Public Affairs Advisor (Wales)
Contract: Full time, 6 month fixed term/Secondments welcomed
Salary: £26,000 to £31,000 dependent on experience
Location: Access to Cardiff – with flexibility to do some work from home
Closing: Sunday, 22 November 2020
Interview: Wednesday December 2020

The Marine Conservation Society fights for the future of our ocean through people-powered action – with science on our side. Today, our ocean is in poor health because of human activity. We’re determined to change this, working with communities, businesses and governments.

For more than 30 years, we’ve been the voice of the sea, defending our coastal habitats and species. We work towards a cleaner, better-protected, healthier ocean, one we can all enjoy.

Together we can achieve our vision of seas full of life, where nature flourishes and people thrive.

We need to stop taking too much out of our sea and we need to stop putting too much in. We need your expertise as a Public Affairs Advisor to make our voice heard in Wales, among the people who can have a hand on turning the tide of this ocean and coastal crisis.

Could you make compelling cases to the right people at the right time in order to influence the changes we need for our seas to be full of life, where nature flourishes and people thrive?

The Public Affairs Advisor will be able to develop effective and significant relationships with key influential parliamentarians and Government representatives on marine policy and legislation in Wales.

If this floats your boat then our seas need you – more now than ever.

Our reach is broad, which makes for an ambitious and challenging remit – being our advocate in the Senedd will be inspiring and rewarding. You’ll be spending some time in Cardiff and will have regular contact with our team members in the other Administrations.

Day-to-day – your role:

• You will be responsible for developing and implementing our parliamentary plans which support the delivery of the MCS strategy, and as an engaging and influential communicator, you will lead on promoting our conservation messages to parliamentarians and political and industry stakeholders.
• You will provide timely and insightful guidance to our teams on the current and emerging political landscape, advising on the most effective tools and communications strategies to ensure maximum influence.
• You will act as a champion for our policies to Government, industry and user groups - responding to consultations and representing MCS on national and international forums in partnership with other NGOs, government bodies and stakeholder user groups.

What you’ll need:

• Demonstrable evidence of partnership working, advocacy and policy, with evidence of influencing Government or party positions. Preferably with an understanding of marine/environmental policy, issues and the organisations within this field
• Advanced understanding of identifying and capitalising on opportunities to engage with parliamentary processes and policy development
• Ability to prepare presentations, briefings and impactful materials from complex information in a compelling and credible way to political audiences.

Who you’ll be:

• An excellent verbal and written communicator – with skills to create rapport and engage readily with a range of people, from our internal teams, to parliamentarians.
• A clear thinker, with advanced ability to understand and translate complex, scientific information into briefings that are credible and compelling.
• An organised individual with an efficient approach to meeting deadlines and identifying priorities.
• We are looking for people who demonstrate our values, but who can also contribute their own perspectives and experiences which add to our knowledge and our culture.

We'd like a CV and cover letter to support your application so download the information pack for the full job description and more about what works well for applications.

Do include a cover letter with your CV which tells us why you would like to work with us, and how you meet the role and person specification. We value this element of the application, so it's worth you taking the time to include it.

Notes

Everyone can expect to be treated with consideration and respect and MCS is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all. Good working relationships release the full potential, creativity and productivity of each individual, in an atmosphere where everyone can learn and work without prejudice, discrimination, harassment or violence.

MCS is an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from all sections of the community, particularly those that are underrepresented in environmental and charity sectors.

Eligibility to work in the UK is required.

Registered Charity No: 1004005 (England & Wales) SC037480 (Scotland).

Other organisations may call this role Public Affairs Officer, Public Affairs Executive, Communications Officer, Communications Advisor, Communications Officer, or Communications Advisor.

So, if you’re seeking your next challenge as a Public Affairs Advisor, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.