At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Trust's efforts to influence policy and reduce poverty in Scotland.
- Company: The Robertson Trust, dedicated to social change and community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, pension contributions, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; applications from diverse backgrounds encouraged.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in tackling poverty and trauma while building valuable networks.
- Qualifications: Experience in influencing, policy, or advocacy related to poverty and trauma.
The predicted salary is between 41104 - 48715 £ per year.
The Robertson Trust is looking for an Influencing Officer (Fixed Term - 1 year) to join our new Programmes team. This role supports the Programmes Manager (Social Change Movements) and the wider organisation to strengthen the Trust's influencing work in preventing and reducing poverty and trauma in Scotland. Based primarily at Robertson House, Glasgow, with hybrid working available, this role supports the Trust to secure big change that lasts in preventing and reducing poverty and trauma in Scotland.
Over the next decade, we are committed to using all our tools and resources to reduce poverty and trauma across four themes:
- Education Pathways
- Nurturing Relationships
- Work Pathways
As part of our cross‐cutting Influencing objective, this role will support the development and delivery of the Trust's direct influencing activity, working with partners and stakeholders to influence decision making and systems change.
The Role
You will help to develop and test effective approaches to direct influencing and support the Trust to build relationships with those who have the power to deliver change. You will work closely with colleagues across the organisation to ensure influencing activity connects with our wider work, including communications, convening, the influencing work we fund and the learning from our funding. You will also support stakeholder engagement, network development and policy insight, helping the Trust identify opportunities to influence policy, practice and decision making.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the development and delivery of direct influencing activity aligned to the Trust's influencing objective.
- Work collaboratively across the Trust to ensure direct influencing activity connects with communications, convening and the indirect influencing work we fund.
- Support the development of influencing plans and help test effective approaches to influencing.
- Build and strengthen networks with grantholders, stakeholders and peer organisations undertaking influencing work.
- Monitor and analyse policy, political and practice developments relevant to poverty and trauma in Scotland.
- Support stakeholder mapping and engagement with decision makers and influential actors.
- Contribute to gathering and applying insight from across the Trust's work to strengthen influencing activity.
- Represent the Trust externally as required and contribute to cross‐cutting organisational priorities.
About You
We are looking for someone with a strong understanding of poverty and trauma and the policy, political and practice landscape in Scotland. You will bring:
- HNC/D, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Relevant experience in a field related to poverty and/or trauma.
- Experience supporting influencing, policy, advocacy or strategic engagement work.
- A strong understanding of the voluntary sector in Scotland.
- Experience building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and networks.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly.
- The ability to manage competing priorities and work using your own initiative.
- Experience supporting the development of influencing plans or campaigns.
- High emotional intelligence and the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- An interest in policy, politics and practice in Scotland and how social change happens.
- A commitment to addressing inequality and placing lived experience at the centre of work.
We encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates from all parts of the community, regardless of age, disability, race, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief or socio‐economic background. We particularly welcome applications from people with experience or knowledge of how poverty or trauma impact lives.
Benefits
- Salary £41,104 to £48,715 FTE.
- 35 days holiday per calendar year, inclusive of public holidays.
- Pension – 10% employer contribution or 14% if employee contribution is 7%.
- Additional employee benefits package (currently under review).
- This role is advertised as full‐time, but we are open to applicants who wish to work part‐time.
How to apply
To apply, please email hr@therobertsontrust.org.uk with your CV and a covering letter, of no more than two pages, outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the criteria. Please clearly state which role you are applying for in your email subject line. The closing date for applications is 27th April 2026. Interviews will be held shortly after the closing date. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage early applications.
Location: Hybrid – primary location: Glasgow (Robertson House)
Department: Programmes and Practice
Contract type: Fixed Term (1 year). This role is advertised as full‐time (35 hours), but we are open to applicants who wish to work part‐time.
Influencing Officer (Fixed Term - 1 year) in Glasgow employer: The Robertson Trust
The Robertson Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in Scotland by addressing poverty and trauma. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer a generous benefits package including 35 days of holiday and a substantial pension contribution, alongside a collaborative work culture that fosters professional growth and encourages innovative thinking. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, making Robertson House in Glasgow not just a workplace, but a community focused on social change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Influencing Officer (Fixed Term - 1 year) in Glasgow
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by The Robertson Trust.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like The Robertson Trust.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at The Robertson Trust.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at The Robertson Trust. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Influencing Officer (Fixed Term - 1 year) in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of The Robertson Trust. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Influencing Officer (Fixed Term - 1 year), ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Robertson Trust
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of The Robertson Trust. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
