Policy has the power to change lives – do you have the engine to drive meaningful change forward?

Bring your policy expertise, political insight and energy to help MCR Pathways transform opportunities for young people across the UK.

We’re looking for a highly driven Senior UK Policy & Public Affairs Officer to help advance our mission to bridge the education, skills and opportunity gap through the transformative power of mentoring. You’ll monitor the political landscape, turn evidence and impact into compelling policy arguments, build influential relationships and identify opportunities to put mentoring at the heart of national and regional agendas.

From Westminster and Holyrood to local and combined authorities, you’ll help build the case for change, champion the Trusted Adult Guarantee and support MCR Pathways’ continued expansion across the UK.

The Role Experience

This is a hands-on policy and public affairs role that goes well beyond monitoring what’s happening in government. You’ll be immersed in the UK political and policy landscape, identifying opportunities to influence, developing policy briefings and submissions, mapping stakeholders and cultivating relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, civil servants and strategic partners.

You’ll also be the operational engine behind senior leadership engagement. You’ll identify and progress opportunities, coordinate preparation, develop briefings, arrange meetings and drive follow-up – enabling our CEO, Development Director and other senior leaders to lead high-level engagement and representation with key policymakers and stakeholders.

Turn insight and lived experience into influence. Help make the power of mentoring a national priority.

What You’ll Bring:

• Policy & Public Affairs: Proven experience in policy, public affairs or parliamentary work, with a strong understanding of UK political systems and policy-making.
• Influencing & Relationships: The ability to map political landscapes, build strategic relationships and identify opportunities to influence policymakers and decision-makers.
• Evidence & Advocacy: Exceptional written and analytical skills, with the ability to turn complex evidence, impact data and operational experience into compelling policy arguments.
• Strategic & Operational Drive: A proactive approach, able to spot opportunities, coordinate activity and ensure high-quality preparation and follow-through for senior engagement.
• Collaboration & Purpose: A highly collaborative approach and genuine commitment to improving outcomes and opportunities for young people facing barriers to reaching their potential.

Safeguarding

MCR Pathways is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people, and we expect you to share this commitment. This post is subject to appropriate vetting, including a criminal record check and PVG / DBS Scheme membership.

About MCR Pathways

MCR Pathways is an award-winning mentoring programme delivered in schools, further education settings and communities. We connect young people with trusted adult volunteer mentors, providing consistent guidance to help build confidence, self-belief and ambition. Through this support, young people can overcome barriers and progress towards positive destinations such as further education, apprenticeships and employment.

Benefits include: 30 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) in first year rising to 35 days from 2nd year of employment, 7% Employer Pension Contribution, 3 further days of annual leave between the December and January public holidays, additional day off for your birthday, annual salary increment, Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance – 4 x salary.

It’s a question of voltage – do you have it?

Bring your skills, experience, and energy to communicate the transformational impact of MCR Pathways’ award-winning mentoring programme.

We are looking for a high-voltage Marketing and Communications Officer to support our mission: bridging the education, skills, and opportunity gap for young people through the transformative power of mentoring. Lead hands-on operational tasks, capture impact stories, produce dynamic digital content, maintain daily channels, and deliver sharp marketing collateral. All of which is geared to support the charity to drive mentor recruitment while unlocking the collaborative power behind our strategic partnerships, and much more.

The Role Experience

Based in Central Scotland, this active role goes way beyond standard hybrid work. It’s going to be fast-paced, immersive, and deeply rewarding. It’s going to empower, challenge and push your professional development to a new level too. You will regularly be on the ground working with colleagues in schools and local communities to gather authentic stories right where the impact happens, translating them into vibrant content powering how we communicate transformational change and encourage a variety of stakeholders to join our community to help achieve our strategic vision.

Until everyone has someone – it’s time to plug in and play your role.

What You’ll Bring

• Storytelling & Production: Proven experience capturing compelling stories and producing dynamic digital & video content and marketing collateral.
• Channel Management: Confidence in managing daily digital channels and keeping campaigns powering through towards achieving outcomes.
• Trauma-Informed Practice: A sensitive, trauma-informed approach to working with young people and community stakeholders.
• Energy & Adaptability: Be proactive, approachable, a great communicator and team player to deliver a variety of outcomes across the charity.

