Are you passionate about social justice, public health, and using your voice to make change happen?
Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) is looking for a driven, strategic, and values-led Head of Policy and Communications to lead our communications and policy work at a time when Scotland’s response to drug-related issues requires urgency and strong leadership.
This is not a behind-the-scenes role - it's a chance to shape national conversation, influence policy, and help shift attitudes towards drug use and the people affected by it.
About Us
Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) is Scotland’s national resource of expertise on drugs and drug use. Established in 1986, we are a membership-based charity working towards our vision of a Scotland free from drug-related health and social harm, through compassionate, inclusive, and evidence-informed policy and practice.
Our mission is to improve the country’s response to drug-related issues through compassionate, inclusive, and evidence-informed policy and practice. We bring together people with lived and living experience, service providers, researchers, and decision-makers to create a more humane and effective approach to drugs - one that recognises dignity, reduces stigma, and saves lives.
About the Role
As our Head of Policy and Communications, you will lead the strategy and delivery of SDF’s policy influence and communications. You’ll manage a talented team and ensure that our work - from research reports to social media - reaches and resonates with key audiences including policymakers, practitioners, media, and people with lived and living experience.
This role offers an exciting opportunity to be the voice behind one of Scotland’s most respected drugs policy organisations - ensuring our messages are powerful, clear, and grounded in evidence and compassion.
Key Responsibilities
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking someone who is:
What You’ll Get
The chance to make a real difference at a national level.
A supportive, flexible working environment committed to staff wellbeing and development.
Generous holiday allowance and pension contribution.
Ongoing opportunities for learning and professional growth.
Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the National Development Body for Scotland’s museums and galleries. We support a sector of 449 museums and galleries, through strategic investment, workforce development, advice and advocacy. We are a forward facing and inclusive organisation, committed to the ongoing development of a positive culture for our team.
We are seeking an experienced professional to lead our work to clearly communicate the positive value and impact of the museums and galleries sector. You will do this by developing and leading advocacy campaigns and activity that make a strong case for Scotland’s museums and galleries sector to influence a range of external audiences and stakeholders including Government Officials, Government Ministers, MSPs, relevant Committees, relevant funders and other key organisations and influencers.
Politically astute, the Senior Advocacy and Public Affairs Manager possesses strong communication and influencing skills, using research and information to build a political and public case for our sector and inform evidence-based advocacy messaging and activity.
Being able to navigate and effectively communicate complex issues that implicate the wider culture and heritage sector in Scotland will be essential. MGS has worked to raise awareness of the budget challenges faced by our sector while also striving to adapt to ensure relevance to communities and users. An exciting new capacity programme with the Scottish Government is in development designed to transition the sector to a sustainable footing and you would play an instrumental role in shaping how we communicate the benefits of this programme to key stakeholders.
This role offers an enriching opportunity to be creative and proactive in developing our organisational voice to highlight the immense value of Scotland’s museums and galleries
The successful candidate will manifest MGS’s core values: collaboration, integrity, passion for museums, and courageousness.
Do you have a passion for housing, a strategic mindset, and experience in shaping impactful policy? Join the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) team as our Empty Homes Policy Manager and play a key role in bringing empty homes back into use across Scotland. Hosted by Shelter Scotland, this senior role offers the opportunity to work closely with Scottish Government and sector partners, develop policies, and drive forward the Housing to 2040 strategy. If you’re looking to make a real difference in Scotland’s housing sector and help unlock the potential of empty homes, we’d love to hear from you.
About the role
This a senior role within the SEHP team and will play an integral part in helping the team achieve their strategic aims. This role will work closely with another manager and provide cover for the National Manager.
Role specifics
We are seeking a strategic and proactive individual to manage a team and lead on the development and communication of SEHP’s policy positions to support the regeneration of empty homes. You’ll use your expertise to ensure policies are evidence-based and compelling, driving key objectives to bring privately owned empty homes back into use, ideally as affordable housing. A key part of your role will be leading on the publication of the Partnership’s impact report and collaborating with the Scottish Government, sector partners, and local authorities. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders, offering consultation and guidance to local authorities, while developing practical strategies to increase affordable housing supply by bringing empty homes back into use.
Your leadership will also extend to supporting your team, providing management cover in the absence of the National Manager, and contributing to media opportunities. Strong communication, project management, and policy analysis skills are essential, alongside an ability to work collaboratively with both internal and external partners. If you're looking to make a significant impact in housing in Scotland, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
Shelter Scotland helps thousands of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership is hosted by Shelter Scotland and has been funded by the Scottish Government since 2010. The current funding commitment runs until end of March 2026.
