Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) seeks to appoint a Net Zero Lead.

This new role within BEFS Team involves leading on BEFS co-ordinated and strategic approach to delivering Net Zero through its own work, and – crucially – connecting existing sector work and research; building Member and sector capacity and coordinating a robust, collaborative and data driven approach, ensuring that the historic environment is recognised as a valuable asset and key player in Scotland’s journey to Net Zero, and in tackling the Climate Emergency.

We envisage that this role will evolve and respond to a changing political climate as needed, engaging with the legislative process and working towards ensuring that the sector is equipped to respond to the Climate Emergency in the long term.

Key responsibilities include:

• Work with BEFS Team to map and coordinate all existing Net Zero work, across all business BEFS areas
• Undertake sector (and beyond) mapping of Net Zero activity
• Advocate for Net Zero solutions presented by the existing and historic built environment, through sector coordination, cross sector, and portfolio working
• Align with and support OPOF delivery priorities, working closely with BEFS Director and Team on developing a Route Map to Net Zero
• Connect and amplify existing research and data, identifying skills, research and data gaps
• Drive and coordinate the use of existing data and research as well as commissioning new where required; working collaboratively to present a coherent evidence base
• Undertake and enable research and strategy including looking at international good practice
• Stakeholder working and relationship building; enable innovative and collaborative approaches
• Undertake regular horizon-scanning through contact with Government and key stakeholders; support BEFS work to convey the current context, challenges and opportunities across sector back to Scottish Government
• Project development and fundraising: identify, develop and shape projects (from initial idea to project brief) which will inform/evidence advocacy and delivery activity
• Participate actively as part of a small and busy team, supporting and working with colleagues across all of BEFS work

Person specification

Essential

1. Ability to demonstrate breadth of sector knowledge and the wider policy landscape relating to Net Zero and the historic and existing built environment
2. Demonstrable technical knowledge relating to the Climate Emergency and Net Zero in relation to the historic and existing built environment
3. Strong analytical skills, with an ability to distil information and stakeholder opinions, across a broad range of 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. Experience of working in a public facing role and the ability to connect with stakeholders and build consensus, seeking opportunities for collaboration and joined up working
6. Experience of project management and delivery
7. The ability to think and work strategically
8. Highly self-motivated, able to work flexibly, balancing priorities as necessary
9. High attention to detail, with strong written and verbal communication skills, including facilitation experience
10. 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.

What we offer:

• Salary: £38,000 FTE
• 30hrs per week (4 days); permanent role, subject to organisational funding
• Home working with irregular meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
• Benefits package including pension, flexible leave, and more.

Tay and Earn Trust is a Scottish registered charity, established in June 2013, dedicated to the conservation, sustainable management and enjoyment of the River Tay and River Earn catchments and the communities connected to them.

Rooted in one of Scotland’s most significant river systems, the Trust works to protect and enhance the natural environment while supporting people to engage with, learn from and benefit sustainably from these landscapes. Their work spans environmental conservation, education, community development and wellbeing, reflecting the interconnected nature of healthy rivers, resilient communities and sustainable futures.

About Willowgate:

The centre is part of the Tay and Earn Charitable Trust that promotes development and use by the community of the Tay and surrounding areas whilst protecting and nurturing the environment.

Nestled on the banks of the River Tay in Perth, Willowgate Adventure Centre is a vibrant hub for outdoor activity and learning. They offer paddle sports, archery, bushcraft, land-based adventures, and educational programmes, working with schools, community groups, families, and corporate clients.

Their mission is simple: to create experiences that inspire confidence, connection, and personal growth. As they enter a new phase of development, the Trust are seeking a leader who shares their passion for adventure, excellence, and innovation.

The Role of Activity Centre Manager:

Reporting to the senior management team, the Activity Centre Manager will have overall responsibility for the operational management, development, and day-to-day leadership of the centre, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, and commercially successful activities.

You will oversee all aspects of centre operations, including activity delivery, staffing, facilities, equipment, and logistics, while ensuring every guest experience meets the highest standards of safety, quality, and customer service. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of instructors and operational staff, creating a positive, professional, and safety-led culture, supporting their training, development, and performance.

