Policy Officer

Job Description

Temporary Policy Officer required by a leading not for profit organisation in Edinburgh to assist in providing administrative and policy support to staff. The post holder will assist with background research for policy and parliamentary work - workingto influence Scottish Government and policy makers on key health issues and delivering campaigns in line with the organisations strategy, as well as maintain a platform for communicating and implementing policy to the membership in Scotland and external partners.This is a TEMPORARY ROLE for 16 weeks in the first instance (which may be extended) - paying circa £17.00 to £17.50 per hour - interviews asap and immediate start thereafter - hybrid working (2 days office and 3 days working from home)Duties include:

• Act as a central point of contact within the office in Scotland for policy issues.
• Provide members in Scotland with dedicated administrative and policy support including the organisation of academic meetings, committee meetings and events.
• In collaboration with the Chair and/or Faculty Chairs, advise members and Officers on Scottish Government and Assembly matters, including consultations, inquiries, guidance, research/reports and policy implementation.
• Provide regular updates on policy work and policy developments to members and Officers at Executive Committee Meetings.
• Gather data by proactively scanning the external policy, parliamentary, legal and research environments to identify emergent issues which may have an impact on the work of the organisation in Scotland.
• Support the work of the organisation in Scotland by applying analytical skills and policy expertise in drafting well evidenced responses to formal external consultations in liaison with the appropriate Chair(s) and psychiatric specialties.
• Work with the Chair, Executive Committee and Director of Communications and Heads of Departments and Divisions and Policy and Campaigns to create and deliver strategies to ensure that people with mental illness, learning difficulties and developmental disordersare treated equally by the NHS, public services and within society.
• Attend and oversee monthly management meetings with the Head of Policy and Campaigns to progress influencing and campaigning strategies which are reflected in annual KPIs.
• Assist with public affairs monitoring and influencing, drafting parliamentary questions and writing briefings/evidence for parliamentary processes.
• Respond to National Assembly inquiries; obtain feedback from Members, produce written responses and briefings, liaise with Committees and organise organisational representation for hearings.
• Develop and maintain strong links with internal/external stakeholders and allied organisations, including the National Assembly for Scotland and Scottish Government.
• Attend and represent the organisation at relevant meetings and events as agreed by the Manager.
• Support the development and publication of the manifesto in consultation with the Executive Committee in Scotland.
• Review, monitor and maintain the policy pages on the website.
• In collaboration with the Manager, respond to media requests and co-ordinate the twitter account.
• Provide support to the Manager and the Press Officer where necessary, assist with tasks associated with the press and media work of the organisation.
• Assist the Manager in preparing for conferences and events.