Working for a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP)

MSPs are employers in their own right. Under their employment, you will become part of a team supporting them in carrying out their duties. You'll work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment to provide an outstanding service to the team and in turn, the constituents Kate represents.

Purpose of this role

To provide support to Kate Nevens MSP by carrying out day-to-day administrative, research and communications support to ensure the smooth running of her parliamentary office. The role is responsible for triaging and responding to correspondence, coordinating diaries and meetings, supporting parliamentary business and assisting with social media and communications. This role will require a high degree of flexibility and will involve working closely with Kate Nevens MSP, her team, regional colleagues, and the wider Scottish Green Group in Parliament. You must be fully able to support the MSP in carrying out their aims and Parliamentary duties.

Key relationships: Line managed by Parliamentary Policy and Research Lead

Responsibilities

• Managing a high volume of incoming correspondence, ensuring enquiries are handled professionally, sensitively and within agreed timescales.
• Responding to emails and invitations from a range of stakeholders and constituents, working strategically with the Parliamentary Business and Research Lead and other MSP teams to prioritise opportunities.
• Organising diary commitments and updating Kate’s calendar with parliamentary business and stakeholder engagements and supporting these engagements when required.
• Maintaining filing and records management systems, processing office expenses, and delivering day-to-day administrative and secretarial support to the wider team.
• Supporting parliamentary business by preparing parliamentary questions, motions, correspondence and requests for information, ensuring deadlines are met and liaising with parliamentary officials as required.
• Providing research and briefing support by sourcing and summarising information from SPICE and external organisations, identifying emerging issues, and assisting with the preparation of speeches and policy materials.
• Supporting the delivery of communications by drafting and scheduling social media content.
• Creating and managing digital content by monitoring emerging issues, producing and editing photos and videos, and maintaining an organised image and media library for the team.

Requirements

Essential

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting professional correspondence and communicating with a range of stakeholders.
• Experience managing diaries, inboxes or office administration in a fast-paced environment.
• Be highly organised and a quick learner with the ability to multitask and work within tight timescales.
• Good digital skills, including confidence using Microsoft 365 and social media platforms.
• Be a proactive problem solver with the motivation and resilience to adapt and deal with challenges.
• A flexible and adaptable approach, being able to use good judgement and work on your own initiative.

Desirable

• Knowledge of and interest in Kate’s portfolio areas of Equalities and International Development, the role of the third sector, and participatory approaches to policymaking.
• Experience of using visual content creation and social media scheduling tools.
• Photo and video content creation skills.

We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates whose backgrounds may be under-represented in politics, for example, trans applicants, applicants from racialised or migrant communities and disabled applicants.

This year, the Scottish Liberal Democrats more than doubled our representation in the Scottish Parliament, and are now looking for a new Operations Officer to support the work of our HQ team in Edinburgh.

The Operations Officer will be a lynchpin of our HQ team, key to the successful day to day management of the Party as it looks to make further gains at the coming Council and General Elections.

Job Description

Key roles and responsibilities include:

• To provide day-to-day administration for the party and ensure the smooth running of Scottish Liberal Democrat HQ.
• To assist in the administration of HR processes.
• To ensure that meetings of the Office Bearers, Executive and other committees are organised and minuted.
• To maintain strong working relationships with the Federal Party, including ensuring that all interparty agreements are managed effectively.
• Deal with day-to-day enquiries from members and the public.
• To manage the Party’s internal elections, in conjunction with the appointed Returning Officer.
• To ensure statutory compliance.
• To manage the Scottish Liberal Democrat property and it’s use by Party committees, staff and other groups, liaising with the Scottish Liberal Club as appropriate.
• To assist where needed with the organisation and delivery of two conferences for members per year.
• During election periods, to assist the Party in any way reasonably requested.

Personal Specification

The following criteria are considered essential:

• Exceptional personal organisation.
• Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written communication skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work both independently with limited supervision, and within and across separate teams.
• Sympathy with the values and principles of the Liberal Democrats.

We are seeking a highly motivated and capable Administrative Assistant to support the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Executive Team, and wider organisation across a range of administrative responsibilities.

This role plays a key part in ensuring smooth day-to-day operations across the organisation, including diary management, meeting support, arranging travel and accommodation, and inbox coordination. The position reports to the EA and provides reliable backup to the Executive and Senior Leadership Teams.

The ideal candidate will be highly organised, an efficient note-taker, and a confident communicator with strong people skills and the ability to balance multiple tasks effectively. The role requires a proactive individual who can use their initiative to identify needs, solve problems, and drive tasks forward. You will work closely with the Executive Assistant (EA) to the CEO and COO, so strong communication, attention to detail, proactivity, and teamwork are essential. We also place great importance on strong interpersonal skills, eagerness to learn, and the right cultural fit.

A full Job Description is available for download below.

About the Veterans' Foundation

Founded in 2016, the Veterans’ Foundation is a grant-giving charity dedicated to serving veterans and their communities across the UK. We back the people and organisations that understand and respond to the challenges facing veterans, their families, and their communities.

From national charities to local community initiatives, we support projects addressing key issues such as mental health, housing and community-based support. Together, we listen to veterans and help make an active difference in their lives.

As a grant-giving organisation, we are rigorous in the projects we invest in, partnering strategically and measuring outcomes for veterans and their communities. To date we have awarded nearly £40 million in grants.

The Veterans’ Lottery, the UK’s largest single-cause lottery, remains the main source of funding for the Foundation’s grants programme.

Our People Support Coordinator plays a central role in helping LGBT Health and Wellbeing be a great place to work and volunteer.

About LGBT Health and Wellbeing

LGBT Health and Wellbeing was established in 2003 to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people across Scotland.

Today, we are Scotland’s national charity for LGBTQ+ adults, working every day to make sure people have somewhere to turn, somewhere to belong, and somewhere they can be themselves.

We create spaces where LGBTQ+ people can find connection, support and a sense of belonging. We provide services that help people through difficult moments, build confidence and feel less alone. We also use what we learn from our communities to influence the systems, services and decisions that shape our lives.

Our impact is only possible because of our people. From staff and volunteers delivering frontline services, to trustees providing strategic leadership, every person plays an important role in creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people across Scotland.

We are recognised as a trusted and credible voice on LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing, particularly in mental health, trans wellbeing and the experiences of LGBTQ+ elders.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple aim: a Scotland where LGBTQ+ people thrive, no matter who we are.

You can read more about our work and impact in our latest Impact Report.