Policy & Public Affairs Adviser in Cardiff

Basis Permanent, Full time 36 hours per week. A £312 tax-free working from home allowance is also payable annually.

Location: Cardiff (Hybrid – min. 2 days in office)

Benefits: Outstanding benefits including Civil Service Pension Scheme, flexible working, 28+ days holiday, and more.

About the Electoral Commission: The Electoral Commission is the UK’s independent body overseeing elections and regulating political finance. Everything we do is about ensuring trust, participation, and integrity in the democratic process. As we enter a new chapter under our Corporate Plan, we are increasing our workforce and transforming how we plan and deliver core services. This post plays a central role in that journey.

About the office: Our office in Cardiff is home to the Commission’s Wales team. It also brings together colleagues from across the wider Electoral Commission, creating a collaborative and supportive environment where ideas and expertise are shared. You’ll be joining a friendly, inclusive community where people genuinely support one another. Our office is designed for flexibility, with spaces for both collaboration and focused work, alongside a relaxed culture and regular social activities. We’re proud of our bilingual environment, where Welsh and English are part of everyday life, making it welcoming for speakers and learners alike. Just a short walk away you’ll have easy access to Cardiff’s parks, landmarks and vibrant atmosphere.

About the role: As Policy and Public Affairs Adviser, you will support the delivery of the Electoral Commission's policy and public affairs activity in Wales. This is an externally focused role that sits at the intersection of policy, legislation and democratic engagement. You will work closely with Welsh Government officials, Members of the Senedd, political stakeholders and colleagues across the Commission, helping to ensure the organisation is well positioned to respond to developments affecting elections and democracy in Wales. The role offers a unique opportunity to develop expertise in electoral policy, legislative processes and stakeholder engagement while working on issues of significant public importance.

• Supporting the Commission's engagement with Welsh Government policy proposals, draft legislation and consultations.
• Researching, analysing and monitoring political and legislative developments affecting elections and democracy.
• Drafting consultation responses, policy papers, briefings and position statements.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with Welsh Government officials, Members of the Senedd and other external stakeholders.
• Supporting the delivery of the Commission’s public affairs activity in Wales, including planning events, seminars, stakeholder engagement and attending party conferences.
• Preparing briefings and advice for colleagues on policy and public affairs and contributing to post-election reporting activity.

About the team: You will be joining the Wales team, a collaborative and knowledgeable group that leads the Electoral Commission's work in Wales. The team works across policy, public affairs, electoral administration, regulation and stakeholder engagement, helping to ensure that elections are delivered effectively and that the Commission remains a trusted and influential voice on democratic issues. The Wales team works closely with colleagues across the Commission's devolved offices and wider UK teams, sharing expertise and coordinating activity. You'll also work regularly with a broad range of external stakeholders - primarily Members of the Senedd and Welsh Government officials. The team is supportive, inclusive and ambitious, offering opportunities to build relationships with senior decision-makers, contribute to high-profile projects and play a direct role in supporting democracy in Wales. It's an environment where individuals are encouraged to take ownership, contribute ideas and develop their professional expertise.

Who we’re looking for: We're looking for a politically aware and intellectually curious individual who enjoys understanding complex issues, building relationships and influencing positive outcomes. You will be comfortable working in a fast-moving environment, managing competing priorities and communicating effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders. You'll have strong analytical skills and be able to translate complex information into clear, practical advice and briefings. This role could suit candidates from policy, public affairs, government relations, political research, regulation, public administration, parliamentary support, advocacy or related fields. We're particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• Experience working in a policy, public affairs or stakeholder engagement environment.
• Experience researching and analysing complex information and communicating findings effectively.
• The ability to build productive relationships with decision-makers and external stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with sound political judgement.
• Experience drafting high-quality briefings, reports or policy papers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.

Welsh language skills would be desirable for this role.

Why work for us? This is a fantastic opportunity to work on issues that matter to the future of democracy in Wales. You'll gain exposure to senior decision-makers, develop specialist expertise in policy and public affairs, and contribute to work that has a tangible impact on elections and democratic participation. We offer a strong total reward package, including:

• Flexible working and hybrid model (40% office minimum)
• 28 rising to 30 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Study support for professional qualifications
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Ride2Work, eye care vouchers and more

We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. To help reduce unconscious bias and ensure all applicants are assessed solely on their skills, knowledge and experience, we use an anonymous recruitment process. The Electoral Commission is proud to be a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. As part of this commitment, we aim to prioritise interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria listed in the job description. There may, however, be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. For example, during periods of exceptionally high application volumes or seasonal recruitment activity, the Commission may need to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both disabled and non-disabled applicants. If you have a disability and would like to be considered under this commitment, please indicate this when you apply. We also welcome requests for reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process or within the workplace.

Key dates: Interviews: Week commencing Monday 24th August 2026. Anticipated start date: TBC. Interviews are expected to be conducted in person at our Cardiff office.