About the role

JRF are recruiting for a pivotal new role: a Senior Public Affairs Officer to lead the development and delivery of public affairs work for our highest priority projects and campaigns. Key responsibilities of the role include:

Designing and leading the delivery of public affairs strategies in order to advance support for, and the adoption of, major JRF policy proposals by national government, local government and/or opposition parties as relevant.Identifying key political targets and undertaking direct engagement in order to forge new and deepen existing strategically valuable relationships.Being highly attuned to the political environment and spotting opportunities to advance JRF's key policy priorities. In the first instance a central function of the role will be to lead public affairs activity for JRF's major 'Guarantee our Essentials' campaign, run in partnership with the Trussell Trust. This will include designing and driving forward the delivery of work to meet the campaign's agreed strategic approaches with the major parties in Westminster and chairing/co–chairing the campaign's public affairs group to ensure work is joined up and effectively responds to external developments.

The role will also support JRF's political engagement plans in the run up to and after the next general election.

About you

Are you passionate about tackling injustice and wanting to make a difference for people at the sharpest end of poverty?

With a keen nose for politics and a background in public affairs or advocacy, you'll be experienced in developing and executing impactful influencing strategies that target national politicians, with a track record of success.

You will be someone with excellent interpersonal skills, who can quickly build a strong rapport with influential stakeholders and is experienced in pitching case making material for policy change to best effect.

About Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Guarantee our Essentials campaign

JRF is a renowned independent social change organisation committed to solving poverty and creating a fairer society. With over 100 years of history, our mission is to support and speed up the transition to a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, in which people and planet can flourish.

The Guarantee our Essentials campaign calls for a landmark change to Universal Credit so that it protects people from going without the essentials.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 3rd January 2024 (23:59).

Interviews will take place in London week commencing 15th January 2024.

Additional Information

JRF is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

In support of our approach to flexible working we are happy to receive applications from those seeking full time employment, as well as those who may want to share the role on a part time basis. When making your application, please state whether you want to be considered for either full or part time work and, if part time, the number of hours per week you would be looking for.

As a Disability Confident Employer we are committed to the recruitment, progression and retention of disabled individuals. We shall also offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the job. If you have a disability, please tell us if you would like to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

The successful candidate will be based at our London office. At JRF we operate hybrid working with staff encouraged to attend the office twice a week (particularly within the first 6 month probationary period). Individual working arrangements should not limit applicants from applying for this role and would be discussed with your line manager should you be successful.