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JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Accountable to: Salary: Policy Officer Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager £28k (full-time post on one year fixed term contract, with possibility to extend) Main purpose of the job: To assist the work of United Response in influencing the public policy agenda by keeping up-to-date on policy developments in learning disability, social care, mental health and all other arenas affecting the charity’s work. To keep the Chief Executive, directors, trustees and others informed of these and to use this information to assist in the development of our own policy statements and responses. To work with the press team and policy and campaigns team to provide evidence to promote our policy positions and campaigns. To represent United Response at relevant meetings and at key policy fora. Specific tasks 1. To keep abreast of policy developments in learning disability, social care, mental health field, and in areas affecting United Response’s work To represent United Response at relevant policy events and meetings and within key policy debates. To keep up to date on new legislation and public policy developments through networking, through announcements in the media and through sharing intelligence other organisation’s intelligence (e.g. NCVO, Cordis Bright, VODG, LD Voices) To keep up to date on our competitors’ policy positions To compile statistical information to inform our contribution to policy debates. 2. To disseminate information to the CEO, Directors Team, trustees and key internal staff To produce regular briefings for the CEO, Directors team, trustees and other key staff on current policy developments To disseminate relevant parts of external briefings With support from the public affairs and campaigns manager and the head of policy and campaigns to produce ad hoc briefings in response to significant new policy or legislation as required including providing briefings to senior staff in advance of specific meetings. 3. To inform the development of United Response’s own policy position and recommend areas of involvement Contribute to the development of policy in United Response and to support us in getting our message across to government, opposition and other key audiences and influencers. To recommend our "line" for key policy debates, based on research of political opinion and other organisation's stances To produce a detailed position on key debates To compile a body of evidence for these, including relevant statistical information. To work with the campaigns and public affairs manager and the head of policy and campaigns to compile detailed responses to key policy consultations to enable us to influence the debate, liaising with internal contacts as required. 4. To help raise United Response’s profile in the policy arena To support the campaigns and public affairs manager in identifying opportunities for United Response to brief relevant MPs and senior civil servants on key issues and keeping a database of relevant contacts upto-date. To recommend policies or developments which we should comment on in press terms and to draft responses and comments as required. To provide evidence and carry out research as required to support campaigning and lobbying activity and media coverage. Identify opportunities for the people we support to contribute directly to the policy debate and to work with the policy and campaigns team and the press team to support them to do so. To assist the campaigns and public affairs manager in ensuring that information on about our policy work on our website is kept up-to-date and relevant. To support the campaigns and public affairs manager and the head of policy and campaigns in drafting blogs on relevant policy issues. To assist the press and campaigns officer in using social media to promote our policy positions. To carry out admin and other general tasks relevant to the post. POLICY OFFICER – person specification Education and training Educated to degree or equivalent level Computer literate (Microsoft Office, Excel, Internet) Abilities, Skills, Knowledge Knowledge and experience of policy work Excellent written and verbal communication skills Able to prioritize a varied workload and to work to deadlines Excellent attention to detail Excellent analytical skills Thorough research skills Good administrative skills Good interpersonal skills Good networking skills Experience of networking with policy makers or opinion formers Knowledge of learning disability and/or mental health policy Experience of working with people with learning disabilities or mental health needs Essential Essential Essential Essential Essential Essential Essential Essential Essential Essential Essential Desirable Desirable Communications experience Desirable Desirable Personal Qualities Commitment to United Response’s mission and values Interest in public policy Interest in learning disability and mental health fields Interest in issues around citizenship, access and equality Well organised Motivated and enthusiastic Able to work on own initiative Flexible and able to work under pressure when required Essential Essential Essential Essential Essential Essential Essential Essential Good team player Essential You must be able to demonstrate the following competencies: Leadership Being personally accountable for the work of your team, providing clear vision, strategies, direction and support to your staff whilst working in a way which is central to the values and culture of United Response Team Management Developing and managing your team effectively using a range of HR skills and techniques Values and Equality Valuing and promoting diversity and equality, and the rights of people we support and employ. Challenging unfair discrimination Communication Getting the message across in the best way so it is clearly understood. Ensuring open and effective communication in your team. Securing agreement of others through persuasion and negotiation. Developing and managing internal and external relationships Problem Solving and Decision Making Taking personal responsibility for ensuring decisions are made. Identifying problems, seeking to understand their underlying causes and acting quickly and decisively to resolve them. Professional Knowledge and Practice Having sound levels of professional practice/knowledge across marketing and publications areas. Additionally you will need to demonstrate competent administrative skills in both financial/budget planning and management and the use of IT Quality Assurance Promoting a vision of quality and continuous improvement. Reviewing, monitoring and evaluating quality Organising and Planning Developing viable plans and organising staff and other resources to deliver objectives within timeframes Resource Management Managing and controlling resources to meet demands and changing priorities, ensuring financial viability