Part of an award-winning Communication & Policy Department, our SEHP is a Scottish Government funded project aimed at enabling private sector empty homes to be brought back into use across Scotland. The Partnership achieves this via a mix of policy work, capacity building, training, best practice sharing and awareness raising with councils, community groups and others. It’s also home to the national Empty Homes Advice Service - a public facing advice line that anyone can call for help or to report an empty home.
About Shelter Scotland
Shelter Scotland is Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity. Our vision is of a home for everyone in Scotland. For over 50 years, the way we drive change has remained the same. We advise and support people in housing need today and use the insight we gain to inform our campaigns to change tomorrow. We also raise professional standards for those working in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector by offering a broad range of training courses.
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday thousands of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter Scotland. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter Scotland is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter Scotland does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
We are looking for Trustees interested in Disabled People's Organisations and Independent Living, who have skills relevant to Board governance.
The Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCiL) is a person-led not-for-profit organisation. We work with disabled people regardless of their impairments, people with long-term conditions and older people, parents and carers. We support people in Edinburgh, West Lothian, East Lothian and Midlothian.
LCiL support Independent Living. Independent Living means all disabled people having the same freedom, choice, dignity, and control as other citizens at home, at work, and in the community. It does not mean living by yourself or fending for yourself. It means rights to practical assistance and support to participate in society and live an ordinary life.
The Opportunity
LCiL is looking to recruit up to four new board members. You would be joining the organisation at a crucial and exciting time. After some staffing issues and dealing with the loss of our much-loved Chair in early January, the organisation has now settled under the leadership of its former CEO who has returned in an interim capacity. One of her primary tasks is to recruit a permanent Chief Executive with guidance from the Board. Thus, she is also supporting the growth of this new team of Board members alongside our existing Directors. LCiL is a vibrant Disabled People’s Organisation, and as such we are looking for individuals with experience of disability or with a strong interest in Independent Living for Disabled People. Additionally, you would bring relevant professional skills to the role.
We are currently looking for individuals with experience in business development, customer care, volunteer support, communications (digital), Human Resources (HR), deputy chair/convenor, board Secretary, Company Secretarial matters, governance, finance, policy and fundraising. However, we are happy to discuss any other experience and skills you feel would contribute to LCiL’s success.
Please refer to the Board Information Pack for further information.
Culture Counts are recruiting for a new Engagement and Communications Manager (0.6FTE). This role is a vital part of our small team. They will lead communications and engagement with the Culture Counts network (which spans arts, heritage and creative industries organisations), and with wider stakeholders, which includes members of the public, Scottish Government, elected representatives and parter organisations.
The postholder will be knowledgable and active in gathering, assessing and sharing knowledge across the network, consulting widely on key issues and advocacy priorities, and ensuring that a wide range of voices are heard in informing and influencing cultural policy.
Please download the Job Description & Person Specification below.
We are delighted to announce an opportunity to join SURF as our new Policy and Advocacy Manager. We want to meet candidates who share our values and commitment to ensuring communities are at the heart of regeneration.
The successful candidate will play a key role in analysing the impact of existing policies on community-led regeneration, identifying barriers to success, and generating innovative ideas to empower communities. Collaboration with our members will be essential to gather strong evidence, which will be used to influence decision-makers and shape policy development.
SURF operates from two basic principles:
These are reflected in our support for the Place Principle, advocating for its equitable implementation.
SURF is a Scottish Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee, a Scottish Living Wage Accredited Employer, and an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are a small, dynamic and friendly staff team that look forward to meeting you.
The Sustainability Co-ordinator post offers the potential for a highly motivated individual to work on the next crucial phase of the development and sustainability of Haven services across Lanarkshire. Aligning with the Haven’s 5 sustainability approaches; Involvement, Innovation, Impact, Improvement, Income; the role requires strong collaborative approaches and will be instrumental in ensuring the immediate and longer term achievement of organisational outcomes and sustainability.
A strong understanding and knowledge is required of: national and local health and social care policy; the Lanarkshire Health and Social Care and third sector landscapes; and the health and wellbeing needs of Haven client groups.
The ability to critically analyse this information and translate this knowledge into effective communications with and applications to trust and grant funders, is a key competence, as is the ability to engage with a wide range of key stakeholders. In addition, the competencies and skills to build, maintain and develop strong monitoring/evaluation frameworks is also key.
Are you passionate about tackling child poverty in Scotland? The Improvement Service is seeking a dynamic Child Poverty Project Officer to drive collaboration and share best practice across local authorities and the Fairer Futures Partnerships.
