Provide expert policy support to the MP, leading on key policy areas including responding to policy casework, delivering high‑quality briefings, drafting speeches and PQs, shaping lines to take, and engage stakeholders to progress constituency and national priorities.

Applicants should have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a small team. Awareness of public policy and strong written skills are essential. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, responsible, able to use initiative and capable of working under pressure to meet deadlines.

Key responsibilities

• Provide responses to policy casework.
• Analyse, evaluate and interpret data to ensure Member is accurately informed on key issues.
• Assist in writing external communications including speeches for the MP.
• Develop and maintain current knowledge on relevant areas of parliamentary business including Motions, legislation, Hansard, debates etc. This would include issues of importance both nationally and in the local constituency.
• Give advice on policy issues.
• Have working knowledge of relevant legislation and upcoming business including how they impact on the constituency.
• Help draft amendments for reports and prepare briefing material.
• Prepare and present briefing notes for committees, press releases, parliamentary questions etc.
• Progress casework as required.
• There may be a requirement for the role holder to work outside of normal working hours and travel for work occasionally.
• To advise and ensure the MP is fully briefed on potential questions and motions to be put to the House.
• Undertake research on relevant subjects as directed.
• Work with colleagues in communications/casework to identify potential impacts from the research work and disseminate them effectively.

The following skills are essential:

• Excellent research, analytical and writing skills.
• Able to deal with sensitive issues in a confidential and timely manner;
• Ability to work quickly and calmly under pressure in a small team or individually;
• Competent use of IT including proficiency in using Microsoft Office, Outlook, SharePoint, and the internet;
• Good knowledge and understanding of local and national political issues and how Parliament works;

Driving licence essential

Upon appointment you will be required to comply with the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, undertaken by the Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO). See Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO) page for further info. MPs generally pay staff in accordance with IPSA guidelines.

Feniks Counselling, Personal Development and Support Services Ltd. is seeking a passionate and driven Policy Development Officer to champion the rights of Polish and other Central and Eastern European (CEE) communities in Scotland.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape policy, influence decision-makers and amplify community voices at local and national level.

The Role

You will lead on policy and advocacy work, engaging with stakeholders including statutory services and the Scottish Government. Working closely with colleagues and community members, you will gather evidence, develop briefings and consultation responses, raise awareness of key issues, and support greater civic participation.

The role is primarily home-based, with occasional office attendance and travel as required. We warmly welcome applications from candidates based outside Edinburgh.

About You

You will bring at least two years’ experience in policy or advocacy work, excellent research and report-writing skills, and confidence engaging with stakeholders at all levels. Fluency in English and Polish is essential.

We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, collaborative and committed to equality, human rights and social justice.

Annual leave:34 days per annum, pro rata

As a result of planned retirements and Board renewal, we have two opportunities to join our Board as Trustees for Shelter Scotland:

Role 1 Trustee

Role 2 Chair of the Scotland Committee and Vice-Chair to the Board of Trustees.

We’re looking for people with a range of professional and personal experiences. Strong candidates will relish the chance to join a high-performing Board, working with an extremely talented and highly motivated Executive Leadership Team. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve in Scotland.

Experience in the following areas would be key:

• Knowledge and understanding of the operating environment for third sector organisations in Scotland.
• Experience of public affairs or social policy development in a Scottish context.
• Experience of delivering anti-racism policy and in practice.
• Knowledge and understanding of fundraising in the Scottish context.

What is the Voluntary Sector?

The ‘voluntary sector’ refers to organisations whose primary purpose is to create social impact rather than profit. It is independent from local and national government, and distinct from the private sector. Charities are the largest single category within the voluntary sector.

About Shelter and Shelter Scotland

We are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent. Our Trustees play a vital role in making sure that we achieve our core purpose.

Being a Trustee

Our Board of Trustees is a non-executive Board with overall legal responsibility for the direction, management and control of Shelter and is collectively accountable for compliance with charity law, company law and other legislative and regulatory requirements. As a Trustee, you will have the chance to support and shape our work and strategic direction. Trusteeship can help you gain experience of strategy and leadership. It will give you experience of setting a strategic vision, influencing and negotiation, and managing risk. If you already have significant experience in these areas, it can be stimulating to use it in a different and potentially challenging context. As a Trustee, you will be part of a team and will have the opportunity to apply your unique skills and experience while learning from others. Working closely with a passionate team of people who have different perspectives is often one of the most enjoyable aspects of the role. People with lived or learned experience of homelessness can bring powerful perspectives to our Board and play an important role in shaping our strategy. Terms of Appointment Terms of office are normally limited to a maximum of two terms, each of three years.

Remuneration

Trustees receive no fees, remuneration, salary or other financial benefits nor any other material benefits in their role at Shelter. However, they can claim reasonable expenses for attendance at Board and other meetings or events in line with the Trustee Expenses Policy.

Application Criteria

Charity Commission CC30 Guidance and the Charities Act 2011 disqualifies some people from acting as a trustee. Shelter will not appoint a person who is not allowed by law to be a trustee.

Who we are

The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity and membership organisation, dedicated to empowering, enriching and supporting the relationships at the heart of the fostering community.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a Policy and Public Affairs Officer in Scotland to join our highly effective UK wide policy and campaigns team. With fostering high on the political agenda in Scotland and elections taking place this year, this is an exciting time to join the team.

