External Affairs Officer

Sgn; Paisley; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

SGN is seeking an External Affairs Officer to act as the vital link between SGN and political engagement in Holyrood and the Scottish Government. You will help shape engagement plans, monitor parliamentary activity, and ensure SGN speaks with a consistent voice to protect our operations and reputation.

You will support the Senior External Affairs Manager in meetings with Ministers and MSPs, plan at conferences and industry events, map key stakeholders, monitor inquiries, and contribute briefing

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in a political office (MSP/MP office), in-house team, or agency.
• Solid grasp of Scottish parliamentary procedures and the legislative cycle.
• Ability to translate complex policy debates into clear internal communications.

Responsibilities

• Supporting political engagement with Holyrood and the Scottish Government.
• Leading Logistics & Events for SGN at key conferences and events.
• Strategic stakeholder mapping with think tanks, NGOs and government officials.
• Monitoring parliamentary activity and producing internal updates and responses.
• Building brand profile through meetings with MSPs and briefing materials for senior engagements.
• Campaign support to develop and execute public affairs campaigns.

Skills

Political engagement

Stakeholder management

Communication

Job description

We are looking for an External Affairs Officer to be the core link between SGN and our political engagement in Holyrood and the Scottish Government. You will be key to fostering a positive relationship with relevant political figures and deliver engagement plans to sustain positive relationships. You will closely monitor parliamentary activity and ensure SGN are positioned with a consistent voice and monitor external affairs that may impact our operations, reputation or performance.

We deliver safety, warmth, and comfort to homes and businesses. Every role, whether in the office or on the front line, plays a key part in this mission. Here's how you will contribute...

• Supporting political engagement - You will support the Senior External Affairs Manager with their engagement in Holyrood and the Scottish Government. Supporting the delivery of meetings with Scottish Ministers and their officials, engaging with MSPs across all parties, ensuring follow-up actions are delivered.
• Leading Logistics & Events - Supporting the Senior External Affairs Manager in planning and delivering SGN presence at Scottish Party Conferences and other key industry events.
• Strategic Stakeholder Mapping - Develop and maintain engagement plans including Scottish think tanks, NGOs and Scottish Government officials to help shape the energy policy environment.
• Intelligence and Monitoring - Monitoring parliamentary activity including the Official Report, committee inquiries, motions, written questions and consultations. You will produce updates for internal SGN audiences and support the Senior External Affairs Manager with consultation responses.
• Building Brand Profile - You will have opportunities to lead on our meetings with backbench MSPs and parliamentary researchers to build our profile, while supporting the Executive team with high-quality briefing materials for senior engagements.
• Campaign Support - Working closely with the Senior External Affairs Manager, you'll help develop and execute impactful public affairs campaigns that protect and enhance our corporate reputation.

What you will need

• Approximately 2-4 years of experience within a political office (MSP/MP office), in-house team, or agency, with a solid grasp of Scottish parliamentary procedures and the legislative cycle.
• A working understanding of how the Scottish Government operates, including how decisions are made.
• An existing contact base or the confidence to build one quickly among parliamentary researchers, office managers, and Scottish Government stakeholder teams.
• You can translate complex policy debates and political terminology into clear, concise communications for internal audiences.
• Previous experience managing political logistics and events in a fast-paced environment where attention to detail is non-negotiable.
• A genuine interest in energy, infrastructure, or climate change policy (familiarity with key Scottish Government departments relevant to energy, resilience, and skills is a distinct advantage).
• You are a proactive team player who is comfortable operating independently on day-to-day tasks while supporting the wider organisation's strategic goals.

Not sure you meet every requirement?

Research shows some people - particularly women and those from underrepresented backgrounds - may hesitate to apply unless they meet every criteria. At SGN, we value diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

If this role interests you but you're not sure you tick every box, we'd still love to hear from you. You might be just who we're looking for - now or in the future.

Why SGN?

SGN leads pioneering research and development for a energy system. Our innovative technologies are transforming the gas industry while keeping people safe and warm. We are an award-winning employer, including CCA Gold Awards for Great Places to Work and Inclusivity and Accessibility, and a proud Gold member of the Armed Forces Covenant.

If you require any accommodations or support during the application process, reach out to us. We're here to help ensure an inclusive and accessible experience for everyone.