Communications and Public Affairs Officer

Job Description About the Trust We are an independent charitable funder working to tackle financial problems and improve living standards for people living on low-to-middle incomes in the UK. We aim to achieve this by funding strategic work with the potential to create real and lasting change, working collaboratively with a number of partners and key stakeholders. We support research, policy work and campaigning activities and fund a range of universities, think tanks and not-for-profit organisations. We also commission some work and aim to grow this. Our funding programmes relate to personal and household finances and cover issues such as wages, pensions, savings, social security, borrowing, taxation, debt, the cost of living and consumer spending. This year we plan to award grants of around £3 million and expect this to grow in future years. Our funding comes from the unclaimed assets from Standard Life’s demutualisation in 2006, which we received in 2017. The company has since merged and rebranded as abrdn. In December 2021 we changed our name from Standard Life Foundation to abrdn Financial Fairness Trust. The company supports us through in-kind donations such as office space. Decisions about our strategy and what we fund are made by our independent board of trustees which is chaired by the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling. We aim to be an open and engaged funder that offers more than money, which works in collaboration with those we support. The team is currently six members of staff, located in Edinburgh and London, and this post can be based in either location and combined with home working. The role is an exciting opportunity for someone who shares our vision and offers a chance to contribute to strategic change to improve financial well-being in the UK. The role The Communications and Public Affairs Officer will support the external relations functions of the Trust, with a specific focus on public affairs and digital communications. We are looking for a communications professional with experience of public affairs or campaign projects. You should have excellent communication skills and the ability to build effective working relationships, internally and externally. Your primary objective will be to raise awareness and improve understanding of our work with a wide range of stakeholders. You will ideally have experience of creating and producing digital content, a solid understanding of the media and political landscape, and the ability to exercise sound and strategic judgement in dealing with media and political stakeholders. Further role details This is a permanent role, reporting to the Head of Policy & Research and Head of Communications, and can be based in either Edinburgh or London. We have a blended approach between home-working and office-based working. The role can be either 28 or 35 hours per week. The salary details for the role are as follows, with a cost-of-living increase to be added in April. 35 hours salary: £34,125- £35,831, or, 28 hours: £27,300-£28,665 We have a generous benefits package including:

• 16% employer contribution to pension (plus additional 2% match if employee contributes);
• 40 days annual leave (including bank holidays);
• private medical insurance.

Closing Date 13th March 2023 Interview Date Week commencing 27th March 2023 (interviews in London or online) How to Apply Please complete details in the online portal including your contact details (please ensure you state your telephone number and email address) and upload a CV and cover letter explaining how you meet the person specification and why you’d like to work for us. Key responsibilities

• Build up knowledge of key policy makers and issues they are working on, providing support for policy briefings and events.
• Provide guidance and support to grantees engaging with policy makers about their work, including the UK Government and relevant departments (e.g. HMT Treasury and Department for Work & Pensions), the Devolved Administrations, parliamentarians and other key influencers.
• Build/maintain strong relationships with policy makers, including engaging with key select committees and relevant APPGs
• Monitor parliamentary, legislative and policy developments and identify opportunities for promoting grantees’ and/or aFFT research.
• Draft submissions for government consultations and parliamentary inquiries
• Manage, and develop content for, the Trust’s social media accounts.
• Support the Trust’s press office function with tasks such as pitching stories, managing press lists and taking media enquiries (including out of hours cover when necessary).
• Write press statements and other copywriting as needed.
• Manage and grow audience lists, (social media followers, newsletter subscribers etc) including identifying opportunities to develop audiences.
• Maintain our Scottish lobbying register returns and an up-to-date database of policy stakeholder contacts.
• Maintain an up-to-date communications and public affairs grid with key events (including legislative dates).
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as may be required commensurate with the level of the post.

Experience, knowledge, skills and qualifications

• At least two years in a similar role.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including copywriting.
• A self-starter who is able to identify opportunities to promote the work of the Trust, with proven ability to plan engagement with multiple audiences or stakeholders.
• The ability to manage own workload with good organisation, prioritisation and time management skills with minimal oversight.
• Experience of handling high profile and sensitive issues and sound political judgement.
• A solid understanding of the political, economic and social context in the UK and/or Scotland and of the workings of Parliament and government.
• Good understanding of a number of the financial wellbeing issues the Trust is focussed on and of the related policy and political landscape.

Personal attributes

• A commitment to the aims of the Trust to improve living standards for people on low-to-middle incomes
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships, and establish credibility, with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Willingness to travel within the UK and to work unsocial hours very occasionally
• Ability to manage a complex workload and work to tight deadlines.
• Flexible, creative and can-do approach with a focus on solutions.
• Good team player able to work as part of a small team and supportive of colleagues.
• A professional manner, diplomatic and discrete, able to work with confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.

An inclusive way of working We value diversity in our workforce and welcome enquiries from everyone. Whatever way you like to work, if you have the talent and commitment to join our team, we’d like to hear from you. If you have any questions about the job please contact recruitment@financialfairness.org.uk An inclusive culture, where diverse perspectives drive our actions, is at the core of who we are and what we do. If you need assistance with your application, or a reasonable adjustment to your interview arrangements – for example, because you are neurodivergent, or have a physical, sensory, cognitive, mental, visible or invisible disability – please let us know, and we’ll be happy to help. We’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and which is free from any form of unfair or unlawful treatment. We define diversity in its broadest sense – this includes but is not limited to our diversity of educational and professional backgrounds, experience, cognitive and neurodiversity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief and ethnicity and geographical provenance. We support a culture that values meritocracy, fairness and transparency and welcomes enquiries from everyone. If you need assistance or an adjustment due to a disability please let us know as part of your application and we will assist.