This role will provide parliamentary research support to Lewis Atkinson MP and lead his communication with Sunderland Central constituents about policy matters.

Working arrangements

This is a less than full-time role that is actively inclusive of a range of flexible working hours and patterns, within the following parameters:

• No less than 0.5 WTE and no more than 0.7 WTE
• Normal working days to include Tuesday & Wednesday in Westminster when Parliament is sitting
• Hours within working days can be flexible, for example to accommodate studies or childcare
• Term-time only arrangements are available

We work as one team between Sunderland and Westminster. The successful candidate will not only work closely with Lewis’ Senior Parliamentary Assistant (also based in Westminster) but also build understanding with constituency-based staff. Occasional travel to Sunderland is expected.

Key responsibilities:

• Maintain up to date knowledge of Government policy and legislative proposals and use this to provide advice to MP and other team members
• Oversight and operation of the constituent policy correspondence procedure, including:
• Reviewing policy correspondence from constituents and applying politically-aware judgement to handling;
• Drafting policy correspondence to constituents in line with MP’s position and guidance;
• Production of statistics and analysis about the volume and nature of issues raised by constituents.
• Independently undertake research on relevant subjects as directed and effectively seek and use research carried out by others, for example the House of Commons Library or external specialist groups;
• Prepare parliamentary questions, brieings, speeches and social media/blog posts about policy matters
• Advise the MP on potential questions, motions and debates to be held in Parliament and identify opportunities to further the MP’s policy priorities

Person specification

• Knowledge and interest in current Government policy and legislative proposals
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability summarise complex policy positions for non-expert audiences
• Political awareness and anticipation – both nationally and in relation to Sunderland
• Self-organised with a focus on producing outputs within required timescales
• The ability to quickly pick-up key points of detail and debate in new subject areas