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Regional Engagement, Campaigns and Communications Lead for Kate Nevens MSP

Salary: £40,000 full-time equivalent (£30,000 pro rata for 22.5 hours per week)
Hours: Part Time, 22.5 hours (3 days per week), 0.75 FTE
Location: Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
Holiday entitlement: 32 days per annum FTE

The Scottish Green Group operates a 30-hour, four-day full-time working week with no reduction in pay. This role is 22.5 hours per week (0.75 FTE). We welcome applications for job shares and will consider hybrid working arrangements. We will consider job shares and requests for a hybrid working arrangement.

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.  

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

You will play a lead role within the office of Kate Nevens MSP, leading on community outreach and campaigns, and ensuring that local priorities shape Kate's parliamentary work and communications. You will also support casework, including line managing the team’s Caseworker, and hold responsibility for the team’s Engagement budget. 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.

Responsibilities

  • Leading the development and delivery of Kate's regional engagement strategy, monitoring political, environmental and social issues across Edinburgh and Lothians East and identifying opportunities for engagement, campaigns and communications aligned with Kate’s regional priorities and portfolio responsibilities.
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with a range of stakeholders across Edinburgh and Lothians East, with a particular focus on community groups and communities experiencing inequality or oppression. Organising and attending meetings, community events and workshops, and supporting the delivery of MSP surgeries and drop-ins.
  • Working closely with colleagues in the region (including local councillors) to identify recurring issues and ensure community and casework priorities shape Kate's parliamentary work
  • Translating local issues into parliamentary activity, including drafting parliamentary questions, motions, letters, speeches, responses to mass emails and briefings as relevant;
  • Developing and delivering a small number of focused regional or community campaigns related to Kate’s national portfolio or key regional issues;
  • Leading regional communications, including press releases, social media content, newsletters and the production or commissioning of photography and videos
  • Providing line management to the Caseworker and supporting them with complex casework enquiries where required. Working with the Parliamentary Lead to establish effective team processes, staff wellbeing practices, and learning and development opportunities.
  • Supporting office administration and financial processes as required, ensuring compliance with GDPR and data protection requirements, maintaining accurate engagement records, and managing the Engagement Costs budget.

Requirements

Essential

  • Demonstrable track record of working in partnership and developing relationships with a range of stakeholders, particularly community groups
  • Experience leading and delivering successful local campaigns, engagement projects or community initiatives.
  • Experience of developing and delivering effective traditional and digital communications to a range of audiences
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing high-quality briefings, reports, media content or other public-facing communications
  • Strong political awareness and understanding of the Scottish political landscape, particularly issues affecting communities across Edinburgh and Lothians East, and an interest in supporting communities in the region
  • Empathic communication skills when dealing with constituents and stakeholders in the region
  • A collaborative approach, willingness to support colleagues across the team, and commitment to Kate's values and parliamentary priorities

Desirable

  • Experience in or understanding of community organising
  • Experience of supporting vulnerable individuals through casework or similar
  • Knowledge and understanding of participatory and anti-oppression approaches and trauma-informed practice
  • Skills in videography or photography
  • Budget management experience
  • Experience line managing staff or supporting the development of colleagues.

How to apply

To apply visit the Scottish Parliament jobs portal and click “Apply Online”. Your application must include:

  • A CV (maximum 2 pages)
  • A supporting statement (maximum 2 pages)

Please upload your CV and supporting statement as a single document. Please note that the system does not allow you to upload your supporting statement separately.  Applications that do not include a supporting statement will not be considered.   

In your supporting statement, explain how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role, drawing on examples from employment, volunteering and other relevant experience. Please provide:

  • An example of a community campaign or engagement initiative you helped deliver
  • An example of when you used communications effectively to raise awareness of a local or regional issue
  • An example of when you have built relationships with communities or stakeholders
  • An example of leading collaboratively

Your CV should include two references and their contact details – referees will only be contacted if a provisional job offer is made and accepted.

We would be grateful if applicants refrain from using generative AI for their applications as we would like to evaluate your original communication skills and understand your personal interest in the role.

Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor visas for this role

For any questions about the role please contact: Kate.Nevens.msp@parliament.scot

Closing Date: Thursday 6th of August at 11.59pm

Interviews to take place: Tuesday 25th of August – please indicate that you will be available for an in-person interview at the Scottish Parliament on this date. Provision can be made for an online interview if travel is not possible.