Date Agreed by Line Manager: / 21-06-16
Date Agreed by HR: / 21-06-16
Updated by HR: / 21-06-16
Job Title:Public Affairs Officer (Scotland)
Reporting to:Public Affairs Manager
Department:Policy and Campaigns, Corporate AffairsDirectorate
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
To influence social and public policy as it relates to disabled people in Scotland; to promote Leonard Cheshire Disability’s policy positions with Scottish public affairs audiences (primarily MSPs, Scottish MPs and officials); to provide public affairsadvice to inform service development and to support Leonard Cheshire Disability’sinfluencing and campaigning activities in Scotland.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- In agreement with the Public Affairs Manager, and in consultation with the Director of Operations –Scotland, set an annual work plan and objectives to meet Leonard Cheshire Disability’s nation-specific and UK-wide public affairs and influencingand campaigning objectives in Scotland.
- To keep fully abreast of Scottishpublic affairs and the passage of relevant legislation in the Scottish Parliament, identifying opportunities where Leonard Cheshire Disability can make a relevant contribution.
- To analyse and prepare briefings to MSPs, Scottish Government Ministers and Shadow Ministers on relevant matters raised in the ScottishParliament ensuringthat all work fits within Leonard Cheshire Disability’s UK-wide and Scottish policy, public affairs and influencing objectives.
- Working in close consultation with the Director of Operations - Scotland, and the Policy & Research Officer (Scotland) to actively promote Leonard Cheshire Disability within the Scottish Parliamentas a key opinion former on disability issues.
- To represent Leonard Cheshire Disability at forums, events and conferences as required, including with key Scottish government, local government and other stakeholders.
- Provide public affairs and Parliamentary support to Leonard Cheshire Disability’s campaigning and influencing activity in Scotland and across the UK.
- To play an active part in the Policy and Campaigns Department’s UK-wide activity, undertaking work as directed by the Public Affairs Manager.
- To liaise with Leonard Cheshire Disability’s External Communications Team to ensure the ready availability of information to support media enquires and that all Parliamentary work is properly co-ordinated with media support, and to act as a media spokesperson for the charity as appropriate
- To engage where appropriate with other voluntary sector organisations and consortia to further Leonard Cheshire Disability’s policy and campaigning and influencing objectives in Scotland.
- To act as a spokesperson in media interviews for the organisation in Scotland as required.
- To undertake any other reasonable duties that may be required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Requirements
- To have experience of lobbying with knowledge of Parliamentaryprocedure in the Scottish Parliamentand the political landscape more generally in Scotland.
- To have experience of drafting and presenting complex material to a variety of audiences.
- To have experience of working with MSPs.
- To have knowledge/experience of the voluntary, third and/or public sectors.
- To have knowledge and experience of campaigning and working to engage the public in influencing and changing policy.
- To be able to work flexible hours when required.
- To be able to travel and stay away overnight occasionally with an expectation that the post holder will travel to London at least monthly.
- To have a genuine commitment to the values and ethos of Leonard Cheshire Disability.
Keycompetencies & skills
- To understand the full range of public affairs communication tools.
- To have working contact with a range of Members of the Scottish Parliament, their staffand civil servants.
- High-level writing skills which can be used appropriately for different audiences, to have strong general communication skills.
- To be able to work remotely with a high-level of autonomy and on own initiative, while engaging closely and working effectively as part of a team which covers the whole of the UK.
- To have good time management.
- To have proven networking skills.
- To have good IT skills in standard Microsoft packages
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
- All duties and responsibilities within this job description to be carried out in accordance with current Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
LCD Job Description-Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) Page 1 of 3
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