The role of the External Relations Officer (ERO) is to work with the Head of External Relations (HER) and Tax Policy Director (TPD) to monitor, build and maintain the CIOT and ATT’s profile with the media, politicians, opinion formers and other relevant bodies, particularly in pursuit of our objectives of increasing understanding of tax matters and working for a more effective tax system for all affected by it.
In essence the job is roughly two thirds press officer, one third public affairs/public policy, though the balance is likely to change from week to week.
THE ROLE
The role will be office-based at the CIOT’s offices in SW1. Some limited travel may be needed. In principle this is a full-time role but there is some flexibility over this (e.g. four days a week would be considered).
DETAILED RESPONSIBLITIES
The role will cover the following areas, acting for the CIOT in the main but also for the ATT (the CIOT’s sister body) and the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (an initiative of the CIOT). For brevity, only the CIOT is referred to in the following listing.
Media
- Drafting and issuing of press releases, including managing the editing and approval process;
- Handling media enquiries, including bids for CIOT spokespeople;
- Monitoring CIOT media coverage and other coverage of tax issues, including producing regular digests for CIOT staff and officers;
- Identifying opportunities for press releases and other media coverage for the CIOT;
- Managing the CIOT’s lists of media contacts, ensuring lists stay up to date;
- Working with the HER to build links with key journals and journalists (broadcast, print and online) and on the development of CIOT media strategy;
- Supporting the HER and TPD in the development of the CIOT ‘media line’ on contentious issues;
- Assisting CIOT officers and staff on media work, including drafting articles, letters to newspapers, and so on as well as researching and proofreading.
Public policy
- Monitoring tax issues in the UK Parliament including identifying forthcoming debates and hearings of interest to the CIOT, identifying MPs and peers that CIOT should be engaging with, and keeping relevant CIOT staff and senior members informed of developments on issues of interest to them. In particular this is likely to include following closely the proceedings of the Finance Bill and writing regular reports on the Bill’s progress. As time allows, there may also be some monitoring of tax issues in the EU and devolved institutions;
- Working with the HER and CIOT technical team to produce briefings and letters on tax issues for politicians and other opinion formers, including briefings for forthcoming parliamentary debates;
- Supporting the HER in building the CIOT’s relationships with relevant policy-makers, parliamentarians and other stakeholders, including attendance at meetings and other external events as necessary;
- Supporting the CIOT’s thought leadership and stakeholder engagement work, especially through the organisation of occasional events such as roundtables, debates and lectures. (For larger events most organisational work will be carried out by the CIOT’s events team.);
- Helping to keep CIOT members abreast of what we are doing and achieving.
General and other
- Blogging on the CIOT website on issues of interest to members;
- Supporting CIOT general communications with members, including drafting non-technical articles for the members’ magazine, Tax Adviser;
- Attending internal CIOT meetings and representing the CIOT at external meetings as required;
- Such other duties as may be required. Occasionally this may mean assisting the work of other departments within the CIOT.
PERSON SPECIFICATION / SKILLS
Required
- Outstanding communication skills – written and oral;
- Ability to quickly develop an understanding of new issues;
- Ability to explain complicated and technical issues in an accessible way, both in writing and orally;
- Good understanding of the media and what is newsworthy, possibly including experience of working either as a press officer, as a journalist or in another media-related role;
- The judgement to pick out and accurately précis the most important / interesting material from lengthy documents or transcripts;
- Ability to work on own initiative, while having the judgement to recognise when something should be referred to a manager;
- The interpersonal skills and self-awareness necessary to communicate effectively on behalf of the CIOT with external bodies, policy-makers and opinion-formers and with senior CIOT members and staff;
- Ability to work accurately with detailed information and to ensure that practical tasks are effectively implemented to time and quality standards;
- Ability to work with politicians from all parties in a non-partisan way;
- Diplomacy and discretion;
- Willingness to work outside normal office hours occasionally.
Advantageous
- Good understanding of the UK political system, including how the legislative process, select committees and political parties (especially in relation to policy development) work, possibly acquired through working in Westminster or writing about it;
- Good understanding of EU institutions, including how policy and legislation are made;
- Tax knowledge is not expected, but would be an advantage, as would knowledge of personal finance and economics/business issues more widely;
- Good understanding of how membership bodies (especially professional bodies) operate, possibly acquired from working for, or serving as an officer or committee member of, such a body;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word, Outlook, Excel;
- Good understanding of social media, while not essential for this role, would be an advantage.