vacancy Membership Development Officer

Background to the SOC

The Scottish Ornithologists' Club (SOC) is Scotland's original Bird Club, formed in 1936 and thus currently celebrating its 75th Anniversary. It has around 2150 memberships (2550 members) who contribute to our understanding of Scotland's birds. Details of the Charitable Objectives of the Club are outlined below.

The 14 branches of the SOC vary significantly in size and growth and are spread between West Galloway and Orkney. Branches have a role in providing members with a programme of talks and field trips.

The Club publishes a quarterly journal, Scottish Birds (relaunched in June 2009), and has produced an award-winning contemporary avifauna, The Birds of Scotland (Dec 2007).

The SOC is based at Waterston House, Aberlady, on the East Lothian coast. As well as serving as the Club's administrative base and a resource centre for birdwatchers (including an extensive library), it also houses the Donald Watson Gallery, which hosts a year-round programme of wildlife and natural history exhibitions by leading artists from the UK and beyond. Further information about Waterston House and the Club can be found on this website.

Purpose of the Job

The membership of the SOC has been static for around a decade, despite a general growth in appreciation of birds and wildlife in Scotland. The job holder will be charged with:

• increasing membership (particularly younger members)
• raising the profile of the SOC

This shall be done through direct membership recruitment by the Development Officer, strengthening and developing the branch network and creating new models which will support the membership of the Club (eg developing the website). A key purpose will be to generate a culture of membership recruitment within the SOC.

Key Work Areas for the Membership Development Officer

• Develop and run a series of promotional (recruitment) events
• Recruitment of new members
• Training of SOC branches/members/staff in recruitment and membership retention
• Prepare and issue press releases which serve to raise the public profile of the SOC
• Assist in the review and update of the SOC website and development of the Club's digital profile (to include a presence on social networking sites)
• Establishment of a 'teaching about birds' programme (in conjunction with partner organisations) through SOC Branches
• Ensure that materials for the 'teaching about birds' programme are available for use by Branches and are used as a marketing tool across Scotland

Person Specification

Please ensure your application provides details of the following:

• Relevant experience
• Professional & technical expertise
• Recruitment skills (Essential)
• Public speaking (Essential)
• Media skills (Essential)
• IT/digital media skills (Essential)
• Marketing skills (Desirable)
• Birding skills/knowledge (Desirable)
• Driving (Desirable)

Period of Appointment

This post shall be for 18 months, with the possibility for extension subject to performance. The post will have a three-month probationary period.

Base

The SOC is happy to discuss this with the successful applicant. Home working will be possible, but the appointee will be expected to work from the SOC headquarters in Aberlady on a regular basis and to integrate their work with the members of staff based there. The Membership Development Officer is expected to have regular contact with all of the Club's branches, including face-to-face visits with branch leaders. The Club will provide the successful applicant with a laptop for Club use.

The Membership Development Officer will report to the SOC President and Council.

Remuneration

£25-30k (depending on experience)

References

These will be sought for short-listed candidates. Please provide contact details for two referees. These will not be contacted prior to interview.

Reward and Benefits

The core package includes:

• 20 days annual leave in first year and 25 days p/a in any subsequent year, plus nine days public and privilege holidays.
• There is no pension attached to this post (or any other SOC employee at present). In the event of the Club developing a pension provision with its employees during the period of this appointment, then the post holder will be provided with similar terms to other SOC employees.
• Expenses for travel and overnight accommodation: If the post holder has their own vehicle, they will be expected to use this; on occasions the Membership Development Officer can expect to be provided overnight accommodation by Branch members.

Salary is paid monthly in arrears by BACS transfer.

Candidates who have the relevant qualifications and experience required for the role will start at the minimum of the pay band. On the recommendation of the Selection Board, a higher starting salary will only be authorised if you have qualifications and/or experience considered to be of exceptional special value.

Selection

Candidates with the most relevant qualifications, skills and experience will be invited for interview. It is therefore essential to give a full and concise description of the nature, extent and level of responsibilities you have held. For this reason, it is important to allow adequate time to complete your application.

Interviews

The Selection Board will normally consist of three interviewers who will question you on subjects connected with your academic and/or work experience and your job-related achievements and interests. The Board's main aim will be to gain an insight into your ability to communicate, your personal and interpersonal skills, your intellectual and professional ability.

Pre-Employment Screening

If you are successful, the SOC will carry out pre-employment screening to ensure that you are qualified for the appointment. This will include verification of identity, a written health assessment and a criminal records check. To enable completion it will be necessary to see original copies of documents such as a birth certificate, passport and education certificates. Upon completion of satisfactory checks, the SOC will then make a formal offer of employment.

Open and Fair Competition

The Scottish Ornithologists' Club's recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of open and fair competition.

Equal Opportunities

The Scottish Ornithologists' Club aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee, or member of the Club, or user of the Club services receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of, for example, gender, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual preference or age, or is disadvantaged by terms or requirements which cannot be shown to be justified. The Club is committed to operate in ways in which the rights and dignity of job applicants, employees, members and users of services are respected, and which are free from discrimination, prejudice, intimidation and all forms of harassment and bullying.

The SOC is a registered charity in Scotland (No SC009859) with the following charitable objectives:

1. To promote the study and documentation of Scotland's birdlife.
2. To promote interest in wild birds.
3. To support the conservation of birds and their habitats in Scotland.
4. To provide a focus for anyone with an interest in, and for information relating to, the study of birds in Scotland.
5. To encourage the practice and appreciation of the visual arts of natural history.

For any queries regarding the vacancy, please contact Wendy Hicks, SOC Office Manager, by telephone on 01875 871330 or by email.

APPLICATIONS in the form of a CV and covering letter detailing relevant skills and experience as specified above should be emailed to MDO-applications@the-soc.org.uk by Friday 22nd July 2011. All applications will be acknowledged by email within three working days and short-listed candidates will be notified by 1st August. Interviews are scheduled to take place in late August.