Policy and Public Affairs Officer

Job Description

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Introduction

Do you have experience of working on the development of policy and strategy? Are you comfortable working across a wide range of different areas to help services innovate, improving the way they're delivered?

If so, this role could be for you.

What’s the role?

You'll work in a small, fast paced team providing policy advice and strategic oversight from the centre of the organisation. The role is newly created, and although you'll have the chance to shape responsibilities and make it your own, you can expect to:

• Support the creation of new policies within a range of service areas; helping every step of the process from working directly with residents, to drafting new and innovative ideas, to ensuring oversight and effective delivery.
• Support the delivery of a public affairs strategy, engaging with national and regional bodies as required and collating public affairs work from across the Council to ensure strategic alignment.
• Work across a range of projects as a representative of the Policy Team, carrying out the necessary research to act as an inhouse expert when required.
• Coordinate work from across the Council, building relationships with colleagues and collecting data to allow effective reporting on various work strands.
• Work closely with the Council's Equalities Lead and Disability and Co-Production Policy Officer to ensure the effective delivery of the Council's equality objective.

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

What we’re looking for

• Experience of strategy and/or policy development. This doesn't have to be in local government, but you will need to understand how local government works, and what we do.
• Experience of working with both qualitative and quantitative information, carrying out research and presenting information to senior stakeholders.
• The ability to work effectively under your own initiative, delivering significant results as part of a small team.
• Knowledge of public affairs and ideally, how local government can influence national and regional bodies to create change.

Location

The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work in the office a minimum of two days per week. Additional or specific days may be required depending on work commitments.

Further Information

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CV’s.

Applicant handbook- please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Alex Glanz (Head of Strategy, Policy and the Chief Executive's Office) alex.glanz@lewisham.gov.uk

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Salary

£44,235 - £45,852 per annum (PO1)

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email JobsAndSkills@lewisham.gov.ukand an advisor will be in touch with you.

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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