Parliamentary Officer for Kate Nevens MSP

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Parliamentary Officer for Kate Nevens MSP

Salary: £35,000 per annum
Location: Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
Hours: Full-time, 30 hours per week 

Note that the Scottish Green Group operate a 4 day (30 hour) full-time work week. 

We will consider job shares or part-time working, as well as requests for a hybrid working arrangement.

We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates whose backgrounds may be under-represented in politics, for example, trans applicants, applicants from racialised or migrant communities and disabled applicants.  

Working for a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP)

MSPs are employers in their own right. Under their employment, you will become part of a team supporting them in carrying out their duties. You'll work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment to provide an outstanding service to the team and in turn, the constituents Kate represents. 

Purpose of this role

To provide support to Kate Nevens MSP by carrying out day-to-day administrative, research and communications support to ensure the smooth running of her parliamentary office. The role is responsible for triaging and responding to correspondence, coordinating diaries and meetings, supporting parliamentary business and assisting with social media and communications. This role will require a high degree of flexibility and will involve working closely with Kate Nevens MSP, her team, regional colleagues, and the wider Scottish Green Group in Parliament. You must be fully able to support the MSP in carrying out their aims and Parliamentary duties. 

Key relationships: Line managed by Parliamentary Policy and Research Lead 

Responsibilities

• Managing a high volume of incoming correspondence, ensuring enquiries are handled professionally, sensitively and within agreed timescales.
• Responding to emails and invitations from a range of stakeholders and constituents, working strategically with the Parliamentary Business and Research Lead and other MSP teams to prioritise opportunities.
• Organising diary commitments and updating Kate’s calendar with parliamentary business and stakeholder engagements and supporting these engagements when required.
• Maintaining filing and records management systems, processing office expenses, and delivering day-to-day administrative and secretarial support to the wider team. 
• Supporting parliamentary business by preparing parliamentary questions, motions, correspondence and requests for information, ensuring deadlines are met and liaising with parliamentary officials as required.
• Providing research and briefing support by sourcing and summarising information from SPICE and external organisations, identifying emerging issues, and assisting with the preparation of speeches and policy materials.
• Supporting the delivery of communications by drafting and scheduling social media content. 
• Creating and managing digital content by monitoring emerging issues, producing and editing photos and videos, and maintaining an organised image and media library for the team. 

Requirements 

Essential

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting professional correspondence and communicating with a range of stakeholders. 
• Experience managing diaries, inboxes or office administration in a fast-paced environment. 
• Be highly organised and a quick learner with the ability to multitask and work within tight timescales.
• Good digital skills, including confidence using Microsoft 365 and social media platforms.
• Be a proactive problem solver with the motivation and resilience to adapt and deal with challenges.
• A flexible and adaptable approach, being able to use good judgement and work on your own initiative.

Desirable

• Knowledge of and interest in Kate’s portfolio areas of Equalities and International Development, the role of the third sector, and participatory approaches to policymaking. 
• Experience of using visual content creation and social media scheduling tools.
• Photo and video content creation skills.

How to apply

Your application must include a supporting statement. Your supporting statement should outline how you meet each of the requirements detailed above for this role. You should highlight your experience, pointing to specific volunteer, life-experience or employment roles that you have detailed in your CV.  Please provide examples that demonstrate the following: 

• An example of how you have managed competing priorities and organised your workload to meet deadlines.
• An example of when you worked collaboratively as part of a team to achieve a shared goal.
• An example of when you sought support or advice from a colleague or manager, including what you learned from the experience.
• An example of when you produced written communications for different audiences, ensuring the information was clear, accurate and appropriate. 

For any questions about the role please contact: Kate.Nevens.msp@parliament.scot

To apply, please click “Apply Online” and upload your CV along with a supporting statement as a single document (Maximum of 2 pages each). Please note that the system does not allow you to upload your supporting statement separately.  

Your CV should include two references and their contact details – referees will only be contacted if a provisional job offer is made and accepted. 

We want to evaluate your original communication skills and understand your personal interest in the role without the use of AI.

Applications that do not include a supporting statement will not be considered.   

Closing Date: Thursday 23rd July at 11.59pm

Interviews to take place: Tuesday 4th of August – please indicate that you will be available for an in-person interview at the Scottish Parliament on this date. Provision can be made for an online interview if travel is not possible.