At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead advocacy efforts to protect privacy and civil liberties in the UK.
- Company: Join Big Brother Watch, a leading rights NGO fighting for freedom and privacy.
- Benefits: Be part of a passionate team making real change in society.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to engage with Parliament and the media.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on digital rights and challenge surveillance practices.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in policy or legal advocacy with expertise in technology and rights.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are seeking an exceptional advocate with a policy, legal or related digital rights campaigning background to work with us furthering privacy and civil liberties in the UK at one of the UK’s leading rights NGOs. Initially, this role will be principally challenging facial recognition surveillance and scrutinising police surveillance/AI powers.
The Senior Advocacy Officer will help us to lobby UK Parliament to further privacy and wider rights at a critical time – when a legal framework on police use of facial recognition is very soon to be introduced, and police are expanding their use of AI and new surveillance technologies. You’ll build on your strong experience to be a credible and proactive lobbyist in Parliament, write expert briefings and be confident meeting parliamentarians, take a leading role liaising with policy stakeholders, advise on strategic litigation, be a leading advocate in the press and the public forum, develop policy positions on key issues, and help drive our public campaigns for change.
About you
You’ll have 3+ years experience in a legal or policy capacity, or in a comparable advocacy environment that relied on your expertise on technology and rights issues – ideally involving facial recognition. You’ll have a strong track record of advocacy success. You’ll be familiar with key litigation and policy issues in the area. You’ll also have excellent knowledge of British politics and UK parliamentary procedures and strong political contacts to match. You’ll be at ease working on a strictly non-partisan, cross-party basis and grounding policy analysis in human rights and liberal principles. You’ll be proactive in pitching policy, litigation and campaign ideas for the organisation to pursue within our work streams. You’ll be an experienced spokesperson, confident undertaking live and recorded TV and radio interviews, talking to a variety of audiences and representing the organisation and our campaigns.
If you’re committed to Big Brother Watch’s mission, we’d like to hear from you.
Big Brother Watch
Big Brother Watch is a UK civil liberties campaign group fighting for a free future. We’re determined to reclaim our privacy and defend freedoms at this time of enormous technological change. And we fight to win. We’re a fiercely independent, diverse, non-partisan and non-profit group of campaigners and researchers who work to roll back the surveillance state and protect rights in Parliament, the media or the courts if we have to. We publish unique investigations and pursue powerful public campaigns to pursue real change. We work relentlessly to inform and empower the public to collectively reclaim privacy, defend our civil liberties and protect freedoms for the future. We’re a small, dedicated and highly effective team of seven full-time staff and five volunteers.
Senior Advocacy Officer job description
- Produce policy analysis, research, briefings and reports for dissemination
- Develop strategic policy recommendations informed by expertise
- Identify and explore new and emerging policy issues in our key work areas
- Communicate complex policy issues to varied audiences, whether Parliament, the press or the public
- Build strong relationships with parliamentarians and advisors across all parties
- Identify opportunities to further our strategic aims in Parliament, through committees, parliamentary questions and other activities; as well as regional assemblies and on occasion local government
- Work with stakeholders and pursue collaborative campaigns/coalitions on key issues
- Develop Big Brother Watch’s relationships with allies across Government, legislative bodies, international organisations, and NGOs
- Draft formal correspondence, blog posts, presentations, and other documents articulating Big Brother Watch’s policy positions
Advocacy:
- Identify campaigns and advocacy opportunities, and feed into campaign plans and materials
- Write articles and give quotes to press
- Give pre-recorded and live interviews for TV and radio
- Uphold Big Brother Watch’s reputational excellence in public fora
- Help manage media enquiries (our 24/7 media phone is handled on a staff rota system)
Legal:
- Help co-ordinate Big Brother Watch’s strategic litigation where appropriate, liaising with external lawyers
- Manage relationships with external counsel & build strong relationships with partners
- Produce legal and policy analysis and identify strategic litigation opportunities
Person specification
Essential:
- Min. 3+ years experience in a similar role
- Familiarity/expertise with domestic policy matters relating to privacy, surveillance and/or free expression
- Strong legal and/or policy research skills
- Excellent and persuasive communications skills
- Demonstrable experience in privacy, freedom of expression, and other rights and technology areas
- Aptitude for managing and building relationships with partner organisations, parliamentarians and other stakeholders
- Proven ability to produce high quality work under pressure
- Creativity and energy in approaching a workload consisting of large long-term projects
- Willingness to work in non-partisan environment, and ability to recruit support of MPs across all parties
Desirable:
- A track record of successful advocacy experience
- Experience of involvement in litigation, either in a legal or campaigns capacity
- Experience working with parliamentarians and/or producing policy briefings
- Project management experience
- Familiarity with relevant UK surveillance laws, human rights frameworks, and relevant case law
To apply
Please read the attached Job Information Pack *first* and for details on how to apply. Please do NOT apply via Guardian Jobs or other platforms - such applications will not be considered.
Senior Contracts Officer employer: Big Brother Watch
Big Brother Watch is an exceptional employer dedicated to defending civil liberties and privacy rights in the UK. With a strong focus on advocacy and policy change, employees benefit from a collaborative and non-partisan work culture that fosters creativity and innovation. The organisation offers unique opportunities for professional growth, allowing team members to engage directly with parliamentarians and influence significant legislative changes in a dynamic and impactful environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Contracts Officer
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Big Brother Watch.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Big Brother Watch.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Big Brother Watch.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Big Brother Watch. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Contracts Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Big Brother Watch. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Senior Contracts Officer, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Big Brother Watch
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Big Brother Watch. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
