Policy Jobs

NSUN is a charity and a membership organisation. We are a network of grassroots, user-led mental health groups and people with lived experience of mental ill-health, distress and trauma. We connect, support and amplify the voices and work of our membership and work towards the redistribution of power and resource in mental health. 

We are looking for someone with relevant skills to develop and deliver NSUN’s policy strategy and policy/campaigns projects. NSUN takes a critical, political and rights-based approach to policy work at, centering social justice, anti-oppression, and the social and material determinants of distress and trauma. We want to work intersectionally, and do not consider ourselves to be a “single-issue” organisation. 

The Policy Manager will play a key role in creating collaborative spaces with members and partners to build momentum and sustainability for lived experience-led mental health policy and campaigns work. Though we do analyse, respond to, and engage with traditional policy mechanisms such as parliamentary processes and legislative change, our focus is more on building an alternative approach and challenging traditional silos at a time where the external environment is one of hostile and unjust structures, systems, and legislation. 

We are keen to hear from people with less traditional policy experience, such as experience of community organising: while this is not an entry-level position, you do not necessarily need to have traditional policy and influencing experience. NSUN is a user-led organisation, and all staff and trustees have lived experience of mental ill-health, distress or trauma.

About Us

Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years’ experience across Scotland, we believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life. 

About the Position

Our Policy and Public Affairs Officer connects with and influences politicians and senior decision makers to make society better for people who have mental health challenges, have mental illness and their families. They shall manage projects that shall lead to improvements in support for those with poor mental health.

Key Responsibilities

In this critical role you will work closely with the Director of Public Affairs and Communications to develop and implement a policy and influencing strategy to ensure that the voices of people we support, and their families are heard in all the places they need to be. You will manage projects related to mental health and provide reports.

You will build powerful relationships with politicians, civil servants and partners and feel comfortable representing the organisation at a range of different stakeholder events. You will love policy and public affairs, enjoy mastering details and offering sound advice. You will respond on behalf of the organisation to consultations and events and will be comfortable doing lots of reading and writing. You will enjoy building powerful and meaningful relationships.

General Duties:

• To ensure that Change Mental Health have a robust policy and public affairs process in order, to respond to events and consultations, set up meetings with influencers, write briefings for those meetings and record our interactions on the Lobbying Register.
• Develop and implement a policy and public affairs strategy which means Change Mental Health engage with external stakeholders, have key messages disseminated and ensure that the voices of our members and the people we support are heard at all levels. 
• Ensure that Change Mental Health’s Public Affairs and Stakeholder policies are kept relevant for our staff and promoted throughout the organisation.
• Collaborate on key communications documents and channels, including our newsletter, website and support the high-quality use of our social media channels.
• Manage projects that improve the outcomes of those with poor mental health and wellbeing. When agreed, engage with parliamentarians and stakeholders, representing Change Mental Health and advocating for our policy agenda 
• Take ownership of policy developments in fields relevant to Change Mental Health’s work and  ensure you are up to date and well informed of recent developments. 
• Write briefings for the Director of Public Affairs and Communications, the CEO, and Board as needed.
• Write briefings for debates in Parliament and communicate with members of Parliaments.
• Write reports for projects relating to mental health and wellbeing.
• Organise and undertake the administration of events that support our policy platform whether that be events at party conferences, cross party groups, parliamentary receptions or other activity that support the charity.
• Network and build relationships with different stakeholders across the private, third and state sectors.
• Support the work of the National Rural Mental Health Forum, organising meetings and reporting on impact.
• Act in accordance with Data Protection legislation.  Ensure all records, personal, staff and client data are managed in line with Data Management and Information Governance policies
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as provisions set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• As with all employees, workers and volunteers; encourage people to join Change Mental Health as a member, fundraiser, donor or activist
• To act in accordance with the charity’s Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies and to notify your line manager promptly if there are any concerns
• To participate in regular supervision and appraisal and undertake any relevant training as appropriate to the role
• To work in accordance with the charity’s national policies and local operating procedures and those of external regulators or professional bodies.
• To be friendly, polite and professional to all staff, members of the public and people Change Mental Health support.

All sucessful applicants will require a Basic Disclosure check.