Consultant (Clean Heat)

Location: We're a digital first employer, so happy to be flexible if you're based in the UK.

Application Deadline: Monday, April 21, 2025

Vacancy Type: Full Time Permanent

Salary: £41,792 - £47,747 per annum (the successful candidate will be appointed to the starting point of the grade)

Duration if FTC: Not applicable - permanent post

Job Summary

An opportunity has arisen for a Consultant with a strong technical understanding of low carbon heat systems and experience developing large projects through the development process to work with our Clean Heat Programme. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced development engineer to become involved in Scotland's ambitious heat decarbonisation programme which is currently attracting major infrastructure investment and deploying ground-breaking technical innovation.

Heat networks are a key strategic technology for reducing emissions from heating our homes and buildings. The Consultant role involves working closely with the Scottish Government's Heat Network Support Unit (HNSU). The HNSU aims to support the growth of heat networks by working with the public sector to address key challenges and build capacity through advice, expertise and financial support.

We want you if:

• You are educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant technical discipline and/or hold a relevant professional qualification. If no relevant degree/professional qualification, then you must be able to demonstrate relevant specialist experience.
• You have experience working in a technical, financial and/or regulatory role within the sector or relevant specialist area and/or its supply chain.
• You have demonstrable experience of establishing and maintaining good stakeholder/customer/partner relationships in the sector.
• You have good market and technical understanding of low carbon heat and district heating systems.
• You have a good understanding of the Scottish Government's Energy Strategy and related low carbon heat policy areas including awareness of the range of relevant funding programmes.
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrable experience of influencing decision makers and presenting to relevant sectors to deliver outcome-based targets.
• You are a team player willing to collaborate with colleagues.
• You have experience of project managing external contractors to deliver services.
• You have good computer literacy including the full suite of MS Office.
• You have an appreciation of the tender and procurement process within the public sector.

What you'll be doing:

• Providing technical advice and support on decentralised energy and district heating in support of the delivery of the Clean Heat programme.
• Prospecting for new district heating project opportunities across Scotland.
• Maintaining relationships with key stakeholders (these may include Scottish Government, local authorities, universities, colleges and NHS boards).
• Ensuring technical studies are delivered on time and within budget.
• Reviewing contractor's and delivery partner's output for quality, commercial soundness and consistency with Zero Waste Scotland's expectations.
• Engaging with clients to support the progress of projects through the project development process.
• Maintaining an up-to-date understanding of relevant EU, UK and Scottish policy relating to district heating and renewable energy. Helping to ensure that programme activities are securely based in these policies, including through interaction with key government committees and departments and maintaining an up-to-date technical understanding of low carbon heating innovations and their practical application.
• Carrying out assessments of funding applications for the HNSU and other Scottish Government heat related funding programmes.

About Zero Waste Scotland

Zero Waste Scotland is Scotland's circular economy public body. Since 2014, our work has helped more people understand that the answer to the climate emergency is to consume less. Through an expansive range of projects and programmes, our innovative work has shown that embedding circular practices is as possible as it is essential. Through sharing this knowledge, nurturing relationships, and fostering bold collaboration, we're in a truly unique position to influence this vital change.

Why work for us

Here at Zero Waste Scotland, we value our people and are committed to nurturing and supporting them to learn, grow and develop so we can focus our efforts and be a collective force of unique colleagues creating positive change. As an accredited Investors in Diversity organisation, we are committed to embedding FREDIE principles (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement) across all that we do at Zero Waste Scotland.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates and encourage you to talk to us about your preferred hours of work. We'll do our best to accommodate.

We offer competitive pay and benefits to support you and your family, including a contributory pension scheme, life assurance, wellbeing support, flexible working, generous holidays, enhanced family leave entitlements, continuing professional development (CPD) and volunteering opportunities.

For us, work isn't a place we go, but a thing we do so we fully embrace flexibility and encourage you to choose home working where the role allows. There'll be times when you're required to attend our Stirling office or a client location (normally within the Central Belt of Scotland) therefore applicants should live within a comfortable distance to commute easily to Stirling. The office is located next to the railway station and is conveniently accessed from across central Scotland.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 23:45 ON THE CLOSING DATE SHOWN.