Policy Advisor – Scotland
- Full time
- £46,000 – £61,500
- Hybrid working, Edinburgh Scotland
- Closing 27th November 2023
- Advertised from 15th November 2023
- Plus excellent benefits. 18 Month Fixed term contract.
Role
We are recruiting for a Policy Advisor in the Nesta Scotland Team.
The Policy Advisor will work across Nesta’s three missions and make a significant contribution to our UK Options 2040 programme.
About Nesta
We are Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society’s biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet.
For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation.
Harnessing the rigour of science and the creativity of design, we work relentlessly to change millions of lives for the better. Find out more at nesta.org.uk.
The team
You will be based in the Nesta Scotland team, working closely with the Head of Scotland, Mission Managers and our Communications and Engagement Manager to influence policy and achieve social impact at scale in each mission as well as working with colleagues across Nesta to inform wider work.
The role
There are two key workstreams for this role - supporting the development of mission-focused policy work in Scotland and contributing to our UK Options 2040 project.
You will be responsible for keeping abreast of relevant policy developments, writing briefings, developing policy proposals, and building relationships both internally (across the wider Nesta team) and externally within Scotland.
You will be expected to:
- Develop a solid understanding of policy focused-challenges in Scotland as well as how they are affected by place and devolution.
- Interpret and synthesise insights from primary research, evidence reviews and data analysis in order to brief key stakeholders and partners.
- Support the identification and development of policy thinking and options and in our Options 2040 work ensure that the differences, impact, opportunities and constraints of devolution are recognised throughout the development process.
- Work closely with Nesta Scotland’s Communications and Engagement Manager (and wider Comms team) to produce public-facing outputs (such as blog posts, events or reports) as and when appropriate.
- Support our Mission Managers to develop strategic policy and stakeholder maps and positions for each of our missions in Scotland.
- Write incisive policy notes that draw on the latest research/evidence base and synthesise the best ideas from across Nesta.
- Design and deliver rapid primary research projects that enable policy options to be weighed robustly and pragmatically. To do this, you will draw reliable insights out of quantitative datasets, and at times work with qualitative and user research experts to undertake qualitative research sprints.
- Support the development of thought leadership and policy content for a range of audiences, working with the Communications team as part of a broader communications strategy for Nesta Scotland.
- Support the Mission Managers and Head of Nation to cultivate strong and sustained relationships with contacts across government, parliament and other key organisations.
Your time will be split across two strands of work:
Developing mission-related policy work in Scotland (c. 60% of role)
As we ramp up our work in Scotland across our three missions, focusing on policy as a vehicle for, and an enabler of, innovation will become increasingly important in helping us achieve impact at scale. You’ll support the Scotland team to develop a strong understanding of the relevant policy landscape and opportunities, developing coherent policy positions, ensuring our policy asks are evidence-based and rigorously tested and help drive radical thinking in policy development.
UK Options 2040 (c. 40% of role)
UK 2040 Options supports policymakers as they make choices about what to prioritise and how to deliver: setting out alternative policy options and pathways for the future, creating space for honest debate about the trade-offs and testing and interrogating ideas that take us beyond immediate crises.
Working on a small number of our chosen policy areas, you will work with the UK Options 2040 team to ensure that the differences, impact of and opportunities generated by devolution are effectively recognised in our work and seek opportunities to engage Scotland based policy makers in the Options 2040 programme of work as appropriate.
Preferred skills, qualifications and experience:
Essential
- Demonstrable understanding of how the Scottish government and parliament develops and implements policy and the role of evidence in this process.
- Ability to interpret and summarise qualitative and quantitative data, academic evidence and government policy papers and to quality check and synthesise findings with ease.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills. You can explain complex topics in simple terms and write clearly and concisely, adapting your communication to suit different audiences.
- Strong ability and experience in building relationships with senior level policy stakeholders and external partners while managing all work to deadlines.
- Strong ability to manage and develop yourself at work. You demonstrate high levels of initiative and willingness to take responsibility for your own workload and professional development.
- Excellent teamwork and collaboration with a collaborative and solution-focused approach to problem-solving.
- Willingness to work flexibly on policy topics outside of immediate expertise or preferred areas of interest
Desirable
- Proven experience in influencing Scottish Government policy (preferably in one of our three mission areas).
- Experience in working with media team colleagues to shape and respond to relevant policy debates.
What we offer
Salary: £46k - £61.5k (offers are expected to be made towards the bottom of the band) plus an array of benefits, including health care plans, dental insurance, the ability to buy and sell annual leave, eyecare vouchers and more.
Location: This role is based in Edinburgh - hybrid working arrangement, we expect everyone in the Nesta Scotland to work from our Edinburgh office at least 2 days per week and be available for all key internal and external meetings. We expect this role to involve many key external meetings.
Term: 18 Month Fixed Term
Hours: This is a full-time role but we offer a range of flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to take advantage of them. Many do.
Reports to: Head of Nesta Scotland.
Application notes
To apply for this role, please submit your application before 08:00am on the 27 of November 2023.
First stage interviews will take place w/c 4 December 2023.
The link to apply can be found here.
At Nesta, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.
We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.
This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.
We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working.
Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.
Finn’s Place (SCO45350) is a very successful ‘Wellbeing’ center based in Langside Parish Church which has been in existence for 10 years. It welcomes attendees from across Glasgow and the West of Scotland to its varied activities. All feel welcomed and refreshed by their attendance and report improved wellbeing. We are looking for our next Director to take Finn’s Place onto the next successful 10 years.
