Temporary Public Affairs Officer
JOB DESCRIPTION
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Board of Deputies of British Jews is looking for a highly motivated individual to support the work of its Public Affairs Team on a temporary basis.
The post is integral to the Board’s wider engagement with the devolved regions, Parliament, central government and stakeholders inside and outside the Jewish community.
The post-holder will be responsible for:
- Developing the Board of Deputies’ engagement around the 2016 Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish elections;
- Supporting the Board of Deputies’ engagement with Parliament, including the APPG on British Jews;
- Supporting the Board’s work in interfaith relations and social action;
- Supporting the wider work of the team through providing secretariat to internal committees of the Board, research and report writing, event-planning and running specific projects.
This is a temporary position running between (approximately) 29 February and 8 July 2016
Salary: £23,850-£26,500 per annum pro rata
Responsibilities:
External Relations
- Supporting the Board’s engagement in the domestic public affairs work in the UK Parliament and devolved regions, including assisting in providing the secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews.
- Working with relevant civil servants, faith partners, NGOs and Jewish community partners.
- Preparing briefings for, and formal notes of, meetings with external parties.
- Working with partner organisations on joint initiatives.
Policy
- Providing policy, legislative, briefing support to relevant Board and external colleagues.
Communications
- Research, writing briefing documents and publications on Jewish public policy issues.
- Monitoring press and the public sphere on policy issues.
- Updating and managing the website of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews.
- Presenting on the relevant policy areas to stakeholders, and the wider work of the Board to internal and external stakeholders.
- Assisting the PR & Communications Officer on related media enquiries and campaigns, with occasional support on social media and networking sites.
- Assisting with reports of Board or Divisional activities and contribution to the weekly Community Briefing.
- Handling parliamentary/governmental correspondence and community enquiries.
Miscellaneous
- Administrative support, including organising meetings and minute-taking.
- Maintaining a general familiarity with the work of the Board, and the Public Affairs roles in particular, in order to provide cover on urgent issues during colleagues’ absences.
- Carrying out such other reasonable duties as may be requested from time to time.
- This role will require some work on evenings/weekends, and some travel around the UK.
Person Specification:
Knowledge
Essential
- Good knowledge of current affairs
- A good 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 the politics of the devolved regions of the UK
- Interest/experience in education, welfare and/or housing policy
- Graduate or postgraduate degree in public policy, social policy or a related field
Experience
Essential
- Advocacy and awareness-raising
- Developing and maintaining strategic relationships
- Events management and logistics
Desirable
- Stakeholder engagement, in particular parliamentary engagement in UK/devolved regions
- Working with all-party parliamentary groups
- Policy development
- Producing resources
- Managing WordPress websites
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: 14th February 2016
Interviews: Week beginning 22nd February 2016
Approximate Dates: 29 February 2016 – 8 July 2016
Location: Kentish Town – Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK
How to Apply: Please send a CV and a covering letter which should be a maximum of two sides of A4, outlining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and where you heard about the job. Please send this to diane.gies@bod.org.uk with the subject heading ‘Temporary Public Affairs Officer’.
Job Description – Public Affairs Officer 2019
