Seasonal Health & Affordable Warmth Assistant

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Employer: Change Agents UK

Interview Date: 7th/8th August 2013 (London)

Closing Date: 21st July 2013

Start Date: 2nd September 2013

Length of Opportunity: 8 months

Hours/Week: 35

Work outside normal hours: There may be some evening and weekend work, agreed with line manager

Base: Islington Council offices

Department: Highways & Energy Services

Reports to: Team manager at Islington Council

Change Agents UK contact: Fiona Moore

Background

A combination of rising energy prices, poor energy efficiency and cold temperatures has proven a challenge for millions of householders nationwide. Cold, damp homes are a clear threat to health and wellbeing. Islington Council has recently won the European Prize for Innovation in Public Administration for its hugely successful Seasonal Health Interventions Network (SHINE) and we are using the funding to deliver a community training and dampness awareness campaign. Based within Islington Council, this unique scheme will deliver a graduate placement scheme with a difference. Successful candidates will benefit from a training programme that includes NEA’s City & Guilds qualification in Energy Awareness, workshops that include principles of project management, as well as on-going support facilitated through Change Agents UK.

Benefits of this opportunity

This opportunity offers the successful applicant a chance to gain real life experience of delivering energy efficiency advice and guidance to householders through a range of activities that include home visits, through face to face communication, and by developing and implementing communications and community training programmes. The post holder will then work within Islington Council, as part of a team of four, to deliver projects with on-going guidance and support provided by Change Agents UK. These opportunities are ideal for anyone looking to work with energy issues in a local authority or consultancy.

Future employment potential and options

This opportunity is a fixed term contract for 8 months. The experience and training gained through the project will give the post holder an excellent insight into the growing sector and will ensure they are well placed to pursue future employment in the field of energy efficiency and, more widely, to deliver the Green Deal. The posts may be extended subject to local funding.

Objectives

Working closely with the local authority, local stakeholders and organisations, these projects aim to tackle fuel poverty, fuel debt and dampness at a local level. More widely, a communications campaign aims to raise the profile of energy issues, fuel poverty and dampness and mould growth in Islington.

 

Output 1 Deliver, with a local third sector partner, an energy and dampness community training programme.

Output 2 Work closely with local stakeholders and partners to ensure a co-ordinated response to seasonal health and affordable warmth issues across the local area.

Output 3 Secure significant local media, press and community coverage of fuel poverty and dampness issues.

Key Task 1 Develop and deliver community training initiatives on energy, fuel debt and home dampness.

Key Task 2 Refer householders to internal and external funding for infrastructural work such as Heating and insulation improvements.

Key Task 3 Organising and communicating with stakeholders, the NHS, local organisations and community groups to support and expand Islington’s successful Seasonal Health Interventions Network (SHINE).

Key Task 4 Write and distribute press material and coverage that raises the profile of energy, dampness and seasonal health issues within the local area.

 

For more information and details on how to apply, please visit the Change Agents UK website:

http://www.changeagents.org.uk/sustainability-jobs/vacancy/7127-seasonal-health-affordable-warmth-assistant