Caseworker for Jackie Dunbar MSP

Salary: From £28,185, dependent on experience

Working pattern: Full-time, 35 hours a week, although requests for flexible working can be considered

Location: Aberdeen Donside constituency office

Working for a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP)

Jackie Dunbar, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, is looking to employ a Caseworker to join her current team within her Constituency Office in Aberdeen.

I am looking for someone to help me support the people I represent with the various issues that they raise with me.

In this advert I have attempted to offer a clear and plain-spoken description of this position, and my reasonings for what I am looking for, to make the work parliamentarians do feel more accessible, and to hopefully ensure suitable candidates feel confident in putting themselves forward.

The caseworker role mainly involves good people skills, having the ability to listen and understand the issues raised by often difficult or distressed constituents, drafting emails to organisations that sets out clearly the concerns raised, and then responding accordingly to my constituent. As you learn to do this you will be supported and guided by me and my existing team.

Other aspects of the job will involve arranging and/or attending meetings and visits with me, drafting motions for the Scottish Parliament (you will be taught how to write these) and helping support campaigns about issues that affect Aberdeen Donside.

What I am looking for:

Essential:

· Good written and verbal communication skills

· Ability to work in a small team – You will be part of a team of 5 and you need to be able to work together.

· Ability to learn – My team and I will support you to develop your skills and help you will put those skills to good use.

· Basic IT skills – Keyboard skills are essential; any further IT skills are useful.

Highly desirable:

· Experience of volunteering or activism – Your primarily focus is on helping people, some background of supporting others or of campaigning for a cause would show you are suited to this role.

· Local knowledge – Knowledge and understanding of the different communities within the Aberdeen Donside constituency.

· Ability to be flexible and adaptable – My role as an MSP can be demanding and unpredictable at times, and you will sometimes need to work around that.

· Attention to detail – You can show this by including a photo of your favourite place alongside your application.

Desirable:

· Reasonable knowledge of current affairs and Scottish politics – It is much more important to me that you are willing to help others than someone who knows every aspect of political policy, but a reasonable understanding of politics is helpful to provide context to the work you will be doing.

· Ability to use your initiative – Several of the cases you will deal with will include unique issues and can flag up when the systems that govern us are not working properly, or where they could be improved. Using your initiative to research an issue in a little more detail, to propose a different course of action, or to escalate a matter appropriately, can make a big difference to the outcome of a case.

· Ability to think creatively and to think outside of the box – the ability to think of solutions that others might not have thought of is useful.

This job description is not exhaustive, and the successful candidate will be required to undertake other duties as required.

How to Apply:

Please email your CV and a supporting statement to me at: Jackie.Dunbar.MSP@parliament.scot.

Your supporting statement should outline how you meet the requirements detailed above for this role. Applications that do not include a supporting statement may not be considered. Be sure to include “Caseworker – Job Application” in the subject line of your email.

Closing Date: 20th June 2025 at 5pm. Applications received after this date/time may not be considered.

Interviews will be held on 1st July 2025. A short assessment and some interview questions will be shared in advance, although follow-up questions will be asked on the day.