Vacancy: Public Affairs, Communications and Administration Officer

Job Title: Public Affairs, Communications and Administration Officer 

Working For: Liberal Democrats Friends of Palestine 

Location: Hybrid (London)

Salary: £30,000+: Dependent on Experience

Length of Contract: 12 months (with possibility to extend)

Working Hours: Full-time 

Job Details 

The Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine (LDFP) exist to fight for the rights of the Palestinian people through the medium of the Liberal Democrat Party. The Party’s core values of liberalism, internationalism and support for the indivisibility of human rights and the rule of law make it the natural home in mainstream British politics for those determined to support the Palestinian call for justice and their entitlements under international law.

In pursuing our mission, we have a key role in supporting the Liberal Democrat Party and helping it to recruit and retain members and win elections especially to the House of Commons.

LDFP is looking for an organised, ambitious and passionate Public Affairs, Communications and Administration Officer to support its work and that of the Party.  The successful candidate will support the work of the Executive Committee in developing and executing the political advocacy and communications strategy of LDFP, as well as providing administrative support to the running of the organisation and event organisation.

This is a varied role that provides the opportunity to develop skills in a range of different specialisations. This job description is not exhaustive, and the employee may be required to undertake work outside this description.   

Job Description 

Policy and Public Affairs 

  • Monitoring UK parliamentary business, including Prime Minister’s and Foreign Office Ministers’ Questions, select committees, Early Day Motions and bills.
  • Drafting policy materials including written and verbal policy briefings and parliamentary questions for Liberal Democrat parliamentarians.
  • Monitoring voting patterns and public commentary from Liberal Democrat MPs and peers and identifying opportunities for engagement.
  • Drafting letters, briefing notes, reports and other campaign materials to encourage Liberal Democrat politicians to engage with policymakers and manage dissemination and follow up. 
  • Work closely and build relations with other pro-Palestinian, Liberal Democrat and value-aligned organisations via established coalitions and more informal coordination around key issues.

Press and Communications 

  • Writing press releases. 
  • Drafting key messaging.  
  • Drafting, pitching and placing opinion pieces. 
  • Drafting newsletters/news bulletins. 
  • Writing reactive quotes for media. 
  • Routine media monitoring of local, regional, national and international media outlets. 
  • Logging media coverage. 
  • Prepping spokespeople for media appearances. 

Events and Administration

  • Maintain and update LDFP membership database.
  • Minuting committee meetings and providing notes to committee members.
    • Maintain and update website copy. 
  • Organising and supporting the promotion of LDFP events, especially national and regional party conferences and webinars.
  • Producing social media content for YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, including clipping videos. 
  • Manage the mail chimp account

Skills and experience: 

The successful candidate will be expected to be able to demonstrate skills and experience in many of the following areas and ability to acquire others within a short period of time.

Public Affairs 

  • Understanding of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. 
  • Direct experience of working in a public affairs, policy or advocacy work that delivers real change. 
  • Excellent written communication skills, attention to detail and ability to read and understand complex documents.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, you will be a skilled communicator with the ability to develop effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 
  • A strong understanding of the UK political and parliamentary landscape. 
  • A strong understanding of the Israeli and Palestinian political landscapes. 
  • A strong understanding of Liberal Democrat Party structures.
  • Sound political judgement 
  • A background in external affairs and experience of developing strategies to influence UK decision makers. 

Communications 

  • Direct experience of working in a communications discipline. 
  • Experience in contributing to shaping a communications strategy. 
  • Experience of successfully managing relationships with journalists and UK media contacts and good understanding of the UK media landscape. 
  • An ability to distil and synthesise complex policy into streamlined and digestible communications. 
  • Proven experience pitching to and managing relationships with journalists, securing high profile and influential media placements. 
  • Ability to hone messages and tone for a range of social and political contexts 
  • Ability to distil complex ideas and explain them in a simple and compelling manner to a wide variety of audiences. 
  • Ability to write engaging content including press releases and comment pieces. 
  • Experience of using/managing social media accounts including YouTube, X (Twitter), Facebook and TikTok.
    • Experience in audio/video editing software.  

Events and Administration

  • Experience of working in an administrative role, including membership database management, diary management and minuting.
  • Experience of working in event organisation.
  • Experience of working closely with volunteers, ideally in a committee structure.

Personal 

  • An excellent understanding of the policy and influencing landscape in Palestine and/or the broader MENA region. 
  • A demonstrable commitment to the rule of law, social justice and to freedom, justice, and equality for Palestinians. 
  • Existing member or willingness to become a member of the Liberal Democrats
  • Understanding of the party structure of the Liberal Democrats and political alignment with the views of the party.
  •  Previous experience of attending Liberal Democrats national party conferences.

Primary location of role and hybrid working: 

This role is primarily home-based remotely. However, regular travel will be required to London where hot desk facilities will be available. Occasional travel will also be required across the country.

Closing Date: Monday 10 February 2025 

We would hope to conduct preliminary interviews by Zoom in the week beginning 17 February and invite shortlisted candidates to an in-person interview shortly thereafter.  We would hope to have someone in post by early March or as soon as possible after that.

Application Details 

To apply, please send a CV, a cover letter detailing your suitability and experience to date to The Secretary, Lib Dem Friends of Palestine at contact@ldfp.org.uk .  Please also send contact details of two referees who we can approach and describing their relationship to you.