Commons Parliamentary Advisor

Job Title: Commons Parliamentary Adviser

Responsible to: Head of CPA

Salary: £31,000 +

Tenure: Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week (Monday to Friday)

Location: Whips Office, House of Commons

Purpose of the Role

The Constituency Parliamentary Adviser (CPA) plays a pivotal role in supporting Liberal Democrat MPs and their constituency offices by providing detailed and timely policy advice. This includes advising on how to respond to Government business in Parliament and assisting with constituency matters. The role requires a deep understanding of Liberal Democrat policy, strong political acumen, and the ability to navigate the fast-paced environment of Parliament.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate excellent organisational and communication skills, the ability to manage competing demands effectively, and the discretion required to work closely with senior political figures.

Key Tasks

Policy Briefings:

1. Prepare comprehensive policy briefings to enable MPs to respond to Government business in the House of Commons, including Urgent Questions, Government Statements, Opposition Day motions, legislation, and debates in Westminster Hall.

Legislative Support:

1. Serve as the principal source of policy support to bill teams in the House of Commons. 
2. Manage the legislative process with a focus on advancing MP-directed campaigns. This includes drafting and submitting amendments to legislation, liaising with the Public Bill Office, and supporting MPs' work during Committee Stage.
3. Prepare detailed explanations of amendments for Bills under consideration.

Oral Question Drafting:

1. Draft oral questions for MPs, ensuring these questions are well-constructed and aligned with their priorities.
    

Policy Website Maintenance:

1. Maintain the main policy website used by MPs and their staff.. Ensure content is current and accessible.
    

Constituency Support:

1. Provide policy support to the 72 MPs’ constituency offices by drafting standard letter responses and addressing detailed policy inquiries. Ensure responses are consistent and tailored to the needs of constituents.
    

Team Coordination and Collaboration:

1. Work closely with the Whips' Office to promote information sharing across the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary team.
    

Person Specification

We are seeking an exceptional candidate who excels in written and verbal communication, organisational skills, and political judgement. The successful applicant will be someone who can efficiently manage competing priorities and produce high-quality work under pressure.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Written Communication: Demonstrated ability to condense complex policy issues into clear, concise, and accessible briefings.
   
• Organisation: Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
   
• Political Judgement: A strong understanding of British politics and the ability to apply sound political judgement in decision-making.
   
• Experience: Proven experience in drafting briefings for MPs or similar high-profile individuals.
   
• Attention to Detail: A keen eye for detail, ensuring all work is accurate and of a high standard.
   
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong ability to build relationships and work collaboratively within and across teams.
   
• Discretion: The ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Familiarity with the legislative process in the House of Commons and experience working with MPs.
   
• A good understanding of the role of MPs in Parliament and how to effectively support them in their parliamentary and constituency duties.
   
• Knowledge of the Liberal Democrats’ policies and priorities, with a proactive interest in current political issues.

How to apply:

Please thoroughly read through the job requirements 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, 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 review applications as they are received and reserve the right to appoint before 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 during any part of the recruitment process.

Please provide us with details of your current salary and the names of two referees, including one from your current employer. If you would prefer us not to contact them until a later stage of the selection process, please notify us.

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, diversity and inclusion within our workforce. We want our employees to thrive in an environment where everyone is welcome and supported in achieving their full potential. It is essential to celebrate what makes us unique and to feel valued, appreciated, and free to be ourselves.