Job Purpose:
To research, develop and communicate the policy work of the FSB, both internally to members and externally to a wide range of stakeholders, to ensure that the interests of the FSB’s members are represented to the UK Government and other relevant stakeholders.
The Enterprise and Innovation portfolio covers a range of economic policy issues including start-ups and small business growth, innovation, copyright, competition law, and trade and industry issues affecting small businesses. The role will be to develop and communicate to key stakeholders the FSB’s thinking in these areas.
Key Areas of Accountability:
- Be the lead point of contact for policy work relating to small business issues in the department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), HM Treasury (HMT) and relevant government agencies and regulatory bodies;
- Maintain a keen awareness of political and legislative developments in the UK (and EU where appropriate) from BIS and HMT and identify their impact on small businesses, and be proactive in responding to these developments as appropriate;
- Through an in-depth awareness of the policy environment, identify the key policy issues potentially facing the FSB and carry out rigorous research and analysis of the policy options related to the brief, including policy research papers for the FSB and articles for both internal and external publications;
- Using your in-depth research and understanding of policy, promote the FSB’s policy position both to members and to external stakeholders through a variety of channels including representing the FSB at meetings with civil servants and MPs, and making presentations to internal and external bodies;
- Provide support, information and make recommendations to the FSB’s internal Policy Committee members and Chair, and to the National Policy Chairman regarding relevant policy issues and campaigns;
- Establish and develop a strong relationship with colleagues in the policy team, and in addition colleagues in the Media and Public Affairs teams, thereby supporting the London Office’s overall aims and objectives;
- Establish and develop good working relationships with a wide range of relevant external bodies, for example think tanks, and using your extensive policy skills ensure that the FSB is regarded as a credible source of advice and information;
- To maximise the impact of policy work, liaise closely with the Press and Public Affairs team on your relevant policy issues, and plan and manage how policies will be promoted through Public Affairs and Media channels;
- Comply with requirements and procedures of the FSB, in relation to administrative and financial processes, and to act with a high level of integrity at all times.;
- Maintain safe working practices in accordance with health and safety policy;
- To undertake other duties relevant to the department’s activities, for example travelling to the FSB’s regional network, and in accordance with the level of the post, as directed by the appropriate line manager.
For more details of the role, and a full Person Specification, please download the Job Document attached below.