As Policy and Liaison Officer for SCIS you will work with member schools, colleagues and partner organisations to help us represent and promote the independent school sector and respond to national policy initiatives.
You will:
- Work closely with member schools to ensure that their views are accurately represented and to communicate new policy developments;
- Co-ordinate electronic communications and updates;
- Liaise with official bodies on the development of policy and legislation which affects independent schools; including health and welfare issues;
- Respond to formal consultations and provide briefings for SCIS members, civil servants and MSPs;
- Liaise with other bodies to represent the interests of independent schools.
The person
You will demonstrate a good understanding of education, health and welfare policy and of influencing at governmental and/or parliamentary level. You will also have proven skills in analysing and evaluating complex policy documents and political intelligence to write compelling briefings and reports. We are a member organisation, so we will want you to share our commitment to working with our member schools to understand and promote their views and interests.
You will be educated to degree level, or similar, in addition to:
- Experience in a policy/public affairs/campaigning environment.
- Ability to write high quality submissions and briefing documents.
- Ability to analyse and develop appropriate responses and guidance.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, social media and networking skills.
- Strong motivational skills and an ability to work independently to deadlines.
In return, we provide a Group Personal Pension scheme, flexible working, Life Assurance/Death in Service Benefits, enhanced Annual Leave entitlement and more.
Scope
The post reports to the Chief Executive of SCIS, working as part of a small team and will be based at 61 Dublin Street, Edinburgh.
The post will require travel across Scotland from time to time. All reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.
About SCIS
The Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) is an independent education charity (Scottish Charity No. SC018033) representing over 70 member schools in Scotland which educate around 32,000 children of mixed abilities from diverse backgrounds. SCIS promotes choice, diversity and excellence in Scottish education. SCIS member schools are registered with the Scottish Government’s Registrar of Independent Schools and are inspected by Education Scotland and, where appropriate, by the Care Inspectorate.
SCIS’s aims are to provide information, advice and guidance to parents; advance education via curriculum development and the training of teachers; advise member schools and their governing bodies about educational developments and legislation affecting independent schools (e.g. education, taxation, welfare, health and safety); and to communicate and negotiate with the Scottish Parliament, the Government, public and private bodies on behalf of the independent sector.