Policy and Campaigns Officer
- Part time
- £24,836 pro-rata
- Home based and will involve occasional evening and weekend work when required.
- Closing 5th November 2023
- Advertised from 12th October 2023
- 28 hours a week / 4 days a week (0.8 FTE). Flexible work pattern available.
- 28 holiday days including bank holidays (pro rata of 35 days). 6% employer pension contribution
Role
Humanist Society Scotland is looking for someone with a proven track record in policy and campaign work. The successful candidate will develop and support the policy and campaign work of Scotland’s national charity for people seeking an ethical, rational, secular future. Our current campaigns include fighting for safe access to reproductive services for women, making the case for compassionate assisted dying laws, and working to reduce the influence of religious privilege in the Scottish education system.
This is a role that seeks to build on the charity's existing policy and campaign work and improve the organisation's ability to inform national policy and engage our supporters and members in making the case for change.
We are looking for an individual who has experience of the Scottish political and media landscape and can help make the case for the campaign issues we care about. You will be passionate about progressive change and share our vision for a caring and compassionate Scotland informed by reason. Your work will be in line with our organisational values of cooperation, integrity, reason, courage and sustainability.
The successful candidate will have experience of working on campaign and policy development. They will have excellent communication skills and knowledge of the Scottish parliamentary system and politics. They will relish collaborative working and be willing to represent the organisation at external events and through partnerships and umbrella groups. They will understand the role of media relations in awareness raising.
Key Responsibilities of the role
- Monitoring Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament and local government to identify opportunities to advocate for humanist values
- Developing relationships with MSPs, local councillors, civil servants, media outlets, partner organisations, international humanist organisations and others to make the case on humanist causes
- Researching and developing policy papers and consultation responses on important issues for the organisation
- Devising and delivering engaging campaigns that put humanist values on the national agenda
- Represent Humanist Society Scotland externally, including at party conferences, national and local government meetings, inter-agency meetings, public talks and local group events.
- Collaborating with partner organisations and umbrella groups working towards the same goals such as assisted dying groups, human rights coalitions and Stop Climate Chaos Scotland.
- Supporting the communications and media work of the Society as required by the Communications Manager
About Humanist Society Scotland
Humanist Society Scotland is part of the global Humanist movement of people and organisations. We are a registered charity of over 15,000 members, governed by an elected Board of Trustees. We are the longest-running and most trusted provider of humanist wedding ceremonies in Scotland, and we also offer humanist funerals and naming ceremonies through our network of trained celebrants.
Our Vision
A caring and compassionate Scotland informed by reason.
Our Mission
To be the champion for Humanism in Scotland.
Read more in our:
2021 Scottish Parliament Election Manifesto
Person Specification
Essential
- Professional experience of campaign development and delivery.
- Professional experience of policy research and development and consultation responses
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal and strong interpersonal qualities
- Strong knowledge of the Scottish political landscape and willingness to work on a cross-party basis to achieve aims.
- Experience of working collaboratively with other organisations and with local and national government partners to achieve shared goals.
- Ability to work with a variety of different stakeholders and manage relationships effectively, including through meetings with partner and umbrella groups
- Experience as part of a team working with the media to promote organisational values
- Ability to work flexibly in response to rapidly changing external events.
- Ability to travel within Scotland and attend meetings on behalf of Society
- Empathy with humanist values and Humanist Society Scotland’s charitable objectives
Desirable
- Knowledge of human rights and equality law and practice, especially concerning freedom of religion and belief and freedom of expression
- Experience of fundraising for campaigns
- Experience of working first-hand with the media to promote organisational values
- Qualifications or professional registrations related to public affairs, research, campaigns and/or policy work
- Experience of data-led campaigning
- Experience of working in the charity/voluntary sector
This role will mainly be home-based. However the role-holder will need to be able to attend face-to-face events at the Scottish Parliament and meetings with Scottish Government staff and agencies, partner organisations, local groups across Scotland and occasional travel further afield. While every day will be different, the role holder will be therefore required to travel to locations across Scotland on a reasonably regular basis, although most events/meetings will take place in the Central Belt of Scotland.
Application notes
To apply please return a CV and cover letter (no more than 2 sides A4) to recruitment@humanism.scot
Please use your name and 'Policy and Campaigns Officer’ as the subject line of your email.
Your cover letter should detail how you meet the person specification set out in the job advert. Please give succinct, experience-based examples of how you meet each criterion. Speculative CVs with no cover letter will not be considered.
What happens next?
After the closing date, we will review the applications. If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an interview. Interviews normally take place online via a video call. Due to the volume of applications we are unable to give feedback at this stage. Feedback will be given to those at the interview stage.