Safeguarding

MCR Pathways is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people, and we expect you to share this commitment. This post is subject to full vetting, including a criminal record check and PVG Scheme membership.

About MCR Pathways

MCR Pathways is an award-winning mentoring programme delivered in schools, further education settings, and communities. The charity connects young people with trusted adult volunteer mentors, providing consistent guidance to help build confidence, self-belief, and ambition. Through this support, young people overcome unique challenges and barriers, enabling progression into positive destinations such as further education, apprenticeships, and employment.

Benefits include: 30 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) in first year rising to 35 days from 2nd year of employment, 7% Employer Pension Contribution, 3 further days of annual leave between the December and January public holidays, additional day off for your birthday, annual salary increment, Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance – 4 x salary.

Are you a technical problem-solver who believes that technology should serve people, not the other way around? We are looking for a Solutions Engineer who can help turn our tech ideas into real-world tools that make life easier for our mentors and young people – someone who understands that behind every piece of technology is a person it’s meant to help.

Key responsibilities:

Lead on digital projects from start to finish – making sure the right people are involved, the steps are clear and everything stays on track to hit our goals.

Use AI/LLM tools to rapidly prototype solutions. You’ll design user acceptance testing (UAT) to ensure AI outputs are ethical, accurate and high-quality.

Bridge the gap between technical and user-friendly. You’ll lead requirements gathering, conduct user research and collaborate with our Learning & Development team to ensure new tools are fit for purpose.

Help look after our digital tools and guide us as we move our data and systems from Salesforce over to newer, more modern platforms.

Manage AI-specific risks, including data privacy and ethical considerations, ensuring security auditing is integral in every project from day one.

About you

We are looking for a creative, resourceful professional who is passionate about youth development and technical excellence. You will:

Translate complex business needs into actionable technical requirements

Have the confidence to coordinate with people from all across the charity, helping different teams work together smoothly and ensuring our projects stay on schedule.

Have strong IT skills with an interest in AI, automation and data mapping.

Value user research, empathy and clear communication. You don’t just build a tool; you ensure people know how to use it.

Be comfortable working independently or as part of a team on multiple simultaneous projects.

About us

MCR Pathways is an award-winning charity established in Glasgow in 2007. Our mentoring programme is now delivered in schools across the whole of Scotland as well as North East and South East England. We are committed to helping the country’s most vulnerable young people gain self-confidence, identify their skills and recognise and fulfil their potential.

Our mission: To connect every young person with a trusted adult mentor, someone who sparks confidence, fuels ambition, and walks beside them as they find their way.

Our vision: MCR Pathways will work until every young person has someone to help them find their way.

You will be joining a friendly and supportive team who love what they do and enjoy working with each other. MCR Pathways’ values are Respect, Communication, Trust and Growth and they inform everything we do.

Benefits include: 30 days annual leave in first year rising to 35 days from 2nd year of employment, 7% Employer Pension Contribution, 3 further days of annual leave between the December and January public holidays, additional day off for your birthday, Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance – 4 x salary.

About Simon Community Scotland

Simon Community Scotland is the largest provider of homelessness services in Scotland. Our vision is for everyone to have a safe place to live, with access to the support they need. Every day we help make positive things happen for people facing extremely difficult circumstances. Everything we do is about and for people, the people we support, our staff, our partners and everyone affected by homelessness. Our values are built into every area of activity and tell the story of how people remain at the heart of Simon Community.

Day by day, person-to-person, we tailor what we offer to what people need. We are here to provide consistent, friendly and informed support so that people can explore options and take 'the next step' towards a positive future. We offer support across a range of service delivery points; Street Outreach teams, Housing First initiatives, Floating Support, Information Hubs, Managed Alcohol Program (MAP), Supported Accommodations, Emergency Accommodation, Rapid Access Accommodation, and our own rented properties. These services are delivered across many local authorities within Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Edinburgh and Perth.

We welcome people with a wide range of skills and experiences to our team. To make a difference, we need to work flexibly, with everyday leadership and a 'can-do' approach. We want to make it right and make it happen – not only for the people we support, but also for each other.

