Community Energy Scotland is recruiting three Assistant Project Officers or Project Officers (post assigned dependent on skills and experience, with responsibilities allocated accordingly to the successful candidates) for the post of CARES Community LaunchPad Officer/Assistant Officer. The new officer needs to be able to work and travel near to the following host Climate Hubs CES is working with:

• Highlands and Islands, ideally based in or around Inverness.

• Perth and Kinross, ideally based near Perth.

• Dumbartonshire

We are looking to recruit energetic, well-organised and self-motivated individuals to support communities to build their capacity, develop new community energy project ideas and work alongside them to apply for funding and deliver projects. Training as required, personal development opportunities, and support will be provided by Community Energy Scotland.

We are offering either part-time or full-time hours (0.8FTE – 1FTE). We are happy to consider secondments.

The Business Support Intern will provide administrative and reception support to ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of the organisation, while assisting staff with project administration, communications and events.

The role is intended as a developmental opportunity, providing experience across office administration, community engagement and project support.

About our organisation

Midlothian Community Action (MCA) supports communities across Midlothian by helping local people, groups and organisations make positive change in their communities. We work across a range of programmes and projects, supporting volunteering, community development, climate action and local partnerships.

This internship offers an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience in administration, customer service and community project support within a busy and friendly charity environment.

Are you passionate about making a difference to the climate crisis by inspiring parents to take action on air pollution, fossil fuels and creating systemic change? Do you have experience of writing funding bids and community fundraising? Then this role could be for you!

We are particularly keen to hear from people who experience marginalisation and minoritisation or who are often excluded from decision-making processes. For example, people of colour; people from working-class backgrounds; people from LGBTQ and migrant communities; care-experienced young people and people with disabilities.

Background

Parents for Future Scotland began as a grassroots group of parents seeking to make climate action the norm among all parents in Scotland. We became a charity 2 years ago. We are in the midst of a big step change, increasing our influence and reach across the country, and we need you to help us in doing that. This post is based in Glasgow, therefore the ability to commute to Glasgow at least once per week is essential

We currently have 12 self-employed staff across Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We have around 12 funders, each of whom fund us for a 1 year span. We have one multi-year funder, from which this post is paid. In the next 2 years we want to move from a self-employed team to a staff team and must secure large multi-year funds to do this. We would also like to build our reserves to 3 years’ running costs in approximately 5 years time. We do not plan to expand into other geographical locales or pilot new schemes until our existing posts are secure, however we may choose to increase the time key team members have to work on programmes and your role will be essential to realising this.

The expectation is that the postholder will lead on fundraising for the organisation, supporting and advising the CEO, Admin Manager and Programme Manager on the fundraising strategy and devising the best approach for the organisation.

Main tasks

Fundraising

• Alongside the CEO create a robust fundraising strategy.
• Support the organisation to implement an evaluation framework across all its programmes which captures key information in order to write high quality bids
• Identify small and large funders which are a good fit for the organisation through research and phone calls, ensuring that every bid we write has the highest chance of success that we can achieve.
• Hook into key networks; Foundation Scotland, Environmental Funders, TSI’s etc. and, alongside the CEO, utilise networks to create a relationship with potential funders.
• Work with the programme staff and the CEO to ensure that our programmes are visible to key decision makers, making continuation funding more likely.
• Maintain relationships with existing funders alongside the Programme Manager and the Programme Team. Ensure that high quality reports are submitted and that communication with funders is on point.
• Support existing funders to visit our programmes in order to support understanding of the work taking place and the need for the work where appropriate/helpful.
• Alongside the Admin Manager, support with forecasting and ensure contingency plans are in place in order to continue existing contracts within the organisation.
• Write high quality, large funding bids that will support us in securing multi-year funding, providing more security for the organisation
• In accordance with the fundraising strategy create a portfolio of community fundraising events in the year for our movement members, schools and other audiences to take part in
• If appropriate create a fundraising working group with members from the movement
• Ensure that people signing up to become members with us have every opportunity to become regular donors. Maintain communication with all regular donors to thank them and inspire them appropriately.
• Work with the whole team to support the creation of a fundraising culture within the orgnaisation so that every team member thinks about fundraising opportunities in everything they do.
• Support our comms both on the website, socials and WhatsApp channel to ensure that these are effective fundraising tools.

