Policy Advocate - Forestry and Land Use (Scotland)

The Woodland Trust is looking for a Policy Advocate - Forestry and Land Use (Scotland) to help us increase the Trust’s influence through policy and advocacy work.

The Role: 

• This role is key to helping us target the forestry, farming and land use policy issues at the Scottish Government and statutory agency level.
• You’ll develop and lead the delivery of advocacy strategies that will ensure woods and trees are valued and recognised in key policies and decisions at national level.
• You’ll monitor, research and analyse relevant areas of the Scottish Government and Parliament politics and policies.
• You’ll work collaboratively with colleagues to support campaign development, policy development, inform and respond to public consultations.
• You'll lead and write external policy reports, consultation responses, briefings and other materials.
• You’ll lead the Trust’s advocacy relationship with civil servants and statutory agencies as relevant to the policy area.
• You’ll develop and advocate the Trust’s positions and policy goals to internal and external stakeholders.
• This role includes a mix of working from home and travel around Scotland.

The Candidate: 

• You have an enthusiasm for the environment and share our core values-Grow Together, Explore, Focus and Make it Count.

We are looking for candidates who have the following:

• Experience working in a forestry and/or land use policy advocacy role.
• Knowledge of deer management, farming, Rhododendron ponticum issues affecting Scotland’s native woods.
• Research and analytical skills specifically in Scottish Government and Parliament politics and policies.
• Experience working collaboratively across multiple teams and departments.
• Knowledge of Scottish forestry, farming and land use policy landscape.
• Ability to understand complex information in short periods of time and the ability to communicate this with a variety of different audiences.
• Well organised, detail-orientated, able to prioritise and work to tight deadlines.
• Experience leading and developing advocacy strategies in relation to woodland creation, restoration and protection.
• This role requires travel around the Scotland, so you need to have a clean UK driving licence.

Benefits & Wellbeing: Joining our team means you'll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:

• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 days + bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
• Buy and Sell Annual Leave
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees. 

People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.

Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application. 

Application Advice: For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, we do not ask for your CV at application stage. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. 

Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply. 

Acceptable Use Policy - Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools. If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]

Apply Now: If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.

Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams on 4th November 2025.

For queries relating to this new opportunity please email [email protected].