Views

Inside look: the role of our Policy and Practice Officer: Children and Young People 

A short interview with our policy and practice officer about her work at Zero Tolerance. 

 

What do you do as Zero Tolerance’s Policy and Practice officer for Children and young people?

My role focusses on embedding gender equality in children and young people’s environments in Scotland.  

We know that to prevent men’s violence against women and girls, we need to change the attitudes and behaviour of adults who work with children, and the culture of the environments children and young people spend time in.  

This means I work with policy makers, decision makers and practitioners to make early years settings, schools, and youth-work spaces more gender equal.  

 

What are some of your regular tasks? 

The role is really varied and exciting. Tasks I do regularly are: 

 

• Reviewing documents: Often when we are working to influence policy, we will review policy documents, such as guidance for teachers, children’s sector strategies, or proposed legislation. We look at whether the work will strengthen gender equality and prevent men's violence against women - tracked changes and comments are essential! 

 

• Reading and writing: Zero Tolerance is Scotland’s expert organisation on primary prevention. I don’t know everything though, so I try to spend a few hours each week (outdoors if I can!) reading books and research. Keeping informed is essential when it comes to writing policy briefings, consultation responses, letters, and sometimes I write bigger research-style papers.  

 

• Talking to decision makers: I spend a lot of time meeting with people who have the power to make change in the children’s sector. This includes civil servants, people working in third sector organisations, and practitioners. I meet them at government working groups, 1:1, and at conferences. It’s great to hear their expertise and share Zero Tolerance’s message.  

 

What skills do you rely on for your job? 

I use a lot of skills which I have transferred from other areas of my life to do my job well.  

 

• Reading complex documents and taking effective notes helps me process new information and research.  

 

• Focus and attention to detail help me to review policy documents and suggest amendments so Scottish policy will further gender equality.  

 

• Organising my thoughts and communication skills help me to share Zero Tolerance’s message on paper or through talking to people.  

 

• And finally, I love a to do list, and my organisation skills help me keep on top of such a varied and interesting role.  

 

Who do you regularly work with through your role? 

We are a small team at ZT, so it’s nice to work with a whole range of people. Most often I work with Jenny, our Research and Participation Officer, who is a fountain of all knowledge on research about equality, rights and prevention.  

 

Then, I work with Laura, the Co-Director who oversees our policy and research work – she is super supportive and helpful with all my work.  

 

Quite often I work with Lynne, our wonderful Communications Officer, who helps me work out the most persuasive way to share our message.  

 

Just now I am also working with our Intern, Tunvii, who is swapping her expertise for some experience of policy work.  

 

What do you enjoy about your role and working in the women’s sector? 

The best thing about working at ZT is the team. I feel so genuinely supported and respected working here – both by my teammates and by the organisation. This lays the foundation to be able to give my best to the role, which leads to exciting progress on equality and safety for girls and young women. I care deeply about that, and it’s a privilege to be part of that journey. 

 

What challenges do you come across in your work? 

Policy work can be quite frustrating sometimes. The cogs of government move slowly, and it can sometimes take months to achieve progress. Patience and a great team to go back and vent to are super important. And it means that when you make progress – even small wins – you must celebrate it! 

 

What advice would you give to someone wanting to work in policy or the women’s sector? 

I think a lot of people can be intimidated by the world of policy, but it actually requires a lot of transferable skills which you’ll already have. Plus, good policymaking accounts for real people, so your lived experience is also valuable expertise. We need people like you! 

 

 

If this role sounded interesting to you, then check out our Policy Officer vacancy! 
Learn more on our vacancies page.
Closes Monday 5 October.