Edinburgh Tenants Federation (ETF) has an exciting opportunity for a creative and dynamic individual to fill the role of Communications Officer within its core team. The successful candidate with lead on all internal and external communications, nurture a brand that underpins the core values of the organisation, and implement strategies and action plans to support the wider strategic business plan objectives.

Edinburgh Tenants Federation is an award-winning charity that works to ensure that tenants and residents are able to fully participate to shape their housing and wider services. As a membership organisation, we represent the views of our member groups to influence change across the city. The aim of ETF is simple – we want to change social rented housing in Edinburgh for the better.

• Job title: Communications Officer

• Salary: £35,102

• Hours: 35 per week

• Location: Norton Park, 57 Albion Road, Edinburgh EH7 5QY. ETF embraces a hybrid working model and as such, staff are expected to work from home and office when appropriate.

• Contract term: This post is funded for a fixed period until 31st March 2026. There may be scope for an extension of the post beyond this period.

• Closing date: 12 midday Monday 16th December 2024.

The Communications Officer will manage the ETF social media channels and website, creating engaging content for a variety of audiences, and produce promotional materials and company literature, including annual reports and newsletters.

This role presents a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to work on a wide range of projects to raise the profile of ETF and share the work of the organisation at both a local and national level.

Are you interested in being part of a small team in an organisation that plays a vital role in the democratic process?

We are looking for a person to join our team who will play a key role in supporting the Electoral Commission's work in Scotland during an exciting time for Scottish democracy. You will be a good communicator who can respond quickly to a range of queries from our stakeholders. You will enjoy supporting the rest of the team and thrive on carrying out a variety of tasks.

Who we are

The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity.

We oversee all areas of work relating to electoral events that take place in Scotland. This includes the annual household canvass of electors, elections to the Scottish Parliament and local government elections along with elections to the UK Parliament.

We work closely with a wide range of stakeholders including the Scottish and UK governments, local authorities, partner organisations and political parties. We focus on the issues that affect Scotland and ensure that views of these stakeholders are represented in our work.

Who we are looking for

You will be proactive and enthusiastic about working with stakeholders and delivering outcomes to meet our objectives.

You will also be self-motivated to progress your own projects and responsibilities, and a team player who is happy to support the work of others and contribute across the organisation.

We are looking for a candidate who is engaged and effective and who will keep others informed about their area of work.

Experience of elections would be useful; however, we will also accept applications which exhibit relevant transferable skills and experience.

The role

As a Scotland Support Officer, you will play a key role in supporting all areas of the Commission’s work in Scotland. Some of your responsibilities will be to:

• Provide first line advice and guidance to elections staff, political parties, candidates and agents and non-party campaigners in Scotland.
• Support the team with maintaining stakeholder relationships between the Scotland office and key partners including schools, youth groups, civil society organisations and local authorities.
• Support with the development of education materials and voter engagement resources in line with the learning and partnership strategies.
• Utilise different channels to communicate our work to key stakeholders including social media.
• Provide secretariat support to meetings with external stakeholders.

Working at the Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission offers excellent terms and conditions, including flexible working hours, and the opportunity to join the Civil Service pension arrangements (dependent on scheme rules) which include a valuable range of benefits.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people who are passionate about democracy. The more diverse our workforce, the better we can adapt to and reflect the needs of society. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and as a staff member, you will become part of an inclusive culture, where you will have the opportunity to achieve your full potential and enhance your career through learning and development.

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

A Treasurer is being sought by the Southside Community Centre Association SCIO

An opportunity has arisen to join our Board of Trustees as Treasurer during an exciting time of development in which we are investing in new services and facilities, but also during a time of challenge as we focus on achieving a sustainable future.

As Treasurer you will support the Board to help manage its financial resources. Although you will take the lead in overseeing strong financial management, you will be aided by our Chief Executive and our very supportive accountants, as well as your fellow Trustees.

Key tasks as Treasurer

• Provide a monthly update to the Board on our financial position
• Promote oversight of our financial procedures and practices.
• Liaise with our Chief Executive and accountants.
• With the accountants oversee preparation of our annual financial statement.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and good practice in conjunction with our accountants.

About you

• Enthusiasm to support our active Community Centre.
• Available to attend our monthly board meetings (in person).
• Strong attention to the detail of financial arrangements.
• Experience of serving as a Treasurer not essential, but experience in financial management would be an advantage.
• Good communication and team working skills.

About us

We became a two tier Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2023. Our charity is led by a Board consisting of nine Trustees (eight appointed by our members, and one co-opted by Trustees. We have over one hundred members. Monthly (in person) meetings of our Board are held in our community centre, with occasional additional meetings as required for working groups and / or sub committees.

The Board is supported in its work by a Chief Executive, appointed in late 2023. Our staffing compliment consist of three part time Community Centre Assistants (Facilities) who support our weekend opening, alongside three part time Activity Workers who deliver various project work within the centre.

As the leaseholder of Southside Community Centre, we work in partnership with the building’s owner, City of Edinburgh Council, to provide a community centre which is safe, inclusive, well managed and which meets the needs & aspirations of the communities it serves.

Our community centre consists of two general purpose rooms, a large hall and a community café, all of which are available for community use seven days per week. Our spaces are used by many regular and occasional let holders for a range of uses such as English language classes, martial arts, community meetings, fencing, drama and more!

Further information about the Association is available at southsidecommunitycentre.co.uk.