Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) seeks to appoint a Head of Policy and Strategy to coordinate policy development initiatives.

This role involves leading on BEFS co-ordinated and strategic approach to policy and influencing strategic policy and legislation relating to the historic and built environment across Scotland. Key responsibilities include:

1. Consultation: Co-ordinate and compile responses to strategic Government (and other key stakeholder) consultations on behalf of BEFS and BEFS Members.
2. Advocacy: Develop shared statements (manifestos, legislative ‘asks’, written evidence to parliamentary committees etc) on strategic issues arising from within BEFS work.
3. Events: Working with colleagues and external stakeholders, plan and facilitate stakeholder engagement events which inform policy development and produce written reports for these events.
4. Secretariat: Act as secretariat to multiple working groups, preparing agenda and meeting papers, recording meetings and circulating minutes.
5. Horizon-scanning: Undertake regular horizon-scanning through contact with Government and key stakeholders, to identify key issues of interest to BEFS Members.
6. Communication: Provide colleagues with written material to communicate key messages arising from BEFS discussions (such as website content, blogs), and contribute strategic content to BEFS bi-monthly bulletin.
7. Project development: Develop and shape projects (from initial idea to project brief) which will inform/evidence advocacy activity.
8. Reporting: Provide and contribute to regular reports to funders and BEFS Board.
9. Facilitation: Provide facilitation for Members events, workshops and stakeholder engagement.
10. Team: Participate actively as part of a small and busy team, supporting and working with colleagues as necessary.

Person specification

Essential

1. Strong ability to demonstrate breadth of sector knowledge, particularly across policy frameworks.
2. Experience of the process of strategic policy and legislative development within Scotland, across the wider policy landscape.
3. Strong analytical skills, with an ability to distil policy information and stakeholder opinions, across a broad range of policy topics/disciplines in the built environment sphere.
4. Knowledge and experience of the historic and wider built environment sector, including key stakeholders and lead organisations.
5. Highly self-motivated, able to work flexibly, balancing priorities as necessary.
6. High attention to detail, with strong written and verbal communication skills, including facilitation experience.
7. Advanced use of IT packages including Office 365 and Adobe etc.

Desirable

1. Degree or post-graduate qualification (or equivalent experience) in built environment-related discipline (e.g., planning, conservation, surveying, archaeology, architecture) or public affairs.
2. Experience of stakeholder engagement/facilitation skills.
3. Confidence with online/remote working technologies and programmes such as Teams, Zoom. (Knowledge/familiarity of other programmes such as Miro, Eventbrite, SurveyMonkey, WordPress and MailChimp are also an advantage.)

BEFS expects all applicants to support the values, ethos and objectives of BEFS, demonstrating credibility and integrity, and proactively committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion