Head of Office for Q Manivannan MSP in Edinburgh

Location: The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
Hours: Full time, 30 hours per week . Scottish Green MSPs operate a 4-Day (30 hour) Week.
Salary: £39,550 - £41,000 per annum depending on experience

Purpose:

Working in the Scottish Parliament, this role will provide administrative and operational support to Q Manivannan MSP and ensure the effective day-to-day running of their office. The postholder will supervise staff, manage budgets, and oversee office resources and compliance requirements, including health & safety and data protection.

This is a full time position, which is 30 hours per week in line with the 4-day week policy for staff across the Scottish Green's Parliamentary Group. By default this post is based in the Scottish Parliament, though occasional working from home remains an option in exceptional circumstances.

• Acting in a supervisory capacity for the team and oversight of office maintenance.
  • Managing office budget in line with Members' Expenses Scheme, Allowances Office and People Services Team.
  • Managing constituency accounts, premises and equipment.
  • Managing the Communications & Engagement Officer and Parliamentary Adviser; liaising closely with the office Caseworker.
  • Overseeing health and safety and staff wellbeing.
  • Acting as a support to me as (Committee Convener, Party Spokesperson or Business Manager).
  • Overseeing all administrative procedures, ensuring documents are easily retrievable.
• Arranging briefing papers, questions, motions and speeches.
  • Communicating with parliamentary officials.
  • Representing on my behalf as and when required.
  • Assist with drafting of motions, questions and speeches where necessary.
• Organising diary commitments and preparing for all activities. Arranging surgeries, meetings and travel.
  • Arranging briefing papers and speeches.
  • Communicating with parliamentary officials.
  • Representing on my behalf as and when required.
• Carrying out general office administration and acting as front of office for enquiries.
  • Responding to all incoming correspondence while professionally managing each enquiry within agreed timescales.
  • Coordinating, tracking and monitoring the handling of enquiries and ensuring they are dealt with timely and professionally.
  • Drafting written correspondence such as letters, requests for information and parliamentary questions and motions.
• Maintaining office records and compliance with data protection.
  • Maintaining filing system and managing records.
  • Ensuring compliance with data protection legislation and GDPR requirements.
  • Ensuring administrative and secretarial support is provided.
• Producing materials that effectively convey my aims to the general public and media.
  • Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders.
  • Corresponding with constituents and local campaign groups.
  • Producing high quality press briefings, speeches, presentations and written materials.
• Following all media outlets to capture relevant developments as they happen
  • Overseeing the day-to-day work of the Communications & Engagement Officer and empowering social media efforts where required.
  • In the absence of the Communications & Engagement Officer, managing social and other digital media efforts.
  • Maintaining information systems to support communications.
• Liaising with other Scottish Greens MSP offices - particularly those representing Edinburgh and Lothians East - and the Scottish Greens' central comms and research team as and when required.

• Have excellent written, verbal and IT skills with accurate attention to detail.
• Have experience of managing staff with the ability to nurture and build effective teams.
• Be empathetic with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Be confident in managing budgets for staff resources and office provisions.
• Have a flexible and adaptable approach, being able to use good judgement and work on own initiative.
• Be well organised with the ability to prioritise competing workloads.
• Understanding of GDPR and data protection.
• Ability to support Q in delivering their parliamentary aims and values.
• A strong sense of the opportunities MSPs have to engage with national issues and local community campaigns.
• A strong group ethos, and a willingness to share workload across the team when necessary.

How to apply:

For any questions about the role please contact:

Your supporting statement should outline how you meet the requirements detailed above for this role and should be no longer than two sides of A4. Applications that do not include a supporting statement may not be considered.

Your supporting statement should outline how you meet the requirements detailed above for this role. Applications that do not include a supporting statement may not be considered.

Please note, candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

Closing Date: Tuesday 11 August 2026 at 11:59pm.

Interviews due to take place on Friday 21 August 2026.