Work for the Board as Parliamentary Officer

The Board of Deputies of British Jews is looking for a highly motivated individual to work as its Parliamentary Officer and as the secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews.

JOB DESCRIPTION

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The post-holder is responsible for engaging with MPs and the parliamentary process, developing policy, research and report writing, event-planning and running specific projects. The post is integral to the Board’s wider engagement with Parliament, central government and stakeholders within the Jewish community.

Salary: £27-31,000 pa

RESPONSIBILITIES

POLICY

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

• Engaging with emerging policy, including legislation, together with informing and liaising with relevant Board and external colleagues.

• Providing support to lay leaders and the Senior Management Team on related matters.

• Providing policy and secretariat support to the Board’s Defence and Community Divisions, reporting to the Director of Public Affairs.

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• Developing relationships with key stakeholders, including MPs, peers, civil servants and Jewish community partners.

• Acting as the secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews.

• Developing seminars, events and tours on key Jewish issues for parliamentarians.

• 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 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

• Undertaking specific projects as requested by the Chief Executive 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.

• Involvement in developing the Board’s summer volunteer programme.

• Carrying out such 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
• Graduate or postgraduate degree in public policy, social policy or a related field

• Knowledge of any of the following policy areas: racism/antisemitism, post-Holocaust issues, Jewish students, equalities and culture.

• Expertise in welfare and/or housing policy would be particularly beneficial

EXPERIENCE
Essential
• Stakeholder engagement, in particular parliamentary engagement

• Advocacy and awareness-raising

• Developing and maintaining strategic relationships

• Policy development

• Events management and logistics

Desirable
• Working with all-party parliamentary groups

• 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: 10th January 2016

Interviews: Week beginning 18th January 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 ‘Parliamentary Officer’.

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