Senior Policy & Communications Officer

About the role

As Senior Policy & Communications Officer, you will take a leading role in driving forward our policy and influencing work at both national and local levels. You’ll provide expert policy advice, develop high-impact communications, and represent Waverley Care in strategic discussions with government, public health bodies, and other key partners.

This is a senior position requiring a high degree of autonomy, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate evidence into persuasive policy positions. You will work closely with our leadership team, shaping organisational priorities and ensuring our voice is heard in decision-making spaces.

You’ll be joining Waverley Care at a pivotal moment, as Scotland works towards zero new HIV transmission, with the potential to become one of the first countries to achieve this. This role offers the opportunity to influence policy that will shape the future of HIV prevention, tackle stigma, and empower people living with HIV to live full, healthy lives.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a parliamentary engagement strategy to advance Waverley Care’s policy and public affairs objectives.
• Lead strategic engagement with MSPs, civil servants, and senior stakeholders to influence Scotland’s progress toward eliminating hepatitis C, achieving zero new HIV transmission by 2030, and ending stigma.
• Lead the development of evidence-based policy positions, offering expert strategic advice to influence Scottish Government targets and public health strategies.
• Lead all policy-related communications, including drafting briefings, consultation responses, press comments, press releases, online content, and social media updates to amplify Waverley Care’s policy priorities.
• Work with our community panel to ensure all policy communications are accessible, inclusive, and grounded in the voices of people with lived experience.
• Lead Waverley Care’s role in the Fast-Track Cities Scotland initiative, coordinating with participating cities to share best practice, address barriers, and ensure that people living with HIV have a direct voice in shaping national priorities.
• Represent Waverley Care at events, meetings, and networks, collaborating with key stakeholders from local government, NHS boards, and third-sector organisations to drive progress toward ending HIV transmission.
• Anticipate and analyse policy trends and developments in blood-borne viruses (BBVs) and wider public health, advising senior leadership on risks, opportunities, and emerging issues.
• Commission, author, and oversee high-quality, evidence-based research reports and thought leadership pieces to influence decision-makers and create meaningful change.
  Work closely with CEO and other teams across Waverley Care to align policy efforts with broader charity goals and objectives.
• Maintain databases of contacts and activities, ensuring effective tracking and reporting of policy and public affairs activities and appropriate recording in Scotland’s Lobbying Register.

About the person

You will bring a minimum of two years’ experience in a similar policy role, ideally within the health, equality, or third sector. You have a strong track record of working with government, local authorities, and national stakeholders, with a clear understanding of how policy is developed, implemented, and influenced at both national and local levels.

You excel at building and sustaining high-value relationships with decision-makers and partners, and you are confident representing the charities priorities at senior meetings, parliamentary sessions, and sector events.

You have demonstrable experience in developing and delivering impactful policy and public affairs strategies, as well as contributing to integrated communications and campaign work. You are comfortable working across all forms of media, from drafting press statements and opinion pieces to supporting social media advocacy.

Your excellent written and verbal communication skills will be key in writing persuasive consultation responses, shaping evidence-based policy positions, supporting Waverley Care’s Get To Zero campaign, and contributing to parliamentary evidence sessions. You will be confident in distilling complex issues into clear, compelling messages for a wide range of audiences.

How to apply

If you’re excited by this opportunity and believe you have the skills and experience we’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter explaining how your skills and experience match the person specification below to recruitment@waverleycare.org.

Application Deadline: Midnight, Sunday 14th September 2025