In this exciting national role, you’ll support knowledge exchange, facilitate networks, analyse Local Child Poverty Action Reports, and develop learning resources that shape strategic improvements. You'll work closely with local and national partners, including the Scottish Government, to ensure that the most effective approaches to wrap-around support are understood, replicated, and scaled.
Key Skills and Experience
Who We're Looking For
We’re seeking someone with a deep commitment to social justice and experience in partnership working, knowledge exchange, and systems change. You’ll be a proactive connector and skilled facilitator – comfortable engaging diverse audiences, leading learning events, and translating complex data into practical insights.
You should be:
Knowledge of Scotland’s public sector and current challenges in tackling poverty and inequality is highly desirable.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on tackling child poverty in Scotland, supporting national priorities through local innovation. You’ll work in a highly collaborative environment with supportive colleagues and meaningful partnerships. You’ll be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking organisation and enjoy a progressive, flexible working culture.
Apply now and be part of driving positive, lasting change.
For more information, download the full job description.
Living Rent is hiring a membership organiser (FT or PT) to support the growth of the union, with a key focus on recruitment, engagement and retention of members.
The membership organiser will have a key focus on recruiting and retaining members across the union and notably in areas with no active branches. You will aim to involve more people in Living Rent at the local and national level, in order to build power in our communities and tenants’ power across Scotland. The role entails outreach (phonebanking, stalls, doorknocking), recruiting members, and retention and activation of existing members.
Depending on the candidate, needs of the union and workload (FT/PT), the role may also include supporting members in a group or branch to organise meetings, grow in leadership and responsibilities, organise campaigns and take part in city-wide and national structures.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about building real people power and excited about the chance to work for a young, diverse and member-run organisation. Experience in recruitment, training delivery, community education or campaigns is welcome; however enthusiasm, willingness to learn and commitment to social justice are more important than previous experience as training will be provided. This role may suit someone with experience in sales, street fundraising or other customer/public facing work, who wishes to move into organising. The role may also be adapted to have more desk work (phonebanking) depending on the needs of the candidate.
This post is accountable to Living Rent’s democratic structures and line managed by Living Rent’s Senior Membership Organiser. Living Rent staff members primarily work Monday - Friday between 11am and 7pm, though the work will sometimes need to be done at other times of day, along with some weekends. Some unsocial hours are inevitable and flexibility is vital.
We are a Living Wage employer. Support for the professional development and training of our staff members is a priority for Living Rent and we invest considerable time and resources to achieve this. We are committed to supporting all of our staff members to grow and learn through their role and to implement reasonable adjustments.
Living Rent is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
We are hiring a Glasgow Community Organiser
Living Rent is continuing to build membership and power across Scotland. And just now, we are hiring a community organiser in Glasgow. This post aims to support members to build power in their community and win real changes locally and nationally. You will be working with the organisers across Scotland to build and support branches of Living Rent in Glasgow.
Living Rent has gone from strength to strength in recent years and we continue to build power in communities up and down our country. We hope you will consider joining our growing team!
Living Rent is hiring a full-time community organiser to support members organise in their neighbourhoods to challenge the issues they face and to fight for better housing and a system that works for the common good. The role entails outreach (stalls, door knocking), recruiting members, and supporting members to organise meetings, take responsibilities locally, build democratic neighbourhood branches and take part in city-wide and national structures.
In neighbourhoods, the organiser will support members to research their issues, select relevant campaigns, define achievable wins , organise direct actions and support members in negotiations with relevant targets including private/ social landlords, private companies, the local municipality. You will aim to involve more people in Living Rent at the local and national level, in order to build power in our communities and tenants’ power across Scotland.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about building real people power and excited about the chance to work for a young, diverse and member-run organisation. Experience in recruitment, training delivery, community education or campaigns is welcome; however enthusiasm, willingness to learn and commitment to social justice are more important than previous experience as training will be provided. This role may suit someone with experience in sales, street fundraising or other customer/public facing work, who wishes to move into organising.
This post is accountable to Living Rent’s democratic structures and line managed by Living Rent’s Glasgow Head Organiser. Living Rent staff members primarily work Monday - Friday between 11am and 7pm, though the work will sometimes need to be done at other times of day, along with some weekends. Some unsocial hours are inevitable and flexibility is vital.
We are a Living Wage employer. Support for the professional development and training of our staff members is a priority for Living Rent and we invest considerable time and resources to achieve this. We are committed to supporting all of our staff members to grow and learn through their role and to implement reasonable adjustments.
Living Rent is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.