As part of the Public Affairs and Communications team and working with the Public Affairs and Policy Manager, the post holder will support SAMH public affairs activities across Scotland to achieve positive change in legislation and policy for people with mental health problems and people who use our services.

The postholder will help to ensure SAMH’s policy, research and lobbying work is credible, well evidenced and informed by lived experience, and contribute to increasing SAMH’s profile and reputation as a key influencer of public and political life in Scotland.

What we are looking for

We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised person with a background in public affairs and a clear understanding of Scottish politics. You will have the skills to translate information from a range of sources - most importantly, people’s lived experience of mental health – into credible policy positions, to support our efforts to ensure mental health is central to the political agenda in

the run up to the 2026 Scottish parliamentary elections and beyond.

This is a role for someone with the ability to work across a variety of issues as part of a small team, and the skills to communicate confidently with a wide range of people from policy-makers and politicians to colleagues across SAMH. If that’s you, and you want to influence positive change for people living with mental health problems, please apply.

What we will provide for you

You will work in a supportive environment and will be provided with a full induction and training

opportunities. You will be given the chance to develop your knowledge and skills, as well as develop

professionally. Some of our benefits include;

• Funded continuous learning and development opportunities, access to over 100 courses
• online in addition to classroom and virtual training sessions
• 30 days annual leave rising to 33 after 5 years’ service
• 4 public holidays
• 2 paid wellbeing days off per year to use on what matters to you.
• Team wellbeing budgets
• Workplace pension scheme
• Life Assurance policy
• Employee Assistance Programme