Retrofit Catalyst

About us

We are National Energy Action (NEA) and our vision is to end fuel poverty; our work to improve and promote energy efficiency brings social, environmental, housing and employment benefits. We believe everyone should be able to afford to keep their homes warm and safe, however, low incomes, high energy bills and poor energy efficiency currently deny this to millions of households across the UK. Never has this been more important than today.

NEA s teams are friendly, knowledgeable and are dedicated to what we do. We are proud of our expertise and proud of the service we deliver to our clients.

We offer colleagues a friendly, rewarding workplace and the chance to build a worthwhile career with a not-for-profit organisation that is proud to make a genuine difference to people s lives each and every day.

The role

National Energy Action (NEA) has recently secured funding to develop a new pilot project that aims to help local people reduce their heating bills, create healthier homes, and be ready for the transition to net zero. Over two years, a local energy retrofit hub will be established in three different locations, each with two members of staff who will help build trust, provide guidance and support, harness opportunities, and empower local people to achieve and benefit from change. Two local energy retrofit hubs are already up and running; one in Sheffield and one in Burnley. The key will be to work at the heart of the community to encourage/ support/enable householders to take up existing grants for energy efficiency measures but in addition, practical (funded) assistance will be available to enable retrofit works and to offer additional non-funded support as necessary. As well as the important benefits to participating households, this demonstration project will provide valuable insight into the attitudes of low-income householders towards energy efficiency improvements, highlighting challenges and barriers to retrofitting energy efficiency measures into the homes of those who need it most. NEA intends to utilise the knowledge gained (positives and negatives) to inform and influence those who make the decisions and design key national energy efficiency campaigns.

The Retrofit Catalyst will be one of two new staff based in, and working to establish, a new local energy retrofit hub in Oldham (exact location TBC). We are also recruiting for a Home Retrofit Consultant in the same location (job ref R93). The Retrofit Catalyst will carry out development work to understand the make-up of the local area, the housing stock, existing networks and strategies and to identify gaps in provision. They will be responsible for identifying opportunities for significant schemes such as ECO to be implemented on a larger scale and to build partnerships with organisations working locally where they can add to the retrofit experience. Through the action taking place in the community, the Retrofit Catalyst will build local capacity with installers and supply chains to deliver energy retrofit measures in a supportive environment. They will also co-ordinate or deliver advice and events in the community to householders and/or others to raise awareness of retrofit practice and technologies as well as to inform and de-mystify. Impeccable customer service will be at the heart of all community engagement.

The Retrofit Catalyst will work alongside other NEA departments to share experiences and learnings and to assist with the progression of other elements of the project. They will be expected to identify local/regional funding opportunities and assist NEA s Fundraising and Partnerships team to produce proposals where applicable.

NEA s Retrofit Catalyst role sits in the Directorate of Homes and will report to the Community Retrofit Project Manager.

What you will need to succeed

The retrofit Catalyst will have experience working in energy retrofit, community development and regeneration or housing sectors. They will also be an excellent communicator with experience and understanding of how to effectively address the energy needs of low income, vulnerable or disadvantaged householders with the desire to make a positive difference to people s lives.

The job description provides a list of the duties of the post and the person specification provides the list of essential and desirable criteria.

Post holders must be resident within the UK and be able to provide their Right to Work in the UK. A standard DBS Check will be required for this role.

We are offering:

£33,931 £38,594 per annum (Points ). New appointments will usually begin at the starting point of the scale.

11 % non-contributory pension.

25 days annual leave plus 3 additional days in between Christmas New Year Period when our offices close; plus, all public holidays per annum for full time staff, pro-rata for part time staff.

Flexible working arrangements.

Enhanced family friendly payments.

Employee Assistance Programme.

Employee Benefits Platform.