We’re Hiring! Apply for the Community Energy & Engagement Co-ordinator vacancy

We have an exciting opportunity to join our small team as Community Energy and Engagement Co-ordinator. Please see below for information on the role and how to apply.

Job title: Community Energy & Engagement Co-ordinator
Hours required: 0.6 FTE – 22.5 hours per week (flexible working considered, including job share)
Salary: £32,000 pro rata
Location: Hybrid – home-working and central Glasgow office (with flexibility and accessibility needs accommodated)
Responsible to: Development Manager

Background on Glasgow Community Energy:

Glasgow Community Energy is a renewable energy co-operative working to ensure Glasgow’s transition to net-zero is rooted in climate and social justice. We currently operate two community-owned rooftop solar panel installations and have 184 members and a growing network of partner community organisations across the city. Our solar installations were financed by grant funding and community shares – where local people had the opportunity to invest and become members of our co-op. We sell reduced-cost electricity to the host buildings which generates an income that we use primarily to distribute to local community groups via our Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund.

In 2024 we developed a business plan laying out our strategy for growing the community energy sector in Glasgow over the next 5 years, and have been successful in securing funding to support this.

Over this period we aim to:

• Develop and install 1-2 Megawatts of new community-owned rooftop solar panel projects and develop a strategy for larger-scale projects.
• Carry out community share offers to raise finance for our projects and increase our membership.
• Grow our network of community organisations and integrate them into our work.
• Deliver wide-ranging community engagement and events to increase awareness of community energy and involvement in our projects.
• Develop partnerships with the broader community energy sector, the renewables sector, the third sector, funders, local and national government, and local businesses.

Overview of the role:

The overall purpose of the post is to work with the Development Manager and the GCE Board in the delivery of the work outlined in our business plan. As a small organisation in a start-up environment the role will be varied and have input across all of our work, with the exact roles and responsibilities to be finalised depending on the experience of the successful applicant. It is expected however that the  Community Energy and Engagement Coordinator will take a lead on community engagement, events, and the development of the Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund, while providing support to the Development Manager on developing our renewable energy projects.

This role is ideal for someone with experience in community engagement and/or project coordination, and who is excited to work collaboratively in a small, purpose-driven team. We value transferable skills and welcome applicants from non-traditional or community-based backgrounds. Knowledge of the community energy sector and a commitment to social and climate justice would be valuable attributes for applicants. Support and development opportunities will be provided.

We recognise that people from underrepresented communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, and others with intersecting experiences of marginalisation are underrepresented in the community energy and environmental sectors. We are committed to changing this and encourage applications from people with lived experience of marginalisation and those who can help us build a more inclusive and just energy future.

This is a part-time post for 3 days a week, on a fixed term contract that ends on 31^st March 2026. We hope to secure funding to continue the post beyond this date but this is not guaranteed. There may be an opportunity to increase the hours of this post in future but again this is not guaranteed, and equally will not be a requirement if not agreed with the post-holder.

Potential responsibilities:

• Organising and delivering community energy workshops in partnership with other local community and third sector organisations.
• Managing process to develop funding criteria and guidance for the Cathy McCormack Community Activism Fund
• Working with partners and developers to manage the creation of a new membership management system
• Responsibility for managing social media channels and a regular newsletter
• Represent Glasgow Community Energy at meetings, community events and conferences, including speaking and presenting, in person and online
• Supporting the Development Manager in the development of community owned renewable energy projects
• Supporting the Development Manager and Board in all areas of gearing the organisation up for delivering our business plan.

Person Specification:

Essential knowledge, experience, skills & attributes:

• Strong track record of at least 3 years’ experience of hands-on community engagement. This might include activities such as:
  • planning and delivering engagement events
  • promotion and social media
  • building long-term relationships with key stakeholders
  • developing and managing communications plans
• Strong track record in project management, preferably with experience of procurement and tendering
• Experience of working with community groups and volunteers
• Experience of working with a diverse range of people and organisations
• Excellent communication and IT skills
• Organised and efficient, with excellent attention to detail and time management skills
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and flexible with a willingness to get involved in a broad range of different types of work
• An advocate for climate and social justice
• Knowledge of renewable energy technologies and the community energy sector
• Based in Glasgow or within commuting distance and with a general awareness of the city’s geography and history
• Have the legal right to work in the UK

Desirable knowledge, experience, skills & attributes:

• Experience of working in the community energy sector
• Experience of working with renewable energy technologies
• Experience working in a small third sector start-up environment
• Experience in membership management
• Lived experience of climate or energy injustice (e.g., fuel poverty, housing inequality, inequity)
• Knowledge of local community and third sector organisations in Glasgow
• Experience collaborating with diverse or marginalised communities
• Knowledge of Cathy McCormack’s work and legacy, including her book The Wee Yellow Butterfly

Application Process:

To apply, please email us, using the contact details below, either of the following to explain your interest in the role and relevant experience:

• A CV and a covering letter (no more than 3 pages total), or
• A short video or audio recording (no more than 5 minutes)

We want to make the recruitment process as inclusive as possible. If you need this information in a different format or require adjustments, please contact us at secretary@glasgowenergy.coop.

Closing date: 12pm on Monday 9th June 2025
Contact details: Joe Smee, Development Manager, secretary@glasgowenergy.coop
Interviews: will take place on Monday 16th June between 10am and 4pm in central Glasgow

Equal Opportunities:

We are committed to being an inclusive organisation. We strongly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented in the community energy and environmental sectors, including but not limited to: people from Black, Asian and other racially minoritised backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQ+ people; people with caring responsibilities; and people from low-income backgrounds. If you’re unsure whether you meet all the criteria, we still encourage you to apply — we’re interested in your potential and your passion for social and climate justice.