Public Affairs Officer

Public Affairs Officer

Full-Time 35000 - 45000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Natural Source Waters Association

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage public affairs, engage stakeholders, and drive impactful initiatives for natural source waters.
  • Company: Join the Natural Source Waters Association, a leader in promoting healthy drinking options.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative team culture with exciting events and networking opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in health and sustainability while shaping policy in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: 3+ years in public affairs with strong knowledge of UK policy and excellent communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.

About the Natural Source Waters Association

The Natural Source Waters Association (NSWA) is the trade association representing natural source water producers in the UK as well as leading importers, across regulatory, health and environmental matters. Natural source waters come from protected underground sources and must be safe to drink from source as they cannot be chemically treated, unlike tap water which comes from a variety of sources, such as reservoirs and rivers, and undergoes an industrial process to make it safe to drink. They are classed as Natural Mineral Waters, Spring Waters or Bottled Drinking Waters. Natural source waters provide the healthiest drink on the shelf with the lowest environmental footprint of all soft drinks. Members of the Natural Source Waters Association are instrumental in protecting 350,000 acres of land in the United Kingdom, the equivalent of the Peak District National Park.

The role will report into Senior Communications Manager in delivering the Natural Source Waters Associations strategic goals. These include a focus on raising the profile of the NSWA as well as delivering our objectives on health and sustainability among policymakers.

The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years' relevant public affairs experience.

Role requirements

  • Sound knowledge of the UK policy landscape, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of parliamentary processes and government structures.
  • Proven experience in parliamentary, political, or public policy environments, effectively navigating political dynamics to help drive impactful initiatives.
  • Ability to quickly grasp emerging policy issues, assessing their relevance and implications for the NSWA and its members, ensuring timely and informed responses.
  • Expertise in stakeholder mapping and engagement, including ability to develop relationships and collaboration across diverse sectors.
  • Proficient in social media management, particularly on platforms such as X and LinkedIn, leveraging digital tools to enhance organisational visibility and engagement.
  • Exceptional organisational skills, adept at planning and executing meetings and events that align with strategic objectives, ensuring seamless operations.
  • Outstanding time management capabilities, balancing multiple tasks efficiently while maintaining high standards of quality.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build and nurture strong relationships with stakeholders.
  • Exceptional presentation skills, proficient in crafting and delivering compelling narratives through written and visual communication.
  • Responsive and adaptable, demonstrating a proactive approach to managing diverse tasks and adjusting to changing priorities effectively.
  • Strong team player, capable of working independently while contributing positively to team dynamics and group objectives, fostering a collaborative environment.

Main responsibilities

  • Policy scanning: Manage and maintain the policy tracker and events calendar, being proactive and thinking strategically to seek out opportunities for the category.
  • Carry out ad hoc research activities and data analysis, to support the development of NSWA’s policy focus.
  • Stakeholder tracking: Monitor key stakeholders for developments in their activity both online and offline, thinking strategically in seeking opportunities for engagement, to help raise the profile of our organisation and objectives.
  • Campaign management: Draft submissions for Government health and environmental consultations, draft briefing papers for stakeholder meetings and policy announcements/developments, create supporting campaign materials with agency support.
  • Social media and website management: Devising and implementing social media plans (X and LinkedIn focused) working with the Public Affairs agency to ensure alignment with key events, content creation and publication, reporting against measurable targets for review with manager and members, website management: updates and uploads.
  • Meetings and events: Events organisation/administration (working with agency) and attendance at relevant parliamentary/political events, support in the management and logistics for NSWA events, diarise annual calendar of members’ meetings, manage and deliver efficient, well-prepared meetings for NSWA, including agenda drafting, minute-taking and presenting.
  • Media monitoring: Monitor daily media alerts for potential opportunities and issues for the category and work with Senior Communications Manager to prepare responses.
  • Relationship management of service providers i.e. media monitor, public affairs monitor, website host, IT support.

Please send a CV and cover letter outlining your experience to kinvara@naturalsourcewaters.org.uk. Applications close 3 July for interviews week commencing 13 July.

Public Affairs Officer employer: Natural Source Waters Association

The Natural Source Waters Association (NSWA) is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises health and sustainability. With a strong commitment to employee growth, NSWA offers opportunities for professional development within the dynamic public affairs landscape, all while contributing to the protection of vital natural resources in the UK. Join us in making a meaningful impact on environmental and health policies, while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions.

Natural Source Waters Association

Contact Details:

Natural Source Waters Association Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Public Affairs Officer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the public affairs scene. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks at the Natural Source Waters Association. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in navigating the UK policy landscape. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in public affairs – this will help you stand out from the crowd.

Tip Number 3

Stay updated on current events! Keep an eye on the latest developments in health and environmental policies that affect the natural source water industry. This knowledge will not only impress interviewers but also show that you're genuinely passionate about the field.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from our site. It shows initiative and makes it easier for us to keep track of your application. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our organisation right there!

We think you need these skills to ace Public Affairs Officer

Knowledge of UK policy landscape
Understanding of parliamentary processes
Experience in public policy environments
Stakeholder mapping and engagement
Social media management
Organisational skills
Time management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Know Your Audience:Before you start writing, take a moment to understand who you're addressing. Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the values and goals of the Natural Source Waters Association. Show us that you get what we do and why it matters!

Be Specific and Relevant:When detailing your experience, focus on specific examples that relate directly to the role of Public Affairs Officer. Highlight your public policy experience and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills can help us achieve our strategic goals.

Show Off Your Communication Skills:This role is all about effective communication, so make sure your application reflects that. Use clear, concise language and structure your documents well. A well-organised CV and cover letter will demonstrate your exceptional organisational skills right from the start!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to be part of our community!

How to prepare for a job interview at Natural Source Waters Association

Know Your Policy Landscape

Make sure you brush up on the UK policy landscape and parliamentary processes. Familiarise yourself with current issues affecting natural source waters, as this will show your understanding of the role and its relevance to the NSWA's objectives.

Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in the past. Highlight your ability to build relationships across diverse sectors, as this is crucial for the Public Affairs Officer role.

Be Ready to Discuss Campaign Management

Think about your experience in campaign management and be ready to discuss specific campaigns you've worked on. Be prepared to explain how you crafted narratives and created materials that aligned with strategic goals.

Demonstrate Your Digital Savvy

Since social media management is key for this role, come equipped with ideas on how to enhance the NSWA's visibility on platforms like X and LinkedIn. Show that you can leverage digital tools effectively to engage with audiences.