Job Title
Head of Policy and Influencing, Scotland
Location
Glasgow, UK
Salary
£37,888 – £44,752
The National Deaf Children’s Society
Job description
Head of Policy and Influencing, Scotland
Reports to: Deputy Director Devolved Nations
Department: Policy and Campaigns
Salary range: £37,888 – £44,752
Grade N1
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Glasgow office or home-based in
Scotland
Contract: Permanent
Level of disclosure check: Basic check
Principal contacts
a) Internal
Heads of Policy & Influencing, Wales and Northern Ireland
All Scotland-based colleagues
Policy & Campaigns teams
Children, Young People and Families teams
Communications
Deputy Directors
Programme Funding
Consultants
b) External
Civil servants and Politicians, including MSPs
Professional bodies
Voluntary sector and/or campaigning organisations
Political Parties, think tanks and Special Advisors
Funders
Families with deaf children and individuals including local groups
November 2021
Main purpose of post
Lead the development and delivery of high quality, evidence-based policy and
influencing work and engaging campaigns to remove the barriers facing deaf children
in Scotland.
Act as the face of the National Deaf Children’s Society in Scotland.
Key tasks
1. Work with the Chief Policy Advisor and policy team to carry out research and
analysis of key issues affecting deaf children, young people and their families in
Scotland and write high-level briefings and correspondence.
2. Set out the approach to deliver improvement in public services across
Scotland, working in collaboration with the local engagement team and
alongside the policy team. Identify emerging influencing opportunities and
campaigns based on local insight and support the delivery of targeted changes
in line with our organisational strategy.
3. Lead a pro-active engagement approach with Government, stakeholders and
influencers in Scotland, representing the organisation with credibility and
influence.
4. Work with Communications to communicate our campaign messages with key
stakeholders in Scotland and to ensure our campaigns are promoted and
supported through digital and other channels.
5. Act a senior representative for the organisation in Scotland in the media and
on high level groups and coalitions, ensuring the position of our organisation is
effectively articulated.
6. Build the Campaigns Network in Scotland, increasing engagement and activity.
Lead high performing policy and campaigns activity in Scotland, monitoring and
evaluating our impact.
7. Convene a network of colleagues working across Scotland, to share
information, insight and support.
8. Provide line management to Policy and Campaigns Officer Scotland.
9. Work with CYPF and fundraising colleagues to report on plans and activity
carried out in Scotland and contribute to the overall strategic direction and
operational planning of the organisation.
10. Oversee the budget for Policy and Campaigns in Scotland and, where
appropriate, identify opportunities to generate income.
November 2021
11. This post will be working in environments where deaf children and young deaf
adults up to age 25 may be present.
12. This post will be working in a position of trust and responsibility within the
charity.
This list of tasks is not exhaustive and will be reviewed from time to time in
discussion with the post holder.
Our expectations
We expect all staff to abide by and promote our Policy of Informed Choice, its Vision
and Values, Code of Conduct and Equal Opportunities Statement.
We also expect all staff to take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the
welfare of children and young people.
Please note we expect all staff at the National Deaf Children’s Society to develop an
understanding of deaf awareness and BSL skills whilst employed with the charity.
The National Deaf Children’s Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting
the welfare of children and young adults and expects staff and volunteers to share
that commitment. A disclosure check will be sought in relation to the successful
applicant for this post. This will be shared with Human Resources and may also be
shared with the Safeguarding Manager and the relevant management team.
November 2021
The National Deaf Children’s Society
Person specification
Head of Policy and Influencing, Scotland
Essential skills and experience
1. Significant experience in a policy, public affairs or campaigns environment in
Scotland.
2. Experience of planning, project management, outcome and impact reporting.
3. Experience of working autonomously in a changing environment and managing
multiple priorities against tight deadlines.
4. Experience and ability to lead and motivate a high performing team.
5. Excellent and accurate creative writing skills with a proven ability to compose
effective briefing papers, feature articles, publicity and campaign materials.
6. Experience in using digital tools to communicate with stakeholders and willing
to learn new digital skills relevant to the role.
Desirable skills and experience
1. Knowledge or understanding of the barriers experienced by deaf children and
young people and their families.
2. A knowledge or understanding of the broader issues associated with deafness,
including sign language (BSL level 1) or a willingness to undergo training.
3. Experience of involving young people to secure a strong voice.
4. Ability to assimilate complex ideas and issues quickly, and to identify and
develop appropriate solutions and responses.
