Policy and Public Affairs Officer

**Policy and Public Affairs Officer Location: UK flexible (hybrid role working between home and office, with some travel to London required) Contract type: 2-year fixed term contract Hours per week: 35 Salary: £24,000 per annum (plus £3,344 Inner London Weighting if applicable)

Can you deliver an ambitious advocacy work plan for the British Red Cross aiming to drive forward parliamentary action on tackling loneliness?

About this opportunity**

As a Policy and Public Affairs Officer, you will provide a focal point for policy development and advocacy, focussed on addressing loneliness and connecting communities among those most at risk of being left behind in the UK.

You will identify and build relationships in Parliament, Government departments and with other relevant bodies to take forward the policy agenda, working closely with APPG members to deliver a creative and ambitious programme of work, along with identifying and engaging with key influencing opportunities and policy agendas, feeding back timely intelligence to relevant internal and external stakeholders and providing briefings for senior staff.

Why this role matters

Loneliness has a negative impact on both mental and physical health, with evidence linking loneliness to a range of conditions including heart disease, stroke and dementia. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenge – particularly among the most vulnerable with our research showing that over 40% of UK adults feel lonelier since the first pandemic lockdowns.

The APPG on Tackling Loneliness and Connected Communities was established in 2018 to raise awareness of loneliness and build on the cross-party leadership of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness. Work is led jointly by the British Red Cr oss and Campaign to End Loneliness while cross-party interest has grown with APPG membership in 2022 now at its strongest position with 15 Parliamentary members.

As Policy and Public Affairs Officer, you will be responsible for managing the work of the APPG as its Secretariat, designing and delivering a Parliamentary strategy and a series of activities that can shape Government policy and strengthen the national discourse as well as driving political attention around tackling loneliness.

This will include regular engagement with MPs, Peers and their staff, relevant officials and Ministers, identifying opportunities in the media and Parliament to profile the work of the APPG and to effectively scrutinise the Government’s progress. The post-holder will have an opportunity to make a real difference in a critical area of UK health and social policy.

This role may be for you if

• You have UK Parliamentary experience within policy development / delivery, public affairs or advocacy
• You have experience engaging with decision makers and policy officials including MPs and Peers.
• You can demonstrate experience of managing a programme of work, including a number of different projects at any given time
• You have knowledge of parliamentary process and decision-making mechanisms in Whitehall, and in the devolved nations
• You understand the role of research to support policy development and advocacy
• You can demonstrate excellent influencing and networking skills, along with the ability to work professionally with internal and external stakeholders

Meet the team

Our Strategy and Communications team tells the stories about who we are, what we do, what we believe, and the difference we make to people’s lives.

Our goal is to help people act, behave, or make decisions in a way that results in a positive change for people in crisis.

(Please read the full Role Profile/ Job Description for more information about this vacancy including responsibilities and full person specification)

Closing date for applications is (23:59), Sunday 28th of August 2022 with interviews anticipated to be held week commencing 5th of September.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, including:

• 36 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days annual leave
• Up to 6% contributory pension
• Flexible working policy
• Genuine investment in your development

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The British Red Cross help anyone, anywhere in the UK; get the support they need if crisis strikes. From hiring a wheelchair or dealing with loneliness, to adjusting to life in a new country – we’re there when you need us.

Our organisation was born out of a desire to bring help without discrimination. Impartiality and neutrality have been central values for the Red Cross since we started.

Diversity is something we celebrate and we want you to be able to bring your authentic self to the Red Cross. We want you to feel that you are in an inclusive environment, and a great position to help us spread the power of kindness.

In the British Red Cross we will not tolerate any form of misconduct, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse. We have a code of conduct in place and are committed to creating a culture of integrity in the organisation where miscondu ct is not tolerated, situations of abuse are quickly investigated and perpetrators are dealt with effectively.

If you are appointed to a role within BRC you will be subject to the organisation’s Code of Conduct, a copy of which you can find on our website.

The British Red Cross, incorporated by Royal Charter 1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949) and Scotland (SC037738).

Follow us on Twitter @RedCrossJobsUK and on Linked in – British Red Cross, to hear about our latest job vacancies.

Connecting human kindness with human crisis