Senior Policy Manager – Agriculture

Salary: £48,000 – £54,000 per year

Senior Policy Manager – Agriculture
Location: Ingliston, EH28 8LT
Salary: £48,000 – £54,000DOE
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
About NFU Scotland:
NFU Scotland is committed to promoting the interests of farming in Scotland. That means listening to our members and developing policies which are promoted to government and others of influence to make sure that Scottish farmers are allowed to operate in a fair and equitable political environment.
Representing some 8,500 farmers, crofters, and other rural businesses across the country, NFU Scotland’s mission is to promote and protect the interests of its members by influencing government and the supply chain to secure a sustainable future for Scottish agriculture.
Senior Policy Manager – Agriculture:
We are recruiting for a person to join our widely respected Policy Team to take the lead all issues relating to crop production – including combinable crops and specialist crops.
* Formally and informally influence the development and delivery of all aspects of agricultural policy and regulation that relate to crops and arable interests in Scotland.
* Influence the supply chain associated with all the mainstream crop types of interest to arable and specialist crop production in Scotland.
* Provide specialist and timely support and advice to elected representatives, head office-based colleagues, regionally based colleagues and members of NFU Scotland.
* Provide concise written materials with regard to consultations and briefings for a variety of related purposes as necessary.
Senior Policy Manager – Agriculture:
The ideal candidate will have knowledge and experience of crop production systems and issues that affect the arable sector.
* First Class or 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant discipline and/or relevant working experience.
* At least five years’ experience working on issues related to policy development (preferably in the context of crop production and/or policy development)
* You must have the ability to work alongside colleagues on key issues across agriculture sectors, advising on appropriate policy lines, providing technical guidance, and taking the lead on projects and initiatives.
* You need to be comfortable dealing with several different issues at one time and be able to articulate them clearly and in a convincing manner to a wide variety of audiences.
* We want someone with a can-do attitude.
* What we do makes a big difference to farm businesses across Scotland, so we need someone who thrives on challenges and is solutions focussed.
* The ability to find solutions to problems and mediate conflict.
* A self-starter and a strong team player and with the confidence and experience to mentor younger team members.
* The skills to interpret detailed and complex information and present it clearly and concisely to different audiences and suggest pragmatic and credible courses of action.
* Capable of dealing with different demands at one time while clearly prioritising to ensure outcomes are achieved.
* A positive and reassuring manner with an ability to deliver challenging messages effectively.
* Confidence in speaking to a variety of audiences, including colleagues, members, officials and the media, including radio and TV interviews when required.
Senior Policy Manager – Agriculture:
* Flexible working
* 38 holiday entitlement per annum (including Bank Holidays)
* Generous contributed pension
* Free onsite parking
Under current guidelines, you would be working from home and flexible working arrangements can be agreed.
***You will be based in NFU Scotland’s Head Office in Ingliston (near Edinburgh Airport), with regular travel throughout Scotland and the UK and occasionally beyond. ***

Interviews will take place virtually via Teams or Zoom at an agreed date and time.
If you feel you have the necessary skills and experience to be successful in this role, click on forwarding an up to date copy of your CV and a covering letter for consideration in the first instance.
No agencies please.