Public Affairs Officer (PO1)

Job Description

Job title: Public Affairs Officer (PO1)
Job Category: Marketing
Location: Town Hall, Upper Street, London, Islington, N1 2UD, London Borough of Islington
Hours per week 35
Salary: £24.24 per hour
Two days per week in office, three days remote
Job description
We’re on the lookout for a new Public Affairs Officer, to help drive forward a major priority lobbying campaign relating to one of our core priorities. The role involves:
✅ Getting the issues that matter most to local people heard by decision-makers in Westminster.
✅ Delivering creative public affairs campaigns that help us achieve our key missions.
✅ Helping manage high-profile ministerial visits to Islington.
✅ Building relationships with key stakeholders, to help advance our public affairs goals.
✅ Identifying opportunities for the council to meaningfully influence Government consultations and inquiries. To support the delivery of the wider communications service’s objectives, giving advice and support on public affairs for major campaigns.
The postholder will have lead responsibility and accountability for the following:
• Plan and deliver public affairs campaigns for the council, tied to communications priorities and council objectives
• Identifying legislative and campaign priorities, tracking Government and other policy development and overseeing the coordination of the council’s responses to issues and strategic engagement with MPs
• Update and operate a public affairs and policy tracking system, monitoring legislative business and coordinating effective council responses to new legislation, government consultations and Select Committee inquiries with services
• Provide advice on public affairs issues to senior officers and councillors
• Working with the Digital Communications and Engagement Manager, provide content for social media channels, email marketing, website and instant messaging, as part of integrated campaigns
• Contribute towards council print publications, and their associated digital channels
• Be an advocate for strategic communications within the council, demonstrating the importance of planned and targeted communications and corporate grip on issues
• Ensure public affairs work is driven by research, data and insight, and is culturally competent for Islington’s communities
The key experiences and skills necessary for the role include:
• Experience of delivering public affairs work, ideally in local government or the public sector
• Understanding of the legislative process and how policy is developed
• Ability to turn complex information into creative, compelling, relevant and targeted content that tells a clear and consistent story to its target audience
• Experience of preparing briefings for evidence sessions or media interviews
• Experience or a keen interest in working with elected politicians and in a political environment
• Experience of tracking and planning work effectively, ideally in a communications or public affairs setting
• Proven knowledge and understanding of local government and the challenges it faces
• A good understanding of the legislative process and experience of public affairs
• Experience of delivering or taking part in communications or public affairs campaigns
• Good political awareness and understanding of what drives political priorities and policymaking
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership and management skills to motivate colleagues to achieve change and improve services
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to motivate, inspire and influence others
• Personal and professional demeanour which generates credibility and confidence amongst the general public, members, chief officers, staff, external partners and all other stakeholders
• Ability to work under pressure, meeting deadlines and balancing different priorities and workloads
• Ability to work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• A commitment to cultural competence and understanding of the needs of Islington’s diverse community