South Scotland Communications & Research Lead

Purpose

You’ll play a key role in supporting Laura’s work across numerous areas in South Scotland, including rural areas.

By researching local and national issues, spotting what matters most, and communicating effectively, you’ll help engage constituents and stakeholders.

You will also build practical experience in research, communications, campaigning, and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Producing materials that effectively convey Laura’s work to constituents and local media.
• Keeping up to date with current media developments.
• Corresponding with constituents and local campaign groups.
• Assisting with high-quality press briefings, speeches, presentations and written materials.
• Creating compelling narratives that tell the story of Laura’s work and empower constituents to engage with the work of Parliament.
• Identifying potential media opportunities.
• Identifying key regional events and activities, in turn promoting my work.
• Maintaining information systems to support communications.
• Contributing towards the management of Laura’s social media accounts, including posting high quality, accessible content on a regular basis.
• Drafting and posting social media content to update constituents on my parliamentary activities.
• Reviewing social media trends and briefing me on issues of relevance to my parliamentary role.
• Gathering and distributing valuable data that supports my activities.
• Keeping your knowledge of local issues up to date.
• Carrying out strategic research projects.
• Obtaining and compiling relevant research documents from external stakeholders.
• Preparing and delivering regular briefings and updates.
• Analysing, evaluating and interpreting data and statistics.
• Implementing strategic goals and developing campaign priorities.
• Confirming deliverables are met.
• Supporting wider team administrative work.
• Supporting the wider administration of the office, including diary management and correspondence with stakeholders in the region and areas of policy interest to Laura.
• Accompanying the MSP on meetings and visits in the region, taking notes, photographs and videos as needed.
• Organisation of regional visits, events and in-person meetings across South Scotland.

Essential Requirements

• Have an interest in politics with the confidence to represent Laura and her work in a compelling way.
• Be capable in monitoring media developments and sourcing information from a range of channels.
• Have flexibility using relevant IT skills and writing styles, covering both press and social media.
• Be creative in communicating over a range of formats on different media platforms.
• Have the creativity and expertise to produce accurate and influential work.
• Have analytical skills with the ability to identify and investigate trends while interpreting data.
• Be a quick learner with the ability to multitask and work within tight timescales.
• Be able to respond flexibly and creatively to range of requests, such as media enquiries and press releases.
• Be a proactive problem solver with the motivation and resilience to adapt and deal with challenges.
• Have excellent organisational skills and an ability to multi-task in a fast-paced working environment.
• Have an understanding of South Scotland and the challenges and opportunities offered in representing this region.
• We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates whose backgrounds and career trajectories may be under-represented in politics.
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