Environmental Standards Scotland
Communications Officer
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Edinburgh
Job Summary
Environmental Standards Scotland’s (ESS) role is to monitor, investigate and secure public authorities’ compliance with environmental law in Scotland. We also scrutinise the effectiveness of environmental law and policy in Scotland and how it is implemented and applied. In our investigative and analytical reports, we may also identify instances where we consider there to be gaps in environmental protection legislation.
ESS is an independent non-ministerial office, accountable to the Scottish Parliament and overseen by a non-executive board. It is part of the Scottish Administration and its employees are civil servants. Full details are available on the ESS website.
Our Strategy 2026-2031 sets out how we will work as an organisation to deliver our vision that ‘by holding public authorities to account, we will ensure that Scotland’s people and nature benefit from a high-quality, healthy environment through improved compliance with and better implementation of effective environmental law’.
ESS’ role is expanding to take on two new roles:
- Scrutinising the Scottish Government’s delivery against the new statutory biodiversity and nature restoration targets which will be set under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026
- Scrutinising local authorities’ reporting against climate change duties as set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009
To deliver these duties and to manage this significant organisational change, ESS will be recruiting new posts over the next twelve months to establish a new team within the organisation to lead the development of work to deliver these roles, alongside related corporate services requirements.
Job Description
We are recruiting for one new Communications Officer within our Corporate Services and Communications Department. This post holder will work to our Senior Communications Officer and support the delivery of our Communications and Engagement Plan.
This Plan sets out our four main communication and engagement priorities for ESS, to:
- Increase awareness of who we are and what we do by focusing on our impact
- Build and maintain credible relationships with our key audiences and networks
- Ensure that ESS communications are clear and accessible and put digital first
- Empower our staff and Board to talk confidently on behalf of ESS
This role will focus primarily on external communications, building our reputation as a trusted and effective oversight body through our social media channels, website, stakeholder and media engagement.
Key Responsibilities Include
Supporting the Senior Communications Officer to:
- Deliver the ESS Communication and Engagement Strategy action plan, working with internal and external colleagues, partners and stakeholders
- Create and deliver high quality, accessible, innovative and tailored communications that provide a consistent and insights-led message
- Create and upload engaging content on ESS’ website and across a variety of existing and new channels, including videos and feature content
- Monitor media coverage and social media channels within Scotland, across the rest of the UK and the EU to ensure that ESS is well-informed about updates concerning the environment, environmental standards and law, alongside coverage concerning ESS
- Work with the relevant Department Heads, co-ordinate the ESS engagement programme (which currently has a community focus), identifying the groups that will participate and the models to be used for effective collaboration
- Manage the ESS email update database, including working with other departments to ensure ESS communications are reaching the appropriate networks and stakeholders
- Draft press releases and manage media relations co-ordination with a range of relevant journalists
- Monitor and evaluate our communications and media subscriptions, using insight to inform future approaches and record and assess progress against relevant ESS performance management indicators
- Work collaboratively and flexibly as required, as part of the ESS Team and deputise for the Senior Communications Officer as required
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Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Proven experience in a communications role, demonstrating knowledge of supporting media relations, managing social media and website content and providing on-going advice and support
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with experience of drafting a range of accessible written documentation (for example press releases) to present complex information and concepts in a user friendly and engaging manner
- Strong event planning and organisational skills, including the ability to balance competing demands and work with a range of target audiences
- Proven experience in developing and maintaining productive and high quality relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, alongside the ability to adopt a collaborative approach and influence decision making to achieve a common purpose
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of managing public sector social media platforms, using data and the latest industry developments to inform improvements and accessibility
- Experience of managing and updating website content through a content management system
- An understanding of the Scottish Parliament, its committee system and the Scottish environmental network
Qualifications/Experience
We are looking for candidates with a minimum of two years proven experience working in communications and / or a relevant qualification in communications.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
In Return, We Offer a Competitive Employment Package Including
- Enrolment in the civil service pension scheme
- A range of flexible working arrangements as well as flexitime to ensure a working pattern that meets both your needs as well as those of the organisation
- 25 days annual leave with an increase to 30 days after two years of reckonable service, plus 11.5 days of public and privilege holidays
- Six months full pay for maternity, adoption or shared parental leave, five weeks full pay for paternity leave and paid leave for any antenatal appointments
- A range of paid special leave including leave for carers and bereavement leave
- A strong commitment to investing in the personal and professional development of all staff
- Dedicated wellbeing support and services for all staff including access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Exceptional workplace adjustment support to remove barriers to enable staff to achieve their full potential
We are building a culture that encourages inclusion and diversity and we particularly encourage applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. We also offer access to a range of network groups to support equality, diversity and inclusion.
The post allows flexible working and is open to full time or, by agreement, other working patterns including part-time, job share or compressed hours with a minimum requirement of 28 hours per week.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
The selection panel will use your application to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria during sifting using your statement of suitability and your CV.
If you are shortlisted, you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection process.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Please note, if you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum experience as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.
The behaviours required for this role are shown below. You will be assessed against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's experience, skills, and potential fit within our organisation. This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your behaviours, strengths and experience.
The Selection Process For This Role Will Be
Stage 1: Short Stage Application Form
Please complete the first stage short application form, which includes your personal details, eligibility to apply and any reasonable adjustments required.
Stage 2: Written Application and Sift
As part of the application process, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
-
Behaviours – you will be asked to provide a 250-word statement on each of the following behaviours:
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
-
Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1000-word count). Your personal statement should explain why you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for this role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
You should read each of the essential criteria, and think about a time, or an example, that can help demonstrate your knowledge/skills. Remember, this must be evidence based and your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion. Please read and understand the key criteria thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against.
ESS uses the Scottish Government Civil Service Success Profile framework which is made up of three elements: Behaviours, Experience and Technical. ESS strongly recommends you have a look at the Success Profiles candidate guide to enable you to make the best application possible. When writing behaviours at application stage or presenting behaviours in interview, ESS recommends you use the STAR format to present your answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Sift
After the closing date, your application will be reviewed and marked.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead Success Profile element, managing a quality service. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight
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