Our #OneTeam ethos is core to who we are, and it means caring for and supporting each other regardless of our role, service or location. Find out more about our services here.

Our Support Services

Job Purpose

The Women’s Development Worker (Gambling Harms) is dedicated to engaging and supporting women as they navigate gambling-related harms and intersecting challenges of homelessness, substance use, and mental ill health. This role facilitates the development of positive social networks and the practical skills necessary to address complexities in a trauma-informed way.

Embedded within a team of skilled practitioners, the role focuses on creating psychologically safe environments that foster connection, empowerment, and the opportunity for the women we support to influence projects through co-design.

The Women’s Development Worker (Gambling Harms) will deliver direct, person-centered, place-based, and online support to women experiencing or at risk of gambling harms. They will be responsible for delivering person-centered support, promoting a culture of leadership and supporting risk-informed decision-making. Utilising a human rights-based approach, the worker ensures that all women have their rights upheld, assisting them in overcoming systemic barriers and accessing pathways required to live a life free from harm.

This role operates in direct partnership with the Women’s Connector. You will work collaboratively to share insight, co-facilitate sessions, and provide mutual cover and continuous support to deliver a seamless national service

Job Summary

Within this exciting new role, you will support women who are at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. Based in Scotland, you will connect with and support women across the country who are impacted by gambling harms. Your work will involve developing and hosting safe, trauma-informed spaces where individuals can access support, engage in meaningful conversations, and better understand the harms linked with gambling.

By working directly with women, you will play a key part in creating supportive environments and fostering lasting connections. Central to your approach will be the delivery of a gendered response to harm; you will have the opportunity to utilise Aila’s (aila-scotland.co.uk) specialised "by women, for women" frameworks, ensuring that your support is tailored to navigate the specific systemic barriers and experiences faced by women in this space.

The Women’s Development Worker (Gambling Harms) will deliver vital 1-2-1 and group support to women navigating gambling harms and intersecting challenges. The focus of the role will be person-centred navigation, linking with internal services, and facilitating safe, trauma-informed support spaces

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality practical support, both in-person across designated locations and digitally via Google platforms, covering gambling harms and intersecting challenges like homelessness, mental health, and substance use.
• Lead the facilitation of in-person and digital support group spaces
• Offer proactive problem-solving, de-escalation, and risk-informed support for women navigating high-pressure or complex situations.
• Work alongside the Women's Connector to pick up connections made through Aila pathways, providing direct support and building ongoing relationships with women signposted to the service.
• Advocate for women’s rights, provide clear information and referrals, and support women to navigate external statutory and third-sector support pathways.
• Act as the primary bridge within Simon Community Scotland, connecting directly with internal service delivery teams to identify and support women impacted by gambling harms.
• Apply Aila's specialised framework to ensure a tailored "by women, for women" support model across all activities.
• Build honest, trusting relationships with women to promote attendance, champion diversity with dignity and respect, and amplify the voices of women with lived experience.
• Deliver all support through a trauma-informed lens, ensuring environments and interactions remain safe, empowering, and respectful.
• Assist in creating physical and digital materials to help women access clear information and support resources.
• Keep detailed, accurate records, case notes, and outcome monitoring data in a professional and timely manner.
• Work actively within a multidisciplinary team and develop connections with internal and external partners to raise awareness and share learning.
• Use training, team debriefs, and reflective practice to continuously build skills and process the emotional demands of the role.
• Maintain a proactive, self-motivated approach, with the flexibility to adapt working hours and travel across Scotland as service needs evolve.
• Carry out any other duties as directed by the Programme Lead.

Our Values

Inclusion & Participation

We include everyone in the services and resources they need, regardless of their circumstances and ensure each person's voice and influence are heard and felt in everything that we do.

Personalised & Creative

Each person we support is an individual with unique circumstances, needs and future potential which requires a uniquely tailored response.

Warmth & Regard

We see beyond a person's current or past circumstances, recognising their inherent value, worth and potential as human beings.

Partnership & Collaboration

We know we need to work positively with others to deliver a truly inclusive and personalised approach, improve our response and add value to the experience of the people we support.

Supportive & Ambitious

We encourage and support ambition, building on strengths to foster hope for the people we support as well as deliver growth and development for staff and volunteers.