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This post is full-time (Flexible hours), with a salary range of £27,188 to £31,875, annually, depending on previous experience, and for a fixed term of 2 years in the first instance.
Finn’s Place needs an individual who shares our vision of a Wellbeing Centre which is a safe, warm space where all are welcome, and all will be heard and accepted. We adhere to the ‘Five Ways of Wellbeing’, connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give back.
We are looking for an innovative, engaging, warm, sociable, and welcoming person with excellent written and verbal communications skills who has a passion for wellbeing and community engagement. Experience of project management, staff recruitment and supervision, budget management, securing funding are essential.
Policy and Public Relations Officer
- Full time
- £35,727
- Hybrid: Edinburgh (minimum 2 days per week in the office)
- Closing 28th July 2024
The Royal College of General Practitioners is the largest membership organisation solely for GPs in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1952, it has over 55,000 members, including 5000 in Scotland, who are committed to improving patient care, developing their own skills and promoting general practice as a discipline. General practice is the largest branch of the medical profession. It provides some 1 million consultations for patients in the UK every working day and deals with 86% of the health problems experienced by the UK population.
We are currently recruiting a Policy and Public Relations Officer to support our communications, policy and public affairs activity in Scotland, and we are looking for someone who has demonstrable experience in a communications, policy or public affairs role.
You will work closely with the Policy & Public Affairs Manager to ensure that the priorities of RCGP and issues impacting general practice are recognised by policy makers, the press and the public. You will support RCGP work to influencing decision making at the highest level which will have a direct impact on general practice and its patients by drafting RCGP policy consultation responses, representing RCGP policy at high-level external stakeholder meetings and providing comprehensive briefings to our GP representatives ahead of these meetings.
You will also help to deliver our internal and external communications across Scotland, ensuring that our key messages reach the intended audiences to maximise impact. This will require you to develop and maintain links with media contacts across Scotland, draft key internal communications to our members and produce proactive and reactive media statements. You will take a lead role in maintaining our social media presence.
Our small, friendly team plays a key role in supporting general practice in Scotland. You’ll be helping communicate to stakeholders the views of the RCGP, and to do that effectively, knowledge and experience of the health agenda, patient issues and political context of Scotland would be highly advantageous.
You’ll have degree level education or have requisite experience, be an excellent team player and be able to work across a varied organisation and take a corporate viewpoint.
The successful candidate will share our corporate values. In return, the College offers excellent terms and conditions and great working environment. This role will be hybrid with two days a week in our office in Edinburgh city centre. We offer flexible working hours Monday to Friday.
Policy & Public Affairs Officer (SHAAP)
- Full time
- £34,711
- Hybrid: Edinburgh*
- Closing 5th August 2024
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) is seeking to appoint an experienced Policy and Public Affairs Officer who is educated to degree level, ideally with a relevant postgraduate qualification, with a keen interest in reducing harms from alcohol.
The Role
The Policy and Public Affairs Officer will help guide SHAAP advocacy activities through identifying and analysing relevant policy, providing advice and developing evidence-based positions, carrying out research, monitoring media and policy activity, dealing with the media, responding to consultations, organising events and providing administrative support.
SHAAP is a partnership of the Medical Royal Colleges and the Faculty of Public Health in Scotland and is based at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).
Using the best available evidence, SHAAP provides the authoritative clinical voice on how policy makers and clinicians can reduce alcohol-related harms in Scotland. We work in close collaboration with key organisations in the alcohol field in Scotland, the rest of the UK and worldwide.
The Person
The Policy and Public Affairs Officer will be an excellent communicator with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of seniority, with the ability to self-manage and prioritise in a dynamic context and within a small team. They must have the ability to advise on and communicate SHAAP policy positions, with experience of researching and drafting briefings, and/or policy papers and/or consultation responses. They must also be able to represent SHAAP at internal and external meetings, seminars and conferences.
Please refer to the Job Description for the role and person full details.
Remuneration Package
The salary for this role will be £34,711 per annum plus benefits. Additional benefits include:
- Pension: with employer contributions of 9%.
- Holidays: 23 days annual leave (with incremental increase over five years to 28 days) and 11 days public holiday/College close downs.
- Life assurance scheme.
- Long-term income protection scheme for those unable to work due to illness.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Discounted rates for use of the venue for personal events.
*Based at the College in Queen Street, Edinburgh, with flexibility for a form of hybrid working to be agreed.
Top job! Assistant Director (Programmes and Participation)
- Full time
- £44,790 – £49,740
- Remote: Temporarily, otherwise central Edinburgh.
- Closing 6th August 2024
As a member of the senior management team, the Assistant Director (Programmes and Participation) is instrumental in leading Together’s strategic initiatives across a broad spectrum of programme development, with a significant focus on enhancing the rights and participation of babies, toddlers, and early years children. This role is pivotal in supporting the Director by managing essential areas of operational and strategic responsibility, facilitating the effective implementation of Together’s strategic priorities, and ensuring programmes are impactful and aligned with organisational goals.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Overseeing the development of Together’s programmes, leading innovative initiatives and supporting Together's Director as a spokesperson on key children’s rights matters.
- Developing and managing fundraising strategies, building and maintaining strong relationships with funders and stakeholders, and overseeing the financial management of all programmes and participation budgets.
- Enhancing children’s participation initiatives and implementing participatory practices across all programme activities.
- Management and mentoring of the Programmes and Participation team, encouraging a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous learning within the team.
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: Director
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