Since being granted our Royal Charter in 1599, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow has been improving health and healthcare for people around the world.

Today, we are a professional membership body providing education, assessment and development to more than 15,000 Fellows and Members at all stages of their careers. We are a UK organisation with a global membership.

Our estate in the heart of Glasgow city centre includes modern conferencing and events facilities, a rich and extensive heritage collection with museum status, a library and our multi-award winning events offering, 1599 at the Royal College.

Our purpose is built around delivering:

• Excellent education and outstanding member experience
• New standards through assessment and gold standard qualifications
• Transformative impact on the health and wellbeing of the wider world

Our vision: To build an influential global community that enables our Members to develop the skills, knowledge and influence to improve healthcare standards worldwide.

Our mission: We want to enable our Members to achieve their full potential as healthcare professionals and give them an influential voice in the world.

Our values: The College is not a building or a tradition, but a global community. In all that we do, we’re committed to putting our people first: Fellows and Members, those undertaking our education and assessment, colleagues and partners.

For us, how we work is as important as what we do, and we aim to live by our values. They embody the essence of the College motto, conjurat amice, meaning ‘together in friendship’. It’s an approach that is as relevant today as it was 425 years ago.

• Community Working together to support one another to succeed; listening to and engaging with partners and people, locally, nationally and globally, to achieve our core purpose.
• Integrity Valuing and learning from our heritage and commitment to excellence; never compromising on our core purpose, our standards and the quality of delivery.
• Innovation Proactively challenging current thinking with a forward-looking agile approach that meets the changing needs of our members and all those who interact with us.
• Inspiration Leading by example through open dialogue, teamwork and engagement to maximise our potential and affect change.
• Inclusivity Demonstrating care, kindness, civility, generosity and mutual respect through the way we welcome, work and interact with people.

The Role

Obesity Action Scotland, hosted by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, is seeking a Policy and Public Affairs Manager to support and coordinate the work of the Scottish Obesity Alliance.

Reporting to the Head of Obesity Action Scotland, the Policy and Public Affairs Manager will support the development and delivery of policy and public affairs activity to advance the Alliance’s priorities and influence policy that supports healthier environments across Scotland.

The role involves developing policy proposals, coordinating consultation responses and position statements, building relationships with key stakeholders, and identifying opportunities to influence policy and decision making.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of policy proposals aligned with the priorities of the Scottish Obesity Alliance
• Identify opportunities to influence policy and decision making in Scotland
• Draft consultation responses, policy briefings and position statements in collaboration with Alliance members
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including policymakers, parliamentarians and partner organisations
• Support the coordination and development of the Scottish Obesity Alliance
• Monitor policy developments and support the delivery of advocacy and public affairs activity

About You

You will have experience working in policy, public affairs or advocacy and a strong understanding of the Scottish policy environment. You will be confident engaging with stakeholders and able to communicate complex policy issues clearly and effectively.

You will also demonstrate strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively with a wide range of partners.

The post holder will require the following:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in relevant subject
• Demonstrating a strong understanding of public health policy, including the social and commercial determinants of health, food and nutrition.
• Experience of partnership working and effective relationship management
• Demonstrable understanding of policy making structures and processes in Scotland.
• Experience of public affairs work and engagement with politicians, Scottish Government officials and the parliamentary system (for example, writing responses to public consultations or serving on policy groups).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including track record in the facilitation of discussions and delivering presentations.

Desirable

• Experience supporting an alliance/partnership/coalition
• Knowledge of wider public health policy areas
• Understanding of local planning structures
• Budget management
• Proof reading skills

Benefits include:

• 40 days holiday
• Hybrid working – at least 50% working in College, dependent on the needs of the business
• Pension Scheme – The College offers a contributory pension scheme with employee contributions ranging from 6% to 10%, based on the employee’s chosen contribution level
• Enhanced Sick Pay, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption pay
• Health and Wellbeing Benefit
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Successful candidates will have the requisite ability and experience to meet the specific requirements of the post.