This role will include UK travel, particularly to London and Edinburgh and the other devolved administrations with some overnight stays. A full valid UK driving licence is desirable.

We are seeking an excellent communicator who is enthusiastic, innovative and highly motivated to join the charity’s team to deliver advocacy and campaigns across the UK. This is an opportunity to fulfil a highly visible role externally and within the charity.

You will be a people person with lots of initiative who is able to work independently and collaboratively and with an ability to influence and inspire people from all levels e.g. industry, government agencies, politicians, other NGOs and volunteers. You will need to have excellent attention to detail; fantastic organisational and analytical skills; the ability to prioritise work and set and meet deadlines to achieve agreed performance targets.

As an Advocacy and Government Relations Officer, you will help develop, support and implement an effective programme of reactive and proactive advocacy work across the UK to influence Central and Local Government and key stakeholders whose policies and practices impact on cat welfare.

Main responsibilities will include:

• Daily parliamentary monitoring, online research and responding to external e-mails
• Preparing position statements and responses to external policy developments
• Drafting briefings for debates and responding to media enquiries
• Assisting with the charity’s responses to Government consultations
• Meeting with external stakeholders and influencers
• Developing public facing charity campaigns including online resources
• Organising events
• Engaging volunteer and public support for advocacy activities locally and/or nationally.

This role would suit someone who has a degree, or relevant experience, in political and/or public affairs, proven experience of influencing, policy analysis and research, organising campaigns and negotiating and who has a comprehensive understanding of government politics and the structure and processes of external agencies.