Policy Officer

Job Title: Policy Officer 
 Reference number: CF26-30
 Location: Edinburgh, with Hybrid working
 Salary: Band C, £30,602– £35,778 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 Scotland's national children's 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 First's 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 First's 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 First's 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.

Skills & Experience

We're 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 children's 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.

What You'll Get From Us

• 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.

Our Values
 
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 Scotland’s 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 lily.humphreys@childrenfirst.org.uk 

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 First’s 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 First’s Strategic Priorities. The role will coordinate and support the development of briefings, consultation responses and policy submissions, helping ensure Children First’s 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 First’s 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 First’s 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 First’s 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.

What We’re Looking For

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 You’ll 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 

Corporate Responsibility

• 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
Degree level standard of education. Experience of analysing and understanding complex issues and information and sharing this in both writing and orally.  Experience of advocacy and campaign work to influence change. Experience of supporting children and young people to share their views and contribute to decisions which affect them (Common Core ref: A4, A8) Ability to work independently and proactively, as well as collaboratively in both an internal and external network.  Strong interpersonal skills, able to work with a range of different people.	Ability to communicate effectively, with a range of audiences.  High standard of oral, written and presentation skills.  An ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment, with understanding, adaptability and flexibility. An ability to take complex information and communicate it to a range of audiences, depending on their needs.  An ability to develop and manage internal and external relationships with sensitivity and respect. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CoPilot) and social media platforms.   Excellent attention to detail. Effective time management skills and ability to meet competing deadlines.	An understanding of children’s rights and the key issues facing children and families in Scotland today.  A developing understanding of the Scottish legislative and policy landscape, including the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government.	Motivated to contribute to meaningful change, with a clear commitment to improving the lives of children and families across Scotland.  Curious and confident in asking questions and offering careful critical analysis on complicated issues.  Committed to Children First vision and values.  Committed to ethical principles of participation.  Able and willing to travel as required to services and offices across the region. Confident and able to form effective and credible relationships with all levels of staff	Aligned to Children First’s Values: Determined and passionate in upholding the rights of children and young people. Have the drive to elevate and amplify the voices of children, young people and families to inform and influence change. Being courageous and resilient in ensuring that the voices of children, young people and families are heard.