Royal Society of Edinburgh
Senior Public Affairs Officer
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Full-time (35 hours/week)
Permanent
Hybrid, with regular attendance at the RSE and Scottish Parliament
Starting salary: £41,836 per annum
Closing date: Thursday 29 October, 23:59
About the RSE
The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is Scotland’s National Academy. Through the expertise of our Fellowship and the work of our staff, we bring together knowledge, ideas, and people to help address the most important issues facing Scotland and the wider world.
Our Fellowship of over 1,800 individuals spans academia, business, public service, the arts, and civil society. Alongside this, the RSE delivers a wide-ranging programme of research support, policy advice, public engagement, and international collaboration.
We are a collaborative, purpose-driven organisation with a strong commitment to supporting our people and promoting a positive and inclusive working culture.
About the role
We are seeking a Senior Public Affairs Officer to help deliver the RSE’s political and parliamentary engagement, strengthening our relationships and profile across the Scottish and UK political landscapes.
The role will monitor and interpret political and policy developments, build productive relationships with MSPs, Ministers, officials, parliamentary staff and the wider policy community, and identify opportunities for the RSE’s expertise and evidence to inform policy debate and development. You will maintain a regular and purposeful presence at the Scottish Parliament, helping the RSE anticipate developments, identify opportunities for engagement, and build strong relationships across Parliament and Government.
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Working collaboratively with colleagues and Fellows across the RSE, you will help connect the breadth of the Society’s expertise and activity with relevant political and policy audiences. You will also provide political insight and advice internally, build networks across the wider policy landscape, and contribute to understanding and communicating the influence and impact of the RSE’s engagement.
This is an exciting opportunity to help strengthen the RSE’s profile as a trusted, independent, and evidence-led source of expertise, ensuring that our political engagement remains impartial and cross-party while connecting leading expertise with policy debate and development.
About you
You will bring:
- Strong political awareness and judgement, with the ability to monitor and interpret political and policy developments, identify emerging opportunities and understand their relevance to organisational priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly, concisely, and persuasively to different audiences.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the confidence, diplomacy, and discretion to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders while protecting organisational independence and political impartiality.
- The ability to work proactively and independently, exercising sound judgement while collaborating effectively with colleagues across different teams and functions.
- An understanding of approaches to measuring, tracking and communicating policy influence and impact, including the use of qualitative and quantitative evidence.
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Experience of working in, or directly with, the Scottish Parliament – for example in an MSP’s office or another role involving regular engagement with MSPs and parliamentary business – would be particularly welcome.
This role would suit someone with experience in public affairs, political, or parliamentary engagement, who is looking to play a leading role in strengthening the political relationships and profile of Scotland’s National Academy.
How to apply
For your application to be considered, please complete the online application via BreatheHR. At the document upload page, please use the add function to upload both required documents on this page:
- A CV (maximum two A4 pages) outlining your relevant skills and experience
- A cover letter (maximum one A4 page) setting out your suitability for the role and your interest in working at the RSE
Applications must be submitted by Thursday 29 October 2026, 23:59
Interviews for this role will take place on Thursday 12 November at the RSE in Edinburgh.
Please note that the RSE is not in the position to sponsor work or student visas. Pre-employment screening will include the necessary right to work in the UK checks as well as reference checks.
If you have any questions about the role or any difficulty accessing the online form, please contact vacancies@theRSE.org.uk
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