Outreach Team Lead (Energy Advice)

This is an exciting opportunity for a community development professional who cares about tackling energy-related issues and working towards a more inclusive and sustainable future. We recognise that an effective engagement is a key component in ensuring the households at-risk of or in fuel poverty are able to access impartial energy advice. 

As Outreach Team Lead, you will work with a diverse and supportive team. Ideally you will be locally based covering Greenwich, Lewisham, Bromley and Bexley, with a strong interest in community engagement, working knowledge of energy advice and climate breakdown. Your role will be to deliver an outreach program in order to engage voluntary sector organisations and residents in or at-risk of fuel poverty through workshops, outreach events and community level publicity. Your role will also include maintaining and creating referral networks with voluntary sector organisations across SE London as well as supporting the Energy Advice Delivery and Partnerships Manager to adapt the outreach program to meet the needs of our funded projects, as well as those of our partners and local community.

The Role

·       Lead and coordinate Selce’s energy advice outreach activity across Greenwich, Lewisham, Bromley and Bexley, ensuring delivery is inclusive, well organised and aligned with funder requirements.

·       Work closely with the Energy Advice Team and Outreach Team to provide a joined-up approach to engagement, referrals and service delivery.

·       Plan, organise and deliver energy advice workshops, pop-up stalls, energy cafés and other community-based events.

·       Build and maintain strong referral pathways with voluntary, community and public sector organisations, and train frontline workers to identify and refer residents who may benefit from Selce’s support.

·       Develop positive partnerships with community centres, local organisations and other stakeholders to reach residents who are in, or at risk of, fuel poverty.

·       Keep local organisations and residents informed about Selce’s services through newsletters, direct contact and community-level publicity.

·       Maintain constructive relationships with funders, partners and key stakeholders, representing Selce professionally at public-facing events.

·       Line manage, train, mentor and support Outreach Officers, promoting consistent quality, confidence and good practice across the team.

·       Monitor outreach activity, referral data and project progress using Selce’s CRM and other agreed systems.

·       Analyse data and prepare clear weekly, monthly and quarterly reports for funders, managers and the Selce Board.

·       Identify opportunities to improve outreach delivery so that activity responds to community needs, partner feedback and project requirements.

·       Support the Energy Advice Delivery and Partnerships Manager with wider service development and other duties appropriate to the scope of the role.

Person specification:

Essential skills, experience and qualities

·       Strong presentation, facilitation and public-facing communication skills, with the confidence to engage residents, partners and community groups.

·       Ability to build, maintain and develop community-level partnerships and referral networks.

·       Excellent organisational and coordination skills, including the ability to manage events, monitor activity and meet project deadlines.

·       Accurate record-keeping and data management skills, with the ability to use CRM systems or similar tools to track progress and evidence impact.

·       Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to produce clear reports, updates and publicity materials.

·       Competence in Microsoft Office applications and confidence using digital tools for day-to-day work.

·       Good understanding of data protection, confidentiality and media consent processes.

·       Experience of working with diverse communities, including people who may face barriers to accessing advice or support.

·       Experience of working with voluntary and community sector organisations, local authorities or other public sector partners.

·       Ability to adapt to changing project needs, solve problems constructively and respond positively to challenges.

·       Self-motivated and collaborative, with a methodical, systematic and detail-focused approach to work.

·       Willingness to undertake training and development in line with the needs of the role and the organisation.

Desirable skills, experience and knowledge

·       Experience in a communications, participation, community development or outreach role, particularly within the voluntary, community or public sector.

·       Knowledge of domestic energy efficiency, fuel poverty, retrofit, community energy or related advice services.

·       An energy advice qualification, such as NEA Level 3, or willingness to work towards relevant accreditation.

·       Experience of giving energy advice or supporting residents with financial, housing, energy-related or welfare issues.

·       Experience of facilitating workshops, community groups or participatory activities that support positive community outcomes.

·       Experience of coordinating volunteers, supporting peer-led activity or working with community champions.

·       Experience using social media, newsletters, digital communications or design tools to promote services and engage communities.

·       Good influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to work constructively with a wide range of partners and stakeholders.

·       Ability to communicate in another community language spoken locally.

About South East London Community Energy

South East London Community Energy (Selce) was born in 2014, when a group of people living in Greenwich & Lewisham became so concerned about climate change that they decided to come up with a formula that would help to create a clean and just energy future. 

Throughout our first ten-years, we have set up projects that address inequality and seek to reduce our collective carbon footprint at different points in the energy systems.

To date we have built 12 solar arrays on community buildings in SE London and 11 buildings’ lighting systems to be more energy efficient.  We are opening share offers this year for further lighting system upgrades and solar arrays on community buildings. 

We’ve helped well over 4000 house holds with their energy bills and we are pleased to now be able to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient through the Love Lofts and Future Fit Homes pilot programmes.  

About Our Energy Advice Services

Almost one in ten households cannot afford to heat their homes adequately. Our team of energy advisors provide practical guidance and support to households who are struggling to pay their fuel bills. They advise clients about how to reduce their fuel bills by switching suppliers or accessing discounts or changing behaviour or by fitting small practical energy-saving measures such as low energy light bulbs and draft proofing. They also support the householder to access funded home energy improvements such as loft, cavity wall insulation or heating upgrades.

Benefits:

25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
4% employer pension contribution
Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) for agreed evening and weekend work
Flexible and hybrid working