Close the Gap, Scotland’s expert on gender equality in the labour market, is looking for new trustees to join its board. Our trustees work to support the organisation to realise its vision for a Scotland where all women have a good working life. We do this through policy advocacy that seeks to place gender equality at the heart of policymaking, supporting employers to take action to close their gender pay gap, and developing innovative research to grow the evidence base on women’s experiences of work.

Trustees set the strategic direction, oversee the work of the organisation, manage risk, and establish policies and procedures to govern organisational activity. Key to the role is ensuring good governance practice is in place. It’s an exciting time to join the board, as Close the Gap has consolidated its growth since becoming a charity, and is exploring further opportunities for development.

About you

Committed to women’s labour market equality, you’ll have the ability to think strategically and creatively, and to respond to the needs of the organisation. You’ll also be able to commit the time to fulfil the role of trustee and help us meet our strategic objectives.

Close the Gap is strongly committed to equality, and recognises that diverse boards are more effective, and result in better governance practice. We would particularly welcome applications from racially minoritised people and disabled people, who are currently under-represented on our board.

We’re also particularly interested in receiving applications from people that have knowledge and experience in equality and/or human rights, and fundraising.

Organisation profile

Close the Gap is Scotland’s expert policy advocacy organisation working on women’s labour market participation. Our vision is for a Scotland where all women have a good working life. We do this by working strategically with policymakers, employers and unions to influence and enable action that will address the causes of the gender pay gap.

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

We are currently seeking a new Treasurer to join our board of trustees and we hope to find someone who has experience of financial management and accountancy. Our current Treasurer will remain on the board until the 31st March 2025. We would like our Board to be representative of our local community. We encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Role and responsibilities

As well as bearing all the fiduciary duty of a board officer, the Treasurer is the person specifically entrusted with management of the bureau funds. The finance director is also responsible for ensuring that accurate records are maintained and the board is informed of all relevant financial matters.

The tasks associated with this post are:

• liaising with and advising the Chief Executive and Board of trustees on financial matters
• ensuring that proper financial procedures and accounting practice are in place to safeguard the bureau’s resources
• preparing financial statements for board meetings and for the annual general meeting
• liaise with the appointed Independent examiner for the annual review of accounts
• preparing an annual budget and advising the board of its financial requirements for the year ahead

Please note this role is a voluntary position with no renumeration. Please see role description.