Candidate and Diversity Officer - Scotland

Job Description: Candidate and Diversity Officer

Reporting to: Chief Executive

Contract: Part Time, Fixed Term till June 2026.

Salary: £26k - £28K pro rata

Location: Edinburgh/Hybrid

Application process: CV and covering letter to hq@scotlibdems.org.uk

Deadline for applications: 5th July 2024

Purpose of Post: To ensure that the next generation of diverse candidates for Westminster, and Scottish Parliament elections, as well as at local party and local council are in place with the utmost efficiency.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

GENERAL

• Provide administrative support to the Campaigns and Candidates ctte within it's remit as the responsible body for candidates across Scotland.
• Support the delivery of pilots and projects that come within the remit of the Joint States Candidates Committee (JCSC).
• Support, recruit and retain volunteers at all stage of the candidate selection process, ie Returning officer, Assessors, selection panel members etc.
• Work with Federal Party staff and State party stakeholders to ensure that we work in a joined-up manner utilising resources effectively.

Candidates

• Work with staff and stakeholders to ensure the delivery of the strategic plan to recruit, approval and put in place candidates for the Holyrood elections in 2026.
• Support Party officers in ensuring that the Liberal Democrats have a properly nominated candidate in place for all parliamentary and other relevant elections.

Diversity

• Work with Campaigns and Ctte reps and staff to identify, recruit, and onboard potential new candidates from diverse backgrounds to encourage them to become candidates at all levels.
• Work with local parties to establish diversity officers in every local party.
• Work with local parties to develop local diversity action plans.
• Work with the Finance and Membership ctte to diversify membership of the party
• Work with the Diversity sub ctte to establish a diversity plan for the Scottish Liberal Democrats across Scotland.
• Provide statistical and other information to targeted diversity programs to ensure that they are informed of relevant candidate selection timetables to help increase the representation of female, BAME and other under-represented groups.

Internal Elections

Act as the lead staff member, planning, and coordinating with federal, state, and local stakeholders to effectively deliver the internal election process for the constituency and list positions for the Holyrood elections in line with the agreed timeline.

Training

Ensure that all staff and volunteers receive adequate training to effectively deliver their role.
Work with Federal, state, and local stakeholders to ensure that candidates at all levels receive adequate training to fulfill their roles.
Any other duties – undertake any other reasonable duties as deemed appropriate by your line manager.

Person Specification

Essential

- Excellent attention to detail.
- Able to effectively manage competing demands.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience of managing stakeholders
- General administrative skills
- Share the values of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Able to work without supervision.
- An understanding of elections.
- An understanding of the diversity and inclusion agenda in a political context.

Desirable

- Experience of working in the field of diversity and inclusion
- Project management
- Proof reading experience
- Experience of drafting and coordinating communications.
- Experience of using databases, CRM’s etc.
- Experience of working with volunteers.