Senior Policy Adviser - Devolved Nations

£49,000 per annum

Fixed Term - 1 year (until September 2026, with possible extension)

Part home/Part office (Edinburgh) based (with some travel to the London office)

UNICEF ensures more of the world's children are vaccinated, educated and protected than any other organisation. We have done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children than anyone else. We get things done. And we're not going to stop until the world is a safe place for all our children.

This is a great opportunity to join the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) as a Senior Policy Adviser for the Devolved Nations.

Based in our office in Edinburgh, the Senior Policy Adviser for the Devolved Nations will lead UNICEF UK's policy work for children across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with a primary initial focus on Scotland. The role will identify opportunities to uphold and advance child rights under devolution, including the development of key policy asks and influencing strategies, that are aligned with the context for each country.

You will undertake policy research and analysis while collaborating with colleagues in the UNICEF UK Advocacy Department, the Scotland team and partners in the devolved nations to deliver compelling and impactful advocacy targeted towards the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Governments. You will have experience of working on child rights issues in the UK, developing policies and translating these into meaningful change through advocacy that is tailored for the devolved nations.

Act now and visit the website via the apply button to apply online.

Closing date: 9am, Thursday 11 September 2025.

First Round Interview date: Wednesday 24 / Thursday 25 September 2025.

In return, we offer:

• excellent pay and benefits (including flexible working, generous annual leave and pension, big brand discounts and wellbeing tools)
• outstanding training and learning opportunities and the support to flourish in your role
• an open culture and workplace with colleagues who share our values, enjoy their work and are motivated to do their utmost for children.
• the opportunity to work in a leading children's organisation making a difference to children around the world

Our application process: We use a system called "Applied" that anonymises your responses and focuses on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process.

We anticipate most colleagues will work one or two days a week in the office at UNICEF UK, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN and the rest of the time from home. We will happily discuss other flexible options to suit your circumstances.

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the representation of these groups at this level at UNICEF UK. We want to do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for children.

UNICEF UK promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We make employment decisions by matching business needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

We welcome a conversation about your flexible working requirements, personal growth, and promoting a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a criminal records check. A criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of your offences.

We only accept online applications as this saves us money, making more funds available for us to help ensure children's rights.

If you require support in completing the online form or an application form in an alternative format, please contact Supporter Care on during office hours.

If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. Please note that we only provide feedback to shortlisted candidates.

Registered Charity Nos. (England and Wales) SC043677 (Scotland)