Job Overview
The External Affairs Officer will support the delivery of Hourglass’ external affairs, policy and campaigning activity, with the role based in Northern Ireland and a focus on Northern Ireland while supporting activity across the rest of the UK.
Working closely with the External Affairs Lead, DCEO/Director of Policy and the wider Policy Unit, the postholder will help build relationships with political stakeholders, statutory partners and sector organisations to raise awareness of the abuse of older people and influence policy and practice.
The role will contribute to the charity’s policy development, parliamentary engagement and campaign activity, with a particular emphasis on Northern Ireland and oversight of relevant work in Scotland.
Key Responsibilities
Support the DCEO/Director of Policy and External Affairs Lead in delivering the charity’s external affairs and campaigning priorities, with a particular focus on Northern Ireland and oversight of Scotland.
Contribute as part of the charity’s Policy Unit to engagement and influencing activity across the following key areas:
i. Statutory partnerships – including governments, assemblies and public bodies
ii. Political partnerships – including MPs, MSPs, MLAs, MSs and Peers
iii. Sector partnerships – including organisations across the age, domestic abuse and safeguarding sectors
iv. Wider influencers – including relevant corporates, professional bodies and advocacy organisations
· Work closely with the Policy and Research Officer on policy and campaign initiatives that raise awareness of the abuse of older people, including supporting research, analysis and consultation responses.
Assist in developing and maintaining relationships with political stakeholders, sector partners and key influencers in Northern Ireland, while supporting oversight of relevant relationships in Scotland.
· Act as a day-to-day contact point for political stakeholders and partners, helping to coordinate engagement with Hourglass’ political champions, patrons and supporters.
Monitor political and policy developments relating to the abuse of older people, with a particular focus on Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Support the charity’s parliamentary engagement, including building relationships with MPs, MSPs, MLAs, MSs, Peers and their offices, with a particular focus on Northern Ireland and Scotland.
· Identify opportunities for the charity to contribute to parliamentary debates, consultations, inquiries and legislative processes.
· Assist with the drafting of policy briefings, consultation responses, reports and other evidence-based materials for use with parliamentarians, government departments, the civil service and statutory bodies.
Represent the charity at parliamentary, policy and stakeholder forums across Northern Ireland and Scotland, and elsewhere in the UK where appropriate.
Support the development and maintenance of relationships with key partners across the third sector, statutory bodies and relevant professional networks in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Work collaboratively with organisations across the age, safeguarding and domestic abuse sectors to support shared policy and campaigning objectives in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
· Identify opportunities for partnership working, joint campaigning and collaborative policy activity.
· Work with colleagues across the organisation to ensure policy evidence, statistics and research are represented accurately and effectively in external engagement.
Work with communications colleagues to identify opportunities to raise awareness of the charity’s work and policy priorities, particularly in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
· Support the delivery of policy-related campaigns and initiatives such as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and Safer Ageing Week.
· Provide materials to support media activity.
· Contribute content for the charity’s website, publications and social media channels.
Represent and promote the charity’s work at conferences, webinars, events and stakeholder meetings in Northern Ireland and Scotland, where appropriate.
Contribute to internal reporting and provide policy updates on Northern Ireland and Scotland for senior leadership and the Board of Trustees where required.
· Work with the income generation team to provide policy input to funding bids, trust applications and campaign initiatives where relevant.
· Respond appropriately to telephone, written and email enquiries relating to the charity’s work.
· Provide support to advisory groups, including preparing materials and attending meetings where required.
Travel within Northern Ireland, Scotland and elsewhere in the UK where necessary to fulfil the requirements of the role.
· Work flexibly, including occasional evenings or unsocial hours, where required.
· Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation and, where appropriate, deputise for colleagues.
· Undertake other duties commensurate with the level of the post as required.
· Maintain confidentiality and comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.
· Carry out responsibilities with due regard to equality legislation and the charity’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
· Comply with Health and Safety legislation and the Hourglass Health and Safety Policy.
The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description may change over time in line with organisational priorities.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria – Candidates will be expected to demonstrate how they can deliver against these criteria.
1. Degree level education or equivalent relevant experience.
2. Experience of working with, or an understanding of, the UK Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Scottish Parliament, political parties or wider public policy environments.
3. Understanding of public policy and legislative frameworks relating to safeguarding, adult protection, domestic abuse or related areas, particularly in Northern Ireland and/or Scotland.
4. Ability to manage a complex and varied workload, work with a good degree of autonomy, and handle confidential issues appropriately.
5. Ability to develop effective working relationships with stakeholders across statutory, voluntary, regulatory and political organisations.
6. Experience of working in partnership with other organisations and agencies.
7. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
8. Commitment to developing a career in policy, public affairs or the charity sector.
Desirable Criteria:
1. Awareness of political and policy developments, particularly in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
2. Experience of working with parliamentarians, politicians and political advisers, including within devolved settings.
3. Experience of delivering reports to senior staff.
4. Knowledge of parliamentary processes, public policy development or charity governance.
5. An ability to demonstrate a positive attitude towards older people and a demonstrable interest in challenging ageism and the abuse of older people, coupled with an ability to deal appropriately with sensitive issues.
Skills:
1. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
2. Ability to analyse policy issues and contribute to evidence-based work.
3. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
4. Good organisational and project coordination skills.
5. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
6. Strong networking and stakeholder engagement skills.
Personal Qualities
1. Innovative and creative, able to identify and act upon new opportunities
2. Proactive, and able to work on their own initiative as well as part of a team
3. An excellent communicator with strong persuasive skills
4. Collaborative and able to work effectively with colleagues and partners.
5. Motivated and able to work towards agreed priorities and outcomes.
Other
1. Willingness and ability to operate in accordance with the values and policies of Hourglass and work flexibly in response to changing organisational requirements
2. Flexibility and willingness to travel across Northern Ireland, Scotland and the wider UK, and to work some unsocial hours.
3. Commitment to ensuring the voices and experiences of people affected by abuse inform the charity’s work.
Pay: £25,583.00-£28,016.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay
Education:
Experience:
- UK Parliament: 2 years (required)
Location:
Work Location: In person
