Policy and Research Officer | Swyddog Polisi ac Ymchwil in Wales

Please note this is a Welsh essential post.

Location: Home working (some travel may be required) or hot-desking office locations across Wales

Salary: £34,000, full time (35 hours per week)

Closing Date: 4pm, Monday 16th February 2026

4 Day Week Pilot: The company is currently undertaking a one year 4-day week pilot (effective June 2025 – June 2026). Staff contracted for 35 hours work 28 hours under this pilot, with the objective of improving work/life balance, maximising and intensifying productivity, and enhancing the benefits of working for Community Energy Wales. In the event that the board of directors deems the pilot a failure, all full-time staff will revert to 35 hour working weeks at the end of the pilot.

About Community Energy Wales: Community Energy Wales is a small member organisation with charitable objects dedicated to representing and supporting the community energy sector in Wales. In collaboration with our sister organisation, Ynni Teg—a renewable energy project developer—we aim to promote sustainable energy solutions and community ownership of energy projects across Wales.

We are looking for a Policy and Research Officer qualified in research methods, data analysis and management, with the ability to communicate and build relationships with our members and wider stakeholders at all levels, and demonstrable report writing experience.

Core Purposes of the Post:

• Understand and track the policy landscape, including tracking government consultations and calls for evidence.
• Engage and understand our members and their projects, primarily through the UK-wide State of the Sector database and annual questionnaire.
• Secure member responses, undertake data analysis and produce annual ‘State of the Sector’ reports (in partnership with UK partners and the wider CEW team).
• Engage Government officials, members and wider stakeholders on the key policy matters of the day and develop positions with respect to these, including shared positions with key partners (notably Community Energy England and Community Energy Scotland).
• With colleagues and members, develop and lead other projects and ongoing activities that provide insight and/or help articulate progress the community energy sector is making in Wales.

The successful candidate will lead research projects looking at the community energy sector and the wider sectors with which it intersects in Wales, offering analysis on the different aspects within community energy and working to develop policy asks from them. They will also work with colleagues at Community Energy England and Scotland to develop the annual joint State of the Sector report, and produce a standalone Welsh report, written with separate analysis relevant to the sector in Wales.

Main Tasks:

• Take responsibility for managing the process of tracking and maintaining a record of live policy developments and consultations, prioritising according to available resources, providing briefings on these for internal purposes and for members and formulating positions and responses.
• Research and write reports on different aspects within Community Energy, and build policy asks from them.
• Liaise with board members and our membership to determine what areas of research need prioritising.
• Liaise with Government officials (both Welsh and UK) to convey and communicate our policy asks.
• Develop a wider network with policy teams across the community development and sustainability sectors, fostering a collegiate and collaborative approach to joined-up policy making and advocacy.
• Procure, contract and manage performance of supplier relationships (for example, translation and design services for report publication).
• Contribute towards the evolving business model of the ongoing UK SOTS database project, with partners across the UK.
• Undertake the qualitative and quantitative research, analysis and writing of the Welsh SOTS report, including in-depth interviews with members and wider stakeholders where needed, and including any subcontracting as required.
• Ensure high levels of participation in the research by member organisations and renewable energy community groups in Wales, by building relationships, and articulating / demonstrating the value of the policy representation and the way that data supports this.
• Liaise with colleagues at Community Energy England and Scotland to follow a work plan for the State of the Sector Report publication cycle, including support for the Community Energy Fortnight initiative aligned with the annual launch of the UK SOTS report.
• Work with colleagues to ensure a high profile for the Welsh SOTS and for community energy in general.
• Advocate for the SOTS report and the sector in general, including speaking at online events and public speaking in person.
• Coordinate the annual launch of the Welsh State of the Sector Report with the CEW Team.
• Any other contributions to the Company’s activities and in support of colleagues, for example blog writing, annual conference delivery, strategy planning days etc.

Person Specification:

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience of data analysis followed through to report writing.
• Demonstrable experience of engagement in policy and regulatory matters.
• Ability to build good and trusting working relationships across a range of stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrable experience or a credible interest in the community energy sector.
• High competency in reading, writing & oral fluency in Welsh.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience in a similar role within the energy or another relevant sector.
• A relevant graduate or post-graduate qualification (for example in research, policy or renewable energy).
• First-hand experience of community energy development and a deep understanding of the requirements for successful community projects.
• Experience of working in and knowledge of the Renewable Energy Industry or within a charitable or not for profit organisation.

Personal Attributes, skills and competencies:

• Excellent written and oral presentation skills.
• An ability and willingness to work flexibly including some out of hours work.
• Ability to work with a good degree of self-sufficiency, alongside a collegiate and open approach to teamwork.
• Motivation and passion for CEW’s mission and our members’ value to society.
• A highly focused approach to time and project management.

Application Process:

Candidates must submit a CV and a cover letter outlining their suitability for the role. Covering letters should address the criteria in the person specification. If your covering letter does not address at least the essential criteria in the person specification, your application is unlikely to secure an interview. Applications should be sent by Monday 16th February 2026. Interviews are currently scheduled for Wednesday 25th February 2026.

Community Energy Wales is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Note: This job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this role. It is not exhaustive and may be subject to change or modification as required.