Policy Officer
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Job Summary
The Role
Job Title:Policy Officer
Reference number:CF26-30
Location:Edinburgh with Hybrid working
Salary:Band C per annum
Post Type:Permanent Full-time (35 hours per week)
Closing Date:13th July 2026
Interview Date:22nd or 23rd July 2026
Are you passionate about creating lasting change for children and families in Scotland
Children First is Scotlands national childrens charity. We are looking for a motivated and confident Policy Officer to join our Policy Evidence and Impact Team and help shape policy and influencing work that improves outcomes for children young people and families.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to Children Firsts strategic priorities by researching monitoring and analysing policy developments supporting the development of evidence-based policy positions and helping ensure the voices and experiences of children and families are reflected in decision-making.
Working closely with the Policy Manager and colleagues across the organisation you will support the development of briefings consultation responses evidence submissions and engagement activities with policymakers partners and stakeholders across Scotland.
Key Responsibilities
Were looking for someone who can demonstrate:
Living our values you will help create a workplace where our people can thrive ensuring we deliver the best possible support to children and families.
With love we put children first.
With purpose we transform lives together.
With strength we do whatever it takes to protect Scotlands children.
How to Apply
If you share our values and are passionate about supporting our people we would love to hear from you.
Closing Date: 13th July 2026
Interview Date: 22nd or 23rd July 2026
Contact: For more information email
FULL JOB DESCRIPTION
Role Summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Policy Evidence and Impact Team at Children First to support the development and delivery of Children Firsts policy and influencing work by helping to research monitor and analyse policy developments affecting children young people and families in Scotland.
Working alongside the Policy Manager and closely with colleagues across the organisation this role will support the delivery of Children Firsts Strategic Priorities. The role will coordinate and support the development of briefings consultation responses and policy submissions helping ensure Children Firsts work is informed by evidence lived experience and current legislation.
The postholder will help organise and support engagement activity with partners policymakers children and families and provide coordination support across a range of policy and influencing projects linked to Children Firsts strategic priorities.
Key Results Areas
The Policy Officer will:
You should demonstrate that you are:
What Youll Get From Us
Reference number:CF26-30
Location:Edinburgh with Hybrid working
Salary:Band C per annum
Post Type:Permanent Full-time (35 hours per week)
Closing Date:13th July 2026
Interview Date:22nd or 23rd July 2026
Are you passionate about creating lasting change for children and families in Scotland
Children First is Scotlands national childrens charity. We are looking for a motivated and confident Policy Officer to join our Policy Evidence and Impact Team and help shape policy and influencing work that improves outcomes for children young people and families.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to Children Firsts strategic priorities by researching monitoring and analysing policy developments supporting the development of evidence-based policy positions and helping ensure the voices and experiences of children and families are reflected in decision-making.
Working closely with the Policy Manager and colleagues across the organisation you will support the development of briefings consultation responses evidence submissions and engagement activities with policymakers partners and stakeholders across Scotland.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor and analyse policy legislation research and guidance relevant to Children Firsts strategic priorities.
- Carry out research and synthesise evidence to support the development of policy briefings consultation responses and submissions.
- Support the development and delivery of Children Firsts policy and influencing work.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with policymakers partners charities public bodies and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate meetings events and engagement opportunities with children families partners and elected representatives.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to ensure policy work is informed by evidence service insight and lived experience.
- Help amplify the voices and experiences of children young people and families to inform policy development and influence change.
- Contribute to projects and activities across the wider Policy Evidence and Impact Team.
Were looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to understand complex issues and communicate them clearly in writing and verbally.
- Experience of gathering interpreting and presenting information to support decision-making.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the confidence to engage a range of audiences and stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- An understanding of childrens rights and the issues affecting children young people and families in Scotland.
- Awareness of the Scottish policy and legislative landscape.
- A collaborative and proactive approach with the ability to work independently when required.
- A commitment to ensuring the voices of children young people and families are heard and reflected in policy and influencing work.
- 40 days annual leave inclusive of public holidays.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Pension scheme.
- Access to Westfield Health including counselling support and wellbeing resources.
- Blue Light Card discounts.
- A Fair Work accredited workplace.
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families across Scotland.
Living our values you will help create a workplace where our people can thrive ensuring we deliver the best possible support to children and families.
With love we put children first.
With purpose we transform lives together.
With strength we do whatever it takes to protect Scotlands children.
