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- Tasks: Support student interests and enhance learning experiences through policy development and community engagement.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation focused on improving education for students and apprentices.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop your skills, and make a real difference in the education sector.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that shapes the future of student experiences and learning opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
To support delivery against SFC's statutory duties and strategic framework in relation to student interests and high-quality learning and teaching. This role will support SFC to better understand the student, learner and apprentice experience.
Key responsibilities
- Work with the Senior Policy Officer: Student Interests to implement SFC’s approach to student interests, in particular:
- The delivery of opportunities for students, learners and apprentices to engage with and participate in the work of SFC. This may include the provision of advice and training to staff at all levels of the organisation.
- Identification of current student interest priorities to support focused and meaningful action to reduce or remove barriers to success.
- Work with others to develop and support student interests related external communications activity including contributing to the development and delivery of a range of engagement events and activities to support SFC to develop their understanding of the student experience.
- Contribute to the reporting of the outcomes of student interests' activity, by supporting students, learners and apprentices, recent graduates and practitioners to engage with the activities themselves as well as the outputs.
- Provide advice to senior officers and assist in drafting a range of policy and strategy papers including committee and board papers, particularly enabling consideration of the impact on the student experience.
- Maintain and develop your knowledge of the tertiary system and relevant policy areas and use this information to support the development of SFC’s work to enhance the student experience.
- Provide information, advice, updates and guidance to institutions and stakeholders (both internal and external) as required and represent the SFC on relevant committees and working groups.
- Working in partnership with the Senior Policy Officer and Internal Communications Officer contribute to the student interests internal communications activity in line with SFC’s Internal Communications Strategy.
- Provide project management support for the monitoring and reporting of national programmes and initiatives.
- Contribute flexibly to the work of the wider directorate and other groups in SFC as appropriate and when required. From time to time this may include deputising for your line manager or other colleagues.
Skills, qualifications and experience
Essential
- Experience of community engagement and/or working in partnership with service users and delivering outcomes that enhanced their experience.
- Effective interpersonal skills, including experience of building/developing and maintaining work relationships with internal and external stakeholders, as well as to working flexibly with colleagues in other parts of the organisation.
- Excellent research, analytical and reporting skills to provide advice and respond to complex issues.
- Proven written communication skills, including the ability to analyse, understand and respond to complex issues in an appropriate manner, demonstrating good judgement and awareness of the audience’s level of understanding.
- Strong organisational and project management abilities to cope with diverse and changing workload in a politicised environment.
- Demonstrable policy development or implementation experience.
- SCQF level 7 or equivalent experience relevant to the role as outlined by this job description.
Desirable
- Experience of working in partnership with students, learners and/or apprentices and delivering outcomes that enhanced their experience.
- Knowledge of the further and/or higher education sector and some awareness of the current Scottish political and government environment.
- Some experience of delivering training or similar activities to a range of audiences.
Policy Officer employer: Scottish Funding Council
Contact Detail:
Scottish Funding Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Policy Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in similar roles, especially those who have worked with SFC. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the student experience inside out. Think about how your skills can directly enhance this experience and be ready to share specific examples from your past work.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for student interests! During interviews, express your commitment to improving the learner experience and how you plan to engage with students and stakeholders effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Policy Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission to enhance student interests and experiences.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of written communication, highlight your ability to convey complex ideas clearly. Use examples from your past work where you’ve successfully communicated with diverse audiences.
Demonstrate Your Engagement Experience: We’re looking for someone with experience in community engagement. Share specific instances where you’ve worked with students or service users to improve their experiences, as this will resonate well with us.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Funding Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the current issues affecting students, learners, and apprentices. Brush up on recent policies and initiatives in the education sector, especially those relevant to the Scottish context. This will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Engagement is Key
Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with communities or stakeholders in the past. Think about specific outcomes you achieved and how you can apply that experience to enhance student interests at SFC. Be ready to discuss your interpersonal skills and how you build relationships.
✨Showcase Your Writing Skills
Since the role involves drafting policy papers and reports, be prepared to demonstrate your written communication skills. You might be asked to analyse a complex issue during the interview, so practice summarising key points clearly and concisely.
✨Flexibility and Teamwork
Highlight your ability to work flexibly and collaboratively with different teams. Share examples of how you’ve adapted to changing workloads or supported colleagues in various projects. This will illustrate your readiness to contribute to the wider directorate and support SFC’s mission.
