Head of Advice

Job Title: Head of Advice

Location: Bristol

Salary: £46,987 – £56,283 per year, starting salary will depend on skills and experience

Job Type: Full time, Permanent

The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) is a Bristol-based national charity that supports people and organisations across the UK to tackle the climate emergency and end the suffering caused by cold homes. We do this by sharing our knowledge, practical experience and policy insights.

The Role

This main purpose of this role is to lead on initiatives within CSE’s fuel poverty and energy advice work, ensuring effective delivery is aligned with CSE’s strategic objectives. Additionally, the role contributes to the organisational development through project oversight, staff management, and collaboration with senior management to drive forward CSE’s fuel poverty work programme and secure future funding.

Pay and conditions

• The role is full-time (37.5 hours per week).
• You will be entitled to 25 days paid holiday (plus statutory holidays).

CSE offer a range of benefits including, subsidised bike purchase and Tech Scheme, Life Assurance, Health Cash plan, retail discounts and discounted breakdown cover and many more.

We will pay fees and expenses on relevant training courses.

Specific responsibilities

An applicant appointed to the role will be expected to:

• To contribute significant expertise in fuel poverty support services, energy advice and energy saving interventions to other CSE projects.
• To manage projects with strategic importance within CSE’s work delivering advice on energy and fuel poverty support to a range of householders and liaise with, and report to project partners and funders on a timely basis.
• All projects are delivered in an effective, timely and resource efficient manner, and in accordance with the needs and priorities of both fuel poverty stakeholders and partners and the needs of clients and funders.
• Effective learning processes and practices are embedded in project development and delivery cycles; we are clear and honest about our strengths and weaknesses; and that key evidence is shared and used to inform the development and prioritisation of future projects.
• Work with the Director of HES to develop the organisation’s business plan for the year ahead, forecasting staffing needs and helping to establish the yearly budget for the team.
• To oversee key aspects of delivery in the HES advice portfolio, including project monitoring and evaluation and supporting senior staff in their work.
• To lead the development of new project proposals, contributing realistic methods and accurate costing forecasts (including staff time and direct costs) and bringing project partners on board where necessary.
• To work with project managers to cultivate strategic positive relationships both locally and nationally to help realise funding opportunities to sustain and grow our work and impact, in line with CSE’s strategic objectives.
• To develop partnerships and liaise with a range of stakeholders, potentially including other advice agencies, local authorities, voluntary sector associations and housing associations.
• To hold the role of Work Programme Lead for the Fuel Poverty & Vulnerable Customer Work Programme.

To see a more detailed list of responsibilities please see the supporting documents attached. These documents are also available to download from our website.

Essential attributes for this role include:

• Understanding of the community and voluntary sector.
• Understanding of the UK energy system and the shifts required to achieve a smarter, greener, and fairer energy system.
• Experience of project delivery, including planning, team management, task allocation and budgeting.
• Knowledge and experience of a range of different funding sources and experience of building relationships with funders.

Please note, the above is an overview of the skills required for this role. To see the full list of essential and desirable skills please see the attached job description.

How to apply

To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website. Also, please send A CV (maximum 3 pages) with your personal information removed and a cover letter outlining your motivation for applying for the role and how your skills and experience relate to the person specification.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 (noon) on Monday 28 October 2024.

Interviews are expected to take place Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 November 2024, though this is subject to change.

If invited to interview, we will ask you to provide evidence of eligibility to work in the UK.