Government Relations & Public Affairs Officer

About the Role

Devolution is the policy and public affairs arena to work in right now – offering a chance to shape the new devolved decision-making landscape and to work at the forefront of one of the most exciting new developments in public policy. The Liverpool City Region Combined Mayoral Authority is recruiting two Government Relations and Public Affairs Officers to work on this exciting field in external relations and stakeholder management.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority brings together six local authorities to tackle local issues of importance to residents of the Liverpool City Region geography. Following increased devolved powers granted to the city region of Liverpool, local authorities making up the city region are working together to utilise resources and make decisions of benefit to local communities. These include investment in transport, tackling homelessness, skills, economic growth, innovation and creating new jobs. They have recently secured over a billion in funding from the Government and have ambitious plans to make the Liverpool City Region one of the best places in the UK to live and work.

The Opportunity

‍The Liverpool City Regional Mayoral Combined Authority organisation is recruiting two Government and Public Affairs Officers covering two strands of public affairs and stakeholder engagement. One role will focus on developing ties with local businesses, trade bodies and universities, whilst the other role will focus on building relationships with Westminster, Whitehall and other regional authorities.

Both roles will provide timely and high-quality public affairs support to assist it in the organisation’s strategic objectives.

‍Main responsibilities

• •Support engagement with parliamentarians and other public affairs audiences including government, principally in Westminster and Whitehall, constituent local authorities, as well as other stakeholders on a national and regional basis.
• •Help promote the organisation to key audiences, including through organisation of Ministerial visits to the region.
• •Ensure appropriate communication is undertaken with constituent local authorities to build and cement relationships.
• •Develop and maintain systems to ensure that good records of meetings with stakeholders are created, available and easily accessed.
• •Work with the Evidence and Intelligence team and Policy Coordination team to advise colleagues on political, policy and legislative developments in Government, Parliament, relevant think tanks and other influencers within the policy communities of relevance to the organisation. 
• •Produce timely summaries of key developments relevant to the organisation, including Budget statements, White Papers, debates, and committee sessions.
• •Manage the production of responses to key Government department and Select Committee consultations or calls for evidence. 
• •Prepare briefings for senior colleagues, including the Metro Mayor, Chief Executive and Directors for key meetings.
  
  

‍About the person

• •‍Experience of working in a public or parliamentary affairs environment.
• •Experience working with or for central or local Government.
• •Experience of building effective strategic working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• •Evidence of negotiating, influencing and giving advice to politicians, senior managers and partner organisations.
• •Experience of operating effectively and collaboratively as part of a team.
• •A strong understanding of parliamentary and legislative procedures as well as policy making processes - across national, regional, local and devolved government institutions.

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‍About the organisation

The Liverpool City Region is world-famous for its history, culture and creativity. A place of firsts, it is the birthplace of modern railways, public health and international trade. Now, our economy is being transformed once again, changing the world through world-leading innovation in health and life sciences, digital and creative, and advanced manufacturing - growing an economy already worth £35 billion a year.

The Combined Authority plays a central role in catalysing this innovation-led economy. We are seizing the unique opportunity to use our devolved powers and funding to create wealth and prosperity for all our 1.6 million residents and the whole UK - investing in our economy, people, place, transport and digital infrastructure. Our vision is for the Liverpool City Region to be: The best place to grow up, grow a family, and grow a business - where no-one is left behind.

 

Staff benefits

• •Local Government Pension Scheme contributions between 5.5% and 12.5%
• •Generous holiday entitlement of 29 days rising to 34 days after 5 years service, as well as bank holidays and the option to buy 10 additional days
• •Free travel around Liverpool City Region with an All-Zone Metro card worth £1,450 per year plus All Zones Off Peak Trio ticket for your spouse or partner
• •Flexible and hybrid working
• •24/7 access to Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family and Free counselling service
• •Corporate discounts at council-owned gyms
• •Bike to Work Scheme
• •Coaching, mentoring, apprenticeships, and professional qualifications including paid membership fees and even a £1k interest free learning loan for any non-job-related learning

 

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all candidates who met the essential criteria in the job description and who have declared that they: have a disability, are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, are a member of a reservist or have close family links to a member of the Armed Forces as we are under-represented by people from these communities.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.