Development Officers - Community Energy in Edinburgh

The role involves helping communities across Scotland develop projects that reduce carbon emissions, improve community buildings and support the transition to net zero. You will work directly with community groups and charities, providing trusted advice and practical support to turn project ideas into successful, funded initiatives. This includes guiding organisations through every stage of project development, from early concepts and funding applications to delivery and completion.

You will also play an important role in delivering the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) and The National Lottery Community Fund programmes, ensuring projects are well planned, deliver value for money and create lasting benefits for local communities.

If you enjoy building relationships, managing projects and helping communities create positive environmental change, we’d love to hear from you.

The renewables team works with communities across Scotland to deliver practical solutions that reduce energy costs, lower carbon emissions and create resilient local places. We work collaboratively, sharing knowledge and supporting one another to deliver high-quality programmes that make a genuine difference. You will join a friendly and experienced team where you’ll have opportunities to develop your expertise while helping communities achieve their sustainability ambitions.

What you will do:

• Provide practical advice and support to community organisations developing renewable energy, energy efficiency and building decarbonisation projects.
• Manage a portfolio of community energy projects, monitoring progress, budgets, funding claims and delivery against agreed objectives.
• Assess funding applications and review project feasibility, risks and value for money as part of the CARES and National Lottery Community Fund programmes.
• Build strong relationships with community groups, partners and stakeholders, representing Energy Saving Trust at meetings and events across Scotland.
• Share learning and best practice to support continuous improvement across programmes and the wider team.

What you will bring:

• Experience building positive relationships with community groups, charities, public sector organisations or businesses.
• Strong project management and organisational skills, including experience managing budgets, funding processes or grant administration.
• The ability to analyse project information and provide clear, practical advice, including explaining technical or funding information in an accessible way.
• Knowledge of, or a strong interest in, community energy, renewable energy, building decarbonisation, retrofit or the transition to net zero.
• A relevant degree or equivalent experience, with a willingness to travel to communities across Scotland.

For more information, please see the job description on our website. Please submit an anonymised CV and cover letter, removing your name, address, email address, and any other identifying details. Applications submitted without a cover letter may be rejected.

Who we are:

Energy Saving Trust is a leading and trusted organisation, dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, low carbon transport and sustainable energy use. We aim to address the climate emergency and deliver the wider benefits of clean energy as we transition to net zero. At Energy Saving Trust we don’t just offer jobs – we offer careers. For our people, being part of the effort to address the climate emergency makes working for us truly meaningful and rewarding.

Work where you thrive:

At Energy Saving Trust, flexibility isn’t just a policy, it’s how we work. Most of our roles can be done remotely, and many of our people choose to work from home full-time. Prefer an office environment? We have welcoming spaces in London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff and Hadleigh for those who want to connect in person.

We’ll support you with:

• Generous holiday (25 days + bank holidays + extra Christmas leave)
• True flexibility in how and where you work
• Strong pension & life assurance
• Enhanced family leave
• Green travel perks (EV scheme, cycle to work)
• Professional development support
• Yearly wellbeing allowance

These are just some of the benefits we offer.

Reasonable adjustments: We want to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive of and accessible for everyone. If you think you may need additional support or reasonable adjustments made to any part of the recruitment process, please get in touch with [email protected] or call reception on +44 (0)20 7222 0101. We will do our very best to support you.

Diversity and inclusion:

Energy Saving Trust is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone can be themselves, with support to be their best. We strongly encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and with different identities and experiences to apply for roles with Energy Saving Trust. We are a Disability Confident Committed employer and we ringfence a minimum number of interview slots for candidates who apply via the Disability Confident scheme and meet the criteria for a role.

To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

Please note, that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this post. To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.