility of climate projects identified by each island community.

• Support to communities in compiling, delivering and reporting the Community Climate Plans.

• To establish, build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in the island communities.

• To generally support community energy groups and their activities and collaborate with local organisations to further the aim of a Just Energy Transition.

• To undertake other duties as may be required from time to time by the Chief Executive.

Administration

• To keep all personal work records up to date such as annual leave requests, My Hours and Monday.com

Other Tasks

• To prepare, deliver and facilitate presentations/open meetings and discussions when required.

• To play a full role in the evolution and operation of the team at Community Energy Scotland, and support the success of Community Energy Scotland as a whole

• Ongoing requirement to ensure work activity is well communicated to the wider CES team

• Subject to Covid restrictions, travel to meet clients and visit sites/islands is anticipated.

Person Specification

The post holder will be expected to work on their own initiative, be self-motivated and well organised, in order to meet the deadlines and funding requirements of this project.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• A degree in community development, renewable energy or other relevant qualification or significant commensurate experience

• Knowledge of the renewable energy sector, decarbonisation, climate accounting and Net Zero

• Experience of working with community organisations and in community development

• A high level of self-motivation and strong commitment to Community Energy Scotland, its ethos and purpose

• Strong awareness of the requirements for effective team-working

• A good understanding of community development

• Effective partnership-building skills and practical and effective experience of partnership working, especially with community groups

• High quality communication, representation and co-ordination skills

• Ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines

• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, stakeholders and the wider public.

• Determination, perseverance, and sound problem-solving skills in the face of obstacles and challenges

• Good understanding of inclusion and dignity in a charity setting both internal to CES and with our prospective clients/partners

• Familiarity with research projects, working to funding specifications, team-working in a research- focussed manner

*Flexible – but resident on a Scottish Island is preferred. We currently have office provision in Benbecula and expect to resume offices in Lewis and Orkney in the near future. Homeworking is also an option. Some travel to other Scottish Islands is likely to be required, while keeping our carbon footprint down following CES’ environmental policy.

Fixed Term Contract to 31 March 2023 Grant allocation for the financial year 2023-2024 for the Carbon Neutral Islands project is subject to written confirmation by the Scottish Ministers following the outcome of the annual spending reviews.

Organisation Summary

Community Energy Scotland is a Scottish Charity with around 400 non-profit community group members. We want to strengthen and empower local communities by helping them to own, control and benefit from their local renewable energy resources & decarbonisation activity; control and reduce their energy costs; regenerate their communities and play their part in the low carbon transition.

Our staff work on cutting-edge innovation projects in Scotland and internationally, delivering benefits to communities from local renewable energy and storage.

Community Energy Scotland provides independent and ongoing practical & technical support for community project development. We make it possible for member organisations to link up and network, both with each other and with policy makers. Collaboration with like-minded and relevant organisations is the norm for us, where we provide a collective voice on your behalf and represent members at policy level. Our service contracts are delivered regionally, nationally and internationally.

Summary of Role

The overall purpose of the role is to identify and develop new CES programmes and capabilities, ensuring that CES remains at the leading edge of community energy development and develops new sources of income. The Development Manager role is vital to CES’ continuing function as a leading community energy development charity. It requires creativity, excellent networking and project development skills, foresight in identifying and accessing project funding opportunities and the ability to construct compelling funding bids. A key part of the role is to look forward and help maintain CES’ role as an innovator in the implementation of low carbon community energy options. We’re looking for a colleague who will be highly committed to CES and our mission, experienced in community energy and who will be able to work effectively on their own and in a team context. Technical training as required, personal development opportunities, and support will be provided by Community Energy Scotland.

Job Description

Main Tasks

• To advance the charitable aims of CES
• To work closely with the CES Trading Manager to maximise the income from all available sources for the charitable purposes of the organisation
• To develop, coordinate and manage CES’ Development Programme
• To work in collaboration with the whole CES Team on new projects, bids, fees and tenders
• To carry out project work
• To provide line management to up to 3 people
• To carry out any other core work for CES in conversation with the CEO and the wider team

Administration

• To keep all personal work records up to date such as annual leave requests, My Hours and Monday.com
• To track project work accordingly and ensure deadlines are met and tasks fulfilled when working collaboratively
• To undertake other administration tasks within the remit of the role at the request of the CEO
• Manage internal CVs and evidence for funding applications and bids
• To ensure careful project documentation according to CES’ project approval and management system, including details of project and financial progress

Financial Recording

• To ensure high quality financial management and reporting requirements are met in all development projects

Other Tasks

• To engage with and build opportunities for joint development programmes with community groups, leading research and development institutions, companies in the UK and further afield
• To ensure that CES staff are kept fully up to date on key developments and opportunities
• To play a full role in the evolution and operation of the team at Community Energy Scotland, and support the success of Community Energy Scotland as a whole
• To undertake other tasks as agreed from time to time with CEO and CES senior management team – the successful applicant will be expected to engage in a two-way conversation about future work and to also present ideas to the wider team as they come up
• Ongoing requirement to ensure work activity is well communicated to the wider CES team
• Subject to Covid restrictions, some travel to meet clients and visit sites is anticipated

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• A degree in community development, renewable energy, electrical engineering or other relevant qualification or significant commensurate experience
• Knowledge of the renewable energy sector, decarbonisation and Net Zero
• Ability to manage a complex work portfolio and resources in a highly organised way to achieve significant outcomes for CES
• Highly developed diplomacy, presentation and communication skills
• Ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, stakeholders and the wider public
• Ability to create and manage working partnerships
• Strong awareness of the requirements for effective team-working and how to work effectively in high-performing teams
• Determination and perseverance in the face of obstacles and challenges
• Good understanding of inclusion and dignity in a charity setting both internal to CES and with our prospective clients/partners
• A high level of self-motivation and strong commitment to Community Energy Scotland, its ethos and purpose

Essential Experience

• At least three year’s work experience in a relevant field
• Experience of project development and management skills
• Experience of writing funding applications
• Experience of project delivery
• Community renewables, community engagement or community development experience
• Experience of environmental sustainability/decarbonising/Net Zero
• Experience of financial recording and budget monitoring

An exciting opportunity to work with communities on sustainable transport solutions has emerged in Dumfries & Galloway and East Ayrshire! Network 76 in Motion (N76) is a multi-year project developed together by 6 communities on or around the A76 with support from national charity Community Energy Scotland. The partnership have now confirmed funding for the first year of N76 and are looking for a locally minded, proactive and passionate individual to take on the role of N76 Project Officer!

The post will be housed within Community Energy Scotland and during the first year will focus on community consultation and capacity building; including baseline data gathering, a programme of events, and local transport plans produced with each participating community. The future funding and development of this role will be part of the work to ensure the best possible sustainable travel options in the N76 area.

Community Energy Scotland is recruiting for the post of Innovation Development Officer. We are looking to recruit an energetic, well-organised and self-motivated individual to work with the Community Energy Scotland (CES) Orkney Lead, other Orkney staff and the wider CES operational team in providing technical, community and project management support to a portfolio of community-led Orkney energy projects, including but not restricted to the ReFLEX project. Technical training as required, personal development opportunities, and support will be provided by Community Energy Scotland.

As the ReFLEX project progresses our current focus is on lessons learned, community engagement and social inclusion. This in the context of a technical project where understandings of the challenges faced when trying to find innovative solutions to the future of our energy systems. We are looking for an individual able to work on complex issues with a good public facing manner and a strong ethos of team working.

Please Note: There’s potentially 2 vacancies within this team, depending on the quality of applications and the budget available.