Location : home based, with frequent travel to London. Natspec's office base is in Nottingham. We are also exploring the opportunity for a hot desk at partner organisations in London.
About us: Natspec is the membership organisation for specialist further education (FE) colleges. Our role is to improve further education for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, through influencing government policy, programmes and funding in England and Wales, and providing a range of support to improve the quality of provision in colleges.
The role: We are seeking a dynamic Policy Officer to join our policy team, to support our lobbying and advocacy work, monitor government activity, raise the profile of specialist FE with parliamentarians and represent the views of members. This is a new post and the work will be varied. The postholder will work closely with the senior policy colleagues to support the development of organisational policy positions, including through undertaking research, meeting with members, and analysing government proposals and published policies. The postholder will also take a lead in communicating Natspec's policy positions to members and other stakeholders.
We are looking for a self-motivated, innovative, dynamic and enthusiastic individual with good written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to develop strong working relationships. You don't need to have a background in learning difficulties or disabilities, or further education, although a demonstrable interest in these areas would be welcome. You should, however, have some prior experience of policy work, including undertaking research and analysis, and be able to quickly develop your understanding of education and funding policy relevant to specialist FE.
You will need to be able to work flexibly, sometimes under pressure, and in a range of different settings, including from home. You will also need to travel to London on a regular basis. If this sounds like you, please apply by 4 July to join our small, busy, friendly team.
To arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact Ruth Perry - email address available on our 'Meet the team' page on our website.
Apply for this position by submitting your CV and covering letter, setting out how you meet the below person specification and your suitability for the role, by 12 noon on Thursday 4 July 2024.
Shortlisted candidates will be notified by Friday 19 July and interviews will take place on Tuesday 30 July.
Key responsibilities and accountabilities
Lobbying, advocacy and research
- Monitor UK and Welsh government parliamentary activity to keep policy team informed of relevant issues
- Maintain and further develop Natspec's parliamentary contacts database
- Identify and set up meetings with appropriate parliamentarians for lobbying/advocacy purposes
- Draft and / or contribute to drafting responses to consultations
- Create research tools / undertake research under the direction of senior policy colleagues
- Manage commissioned research projects
- Deputise for senior policy colleagues at external policy meetings (e.g. TSANA, SEC)
External communications
- Create and respond to online content relating to policy for social media
- Prepare news stories and press releases and respond to media requests for comments, in discussion with other policy team members and consulting with communications officer, as appropriate
- Identify media opportunities in order to increase coverage and profile for Natspec and Natspec policy positions
- Develop and maintain relationships with key media contacts
Member support
- Create policy summaries, pulling out the implications for the team, board and members
- Undertake data collection from members to inform policy development
- Support existing member networks where there is a policy connection
- Set up and support member policy network meetings / one-off discussions
Person specification
Essential
- Degree-level education or equivalent
- Experience of policy work, including undertaking research and analysis
- Knowledge of the English political/parliamentary system and associated lobbying opportunities
- Experience of drafting briefings and reports, including producing short summaries of lengthy or more complex publications
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Confidence in using different social media channels
- Confidence in using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and Zoom
- Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, be self-motivated, innovative and enthusiastic, and manage own time effectively
- Ability to travel frequently to central London
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of issues affecting people with learning difficulties or disabilities and / or the further education sector
- Experience of contributing to the drafting of consultation responses, written and oral parliamentary questions and responses to calls for evidence
- Basic knowledge of the Welsh political / parliamentary system and associated lobbying opportunities
- Existing relationships relevant to the role, e.g. with media, further education / disability organisations, politicians, research organisations, think tanks
- Experience of representing an organisation and speaking at external meetings
- Experience of using social media to share organisational messages and / or as a lobbying tool