Communications Officer/Caseworker

Communications Officer/Caseworker

Graham Simpson MSP is looking to hire a new team member to support his work.  The successful candidate will require flexibility to work in the Scottish Parliament and in the Central Scotland region.

The position will suit a dynamic individual with a good sense of humour.

The role will include communications and casework.  Some of the duties required include:

• Dealing with general public enquiries
• Dealing with casework effectively and efficiently and investigating and responding to issues raised through correspondence, telephone calls, emails and surgeries
• Maintaining an electronic and manual filing system. Associating previous papers with current correspondence and extracting document on request
• Conducting basic research and surveys
• Maintaining the casework tracking system and ensuring it’s up to date
• Typing of correspondence and reports as required
• Arranging and advertising of surgeries
• Administrative work as directed
• Liaising effectively with all sections of the media including political and specialist journalists, editors and other spokespeople for external organisations
• Establishing a broad range of contacts within the press, broadcast and online media in order to promote the work of the MSP
• Producing high quality press briefings, quality speeches, presentations and written materials
• Working with the MSP to promote his/her parliamentary work nationally and locally
• Identifying forthcoming events which may provide potential media opportunities
• Monitoring the media, keeping the MSP briefed and up to date on developments
• Organising interviews and press conferences on behalf of the MSP and accompany them on request
• Developing e-communications with constituents and groups campaigning on local issues across the constituency
• Ensuring compliance with GDPR
• Using and monitoring social media channels to communicate with all stakeholders
• Maintaining administrative and information systems, to support communications work in the parliament/constituency
• Working in a flexible and confidential manner at all times and as part of a team

Essential knowledge and experience

• Working with the public/customer service
• UK and/or Scottish political system(s)

Essential skills

• High attention to detail
• High quality written work/copywriting
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Desirable knowledge and experience

• Drafting press releases and working with the media
• Running social media campaigns
• Previous casework or advisory role
• Public sector/parliamentary background
• Media monitoring
• Familiar with GDPR
• Project management

Desirable skills

• Full driving licence

• Video editing and digital design
• Web editing

Salary: dependent on experience, in line with pay scale £21,140 - £25,850.  Part time applicants welcome.

Please send a CV and covering letter to by Friday 29^th June.