Youth Advocacy Officer

SALARY: £30,823, pro-rata
HOURS: 18 hours per week* (work pattern to be agreed)
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
LOCATION: Remote working, based in Scotland.
CONTRACT: 1-year fixed term with possibility of extension.

*We operate a four-day working week (30 hours), which we consider full-time. This role is offered at 18 hours per week (0.6 FTE) with a pro-rata salary of £18,494 per annum. Additional hours may become available in the future, depending on organisational needs and funding.

ABOUT US

Young Sea Changers Scotland (YSCS) is a Scottish charity (SC052142) which empowers young people aged16-25 with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to speak up for Scotland’s seas and influence policy change. Our vision is for young people in Scotland, regardless of background or experience, to be empowered to have their voices heard on how our seas are managed.

YSCS is guided by a dedicated Board of Trustees and led by an Executive Director, all united by a shared passion for youth empowerment and ocean conservation.

JOB PURPOSE 

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of marine advocacy in Scotland. As our Youth Advocacy Officer, you’ll be at the heart of our mission of supporting young people to speak up and influence decisions about Scotland’s seas.

In this role you will:

• Support young people to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to become effective marine advocates
• Facilitate opportunities for young advocates to engage directly with policymakers, marine experts, and campaign partners
• Ensure that youth voices are not just included, but central to the conversation around marine policy and marine protection in Scotland

We’re looking for someone who’s confident, proactive, and passionate about both youth empowerment and environmental justice. If you have experience in policy advocacy and thrive on collaboration, this role offers a unique chance to make a real impact by amplifying youth voices and driving change for a healthier, fairer marine environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Coordinate the activities of our Young Persons Policy Group (YPPG) and ensure it remains a strong, youth-led voice in marine policy.
2. Work closely with the YPPG to deliver engaging workshops, webinars and virtual meetings that connect young people directly with elected representatives, marine experts, and key stakeholders.
3. Guide and empower young people to take part in policy advocacy—from writing consultation responses to confidently engaging with Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs).
4. Act as a mentor to participants of the Turning the Tide advocacy training programme.
5. Lead the planning and delivery of a youth advocacy leadership residential in summer 2026, creating a space for skill-building, peer connection, and strategic planning.
6. Support the promotion of the Youth Manifesto for Scotland’s Seas ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections and engage with MSPs to secure pledges to act on young people’s marine policy priorities.
7. Facilitate open and inclusive conversations between young people, YSCS, and government bodies to help make stakeholder engagement processes more youth friendly.
8. Represent YSCS at external events and meetings, acting as a passionate ambassador for our mission and work.
9. Collaborate with the YSCS team (Executive Director, Project Coordinator, and Board of Trustees) on other tasks that fall within the scope of this position

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential*

We’re looking for someone who meets most or all the following essential criteria:

• A good understanding of the current challenges facing Scotland’s seas, along with a working knowledge of marine or other environmental policy area**.
• Proven ability to engage effectively with decision-makers and other stakeholders, particularly in policy settings.
• Demonstrated experience in influencing policy through advocacy, campaigns, or direct engagement with decisions-makers or stakeholders.
• Strong facilitation skills, with experience running effective meetings or workshops (online and/or in-person).
• Experienced in project planning and delivery, ensuring timelines and objectives are met.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including attention to detail and the ability to tailor messages for different audiences.
• Some experience with public speaking, presentations, or representing an organisation externally.
• Confident user of social media.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage projects independently while working collaboratively within a small team.
• A proactive, collaborative mindset, with a genuine passion for working with young people and creating positive change for Scotland’s marine environment.

Desirable

These criteria are not essential but would be a bonus to have.

• Experience with budget management
• Experience working with volunteers, especially young people aged 16–25
• Experience designing and delivering accessible, inclusive events or workshops
• Experience with creating engaging digital content (e.g. using Canva)

Other

• You must be eligible to work in the UK (please note we do not sponsor visas)
• You must be based in Scotland or willing to relocate
• You must be available for occasional evening and weekend work

*Possessing a university degree is not required for this role.
**This can be in a specific thematic area (e.g. biodiversity, fisheries)

EQUALITY & DIVERSITY

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. People of colour, disabled people, and young people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour, disabled, a young person, or someone coming from a lower socio-economic background, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

WHY WORK WITH US

• Make a meaningful impact for young people to feel confidence to speak up on issues they care about
• Gain valuable experiences in a new, mission-driven organisation
• Join a team of people who share a passion for our marine environment and recognise the power of youth advocacy

WHAT WE OFFER

• A matched pension contribution of 5%
• A 4-day work week with a flexible working pattern between Monday-Thursday
• 22.5 days of paid holiday (pro-rata)
• We also close between Christmas and New Year as extra time off
• A training stipend & opportunities for professional development
• A work laptop & support for other equipment costs

Interviews will be held week commencing 10th November via Zoom with an expected start date of beginning-mid December. We are open to discussing the possibility of commencing after the Xmas closure.

Note that appointments will be subject to a Disclosure Scotland check and two references.

If you’d like to find out more, or for an informal chat about the role, do not hesitate to contact us!