Anne McTaggart MSP is in the process of recruiting a Parliamentary Assistant to work in her Edinburgh office. The successful candidate will be based at the Scottish Parliament, with occasional visits to Glasgow.

The position is part-time, requiring the Parliamentary Assistant to work 21 hours per week, over 3 days.

The successful candidate should be self-motivated and able to work to tight deadlines. Attention to detail, excellent research skills and strong organisational abilities are essential, as is a demonstratable knowledge and/or experience of Scottish politics.

The job will involve:

• Researching and preparing Parliamentary questions, speeches and motions.
• Writing press releases and liaising with the press.
• Briefing Ms McTaggart on policy issues.
• Drafting responses to constituents’ policy letters and letters to government ministers and outside organisations, and replying to enquiries in a timely and polite manner.
• Liaising with external stakeholders when necessary.
• Liaising with the Glasgow constituency office and providing support to them where necessary.

The successful applicant will need to demonstrate:

• Knowledge of and commitment to the aims and values of the Labour Party.
• An awareness of the key political and policy issues, both nationally and locally, and a strong knowledge and/or experience of Scottish politics.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and self-motivation.
• The ability to produce high quality research and other written work within tight deadlines.
• Strong digital communication skills including high proficiency in using Microsoft Office software (including mail merges using Microsoft Word and diary management using Outlook), Internet/Web tools and social media.

Experience in a similar position is highly desirable but not essential.