The BBA's external affairs team is looking for an APPG Coordinator. The position reports to the Government Affairs Manager. This is a part-time role, working 2 days per week.
Main functions of job
(Note: In addition to these functions are required to carry out other duties as may reasonably be required)
The APPG on Wholesale Financial Markets and Services is an informal, cross party interest and educational group. It was established in March 2003 to provide Parliamentarians with a unique forum for briefings and constructive debate on issues relating to the wholesale financial sector with senior city practitioners, advisors, economists and academics.
Topics include:
- assessing the impact of domestic, EU and international political, economic and regulatory developments on the wholesale financial services sector and its customers;
- the competitiveness of the domestic and international wholesale markets;
- the role and significance of wholesale financial services in the wider economy, on retail consumer services and in the wider environment;
- growth in emerging financial centres around the world;
- the sector’s contribution to the UK economy.
The main purpose of the Group is educational. With the relationship between Government, regulators and the City under constant public, political and press scrutiny, the need for dialogue has never been greater. The Group is well regarded in both Westminster and the City, and fully complies with the rules and regulations for such groups, as set out in the “Guide to the Rules on APPGs” published by the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
The Group’s sole mission is to provide a mechanism for MPs and Peers to obtain a balanced industry view on topical issues or matters which they may be required to consider as part of their parliamentary responsibilities.
The Associate Parliamentary Group is supported by a senior City practitioner Industry Advisory Group representing the leading wholesale markets’ trade associations, market infrastructure providers, and the City of London Corporation.
In order to ensure balance and transparency in its ethos and in its briefings and discussions, in December 2012 the group set up the new role of ‘Observer’. This role provides a standing invitation to the heads or senior directors of a select number of independent financial institutions to attend any or all APPG WFM&S briefings as they feel relevant or appropriate. Institutions currently accredited with ‘Observer’ status are shown on the Representing the Industry page.
The Secretariat is provided by the Industry Advisory Group and is located at the BBA.
Further information about the APPG is available online.
Main duties
The basic duties of the Secretariat to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Wholesale Financial Markets and Services (APPG) are to manage the APPG and organise its meetings, administer the Industry Advisory Group to the APPG (IAG) and coordinate relations between the IAG and the Parliamentary Chairman and other Officers.
More specifically this will require:
(a) Liaising regularly with the Chairman, Officers and parliamentary members of the APPG, the Chairman and/or Deputy Chairman of the IAG and various BBA personnel as appropriate, as well as agree, organise and implement the programme of breakfast and dinner briefings, the Annual Dinner and other APPG events including the Annual General Meeting and the election of Officers
(b) Liaising with various BBA personnel and the Chairman and/or Deputy Chairman of the IAG with regard to securing guest speakers and industry invitees (at a senior level) at APPG briefings and events
(c) Liaising with the APPG Chairman’s office and the Banqueting Department at the House of Commons/Lords for room bookings/catering requirements, or booking external venues as required
(d) Maintaining and keeping up-to-date the Secretariat contact databases (APPG and IAG) and records of all APPG meetings
(e) Keeping the APPG website up-to-date
(f) Identifying potential new members of the APPG and taking forward their membership applications as appropriate
(g) Ensuring that the APPG and its Secretariat complies with the rules and procedures for Parliamentary Groups as set down by the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards including in respect of the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers and in ensuring the official Register is kept up to date
(h) With regard to the IAG:
a. Organising two or three meetings of the IAG per year and taking minutes;
b. Actioning the recommendations of the IAG;
c. Liaising with/assisting the BBA Finance Department in budget setting and sending out annual subscription invoices.
There are between 8-10 APPG meetings/events in the Parliamentary year (including the Annual Dinner and AGM) and occasional additional dinners or other informal and smaller events.
Education and Experience
Qualifications/education required:
- A good standard of education. A relevant qualification is desirable but not essential;
- Computer literacy, particularly good knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications.
Experience required
- Candidates are likely to be working in a policy and/or political environment in Westminster, Whitehall, the financial services sector, or an equivalent body to the BBA.
Knowledge / skills required
- Ability to work and deliver under pressure to tight deadlines;
- Attention to detail;
- Knowledge of Parliament and UK politics, including the legislative process;
- Event planning and management;
- Strong analytical, research and problem solving skills;
- Excellent communication skills – written and oral;
- Minute-taking skills are desirable.
Personal Attributes
- Excellent command of Written English;
- Proactive;
- Attention to detail;
- Excellent time management;
- Ability to get on with people at all levels;
- Ability to manage relationships;
- Outgoing;
- Resilient.