TITLE: Policy & Public Affairs Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Policy & Public Affairs Officer

DEPARTMENT:Policy & Communications Team

RESPONSIBLE TO: Assistant Director (Policy & Communications)

PURPOSE OF JOB:To assist Law Centre NI achieve its vision and deliver its strategic objectives through the development and promotion of policy and through its public affairs work to positively influence policy matters related to the overall work and objectives of the Law Centre.

CONTACT WITH: -policy makers and legislators

-media

-other appropriate statutory, voluntary and professional organisations

-Management Committee and relevant sub-committees

-Law Centre staff /Members

HOURS & LOCATION:Hours 35 hours per week, based in Belfast

MAIN DUTIES:

1. Provide prompt analysis of policy and public affairs developments and develop Law Centre NI policy positions on relevant issues.

1. Provide immediate responses and more detailed analysis to respond to external demands, such as government announcements, media queries and requests for briefings from senior staff.

1. Produce evidence based briefing papers and other lobbying and policy materials as required.

1. Present policy work, including to Assembly Committees.

1. Positively influence and monitor the development and implementation of law and policy relating to the Law Centre NI’s areas of work (current or proposed).

1. Build and maintain links with elected members and officials of the Northern Ireland Assembly, UK and European Parliaments and others as appropriate.

1. Identify opportunities for Law Centre NI to work in partnership with other organisations on policy issues and build and maintain links with relevant organisations in both the voluntary and statutory sectors to support this work.

1. Maintain regular contact with Law Centre NI frontline services of the casework and training team and, based on the direct experiences of Law Centre clients, initiate policy research, co-ordinate and prepare policy responses to formal consultation documents, policy proposals, draft legislation and press announcements.

1. Identify policy issues by developing and maintaining knowledge of relevant policy areas and the external policy and political environment. Monitor issues emerging from Law Centre NI’s work including identifying and supporting opportunities for strategic casework.

1. Undertake and/or commission research, identify the policy implications and ensure the outputs of any research are used to maximum effect.

1. Identify and review good practice to inform the development of innovative policy options and solutions relevant to Law Centre NI’s areas of work.

1. Contribute to organising policy-related events/seminars.

13. Effectively represent Law CentreNI to a range of audiences, including MLAs, MPs, government officials and other organisations.

1. Prepare publicity material and undertake awareness raising activities to promote Law CentreNI’s policy objectives.

1. Prepare press statements on policy issues and in liaison with the Communications Officer, undertake media interviews on behalf of Law Centre NI as required.

1. Provide policy content for Law CentreNI outputs including website and other outputs as appropriate.

1. To work alongside other members of the policy, communications and casework and training team in the achievement of the Law CentreNI’s objectives.

GENERAL AND OTHER DUTIES:

1. To supervise student and volunteer placements in Law Centre NI, where appropriate, in policy development and other work.

1. To plan and organise own workload.

1. To undertake training and self development to enhance personal performance.

1. To adhere to Law Centre NI’s policies and procedures.

1. To undertake such other reasonable duties as may be required from time to time.

The duties of this post will be subject to review in accordance with the needs of the organisation.

The Policy and Communications Unit is funded by a range of statutory and philanthropic sources including the Atlantic Philanthropies and the Department of Social Development. Policy & Public Affairs posts are reliant on the continued financial support from these and other Policy & Communications Unit funders.

Law Centre (NI) is striving towards equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community

March 2016