How to Apply
If you share our values and are passionate about supporting our people we would love to hear from you.
Closing Date: 13th July 2026
Interview Date: 22nd or 23rd July 2026
Contact: For more information email
FULL JOB DESCRIPTION
Role Summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Policy Evidence and Impact Team at Children First to support the development and delivery of Children Firsts policy and influencing work by helping to research monitor and analyse policy developments affecting children young people and families in Scotland.
Working alongside the Policy Manager and closely with colleagues across the organisation this role will support the delivery of Children Firsts Strategic Priorities. The role will coordinate and support the development of briefings consultation responses and policy submissions helping ensure Children Firsts work is informed by evidence lived experience and current legislation.
The postholder will help organise and support engagement activity with partners policymakers children and families and provide coordination support across a range of policy and influencing projects linked to Children Firsts strategic priorities.
Key Results Areas
The Policy Officer will:
- Support Children First to monitor and analyse developments in policy legislation research and guidance relating to Children Firsts Strategic Priorities.
- Carry out desk-based research summarise reports and evidence and support the development of briefings for internal and external audiences to help ensure governments keep their promises and track whether children and families feel the benefits.
- Co-ordinate and support the development of policy positions briefings consultation responses and evidence submissions and represent Children First externally at meetings conferences at events as agreed with the Policy Manager.
- Offer proactive information and support to key roles across the organisation including the Policy Manager and Chief Executive to support the organisation to stay informed and connected with relevant policymakers charities public bodies and partners in line with Children Firsts Strategic Priorities.
- Support the organisation of meetings roundtables and events with partners children and families and elected representatives and provide administrative support for external engagement including preparing agendas taking minutes and following up on actions.
- Contribute to the wider work of the Policy Evidence & Impact team by sharing insights supporting planning processes and helping coordinate project activities.
- Develop a strong understanding of the core issues affecting children and families and policy solutions available to address these including the Bairns Hoose model Family Group Decision Making and Whole Family Support and online harm.
- Work with colleagues across the organisation including the Data Analyst and Participation Lead to ensure policy work is informed by good quality data lived experience of children and families and service insights.
- Work to elevate and amplify the voices and experience of children young people and their families and connect them with audience and influence supported by the Participation Lead and in line with the Lundy model of participation to support policy submissions and influence campaigns.
You should demonstrate that you are:
- Determined to influence long-term change grounded in the experiences of children families and communities.
- Committed to making sure the voices of all children young people and families involved in the work are heard.
- Able to communicate clearly and confidently with a range of different audiences.
- Able to work collaboratively across teams and build positive professional relationships.
- Organised and able to meet competing priorities with attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high quality work.
What Youll Get From Us
- A workplace with values of with love with purpose and with strength
- 40 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
- Pension scheme and wellbeing support
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Access to Westfield Health giving colleagues and their families confidential counselling support wellbeing resources and access to health and lifestyle benefits to support physical and mental wellbeing.
- Blue Light card discount
- A Fair Work accredited workplace
- Be committed and adhere to Children First vision mission and values.
- Comply with Children First Safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Comply with Children First Code of Conduct and any relevant professional standards relating to the role.
- Actively consider the involvement of children young people and families with whom we work in all areas of practice and to implement the Children First Participation Standards.
- Actively consider the involvement of volunteers in all areas of our work and to implement the Children First Volunteer Development Policy.
- Observe all health and safety requirements.
- Work within and promote policies in relation to Diversity Equity and Inclusion and anti-discriminatory practices.
- Undertake any other reasonably required duties as instructed by line manager or someone acting on their behalf in addition to the role specific responsibilities detailed below.
Need to Have | Need to Show | Need to Know | Need to Be | Core Values |
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About us
Children First is Scotlands national childrens charity. We stand up for every child because all children should have a safe childhood. We protect children from harm and support them to recover from trauma and abuse through our national and local services. We help children their families and the people that care for them by offering emotional practical and financial support. We give children hope and a safer brighter future. Our core values guide how each one of us works in our individual day to day job:
With love we put children first.
With purpose we transform childrens lives together.
With strength we do whatever it takes to protect Scotlands children.
These values are reflected in everything we do. If you share our vision and values and would like to join our team then we would love to hear from you.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
About Company
Children First is Scotland’s national children’s charity. We stand up for every child because all children should have a safe childhood. We protect children from harm and support them to recover from trauma and abuse through our national and local services. We help children, their fam ... View more