5. Confident in using Customer Relationship Management databases with a good
overall understanding of the applications of such systems.
Job description
Head of Policy and Influencing, Scotland
Reports to: Deputy Director Devolved Nations
Department: Policy and Campaigns
Salary range: £37,888 – £44,752
Grade N1
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Glasgow office or home-based in
Scotland
Contract: Permanent
Level of disclosure check: Basic check
Principal contacts
a) Internal
Heads of Policy & Influencing, Wales and Northern Ireland
All Scotland-based colleagues
Policy & Campaigns teams
Children, Young People and Families teams
Communications
Deputy Directors
Programme Funding
Consultants
b) External
Civil servants and Politicians, including MSPs
Professional bodies
Voluntary sector and/or campaigning organisations
Political Parties, think tanks and Special Advisors
Funders
Families with deaf children and individuals including local groups
November 2021
Main purpose of post
Lead the development and delivery of high quality, evidence-based policy and
influencing work and engaging campaigns to remove the barriers facing deaf children
in Scotland.
Act as the face of the National Deaf Children’s Society in Scotland.
Key tasks
1. Work with the Chief Policy Advisor and policy team to carry out research and
analysis of key issues affecting deaf children, young people and their families in
Scotland and write high-level briefings and correspondence.
2. Set out the approach to deliver improvement in public services across
Scotland, working in collaboration with the local engagement team and
alongside the policy team. Identify emerging influencing opportunities and
campaigns based on local insight and support the delivery of targeted changes
in line with our organisational strategy.
3. Lead a pro-active engagement approach with Government, stakeholders and
influencers in Scotland, representing the organisation with credibility and
influence.
4. Work with Communications to communicate our campaign messages with key
stakeholders in Scotland and to ensure our campaigns are promoted and
supported through digital and other channels.
5. Act a senior representative for the organisation in Scotland in the media and
on high level groups and coalitions, ensuring the position of our organisation is
effectively articulated.
6. Build the Campaigns Network in Scotland, increasing engagement and activity.
Lead high performing policy and campaigns activity in Scotland, monitoring and
evaluating our impact.
7. Convene a network of colleagues working across Scotland, to share
information, insight and support.
8. Provide line management to Policy and Campaigns Officer Scotland.
9. Work with CYPF and fundraising colleagues to report on plans and activity
carried out in Scotland and contribute to the overall strategic direction and
operational planning of the organisation.
10. Oversee the budget for Policy and Campaigns in Scotland and, where
appropriate, identify opportunities to generate income.
November 2021
11. This post will be working in environments where deaf children and young deaf
adults up to age 25 may be present.
12. This post will be working in a position of trust and responsibility within the
charity.
This list of tasks is not exhaustive and will be reviewed from time to time in
discussion with the post holder.
Our expectations
We expect all staff to abide by and promote our Policy of Informed Choice, its Vision
and Values, Code of Conduct and Equal Opportunities Statement.
We also expect all staff to take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the
welfare of children and young people.
Please note we expect all staff at the National Deaf Children’s Society to develop an
understanding of deaf awareness and BSL skills whilst employed with the charity.
The National Deaf Children’s Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting
the welfare of children and young adults and expects staff and volunteers to share
that commitment. A disclosure check will be sought in relation to the successful
applicant for this post. This will be shared with Human Resources and may also be
shared with the Safeguarding Manager and the relevant management team.
November 2021
The National Deaf Children’s Society
Person specification
Head of Policy and Influencing, Scotland
Essential skills and experience
1. Significant experience in a policy, public affairs or campaigns environment in
Scotland.
2. Experience of planning, project management, outcome and impact reporting.
3. Experience of working autonomously in a changing environment and managing
multiple priorities against tight deadlines.
4. Experience and ability to lead and motivate a high performing team.
5. Excellent and accurate creative writing skills with a proven ability to compose
effective briefing papers, feature articles, publicity and campaign materials.
6. Experience in using digital tools to communicate with stakeholders and willing
to learn new digital skills relevant to the role.
Desirable skills and experience
1. Knowledge or understanding of the barriers experienced by deaf children and
young people and their families.
2. A knowledge or understanding of the broader issues associated with deafness,
including sign language (BSL level 1) or a willingness to undergo training.
3. Experience of involving young people to secure a strong voice.
4. Ability to assimilate complex ideas and issues quickly, and to identify and
develop appropriate solutions and responses.
5. Confident in using Customer Relationship Management databases with a good
overall understanding of the applications of such systems.
