Brae Rural Energy Hub Engagement and Development Officer
Aquatera is hiring in Shetland for an Engagement and Development Officer for the Brae Rural Energy Hub, as part of Aquatera’s remit as a partner in the Rural Energy Hubs Project funded by Innovate UK.
Summary Details:
- Fixed Term opportunity to 31 October 2025 (intention to extend, based on funding)
- Salary from £28,000 dependent on experience
- Flexible Opportunity – full-time or part-time and job share applicants welcome
- Base – Brae with travel around Shetland Isles
- Training Available (this may be in Orkney)
- 30 days annual leave
About the Role:
The role of the Engagement and Development Officer is pivotal to the development and running of a new Rural Energy Hub being set up in Brae. The role will be based in Brae and work closely with the project team to develop, launch and run the Hub services, collaborating closely with the Brae Youth Centre Committee and building relationships in the local community. It will also involve working with the project team to develop funding opportunities to keep the Brae Hub running long term, and for the potential development of new hubs.
This is a dynamic community and customer facing role that will evolve and be varied as we develop services, along-side renovation of the BYC building, through the winter and spring of 2024/25. The post holder will have the opportunity to shape how the Hub is developed and make the role their own. This will require a flexible, organised, collaborative approach, and an enjoyment of working with people and with sensitivity to operating in a community youth building with shared use.
The role will be based in Brae, supported by a very experienced project team with well-established ways of working, who are based across the northern isles, so the role holder must be comfortable working autonomously and taking a proactive approach to communication.
The role will initially be offered as a fixed term contract with project partner Aquatera Ltd for one year until the end of the project on 31 October 2025. However, potential opportunities for long-term funding for the post after the project have been identified and part of the role will be to work with the project team to develop these opportunities.
About the Rural Energy Hubs Project:
The Rural Energy Hubs project is a collaboration between partners Aquatera, Shetland Islands Council, Community Energy Scotland, EMEC and Orkney Islands Council and funded by Innovate UK. The project runs from Feb 2024 to Oct 2025 and involves multiple endeavours to overcome non-technical barriers to decarbonisation in Orkney and Shetland. A key aspect of the project is the establishment of the Rural Energy Hub in Brae which is intended as the first of a network of Hubs.
The aim is to help support individuals, businesses and the community in Brae and across Shetland, to access affordable ways of reducing their carbon footprint and their energy bills across heat, power and transport. The Rural Energy Hub will be located at the Brae Youth Centre and share facilities with the Brae Youth Club and all of the other users of the building. The aim of the Hub and of this post will be to bring new services to Brae, improve the building and expand its use for the benefit of the community.
About you:
We are looking for someone with demonstrable experience of community engagement and stakeholder consultation. We need someone who is comfortable in customer and public facing roles and settings, and approaches engagement with empathy and respect for the lived experience of those whom we are seeking to engage with.
Experience of decarbonisation and energy advice would be advantageous, but we can provide training on this as part of any induction process.
Deadline 10am Monday 21st October
Please apply by sending your CV and a comprehensive supporting statement outlining how your skills, knowledge and experience make you a good fit for the position to recruitment@aquatera.co.uk
