SEAI Programme Executive - Community Energy Grant Scheme (24-month FTC)

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) was established as Ireland's national energy authority under the Sustainable Energy Act 2002. SEAI's mission is to play a leading role in transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices.

Reporting to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. SEAI is responsible for an annual budget of circa €350m.

To fulfil this mission SEAI aims to provide well-timed and informed advice to Government, and deliver a range of programmes efficiently and effectively, while engaging and motivating a wide range of stakeholders and showing continuing flexibility and innovation in all activities. SEAI's actions will help advance Ireland to the vanguard of the global green technology movement, so that Ireland is recognised as a pioneer in the move to decarbonised energy systems.

What do we do?

The SEAI’s mission is to drive Ireland’s sustainable energy transformation for the benefit of society. SEAI has a key role in driving Ireland’s energy transformation and will ultimately play a significant part in helping Ireland to achieve the targets that have been set both in legislation and the Climate Action Plan.

This position will play a key role in the Communities & National Retrofit Department, as Programme Executive – Community Energy Grant scheme you will be responsible for supporting the delivery of key tasks under the Community Grants scheme to help communities participate in the delivery of energy efficiency and renewable projects to a wide variety of organisations involved in the grant scheme. These organisations will range from homeowners, community organisation, small SME’s to large corporate clients.

The Role Profile

As Programme Executive you will provide project management and technical support to the CEG Programme Manager for community projects, from project application through evaluation, grant offer, grant management support, verification and payment. The role will also encompass broader support of the CEG programme, including customer journey improvements, business systems and case study development.

Activities will include evaluation of community projects with a wide variety of project types from home or community building retrofits to SME business or industrial facilities. This will include energy data analysis, the coordination and management of external technical evaluation services, and broader support of the SEAI customer relationships including market engagement and of existing and new project coordinators.

To be successful in this role the candidate requires a proficiency in engineering or operational processes to communicate engineering and technical concepts and outcomes in an accurate and concise way, and evaluate project proposals and to develop and maintain stakeholder networks.

The SEAI will continue to build to scale over the coming years and operates in a culture of continuous improvement, with a strong focus on delivering improved operational practices, reduced project cycle-time and improved customer satisfaction. The successful candidate will be joining an enthusiastic team committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the achievement of national climate change goals.

Key Functions of the role of Programme Executive:

The key responsibilities of the programme executive will include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide project management, technical and operations support to the CEG Programme Manager and Head of Communities & Retrofit department.
• Preparation of reports relating to programme uptake, performance and trend analysis, operational tracking and management of projects.
• Evaluating project applications, including consideration of eligibility criteria, and providing project recommendations to the Programme Manager;
• Manage and co-ordinate the delivery of specific tasks from the technical panel which will include assignment of tasks, raising of POs and invoice management.
• Proactively assist in the development of an effective management of new applications and with the assistance of external energy consultants review applications.
• Provide support and guidance to communities by fielding, managing and re-directing as appropriate queries from our stakeholders, industry and public..
• Support the development of information resources to be used to demonstrate effective projects, reviewing draft guides to support consistency of messaging and information alignment with current policy across the organisation.
• Undertaking quality assurance activities to validate completed works.
• Keeping up to date with energy efficiency and renewable developments, and communicating key topics arising to relevant stakeholders;
• Inputting to the ongoing development of the programme strategy and work programme.
• Support the development and administration of newer project coordinators who from time to time need additional support and assistance in the delivery of the scheme.
• Supporting programme efficiency and effectiveness through contributing to the development and continual improvement of new and existing processes.
• Supporting development of the IT systems for the programme, liaising with IT colleagues and outsourced service provider to implement changes as required
• Attend and present as required at in person/online events and represent SEAI in the promotion of the Community grant scheme programme.
• Conduct ongoing organisational tasks including website updates, handling programme inquiries and general programme administration.
• Develop, maintain and review standard documents and communications
• Develop and maintain strong business relationships and work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders including service providers.
• Support other key areas with the National Retrofit and Community department as and when required.
• Undertake any other duties/projects as may be required.

The responsibilities of the Programme Executive outlined in this job description should not be regarded as comprehensive in scope and may be added to or altered as required, in line with the requirement of SEAI across Business Units/Departments. 

To ensure that activity peaks within the Community Grant Teamare addressed in a proactive manner, it is expected that the candidate appointed to this role will need to be flexible in terms of working hours during these periods. There may be some requirement for travel around Ireland for the purpose of works validation and on site review of works completed.

Key Knowledge and Skills

The knowledge and skills required include but are not limited to the following:

• Knowledge of the energy requirements for, communities, building technologies, renewable energy generation, rural development, spatial planning, environmental or another relevant sector
• Demonstrable ability to analyse information from relevant sources, whether financial, numerical or otherwise weighing up a range of critical factors.
• Proven ability to successfully manage a range of different projects and work activities at the same time
• A problem solving attitude, willing to put forward solutions to address challenges
• Knowledge of basic engineering or energy savings calculations
• Awareness of key challenges for successful sustainable energy policy including the need to ensure lifecycle sustainability, stakeholder acceptance and value for money

• Excellent IT skills (Excel, Powerpoint), database management tools

Experience and Personal Qualities Required

Essential Requirements

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate;

• Level 7 Qualification of the National Framework Qualifications (NFQ) in engineering, science, planning, renewable energy or other relevant construction or energy related discipline or demonstrated relevant work experience.
• Minimum two years’ experience of working in this or a related area.
• Full Driving Licence

• Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Strong project management and organisation skills and knowledge of business process management. 
• Ability to work on own initiative and to deadlines/milestones. 
• A capacity to foster positive working relationship with colleagues and external stakeholders; to work in multi-disciplinary teams and to network effectively.
• Flexible approach to problem solving and decision making to ensure the best solution is achieved focusing on the need for greater efficiency and effective delivery.
• A proactive approach to achieving results, including managing scope, time, risk assessment, cost and quality.

Desirable Requirements

• Project Management qualification or experience of using project management tools
• Previous experience in an energy or engineering area or with home/community energy projects
• Experience assessing energy saving opportunities across sectors

There may be a requirement for the successful candidate to further develop specialist knowledge and expertise relevant to the role. Training will be encouraged (formal and informal) and supported where required.

Fexco is an equal opportunities employer and is proud to foster a work environment where our people are supported and encouraged to be themselves. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and sections of society and each application is given fair consideration.