This is a hands-on, dynamic role where operational excellence, proactive problem-solving, and strong organisational skills are critical. You will ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, licensing, and safeguarding requirements, maintaining robust systems for risk assessment, incident management, and emergency planning. You will also work closely with the senior management team to achieve business targets, optimise income, and support the ongoing development of the site, facilities, and equipment.

You will bring strong operational and people-management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop staff while ensuring high standards of performance, safety, and customer experience. Excellent organisational, financial, and administrative skills are essential, alongside the ability to manage complex, competing priorities. You will have strong interpersonal skills, with experience building and maintaining positive relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be flexible, resilient, and willing to work hands-on, including outdoors in all weather conditions and during peak periods, including weekends. You will hold a full UK driving licence, relevant first aid qualifications (or willingness to obtain), and appropriate industry certifications. This is a unique opportunity to lead a dedicated team, shape the delivery of exceptional activity experiences, and making a lasting impact on the centre's visitors, staff and wider community. You will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, growth, and sustainability, ensuring every activity is delivered safely, reliably, and memorably.

Greener Kirkcaldy is a community-led charity working locally to bring people together, take positive action on the climate emergency and support people through fuel poverty and food insecurity. We deliver a range of projects, events and skills training to achieve the needs and goals of local people – building resilience as a community and working towards a future where everyone can live better and tread more lightly on our planet.

Based in the heart of Kirkcaldy – with a community building, training kitchen, bike shop and garden – we carry out activities across Kirkcaldy and work with partners to deliver projects across Fife.

Growing and connection with nature has central to our work since the beginning. Our community training garden at Ravenscraig Walled Garden is a vibrant space. It offers courses, training and volunteer opportunities in gardening and growing. It also includes a community orchard, with over 100 fruit trees and a ‘wild area’ that is set aside for nature.

As lead partner of Climate Action Fife, we work with others to help people to garden in climate-friendly ways. We’ve helped people to plant fruit trees and we recently created a demonstration climate-friendly garden at our community building garden in Kirkcaldy town centre. We are always looking for new opportunities to help local people connect with nature on their doorstep.

The Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate individual to lead and develop our growing and nature connection projects work.

As part of our Community Engagement Team, you will work with staff, volunteers and partners. You will plan and deliver a diverse range of events, training and volunteer opportunities around growing and nature. We are keen to strengthen our ‘Plot to Plate’ activities, so you will work with our Community Food Team to connect growing with cooking classes, meals and food access projects.

You will play a key role developing new projects and activities, both grant-funded and income generating. You will support a Community Garden Worker and an enthusiastic team of mixed-ability volunteers to maintain and develop our community gardens and coordinate day-to-day activities.

You don’t need to be an expert in climate change or biodiversity. We will provide training and you will be supported by a great team.

Working at Greener Kirkcaldy

We want our town to be a good place to live and work. We believe in a future where everyone has a say in what happens locally, people are working together to protect our environment and those in hardship are supported to live well. That includes are staff and volunteers.

Working at Greener Kirkcaldy involves being part of a positive, collaborative and social team. Our culture is really important to us. We promote equality, diversity and openness. We have a strong focus on staff wellbeing and development and encourage staff initiative and ideas.

Benefits of working for Greener Kirkcaldy

Flexible and hybrid working

Enhanced maternity, paternity and sick pay

Excellent Wellbeing, training and development opportunities

Generous annual leave: 33 days, inclusive of public holidays per annum pro rata, going up to 37 days after 5 years’ service. Plus, an additional 5 days of annual leave (pro rata) over the Christmas period.

Social events

Diversity and inclusion

We want Greener Kirkcaldy to be an inclusive and diverse charity where everyone feels supported, valued and able to be themselves. We take part in Fife Centre for Equalities’ Equality Pathfinders programme. We also take part in the Race Equality Environmental Programme facilitated by CEMVO Scotland. Our Equalities Action Plan sets out the steps we are taking to improve diversity and inclusion.

To achieve our vision of Kirkcaldy as a greener and fairer place to live, we need a diverse team. We encourage applications from people of any background. We know that our sector particularly lacks staff and volunteers with Minority Ethnic backgrounds and disabled people. If you identify as Minority Ethnic or have a disability, we welcome your application.

If you need additional support to apply or take part in the recruitment process, please contact our Office Manager Dianne Girvan. Email dianne@greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk.