Scotland has been a place of rapid political change over the past few years. It began with devolution, assisted by electoral reform and now driven by the democratic awakening of the referendum debate and the SNP general election landslide. Then we had Brexit and highly contested local elections with a snap general election right after.
If there are political certainties in Scotland, they are new ones and probably short-lived. It is up to ERS Scotland to analyse and make sense of this shifting ground. Changing times bring great opportunities for those that believe a 21st century democracy can be a better democracy. A democracy where more of the citizens are involved in politics and in policy making, so that they can shape their own lives and those of their communities. The evolved systems and structures of politics are vital in taking us towards this goal, but so are more democratic processes throughout the running of government and public services and perhaps too in the parts of society that are beyond government, it might also include the civil society spaces where we support and care for each other and the spaces of economic activity where we produce and sell. We aim to interpret and make sense of these changes so that we are at the forefront of shaping that 21st Century Democracy in Scotland.
This new post will be a key role in delivering the Society’s objectives in Scotland. You will be part of a flexible team of five based in Scotland, working closely with colleagues in our Cardiff and London offices and in partnership with other organisations.
The main skill sets required are in policy analysis and production, political communication, organising and campaigning. You should have a sound knowledge of the Scottish democratic, social and political scenes and a good grasp of and commitment to the Society’s issues. You will be experienced in writing for a variety of audiences and able to represent the Society confidently and competently at external meetings, conferences and events.