Net Zero Energy Manager

Job Description Net Zero Energy Manager £63,519 – £78,282 per annum
Overall Purpose of Job
This is an exciting time to join the organisation and newly formed Directorate of Climate Action as we embark on setting revised climate action plans in a systems approach and build up the organisations capacity to deliver a just transition for the council and wider borough and become a leader in local council response to the climate emergency.
The role is to work alongside the Director of Climate Action to assist in leading and championing Newham council’s key commitments in relation to the Climate Emergency and achieving net zero as a council by 2030 and as a borough area by 2045, including the key components of the Just Transition plan with specific focus on the broader energy transition away from fossil fuels.

To help in securing substantial carbon emission reduction outcomes both from Council operations and broader estate and within the Borough boundary by influencing how residents, businesses and partners think and act.
Act as lead technical advisor to the Councils on energy strategy and policy, defining each Council’s ‘roadmap’ to achieving the zero-carbon ambitions..
Define, implement and deliver a cohesive corporate strategy to reduce carbon emissions, including energy and water usage monitoring and reduction plan. Pursue innovations with the adoption of modern technologies to optimise green solutions and reduce reliance on fossil fuel.
Liaise with external bodies to track the opportunities to track grant funding for the implementation of green technologies, initiate, prepare and submit appropriate business cases and manage projects/programmes that result from successful funding bids.
Work in close consultation with a wide variety of stakeholders including Members, senior managers, building managers, technical design and construction teams, project managers, contractors, energy champions and maintenance teams and schools ensuring that energy efficiency factors are incorporated into all development planning and operational activities
Be responsible for promoting awareness of the Council’s Carbon Management Plan and Energy policy, promote best practise in all activities and ensure compliance with current and emerging energy and environmental legislation
Act as corporate lead for the procurement of energy supply contracts, their administration and monitoring of energy performance across the Councils’ non-housing estate including EPCs)
Support the Head of Capital Delivery and Corporate Estate in reducing energy use in the building stock, minimising the environmental impact of operations by client organisations.
As senior officer, to work collaboratively with other service area colleagues and external stakeholders to achieve the Directorate service plans and priorities.

Role Context

The post holder reports to the Director of Climate Action

The post holder has a system influencing role, working in extensive collaboration with members, council staff, residents and businesses.

The post holder will have staff management responsibility for an energy officer role and potential to grow the team

The postholder will play a key role in influencing the Council’s budget planning processes to ensure the Just Transition plan is fully resourced.

The postholder will matrix manage a number of programmes and projects involving a range of multi-disciplinary staff, sector and academic partners and government bodies.

Key Responsibilities

Initiate, develop, implement, monitor; report progress on, and set future targets for the Councils’ energy management strategy for achieving zero carbon status across its corporate estate. .
Be responsible for energy management across all Council buildings within the Corporate Landlord model, ensuring cost-effective use. Manage the programme for smart metering of Council energy and water supplier and advise in the use of appropriate building management systems to minimize consumption. Monitor savings and report on benefits realisation.
Act as corporate lead in the re-procurement of (multi £ million) energy supply contracts for the borough Councils, typically through frameworks or purchasing consortia.
Liaise with a variety of external bodies to identify opportunities for future grant funding to support the installation of new technologies e.g. Salix, London Mayor’s REFIT programme, Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund
Co-ordinate the preparation of grant funding bids and oversee the delivery of resulting programmes/projects resulting from successful bids to optimise the amont of grant draw-down
Advise the Head of Capital Delivery & Corporate Estate , Director of Asset Management and other service managers on the appropriate standards for energy efficiency in the areas under their control.
Identify, assess and recommend reductions of the energy risks and financial costs.
Keep up-to-date with and contribute to compliance with energy related legislation and other statutory requirements.
Use remote and local metering facilities to maintain an energy and water usage database to set achievable targets for reduction of energy usage over specific terms for each building. Identifying variances from targets on a day to day basis and provision of solutions for resolution of energy wastage.
Develop and manage monitoring and targeting processes to identify poor performance of buildings and improve the control and usage of energy consumption/carbon emissions.
Purchase energy and water supplies on behalf of the client organisations in accordance with procurement rules.
Provide technical advice to the senior procurement manager to assist with the procurement of energy and water contracts and help achieve best value in accordance with corporate procurement rules.
Undertake data analysis and produce quarterly management reports of energy and water consumption use patterns. Report to relevant forums on direct and comparative energy usage data, to provide effective benchmarking and assist in decision-making for future energy savings.
Manage the energy related funding streams and budgets, in line with funding requirements and compliance criteria; pursue other external funding opportunities and establish systems to supply the necessary information to grant providers, as required;
Undertake physical checks of energy usage both within and out of office hours to identify energy usage and achievable savings. Implement energy savings identified.
Persuade and influence staff and other stakeholders to secure their support for initiatives which reduce the use of energy in the building stock.
Work with technical teams (surveyors, architects, engineers) to provide input to new build and refurbishment projects; review and sign off plans to ensure carbon reduction measures are embedded in design and provide advice on low carbon, energy efficient structures, equipment and plant to ensure the efficient use of energy is considered in all proposals and in the implementation of these.
Contribute to the development of energy awareness /carbon reduction programmes to encourage and influence building users to use energy efficiently. Act as a source of advice for building users to promote the efficient use of energy where appropriate.
Provide technical advice to the senior procurement manager to assist with the procurement of energy and water contracts and help achieve best value. Investigate and advise on appropriate capital investment opportunities to implement low energy and carbon technologies.
Carry out any other appropriate work as may be necessary.
Management of DECs and EPCs for corporate buildings and schools (where required) and managing DEC and EPC contracts. Ensure the contractor delivers in a timely manner and any issues are identified and solved promptly to prevent any slippage.
Responsible for the forecast and timely submission of CRC to meeting Council’s statutory obligations.
Responsible for the monitoring and management of energy and utilities transactions and budget spend.

