Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with MSPs and political stakeholders to champion children's rights in Scotland.
- Company: Join UNICEF UK, a leading organisation dedicated to protecting children's rights globally.
- Benefits: Enjoy excellent pay, flexible working, generous leave, and wellbeing tools.
- Why this job: Make a real difference for children while developing your advocacy skills.
- Qualifications: Understanding of Scottish politics and experience in advocacy or campaigns required.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal growth and career development.
The predicted salary is between 41450 - 41450 £ per year.
£41,450 per annum
Fixed term contract until July 2027
Part home/Part office (Edinburgh) based
UNICEF ensures more of the world’s children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than anyone else. We get things done. And we’re not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.
This is a great opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as the Scotland Political Affairs Officer. This role supports the design and delivery of influencing strategies, builds relationships with MSPs, and monitors political developments to ensure children’s rights are prioritized in Scottish decision-making. The role is part of the Scotland team within UNICEF UK’s Impact and Influence team to champion children’s rights both in Scotland and around the world.
Responsibilities
- Engaging MSPs and political stakeholders
- Providing briefings
- Managing correspondence
- Collaborating with civil society networks to advance advocacy priorities
Qualifications and Skills
- Understanding Scottish politics
- Experience in advocacy or campaigns
- Strong communication skills
- A collaborative approach
- Knowledge of children’s issues in Scotland and the UNCRC
Please bear in mind that when you write your response to our application questions, you demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and understanding of the role requirements and how well UNICEF UK’s values and mission aligns with yours. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT to generate your answers, will automatically exclude your application from our recruitment process.
How to apply
Act now and visit www.unicef.org.uk/jobs to apply online.
Closing date: 12pm, Friday 17 April 2026
First Round Interview Date: Tuesday 5 / Wednesday 6 / Thursday 7 May 2026
What we offer
- Excellent pay and benefits (including flexible working, generous annual leave and pension, big brand discounts and wellbeing tools)
- Outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to excel in your role
- Impressive open plan office space and facilities on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
- An open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children
- The opportunity to work in a leading children’s organisation making a difference to children around the world
Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process.
We anticipate most colleagues will do two days a week in the office on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London and the rest of the time from home. We will happily discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances.
UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
We welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.
We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children’s rights.
If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact Supporter Care on 0300 330 5580 during office hours.
If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.
Registered Charity Nos. 1072612 (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland).
Scotland Political Affairs Officer employer: UNICEF UK
Contact Detail:
UNICEF UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Scotland Political Affairs Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the key players in Scottish politics. Follow MSPs on social media, engage with their posts, and attend local events. Building these connections can give us a leg up when it comes to influencing decisions for children's rights.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your advocacy skills! Join workshops or webinars that focus on political engagement and campaigning. The more we know about effective strategies, the better equipped we'll be to make a real impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors who understand the role. This will help us articulate our passion for children's issues and demonstrate how our values align with UNICEF UK's mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining the UNICEF UK team and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Scotland Political Affairs Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know the Role Inside Out: Before you start writing, make sure you really understand what the Scotland Political Affairs Officer role is all about. Dive into the job description and think about how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities. This will help us see why you're a great fit!
Show Your Passion for Children’s Rights: We want to see your enthusiasm for advocating for children’s rights! In your application, share specific examples of how you've engaged with similar issues or worked in advocacy. This will show us that you’re not just qualified, but also genuinely care about making a difference.
Be Clear and Concise: When answering the application questions, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the point, so we can easily see your qualifications and passion.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website at www.unicef.org.uk/jobs! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised and efficient!
How to prepare for a job interview at UNICEF UK
✨Know Your Scottish Politics
Make sure you brush up on your understanding of Scottish politics and the current political landscape. Familiarise yourself with key MSPs and their stances on children's rights. This will help you engage meaningfully during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Advocacy Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in advocacy or campaigns. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've influenced policy or engaged stakeholders, especially in relation to children's issues. This will demonstrate your capability for the role.
✨Align with UNICEF's Values
Reflect on how your personal values align with UNICEF UK's mission. Be prepared to articulate why you are passionate about children's rights and how you can contribute to their goals. This connection is crucial for showing your commitment.
✨Practice Collaborative Scenarios
Since the role involves collaboration with civil society networks, think of scenarios where you've worked effectively in a team. Practising how you would approach building relationships with various stakeholders will give you confidence during the interview.