Policy has the power to change lives – do you have the engine to drive meaningful change forward?

Bring your policy expertise, political insight and energy to help MCR Pathways transform opportunities for young people across the UK.

We’re looking for a highly driven Senior UK Policy & Public Affairs Officer to help advance our mission to bridge the education, skills and opportunity gap through the transformative power of mentoring. You’ll monitor the political landscape, turn evidence and impact into compelling policy arguments, build influential relationships and identify opportunities to put mentoring at the heart of national and regional agendas.

From Westminster and Holyrood to local and combined authorities, you’ll help build the case for change, champion the Trusted Adult Guarantee and support MCR Pathways’ continued expansion across the UK.

The Role Experience

This is a hands-on policy and public affairs role that goes well beyond monitoring what’s happening in government. You’ll be immersed in the UK political and policy landscape, identifying opportunities to influence, developing policy briefings and submissions, mapping stakeholders and cultivating relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, civil servants and strategic partners.

You’ll also be the operational engine behind senior leadership engagement. You’ll identify and progress opportunities, coordinate preparation, develop briefings, arrange meetings and drive follow-up – enabling our CEO, Development Director and other senior leaders to lead high-level engagement and representation with key policymakers and stakeholders.

Turn insight and lived experience into influence. Help make the power of mentoring a national priority.

What You’ll Bring:

• Policy & Public Affairs: Proven experience in policy, public affairs or parliamentary work, with a strong understanding of UK political systems and policy-making.
• Influencing & Relationships: The ability to map political landscapes, build strategic relationships and identify opportunities to influence policymakers and decision-makers.
• Evidence & Advocacy: Exceptional written and analytical skills, with the ability to turn complex evidence, impact data and operational experience into compelling policy arguments.
• Strategic & Operational Drive: A proactive approach, able to spot opportunities, coordinate activity and ensure high-quality preparation and follow-through for senior engagement.
• Collaboration & Purpose: A highly collaborative approach and genuine commitment to improving outcomes and opportunities for young people facing barriers to reaching their potential.

Safeguarding

MCR Pathways is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people, and we expect you to share this commitment. This post is subject to appropriate vetting, including a criminal record check and PVG / DBS Scheme membership.

About MCR Pathways

MCR Pathways is an award-winning mentoring programme delivered in schools, further education settings and communities. We connect young people with trusted adult volunteer mentors, providing consistent guidance to help build confidence, self-belief and ambition. Through this support, young people can overcome barriers and progress towards positive destinations such as further education, apprenticeships and employment.

Benefits include: 30 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) in first year rising to 35 days from 2nd year of employment, 7% Employer Pension Contribution, 3 further days of annual leave between the December and January public holidays, additional day off for your birthday, annual salary increment, Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance – 4 x salary.

We are very excited to be launching our mentoring programme in the Dumfries and Galloway and are looking for a Mentor Services Coordinator to support volunteer mentors in the region. This is a unique opportunity to be involved in introducing our programme from the very beginning.

About the role

Our Mentor Services Coordinators are the key contacts for our volunteer mentors from their first enquiry about mentoring until they are matched with a young person. The Mentor Services Coordinators conduct in depth interviews with all prospective volunteer mentors, organise training, organise PVG checks and make the process as smooth and supported as possible.

Key responsibilities:

• Providing excellent customer service to prospective and existing mentors using strong communication skills on the telephone, in virtual meetings, by email and sometimes in person
• Ensure all of our volunteer mentors are individually supported and fully engaged at every stage of their mentor journey
• Deliver information sessions, participate in mentor one-to-one conversations and facilitate mentor training sessions and other mentor engagement activities.

About you

• Customer service experience
• Must be based in Dumfries and Galloway
• Experience of or strong interest in working or volunteering in the charity or third sectors
• An understanding of young people and educational settings
• People person with excellent communication and listening skills and empathy
• Well organised with great administrative skills and attention to detail
• Excellent desktop and database skills

About us

MCR Pathways is an award-winning charity established in Glasgow in 2007. Our mentoring programme is now delivered in schools across the whole of Scotland as well as North East and South East England. We are committed to helping the country’s most vulnerable young people gain self-confidence, identify their skills and recognise and fulfil their potential.

Our mission: To connect every young person with a trusted adult mentor, someone who sparks confidence, fuels ambition, and walks beside them as they find their way.

Our vision: MCR Pathways will work until every young person has someone to help them find their way.

You will be joining a friendly and supportive team who love what they do and enjoy working with each other. MCR Pathways’ values are Respect, Communication, Trust and Growth and they inform everything we do.

Benefits of working for MCR Pathways include: 30 days annual leave in first year rising to 35 days from 2nd year of employment, 3 further days of annual leave between the December and January public holidays, additional day off for your birthday, Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance – 4 x salary.

