Energy Coordinator

**JOB TITLE**:Energy Coordinator
**LOCATION**:Croydon BME Forum, 56a Mitcham Road, Croydon CR0 3RG
Wellness Centre, Whitgift Centre, First Floor, Unit 1040
**REPORTING TO**:The Chief Executive of Croydon BME Forum
**SALARY**: £30,000 per annum
**HOURS OF WORK** 37.5 hours per week
**DURATION**: 18-months

**Purpose of the post**:
To deliver training and one-to-one support to residents to reduce the risk of fuel poverty amongst harder-to-reach and BME communities, likely to be disproportionately affected by the costs of living crisis and more at risk of self-disconnection.

To work in partnership with health and wellbeing professionals, voluntary sector organisations, Faith leaders and communities to raise awareness of energy efficiency and fuel poverty issues and promote positive interventions for members of the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities of Croydon and to reduce fuel poverty and inequalities in access to related support.

Section 5 (2) (d) of the Race Relations Act 1976 applies.

**Main duties and responsibilities**:
Provide one-to-one advice and support to Croydon residents to help them improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce energy bills.

Advice and support on making positive behaviour changes to improve quality of life, highlighting the importance of keeping warm for health and wellbeing.

Assess the needs and circumstances to determine the support to be offered and the most appropriate way, engaging with referring agencies, carers, family members, housing providers and other agencies as appropriate. Work with referral partners to determine the best support options in complex cases.

Advise and offer practical support on reducing energy and water bills through changing meters, switching tariffs, and ensuring financial support that residents are entitled to are secured from the utility suppliers.

Identify other health and wellbeing support needs and signpost/refer residents to appropriate services.

Offer ongoing support to residents as caseworkers.

Design and deliver presentations, workshops and training sessions to staff, volunteers and residents about the project and wider energy efficiency and billing issues.

**Strategic work**

Represent BME communities and advocate needs at local partnership meetings.

Actively support local initiatives around social inclusion, community cohesion, equality and diversity, and wellbeing.

Design and manage promotional and educational campaigns to empower vulnerable residents, including residents who do not speak English as a first language.

**Service Development**

Communicate the needs of BME communities in a way that leads to a process of change and improvement in services.

Support local groups and networks so they can be partners in developing and service providers on BME issues, including cultural awareness and other related, identified training needs.

**Access**

Engage with community leaders and build networking opportunities between leaders and fuel poverty support providers.

Carry out focus groups and workshops with local community groups in order to better understand their needs.

Support and empower communities to identify and communicate their needs to commissioners through effective consultations and service user representation and the planning and development stage.

Facilitate and participate in health promotion events and activities with local communities.

**Common Expectations**

To undertake training deemed appropriate to the post.

To work in accordance with the Croydon BME Forum policies (equal opportunities, health and safety, Financial Controls, etc.).

To ensure a high standard of services and engagement at all times.

To participate in planning and other meetings as required and show a willingness to share information and knowledge.

Liaise and work in partnership with a range of partners to promote the objectives of the Croydon BME Forum, and the Healthy Homes for All Project.

Establish, maintain and update records, databases, mailing lists, information and filing systems as required.

Assist with the preparation of monitoring reports, including a final project Report.

The post-holder will be expected to attend and or represent the Healthy Homes for All Project at meetings with outside groups or agencies where appropriate and to report back to Croydon BME Forum. This could occasionally involve working outside normal office hours for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be given.

Participate in any other reasonable duties which may be negotiated with the Chief Executives and Board of Croydon BME Forum.

**PERSON SPECIFICATION**

**JOB TITLE: Energy Coordinator - Healthy Homes for All**

The requirements listed below indicate the qualities, skills and experience we believe to be necessary in order for the post holder to perform this role effectively. Some of the requirements are essential and some are desirable. To be short-listed it is important that the applicant show clearly how they meet all the re