Overview and aims of the role

The Press and Communications Lead will play a key role in ensuring that Stop Climate Chaos Scotland (SCCS), its members and partners are as coordinated and effective as possible in promoting ambitious climate policy in the media and shaping political and public narratives ahead of the Holyrood elections in 2026.

The Press and Communications Lead will:

• Enable better coordination of media outputs by SCCS and its networks

• Increase the volume of both proactive and reactive press outputs by SCCS and its networks

• Develop and share communications resources with partners, such as strategic communications advice, messaging guides and polling.

Core responsibilities

Media

• Monitoring morning press and wider media, identify opportunities for reactive comment , and coordinate responses from SCCS and/or members and partners with key messages and available spokespeople

• Identify and forward plan reactive press moments on behalf of SCCS, members and partners in order to increase the volume of positive climate pieces in the media

• Coordinate proactive press activity from SCCS, members partners to maximise impact, identify overlaps, opportunities to coordinate

Communications

• Provide strategic communications advice to SCCS and its members, and create communications resources, such as messaging guides on topical issues and advice for spokespeople.

• Ensure that SCCS campaigns, events, digital communications and policy work have consistent and impactful messaging, based on the latest research and best practice.

• Draft SCCS press releases, campaigns and other public facing content.

Engagement and coordination

• Act as the primary point of contact for SCCS media and communications work

• Work with the Coalition Manager and group chair to coordinate the SCCS Press and Communications Group, facilitating discussions, and ensuring the smooth operation of the group

This scope of work is not exhaustive and you may be asked to carry out additional relevant tasks where appropriate.

Person specification

Essential

• Proven experience working with the media, securing coverage and developing and overseeing communications strategies

• Strong understanding of how to use strategic communications to shape public narratives and influence politics

• Experience in digital communications

• Excellent verbal and written communication

• Experience in meeting planning and facilitation, and the confidence to coordinate multiple stakeholders to achieve a shared objective

• Ability to manage multiple workstreams to tight timescales and react quickly to opportunities

• Understanding of Scottish politics and media

Desirable

• Understanding and experience of NGO and coalition working

• Familiarity with climate campaigning in Scotland

Qualifications

No formal qualifications are required for this role - the competencies and experience of the successful candidate will be more important.

Equality and diversity

SCCS is committed to working in a way in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To help us achieve our vision of climate justice for all, we need more diverse people involved. People of colour, working class and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector, so we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Please contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

Unfortunately, at present, we are unable to sponsor visas so all applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Background

Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network (ECCAN) is a network of over 160 group members and over 300 individual members. We aim to engage and empower individuals and community groups in taking meaningful action to address the climate and nature emergency, working towards a just, thriving and resilient Edinburgh. Our membership is open to any community group and individual in Edinburgh. You can become a member here.

ECCAN was launched by the Scottish Communities Climate Action Network (SCCAN) in 2022 and submitted a successful funding application to the Scottish Government in Autumn 2023 to establish the Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Hub. This is part of a strategic Scotland-wide network of regional Climate Action Hubs.

At ECCAN, we aim to cultivate an organisational culture that is diverse, equitable, and fosters belonging. The post holder will play a pivotal role in supporting us to achieve this vision.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who is passionate about climate action, good governance and charity management to take a key supporting role in building the community-led network and ensuring its ongoing success.

This person will be an excellent administrator with a keen eye for detail, tech-savvy and able to support the organisation in achieving its aims and objectives, through the management of everyday operations.

This will include ensuring compliance with all policy and related expectations of a publicly-funded organisation, managing HR strategies and day-to-day finances such as payroll and expenses.

As part of a fast-paced environment and collaborative team, there will be an opportunity for you to grow and develop in your role. While the role is focused on the finance and policies of the charity you will be able to contribute to the direction of our sub-networks or other activities you may have an interest in.

The Green Action Trust is a trusted delivery partner for the Scottish Government and a wide range of stakeholders including local authorities, regional partnerships, landowners, environmental groups, and local communities. We are passionate about delivering positive environmental and social change in Scotland and are seeking candidates who have a similar passion to help us deliver and grow our activities.

To further our work turning policy into action on climate change, biodiversity and environmental inequality, we are pleased to be recruiting for a Communications and Engagement Assistant. This role will support the delivery of communications and engagement plans to raise awareness of our work and demonstrate impact to our partners and funders, helping to grow our digital presence and undertake background research into emerging policy. We are, therefore, looking for a skilled communicator with a creative flair and good planning and organisational skills to join our team.

Travel to sites is an essential part of this role and a clean driving license and access a vehicle are required.

At the Green Action Trust we believe that staff should enjoy their work. We support a strong work life balance through flexible and hybrid working, training and support, a range of staff activities throughout the year and a strong employee support package.

This is a full time position, based from our office in Stepps. This position is fixed-term until 31st March 2026, with possible extension subject to funding.