An opportunity has arisen for a Senior Public Affairs Officer to join our busy Communications team.
Reporting into the Public Affairs Manager, the post-holder will have a strong focus on ensuring that the Brigade’s policy positions and safety messages are communicated effectively in a range of external forums including correspondence, consultation responses and high-level briefings in order to help ensure that the legislative, regulatory and policy framework supports public and firefighter safety.
Applicants should have experience of working in a large, complex organisation or political environment, and will have gained a comprehensive understanding of the UK’s political systems, parliamentary procedure and how policy is made. Applicants should also have an understanding of the political environment in London and the key issues facing fire and rescue services in the UK.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate experience of working with policy specialists to agree policy positions and solutions to problems identified, and how best to present these to decision-makers. The ability to write persuasively and with impact, as well as having strong editing and proofreading skills, is an essential requirement in order to present highly complex issues to stakeholders, including non-expert groups.
The post-holder will also need excellent organisational skills to be able to manage their own projects and core work to very tight deadlines, as well as being able to respond quickly to new and unexpected events associated with working in a fast-paced political environment and for a busy emergency service.
Please note that this post is classified as politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. This means that, among other things, the post-holder cannot stand for election to a range of public bodies, act as an election agent for candidates for such elections, canvass on behalf of a candidate or a political party or speak in public, (or publish material), in apparent support of a political party. Any candidate currently holding such a position must explain how they would expect to deal with this, if appointed, in their application.
Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications will not be accepted.
Benefits of working for LFB
- 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays;
- Option Absence Scheme;
- Flexible working including job share;
- Welfare Scheme;
- Use of Brigade Medical Adviser/physios;
- Season ticket loans;
- Equality support Groups;
- Contributory Pension Scheme;
- Cycle to work scheme.
We value the diversity of our employees, and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people's age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.
Grade: FRS E.
Salary range: £38,317 - £45,769 per annum (starting salary in this range dependent upon experience and most recent salary).
Contract type: Permanent.
Working pattern: Full-time.