Senior political adviser

We are looking for a new senior political adviser who will help build on our relationships and networks across Westminster, to deliver ambitious political leadership on a range of issues. The post holder will be responsible for leading advocacy interventions and providing political support to our policy experts, primarily in the natural environment theme, with a direct focus on nature, land use, food and farming. 

As a senior political adviser within the politics team, you will also be involved with, and lead on, major projects or themes of work across the political leadership theme (for example, the Environment APPG), managing and developing key external relationships and supporting the Director of politics and Director of strategic partnerships as they lead the politics team. 

You will need to be an exceptional communicator, adept at bringing people together around a shared vision and have the interpersonal skills to inspire and work across Green Alliance and liaise with our extensive network of partners. 

The role entails identifying and leading on opportunities for the UK government to achieve environmental progress and implementing advocacy strategies to secure it. You will have direct access to senior policy makers and environmental leaders, so will need to articulate recommendations succinctly and persuasively. 

The role requires excellent understanding of UK political processes (especially in Westminster, parliament and Whitehall) and experience of using it to influence policy effectively. Experience of operating within the system or of working directly with politicians and the media to achieve policy change would be a distinct advantage. An understanding of environmental policy would be beneficial but is not vital.

You will be a highly organised, capable multi-tasker with experience managing projects and able to think on your feet, while managing multiple relationships and advocating plans concurrently. 

Position in the Organisation

The senior political adviser will report to the Director of strategic partnerships and will work closely with Green Alliance’s policy and communications teams. You will be required to brief and advise the senior management team regularly and will be involved in task managing politics and policy advisers and analysts, with scope for direct line management responsibilities in the future.

Key tasks and responsibilities

• Lead and support the delivery of Green Alliance projects to influence environmental policy. 

• Track issues and analyse their relevance to the organisation’s objectives, and the UK’s environmental agenda, with a particular focus on our efforts to rebuild the cross-party consensus on the environment. 

• Contribute to the implementation of Green Alliance’s political strategy and deputise for senior political staff, where necessary. 

• Represent Green Alliance at external events, including speaking on panels and webinars, and attending events and conferences. 

• Develop and sustain Green Alliance’s relationships with decision makers in Westminster and Whitehall and use them to enhance the impact of our work. 

• Where relevant, develop and maintain relationships across the environmental sector to maximise impact of our strategic priorities. 

• Strengthen and expand Green Alliance’s relationships with political journalists in the Westminster lobby and enhance their understanding of environmental issues and the politics around the net zero goal and nature. 

• Write (or ghost write) briefings, articles and content on behalf of Green Alliance, and our partners and allies, to effect meaningful policy change in Westminster. 

• Build relationships with MPs’ and peers’ offices to table Written and Oral Questions, provide briefings for debates and evidence sessions, and more, as well as strengthen relations with relevant select committee staff. 

• Manage projects efficiently, within budget and to deadlines, including the task management of other team members. 

• Initiate new projects and strategically develop existing ones to maximise our impact. 

• Lead funding bids for new projects, including setting budgets and work plans, liaising with the Director of politics and Director of strategic partnerships. 

• Be an active member of the Green Alliance staff team, contributing to a supportive and inclusive work culture. 

• Work effectively as part of a team and work independently with initiative and drive. 

• As required, manage consultants or freelancers. 

• Any other task which may reasonably be requested to be undertaken within the scope of this post. 

Person specification

Essential:

Excellent understanding of the UK’s political landscape and processes, e.g. parliamentary questions, amending legislation, select committee processes, etc.

Detailed understanding of UK and global climate and nature policy.

Experience of working with a broad range of stakeholders, convening and collaborating while managing competing priorities and beliefs.

Strong ability to manage projects, delivering outcomes to time and budget.

A passion for achieving change and experience of successfully influencing policy processes through advocacy and campaigning.

Ability to manage people, including direct reports, consultants or freelancers and to task manage those contributing to projects.

Experience of leading programme delivery, co-ordination and administration.

Experience of writing press releases, quotes and media engagement to secure coverage.

Direct experience of working with and influencing politicians and political advisers, or senior decision makers, in a political context.

Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team, and to work on your own when needed.

Motivation to work in a purpose-driven organisation, working towards a world where people and the environment thrive together.

Desirable: 

Knowledge of DEFRA related policies (particularly around food, farming, nature and land use). 

Experience building relationships and networks with a wide variety of stakeholders. 

Commitment to, and familiarity with the complexities of cross sector collaboration. 

In your application we’ll ask you to provide evidence for how you meet the key criteria for the role, which are the ones in bold above. We will assess all aspects of the person specification across the different parts of the recruitment process. If you feel you meet the essential criteria, but not any or all of the desirable criteria, then please still consider applying.