Job Description for Policy and Research Officer

Job Title: Policy and Research OfficerGrade: CSalary: £ 26,677 - £ 30,569Employed by: Unlock DemocracyContract type: 2 year fixed termLine-manager: The DirectorHours of work: 35 hrs per weekHolidays: 25 days Pension: 3%

Unlock Democracy is the UK’s leading campaign for democracy, rights and freedoms. A grassroots movement, we are owned and run by our members. We campaign for a vibrant, inclusive democracy that puts power in the hands of the people. In particular, we campaign for fair, open and honest elections, stronger parliament and accountable government, and a written constitution. Our current priorities include lobby campaigning for a robust statutory register of lobbyists, an elected second chamber and party funding reform.

The Policy and Research Officer will be responsible for implementing Unlock Democracy’s parliamentary and political strategy and ensuring that there is a strong evidence base to the organisation's campaigning. In particular the post holder will be responsible for:

Parliament and Policy

Implementing the organisation’s parliamentary strategy and working with the Director to plan parliamentary campaigns

Monitoring the political debate and policy developments related to constitutional and democratic reform and active citizenship and identifying opportunities for Unlock Democracy to influence the debate, including the drafting and promoting of amendments to parliamentary bills, preparing evidence for select committees

Monitoring politicians’ attitudes and activities related to constitutional and democratic reform and active citizenship and maintaining a database of information

Identifying key stakeholders and supporting the Director in developing and maintaining relationships to further the parliamentary and policy aims of the organisation.

Liaising and work with relevant All Party Parliamentary Groups

Organising Unlock Democracy’s presence at party conferences including planning and arranging fringe meetings or exhibition stands (the Policy and Research Officer may be expected to attend most of the main conferences of the principal parties).

Research

Liaising with the Director to develop and deliver the Unlock Democracy’s research and policy priorities ensuring that it as far is as practicable complements the campaigning priorities of the organisation

Ensuring that there is a strong evidence base for Unlock Democracy’s campaigning and active citizenship work and working with the Director to enable the organisation to respond rapidly and effectively to events

Conducting original and secondary research to develop Unlock Democracy’s policy agenda and to feed into the organisation’s campaigning work

Building and maintaining relationships with academics and other researchers in the field of democratic and constitutional reform, and active citizenship and briefing the Director on key developments

Managing the research and provision of information on constitutional and democratic reform and active citizenship to politicians, political commentators, Unlock Democracy, its partners and civil servants in the form of

○ briefings on bills and other issues (including, from time to time, informationon relevant developments in other countries);

○ responses to ad hoc requests for information from parliamentarians, civil servants and Unlock Democracy supporters.

General

Representing Unlock Democracy in meetings, at conferences and in media interviews as necessary

Delivering the organisation’s active citizenship projects incl work on voter registration and programmes advising voters on the choices facing them in elections

Assisting other staff as necessary in advising on, or drafting, press releases, blog posts and Unlock Democracy’s publications.

Responding to queries from Unlock Democracy supporters and members who have participated in a parliamentary campaign

Recruiting and supervising volunteers to assist in parliamentary and research work

Commissioning articles from academics, politicians and others to stimulate debate on Unlock Democracy’s campaigns

Other tasks related to the policy, campaigning work or the administration of Unlock Democracy and its partners, which may from time to time be delegated by the Director.

Advise and report to the Management Board and Council as required by the director

Person Specification

Unlock Democracy seeks a Policy and Research Officer to continue to develop or parliamentary and policy work and provide a strong evidence base for our campaigning and policy work. The successful candidate will be a systematic person who has experience of researching complex policy areas, including doing data analysis and who wants to put their skills to use to further out campaigns.

Essential Skills

Commitment to aims and values of Unlock Democracy Highly developed knowledge of the democratic process, constitutional reform and

debates about participation Experience of developing policy positions Knowledge of how Parliament works and experience of working with parliamentarians The ability to write clear, concise reports on research topics and debates Excellent research skills and evidence of personal research experience Experience of data analysis Confident interpersonal and advocacy skills Excellent attention to detail and accuracy Good general IT skills Be organised, systematic and a confident team worker

Desirable Skills

Experience of managing and/or working with volunteers Experience of working with academics, politicians and practitioners An understanding of campaigning and of using research for campaigning Experience of using spreadsheets to analyse data. Experience of writing for a variety of audiences including drafting press releases Experience of editing