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.
- 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 an impact on critical issues like facial recognition and police surveillance.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in policy or legal advocacy with strong communication skills.
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 FTC employer: Big Brother Watch
Big Brother Watch is an exceptional employer for those passionate about civil liberties and privacy rights, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of the UK. With a strong commitment to advocacy and a non-partisan approach, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that fosters professional growth and impactful public campaigns. Join a dedicated team where your expertise will directly contribute to meaningful change in society, all while enjoying the unique advantage of working at a leading rights NGO during a pivotal time for privacy legislation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Contracts Officer FTC
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Contracts Officer FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Big Brother Watch
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Big Brother Watch, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
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The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
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Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Big Brother Watch.
