Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) seeks to appoint a Communications Officer.
About BEFS
Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) is the strategic intermediary body for Scotland’s built environment sector,
bringing together civic, voluntary, and professional organisations that operate at the national level. As an
umbrella organisation, BEFS informs, debates and advocates on strategic issues and policies affecting the built
environment. Our aim is to communicate the importance of Scotland’s built and historic environment to policy
makers at all levels of government, private owners and investors, and amongst professionals and voluntary
organisations. BEFS are core-funded via Historic Environment Scotland. Funding is in place until 31 March
2028.
The role
Leading on the communication activities of the organisation, BEFS Communications Officer will work closely with BEFS
team to strategically amplify the sector’s policy interests and ensure that BEFS role as a trusted and informed
sector voice is reflected visibly across all our communications channels.
Working closely with the Board, Director, and team - as well as communicating with our Member organisations - the
post holder will be responsible for managing the breadth of the organisation’s (digital) communications
channels. Adopting a proactive cross-sectoral approach, the postholder will play a key role in maintaining and
raising BEFS profile with policy makers, the sector and wider stakeholders.
We are seeking the right individual - with an excellent turn of phrase, and an eye for detail - to fit into a small,
friendly team.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead on drafting and publishing BEFS bi-monthly bulletin
- Managing and developing BEFS digital
communications, including the website, social media and digital engagement platforms
- Horizon scanning:
Monitor, amplify and engage with our Members’ communications and social media output
- Provide a
consistent and informed voice for BEFS communications outputs across all channels;
- Proactively maintain
an outcome-led communications strategy consistent with BEFS organisational objectives and strategies (e.g. BEFS
Manifesto)
- Ensuring the delivery of BEFS communications strategy enhances outputs; manage, monitor and
report on the effectiveness of the communications strategy, including media relations
- Work with BEFS
team to develop advocacy and communication toolkits supporting sector advocacy and climate advocacy
specifically
- Work with BEFS team to proactively support the Membership through advocacy work on behalf
of sector-wide and Member initiatives, including production of new advocacy documents
- Support BEFS team
to develop advocacy campaigns and facilitating events
- Reporting: provide and contribute to regular
reports to funders and BEFS Board;
- Team: participate actively as part of a small and agile team,
supporting and working with colleagues as necessary
- Undertaking other such duties as may be
required
Person specification
Applicants should be confident communicators with strong written and inter-personal skills, and proven experience of
using a wide range of (digital) communication methods including websites, social media, news releases, and press
liaison.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the key issues affecting the existing and historic
environment, with knowledge of the main players and lead organisations in the wider built environment
sector.
This post will suit a communications professional with an interest in Scotland’s existing built environment.
If invited to interview, you will be asked to demonstrate how your experience meets the requirements of the post. We
will look for evidence of past experience, and your approach to the key responsibilities outlined above.