Policy Manager (Strong Communities) - Citizens Advice Scotland

Scotland’s Citizens Advice Network is an essential community service that empowers people through our local bureaux and national services by providing free, confidential, and independent advice. We use people’s real-life experiences to influence policy and drive positive change. We are on the side of people in Scotland who need help, and we change lives for the better.

The Citizens Advice network is made up of 59 local Citizens Advice Bureaux, each its own independent charity, and Citizens Advice Scotland as the national charity and membership body, which includes the GB delivery of Extra Help Unit service, a group of specialist case workers supporting vulnerable energy and post consumers. We provide advice across over 200 locations and deliver 12 national advice projects for UK and Scottish Government including the Money Talks advice service and the Help to Claim Universal Support advice service.

Last year the network helped nearly 180,000 people and unlocked £147million for people through things like social security payments and employment entitlements. Our online advice received over 5.4 million page views and our awareness raising campaigns reached millions of people.

Our vision is for a Fairer Scotland where everyone has the advice and information they need to realise their rights, and that the barriers to accessing those rights are effectively challenged. 

Making Change Happen at Citizens Advice Scotland

The Impact team has access to the incredible wealth of data generated through advice giving by our network of Citizens Advice Bureaux and through the Extra Help Unit at Citizens Advice Scotland, and our online advice which is accessed by over 2 million people every month.

We hold the largest dataset on social issues outside of the public sector and this allows us to understand what is happening on the ground in communities across Scotland and reflect our client’s experiences to government and to those who can make a difference. We campaign and influence to tackle the root cause of the problems people face, and to work to strengthen their rights. To achieve change we work with governments, regulators and business at a UK and Scottish level on improving areas of particular detriment, and undertake research and delivering awareness and education campaigns. 

Our Network Mission

• We help people navigate systems and access their rights
• We build resilience in local communities
• We support the realisation of human rights
• We help change policies and practices to ensure they work for people 

This Opportunity

As a Policy Manager (Strong Communities) you will lead and manage a team dedicated to improving the policy, processes, and practices in the areas of access to justice and telecommunications and advocate for change on behalf of citizens and consumers in order to prevent detriment. 

You will be responsible for managing the work plan, developing policy positions, directing the policy outputs of team members, advocating for change, raising awareness, undertaking research, and empowering people to make informed choices. 

We are looking for someone who is highly motivated, can lead with drive and enthusiasm, able to efficiently manage a work programme of activity, and play a key role in a team dedicated to making positive change to the lives of people in Scotland. 

This is a great opportunity to play a critical role in helping to make society fairer, and in supporting our network of Citizens Advice Bureaux across Scotland. 

You will be able to demonstrate experience of working in policy development, advocacy, public affairs, consumer policy, or regulation. While not an essential criteria understanding of the Scottish legal system or legal qualifications, and/or knowledge of current issues and developments related to access to justice in Scotland, such as reform processes and the impacts of the pandemic on the justice system in Scotland would be beneficial to this role. Likewise understanding of telecommunications policy, the free advice landscape in Scotland, or experience of working as part of a network would also be beneficial for this role.

For more information, please refer to the Job Pack which can be downloaded using the links below or on our vacancies page.

Employee benefits

Citizens Advice Scotland offers excellent terms and conditions, including a total of 40 days leave (including public holidays) and a pension scheme with an 8% employer contribution. We have a flexitime scheme which enables our employees to work flexibly in line with organisational requirements, and as an inclusive employer we are happy to consider other flexible working arrangements where appropriate. For more details of some of the other benefits on offer to our employees, please see the section on employee benefits in the Job Pack.

CAS provides options for blended working to allow employees to balance their time attending the office with time working from home.  The number of days you will be expected to attend the office each week can be discussed as part of the recruitment process. Candidates should be prepared to attend the office on their first day for an induction, and to attend the office thereafter as required.

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