Net Zero Lead
- Part time
- £38,000 pro-rata
- Remote: Home working with irregular meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
- Closing 31st January 2026
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
- Ability to demonstrate breadth of sector knowledge and the wider policy landscape relating to Net Zero and the historic and existing built environment
- Demonstrable technical knowledge relating to the Climate Emergency and Net Zero in relation to the historic and existing built environment
- Strong analytical skills, with an ability to distil information and stakeholder opinions, across a broad range of topics/disciplines in the built environment sphere
- Knowledge and experience of the historic and wider built environment sector, including key stakeholders and lead organisations
- 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
- Experience of project management and delivery
- The ability to think and work strategically
- Highly self-motivated, able to work flexibly, balancing priorities as necessary
- High attention to detail, with strong written and verbal communication skills, including facilitation experience
- Advanced use of IT packages including Office 365 and Adobe etc.
Desirable
- Degree or post-graduate qualification (or equivalent experience) in built environment-related discipline (e.g. planning, conservation, surveying, archaeology, architecture) or public affairs.
- Experience of stakeholder engagement/facilitation skills.
- 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.
-(002).png){kind=logo}
Partners in Advocacy has established itself as one of Scotland’s leading providers of independent advocacy, delivering exceptional advocacy services since 1998.
We are thrilled to present a wonderful opportunity within our supportive and welcoming Edinburgh team. As an independent advocacy worker, you will have the privilege of providing one-on-one independent advocacy to individuals aged 16 and above with learning or physical disabilities, autism as well as older people. Through this role, you will ensure that their voices and wishes are heard, enabling them to make informed choices, protect their rights and have a meaningful impact on decisions that affect their lives.
We strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. If you believe your skills, experience, and expertise align with the criteria outlined in the person specification, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please complete the application form, ensuring that you provide examples of how your knowledge and experience fulfil each aspect of the person specification.
Partners in Advocacy takes pride in being a Disability Confident Employer, fully committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment.
sparqs is a charity funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), working with Scotland's university and college sectors. Our purpose is to ensure students are partners in shaping the quality of learning, making positive change to their own and others’ experience, however and wherever they learn. It aims to foster a culture of partnership between students and staff which enables the Scottish education sector to respond to challenges and realize its ambitions to provide the best possible experience for each and every student.
Volunteer Chair of Trustee Board
We are looking for a chair of Trustees who will lead our Board with integrity, insight and enthusiasm. This is an opportunity to guide a highly-regarded charity into its next exciting chapter.
As our new Chair you will have:
- Experience of being a strategic leader, including experience of working with a board either as a CEO/Director reporting to board, or as a board member/chair.
- Commitment and enthusiasm to the work of sparqs in terms of a student-led approach, role of student engagement in quality enhancement and value of partnership approaches.
- Ability to represent and promote the organisation publicly, acting as an ambassador and networker to further the attainment of organisational aims.
- Ability to influence, at a senior level, partner, and other stakeholder organisations particularly in the Scottish post-16 education sector.
- Commitment to the positive value of diversity, promoting equality and challenging discrimination and willingness to play an active role in creating an environment that promotes these values.
If you believe you have the experience and qualities we are seeking to contribute to this important organisation, we very much look forward to hearing from you. Working in a diverse sector and with diverse students, we are keen to receive applications from people of all backgrounds and with all different kinds of life experiences.
Senior Lead Consultant (Job Coaching)
- Full time
- £28,500 – £30,000
- On site: Aberdeen
- Closing 28th January 2026
Values in Action Scotland (VIAS) is recruiting for the post of Senior Lead Consultant (Job Coaching), based in Aberdeen. Reporting to the Development Lead, this exciting opportunity will give the role holder the responsibility to lead on Project SEARCH University of Aberdeen for VIAS, in becoming one of the top performing sites across the UK.
Background
Values in Action Scotland is a Quality Improvement Service. Our vision is for a Scotland where people with learning disabilities and/or neurodivergent people have the same opportunities as everyone else and are supported to achieve their goals. Through our comprehensive portfolio of job coaching, training, consultancy and evaluation services we build capacity of individuals and organisations to ensure that people with learning disabilities and/ or neurodivergent people live great lives with all the support they need to achieve this.
The Candidate
The ideal candidate will have a lot of experience with supported employment and/or employability programmes, which will give them confidence that they can help Project SEARCH interns succeed. To fulfil the high goals set by VIAS and Project SEARCH, you will need to have expertise researching potential employers to find internships and job openings for interns. The successful candidate will also be able to work with a variety of stakeholders, showing that they have great people skills and the ability to develop and maintain successful partnerships. Candidates should have expertise with funding sources connected to employment and draughting and submitting grant applications. It would also be helpful if they already knew about and understood challenges and activities that affect people with learning disabilities and/or neurodivergent people.
What We Offer
We offer excellent training and development opportunities, competitive salary, contributory pension scheme and 32 days annual holiday (including bank holidays)
Further Details
The post is permanent following on from a 6-month probationary period.
VIAS will carry out a PVG check on the successful applicant.
For further information or an informal discussion, please call Kelly Forrest on 07350 421305.
Latest news See more
