Policy And Press Assistant

Policy And Press Assistant

Location: London, W1B (hybrid, minimum 2 days in the office per week)
Salary: £30,000 (salary expectation)
Contract: Fixed term, 24 months

Responsible to: Head of Public Affairs and Policy
Key relationships: Officers, Press, Government Departments, health stakeholders

The Association of Anaesthetists is a membership organisation for anaesthetists with over 10,000 members. Our mission is to safeguard patients by educating, supporting, and inspiring every anaesthetist throughout their career, enabling them to provide the best care in every healthcare setting.

Our four strategic priorities are Patient Care and Safety, Education and Research, Advocacy and Support, and Innovation and Growth. Our values are embedded in everything we do. We are:

• Committed: a respected and independent organisation, committed to speaking up and speaking out on behalf of our members and the anaesthesia community
• Trusted: for over 90 years, we have helped to set standards, share knowledge, and support thousands of people in a vital profession
• Innovative: we look forward, not back, and actively help shape the future of anaesthesia on behalf of our members
• Connected: a dynamic, diverse, and inclusive community, existing because of, and on behalf of, our members

Job purpose

The Policy and Press Assistant is responsible for providing administrative and assistant level support for the Policy and Advocacy team. You will be the first port of call for the team, fielding enquiries from colleagues, politicians and other organisations, and carrying out tasks across a range of policy issues, playing a part in the Association’s external-facing campaigns to improve services and support for anaesthetists.

The role sits in our Policy and Advocacy Team and reports to and supports the Head of Public Affairs and Policy, assisting the Public Affairs and Policy Officer where necessary. Externally, you may liaise with a wide range of stakeholders, such as Royal Colleges, national and local NHS bodies, politicians, and Ministers and Civil Servants in relevant Government departments.

This role is based at our head office at 21 Portland Place, London, with a hybrid working arrangement (minimum 2 days in the office per week).

Key responsibilities – Public Affairs

• Help the organisation develop its external voice by assisting the team in responding to policy developments and press opportunities
• Monitor relevant parliamentary business and produce short summaries of events where appropriate
• Lead on the organisation of meetings, external events and conference attendance for the team, other colleagues, and Board members where appropriate
• Assist in the development and maintenance of stakeholder maps and spreadsheets
• Engage with and support relevant internal boards and committees, providing reports, updates, papers and information for meetings
• Support the team to produce responses to consultations and policy developments, and follow up on finalised responses
• Help ensure that members are engaged with and have a sense of ownership over our policy and influencing work
• Work closely with cross-departmental colleagues to ensure policy influencing work is integrated with other team activities and organisational priorities

Key responsibilities – Press and media

• Find opportunities to promote the policy, advocacy and campaigns work of the Association in the press/media
• Assist with the production of statements, latest news updates and contributions to the organisation’s publications
• Produce latest news updates and press releases when required
• Update social media accounts with policy announcements
• Work closely with the Digital Marketing and Communications Team to support the Association’s communications work
• Provide press/media support for other parts of the Association when required

Operational management

• Undertake any other reasonable activities as requested by the Head of Public Affairs and Policy, relevant Director or Chief Executive, deputising for team members where appropriate
• Maintain and improve your own competencies through continuous professional development
• Abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice as described in the Staff Handbook
• Support and promote the Association’s commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace

Person specification – essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent (e.g. relevant professional qualifications and/or vocational training)
• Experience of writing policy statements, briefings and press releases
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with particular emphasis on attention to detail
• An understanding of current policy issues affecting the health sector
• Strong time management skills, including the ability to manage competing requests and prioritise
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of people including staff, Board, Council, members and stakeholders from other organisations
• Resourceful, flexible, and creative, with a proven ability to solve problems and work well under pressure

Person specification – desirable

• Experience of working in a membership organisation
• Experience of working in a political environment
• Strategic thinking and interest in contributing to innovation and change
• Digital copywriting skills and experience of writing for web or social media, and content management systems

To apply for the role, please send your CV and a supporting statement of not more than two pages covering how you meet the person specification. Please include the title of the role you are applying for in the subject line.

Deadline: Friday 9th October