Public affairs administrator jobs in Edinburgh
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About The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is an independent membership organisation dedicated to the education, training and advancement of surgeons, dental surgeons, doctors, and various individuals throughout healthcare who are involved in the surgical care of patients. The College has a current membership approaching 32,000 and growing, with members spanning over 100 countries around the world.
From our founding in 1505, the College has been committed to the advancement of surgery and driving patient safety standards worldwide. In our 515-year history, there has never been a better time to join the College than now.
Working with us
At the College we aim to embrace views from across the organisation, sharing common goals and values for the betterment of healthcare through the advancement of surgical and dental professionals. We aim to develop teams that are reflective of the needs of our members and maximise the potential of every employee.
To reflect the varying needs across the organisation, we offer a range of policies and benefits for our workforce including a generous 42 days annual leave, flexible working practices, enhanced employer pensions contribution and various discounts throughout the College including the Ten Hill Place Hotel, 1505 Café and free entry to Surgeons’ Hall Museums.
About the Role
The Policy and Public Affairs Officer is a strategic role that offers an exciting opportunity to make an impact on healthcare policy on a national scale.
Reporting to the Head of Policy and Public Affairs, the post holder will develop and communicate the College’s core policy messages and engage with governments, NHS organisations and other healthcare bodies across all four nations. They will also oversee responses to policy consultations and prepare policy reports, statements and conduct research that helps the College understand and influence the shape of the surgical and dental workforce.
This role can be based in either our Edinburgh or Birmingham offices, with candidates expected to be on site two days per week. There may be requirement for the role holder to work outside of normal working hours and travel for work occasionally.
Experience/Qualifications/Key Skills
This is a superb opportunity for an individual who is confident, methodical, organised and conscientious.
Educated to a minimum level of degree level you will have proven policy and analytical experience as well as excellent communication and strong team working skills. A self-starter, you will have the ability to manage your workload with minimum supervision and develop your own strategies and campaigns.
A high level of professionalism and diplomacy is required for the role as is a willingness to take on new challenges and be receptive to change.
Please note that we do not accept CV’s and agencies need not apply.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
To be a strong voice for our family of members, developing their careers, upholding standards, and promoting patient safety globally.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Devolved Nations)
£34,839 pa plus excellent benefits
Home-based
35 hours per week, full-time
Permanent
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking a talented and motivated Policy and Public Affairs Officer to join our Devolved Nations team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to policy development, advocacy and communications activity that helps improve child health outcomes across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Working as part of the Policy and Public Affairs (Devolved Nations) team, you will play an important role in supporting the College’s policy and public affairs priorities. You will help build relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, support advocacy campaigns, develop policy positions and create engaging communications content that raises the profile of child health issues across the devolved nations.
This varied and rewarding role offers the opportunity to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including paediatricians, senior College Officers, politicians, government officials, charities and healthcare organisations.
Key responsibilities include:
• Supporting the development of policy positions specific to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ensuring they reflect the needs of RCPCH members and have influence across the wider UK policy landscape
• Drafting consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and stakeholder communications on child health and paediatric issues
• Providing expertise and advice on the political, governmental and health service landscape within the devolved nations
• Supporting the delivery of public affairs and stakeholder engagement activity, helping to build productive relationships with governments, policymakers and health sector organisations
• Producing content for websites, social media, newsletters and other digital communications channels to support advocacy and engagement objectives
• Drafting media content, including quotes, press releases and briefing materials, in collaboration with colleagues across the College
• Supporting senior College Officers and staff during meetings and engagement with policymakers and external stakeholders
• Coordinating and supporting the work of Executive Committees across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Assisting with administrative and financial processes, including invoice processing and supplier registration
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the College to maximise the impact of policy, communications and public affairs activity
Essential skills and experience include:
• Demonstrable experience in policy, public affairs, communications or a related field
• Strong knowledge and understanding of policy and legislative processes in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
• Experience producing high-quality policy and communications outputs, including consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and media content
• Experience creating engaging content for digital channels, including websites, social media and email communications
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment
Desirable:
• Experience working within healthcare, government, a membership organisation or the third sector
• Knowledge of public health, health inequalities or wider health service issues
• Experience working on issues relating to children and young people
The RCPCH has more than 25,000 members and fellows worldwide and employs around 200 staff across the UK. Our devolved nations teams play a vital role in ensuring that the needs of children and young people are represented at every level of government and policy-making.
Our values – Include, Influence, Innovate and Inspire – are central to everything we do. We are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are under-represented at this level of the organisation.
We operate a flexible and modern hybrid working policy. While this role is home-based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, travel across the devolved nations and occasional travel elsewhere in the UK will be required.
Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Devolved Nations)
£34,839 pa plus excellent benefits
Home-based
35 hours per week, full-time
Permanent
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking a talented and motivated Policy and Public Affairs Officer to join our Devolved Nations team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to policy development, advocacy and communications activity that helps improve child health outcomes across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Working as part of the Policy and Public Affairs (Devolved Nations) team, you will play an important role in supporting the College’s policy and public affairs priorities. You will help build relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, support advocacy campaigns, develop policy positions and create engaging communications content that raises the profile of child health issues across the devolved nations.
This varied and rewarding role offers the opportunity to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including paediatricians, senior College Officers, politicians, government officials, charities and healthcare organisations.
Key responsibilities include:
• Supporting the development of policy positions specific to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ensuring they reflect the needs of RCPCH members and have influence across the wider UK policy landscape
• Drafting consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and stakeholder communications on child health and paediatric issues
• Providing expertise and advice on the political, governmental and health service landscape within the devolved nations
• Supporting the delivery of public affairs and stakeholder engagement activity, helping to build productive relationships with governments, policymakers and health sector organisations
• Producing content for websites, social media, newsletters and other digital communications channels to support advocacy and engagement objectives
• Drafting media content, including quotes, press releases and briefing materials, in collaboration with colleagues across the College
• Supporting senior College Officers and staff during meetings and engagement with policymakers and external stakeholders
• Coordinating and supporting the work of Executive Committees across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Assisting with administrative and financial processes, including invoice processing and supplier registration
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the College to maximise the impact of policy, communications and public affairs activity
Essential skills and experience include:
• Demonstrable experience in policy, public affairs, communications or a related field
• Strong knowledge and understanding of policy and legislative processes in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
• Experience producing high-quality policy and communications outputs, including consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and media content
• Experience creating engaging content for digital channels, including websites, social media and email communications
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment
Desirable:
• Experience working within healthcare, government, a membership organisation or the third sector
• Knowledge of public health, health inequalities or wider health service issues
• Experience working on issues relating to children and young people
The RCPCH has more than 25,000 members and fellows worldwide and employs around 200 staff across the UK. Our devolved nations teams play a vital role in ensuring that the needs of children and young people are represented at every level of government and policy-making.
Our values – Include, Influence, Innovate and Inspire – are central to everything we do. We are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are under-represented at this level of the organisation.
We operate a flexible and modern hybrid working policy. While this role is home-based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, travel across the devolved nations and occasional travel elsewhere in the UK will be required.
Closing date: 6 July 2026
Registered Charity
101 - 500
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health advocates on child health issues at home and internationally.
Thank you!
Job Description
The Head of Delivery & Partnerships is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the
successful implementation, quality of outcomes, and retention of DFN Project SEARCH programmes
across the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Iberia, in line with our franchise agreement from Project
SEARCH . This role leads the Delivery & Partnerships team, ensuring strategic alignment, excellence
of delivery, and sustained impactful partnerships.
You will play a pivotal role in driving programme quality, ensuring retention, maintaining model
fidelity, and ensuring high-quality outcomes for interns. Additionally, you will oversee the growth of
our number of programmes, in line with our strategic regional and national plans. You will also
contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation, working closely with cross-functional teams
to maximise DFN Project SEARCH’s impact.
Regular travel throughout the UK will be required, with occasional travel to other areas of our delivery.
In addition, occasional international travel may be required, for example to the annual conference in
the United States.
Essential Experience and Skills
• A passion for changing the lives of young people with learning disabilities and / or who are
autistic
• Educated to degree level or relevant Professional Qualification
• Highly motivated and organised self-starters with the ability to work under your own initiative
• Strong understanding of supported employment, education, and local authority partnerships.
• Experience in project management, partnership development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Experience using data systems and performance management tools.
• Experience delivering training and speaking at events or conferences.
• Understanding of SEND provision and funding arrangements in the UK (e.g., EHCPs, DWP, local
authorities).
• Experience working with senior stakeholders via formal reporting mechanisms.
• Leadership experience managing people/teams.
• Financial literacy and experience managing budgets.
Desirable Experience and Qualifications
• Experience working with DFN Project SEARCH programmes or similar supported internship
models.
• Experience in selling services or products and effective account management.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and health & safety in programme delivery.
• Knowledge and experience of using the Microsoft suite, in particular Outlook and Excel
• Experience of using a CRM for administrative and reporting purposes
DFN Project SEARCH are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young
people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject
to an enhanced DBS disclosure.
We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+
candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the
representation of these groups at this level at DFN Project SEARCH.
-Interviews will take place on:
1st round July 23rd and July 24th
2nd and final round: July 31st
Closing date: Sunday July 12th
-Start date - Asap
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.