Policy and Campaigns Officer

Job Title: Policy and Campaigns Officer

Reports to: Communications Manager

Location: Currently home working / Post COVID restrictions, option to work a blend of remote / Edinburgh office.

Working hours: 35 hours a week / 5 days a week (full time)

Salary: £23,186

Post Summary

Humanist Society Scotland is looking for someone with a proven track record in policy and campaign work. The successful candidate will develop and support the policy and campaign work of Scotland’s national charity for people seeking an ethical, rational, secular future.

This is a new role that seeks to build on the charity’s pre-existing policy and campaign work and improve the organisation’s ability to inform national policy and engage our supporters and members in making the case for change.

The Policy and Campaigns Officer will lead on:

• Monitoring Scottish Government and Scottish Parliamentary work to identify opportunities for the charity to make the views of humanists known
• Developing relationships with MSPs, civil servants, media, partner organisations, international humanist organisations and others
• Overseeing research and developing policy papers for the organisation on issues of importance to humanists
• Developing responses to consultations and engaging at events on issues of importance to humanists
• Working with the Communications Manager to ensure that our members and supporters are engaged in the campaign work of the charity
• Engaging with partner organisations working towards the same goals and working in a collaborative spirit with them

We are looking for an individual who has experience of the Scottish political and media landscape and can help make the case for the campaign issues of importance to humanists. You will be passionate about progressive change and share our vision for a caring and compassionate Scotland informed by reason. Your work will be in line with our organisational values of cooperation, integrity, reason, courage and sustainability.

The successful candidate will have experience of working on recent influencing campaigns. They will have excellent writing skills and a good understanding of the role media relations play in raising awareness of a cause. In addition they will have a good knowledge of the Scottish parliamentary system and politics.

About Humanist Society Scotland

Humanist Society Scotland is part of the global Humanist movement of people and organisations. We are a registered charity of over 15,000 members, governed by an elected Board of Trustees.

Our Vision

A caring and compassionate Scotland informed by reason.

Our Mission

To be the champion for Humanism in Scotland.

We offer a good pension scheme and 35 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays).

Read more in our:

Strategic Plan 2020-2023 

2021 Scottish Parliament Election Manifesto

2020 Annual Report 

2019 Annual Report.

Job Description

• Oversee the development of research on issues of importance to humanists and write relevant policy reports with recommendations. 
• Help develop the Society’s campaign plans and effectively deliver campaigns that help achieve our key campaign goals and objectives.
• Plan and deliver campaign/policy associated events (both online and offline) to further knowledge of the Society’s work and aims among supporters and external stakeholders. 
• Monitor the external policy environment in order to identify potential opportunities for Humanist Society Scotland to influence the public debate in Scotland in line with our campaign objectives.
• Proactively develop relationships with civil servants, MSPs, media partners and wider civil society on issues of importance to humanists.
• Represent Humanist Society Scotland externally, as requested, including at governmental meetings, inter-agency meetings, public talks and local group events.
• Support the fundraising efforts in the development of campaign-related fundraising content.
• Support the smooth operation of the Society’s social media channels as required.
• Support press and media engagement as required.

Person Specification

Essential

• Professional experience of campaign development and delivery.
• Experience of effective public awareness campaigning.
• Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal.
• Strong knowledge of the Scottish political landscape and willingness to work on a cross-party basis to achieve aims.
• Ability and willingness to represent the organisation at meetings, with the media and at supporter events.
• Ability to work with a variety of different stakeholders and manage relationships effectively.
• Ability to work flexibly in response to rapidly changing external events.
• Ability to travel within Scotland and attend meetings on behalf of Society.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Human Rights, Equality law and practice especially Freedom of Religion and Belief and Freedom of Expression
• Experience of fundraising for campaigns
• Qualifications or professional registrations related to public affairs, research, campaigns and/or policy work
• Experience of data led campaigning
• Experience of working in the charity/voluntary sector
• Empathy with humanist values and Humanist Society Scotland’s charitable objectives

This role will initially be home-based due to current pandemic restrictions. Once restrictions are reduced office space is available to work from in a blended time split between office and home. The role holder will need to be able to attend face-to-face events at the Scottish Parliament and meetings with Scottish Government staff and agencies. While everyday will be different the role holder will be required to be able to travel to Edinburgh as part of their normal working day due to the location of these stakeholders.

Application process

Please return a CV and cover letter (no more than 2 sides A4) to recruitment@humanism.scot 

Please use ‘Policy and Campaigns Officer’ as the subject line of your email.

Your cover letter should detail how you meet the person specification set out in the job advert. Speculative CVs with no cover letter will not be considered.

A selection of candidates will be invited to an interview.

Closing Date: Sunday 6th February 2022

Interview Date: Tuesday 22nd February 2022