Interim Head of Communications and Engagement

Are you passionate about Human Rights?

Do you want to help improve the realisation of Human Rights for everyone in Scotland?

Do you have the skills, values, experience and expertise to help make that happen?

Are you interested in strengthening Scotland’s National Human Rights Institution?

If so, you could be just what we are looking for!

The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) is Scotland’s human rights watchdog.

We are an independent, expert body that works with and for the people of Scotland; we monitor, listen, and speak up for all our rights and respond when things go wrong. We are a public body created by statute, with a mandate to protect and promote the human rights of all people in Scotland.

The Commission is established as a National Human Rights Institution. As such we are part of a global network of bodies accredited by the United Nations to monitor state compliance with international and national human rights law and treaties. We are independent of government. It is the job of National Human Rights Institutions to use the rule of law to promote and protect the human rights of all of the people who live in any given country and assess the actions of the state on that basis. This is how the Scottish Human Rights Commission approaches its work.

Interim Head of Communications and Engagement

This key post is central to articulating the Commission’s role as Scotland’s human rights watchdog, promoting awareness and understanding of human rights, through the effective development and delivery of the Communication and Engagement strategy.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the role requires an individual with expert level skills across the communications mix of public affairs, corporate communications, media and digital, who can lead a team and empower a shared tone of voice and brand promotion across the organisation, and who can create and deliver strategic communications with purpose and impact. Experience of this gained in a related policy discipline would be welcome. You will lead and influence core messaging and its deployment across multiple channels to maximise exposure and awareness of the Commission’s purpose and outputs. A central feature of the role will be to coordinate activities and resources across the workforce, working closely with the Head of Legal and Policy to ensure effective communications programmes and plans are developed and implemented effectively across all of our core activities.

You will be responsible for developing and embedding the voice of the Commission aligned to its Strategic Plan 2024-28 and play a central role in shaping the Commissions strategic outputs.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will, provide leadership and management to the organisation as the Commission delivers its People and Culture plan in 2025. In addition, you will directly lead and manage the Commission’s Communications Team, ensuring they have effective management direction, support and development as required.

Full time (37 hours per week)

Fixed Term 1 Year – secondment opportunities are very welcome

Grade 5 (£54,792- £65,800)

Based in Edinburgh, Hybrid working available

For a recruitment pack, please click Apply now

Closing date for applications: 9.00am, Monday 20 January 2025

Interview date: W/C 24th February, tbc

Please note that CVs will not be accepted and applications received after the deadline will not be considered.