You will be passionate about improving children’s social care and foster care for children. You will have knowledge of the policy and legislative landscape in Scotland and issues surrounding children’s social care. You will have experience of delivering engaging campaigns and developing mechanisms to support people with lived experience to campaign, particularly young people, as this role works closely with our young people’s advisory board.

You will be adept at influencing policy makers in the Scottish Government and Parliament, as well as developing creative policy solutions to bring about change. As the lead for the largest survey of foster carers in the UK – our State of the Nations’ Survey 2027, you will have significant experience of developing, analysing and conducting research and producing high quality, evidence-based written materials.

You will be a great communicator and able to build relationships with stakeholders of all levels, including parliamentarians, senior figures in government and people with lived experience.

The person specification details the essential and desirable criteria in full.

What you’ll be doing

You will have the opportunity to influence policy and practice to bring about lasting change for foster carers and children and young people in foster care.

The role will involve influencing parliamentary and policy-making processes in Scotland and contributing to UK wide projects. The role will deliver effective campaigns, key research projects such as our State of the Nations’ report and written content for our members.

At this point, we hope you're feeling excited about the job description you’re reading and we encourage you to apply!

What we can offer you

• 38 days leave (including bank holidays)

• A range of family friendly and fostering friendly leave options

• Flexible and hybrid working

• Enhanced maternity and adoption pay

• Enhanced sick pay

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Helpline

• Pension and life assurance

• Contribution to eye tests and lenses

• Season ticket loans

Our commitments to you

The Fostering Network is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community and especially those from under-represented and minoritised backgrounds. All applications and hiring decisions will be considered on merit.

• If you identify as care experienced and meet the essential criteria for the role, you will be guaranteed an interview under our commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant

• If you have a disability, please tell us what reasonable adjustments would support your participation in the recruitment process

• We are open to job-sharing arrangements for all roles, please indicate this in the application form if you are applying as part of a job share

Looking for more information?

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Natalie.Williams@fostering.net. You can also find more information about us on our website thefosteringnetwork.org.uk

This is a senior policy and parliamentary engagement role requiring autonomous strategic thinking and confident stakeholder engagement. You'll be Close the Gap's lead on parliamentary relationships and policy development, working with considerable independence to shape our advocacy strategy and manage complex stakeholder relationships.

With Scottish Parliament elections in May 2026, this is a pivotal time to join Close the Gap as our Policy and Parliamentary Lead. You'll build relationships with a new cohort of MSPs, strengthen our parliamentary engagement strategy, and directly influence Scotland's approach to women's labour market equality. This newly permanent role reflects our long-term investment in this critical function.

As a small organisation, we looking for someone who can be the authoritative voice for Close the Gap on parliamentary engagement and policy development - thinking strategically, identifying opportunities, setting priorities, and delivering high-quality outputs with minimal supervision. You'll work collaboratively with colleagues but will be expected to own your delivery areas, exercise judgement independently, and represent the organisation confidently with senior stakeholders.

Organisation profile

Close the Gap is Scotland’s policy advocacy organisation working on women’s labour market participation. Our vision is for a Scotland where all women have a good working life. We work strategically with policymakers, employers and unions to address the causes of the gender pay gap. We deliver advocacy to influence policy and legislative change; produce research, analysis and insight into women’s diverse experiences of the labour market; and influence and enable employers to develop intersectional, gender-sensitive employment practice.

Equality statement

Close the Gap recognises that we have a responsibility to operate in line with our values. We know that structural inequalities constrain and harm the lives of marginalised communities of people such as racially minoritised people, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, migrant people, people who are single parents, and people of faith. This is particularly important for those who experience intersecting and compounding inequalities. As part of this, we are working to become an anti-racism organisation through a proactive review of our policies and practices, and are currently developing an anti-racism action plan.

We acknowledge that our team does not yet reflect the diversity of women's experiences in Scotland's labour market. We therefore particularly encourage applications from racially minoritised people and disabled people who are currently underrepresented in our team.

2025 marked the 20th anniversary of Curious Seed. As we move into an exciting new phase of development, we are seeking a new Chair and 2 additional Trustees to support our work.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

As we move forward from our 20th anniversary year with secure Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding until March 2028, we wish to work with people who can bring a range of experiences, skills and backgrounds on our Board to help us to shape, support and realise our renewed strategic vision.

We are seeking people from all sections of the community who:

• have enthusiasm for Curious Seed’s artistic work and support our vision
• are passionate about the impact and power of the arts and creativity
• can bring sound, independent judgement
• are creative and strategic thinkers
• thrive working collaboratively
• can advocate for Curious Seed and champion for the company’s work

We are especially, but not exclusively, interested in people who bring knowledge of one or more of the following areas:

• Legal / HR
• Fundraising
• Finance / Charity Accounting
• Being a resident of North Edinburgh
• Working in community settings, such as arts, social care, health & wellbeing

For the role of Chair, we are interested in people who also bring knowledge and experience of:

• Leadership and People Management
• Facilitation
• Charity Governance

More information and our full Trustee Recruitment Pack is available on our website in PDF, large print, dyslexia-friendly and audio formats. curious-seed.com/joinourboard

We particularly encourage applications from those who have been or are historically underrepresented on boards due to age, disability, ethnicity, faith or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, education, socio-economic background, or those with caring responsibilities. Candidates who may not think they fit the typical criteria required for Board membership, but who are inspired to contribute to our work, are warmly encouraged to apply.

If you are interested in joining our Board, but have questions about what is involved, we are happy to have informal conversations with any potential candidates - this can be done online, over the phone, or in person - please get in touch.