Join the PubAffairs Network

Established in January 2002, PubAffairs is the premier network and leading resource for the public affairs, government relations, policy and communications industry.

The PubAffairs network numbers over 4,000 members and is free to join. PubAffairs operates a general e-Newsletter, as well as a number of other specific group e-Newsletters which are also available to join by completing our registration form.

The PubAffairs e-Newsletters are used to keep members informed about upcoming PubAffairs events and networking opportunities, job vacancies, public affairs news, training courses, stakeholder events, publications, discount offers and other pieces of useful information related to the public affairs and communications industry.

Join the Network

OGUK is the leading representative body for the UK offshore oil and gas industry with offices in London and Aberdeen. It is a not-for-profit organisation, established in April 2007 but with a pedigree stretching back over 40 years. Membership is open to all companies active in the UK continental shelf, from super majors to large contractor businesses and from independent oil companies to SMEs working in the supply chain. Our aim is to strengthen the long-term health of the offshore oil and gas industry in the United Kingdom by working closely with companies across the sector, governments and all other stakeholders to address the issues that affect business.

We seek a public affairs professional to fulfil the role of Lead External Affairs Adviser in our Aberdeen office, reporting to the External Affairs Manager as a key member of the organisation’s Stakeholder and Communications team. The successful candidate will assist in driving support and engagement from stakeholders on key messaging connected to OGUK and wider industry activity in local, regional, national and European spectrums by close monitoring of and coordinated responses to political developments pertinent to the industry in Westminster, Holyrood and Europe.

The successful candidate will:

  • Assist effective delivery of external affairs strategies and campaigns that meet OGUK’s business priorities and lead sections of the strategy;
  • Cultivate new contacts across the full spectrum of OGUK stakeholders including civil servants, politicians, their special advisors and assistants in the Westminster, Holyrood and Brussels parliaments as well as to stakeholders in local and regional authorities, regulatory agencies, industry bodies, OGUK members and other interested groups;
  • Employ appropriate tactics for effective, regular engagement to raise awareness of OGUK’s policy positions and strengthen its reputation with key policy makers, decision makers and other external stakeholders;
  • Create high quality, accurate content for briefing materials, consultation responses, policy position papers, and other written or oral communications to support the delivery of OGUK policy positions;
  • Ensure stakeholder management, engagement and communications processes are comprehensively recorded, reviewed, reported and continuously improved;
  • Support the secretariat function for the cross-party parliamentary groups as needed;
  • Monitor the political environment in Scottish, UK and European parliaments, identifying and evaluating opportunities and risk, in order to provide timely intelligence to relevant internal staff and coordinate informed response;
  • Support development of tactics and strategies for effectively challenging misconceptions and inaccuracies about the industry cited by stakeholders.

Candidates must have solid government or parliamentary public affairs experience with a proven track record of successful advocacy. A good knowledge of energy issues in general and in the oil and gas industry in particular. You should also have an understanding of the external political environment and political developments, a commitment to stakeholder focus and relationship management along with experience working in partnership with peers and stakeholders at all levels to facilitate effective decision making and issues management to mutual consent.

All candidates should have sound analytical and fact-finding skills, and an ability to identify and understand key issues. You should also have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, strong interpersonal skills and be an effective team player and networker. They must also be able to think clearly, critically and decisively and be able to provide strong analytical insight.

This is an exciting role in a high-profile organisation at the heart of one of the country’s most important industrial sectors. You must be able to demonstrate a keen interest in the industry, as well as the capacity to cope under pressure and to deadline. In return for hard work and commitment, the organisation offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits. 

Closing date

Applications for this post closed 11:59pm on Tuesday 30th June 2020