Main Purpose of Job:
- Maintaining a sustainable level of campaigning activity to raise political awareness of the needs of those with rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis working from the excellent reputation built and base of campaigning activities delivered to date;
- Establishing the necessary lobbying programmes to meet the PPA objectives as agreed with the CEO and Senior Management Team annually and regularly reviewed;
- Organising one on one meetings with parliamentarians, ministers, civil servants, key opinion leaders, and key NHS figures to ensure that RA and JIA are prioritised amongst long term conditions;
- Identifying and rioritizing areas of policy where we can make an impact, in particular working with our Ambassadors within our Scottish and Welsh Campaign Networks. Devolved nation work will involve spending some time in each of the devolved areas;
- Within the timeframe of the current strategic plan (2016-19), launching Campaign Networks in Greater Manchester and Northern Ireland;
- Monitoring the political environment and disseminating relevant information to the CEO, other colleagues and volunteers in the campaign networks as appropriate;
- Communicating with the charity’s members and supporters through our regular e-bulletins, the NRAS Magazine and by visiting groups across the country to update them on and engage them in our PPA activity;
- Drafting parliamentary questions and FOI requests that support our campaigns in Westminster and the Devolved Areas;
- Drafting briefing papers for the CEO on relevant aspects of health, social care and welfare and disabilities policies as necessary for her external engagements;
- Representing the charity at external stakeholder meetings when required and being an active participant in coalitions and working groups;
- Work closely with the Senior Management Team to ensure synergy between all departments of the charity in relation to the PPA activity;
- Contributing to, and participating in, projects facilitated by industry and to work with PR and public affairs agencies representing pharmaceutical partners in regard to RA and JIA;
- Keeping trustees and colleagues up to date on PPA activity by providing regular progress in the NRAS monthly report, Annual Review and highlighting anything of relevance in regular parliamentary monitoring reports;
- Ensuring the PPA database and filing systems are maintained;
- Reviewing and revising the campaigns area of the website on a regular basis, adding campaign updates/blogs;
- To participate in NRAS networking and management meetings as required;
- Participating in NRAS team events (training and project);
- Undertaking any other work relating to PPA requested by the CEO or SMT.
The post holder will report to the CEO but work with Department Heads and external stakeholders, and policy makers.
Direct reports: An intern (on an ad hoc basis); Projects & Events Assistant (jointly).
Decision Making Authority:
- Financial/budgeting – setting the PPA budget in collaboration with the CEO and managing this throughout the year
- Sharing responsibility with the SMT for setting the strategic direction of the charity’s PPA function
Qualification and Skills:
Essential
- Degree or equivalent level of education;
- Proven successful political/public affairs experience;
- A keen interest in campaigning and a basic understanding and awareness of parliamentary processes across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland;
- Good written and oral communication skills with the ability to write and communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences;
- Good organisational and administrative skills;
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint;
- Good attention to detail;
- A ‘can do’ positive attitude;
- Proactive;
- Team Player;
- Problem solver and creative;
- Flexible and enthusiastic;
- Able to remain calm under pressure;
- Able to work on own initiative without supervision;
- Willingness to travel and work out of hours and stay away overnight as required;
- Ability to get to Maidenhead offices;
- Willingness to be trained.
Desirable
- Previous work within the third sector;
- Previous role as Policy Officer or Government Affairs Officer;
- Knowledge of the workings of the NHS;
- Knowledge of health policy;
- Understanding of Rheumatoid Arthritis/Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and their treatment;
- Strategic thinker;
- Ability to present to large groups of people;
- Living within the Berkshire area or reasonable commuting distance of Maidenhead.
Other Duties:
- Travel throughout the UK (and some out of UK travel), involving some overnight stays;
- Some out of hours working will be necessary as part of the job for which time of in lieu policy will not apply;
- Planned out of hours working, including late evening events and occasional weekends for which time of in lieu will be given;
- Attendance and participation in team meetings;
- Any other duties as requested by the SMT.
Representing NRAS:
- Represent NRAS in a senior capacity to external stakeholders, funders and partners promoting it as a respected, trusted and ambitious charity resulting in partnerships, successful funding and effective collaborative working;
- NRAS expects all employees to respect the unique contribution of every individual and operates an equal opportunity and diversity policy;
- All employees must work responsibly within the health and safety policy of the organisation and ensure they are observing this at all times.