Temporary Public and Governmental Affairs Officer (maternity cover)

JOB DESCRIPTION

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This post is responsible for preserving and advancing the defence of Jewish rights and practices. The post includes advocacy, policy research, correspondence and administrative support on issues relating to equalities, religious freedom, interfaith and social action. The post is also integral to the Board’s wider engagement with national and local government, trade unions, faith groups, NGOs and equalities organisations. The post will also entail assisting with projects, logistics and administrative tasks.

This position is period of up to a year commencing August/September 2015.

Salary: £21-27,000 pa

Responsibilities:

Policy

• Developing policy and offering advice on policy initiatives and associated projects.

• Working on developing and engaging with legislation.

• Providing policy and secretariat support to the Board’s Defence & Group Relations Division, including reporting to the Chair of the Defence Division and the Director of Public Affairs; and responding to enquiries from members of the Division.

• Providing secretariat support to lay leaders on specialist issues including legal and medical issues.

External Relations 

• Developing relationships with key stakeholders, including civil servants, MPs, local councillors, trade unions, faith groups, NGOs and equalities organisations.

• Developing seminars on key Jewish issues for civil servants and local councillors.

• Preparing briefings for, and formal notes of, meetings with external parties.

• Working with partner organisations on joint initiatives.

Communications

• Research, writing briefing documents and publications on religious freedom, including producing resources on Judaism and Jewish life.

• Monitoring press and the public sphere on policy issues.

• Assisting the PR & Communications Officer on related media enquiries and campaigns, with occasional support on social media and networking sites.

• Drafting regular reports of Board or Divisional activities, assisting with statements made by the President at Board meetings, and with preparation of the weekly Community Briefing.

• Responding to community enquiries.

Administrative

Programming/logistics for public affairs, interfaith and social action projects, including providing secretariat support to the Board’s Social Action Group (BODSA).

• Undertaking research projects for public affairs, interfaith and social action projects.

• Administrative and secretarial support for the Public Affairs department of the Board, including organising meetings and minute-taking.

Miscellaneous

• Undertaking specific projects as requested by the Chair of the Defence Division and the Director of Public Affairs.

• Maintaining a general familiarity with the work of the Board and the Public Affairs roles in particular. This is in order to provide cover on urgent issues during the absence of other Public Affairs Officers.

• Carrying out such other administrative or other duties as may be requested from time to time by the Board’s senior officers.

• This role will require some work on evenings and weekends, and some travel around the UK.

Person Specification:

Knowledge

Essential

• Good knowledge of current affairs

• A strong understanding of UK political and parliamentary processes

• A good working knowledge of the UK Jewish community’s institutions and priorities

• Strong computer skills, including the ability to use social media

Desirable

• Knowledge of matters pertaining to religious freedom and equalities

• A good working knowledge of UK civil society sectors, including one or more of trade unions, equalities bodies and faith groups

Experience

Essential

• Experience of stakeholder engagement, in particular government engagement

• Experience of advocacy and awareness-raising

• Experience of developing and maintaining strategic relationships

• Experience of working on policy

• Experience of event organisation and work with logistics
• Experience of administrative work

Desirable

• Experience of working with local government

• Experiencing of producing resources

Personal Attributes

• Strong research skills

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to deal with challenging customers

• Well-organised with good time-management and an ability to work independently

• Willing and able to develop new knowledge and skills quickly

• A good team-player, able to support other colleagues where necessary

Closing Date: 9:30am, Monday 6^th July 2015

Interviews: Weeks beginning 13^th & 20^th July 2015

Start Date: August/September 2015

Location: Camden Town – Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK

How to Apply:  Please send a CV and covering letter, each of a maximum of two sides of A4, outlining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification. Please send this to diane.gies@bod.org.uk  with the subject ‘Temporary Public and Governmental Affairs Officer’.