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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive change in housing policy and advocate for those in need.
- Company: Join Shelter Scotland, a leading charity fighting for housing rights.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and various employee perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on social justice and help end the housing emergency.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and understanding of Scotland's political landscape required.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team dedicated to combating social injustice.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Job Description
Do you have a good understanding of social and/or economic policy issues and a proven ability to undertake policy development or campaigning work on specific issues in a wider context? Then join Shelter Scotland as an Advocacy Officer and you could soon be playing a vital role in helping us to deliver positive change for those affected by the housing emergency in Scotland.
About the role
In this role, you’ll play a key part in Shelter Scotland’s work to drive the structural changes needed to end the housing emergency, in line with our strategic aims: securing a new generation of social homes, strengthening the right to a safe home, and building a movement for long-term change. You’ll produce high-quality written outputs such as briefings, consultation responses and reports, and build strong relationships with government, elected officials, housing organisations and think tanks to promote and advocate for our policy positions. You’ll also identify opportunities to work in partnership with others, monitor and analyse data to inform evidence-based policy making, and collaborate closely with teams across Shelter Scotland to ensure our policy and research work informs our wider public affairs, media, fundraising and operational activity.
Role specifics
You’ll be a confident and persuasive communicator, able to produce high-impact written and verbal content that influences decision-makers and engages key stakeholders. With a strong track record of building effective relationships both internally and externally, you’ll bring a proactive mindset – spotting opportunities to influence change and responding swiftly to external developments. You’ll have a solid understanding of Scotland’s political and public policy landscape, including how the Scottish Government and Parliament operate, and how policy is shaped and influenced. You’ll also be comfortable working with data – using Excel, extracting information from datasets, and analysing statistics to identify and communicate key trends.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
The wider Communications and Advocacy department is responsible for promoting Shelter Scotland’s brand and leading our policy advocacy, public campaigning, and digital communications to fight the housing emergency and achieve change for people who do not have a safe, secure, or affordable home in Scotland.
Our work targets national and local government as well as communities and stakeholder groups. We use rigorous research, client insight and human stories to develop advocacy action plans and public campaigns for change to tackle the root causes of Scotland’s housing emergency. The Advocacy team sits within the Communications and Advocacy department and includes our advocacy, public affairs and our Empty Homes team.
About Shelter Scotland
Shelter Scotland is Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity. Our vision is of a home for everyone in Scotland. For over 50 years, the way we drive change has remained the same. We advise and support people in housing need today and use the insight we gain to inform our campaigns to change tomorrow. We also raise professional standards for those working in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector by offering a broad range of training courses.
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday thousands of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter Scotland. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter Scotland is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter Scotland does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
Advocacy Officer employer: Shelter
Contact Detail:
Shelter Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Advocacy Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the current housing policies and social issues in Scotland. Understanding the nuances of these topics will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the housing and advocacy sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with people who can provide insights into the role and potentially refer you within their networks.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on Shelter Scotland's campaigns and initiatives. Engaging with their work on social media or through newsletters can give you valuable talking points during interviews and show your genuine interest in their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would approach building relationships with key stakeholders. Think about specific strategies you could employ to influence policy changes and be ready to share examples from your past experiences.
We think you need these skills to ace Advocacy Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of an Advocacy Officer at Shelter Scotland. Familiarise yourself with their mission and the specific issues they tackle in housing policy.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight relevant experience in policy development or campaigning work. Emphasise your ability to produce high-quality written outputs and any experience you have in building relationships with stakeholders.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to showcase your passion for social justice and housing issues. Mention specific examples of how your skills and experiences align with the role's requirements and Shelter Scotland's goals.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since the role requires strong communication abilities, consider including examples of past work where you influenced decision-makers or engaged stakeholders effectively. This could be through reports, presentations, or campaigns you've been involved in.
How to prepare for a job interview at Shelter
✨Understand the Housing Emergency
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the current housing emergency in Scotland. Familiarise yourself with recent statistics, policies, and Shelter Scotland's strategic aims. This knowledge will help you articulate how your skills can contribute to addressing these issues.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an Advocacy Officer, strong communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated complex ideas in writing and verbally. Be ready to discuss how you can influence decision-makers and engage stakeholders through your communication style.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Experience
Highlight your experience in building relationships with various stakeholders, including government officials and community organisations. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others to drive change.
✨Be Data Savvy
Since the role involves working with data, brush up on your analytical skills. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform policy decisions or advocacy efforts in the past. Mention any tools you're familiar with, like Excel, to show your capability in this area.
