Senior Policy Analyst – National and Regional Strategy
Job Specification
About Solar Energy UK
Solar Energy UK is the industry body representing UK solar. Since 1978, Solar Energy UK has promoted the benefits of solar energy to make its adoption easy and profitable for domestic and commercial users. A not-for-profit trade association, Solar Energy UK’s membership includes installers, manufacturers, distributors, project developers, the operations and maintenance sector, investors, law firms and other related service providers. Our ambition is to enable the deployment of 70GW of solar energy capacity in the UK by 2035, including 6GW in Scotland.
Role Description
The UK solar industry is experiencing an exciting period of change and growth – which is expected to continue well into the next decade. This new role will support the development of devolved national and regional strategies focussed on solar deployment, and geographically distinct opportunities for technical innovation, manufacturing, training and employment. This role will cover the UK as a whole with an initial focus on Scotland and the English regions.
The Senior Policy Analyst will report to the Director of Policy and Delivery and will be part of Solar Energy’s UK Policy and Delivery Team. This role will be expected to identify and produce innovate ideas, draft policy and advocacy documents, lead industry working groups, develop strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and to publicly promote the work of Solar Energy UK and Solar Energy Scotland.
The successful candidate will help shape the agenda for this exciting and innovative industry, at the heart of climate change, energy, and environmental policy – as we work to deliver net zero and make a just transition to a truly green economy.
Responsibilities
Key aspects of this role will include:
- The identification of policy and market barriers - as they relate to solar deployment targets across the devolved nations and regions, and place-specific opportunities for technical innovation, manufacturing, training and employment - and the identification of the most appropriate means of addressing these, following member engagement.
- The development of briefing materials for engagement with the full range of stakeholders (including civil servants, politicians, and key non-government stakeholders).
- The development and implementation of advocacy strategies to increase awareness and strengthen industry reputation with the full range of stakeholders (including civil servants, politicians, and key non-government stakeholders).
- Draft Solar Energy UK responses to government, regulator, and industry policy consultations
- Coordinate of industry working groups, including Scotland based working groups, 4 to 6 times a year.
- Coordinate activities with the wider Policy and Delivery Team to ensure a joined-up approach and share knowledge.
- Provide support to the wider Policy Team on broader policy-related matters as required.
- Coordinate relevant events, supported by the wider team as required.
- Disseminate the organisation’s work to members via email updates, webinars, presentations, and social media, as appropriate.
- Support the recruitment and retention of companies into Solar Energy UK membership.
- Regular travel to meetings in England, Scotland and Wales, totalling (around 30 days per year)
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and additional duties may be required from time to time.
Person specification
Essential
- At least three years’ experience related to energy, industrial policy or skills and innovation with experience of developing technical policy and advocacy documents for different audiences.
- Adept at balancing what’s urgent and important, while delivering on the plan
- Ability to develop and maintain a wide range of stakeholder relationships.
- Strong time management skills, with the ability to work on multiple tasks and deliver on short timeframes.
- Excellent verbal and written communication.
- Strong numeracy and analytical skills
- Highly motivated and independent self-starter with a passion for their work
Desirable
- A relevant master’s degree – e.g. in energy, public policy, sustainability or similar.
- Knowledge of the current political climate in different parts of the UK
- Previous experience of working in the solar, or wider energy sector
- Project management and/or events experience
- Experience of working in a member organisation
- Experience of web content management (WordPress) and social media.
The package
A starting salary of £43,800 per annum plus 5% employer pension rising to 8% after two years’ employment and 25 days holiday increasing by one day for every year with the association.
The role is full time (37.5 hours a week). Staff location can be flexible. The association’s flexible working policy allows up to 60% remote working. The main office is in London.
The process
Please apply with a CV and one-page covering letter to ggrimes@solarenergyuk.org stating how you fit the job specification above.
