The project co-coordinator role for Community Energy Preston is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the development of community owned solar energy in Lancashire and help to address fuel poverty and the climate crisis. The post holder will be contracted to support Community Energy Preston to develop and deliver a community energy project in Preston. Community Energy Preston is a community group grown from volunteers in and around Preston seeking to develop a community benefit society with the aim of installing solar photovoltaic panels across Preston and the North West. They are seeking to do this by raising finance through community shares gaining interest from local investors and green investors from across the country.
Community energy and its role in advancing a climate resilient and inclusive economy in Preston.
In 2019 Preston City Council declared a climate emergency and committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2030, while supporting the wider city area to decarbonise. One strand of the council’s climate action strategy is to support community energy cooperatives and the development of a community energy sector. This aligns with the council’s wider commitment to Community Wealth Building and the development of an inclusive, local economy.
Description.
CEP are looking for a project coordinator, to work with volunteers to develop a functioning community energy business, based on a community benefit society business model.
Responsibilities will include:
* Liaising with CEP and a partner from within the UK community energy sector to (i) prepare and launch a community share offer to fund solar installs; (ii) undertake technical and financial feasibility studies of sites for inclusion in the scheme and (iii) undertake installations.
* Providing day to day support for CEP board and members, including communications, facilitation and organization of all meetings.Developing and executing coordinating a marketing and communications strategy to drive interest in, and commitment to, community energy in Preston.
* Identifying suitable sites for the installation of solar PV, including local businesses and public and community facilities.
* Organising meetings and events to grow membership of CEP and engage with the local community.
* Networking, for example, with other community energy groups in the UK
* Developing CEP’s social media presence.
* Identifying sources of loan and grant finance as appropriate, including writing funding applications.
The successful candidate will be able to work from home but will be required to attend ad hoc face-to-face meetings with CEP Board members, Preston City Council, community and other investors and energy partners. Some evening and weekend working will also be required.
Current CEP meeting commitments will be, typically Wednesday nights every three weeks.
Essential
* Highly motivated individual, with passion for community energy and climate change.
* A strategic self-starter with lots of initiative.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills including on social mediaplatforms.
* Excellent organisational and project management skills.
* Great at working in a team.
* Good at building networks and working collaboratively.
* Good at problem solving.
Desirable
* Experience or qualifications in relevant fields.
* Experience of working in a small and/or campaigning organisation.
* Knowledge of the community energy sector.
* Technical knowledge/experience of running a cooperative(s) and/or community share offer.
* •Track record in campaigning or community organising.
* Knowledge of communities in and around Preston.
* Experience in social media/press work/fundraising.
* Skills in photo editing/design/video making and web design
Salary description
£200.00 - £200.00 per day