Essential Experience

• A knowledge of the funding landscape in at least Scotland and the UK
• At least 3 years in a senior fundraising role
• Experience of writing funding bids and being responsible for a portfolio of funders worth £300,000 or more
• Experience of leading on and securing large multi-year funding bids
• Experience of creating and executing a fundraising strategy successfully within a growing organisation.
• Ideally experience of community fundraising and building a portfolio of events which are worth £10K or above
• An ability to package a varied portfolio of work to speak to different audiences including funders, donors and community members.
• Proven ability to strategise

Essential personal attributes

• Passion, drive and enthusiasm in our ability to tackle the climate crisis through system change and an understanding of what this might require.
• The ability to work well in a team and to make connections with trusts, donors, supporters, volunteers etc and understand what each want/need
• Ability to work with the self-employed staff team and support/empower them to support fundraising appropriately.
• Flexibility to work in a changing landscape in a small charity.
• Strategy - to bring ideas and creativity and to understand how these fit within the wider strategic goals of PfFS
• An ability to take instruction and to work independently/take self-responsibility

What we offer

• 4 days per week for 2 years (46 weeks per year at £200 per day.) Total per annum is £36,800. Total contract amount is £73,600.
• We offer a flexible working environment
• Working from home (we are in the process of finding an office in the next few months. Due to the role working so closely with colleagues we would recommend that this role spend time at the Glasgow office once established)
• We are a fledgling organisation so your skills/expertise will help shape our direction
• You will work closely with the CEO, who has a fundraising background and can support where needed
• Many fundraising roles are burn-out and unsustainable. This is a role where your creativity, passion and skills can shine and you will not be used like a commodity!

Do you want to help shape how Scotland's national forests and land are used to deliver lasting benefits for communities? Do you have an interest in community empowerment and sustainable land use, or expertise in renewable energy and onshore wind? If so, we'd like to hear from you.

About FLS

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is the Scottish Government agency responsible for the day-to-day management of Scotland's national forests and land. We look after approximately 640,000 hectares of land across Scotland, balancing environmental, social and economic outcomes for the benefit of current and future generations.

Our forests and land support sustainable timber production, renewable energy development, biodiversity, recreation, tourism and community use. Through our management of this national asset, we play an important role in supporting Scotland's rural economy, tackling climate change and empowering communities.

About the CATS Evaluation Panel

The Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS) supports the implementation of Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. Through the scheme, community organisations can request rights in land and property where they believe they can deliver greater community benefit.

The CATS Evaluation Panel provides independent advice and constructive challenge on Asset Transfer Requests relating to Scotland's national forests and land. The Panel helps ensure that decisions are robust, transparent and informed by a broad range of expertise.

We are currently seeking to appoint two new Panel Members.

About You

We are looking for individuals who can bring independent judgement, strategic thinking and relevant professional expertise to support the Panel's work.

In particular, we are interested in hearing from candidates with experience of:

• Renewable energy and onshore wind development, operation, governance, regulation or community benefit models.
• Community development, community empowerment and rural development.
• Assessing complex proposals and balancing social, environmental and economic outcomes.
• Providing objective advice, constructive challenge and evidence-based recommendations.
• We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives who share our commitment to community empowerment and sustainable land management.

Terms

As detailed in the candidate information pack, panel members will be expected to participate in up to four meetings each year and commit up to ten days annually. Meetings may take place online, in person and occasionally involve site visits.

A daily fee of £285 and reasonable travel expenses will be paid. The role does not attract pension or holiday entitlement.