Senior Policy & Public Affairs Officer

Job Title: Senior Policy & Public Affairs Officer

Location: Southwark, London

Contract Type: 3-month hybrid contract

Salary: £230/day

We are currently seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Policy & Public Affairs Officer to join a local authority team on a 3-month contract in Southwark. The Policy & Public Affairs team, within Strategy & Impact, plays a pivotal role in understanding and influencing external policy and practice affecting residents and the delivery of commitments to them.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver influencing strategies on Southwark's public affairs priority issues.
• Hold responsibility for overseeing specific policy areas within the team.
• Advise politicians and officers on a range of policy issues, developing expertise on focused areas.
• Work with colleagues across the council to deploy a range of public affairs approaches, including delivering events, engaging with decision-makers, promoting evidence, generating media coverage, and building alliances.
• Identify national or regional policy changes needed to overcome barriers to the council's commitments to its residents.
• Develop sophisticated influencing strategies, with support from the Policy and Public Affairs Manager, to bring about external changes needed for positive outcomes for residents.
• Oversee and deliver influencing strategies by coordinating events, engaging with decision-makers, gathering evidence, generating media coverage, and building alliances.
• Map and assess different opinion-forming and decision-making audiences impacting Southwark, and work with colleagues to enhance the council's reputation and profile.

Requirements:

• Good understanding of current UK politics and knowledge of social, political, and economic issues relating to the work of the public sector, especially local government.
• Knowledge of a range of campaign and public affairs approaches and an understanding of how to strategically deploy them to meet influencing objectives.
• In-depth knowledge of parliamentary and government decision-making processes, including the points for a local authority to influence them.
• Experience of building and managing strong collaborative relationships with senior external stakeholders.
• Experience of writing persuasive and engaging outputs for a range of audiences.
• Experience of researching complex policy issues and writing technical, accurate briefings, and communications.

How to Apply:

If you are enthusiastic about making a positive impact on the lives of Southwark residents and possess the necessary skills and experience, please apply now!