Government Relations Officer

Job Purpose

Based in the Principal’s Office, the postholder will develop, support and implement government relations activities in support of the University’s strategic objectives. This will involve direct interaction with key stakeholders including at Westminster, Holyrood and Glasgow City. You will work closely with senior staff from across the University to support effective co-ordination of engagement for senior policy, political, funder, community, civic and business audiences.

As a Government Relations Officer you will be a key member of the Government Relations team within the Principal’s Office, line managed by the Head of Government Relations. The postholder will also work closely with the Head of the Principal’s Office/Chief of Staff and Special Adviser (Strategic Projects & Government Policy)/Deputy Chief of Staff, as well as the Principal’s executive support staff with a focus on supporting the Principal’s strategic objectives in government relations.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Undertake government relations activity on behalf of the University of Glasgow, working with members of the Principal’s Office and other colleagues as required.

2. Support the development of relationships with civil servants in relevant government departments at all levels, parliaments, other agencies and public bodies but with a specific focus on relationship building and policy engagement at Westminster and Holyrood.

3. Compile, manage and maintain a database of key contacts and stakeholders at all levels.

4. Support the duties of the Head of Government Relations, including providing administrative support for the Government Relations Group and supporting the development of institutional submissions to relevant committee and Government inquiries.

5. Provide regular updates on University activity to local political representatives.

6. Provide briefing materials for the Principal and senior colleagues relating to relevant public policy developments, including Higher Education governance, and policy areas of interest

7. Provide support to researchers in making links with policy-makers, practitioners and other stakeholders relevant to their field of work, in promoting the importance of their work and in maximising impact from the research.

8. Identify and secure opportunities for the University to build relationships with elected members at local, Holyrood and Westminster, including proactively seeking and managing political visits to the University.

9. Develop and maintain relationships with policy research organisations, centres and others who generate public policy research which is relevant to the policy related research portfolio of the University of Glasgow.

10. Monitor and benchmark output, providing reports on KPIs including output and outcome measures, targets and objectives.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Educated to degree level or equivalent. A2 Relevant experience, e.g. in a government relations, public affairs, public policy, communications or journalistic role.

A3 In-depth knowledge and understanding of the public policy and media landscapes in Scotland and beyond. A4 Relevant contacts book and demonstrable relationships with opinion formers in public life.

Desirable:

B1 Thorough knowledge of public policy and public affairs and the importance of public policy. B2 Working knowledge of the University of Glasgow or the higher education sector and current trends.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent writing skills, with the ability to write well for different audiences.

C2 Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to communicate complex issues succinctly and accurately.

C3 Ability to assimilate and retain information at speed and from both written and oral sources. C4 An energetic and engaging personality with a high level of personal initiative.

C5 Adept at handling and working with senior figures, gaining their respect. C6 Ability to demonstrate leadership and to react coolly with faced with difficult and competing priorities.

C7 Must be motivated and be able to lead/influence others within the team and across the university. C8 Sound judgment under pressure.

C9 Proven analytical and problem solving ability.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience that demonstrates ability to manage workload, ability/willingness to work across teams and capacity to co-ordinate the work of colleagues.

E2 Experience of digital media and content creation and content management. E3 Evidence of creative ability linked to the effective presentation of information through social media, to a professional standard.

E4 Experience of managing confidential information. E5 Worked in role where had to develop effective working relationships with colleagues and external partners.

E6 Flexible and adaptable. E7 Advanced IT capability/aptitude.

E8 Experience of working closely with senior leaders in an organisation.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of developing public engagement strategies.

F2 Experience of social media and digital media, ideally in a professional environment.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £32,332 – £36,024 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.