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- Tasks: Engage with the Scottish Parliament to influence cancer policy and support impactful initiatives.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, a leading charity dedicated to beating cancer.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous benefits package, and opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in cancer care while developing your skills in public affairs.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for health policy; experience in public affairs is a plus.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 36225 - 36225 £ per year.
Salary: £36,225 per annum
Reports to: Public Affairs Manager (Scotland)
Department: Policy, Information and Communications
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week. We are open to further discussion around flexible working for the successful candidate.
Location: Edinburgh Office w/ high-flex (1 – 2 days per week). We are open to further discussion around flexible working for the successful candidate.
Closing date: 12 April 2026, 23:55
Recruitment process: 1 stage role based competency questions and task.
Interview date: From 15th April 2026
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history section and the application questions of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.
If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact us as soon as possible.
Please note: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.
We are looking for a Public Affairs Officer to join our team in Scotland. In this role, you’ll act as Cancer Research UK’s primary contact in the Scottish Parliament. The role provides a full-time public affairs presence to manage our Scottish Parliament engagement programme. This includes:
- Acting as secretariat for the Cross Party Group on Cancer
- Supporting delivery of the Scottish Cancer Conference
- Regularly briefing elected members (MSP and Ministers)
- Monitoring parliamentary activity and sharing intelligence
- Working collaboratively with relevant teams across CRUK
- Assisting with policy development to create Scotland-specific communications
- Representing the charity at external events and meetings (including coalitions)
The charity has launched its Scottish manifesto ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026. This role will support the Public Affairs Manager to influence effectively ensuring that our key recommendations in the manifesto are committed to by all parties and the incoming government.
Key responsibilities include:
- Supporting CRUK’s influencing activity across key policy areas for cancer in Scotland
- Reacting swiftly to Scottish Parliament business
- Using key influencing tools to ensure CRUK’s messages land in Scotland
- Managing the production of Scotland-specific materials for political engagement
- Providing the secretariat for the Scottish Parliament Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Cancer
- Managing rolling MSP contact programmes
- Managing CRUK’s Scottish party conference attendance programme
- Managing our engagements with MSP support staff, committee clerks, and other Scottish Parliament staff
- Proactively seeking information and contacts within CRUK’s priority areas for Scotland
- Keeping abreast of Scottish Parliament developments
- Working with other third-sector organisations in areas of mutual policy interest
Requirements:
- A good understanding of the Scottish Parliament
- Demonstrable political interest and judgement, with commitment to neutrality
- Ability to quickly understand, summarise and analyse complex policy issues
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong organisational skills and experience of managing a complex workload
- Good influencing skills and confident managing challenging stakeholder relationships
- Adaptable self-starter with the ability to work remotely and in a self-directed way as part of a larger team
Desirable:
- Experience of working in a public affairs/parliamentary role
- Understanding of cancer and cancer/health policy
- Experience of organising events
Join us and help shape the future of how we support people affected by cancer. Together, we’ll go further — faster.
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do:
- Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
- Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
- Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
- Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively
We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.
We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.
For more information about working with us please contact us. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.
We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen.
Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.
Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) in Edinburgh employer: Cancer Research UK
Contact Detail:
Cancer Research UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation inside out! Research Cancer Research UK’s mission, values, and recent initiatives. This will help you tailor your conversations during networking or interviews, showing that you're genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend events related to public affairs or cancer research, and connect with professionals in the field. Don’t be shy—reach out on LinkedIn and engage with their content. Building relationships can open doors for opportunities!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those competency questions! Think of examples from your past experiences that showcase your skills in communication, organisation, and influencing. Practising these will help you feel more confident when it’s time to shine in the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team. Don’t forget to highlight your passion for public affairs and how you can contribute to our mission!
We think you need these skills to ace Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Before you start writing, make sure you understand the role and what we’re looking for. Dive into the job description and highlight key skills and experiences that match your background. This will help you tailor your application to show us why you're the perfect fit!
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application form, keep your answers clear and to the point. We love a good story, but we also appreciate brevity! Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your experiences.
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! Share why you want to work with us at Cancer Research UK and how you can contribute to our mission. A personal touch can really make your application stand out.
Double-Check Everything: Before hitting submit, give your application a thorough once-over. Check for typos, grammatical errors, and ensure all sections are completed. A polished application shows us you care about the details and are serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Scottish Parliament and its workings. Brush up on recent legislation and how it impacts cancer policy. This will show your genuine interest and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Tailor Your Communication
Since this role requires excellent communication skills, practice adapting your style for different audiences. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated complex issues in the past, especially in a public affairs context.
✨Show Your Passion
Demonstrate your commitment to Cancer Research UK's mission. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight why you care about cancer research and public health. This will resonate with the interviewers and show you're a good cultural fit.
✨Prepare for Competency Questions
Expect competency-based questions that assess your organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and provide clear, concise examples from your past experiences.