PART 1: JOB PROFILE
DEPARTMENT:
Communications, Policy and Campaigns
TEAM:
External Affairs
JOB TITLE:
Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager
LAST UPDATED:
October 2015
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MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
To develop Samaritans influencing work by leading on work with parliamentarians and developing
our campaigning activity to help achieve our purpose of reducing suicide.
POSITION IN ORGANISATION
Based in the External Affairs Team
Reports into the Head of External Affairs
Liaises with all levels and across teams as required
Liaises with volunteers as required
SCOPE OF JOB
Lead on the development of Samaritans work with parliamentarians (Westminster) and use these
to create action on suicide prevention
Increase Samaritans’ involvement in public policy issues and debates:
Manage and develop the All Party Parliamentary Group on Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm
Prevention and other parliamentary activity (Westminster)
Lead on the development of Samaritans campaigning activity in pursuit of changing public policy
and increasing debate
General duties of a Samaritans staff member
DIMENSIONS AND LIMITS OF AUTHORITY
Manages own workload
Provide expertise and advice to teams and projects, Directorate and the Chief Executive on
influencing government and parliament (Westminster). Main source of reference for the
organisation on how Samaritans’ policies and positions will be interpreted by a Westminster
audience
Manages the All Parliamentary Group on Suicide and Self-harm Prevention (Westminster),
including responsibility for the relationship with the Chair (currently Madeline Moon MP)
Represents Samaritans in external forums and builds relationships with external stakeholders
Contributes to the definition of Samaritans policy and research strategic priorities
Ad-hoc line management of temporary staff, volunteers and interns when required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Graduate level qualification essential.
Qualification in an appropriate discipline, such as politics, social or health policy.
This job description is a statement of requirements at the time of writing and is not contractual. It
should not be seen as precluding future changes after appointment to this role.
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SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Experience
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Proven track record in public affairs work and successfully achieving change
Experience in political, policy or public affairs environment
Knowledge of UK, Ireland the devolved administration’s public policy and legislative procedures
Proven ability to synthesise large quantities of information into concise reports
Experience in development and management of relationships with stakeholders
Experience of developing campaigns that have successfully influenced locally or nationally.
Some experience of presentations and public speaking
Some experience of press and media work would be an advantage
Experience of working in a field relevant to suicide prevention would be an advantage
Understanding of current mental health and suicide prevention issues and research.
Skills and Abilities
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Excellent networking, with the ability to turn contacts into action
Able to analyse and respond to external developments and identify issues speedily and effectively
Ability to present to a wide range of specialist and non-specialist individuals and audiences
Effective time management skills; adept at handing multiple priorities and meeting tight deadlines
Able to use a range of word processing, spreadsheet and database software applications (eg.
Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet)
The ability to attend meetings and events outside of normal working hours, in particular regional
meetings, consultation activities, and internal and external conferences and events.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Strong analytical and problem solving skills
High degree of accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders internally and externally
Credible with external stakeholders, including MPs
Commitment to excellence in public affairs and campaigning
Identifies opportunities and takes initiative
Able to work flexibly as part of a small team and to be self-servicing
Ability to consult within and understand the unique nature of a voluntary organisation and to work
effectively within this environment.
PART 2: DUTIES & KEY TASKS
Lead on the development of Samaritans work with parliamentarians (Westminster) and use
these to create action on suicide prevention
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Identify key parliamentarians for Samaritans to engage, in order to influence suicide prevention
with maintenance of existing relationships and development of new ones
Create opportunities for lobbying of parliamentarians through parliamentary questions, debates,
etc.
Develop parliamentary events as appropriate
Provide briefings to parliamentarians on key topics
Provide support and advice to branches on engaging with their local MPs as required.
Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of our parliamentary work
Increase Samaritans’ involvement in public policy issues and debates:
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Continuously scan and monitor the political (Westminster) environment
Provide analysis on political developments related to suicide prevention.
Provide expertise and support for other teams and Directorate on political issues
This job description is a statement of requirements at the time of writing and is not contractual. It
should not be seen as precluding future changes after appointment to this role.
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Provide briefings on key issues and people as required; briefing senior colleagues, Directorate,
CEO and volunteers before meetings with key audiences, as required
Represent Samaritans views at all-party parliamentary groups, events and seminars, including
representing Directorate where requested
Develop relations with influential stakeholders and create opportunities for the Directorate and
CEO to influence key stakeholders, in particular civil servants and Government ministers
Communicate Samaritans’ views on public policy issues to a variety of internal and external
audiences through reports, articles and presentations
Provide advice and support to teams and staff on working with parliamentarians
Manage and develop the All Party Parliamentary Group on Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm
Prevention and other parliamentary activity (Westminster)
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Manage the relationship with the Chair’s office (Madeleine Moon, MP)
Identify topics to propose for discussion by the APPG in order to influence parliamentarians on
key issues related to suicide prevention
Identify and secure high profile speakers, including Government ministers
Maintain and develop effective relationships with APPG attendees and develops the attendee list
by including important stakeholders.
Manage the secretariat function for the APPG
o ensure that all key parliamentary and other stakeholders (for example, other charities,
researchers and key stakeholders who attend the APPG) receive accurate and full
information within the required time frame
o sending timely invitations to attendees, writing and circulating minutes, responding to
queries from attendees
Manage Inquiries of the APPG, including setting up the panel of parliamentarians, call for
evidence, hearings, consultation and information gathering and writing the report and
recommendations.
Lead on the development of Samaritans campaigning activity in pursuit of changing public
policy and increasing debate
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Lead on the development and implementation of campaigning projects in pursuit of Samaritans
strategic aims.
Work with colleagues in the department to ensure all campaigning activity is based on evidence of
need.
Work with colleagues to develop effective, engaging campaign strategies and manage their
implementation
Work closely with colleagues in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to
ensure campaigns are coherent across the organisation.
Work with volunteers to ensure they are fully engaged in the development and implementation of
campaigns
Develop campaign materials with colleagues, ensuring they are a high standard and in line with
Samaritans branding
Ensure that all campaigning activity is monitored and measured to evaluate its level of
engagement and impact and that learning is fed into the development of future campaigning
activity.
General duties of a Samaritans staff member
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Contribute to the effective and efficient running of General Office as appropriate
Participate, as appropriate, in staff forums and meetings
Adhere to Samaritans’ polices and procedures that are in effect from time to time
Represent General Office appropriately across Samaritans Treat all colleagues, volunteers and
members of the public with dignity and work within and adhere to Samaritans’ equal opportunities
statement and polices
This Job Description is a statement of requirements at the time of writing and is not contractual. It
should not be seen as precluding future changes after appointment to this role
Signed by employee:________________________Date: _______________________
This job description is a statement of requirements at the time of writing and is not contractual. It
should not be seen as precluding future changes after appointment to this role.