We are delighted to be launching our mentoring programme in Dumfries and Galloway and are looking for a Programme Manager. This is a unique opportunity to be involved right from the beginning – launching and implementing MCR Pathways’ Mentoring Programme across secondary schools and college campuses.

About the role

You must be based in Dumfries and Galloway and will manage all aspects of the MCR Pathways programme delivery, actively engaging with participating schools, colleges, the local authority and key partners including Skills Development Scotland and Developing the Young Workforce.

In this role, you will empower your regional team to drive substantive, positive change for young people by supporting and challenging appointed delivery leads to build a vibrant, impactful mentoring programme. Additionally, you will lead mentor recruitment, training, and support initiatives to guarantee every young person has access to a dedicated mentor, while managing your local Mentor Services Coordinator to align the mentor pipeline perfectly with the local need.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead on and manage all aspects of programme delivery
• Provide support, development, training, management and motivation to MCR staff and delivery leads
• Support integration of the programme and a consistently high quality standard of programme delivery across all settings
• Develop and support partnerships with the Local Councils, further and higher education institutions, local business and all MCR stakeholders
• Provide analysis of programme performance, impact and development

About you

• Experience of developing and effectively managing teams and programmes
• Self-motivated and skilled at motivating others
• Experience of or strong interest in working or volunteering in the third sector
• Experience of working within or in collaboration with secondary schools and or further education
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Attention to detail and ability to prioritise

About us

MCR Pathways is an award-winning charity established in Glasgow in 2007. Our mentoring programme is now delivered in schools across the whole of Scotland as well as North East and South East England. We are committed to helping the country’s most vulnerable young people gain self-confidence, identify their skills and recognise and fulfil their potential.

Our mission: To connect every young person with a trusted adult mentor, someone who sparks confidence, fuels ambition, and walks beside them as they find their way.

Our vision: MCR Pathways will work until every young person has someone to help them find their way.

You will be joining a friendly and supportive team who love what they do and enjoy working with each other. MCR Pathways’ values are Respect, Communication, Trust and Growth and they inform everything we do.

Benefits of working for MCR Pathways include: 30 days annual leave in first year rising to 35 days from 2nd year of employment, 3 further days of annual leave between the December and January public holidays, additional day off for your birthday, Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance – 4 x salary.

We are excited to be delivering our mentoring programme acrossEast Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire, supporting young people in alternative provision who are disengaged from mainstream school. This is a unique opportunity to work within an established secondary wellbeing programme while helping to develop community-based mentoring across the region.

Our Pathways Coordinator will spend part of their time based within the secondary wellbeing unit in East Dunbartonshire, building strong, trusted relationships with young people to prepare them for a match with a volunteer mentor. Working with pupils from S2 and above, you will deliver small group and individual sessions, provide personalized support and guidance, and collaborate closely with local schools, community partners, and the employability sector in East Renfrewshire to expand community-based mentoring opportunities.

Key responsibilities:

• Building exceptional individual and group relationships with disengaged young people in alternative provision to prepare them for mentoring.
• Matching young people in S2 and above with adult volunteer mentors and providing ongoing personalized support, advice, and guidance.
• Delivering effective mentor inductions and Core Mentor Training, facilitating continuous engagement and support for both mentors and mentees.
• Partnering with schools, local organizations, and the employability sector to explore and expand community-based mentoring pathways.

About you

• Experience in building positive, trusted relationships with disengaged young people, particularly within alternative provision or wellbeing settings.
• Ability to work across locations in East Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire, managing time between school bases and community settings.
• Excellent communication, active listening, and group facilitation skills.
• Solution-focused, empathetic, and trauma-informed approach to youth engagement.
• Well-organised with strong administrative, database, and reporting capabilities.

About usMCR Pathways is an award-winning charity established in Glasgow in 2007. Our mentoring programme is now delivered in schools across the whole of Scotland as well as North East and South East England. We are committed to helping the country’s most vulnerable young people gain self-confidence, identify their skills and recognise and fulfil their potential.

Our mission:To connect every young person with a trusted adult mentor, someone who sparks confidence, fuels ambition, and walks beside them as they find their way.

Our vision:MCR Pathways will work until every young person has someone to help them find their way.

You will be joining a friendly and supportive team who love what they do and enjoy working with each other. MCR Pathways’ values are Respect, Communication, Trust and Growth and they inform everything we do.

Benefits of working for MCR Pathways include:30 days annual leave in first year rising to 35 days from 2nd year of employment, 3 further days of annual leave between the December and January public holidays, additional day off for your birthday, Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance – 4 x salary.