Since being granted our Royal Charter in 1599, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow has been improving health and healthcare for people around the world.

Today, we are a professional membership body providing education, assessment and development to more than 15,000 Fellows and Members at all stages of their careers. We are a UK organisation with a global membership.

Our estate in the heart of Glasgow city centre includes modern conferencing and events facilities, a rich and extensive heritage collection with museum status, a library and our multi-award winning events offering, 1599 at the Royal College.

Our purpose is built around delivering:

• Excellent education and outstanding member experience
• New standards through assessment and gold standard qualifications
• Transformative impact on the health and wellbeing of the wider world

Our vision: To build an influential global community that enables our Members to develop the skills, knowledge and influence to improve healthcare standards worldwide.

Our mission: We want to enable our Members to achieve their full potential as healthcare professionals and give them an influential voice in the world.

Our values: The College is not a building or a tradition, but a global community. In all that we do, we’re committed to putting our people first: Fellows and Members, those undertaking our education and assessment, colleagues and partners.

For us, how we work is as important as what we do, and we aim to live by our values. They embody the essence of the College motto, conjurat amice, meaning ‘together in friendship’. It’s an approach that is as relevant today as it was 425 years ago.

• Community Working together to support one another to succeed; listening to and engaging with partners and people, locally, nationally and globally, to achieve our core purpose.
• Integrity Valuing and learning from our heritage and commitment to excellence; never compromising on our core purpose, our standards and the quality of delivery.
• Innovation Proactively challenging current thinking with a forward-looking agile approach that meets the changing needs of our members and all those who interact with us.
• Inspiration Leading by example through open dialogue, teamwork and engagement to maximise our potential and affect change.
• Inclusivity Demonstrating care, kindness, civility, generosity and mutual respect through the way we welcome, work and interact with people.

The Role

Obesity Action Scotland is a national advocacy organisation concerned with preventing overweight and obesity through improved diet and food environments. Obesity Action Scotland is hosted and supported by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

Reporting to the Head of Obesity Action Scotland (OAS), the Policy and Communications Officer will be responsible for the implementation and delivery of research reviews, reports and digital communications that support the objectives of Obesity Action Scotland.

The job holder will be actively involved in the analysis, interpretation and preparation of research and policy papers, production of evidence-based briefings and materials, and engagement with key stakeholders.

The postholder will co-ordinate the communications activity of Obesity Action Scotland through digital media.

About You

The post-holder will require the following:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in relevant subject
• An understanding of public health and health inequalities
• Demonstrable experience of researching and analysing data and evidence
• An understanding of policy environments
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to present information in an effective and engaging manner
• Experience managing and generating engaging digital media content
• Ability to manage multiple projects on tight deadlines
• Ability to initiate and complete tasks with minimum supervision, seeking input from others as required
• Experience working within a team
• Ability to recognise sensitive subject matter and use language that is appropriate and fosters a supportive environment for OAS’s audience
• Reliable and willing to support a range of projects and tasks as required
• Discretion, Sensitivity, Professionalism

Desirable

• Understanding of the relationship between determinants of health, food and drink, nutrition and obesity prevention
• Understanding of political contexts and the workings of Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government, and UK Government
• Ability to write and tailor content for a range of different audiences
• Proof reading skills
• Experience in use of digital engagement analytics
• Experience of identifying and designing engaging visual content on platforms such as Canva
• Ability to forward plan to ensure shifting deadlines are met and new opportunities captured

Benefits include:

• 40 days holiday
• Hybrid working – at least 50% working in College, dependent on the needs of the business
• Pension Scheme – The College offers a contributory pension scheme with employee contributions ranging from 6% to 10%, based on the employee’s chosen contribution level
• Life Assurance
• Enhanced Sick Pay, Maternity, Paternity and Adoption pay
• Health and Wellbeing Benefit
• Cycle to Work Scheme

We are seeking to appoint a committed and adaptable individual to support SHAAP’s work to reduce harms from alcohol in Scotland, by using the latest evidence and research to develop effective policy, leading SHAAP’s communications and advocacy work, and managing specific projects. As a key member of a small staff team, the Policy and Communications Officer is a varied role and is vital to our aim of influencing policy and practice by communicating research, policy and evidence effectively to a range of stakeholders.

SHAAP consists of a small staff team and a Steering Group of doctors with a strong interest in reducing alcohol harms in Scotland. The post of Policy and Communications Officer is new, and will work closely with the Director and the Research and Projects Co-ordinator.

The Role

Please refer to the Job Description for the full details. The Policy and Communications Officer role responsibilities include:

• To monitor relevant policy and political developments and proactively pursue opportunities to influence alcohol-related policy
• To lead agreed projects in a timely manner
• To represent SHAAP at various events, groups and meetings
• To act as the first point of contact for media enquiries
• To research and produce relevant briefings, reports and publications
• To produce content for and manage the SHAAP website and social media channels
• To work closely with the rest of the team
• To undertake any other reasonable tasks requested by the SHAAP Director/Chair

The Person

Please refer to the Job Description for the full details.

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent)
• Ability to produce reports and papers for different audiences
• Experience of policy advocacy
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Knowledge of, and interest in, alcohol policy
• Highly-organised; able to self-manage and work as part of a team
• Experience of organising events
• Confident at working with journalists
• Demonstrable competence in utilising social media
• Ability to represent SHAAP with external stakeholders

Remuneration Package

The salary for this role will be £37,996 per annum plus benefits. Additional benefits include:

• Pension: with employer contributions of 9%.
• Holidays: 23 days annual leave. All employees receive 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.

Are you looking for an opportunity to drive, design and support learning and impact in the voluntary sector?

SCVO recently undertook an independent review of our training programme and we’re looking for an innovative, pragmatic and ambitious learning professional to work with our teams and drive this forward.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Develop a new SCVO learning approach
• Create accessible, innovative learning programmes, content and pathways
• Build and manage strategic and operational learning partnerships
• Grow our income and impact
• Support our internal teams in their own learning activities

You’ll be supported by an experienced manager, and will be part of the sector-leading learning and events team which also delivers the Gathering, Charity Awards and existing SCVO training programme.

Part time hours and other flexible working options, including working from home for part of the week, will be fully considered. We encourage you to apply if you believe you meet most of the criteria in the person specification. We share our interview questions in advance. If you want to have a chat about the job or our flexible working approach, get in touch with us at recruitment@scvo.scot

SCVO is the membership organisation for the voluntary sector in Scotland and our mission is to champion the role of voluntary sector organisations in building a flourishing society and support them to do work that has a positive impact.