Director of Policy & Business

Working to the Party Leadership and Chief Executive and joining a growing, dynamic, staff team, the candidate will have significant experience in policy development and political strategy. The Director of Policy & Business will be responsible for advising Leadership of political developments, informing the decision-making of the MLA team, developing the Party’s Manifesto, producing position papers and research proposals and coordinating of policy work of the MLA’s research staff.You will also work closely with the Head of Press & Communications and wider communications team to implement communication strategies. Main Responsibilities: Full JD & Specification attached.
Attend regular meetings with the Leadership/Party Whips to discuss political developments at Stormont;
Work with the MLA team to inform how it conducts its business in the Assembly Chamber and in Committees;
Lead in the development of Party policy, including forthcoming election manifestos, through extensive engagement with external bodies and representative groups, UK and Irish Ministers/officials and with the relevant spokespersons in the MLA team;
Regular horizon scanning ensuring you are up-to-date with political developments, policy debates and emerging issues, raising them to the attention of the Party Leadership and Elected Representatives, as appropriate;
Co-ordinate and chair the weekly meetings of the MLAs’ Researchers to ensure that party policy is being followed, to inform new policies and decide upon responses to external consultation processes;
Work with MLAs, researchers and other Alliance Party staff based at Stormont on the develop the Manifesto, distinct Policy Papers and Research Proposals;
Line Management of the Whips & Business Officer, which will involve regular meetings with this post-holder and the Chief Whip and Deputy Whips to agree the weekly Whips;
Meet regularly with MLAs on a committee-by-committee basis to discuss forthcoming Bills and their forward work programme to ensure alignment with our Manifesto pledges;
Work with MLAs and their researchers on the drafting of Motions and Amendments for debates in the Chamber;
Provide advice to MLAs and their researchers on Written and Oral Assembly Questions;
Closing Date Friday / 03 May 202412:00pm
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