Environment Advisor (Maternity Cover)

Job Title:     Environment Adviser

Responsible to:        Head of the Political Advisers Unit

Salary:        £42,565 (pro rata)

Tenure:       Fixed-term contract (maternity cover)

Hours: 40 hours per week, full-time. 

Location:   Westminster, London (some scope for flexible working, including during Parliamentary recess)

Apply by: 20th February 2026

Job description

We are recruiting a Fixed-Term Environment Adviser (6-month contract to cover maternity leave). This role is temporary and will end on 5th October 2026 - or on the return from maternity leave of the current post-holder. 

Join our dynamic team of Political Advisers to support the most significant Liberal Democrat force in the House of Commons in a century, working with our Environment, Rural Affairs, Housing, Local Government and Transport teams to develop election-winning policies, messages and campaigns for the Liberal Democrats.

You will work closely with the Party Leader, the Environment Spokesperson, Housing and Communities Spokesperson, Local Government Spokesperson, Transport Spokesperson, Energy Security and Net Zero Spokesperson and other key spokespeople, as well as colleagues in the party’s communications, policy and campaigns teams and in both Houses of Parliament.

You will be responsible for specific policy issues, primarily Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as well as Housing, Communities and Local Government, Energy Security and Net Zero, and Transport. You will help ensure we take the correct positions by building relationships with external organisations and helping to formulate new policies.

You will help spokespeople craft and deliver effective messages to communicate both our policies and our values to the public.

We are looking for someone with excellent knowledge of UK politics, an understanding of campaigning, the media and how Parliament works and sound political judgement. You will need to juggle competing priorities and deliver at speed.

We strongly encourage applications from candidates who would need to work flexibly or remotely. Applications are especially encouraged from people in underrepresented groups in politics.

Key responsibilities

1. Provide political advice on agreed policy areas to the party’s spokespeople.
2. Work with the Leader and spokespeople to identify political opportunities and develop effective policies and messages to maximise those opportunities.
3. Brief MPs and other spokespeople for media appearances.
4. Write speeches, op-eds and media comments for spokespeople.
5. Work with colleagues and spokespeople to develop issue-based campaigns for the party to run.
6. Work with Parliamentary spokespeople to respond to legislation relevant to agreed policy areas, including identifying political priorities.
7. Conduct research to generate media stories that can garner both national and regional coverage to promote, support and benefit the party.
8. Work with the party’s policy unit and working groups to develop new policies.
9. Build links with external advocacy and campaign groups to promote key issues, campaigns and policy relevant to the party’s priorities.
    

Person specification

We are looking for an experienced candidate who can combine an understanding of UK politics, policy, campaigning, the media, and the workings of both Houses of Parliament.

This position would suit a dynamic, highly organised individual with sound political judgement who thrives in a fast-paced and often pressured environment.

We are looking for someone who can hit the ground running and is excited to play a leading role in shaping how the Liberal Democrats move forward following our historic General Election result. 

Successful candidates will need to show they have the confidence to take initiative and make quick judgments, the ability to juggle a demanding workload, and to be a team player.

The successful candidate will have a thorough understanding of the current political environment and the key discussions the country and the Liberal Democrats will need to engage in over the coming months and years.

We strongly encourage applications from candidates who would need to work flexibly or remotely. Applications are especially encouraged from people in underrepresented groups in politics.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Fixed-term employees receive the same benefits (pro-rata where appropriate) as permanent colleagues.

Essential skills and experience

The ideal candidate will be able to show knowledge of, or previous relevant experience that demonstrates:

• An in-depth understanding of UK politics, and the personal drive to keep constantly up to date and well briefed.
• Knowledge and experience of working on policy and/or campaigns.
• A strong understanding of both Houses of Parliament.
• Prior experience, knowledge or understanding of education policy.
• A track record of being able to cover and understand complex and detailed topics.
• The ability to cope with strict deadlines.
• Confidence, knowledge and ability to directly brief and advise senior politicians and senior journalists.
• An understanding of what’s needed to promote the party’s policies and campaigns across multiple sectors and platforms, including online.
• A clear commitment to the ideals and values of the Liberal Democrats.

Desirable skills and experience

• Prior experience of work in politics, public policy, public affairs, campaigns or journalism.
• Prior experience, knowledge or understanding of environment, food, and rural affairs policy.
• Prior experience, knowledge or understanding of housing, communities and local government policy.
• Prior experience, knowledge or understanding of transport policy.
• Prior experience, knowledge or understanding of energy policy.
• Prior experience, knowledge or understanding of the work of the Liberal Democrats.

How to apply

Please read the full job description here. For questions and further details, and to apply, please email recruitment@libdems.org.uk by 20 February 2026, attaching:

1. A copy of your CV, including your complete work history
2. A Covering Letter: no more than 2 pages of A4 in length, indicating clearly how your experience and skills meet the criteria stated in the job and person specification. Please also write your name on top of your supporting statement.
3. A completed diversity monitoring form.
4. Please ensure we have the means to contact you by phone and email.

We will review applications as they come in and reserve the right to make an appointment before the closing date. We will not notify applicants if their application has been unsuccessful at the shortlisting stage.

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.

The Liberal Democrats are equal opportunity employers and particularly welcome applications from groups who are currently under-represented in our staff.