Policy and Public Affairs Manager

The Policy and Public Affairs Manager - London will be responsible for identifying themes and issues from our casework and turning them into impactful policy projects. They will be capable of influencing key stakeholders, including Parliament, to deliver improvements in public services.

They will lead project teams of colleagues from across PHSO, as well as working closely with senior staff. They will build and maintain strong relationships with a range of organisations and individuals, including Government bodies and agencies, Parliament, and bodies that represent the interests of people who use or work in public services.

Responsible to: Assistant Director of Public Affairs and Insight

Responsible for: 1x Policy and Public Affairs Manager

Main Duties
•    Provide policy and insight leadership on a range of projects.
•    Analyse the learning from the complaints PHSO handles to identify themes and trends that can support and challenge public services to improve.
•    Draft recommendations, reports and consultation responses to influence public service improvements and encourage wider learning as a result of PHSO's insight work.
•    Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of current affairs and issues relating to the specific policy areas identified for the post-holder to lead on.
•    Build effective and influential working relationships with external stakeholders, to encourage improvement in public services.
•    Prepare briefings, speaking notes and letters to support PHSO's engagement with key stakeholders.

As a member of the Strategy and Communications Directorate you will be expected to:

•    Lead large scale and high-profile projects and events, working autonomously with little day-to-day oversight, and deliver on time and in budget.
•    Own and manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, identifying opportunities to work collaboratively.
•    Communicate clearly and provide expert advice and briefings to senior internal and external stakeholders, including the Ombudsman, the Board, Strategy Group, senior civil servants or journalists at national media, tailoring your message and style accordingly.
•    Write and prepare copy and briefings for a range of audiences and channels, for example: briefings, reports, Board papers, editorial, leaflets, website content or social media.
•    Continuously seek to protect and enhance PHSO's reputation and identify opportunities to promote our service, improve understanding of our role, and engage target audiences in our work.
•    Monitor events or activities and provide expert advice and insight to support strategic decision-making in a timely fashion.
•    Lead and manage change in own area and across PHSO, identifying best practice externally and adopting internally, where appropriate.
•    Participate in learning and development activity and professional development, sharing knowledge and expertise with the department and wider organisation. Analyse complex data, extract key insights and messages to share with senior internal and external stakeholders.
•    Evaluate all projects to ensure effectiveness and improve processes and delivery.
The Successful Applicant
The successful Policy and Public Affairs Manager - London will have the following:

Knowledge

Essential:

•    A good understanding of policy-making processes including UK Government and Parliament.
•    An awareness of public administration (central government in particular) or the NHS and the context in which it operates.
•    Sound knowledge of people management techniques and processes, or a willingness to learn.

Desirable:

•    Knowledge or understanding of the role of an Ombudsman function.

Skills

Essential:

•    Excellent analytical skills
•    Able to influence others
•    Skilled at building and developing partnerships with a wide range of people (internally and externally) at all levels
•    Excellent communication skills, including verbal and written, and the ability to present complex information with credibility at senior levels
•    Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to use a variety of styles to reach diverse audiences
•    Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team to achieve shared goals
•    Excellent organisational, planning, time management and project management skills
•    Ability to work to frequently tight, externally fixed deadlines in accordance with government and Parliamentary timetables.
•    Strong motivational skills
•    Good problem-solving skills
•    Able to support and train colleagues.
•    Ability to use advanced level IT skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, Teams and PowerPoint
•    Commitment to learning and personal development

Desirable:

•    A proven ability in performance management and coaching.

Experience

Essential:

•    Analysing complex written material and identifying and summarising key issues.
•    Engaging and influencing stakeholders, including elected officials such as parliamentarians.
•    A proven ability to manage confidential issues and demonstrate tact and diplomacy.
•    Successfully leading and managing projects.
•    Developing and influencing public policy.

Desirable:

•    Being responsible for the quality of other people's work and providing constructive feedback.
•    Working in a customer-focused environment, demonstrating empathy.
•    Casework management.

Qualifications: Desired

•    Educated to degree level or equivalent or have equivalent work-based experience.

What's on Offer

The Policy and Public Affairs Manager - London will be offered:
•    Salary £43,437
•    Civil Service Pension scheme (minimum 26.6% employer contribution)
•    30-day holiday entitlement, plus 2.5 extra statutory holidays on top
•    Flexitime: Core hours between 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-16.00
•    Extra 2 days of Flexi-leave each month for additional hours that have been accrued
•    Access to a wide variety of internal and external wellbeing support, 24/7 assistance programmes and health advice

PHSO is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), and welcomes applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds. They are also a Disability Confident organisation.

Should you wish to access the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) or require any reasonable adjustments through the process please contact the lead recruiter to discuss your needs before the advert closes.

To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV detailing your experience that best fits the essential criteria outlined above.

PLEASE NOTE: We can only consider applications from candidates who have the right to work in the UK.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: This role is also available in Manchester on a salary of £40,978