Genetic Alliance UK is the highly respected and authoritative national umbrella charity working to improve the lives of all those affected by genetic conditions. We work in a fast moving scientific and clinical environment putting the issues and needs of patients and families on research and healthcare policy and practice forward to government and the NHS.
Purpose of the role:
You will support Genetic Alliance UK’s public affairs activity, in particular working on the Rare Disease UK campaign. The Public Affairs Assistant will be a key member of the Genetic Alliance UK policy team, providing assistance with analysing, researching and briefing on parliamentary developments across the UK.
Principle duties:
- Contacting and maintaining relationships with MPs and Peers;
- Undertaking research activity (qualitative and quantitative), identifying critical information and writing reports;
- Assisting the Public Affairs Manager to provide the secretariat to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Rare, Genetic and Undiagnosed Conditions;
- Providing high quality written copy for internal and external publications, including producing briefings;
- Assisting the Public Affairs Manager to arrange stakeholder engagement events and other meetings/events;
- Responsible for political monitoring activities;
- Communicating with Rare Disease UK supporters and other external organisations and individuals;
- Developing, producing and delivering effective content and campaigns for Rare Disease UK’s digital channels, including its website, social media platforms and campaign updates;
- Remaining up to date with digital trends, including specific optimisation and media requirements of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram;
- Working with the Communications Team to implement strategies that develop Rare Disease UK’s digital profile, engage audiences, and support the organisation’s aims and objectives;
- Maintaining the patient experiences blog on the Rare Disease UK website;
- Attending relevant meetings/conferences, representing the organisation;
- Undertaking other reasonable tasks required by Genetic Alliance UK when needed.
Person specification:
Education and qualifications
- Graduate or equivalent experience;
- Good level of IT literacy.
Essential qualities, skills and experience
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral;
- Ability to write clear and logical documents;
- Ability to work both as part of a team and independently;
- A can-do attitude to work, with enthusiasm and creativity;
- Attention to detail to all aspects of work;
- A logical and organised approach to work;
- Ability to meet agreed deadlines, prioritise workload and maximise the use of time;
- Ability to adapt writing style for a range of audiences;
- Experience of communications work;
- A commitment to the aims and objectives of Genetic Alliance UK.
Desirable qualities, skills and experience
- Experience of public affairs work and political monitoring;
- Experience of undertaking qualitative and quantitative research;
- Experience of the voluntary and/or health sector communications;
- Interest and knowledge of political environment in the UK;
- Interest in healthcare policy;
- Appreciation of current issues in genetics and health care and their impact on patients and families.
Additional requirements
- To be able to work occasional evenings and weekends;
- Willing to undertake occasional travel in the UK and Europe.
Responsible to: Public Affairs Manager
Benefits: 33 paid holiday days per year, plus employer contribution to pension
Contract: Full-time (35 hours a week)
Located: Barclay House, Level 3, 37 Queen Square, London WC1N 3BH