At a Glance
- 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, and opportunities for personal development.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- 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 political engagement.
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 recruitment@cancer.org.uk 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.
- Supporting CRUK’s influencing activity across key policy areas for cancer in Scotland
- Reacting swiftly to Scottish Parliament business (offering support to Members of the Scottish Parliament and updating our wider team on Scottish Parliament affairs)
- Using key influencing tools to ensure CRUK’s messages land in Scotland (MSP briefing documents, submitting parliamentary questions, and writing letters to various ministers and officials)
- Managing the production of Scotland-specific materials for political engagement (briefing papers, information placards, and organising social media posts)
- Providing the secretariat for the Scottish Parliament Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Cancer, and delivering the Scottish Cancer Conference on behalf of the CPG
- Managing rolling MSP contact programmes including shop and/or lab tours, regular mailings and individual or group meetings
- Managing CRUK’s Scottish party conference attendance programme, including budget, print and logistics
- Managing our engagements with MSP support staff, committee clerks, and other Scottish Parliament staff as appropriate
- Proactively seeking information and contacts within CRUK’s priority areas for Scotland
- Keeping abreast of Scottish Parliament developments (chiefly, Scottish Parliament reform and how this will affect CRUK’s influencing work in Scotland)
- 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 and ability to work across the political spectrum
- Ability to quickly understand, summarise and analyse complex policy issues and distil for a range of internal and external audiences
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to adapt style to different audiences
- Strong organisational skills and experience of managing a complex workload, with tight deadlines and often changing priorities
- Good influencing skills and confident managing challenging stakeholder relationships, including in coalition working
- 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 at recruitment@cancer.org.uk. 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. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible. 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) employer: Cancer Research UK
At Cancer Research UK, we are dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer, and as a Public Affairs Officer based in Edinburgh, you will be at the forefront of this mission. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee wellbeing and offers flexible working arrangements, alongside a comprehensive benefits package and ample opportunities for professional growth. Join us to collaborate with passionate colleagues and contribute to vital initiatives that shape health policy in Scotland.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Public Affairs Officer (Scotland)
✨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 and show 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 to build relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common competency questions. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role of Public Affairs Officer. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨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 and contributing to our mission to beat cancer.
We think you need these skills to ace Public Affairs Officer (Scotland)
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 and achievements.
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm shine through in your application! Share why you’re excited about working with us at Cancer Research UK and how you can contribute to our mission. A genuine passion for public affairs and cancer research will definitely catch our eye.
Check Your Work:Before hitting that submit button, take a moment to proofread your application. Spelling mistakes or unclear sentences can distract from your amazing qualifications. A polished application shows us that 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 Organisational Skills
Be ready to discuss how you manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Share specific examples of how you've organised events or projects, particularly those involving stakeholders or political engagement, to demonstrate your ability to juggle responsibilities.
✨Embody the Values
Familiarise yourself with Cancer Research UK's values: Bold, Credible, Human, and Together. Think of examples from your experience that reflect these values, as they are looking for candidates who can embody them in their work.
