Job Description

Impactful research. Expert communication. Panoramic vision. 

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER (SCOTLAND)

Salary: £36,225 per annum benefits

Reports to: Public Affairs Manager (Scotland)

Department: Policy, Information and Communications

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week. We are open to further discussion around flexible working for the successful candidate.

Location: Edinburgh Office w/ high-flex (1 – 2 days per week). We are open to further discussion around flexible working for the successful candidate.

Closing date: 12 April 2026, 23:55
Recruitment process: 1 stage role based competency questions and task.

Interview date: From 15th April 2026

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history section and the application questions of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly, and objectively.

If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk as soon as possible.

Please note: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That’s why we’re looking for someone talented, someone who wants to develop their skills, someone like you.

We are looking for a Public Affairs Officer to join our team in Scotland. In this role, you’ll act as Cancer Research UK’s primary contact in the Scottish Parliament. The role provides a full-time public affairs presence to manage our Scottish Parliament engagement programme. This includes acting as secretariat for the Cross Party Group on Cancer; supporting delivery of the Scottish Cancer Conference; regularly briefing elected members (MSP and Ministers); monitoring parliamentary activity and sharing intelligence; working collaboratively with relevant teams across CRUK; assisting with policy development to create Scotland-specific communications; and representing the charity at external events and meetings (including coalitions).

The charity has launched its Scottish manifesto ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026. This role will support the Public Affairs Manager to influence effectively ensuring that our key recommendations in the manifesto are committed to by all parties and the incoming government.

What will I be doing?

• Supporting CRUK’s influencing activity across key policy areas for cancer in Scotland

• Reacting swiftly to Scottish Parliament business (offering support to Members of the Scottish Parliament and updating our wider team on Scottish Parliament affairs)

• Using key influencing tools to ensure CRUK’s messages land in Scotland (MSP briefing documents, submitting parliamentary questions, and writing letters to various ministers and officials)

• Managing the production of Scotland-specific materials for political engagement (briefing papers, information placards, and organising social media posts)

• Providing the secretariat for the Scottish Parliament Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Cancer, and delivering the Scottish Cancer Conference on behalf of the CPG
• Managing rolling MSP contact programmes including shop and/or lab tours, regular mailings and individual or group meetings

• Managing CRUK’s Scottish party conference attendance programme, including budget, print and logistics

• Managing our engagements with MSP support staff, committee clerks, and other Scottish Parliament staff as appropriate

• Proactively seeking information and contacts within CRUK’s priority areas for Scotland

• Keeping abreast of Scottish Parliament developments (chiefly, Scottish Parliament reform and how this will affect CRUK’s influencing work in Scotland)

• Working with other third-sector organisations in areas of mutual policy interest.

What skills will I need?

• A good understanding of the Scottish Parliament

• Demonstrable political interest and judgement, with commitment to neutrality and ability to work across the political spectrum

• Ability to quickly understand, summarise and analyse complex policy issues and distil for a range of internal and external audiences

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to adapt style to different audiences

• Strong organisational skills and experience of managing a complex workload, with tight deadlines and often changing priorities

• Good influencing skills and confident managing challenging stakeholder relationships, including in coalition working

• Adaptable self-starter with the ability to work remotely and in a self-directed way as part of a larger team.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a public affairs/parliamentary role
• Understanding of cancer and cancer/ health policy
• Experience of organising events

Join us and help shape the future of how we support people affected by cancer. Together, we’ll go further — faster.

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page

Additional information

For more information about working with us please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.