The Poverty Alliance

Floor 3, 94 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 6PH
0141 353 0440

Post
Salary
Duration
Hours
Location
Line Manager
Line Reports

Policy and Campaigns Manager
£46,840 per annum plus 8% pension
12 Months (maternity cover)
35 hours per week
Glasgow, hybrid
Chief Executive Officer
Senior Campaigns and Engagement Officer, Policy and
Parliamentary Officer, Communications Officer, Policy Officer

JOB PURPOSE

To lead the development, and oversee the implementation, of the Poverty Alliance’s
policy and campaign positions, and communications activity, across a range of social
policy areas. This will include leading our engagement with key stakeholders in
national (Scottish & UK) and local government as well as the development of new
policy and practice change projects that contribute to the delivery of strategic
objectives and organisational sustainability.

JOB BACKGROUND

The Poverty Alliance is the national anti-poverty network in Scotland, with
membership including representatives from the community and voluntary sectors,
trade unions, faith groups, statutory bodies and others. The Scottish Government,
local authorities and charitable trusts financially support us to carry out our work,
alongside our members.

Established in 1992, the Poverty Alliance has a long track record in working with
individuals and communities affected by poverty to campaign and influence key
policy decisions in Scotland. Our work is grounded in the experiences and
perspectives of people on low incomes across Scotland, as well as the organisations
working on the frontline against poverty.

The Policy and Campaigns Manager will play a leading role in continuing to develop
our network’s ability to influence key policy areas and to lobby for the changes we
need to end poverty in Scotland. The role complements our existing activity on
networking, community engagement, research and practice change where we seek
to engage with grassroots organisations and individuals experiencing poverty, and

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as such the role will work closely with teams across the organisation as well as with
organisations across our network.

The Policy and Campaigns Manager will build on the progress that has been made
in recent years in relation to our policy priorities. Over the last five years we have
contributed to significant change and development in areas including in-work
poverty, Scottish social security policy, child poverty legislation, food insecurity and
participation. We have played a central role in supporting coalitions such as End
Child Poverty, Tax Justice Scotland and the Scottish Campaign on the Right to
Social Security. The Policy and Campaigns Manager is central to the development of
key campaigns including Challenge Poverty Week, Scotland Demands Better and
the Minimum Income Guarantee.

A critical aspect of the role is ensuring that we have a policy and campaigns team
that is adequately resourced to have an impact on decisions in Scotland and that can
effectively involve and reflect the priorities of our members. Experience and
knowledge of the funding environment that voluntary organisations in Scotland
operate in will be critical.

This Policy and Campaigns Manager role will be critical in ensuring that the Alliance
continues to play an influential role in the development of social justice policy at local
and national levels in Scotland. Crucially this role will play a vital role in the period
prior to the next Scottish Parliament elections and in building new relationships after
the election.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Key Responsibilities are:

1.  Implementation of relevant areas of the Poverty Alliance strategic plan

including:

1.1. Supporting the development and implementation of policy and campaigns

projects and initiatives

1.2. Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders in key policy areas

1.3. Representing the Poverty Alliance and its policy priorities in the media and

across a range of events, networks and forums

2.  People management

3.  Monitoring, reporting & organisational management

Detailed responsibilities:

1.  Implementation of relevant areas of the Poverty Alliance strategic plan

including:

1.1. Leading the development and implementation of policy and campaigns

projects and initiatives

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•  To oversee the development and delivery of the programme of work for the
Poverty Alliance’s policy and campaigns activity, in line with the strategic
direction set by the Poverty Alliance Board and membership.

•  To contribute to the strategic thinking on future policy and campaigning

priorities for the Poverty Alliance.

•  To ensure the continued development of key Poverty Alliance initiatives and

projects including Poverty, Participation, Policy and Challenge Poverty Week,
and to develop new projects in relevant areas.

•  To lead the implementation of communications projects and activities and to

manage the Poverty Alliance’s strategic communications activity

1.2. Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders in key policy areas

•  To build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders in key policy
areas, including with politicians (MSPs, MPs, local councillors), senior
government officials, local authority officials, to build support for Poverty
Alliance policy positions.

•  To maintain relationships with key individuals and organisations across civil

society, including Poverty Alliance members, to ensure that our policy
positions and campaigning goals are effectively coordinated.

•  To lead on our engagement with key Scottish and UK civil society campaigns,
and to delegate responsibilities wherever necessary for Poverty Alliance
engagement and support of campaigns.

1.3. Representing the Poverty Alliance and its policy priorities in the media and

across a range of events, networks and forums

•  To provide authoritative comment to press and media outlets on key Poverty

Alliance policy positions.

•  To represent the organisation and present Poverty Alliance policy positions at
stakeholder events and meetings, such as Government roundtables and
member conferences.

•  Represent the Poverty Alliance at key Parliamentary Committees at the UK

and Scottish Parliaments.

•  To lead, with the CEO and supported by the Communications Officer, the
continued development of the Poverty Alliance’s approach to strategic
communications.

2.  People management:

•  Manage performance and personal development of the policy and campaigns
team, through regular feedback, supervision, supporting learning and the
performance development review process.

•  To contribute to the recruitment and induction of new staff.

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•  Develop and maintain effective working relationships across the team, and

organisation.

3.  Monitoring, reporting & organisational management:

•  Analyse and evaluate performance, monitoring and reporting against

objectives, outcomes and OKRs.

•  To contribute to reporting to funders and to the monitoring of campaigns and

policy budgets.

General

•  To ensure compliance with the Poverty Alliance governance procedures, our

values, policies and guidelines.

•  Contribute to a positive working environment in which equality and diversity

are valued and staff are enabled to do their best.

PERSON SPECIFIATION

Essential Experience

•  Significant experience in a policy/public affairs/campaigning environment

operating at the national level.

•  Significant experience of developing relationships and networks to influence

social justice policy at the local or national level.

•  A proven track record of success in leading and managing a team of

comparable size and complexity, to deliver high quality results to deadlines.

•  Experience of contributing to the development, communication and

implementation of business plans.

•  Proven planning and project management experience to control effective use

of resources.

•  Demonstrable experience of applying effective problem-solving techniques

when the situation demands.

•  Experience of financial and budgetary management.

Essential Knowledge and skills

•  Excellent understanding of the poverty related social policy landscape

(including but not limited to social security, employment, health inequalities,
housing, public services, democratic participation) and its application in
practice in Scotland.

•  Excellent understanding of the processes, tactics and strategies associated

with influencing public policy, particularly in a Scottish context.

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•  A sound understanding of Scottish civil society organisations including the

voluntary and community sectors, trade unions, faith groups, etc.

•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to
communicate effectively in a wide range of media and audiences.

•  Good analytical problem-solving skills.

•  The ability to manage change effectively.

•  Demonstrable commitment to inclusive working and collaborative leadership,

ensuring equality and valuing diversity.

•  Excellent interpersonal skills, and able to influence/persuade a wide range of

stakeholders.

•  Excellent organisational and workload management skills.

•

IT skills, in particular MS Teams, SharePoint, Zoom.

Desirable Criteria

•  Experience of working alongside people with experience of poverty.

•  Educated to Degree level, or equivalent, in appropriate discipline e.g. Social

Sciences.

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