This vacancy has now closed

Policy & Public Affairs Officer

  • Full time
  • £28,769 – £32,398
  • Edinburgh Office (with some WFH)
  • Closing 21st July 2023


  • Advertised from 6th July 2023
  • Permanent. 36.25 hours per week

Role

The Rock Trust is looking for a dynamic and experienced individual to deliver our Policy & Public Affairs work and help us End Youth Homelessness. For over 30 years Rock Trust has been providing life-changing support to young people. In the last year we have supported over 900 of them, more than ever before, and across more areas of Scotland.

We work in partnership with key leaders, decision makers and stakeholders across the sector to ensure that all issues relevant to youth homelessness and the action required to end it are understood and acted upon. To achieve this you will build persuasive, evidence-based policy positions with input into thematic policy areas. You will help to ensure that Rock Trusts policy recommendations deliver real change in the best interests of young people, and ensure Rock Trust continues to be seen as a credible and authoritative voice on Youth Homelessness.

This role will be based at our Edinburgh office, with some home-working and some travel to our regional offices.

A detailed Job Description is attached, however brief responsibilities include the following:

Policy:

  • Co-ordinate the work of A Way Home: Scotland, a multi-disciplinary coalition to end youth homelessness.
  • Draft policy, advocacy, and discussion papers for Rock Trust on relevant topics in consultation with the CEO.
  • Build positive relationships with key political and policy stakeholders including MSPs, MPs, civil servants, policymakers, academics and others who can support our mission.
  • Identify and collate evidence of impact, lessons and case studies from members and other practitioners.
  • Monitor the shifting policy and political landscape, advising colleagues on opportunities and risks for Rock Trust and the realisation of our vision.

Public Affairs:

  • Create press releases blog posts and statements in response to changing policy, media stories and statistic releases to further Rock Trust’s mission.
  • Create opportunities to build the Rock Trust’s reputation and positioning in the sector, ensuring a co-ordinated and consistent approach
  • Organise and manage a programme of contact programme for key personnel with MPs, MSPs and senior officials.
  • Assist with developing and managing external media relationships to ensure that Rock Trust is able to share its views and influence change.

Who we are

Rock Trust is Scotland’s leading youth specific homelessness charity. We work with young people aged 16-25 who are at risk of, or who are experiencing homelessness. Our aim is to end youth homelessness in Scotland by ensuring that every young person has access to expert youth specific services to assist them to avoid, survive and move on from homelessness.

Rock Trust holds the gold award from Investors in People. We are committed to making Rock Trust a fantastic place to work. We provide a range of enhanced benefits for staff, including a starting annual leave entitlement of 25 working days which will increase by 1 day for every full year of service completed (up to a maximum of 30 working days) plus 10 Public Holidays (pro-rata), a 6% employer contribution pension scheme, life assurance scheme, employee rewards and enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave. A full list of our benefits is available on our website.

Rock Trust has four core values; Safety, Positivity, Respect and Fairness. If you hold these values and are passionate about supporting young people to achieve their full potential and move on from homelessness, then please get in touch.

Application notes

Closing date: 9am on Friday 21st July. We will review applications daily and will be in touch as soon as possible if we’d like to invite you for interview.

For an application pack please visit our website at rocktrust.org/vacancies please download, complete and return the documentation.


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