Work Opportunity: Senior Advisor for Laura Jones MS
Salary range (pro rata): £43,296 - £52,737
All new staff are expected to enter on the scale minimum of the appropriate pay band. Individual staff will, subject to satisfactory performance, move up the incremental scale one point at a time on the anniversary of their commencement of employment until they reach the scale maximum for their band.
Working hours: 37
Appointment type: Temporary (6 months)
Location: Senedd Cymru and Member’s Constituency Office
Reference: MBS-061-25
Purpose of job:
The core functions of the Senedd are to represent the interests of Wales and its people, to make laws for Wales, agree Welsh taxes and to hold the Welsh Government to account. It is largely through the formal business of the Senedd, in plenary and committees, that the Government is held to account, that policy ideas are debated and developed, and that proposals for legislation, policy and expenditure are improved by the scrutiny of the Senedd.
The role of the Senior Advisor is intended to add an extra dimension to the advice and assistance available to Members of the Senedd to undertake this work.
Main duties:
1. Providing expert advice as a specialist in a particular field
2. Advising on issues of policy, finance and legislation before the Senedd and any other aspect of Senedd Business
3. Identifying local, national and international issues of relevance to Senedd business and briefing the Member accordingly
4. Contributing to policy thinking and planning, including issues which emanate from the Member’s casework or other constituency/regional activity
5. Preparing policy papers to support long-term policy thinking for the Member
6. Developing a strategy for the Member to handle constituency/regional issues of particular significance at a local or national level
7. Liaising with outside interest groups, including within the Member’s constituency/region, to assist the Member’s contribution to Senedd business
8. Delivering strategic communications and public affairs support
9. Preparing and presenting material to tight deadlines to assist the Member in formal Senedd business
10. Speechwriting, question and amendment preparation and related research, including adding content to material prepared by Senedd Commission staff and others
11. Undertaking complex research tasks and evaluating and interpreting results
12. Liaising with Senedd Commission staff and others to maximise the benefit of complementary advice and expertise
Essential knowledge and experience:
• Experience of working effectively within a political environment, including resolving complex issues with tact and diplomacy
• Specialist knowledge in a relevant field, and experience of developing policies and strategies within this field
• Understanding of, and commitment to, combating discrimination and promoting the equality of opportunities and the Nolan Principles of Public Life
Essential qualifications:
• Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject
• NVQ Qualification level 4 or equivalent in a relevant subject
Desirable
• An understanding of current affairs and issues of relevance to Wales and the local area, an interest in the Welsh political system
• The ability to work in both Welsh and English
• Sympathetic to the aims and values of the Party
• Previous experience working for an MS/ MP/ MEP