Job Description

We are looking for someone who is passionate about making a difference, and who wants to be part of a growing team that works across the UK.

You will support the development and delivery of the Charity’s policy and public affairs programme and work across the Charity so that policy informs and supports all aspects of our work.

Job Description

Supporting the development and delivery of the Charity’s policy and public affairs programme and working across the Charity so that policy informs and supports all aspects of our work. The Parliamentary Officer will be responsible for all assemblies across the UK.

1.1 Key Responsibilities

• To develop and maintain a good knowledge of political and policy issues, and service developments, relating to elder abuse spanning all four UK nations and internationally, with a particular focus on ageism.
• To represent the charity in alliances, working and advisory groups, providing advice and information on the nature, extent and issues associated with elder abuse.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of policies to protect older people from abuse, collaborating with statutory and Third Sector colleagues to establish a UK perspective, and propose methods by which such policies could be improved, contributing to the development of more holistic and integrated services for victims across the UK.
• To deliver key aspects of AEA’s parliamentary activity, including proactively building contact with parliamentarians, identifying political opportunities for AEA to have influence, lobbying on relevant Bills, drafting briefing materials and responding to incoming parliamentary enquiries.
• To provide direct advice, guidance and information to social policy makers, including appropriate Members of Parliament, responding to demands for information and calls for evidence along with identifying gaps in knowledge and existing service provision.

1.2 Financial Responsibility

• To work within authorised spending and purchasing limits, monitoring and controlling individual budgets as required.

1.3 Policy Activity

• To influence and provide direct advice, guidance and information to social policy makers, including appropriate members of parliaments, on the nature, extent and issues associated with elder abuse.
• To represent the charity at key external meetings and to take strategic decisions at those meetings in order to further the charity’s strategies. This may involve advising staff and volunteers on social and health care policy and campaigns.
• To draft policy briefings, newsletters, and other public documents, coordinating and producing robust evidence-based material for submission to Government, parliamentarians, the civil service and other statutory bodies, working to tight external deadlines.
• To write policy resources, policy messages including reviews, positions, briefings and blogs for a variety of stakeholders using our website and social media platforms.
• In conjunction with the Chief Executive and Director of Policy, to plan and lead on campaigning and lobbying strategy on policy areas, working with internal and external colleagues and volunteers.

1.4 Media Activity

• To actively work with the communications agency, identifying opportunities for promotion of the charity, providing any necessary information or research, and acting as a spokesperson for the charity in newspapers, radio and television.
• To represent and promote the work of the charity at events, conferences and seminars as required.

1.5 Trustee Board

• To contribute to and produce reports for the Board of Trustees as required and to speak to them when requested.
• To attend meetings of the Board as requested.

1.6 Human Resources

• No direct line management responsibilities
• To provide supervision and/or support to any volunteers working to the post.

2.0 General

• To support our UK-wide Helpline by covering Helpline shifts for at least 4 hours per week, and record calls accordingly using our Customer Relationship Management System.
• To respond appropriately to telephone, written and email enquiries, and maintain own diary (making travel/booking arrangements as necessary). 
• To travel as required. Meetings may be in different parts of the UK, and some meetings may be during evenings or at weekends.

2.1 Information

• To provide information and updates on a weekly basis to ensure that the AEA website is regularly updated, and to directly contribute to the social policy outlets of the charity.

Person Specification

Criteria

Essential

Desirable

Experience

Educated to degree level or equivalent, preferably in a relevant field

Experience of working with Board Directors/Trustees

Good experience in the voluntary sector or equivalent

Experience of working in Westminster Parliament, a devolved assembly or for a political party

Good understanding of legislative requirements applying to adult protection and domestic abuse

Experience of website content management systems

Effective communication skills both written and oral

Experience of issuing press releases

Proven ability to develop effective relationships with senior staff in statutory agencies, voluntary agencies, regulatory bodies

Knowledge of major developments in terms of adult care provision, adult protection, domestic abuse and care regulation

Ability to manage a complex and varied workload

Experience of disseminating research findings

Experience of working in partnership with other organisations and agencies

Skills

Ability to think and plan strategically

Excellent interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, sensitivity and negotiation skills

Excellent presentation skills

Skilled at developing and maintaining internal and external working relationships

Strong networking skills

Excellent project management skills

Personal qualities

Innovative and creative, able to identify and act upon new opportunities

Proactive, and able to work on their own initiative as well as part of a team

An excellent communicator with strong persuasive skills

Inspirational to both internal staff and external supporters

Targets and results oriented

Education

Thorough knowledge of charity law and parliamentary process, including GDPR.

Degree level education

Thorough working knowledge of MS office

Other

Willingness and ability to operate in accordance with the values and policies of AEA and work flexibly in response to changing organisational requirements

An ability to demonstrate a positive attitude to older people and a demonstrable interest in challenging elder abuse, coupled with an ability to deal appropriately with sensitive issues

Flexibility and willingness to travel in the UK and to work some unsocial hours

Commitment to bring into the work the views and needs of people with direct experience of abuse