Technical Research Officer – Domestic Energy Efficiency

We are National Energy Action (NEA), and our vision is to end fuel poverty; our work to improve and promote Energy Efficiency brings social, environmental, housing and employment benefits.  We believe everyone should be able to afford to keep their homes warm and safe, however, low incomes, high energy bills and poor Energy Efficiency currently deny this to millions of households across the UK.  

NEA’s team is friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about what we do.  We are proud of our expertise and proud of the service we deliver to our clients.  

We offer colleagues a supportive, friendly, and rewarding workplace and the chance to build a worthwhile career with a not-for-profit organisation that is proud to make a genuine difference to people’s lives each and every day.  

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to work in a committed and highly effective Innovation and Technical team, delivering research that will make a real impact on the lives of vulnerable energy consumers? 

As the Energy Crisis tops the news agenda, our work has never been more needed. Our figures, which have been widely reported in national, regional and local media show that since October 2022, 6.3 million UK households are now in fuel poverty – that’s one in four. National Energy Action (NEA) is recruiting a Technical Research Officer – Domestic Energy Efficiency, to lead research, field trials and demonstration projects on technologies for Energy Efficiency, health and decarbonisation to identify ways to retrofit homes that will deliver the best outcomes for those living in fuel poverty.

NEA’s Innovation and Technical team are knowledgeable and empathic, and the successful candidate will work collaboratively within the team on the design, development and delivery of technical evaluation projects to provide evidence-based insights to influence retrofit policy and practice.

Our Technical Research Officers are responsible for liaising with householders who have agreed to trial new technologies in their homes. The successful post holder will be an excellent communicator with the ability to build trust and rapport with a range of communities and individuals and deliver complex information about energy, heating systems and their controls in an accessible way. 

Your base location is negotiable, but you will be expected to travel across England and Wales with overnight stays as required.  

Technical research experience and experience of using qualitative and quantitative research methodologies including the design of questionnaires, data collection, validation and analysis, including statistical analysis and interpretation of large volumes of technical data; interpreting the results of research to appraise technical interventions on the energy performance of buildings. You should also have experience in the technical or practical aspects of Energy Efficiency, heating, ventilation or decarbonisation technologies for homes.

Demonstrable project management and reporting experience with the ability to maintain and process appropriate records, statistics, and performance data, ensuring the progress of work towards project targets is monitored and that project outcomes may be fully demonstrated, evidenced, and evaluated. You will produce robust and insightful written reports on the research and demonstration projects undertaken that can support the Charity’s strategic aims and inform policy and practice.

Effective and compelling communication skills, with excellent presentation skills, and the ability to confidently liaise with a variety of organisations to secure the effective delivery of projects. You will be adept at building rapport with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and be able to sensitively communicate with those participating in research trials who are living in fuel poverty.

We are passionate about what we do, and we want you to be too! We want to hear from those able to demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, NEA’s mission to eradicate fuel poverty. The full job description and person specification is available below.

• Permanent Role

• £32,641 - £37,304 per annum, Scale SO1 – SO2, Points 23-28 (plus £3,300 London Weighting if applicable) 

• 11½% non-contributory pension

• 25 days annual leave plus 3 additional days in between Christmas New Year Period when our offices close; plus all public holidays per annum

• Flexible working arrangements including the opportunity for Hybrid working

• Enhanced family friendly payments 

• Employee Assistance Programme.

The closing date for applications is 1 March 2024 at 12 noon.  We anticipate interviewing in the two weeks commencing 11 March 2024.   Only shortlisted candidates selected for interview will be notified of the confirmed time and location of interview. 

If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.  

Apply online by clicking here. If you would like the application in another format, please email jobs@nea.org.uk

NEA aims to be an equal opportunities employer.  We welcome applications from all people with the necessary skills and experience for the post. Charity Registration No. 290511. Company Registration No: 01853927.