Policy Advisor in Durham

Role: Policy Advisor

Based: Durham or Newcastle plus hybrid working

Department: Policy and knowledge

Contract: Permanent

Working Hours: 35 hours per week, Mon-Fri

Salary: Circa £27,000

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are looking to recruit a Policy Advisor to join our passionate and dedicated Policy and Knowledge team.

Working closely with the Policy Manager and wider team, you will engage with Chamber members, businesses and stakeholders to understand the opportunities and challenges facing the North East economy. Through gathering insight, analysing evidence and supporting policy activity, you will help ensure the voice of business is reflected in decision-making at a regional and national level.

A key part of the role will be supporting the delivery of the Chamber's programme of policy forums, roundtables and stakeholder engagement activity. You will help build strong relationships with members, coordinate forum activity, gather business intelligence and contribute to policy briefings, analysis and communications that influence change on behalf of Chamber members and the wider region.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about the North East, enjoys engaging with people and is motivated by making a positive difference for businesses and communities across the region.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop a career in policy, insight and stakeholder engagement as part of a supportive, ambitious and hard-working team.

KEY TASKS

• Support the development and delivery of the Chamber's policy and representation activity across a broad portfolio of economic and business issues, including transport, skills, employment, engineering, manufacturing and wider regional growth priorities, in line with the Chamber's Policy Plan.

• Support the Policy Manager in the ongoing development and effective delivery of Chamber policy forums, helping to ensure member views are captured and reflected in the Chamber's policy activity.

• Coordinate the administration and delivery of Chamber policy forums, including diary management, member communications, meeting logistics, agenda preparation, minute taking and maintaining records of actions and outcomes.

• Build and maintain positive relationships with Chamber members, partners and stakeholders to gather insight on the opportunities and challenges facing businesses across the North East.

• Work with the Policy Manager to identify, gather and develop business intelligence and evidence to inform the Chamber's policy and influencing activity.

• Take the lead on analysing economic and labour market data, including economic inactivity statistics, identifying trends and producing clear summaries, reports and presentations.

• Monitor regional and national policy developments and assess their potential implications for the North East and Chamber members.

• Support the development of policy briefings, consultation responses, reports and member communications.

• Represent the Chamber in online, print and broadcast media, as well as writing policy content for Chamber and third-party outlets.

• Prepare and deliver presentations at forums, events and stakeholder meetings, representing member views and sharing policy insight.

• Represent the Chamber at external meetings, events, conferences and networks as required.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Chamber to support campaigns, events and member engagement activity.

• Develop content for policy updates, newsletters, website articles and other member communications.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

The Chamber team is passionate about the North East, our business community and our members. We are committed to understanding the challenges and opportunities facing businesses and working together to deliver positive change for the region.

Skills and experience are important, but we are equally interested in potential. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, curious and motivated to learn, with a genuine interest in the North East economy and business community. If you are willing to develop new skills, build relationships and make a positive contribution to our work, we would love to hear from you.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment where people can develop, grow and succeed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 GCSE’s or equivalent, including Maths and English.

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional or voluntary experience.

Skills and experience

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, manage competing demands and deliver high-quality work to agreed timescales.

• Ability to maintain and promote good working relationships internally and externally.

• Strong written communication skills and attention to detail, with the ability to produce clear and concise briefings, reports, presentations and member communications.

• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build relationships, actively listen, gather business insight and confidently engage with members and stakeholders through meetings, events and forums.

• Ability to interpret and analyse complex information from a range of sources and design plans of activity in response.

• IT skills including knowledge of MS Office applications.

• Interest in current affairs.

Other

• Ability to work in flexible locations and flexible hours, where needed.

• Some travel needed across the North East but do not need access to a car.

• Comfortable working independently and as a team.

• Drive, passion and enthusiasm in supporting the North East and our business community.