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 ÂŁ 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 crossâcutting 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 crossâcutting 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 socioâeconomic background. We particularly welcome applications from people with experience or knowledge of how poverty or trauma impact lives.
Benefits
- Salary ÂŁ41,104 to ÂŁ48,715 FTE.
- 35 days holiday per calendar year, inclusive of public holidays.
- Pension â 10% employer contribution or 14% if employee contribution is 7%.
- Additional employee benefits package (currently under review).
- This role is advertised as fullâtime, but we are open to applicants who wish to work partâtime.
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 â primary location: Glasgow (Robertson House)
Department: Programmes and Practice
Contract type: Fixed Term (1 year). This role is advertised as fullâtime (35 hours), but we are open to applicants who wish to work partâtime.
Influencing Officer (Fixed Term - 1 year) in Glasgow employer: The Robertson Trust
Contact Detail:
The Robertson Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Influencing Officer (Fixed Term - 1 year) in Glasgow
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to poverty and trauma work. Attend events, join online forums, and donât be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
â¨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your commitment to addressing inequality and your understanding of the policy landscape in Scotland. Let them see your enthusiasm for making a difference!
â¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their current projects and how they align with your skills in influencing and stakeholder engagement. This will help you tailor your responses and show that youâre genuinely interested in their mission.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, keep an eye on our updates for any new roles that pop up. Weâre all about connecting talented individuals with opportunities to create real change!
We think you need these skills to ace Influencing Officer (Fixed Term - 1 year) in Glasgow
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your cover letter for the Influencing Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience and how it aligns with our mission at The Robertson Trust. We want to see your passion for reducing poverty and trauma in Scotland!
Showcase Your Skills: In your CV, emphasise your analytical skills and experience in influencing or advocacy work. Weâre looking for someone who can communicate complex issues clearly, so donât shy away from showcasing those abilities!
Be Concise and Clear: Keep your covering letter to two pages as requested. We appreciate clarity and brevity, so make every word count! This is your chance to make a strong impression, so get straight to the point.
Apply Early!: Donât wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we receive a lot of applications, so get your CV and cover letter in as soon as you can through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Robertson Trust
â¨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of poverty and trauma, especially in the context of Scotland. Brush up on current policies and practices related to these issues, as well as the work of The Robertson Trust. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their mission.
â¨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders. Think of specific instances where you've successfully engaged with partners or influenced decision-makers. This is crucial for the role, so be ready to discuss your approach and outcomes.
â¨Demonstrate Analytical Thinking
Be prepared to discuss how you analyse policy and political developments. Bring examples of how you've used data or insights to inform your influencing strategies. This will show that you can think critically and adapt your approach based on the landscape.
â¨Align with Their Values
The Robertson Trust values lived experience and a commitment to addressing inequality. Be ready to share your personal motivations for wanting to work in this field and how your values align with theirs. Authenticity goes a long way in making a strong impression!