At the MS Society, we make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.
Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them, and it gives us a clear and determined focus.
Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.
Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive environment where you will make a difference.
About this job
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and talented policy and public affairs professional to join our team. You should have experience of working to develop policy and have the ability to communicate our position to a wide range of audiences across Scotland.
In this exciting role you will work with the MS community to influence change in public policy, continuing to make the case for improvements in the treatment, care and support of people affected by MS.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who understands the political and policy environment in Scotland, who is outcome-focused and delivers tangible results.
Previous applicants need not apply.
About us
More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide and extensive range of employee benefits including (but not limited to):
Encouraging work life balance
• 38 days paid annual leave with progressive incremental increases based on length of service (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us)
• Flexible working options
Caring for you and your family
• Generous sick pay entitlement with progressive incremental increases based on length of service
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year
• Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
• Free access to a confidential 24/7 helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic/personal emergencies per year
• 10 days paid disability leave per year, pro-rata for part-time
• 10 days paid carers’ leave per year, pro-rata for part-time
• New family friendly benefits including paid leave: in the event of miscarriage/still birth; to support IVF/fertility treatments; and antenatal appointments for both expecting mother and other parent
• Cycle to work scheme
• Death in service scheme
• Health cash plans to help offset the cost of health care for you
and your partner/children
Thinking about your finances
• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing
Enriching your life at work
• Bespoke personal development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely
• Various opportunities to feedback into how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups)
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support
• 2 days paid leave per year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community)
• 2 days paid leave per year paid for volunteering with other charities externally during normal working hours
The MS Society is in the midst of an exciting, transformational, period which builds on our great history and will drive us towards achieving our mission and vision as we embark on our Every MS Story strategy.
Right to work in the UK
The successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK. If we do offer you employment, you’ll be required to provide documentation to show that you’re eligible to be employed in the UK before starting employment.
The full list of UK visas and permits that grant you the right to work in the UK can be found on the UK government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and will not be in a position to support you with any visa applications you may make.
In order to apply for this role, please submit an updated CV and supporting statement indicating how you meet the essential criteria as set out in the person specification in the attached job description.
Completed applications are to be emailed to jobs@mssociety.org.uk
Please contact the HR Team via jobs@mssociety.org.uk if you require any reasonable adjustments to apply for this role or would like to discuss the role in confidence.
We’re a Disability Confident Employer. We’re committed to promoting equality and diversity. We’d be grateful if you could complete the equality and diversity monitoring form on our website and submit it with your application. The form can be downloaded from here: mssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-02/MS-Society-equality-and-diversity-form 2022.doc
As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, the HR team will anonymise your CV and supporting statement before forwarding to the shortlisting panel.
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and/or from ethnic minority backgrounds, where we’re looking to build stronger and better representation among our staff.
Closing date: 9am on Friday 14 July 2023