Data and Policy Officer - Empty Homes

Fixed term contract to 31st March 2027 (extension subject to funding continuation). Salary: £35,581.75 per annum. Working hours: 35 per week. Location: Edinburgh, hybrid (at least once a week in the Edinburgh office).

About the Role

This role sits within the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) team, which integrates data and policy. Working closely with the Policy and Comms Manager, internal and external stakeholders, you will disseminate key empty homes policy and statistics to help the team achieve their strategic aims.

You'll play a key role in ensuring the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership's work is informed by high-quality data and evidence. You will manage and analyse empty homes data, produce reports and briefings, identify trends, and support the development of evidence-based policy. Working closely with colleagues, local authorities, and partner organisations, you will help deliver surveys, maintain accurate data, ensure compliance, and provide insight that influences action to bring more empty homes back into use.

Responsibilities

• Manage and analyse empty homes data to inform policy and strategy.
• Produce reports and briefings for internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify trends and insights from data to support evidence-based policy development.
• Collaborate with local authorities and partner organisations to deliver surveys and maintain accurate data.
• Ensure compliance with data standards and provide actionable insights to bring empty homes back into use.

Benefits

• 30 days of annual leave.
• Enhanced family-friendly policies.
• Pension scheme.
• Interest-free travel loans.
• Tenancy deposit loan.
• Payroll giving scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Employee assistance programme.

We are happy to discuss flexible working, personal growth, and promote a workplace where you can thrive based on merit.

About the Team

Part of an award-winning Communication & Policy Department, the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) is a Scottish Government-funded project aimed at enabling private sector empty homes to be brought back into use across Scotland. The Partnership achieves this through policy work, capacity building, training, best practice sharing, and awareness raising with councils, community groups, and others. It also hosts the national Empty Homes Advice Service—a public-facing advice line for reporting empty homes or seeking help.

About Shelter Scotland

Shelter Scotland is Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity. Our vision is a home for everyone in Scotland. For over 50 years, we have advised and supported people in housing need while using our insights to campaign for change. We also raise professional standards in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector through training courses.

We defend the right to a safe home because home is a human right and the foundation for thriving. We are committed to combating racism and fostering an inclusive, equitable, and transparent workplace. We welcome diverse perspectives and are on a journey to becoming truly anti-racist.