Jobs in Pontefract

Seeking a person with a strong understanding of the UK Parliament and  how parliamentary processes can be used to support campaigning.

Job description

• Lead parliamentary engagement for the organisation, ensuring MPs and peers are briefed effectively and engaged at the right moments.
• Identify and engage the most relevant MPs, peers and parliamentary staff on key issues, reports, parliamentary moments and campaign activity
• Draft and circulate high-quality parliamentary briefings, email updates and other materials for MPs, peers and parliamentary staff
• Organise meetings with MPs, peers, advisers and parliamentary staff, including preparing agendas, briefings and follow-up actions
• Monitor parliamentary developments, including debates, questions, statements, select committee activity and relevant legislation, and advise colleagues on opportunities for engagement
• Support the planning and delivery of parliamentary events, roundtables, receptions and campaign actions
• Maintain accurate records of parliamentary contacts, engagement and follow-up
• Investigate the possibility of forming an APPG on the implementation of Covid Inquiry Recommendations with a suitable Member of Parliament as the chair.
• Support the development and delivery of campaign activity that advances the organisation’s objectives.
• Contribute to campaign planning around major reports, anniversaries, parliamentary moments and external developments
• Assist with drafting campaign materials, including action briefings, supporter emails, event materials and other public-facing content as needed
• Assist with press and media work where required, including drafting press releases, statements, media briefings and ops notes
• Assist with drafting clear and sensitive communications for members and supporters where needed
• Attend campaign activities where required, including meetings and events
• Work flexibly across a small team and support colleagues in different areas of work where needed

Person specification

Essential

• Strong understanding of the UK Parliament and how parliamentary processes can be used to support campaigning
• Experience of engaging effectively with MPs, peers and parliamentary staff
• Experience of drafting clear, persuasive briefings and other written materials for political or policy audiences
• Understanding of how to monitor parliamentary activity and translate it into practical next steps
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to prioritise a heavy workload and work to tight deadlines
• Ability to handle external engagement quickly, professionally and sensitively
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a small team
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends as required
• Knowledge of, and interest in, current affairs and public policy
• Flexible and willing to contribute across different areas of work in a small team
• Personal belief in and support for the aims of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK

Desirable

• Experience of working in a parliamentary, political, campaigning or policy environment
• Experience of supporting parliamentary events, briefings or stakeholder engagement activity
• Experience of working across campaigning, communications and policy in a small team

Covid-19 has affected us all, but some communities were disproportionately impacted, including Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities and disabled people, so we particularly welcome and encourage applications from candidates from those backgrounds. 

Please submit your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the essential criteria for this role.

Barnardo's is seeking an empathetic and child led individual who can work within a dynamic and fast-paced environment using their strong organisation, communication and time management skills to support children in the secure estate.

This position (Children's Rights and Advocacy Worker – Project Worker 2) is based within Wetherby YOI, York Road, Wetherby LS22 5ED, which accommodates children aged between 15-18 years, who are in custody either sentenced or on remand. Barnardo's refers to Young Offender Institutions (YOI's) and Secure Training Centres (STC's) as the Secure Estate (please note, the location of some secure establishments may mean they are not easily accessed by public transport).

Barnardo's is commissioned by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to provide an Independent Children's Rights and Advocacy (ICRAS) Service to children accommodated in a secure setting. The service is known to children as Barnardo's: Your Rights, Your Voice, and currently works within five Young Offender Institutes, and one Secure Training Centre. The ICRAS service is child led and independent of the secure estate; our service is delivered within Feltham YOI to ensure children can freely access support for a range of issues linked to their needs, rights & experiences of custody, resettlement, and safeguarding.  As such this is a child-facing service, and at times involves lone working in the establishments, so we are seeking someone who can see the child, not the offence.

We hold ‘voice' at the heart of all we do, therefore we feel the role is best described by someone who is currently working in this service: “The role is a Children's Rights and Advocacy role, which means it is our job to empower the children we work with and help them to understand that what they think, what they feel and what they want really matters. We can speak on behalf of children to ensure their voice is heard and we also have the opportunity to help them to find the tools and confidence to raise their voices for themselves.  Advocacy and Children's Rights support is particularly crucial in the secure estate because children are away from home, family and champions, and also because children in secure estate are some of the most vulnerable children in society; they have often faced considerable adversity, disadvantage and discrimination prior to arriving into custody and they might not therefore be equipped with the skills needed to articulate their concerns. Through the work you do with a child from simply helping them make contact with friends or family on the outside, to helping them with concerns they may have for example; discrimination, resettlement or safeguarding. You may be the one person telling them they matter for the very first time.”

The position (Children's Rights and Advocacy Worker – Project Worker 2) is line managed by a Team Manager, reporting to an off-site senior manager. The post holder will need to be able to work autonomously, working to the requirements of the contract and the regime of the YOI. The secure estate is a highly structured environment; as a Barnardo's service we deliver independent advocacy and support for a range of issues, whilst still having to follow and adhere to this structure.

This role includes lone working in this challenging prison environment. It is therefore critical that the successful candidate in this respect is able to follow guidance and policy and is able to take a proactive and individual responsibility to understand and access the support mechanisms in place and encouraged by the service as required. 

When completing your application please refer to your skills, knowledge and experience in relation to the Additional Information, Person Specification and Job Description document. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described, including advocacy and safeguarding.  

This is an 'As and When' post, therefore hours will depend on service need and may differ week to week. We are seeking to recruit weekend working hours. 

There will be two stages of the interview process. 

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible

There are two parts to the Primary Science Mentor role. The majority of the role will focus on strengthening primary science teaching and leadership by leading our third Priority Areas initiative in North-West England. Through their knowledge of and passion for primary science education, the successful candidate will inspire transformational change in schools taking part in this project. They will build close working relationships with participating schools and create a vibrant and exciting learning community based on mutual support and the sharing of expertise.

The remaining hours in the role will be as a Primary Science Mentor: joining PSTT’s growing team of primary science experts who provide bespoke support directly to individual schools, multi-academy trusts and other school groupings and organisations. This includes developing and delivering training in a variety of contexts, including online; working individually with Science Leaders; being a leading voice, expert and advocate for primary science (both regionally and nationally); and creating partnerships with other organisations that support science within the region.

A crucial part of the role is to ensure collection of appropriate data for both Priority Areas and Primary Science Mentor activities, so that we can evaluate our work against intended outcomes.