Job Title:Climate Challenge Project Development Officer (South Asian/Chinese/Gypsy Traveller)

Employer:MECOPP

Place of Work:MECOPP Carers Centre, 172 Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH6 5EA

Hours of Work:Chinese post 24 hours per week (CCF/C)

South Asian post 24 hours per week (CCF/SA)

Gypsy/Traveller post 10 hours per week CCF/GT)

Contract:1 April 2015 – 31 March 2016

Salary:£22,968per annum (pro rata)

To have lead responsibility for delivering the MECOPP Climate Challenge Fund project aimed at supporting Minority Ethnic (South Asian, Chinese and Gypsy/Traveller communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians) informal carers and individuals with a disability or longterm condition to live a low carbon lifestyle. This will include working with a range of partner organisations to deliver specific project activities and to develop their capacity to engage more productively with Minority Ethnic communities.

To raise awareness of the project amongst the target communities through outreach activities and developing partnerships with organisations supporting BME communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

To develop in partnership with project beneficiaries accessible information materials utilising best practice (eg. quality proofing).

To organise and deliver education and awareness raising activities jointly with partner organisations.

To provide individual tailored support to enable project beneficiaries to increase energy efficiency within the home and reduce their carbon footprint. This will include undertaking joint home visits with partner organisations.

To support project beneficiaries to engage more effectively with activities designed to reduce carbon footprints (eg. local recycling schemes and community gardening projects).

To set up joint referral procedures with partner organisations and to act as a central point of contact for project beneficiaries.
To recruit, train and support 10 volunteer peer educators who will provide basic information on simple energy saving measures to wider target communities.

To support the involvement of project beneficiaries in the management and delivery of the project.

To undertake all evaluation and monitoring activities to evidence the impact of the project.

To keep accurate records of all project activities.

To submit regular reports of work to the line manager, the MECOPP Board of Directors and funders.

To develop and support a project advisory group.

To participate in MECOPP team meetings and support and supervision sessions with the line manager.

To undertake and successfully complete mandatory training (project funded).

To undertake any other activities deemed appropriate and in keeping with the aims of the project

Essential / Desirable / Assessment Method
Qualifications / Educated to degree level or equivalent work experience (E) / Application
Experience / Experience of working with Minority Ethnic communities and/or other marginalised groups (E)
Experience of lead role in delivering projects (E)
Experience of providing individual tailored support (eg. casework, advice and information) (E)
Experience of recruiting and supporting volunteers (E)
Experience of user involvement (E)
Experience of managing relationships with partners (E)
Experience of monitoring, evaluation and report writing (E)
Experience of community outreach (D)
Experience of developing accessible information materials (D) / Application
Interview
Skills / Knowledge of issues surrounding climate change and low carbon lifestyles (E)
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (E)
Relevant community language (eg. Cantonese, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali) (E)
Excellent written and oral communication skills (E)
Excellent presentation skills (E)
Ability to network effectively (E)
Good ICT skills (E) / Application
Interview
Task
Other Attributes / Excellent organisational skills, including ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines (E)
Ability to work on own initiative with limited supervision (E)
Willingness to travel (E) / Application
Interview
Task

Conditions of Service

Annual holidays – 25 days plus 2 ‘float’ days plus statutory public holidays (pro rata)

Pension – the post-holder will have the option of joining the existing group pension scheme based on a employee and employer contribution of 6%.

Union –MECOPP will recognise the appropriate trade union.

Equal Opportunities – MECOPP is actively working towards becoming an Equal Opportunities employer.

Staff development and training – the successful candidate will receive an induction programme within the first two weeks of appointment. Further training may be provided if appropriate.