Join Ofwat’s Communications and Engagement Team as a Senior Associate Parliamentary & Public Affairs Officer.
We have a fixed term contract until end December 2027 available, but it is also open to loans and secondments.
*Office Location: London (E14 4HD) or Birmingham (B5 4UA) with hybrid working*
About Us
We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales. Following the Independent Water Commission’s final report, the UK government has set out a bold new direction - one that brings together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment.
The Role
We have an exciting job opportunity for a Public Affairs Senior Associate to join Ofwat’s dynamic Public Affairs function on a fixed-term contract until 31 December 2027. This role has an important and valuable contribution to enable us to deliver on our goals and regulatory commitments. You will need to establish yourself as credible and reliable with all parts of the organisation, including the leadership team. With your expert knowledge of parliament and the political environment, you will provide considered, sound advice on political engagement and handling to protect and strengthen Ofwat’s reputation. You will also be able to understand often complex, technical policy and turn it into accessible, compelling messages tailored to different audiences.
At a crucial time for the water sector, you will contribute to, and help deliver, strategic public affairs engagement, building on our overall communications strategy and ensuring that we target stakeholders effectively, deliver the right messages across to the right audiences and strengthen our horizon scanning and issue management.
Key deliverables
In this role you will be expected to:
- Help develop, deliver, and implement strategic public affairs activies which stretches beyond parliament to further the aims and objectives of Ofwat.
- Recommend appropriate tactics for effective engagement to raise awareness and strengthen our regulatory reputation with key political stakeholders.
- Represent Ofwat at external meetings.
- Manage a busy portfolio of parliamentary activity, including responding to incoming enquiries, developing proactive engagement plans, and engaging with select committees and relevant All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs).
- Actively contribute to wider stakeholder engagement planning and activities, including logistical and administrative coordination of site visits.
- Horizon scan and monitor developments and activities in Westminster related to our work, maintaining a public affairs schedule and providing updates to senior leaders.
- Prepare high-quality briefing materials, parliamentary updates, and other specific materials for senior colleagues.
- Identify influencing opportunities and draft responses to parliamentary, government and other consultations.
- Assist in developing and strengthening public affairs contacts in parliament and with other stakeholders, as well as maintaining our contact database to enhance Ofwat's relationships with stakeholders.
- Work closely with the relevant policy leads, to develop communications plans and build proactive opportunities for stakeholder engagement.
- Develop engaging and innovative events, both virtual and in person, utilising and experimenting with a broad range of facilitation techniques.
- Work collaboratively and develop strong working relationships with colleagues across Ofwat, particularly the Government Engagement Team, as well as externally.
About You
Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:
Experience, skills and knowledge
- Lead Criterion 1: Expertise in and sound knowledge of parliamentary procedures and stakeholder engagement best practice.
- Lead Criterion 2: Experience in developing and delivering parliamentary and stakeholder engagement programmes.
- Experience in managing parliamentary activities, including responding to inquiries, developing proactive engagement plans, and engaging with relevant committees and groups.
- Strategic thinking and ability to plan ahead, anticipate challenges and identify opportunities.
Why You Should Join Us:
- People Centric: Our people are at the heart of Ofwat and everything we do - we ensure all voices are heard and treat each other with respect; you'll be given the autonomy and the support to do your role in the best way.
- Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture build on trust, flexibility, and collaboration.
- Development Opportunities: Gain valuable experience and develop your skills in a supportive and dynamic setting.
- Work-Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home combined with the benefits of in person collaboration in our Birmingham offices.
- Good employer pension contributions
- 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 with each year of service, plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave.
- Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
- Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
- Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
- Recognition vouchers scheme rewarding your hard work.
- Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.