Are you a talented individual looking to begin your career in a progressive conservation organisation? The reason the John Muir Trust exists - to conserve, protect and repair wild places for the benefit of everyone - has never been more important.

The John Muir Trust is recruiting a Parliamentary Officer to help deliver our parliamentary engagement work in Scotland and across the UK. This is a unique entry-level opportunity to join the Trust’s Policy team as it looks to develop its resources and expand its political influence. The team will invest in your professional growth and equip you with the skills and knowledge required to lead on parliamentary work.

In this role you will manage relationships with MSPs, their offices and political party researchers; monitor and report on parliamentary business; execute parliamentary engagement work; target communications and resources for influence; and communicate Trust positions.

When applying you should demonstrate your experience in establishing effective relationships and delivering impact. If you can demonstrate a strong interest in parliamentary or public affairs and have experience advocating for change, then consider joining our team.

The John Muir Trust is committed to working together to promote a more inclusive environment and we need a diverse team to realise this. Applicants are welcome from all walks of life with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our work on behalf of wild places.

Main responsibilities

Key duties

• Lead and maintain oversight of an annual MSP engagement plan.

• MSP engagement: researching MSP interests, initiating and coordinating meetings between the Trust and MSPs and preparing the team ahead of meeting with MSPs.

• Develop briefing material for MSPs based on Trust responses to consultations, publications and position statements.

• Represent the Trust in strategic partnerships such as Scottish Environment LINK and Wildlife and Countryside LINK as required.

• Lead the Trust’s work with Scottish Environment LINK’s Nature Champions initiative.

• Monitor and influence business of relevant Scottish Parliamentary Committees and manage relationships with Committee members.

• Monitor and influence business of relevant Scottish Parliamentary Cross-Party Groups.

• Monitor parliamentary business relevant to the Trust’s work in Westminster.

• Support the team with research and drafting of persuasive policy papers to advance Trust positions.

• Contribute to public communications from the Trust online and in print regarding political affairs.

Person specification

Essential skills, knowledge and aptitude

As this is an entry-level position, we do not require applicants to have previous work experience for the post. If you think you will do a great job, please apply.

• Experience delivering change against the status quo (can be at a local, regional or national level)

• Experience managing external relationships.

• Experience synthesising complex information into clear straightforward messages with intended audiences in mind.

• Confident communicator, both formally and informally.

• Managing own workload to deadlines and prioritising tasks.

• Proficient user in Microsoft applications and digital forms of communication.

• Experience working or interacting with Members of the Scottish Parliament.

• Interest in communicating political positions in the media (including local), academic publications, or on significant social media accounts.

Essential aptitude

• Highly self-motivated, keen to take initiative and take on responsibility.

• Ability to think strategically about resource allocation and targeted messages.

• Energy, enthusiasm and innovative in your approach to work.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to work as part of a pressured and compact team.

• Empathy towards others, ability to connect with others across a wide variety of perspectives.

• Strong work ethic, able to work remotely needing little supervision.

• Ability to work flexible hours in the context of political cycles.

• A commitment to the John Muir Trust’s aims and objectives.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant field: Politics, Communications, Media, Public Affairs, Environmental Studies.

Other details

Type of contract: 1 year Maternity Cover

Hours: FT 35 Hours Salary:

Band B Starting at £26,676

Pension: 5% employer contribution to a group auto-enrolment pension scheme

Reporting to: Head of Campaigns

Location: home-based, with regular travel to the Scottish Parliament. Office space available depending on location.

Holidays: 34 days per year plus 2 ‘wild days’ or 2 sustainable travel days