This is an exciting opportunity to join the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) as our Policy and Public Affairs Officer, playing a key role in shaping and delivering our policy and campaigning work.

SYP has a proud history of championing youth-led campaigns that drive meaningful policy change. From securing Votes at 16 and Equal Marriage to advocating for the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into domestic law, we have consistently worked to improve the lives of young people across Scotland.

As we develop our new manifesto, this role will be instrumental in ensuring that young people’s voices are heard by decision-makers at all levels. The Policy and Public Affairs Officer will support young people to influence policy, engage with politicians, and drive forward the changes they want to see in society.

If you are passionate about amplifying young people’s voices and have the skills to support impactful policy work and public affairs engagement, we would love to hear from you.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) as our Communications Officer, playing a key role in amplifying young people’s voices and showcasing the impact of our work.

SYP is proud to be a youth-led organisation that empowers young people to shape policy and drive change. From securing Votes at 16 to influencing national decision-making, we work to ensure young people’s voices are heard at all levels.

As our Communications Officer, you will lead and develop SYP’s internal and external communications, supporting Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs) to share their stories, engage with the media, and connect with key stakeholders. You will maintain our digital presence, shape our brand identity, and ensure our messaging is accessible, engaging, and impactful.

If you are passionate about youth voice, skilled in digital and strategic communications, and eager to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

On this occasion we are specifically seeking a male worker. Around 50% of young people attending our club identify as male. When we take young people on residential experiences or outward-bound activities there is often a need to offer gender-based support in dressing, changing or dealing with nighttime issues.

At present, we only have one male youth worker; we have three female youth workers. We feel it is important to build resilience in this regard to ensure we are able to offer a full service to boys seeking to take part in our activities.

Consequently, this post holder may be required to offer personal and intimate care affecting privacy and decency in circumstances where there may be a reasonable objection to being attended by someone of the opposite sex. As such, this advert should be regarded as being exempt from the Equalities Act.

Purpose of Job

FetLor Youth Club is a busy and thriving youth centre in the north of Edinburgh. The Club welcomes over 300 young people every week to enjoy a range of clubs and activities. Club events are facilitated by a team of youth workers. This new post will add to the team that is currently in place.

We have a strong ethos of providing emotional support to all the young people who choose to spend their time with us. Every aspect of club life is underpinned by the value we place upon emotional support offered through a listening, non-judgemental and caring practice.

Main Duties

Supporting and listening to all young people who attend our club.

Ensuring young people remain at the heart of all our club activities.

Supervising young people attending the club and supporting them in undertaking a variety of club-based activities including, but not restricted to

• Quiet activities
• Cooking
• Physical play such as dodgeball, unihoc and football
• Supporting older members undertake youth achievement awards.

Attending residential activities, such as sleepovers, Hopscotch and Outward-Bound programmes. This commitment is generally no more than 10 nights per year.

Maintain and contribute to social media networks relating to our club.

Be competent in the use of MS Word and Excel

Completing evaluations of youth work sessions using our in-house system.

Being prepared to attend safeguarding and first aid training and put this learning to use when required.

Be flexible and able to support our six-week summer programme of daytime activities throughout July and early August each year. Please note, annual leave will not normally be authorised during this period.

Any other reasonable duties that are appropriate or as directed by the Youth Work Manager, Chief Executive or the Board.

What we offer

You will be joining a team who take pride in being a close supportive unit committed to the development of young people.

We are a learning organisation. We offer regular team training. This includes diversity, leadership and communication training. We also offer basic insights into child psychology provided by a leading phycologist.

You will have the opportunity for personal development. We support our people attend courses across a range of areas including food hygiene, mental health awareness and developing healthy relationships.

We offer a generous and flexible annual leave entitlement.

Please note the post is subject to satisfactory PVG check and references.

Forces Children Scotland supports children & young people from serving, reservist and veteran families across Scotland to realise their potential and thrive. We work with children and young people to co-produce services and projects to overcome their unique challenges to mental health and wellbeing, education and learning and important transitions.

Our approach to working with children and young people

Forces Children Scotland is committed to taking a children’s rights-based approach to all aspects of our work from planning to service delivery. This means we strive to ensure our work is grounded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Engaging in co-production with children and young people can help ensure their right to participate in matters affecting them is meaningfully upheld and implemented.

Purpose of Job

Children and Young People from armed forces families face unique experiences and their voices are often unheard. In this role, you will provide an opportunity for them to share their experiences and inform policy and practices in our work and influence those in the MoD, Local Authorities, and the Scottish Government. You will work directly with children and young people to facilitate a broad range of participatory and engagement opportunities.