Closing date: 2nd January 2020 at 11.30pm. Interviews: 14th and 16th January 2020
Do you have a good understanding of social and/or economic policy issues and a proven ability to undertake policy
development or campaigning work on specific issues in a wider context? Then join Shelter Scotland as a Policy
Advocacy Officer and you could soon be playing a vital role in helping us to deliver positive change for those
affected by the housing emergency in Scotland.
A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain
struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the
threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change — with individuals, in communities, across society – and
leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause
to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving
to achieve.
Our Campaigns and Policy Team is part of Shelter Scotland’s Communication and Policy function. It is responsible for
developing policy positions and campaigns on housing and homelessness issues and engaging with partners,
decision-makers and our supporters who are critical to the success of our campaigns. As well as formulating
proposals for policy change and responding to Government policy initiatives, we work closely with Shelter
Scotland services and other teams such as Marcomms and Digital.
About the role
Your challenge will be to identify policy and campaigning issues by maintaining knowledge of relevant policy areas
critical to Shelter Scotland’s strategic objectives. We’ll also rely on you to monitor issues emerging from our
services, as well as external policy and political agendas, and to develop new campaigning and policy ideas and
solutions. Carrying out research, producing high quality policy outputs and advocating our policy positions to a
range of audiences – all are aspects of this interesting and varied role. Put simply, you’ll help fight the
housing emergency through policy, advocacy and influencing, thus achieving long-term change on the ground for
those experiencing homelessness and bad housing.
About you
Familiarity with housing and homelessness policy would be useful, but is not essential. However, you must have a good
understanding of how the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Local Authorities are formed,
operate and develop new policies. You’ll also need experience of linking policy outputs to communications
activities, campaign objectives and the wider political context – linked to a theory of change. A flair for
analysing evidence, assessing policy options and developing new ideas for policy or campaigning initiatives is
important too. And, when it comes to working in partnership with other teams/departments within an organisation
in order to take forward projects with a clear focus on objectives, again, you have what it takes.
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and
interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, cycle to work scheme and
an employee assistance programme.
Shelter Scotland helps over half a million people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our
advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us
for help.
To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter Scotland please visit our website. Apply to
be part of our Campaigns & Policy team and be the change you want to see in society.
Safeguarding is everyone’s business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of
those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to
observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
At Shelter Scotland, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, gender,
ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. We also encourage applications from people, who have been homeless
or have been at risk of homelessness. We are facing diverse problems, so need diverse people to tackle
them.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with
them.