Parliamentary Adviser (Commons Whips’ Office)

Job Title: Parliamentary Adviser, Commons Whips’ Office.

Responsible to: Head of Commons Whips’ Office.

Salary: £30,000 per annum 

3% Employer’s Pension Contribution.

Tenure: Permanent, six-month probation period.

Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week.

Location: When Parliament is sitting, primarily House of Commons based. During Parliamentary recesses, which closely follow school term-times, lots of potential for flexible working.

Closing date: Monday 25th November 2024

Purpose of job

Join our exciting and collaborative team at the heart of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party. The Commons Whips Office Parliamentary Advisers (CPA) act as policy leads on parliamentary business, and as a pooled research and correspondence unit working for Lib Dem Parliamentarians in both the House of Commons and House of Lords. 

The CPA advises Lib Dem MPs, Peers, and their respective offices in responding to their constituents and Parliament. This includes suggesting questions to interrogate the Government; analysing Bills/motions and drafting amendments to guide the Lib Dem’s response to Parliamentary Business; and drafting standard letters and correspondence to support MPs’ constituents. The CPA works closely with the wider Whips Team, to promote coordinated Lib Dem Parliamentarian action; and with other teams across the Party to promote Lib Dem legislative and policy priorities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide advice for Parliamentary activity including understanding Party policy across numerous portfolios, writing legislative briefs, drafting amendments, producing responses to Govt announcements, composing Parliamentary Questions, and responding to wider issues;
2. Support coordinated Liberal Democrat Parliamentarian actions, including developing campaigns and determining vote positions;
3. Draft standard letters and responses to help Parliamentarians with daily queries from members of the public, constituents, campaign groups and third parties;
4. Build and maintain strong contacts and relationships with MPs, Peers, their staff, advisers, Liberal Democrat HQ, and wider policy networks;
5. Support the team, staff, and wider Liberal Democrats in promoting the Party’s objectives and in creating a positive work environment.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Skills and Experience

The successful applicant will:

• Be highly organised, able to juggle multiple priorities at any time, and produce high quality work to tight deadlines;
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to condense complex topics into easily understandable briefings, letters, and emails;
• Sound judgement and the ability to constructively challenge senior individuals;
• Be able to get to grips with a complex and large set of policy portfolios, with an eye for detail and understanding of the politics of an issue; and
• Have excellent inter-personal skills, able to build strong relationships fast.

Desirable Skills and Experience

It will be highly desirable for the successful applicant to have:

• Good understanding of how Parliament works and experience of what is required by Parliamentarians for correspondence and briefing;
• Sound knowledge of the values, objectives, and policies of the Liberal Democrats, and strong political judgement; and
• Experience of working in a busy, dynamic role with competing demands and tight deadlines. 

If you have any questions about the role, please contact emma.stevenson@parliament.uk

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Please fully read through the requirements of the job before applying and take a few minutes to complete our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Forms then proceed with your application.  

• A full CV of no more than two pages and including a telephone number and email address

• A covering letter (no more than one A4 page) setting out why you want the job and how your experience and skills are relevant to it To be considered for this position, please submit your application to recruitment@libdems.org.uk 

We will be reviewing applications as they come in and reserve the right to appoint prior to the closing date

Please note: 

• We will not be able to employ you if you are not eligible to work in the UK. We will not be able to obtain a work permit on your behalf.
• Applicants are encouraged to inform us if any reasonable adjustments are needed to be made during any part of the recruitment process.
• We will not notify applicants if their application has been unsuccessful at the shortlisting stage.

The Party believes it is essential to foster equity, equality, diversion and inclusion within our workforce. We want our employees to thrive in an environment where everyone is welcome and supported to achieve their potential. It is important to celebrate what makes us unique and that you feel valued, appreciated and free to be who you are.