Orkney Senior Repowering Officer

Community Energy Scotland is recruiting for an Orkney Senior Repowering Officer. We are looking to recruit an energetic, well-organised and self-motivated individual to provide technical, community development and project management support to community organisations in Orkney seeking to secure ownership, shared ownership or long-term benefit from renewable energy developments undergoing repowering. Training as required, personal development opportunities, and support will be provided by Community Energy Scotland.

• £36,360 per annum (pro rata of 35 hours per week full time)
• Fixed-term appointment initially for 18 months
• Full Time/Part Time Post (we are open to discuss part-time hours from a minimum of 28 hours to full-time at 35 hours per week) with potential for job shares and/or flexible working as per the CES Flexible Working Policy.
• Progression from starting salary is reviewed annually from 1st April, and subject to satisfactory performance and Community Energy Scotland’s financial status
• The role will involve regular travel throughout Orkney and wider across Scotland to work directly with communities, stakeholders and project partners. There is a preference for the post to be based in Orkney but we are willing to accept applications from candidates living elsewhere in Scotland.
• Travel to areas in Scotland is likely to be required occasionally, while keeping our carbon footprint down following Community Energy Scotland’s environmental policy

Overall Purpose

The Senior Repowering Officer will provide technical, community development and project management support to community organisations seeking to secure ownership, shared ownership or long-term benefit from renewable energy developments undergoing repowering.

Working closely with community partners, developers, public bodies and specialist advisers, the postholder will help communities identify opportunities, assess viability, build partnerships and develop plans to acquire stakes in renewable energy projects. The role will focus particularly on supporting communities to explore potential new opportunities and maximise existing assets within Orkney.

Repowering Project Development & Delivery:

• Coordinate the development, resourcing and delivery of feasibility studies, business cases and ownership proposals.
• Work with specialist advisers, consultants and project partners to assess opportunities and progress projects.
• Support communities to prepare expressions of interest, funding applications, heads of terms, MoUs, options etc. and investment-ready proposals.
• Gather and analyse information relating to renewable energy ownership opportunities, market conditions and policy developments.
• Monitor progress against project targets and maintain accurate project records.

Support Community Organisations to Develop Repowering and Renewable Energy Ownership Opportunities:

• Repowering: Provide additional support to communities already looking at options to extend the life of and best maximise value from previously secured assets on existing community energy sites within Orkney.
• Provide dedicated support to existing and potential new community energy organisations; exploring ownership, shared ownership and acquisition opportunities from renewable energy repowering within and linked to Orkney.
• Assist communities in understanding the technical, commercial, legal, financial and governance aspects of new and repowered renewable energy ownership.
• Specifically support communities to further assess potential ownership opportunities identified in early options appraisal work already undertaken by Orkney communities.
• Help communities develop strategic partnerships and collaborative approaches between themselves and with third parties where appropriate.
• Support communities to build good local understanding and planning within their own organisations and wider communities, develop community mandates and any appropriate local engagement processes that may be required.

Build Capacity & Share Learning

• Where necessary and appropriate, organise and facilitate workshops, webinars, training sessions and peer-learning events.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing between communities pursuing ownership opportunities.
• Identify and document lessons learned and emerging good practice.
• Work within and alongside the wider CES Team