Office Manager

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Acting with the delegated authority of the MSP to manage all office and staffing arrangements
• Providing a comprehensive secretarial, casework, research and administrative support service, as required
• Line managing and leading the team’s paid employees and volunteers
• Participating in the control and forecasting of the office budgets
• Managing, reviewing and developing administration procedures
• Carrying out duties or projects delegated by the MSP, as required
• Policy, Strategy and Communications Advice
• Acting as principal adviser to the MSP on all research, campaigns, communications and casework matters
• If required, drafting speeches for engagements carried out by the MSP
• Representing the MSP in a professional and effective manner in dealings with the media, constituents and other outside bodies.

External and Internal Liaison:

• Handling enquiries from constituents and stakeholders and drafting written correspondence, where appropriate
• Tracking and monitoring the quality of the responses to constituents and ensuring all enquiries are answered within the agreed timescale.
• Looking after all aspects of the MSP’s diary
• Working directly with the MSP on all incoming mail, advising on relevant background, as required
• Managing constituency and parliamentary meetings.

Communications Officer (Part time)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Establishing a broad range of contacts within the press, broadcast and online media in order to promote the work of the MSP nationally and locally;
• Producing high quality press briefings, speeches, presentations and written materials;
• Identifying forthcoming events which may provide potential media opportunities;
• Organising interviews and press conferences on behalf of the MSP and accompany her on request;
• Developing e-communications with constituents and groups campaigning on local issues across the constituency;
• Using and monitoring social media channels to communicate with all stakeholders;
• Maintaining administrative and information systems, to support communications work in the parliament/constituency;
• Working in a flexible and confidential manner at all times and as part of a team.