Policy and Research Officer

**Victim Support Scotland - Empowering People Affected by Crime.** We put victims and witnesses at the heart of everything we do so they are heard, have improved health and well-being, feel safer, more secure, and informed and that we are an effective organisation, that makes a lasting difference.

**What is the role**

This is a hybrid role combining home and office working with the expectation of three days per week office based, Glasgow or Edinburgh based.

The Communications and External Affairs team is recruiting a Policy and Research Officer with an understanding of the policy and legislation that impact victims, witnesses and families.

There are three main aspects to the role; drafting and devising policy responses, parliamentary engagement, as well as research and briefings.

As VSS’s ‘go-to’ on everything policy-related, we are looking for someone with experience in a similar role ideally within the third sector. Knowledge of the criminal justice system is advantageous, but not essential. It is important that you are able to articulate complex issues clearly and with a quick turnaround.

The post is relatively high-profile and front-facing, involving engagement with a wide range of senior stakeholders that are key to the success of VSS. It is therefore expected that the postholder will be confident and knowledgeable in their approach to handling relationships with partners.

We are looking for someone with a positive attitude who is willing to be flexible within their role. You will equally be as comfortable working autonomously as you are working alongside and collaborating with colleagues.

No two days at VSS are the same. You will get involved with multiple projects and creative campaigns all in support of our new five-year strategy Empowering people affected by crime: VSS Strategy 2021-2026. We are looking for someone who is not phased by competing demands, has excellent forward planning skills and an ability to work to tight deadlines.

This is clearly a busy and exciting role and it would be ideally suited to someone who is determined to help VSS deliver in its mission, and is also calm and measured and also able take constructive feedback onboard.

In return, you will work within a supportive and friendly organisation, and a forward-thinking team that is always looking for fresh ideas and input.

Our mission at Victim Support Scotland is to ensure that people affected by crime receive high quality support that will help them to recover from their experiences. We put victims and witnesses at the heart of everything we do so they have improved health and well-being, feel safer, more secure and informed. VSS aims to be an effective organisation that makes a lasting difference by adhering to our values of being supportive, striving for excellence and offering personalised and accessible services. These values are reflected in the behaviours expected of all staff and volunteers.

If you are looking for a role with a purpose, where you can really make a difference, then this may be the role for you.

**What you’ll need to be successful**

**Technical and Professional Knowledge**
- Graduate or professional qualification or SVQ level 4.
- Knowledge and/or working experience in parliamentary, public affairs, campaigns, policy research or related role, evidenced by working on major projects focused on rights issues for a high-profile organisation.
- A demonstrable understanding of social policy, criminal and community justice issues in Scotland and how Parliament works (how to influence Parliamentary activity).
- Experience of:

- Evaluating internal policy development against external policy trends and make recommendations and proposals for change.
- Assimilating and processing complex information including statistics and data from a variety of sources.

**Strategic Vision and Awareness**
- Experience of horizon scanning and identifying key issues of focus.

**Planning and Quality Management**
- Proven ability to prioritise a busy workload, producing consistent, accurate work to tight deadlines.

**Team Work**
- Experience of working productively with internal teams to support and influence policy.
- Demonstrable experience of working effectively with partners and stakeholders.
- Experience of working either within or closely alongside a Communications team would be desirable.

**Communication and Interpersonal Effectiveness**
- Strong communications and effective influencing skills.
- Ability to articulate complex issues clearly.
- Strong writing skills and attention to detail.
- Experience of involving the view of people who use services.

**Additional Desirable Factors**
- Ability to work within a complex organisation and encourage awareness of public affairs at all levels.
- An understanding of the role of the voluntary sector, and the purpose and scope of advice work.

Further details of this role are available in the job description - Job Description - Policy & Research Officer

Closin