EARS is an independent advocacy provider – our mission is to ensure that people’s voices are heard, and their rights are respected.

This is an office-based post. The majority of the working hours will be spent working in Edinburgh and East Lothian communities, with the people who seek your support, and working from the West Lothian office to join meetings, record notes and compile reports. Mileage expenses are reimbursed for travel within work.

Applications

We especially welcome applications from people with any of the following:

• experience of providing advocacy
• working with individuals with a disability
• experience of the Health and Social Care Sector
• experience of the Third Sector

The Policy and Participation Officer plays a crucial role in advancing Together’s mission to ensure that all babies, children, and young people in Scotland have their human rights respected, protected, and fulfilled. This role supports the Legal and Policy Manager by enhancing policy development and ensuring robust participation of babies, children, and young people in all aspects of Together's work. The Officer will assist in policy advocacy, engage in public affairs, and strengthen the engagement of babies, children and young people in Together’s activities, including the Rights Detectives.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Supporting policy development and analysis by assisting with Together's annual State of Children's Rights report and the #RightsOnTrack programme, monitoring developments and recommendations from UN treaty bodies, drafting responses to relevant Scottish/UK Government and Parliament consultations, and developing policy briefings.
• Supporting the development of participation projects and leading desk-based research that ensures babies, children, and young people’s views are at the heart of Together’s policy and advocacy.
• Facilitating collaboration with members and supporting partnership activities with organisations across the UK, Europe and internationally.
• Supporting the Legal and Policy Manager with public affairs tasks and working with the Membership and Social Media Officer to coordinate strategies to enhance Together's social media presence.
• Supporting the Legal and Policy Manager in policy meetings and events, actively engaging in team meetings, and assisting in the development of funding proposals.

Throughout the role, the post-holder will be expected to involve Together’s membership – including children and young people – whenever possible and appropriate.

Reporting to: Legal & Policy Manager

Partners in Advocacy has established itself as one of Scotland's leading providers of independent advocacy, delivering exceptional advocacy services since 1998.

We are thrilled to present a wonderful opportunity within our supportive and welcoming Edinburgh team. As an independent advocacy worker, you will have the privilege of providing one-on-one independent advocacy to individuals aged 16 and above with learning or physical disabilities, autism as well as older people. Through this role, you will ensure that their voices and wishes are heard, enabling them to make informed choices, protect their rights and have a meaningful impact on decisions that affect their lives.

Benefits of working for Partners in Advocacy include:

• Working for a values driven organisation that strives to support and empower staff
• Employment on a contract that has been secured until 31st July 2028 with the potential for a further two-year extension
• Working in a diverse range of community and clinical settings as well as the option of working from home and/or our Musselburgh based office
• Comprehensive training and ongoing support in your new role
• A generous annual leave and public holiday entitlement of 37 days with further annual increments
• Regular support and supervision sessions with your line manager
• Core hours daytime Monday to Friday working
• Frequent professional and reflective support sessions with your team
• Continuous professional development opportunities throughout the wider organisation
• Free access to mental health resources such as free counselling sessions
• Employer contributory pension scheme

We strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. If you believe your skills, experience, and expertise align with the criteria outlined in the person specification, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please complete the application form, ensuring that you provide examples of how your knowledge and experience fulfil each aspect of the person specification.

Partners in Advocacy takes pride in being a Disability Confident Employer, fully committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment.