The Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust

The Sustainable Inshore Fisheries Trust (SIFT) is a Scottish charity (Registered Scottish Charity No. SC042334) which promotes the sustainable management of Scotland’s coastal seas ('inshore waters') so that they provide the maximum long-term benefits to all coastal communities.

To meet its aims, SIFT commissions research into the sustainable management of inshore waters, from which it develops management measures and proposals for inclusive stakeholder representation that it advocates to Scottish policy-makers. As well as inshore fisheries, we work on aquaculture (both for fin fish and seaweeds), marine planning and marine carbon. For more information on SIFT and its projects visit sift.scot .

Policy Officer

SIFT is seeking to recruit a Policy Officer to work on the development and implementation of its projects. The Officer would report to SIFT’s Executive Director and will focus on research, development and advocacy of marine management policies. SIFT is an equal opportunities employer.

Candidate

The ideal candidate would have experience working in policy advocacy in Scotland, ideally related to environmental or natural resource management, and hold a marine biology or environmental or natural resource management qualification.

Key skills

Key skills would include:

• Experience of policy advocacy, ideally within a Scottish context

• A successful track-record of researching and developing policy proposals

• Outstanding communication skills, through written and oral formats

• The ability to develop and manage relationships with funders and other partners

• Experience of working in marine and/or environmental management.

Core duties

The Policy officer would undertake the following core duties:

• Identify, develop and contribute to research that underpins policy proposals

• Engage with fishery, community and other marine stakeholders

• Assist the development of Policy Briefings and responses to public consultations

• Represent SIFT at meetings, including with the Scottish Government and its officials, Members of the Scottish Parliament and their staff, and other marine stakeholders

• Engage with the media.

Other duties

Reflecting the small size of SIFT’s team, the Policy Officer would also be expected to:

• Contribute to the management of SIFT’s website and social media channels

• Support colleagues with the governance of the charity (e.g. re board meetings, statutory reporting, fund raising, etc)

• Assist with other administrative tasks associated with SIFT’s workstreams.

Term

Full time 18-month contract with possibility of extension thereafter.

Salary

In the region of £30,000 dependent upon experience and hours agreed.

Location

Office-based (at SIFT’s premises in central Edinburgh) or home-working by agreement.

Benefits

To include:

Pension. Paid in compliance with SIFT's workplace obligations.

Hours. Up to 37.5 hours per week; shorter hours may be considered, by agreement.

Time Off in Lieu. If evening and weekend work is required, TOIL will be given.

Probation. There will be a 3-month probation period for the successful candidate.

Annual Leave. 35 days’ holiday inclusive of public holidays per annum.

Interviews and commencement of employment

We intend to conduct interviews with selected applicants before the end of 2024 with a view to making an appointment in early 2025. SIFT reserves the right to close this vacancy.