2 Policy and public affairs officer jobs in Edinburgh
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About us
The Alliance for Youth Justice is an alliance of more than 70 non-profit organisations advocating with and for children to drive positive change in youth justice across England and Wales. We mobilise our members’ frontline expertise, children’s lived experience, and evidence from research to champion a child-centred, rights-based and trauma-informed system that treats contact with the justice system as a sign of unmet need and systemic failure, prioritises support over criminalisation and gives every child the opportunity to thrive.
We're widely recognised as the most influential group campaigning for improvements to the system, with trusted access to decision makers, working towards three goals: keeping children safe from the youth justice system through prevention and diversion; racial justice across the system; and custody as a last resort for children.
About the role
Following the launch of our new strategic approach, our Influencing Manager will lead the development and delivery of AYJ's influencing, policy, public affairs and campaigning work to shift policy, legislation, practice and public narratives.
Campaigning, policy and public affairs (70%) — lead our influencing strategy alongside the CEO, spot opportunities for systemic change, develop evidence-driven policy positions and briefings, and build relationships with members, politicians, civil servants and stakeholders.
Strategic communications (30%) — ensure the reach of our influencing, write high-impact influencing content for our digital channels, and act as first point of contact for media enquiries.
Anti-opressive, anti-racist practice and youth voice run through everything, including involving children and young people with lived experience safely and meaningfully in our work.
About you
You have a proven track record of influencing for systemic change through policy, public affairs, communications or campaigning within a voluntary sector organisation or coalition, and know how to turn complex policy and research into compelling written communications for varied audiences. You have a thorough understanding of the political environment and Parliament, strong relationship-building skills, and excellent project management. You bring a genuine interest in youth justice and the issues facing children in England and Wales, alongside a personal commitment to anti-racism, social justice and child rights.
Why join us
We're a small team of three punching well above our weight, with real scope to shape how we work and few layers of hierarchy. We offer flexible, trust-based home working (within core hours), plus 25 days' leave (pro rata), Christmas office closure, and a 5% employer pension contribution.
We encourage applications from historically marginalised groups even if you don't meet every requirement, and we do not use criminal records to exclude candidates.
Please download the reruitment pack to find out more and read the full job description and person specification.
Please provide a CV and covering letter setting out how your skills and experience match the person specification.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title: Hertfordshire Project Officer
Salary: £29,500 (London Fringe weighting)
Position Type: Full time/Fixed term (until December 2028)
Reports to: Scaling Manager
Based at: Remote, with travel to schools in Hertfordshire
Working Hours: 5 days a week, 9am-5pm (flexible)
Pension: School Food Matters matches pension contributions at 7% of pensionable earnings
Holiday: 31 days including bank holidays that fall on working days. Holidays must be taken during the school holidays
This role requires occasional work outside of core hours (for example, if visiting a school breakfast club). It also requires travel to schools across Hertfordshire, so access to a car would be desirable. Training for delivery of the programme will be provided online and in person, and you will be expected to travel outside of Hertfordshire for some of these sessions.
Background to School Food Matters
At School Food Matters we believe that school food can unlock a happier, healthier, more sustainable future for every child. We want a school food system that delivers for all children, so they can enjoy nutritious, delicious and sustainable school food and leave school with an informed and positive relationship with food. To achieve this, we campaign for a better school food system, bringing the voices of children, parents, and teachers to government policy, and deliver fully funded food education programmes in schools across the country.
Background to Nourish
Our Nourish programme supports schools to create a food environment that puts children and young people's nutrition first. The evidence-based, multi-component programme helps schools to develop action plans and policies to cover the food served across the whole school day. Nourish uses a collaborative whole school approach to food involving everyone across the school community to create lasting positive change.
Job purpose
· To deliver Nourish in 15 primary schools in Hertfordshire over 2 years in a delivery team of two Project Officers and a Project Assistant.
Key tasks include
· Support with recruitment of schools to take part in Nourish
· Complete in person food audits in schools looking across the whole school day
· Support schools to create and deliver a food improvement plan (action plan)
· Develop and deliver workshops in schools to staff, parents and students based on their action plan (e.g. assemblies, cooking sessions, school food standards training, packed lunch advice, food ed/sensory tasting sessions)
· Support schools to write a school food policy
· Build relationships and work closely with teachers, teaching assistants, cooks, kitchen teams and senior leaders in schools to improve the food they offer their students
· Collect data and maintain accurate records relating to the project
· Work closely with University of Hertfordshire and our Evaluation team to complete all monitoring and evaluation
· Work in collaboration with Hertfordshire project delivery team
· Gather content for our comms team (website and social media platforms)
· Keep Scaling Manager fully updated on progress
· Keep up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures
· Maintaining the ethos of the charity and positively promoting our work at all times
· You will also be expected to undertake any other tasks relevant to the affairs of SFM that may arise from time to time. Therefore, being flexible and approaching the job with an open and positive mindset is essential.
Person specification
Essential
· Registered nutritionist or advanced understanding of nutritional guidelines and health promotion
· Good interpersonal skills, with experience of building relationships
· Confident engaging with a variety of audiences (students, headteachers, school staff and parents), including communications via email, virtual and face to face meetings with the ability to deliver workshops & presentations
· Excellent administrative and organisational skills with great attention to detail
· Excellent IT skills including excel, word and email
· Able to work independently and remote
· Self-motivated and optimistic with a can-do attitude
· Ability to work in a team and seek help when needed
Desirable
· Experience of engaging and working with schools and/or communities
· Experience of working for a charity or not for profit organisation
· Knowledge in food education and children’s health
· Access to a car
Registered Charity
21 - 50
We campaign for a better school food system. We support schools, local authorities and MATs to improve food in schools.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.