Strategy

To work in partnership with internal colleagues and external stakeholders in an integrated, holistic and cross cutting way to achieve delivery of those outcomes
To take a “one Council” approach to deliver more effective outcomes and at all times avoid a siloed or single service area approach.
To work creatively to develop ways of sharing good and innovative practice at a local and national level.
To ensure the Council’s commitment to put people at the heart of all we do by fully engaging residents in the development of ideas, strategies and policies as well as the co-design, co-production, and joint decision-making approaches is implemented throughout the division following the professional leadership of and models developed by the Resident Engagement division.
To contribute fully to the development and implementation of all corporate strategies and the Council’s vision and to act as a major project or programme Senior Responsible Owner to lead and ensure the implementation of specific corporate projects as required.
To actively develop and promote the Council’s vision and values through personal leadership to ensure they are delivered throughout the organisation.

Service Quality

To deliver on appropriate service quality measures, targets and outcomes for accountable assessment and that act upon resident and stakeholder perceptions and to seek out more transparent accountability mechanisms for delivery in the division.
To help build effective partnerships and communication strategies in order to harness effectively the public, private, voluntary sector and community resources that can help to deliver the Council’s vision.
To be one of the Council’s (officer level) representatives in partnerships.
To promote a positive public image of the Council.
To provide high level strategic direction and policy advice to the Director of Climate Action

Performance

To assist the services within the division in order to ensure that they deliver effective and efficient services and that they set and achieve high standards of performance and that they provide best value.
To manage and regularly monitor work programmes, budgets, performance indicators and quality targets to ensure that the services in the division meet agreed objectives, key performance indicators and income targets.
To assist in providing the Council, Mayor, Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny and other council bodies as required with appropriate reports and professional advice to enable them to discharge their functions in an effective and efficient way, and to display the highest standards of ethical governance.
To ensure the effective management of data and security of information received and used within the division, to comply with the relevant legislation such as GDPR and the Freedom of Information Act recognising that the Council wishes to operate in the most open and transparent way.
To ensure performance appraisal procedures are carried out and that there is full compliance with the Council’s HR policies and procedures, including sickness absence, conduct, capability, business reorganisation and Health and Safety.

Resource Management

To work within set budget to deliver the required outcomes in a way that delivers value for money both residents and the Council.
To review the services within the division to control the budgets within it, manage risk effectively and ensure accountability.
To operate in the most cost effective and efficient way, driving a continuous improvement mind set among staff.

Leadership and Culture

To participate in the directorate and organisational change that is needed in order to ensure the services play their full part in achieving the Council’s vision and values.
Help drive improvement in customer and community focus, performance, productivity, budget, managerial efficiency and workforce changes to deliver improved outcomes for the people of Newham.
Model the new behaviours required of all staff in terms of equality, ethical behaviour, effective internal control, agility, transparency, openness, community empowerment and engagement.
To promote and champion equality and diversity in the delivery of all Council activities, service provision and employment practice.
To ensure that all services are maintained to the required standards as directed by business continuity and resilience policies.
To participate in the Councils emergency arrangements as an on-call member of the strategic or tactical response team at the appropriate level.
To ensure that Health & Safety legislation and the Council’s Health & Safety requirements are all complied with.
To work evenings, weekends and occasional public holidays, in order to meet service requirements as required.
This is a politically restricted post under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government Officers (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990. The individuals holding this post cannot have any active political role. Politically restricted employees are prohibited from:
standing for office as local councillors, MPs, MEPs, Members of the Welsh Assembly or Members of the Scottish Parliament,
canvassing on behalf of a political party or a person who is, or seeks to be, a candidate, and speaking to the public at large or publishing any written or artistic work that could give the impression that they are advocating support for a political party.

Qualifications :

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, energy, sustainability, public policy, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
Proven experience in climate action, sustainability, or related fields, with a track record of successfully implementing initiatives and achieving results.
Strong knowledge of climate change science, policies, and best practices, and familiarity with relevant legislation and regulations.
Excellent project management skills, including the ability to plan, implement, and monitor projects to achieve established goals and deadlines within complex systems.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively engage and communicate with diverse stakeholders.
Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and build partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyse data, identify trends, and develop strategies for improvement.
Ability to work independently and prioritise tasks in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications.

https://www.newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/6645/net-zero-energy-manager-jd
Closing date: 13th November 2023
Additional Information
We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.
The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
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About Us The London Borough of Newham is located only 5 miles east of London. It is well positioned with access to all major networks in London and the south east. It is well connected by public transport with, bus, tube and DLR. When the Crossrail service opens it will call at Custom House close to our council offices and also Stratford station and from there to central London. The London City Airport which serves major European cities is located at Royal Albert Dock. Newham has the youngest overall population in the country. It was one of the six host boroughs for the 2012 Summer Olympics and contains most of the Olympic Park including the London Stadium. It has a thriving arts quarter with the Theatre Royal Stratford East offering excellent entertainment for all the family. There is the University of East London which has two campuses in Newham, one in Stratford and another next to the regenerated Royal Albert Dock. It also has a large Westfield shopping Centre in Stratford which has all the major retailers there.

Newham has a large housing regeneration programme that will build over 1,000 new council homes by 2022.