POSITION Policy Officer (with a focus on professional sport, regulatory and fiscal policy and elements of European policy)
SALARY
ROLE SUMMARY
Starting range of £27,000-£32,000 (per annum)
The Sport and Recreation Alliance is the umbrella body and trade association for the national governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation in the UK. Its 315 members – organisations as diverse as The Football Association, The Rugby Football Union,
British Water Ski, The British Dance Council and The Ramblers – represent 150,000 clubs and some 8 million regular participants. The Alliance exists to protect, promote and provide for its members and to act as the definitive, independent voice and thought leader for the sport and recreation sector.
The Policy Officer will support the NGBs in their work with professional sport, regulatory and fiscal policy and elements of European policy in the areas listed below.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Particular responsibilities will include:

Scrutinising emerging policy, proposals, legislation and strategies which may impact on sport and recreation either positively or adversely from the UK and Europe
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Leading on domestic policy work in wide ranging areas such as taxation, the National
Lottery, alcohol and music licensing, sports betting, Community Amateur Sports Clubs,
Gift Aid
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Developing and maintaining with effective contacts in appropriate government departments, agencies and member sport and recreation organisations, and with supportive Parliamentarians
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Developing and maintaining effective relationships with the European Commission, UK
Permanent Representative to the UK, European Olympic Committee (Brussels Office),
MEPs and other European sports organisations.
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Drafting documents for Alliance members including briefings, e-newsletters and updates
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Working with key partner agencies and individuals to develop proposals to improve the regulatory environment for sport.
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Representing the Alliance and/or providing secretariat support on formal groups as appropriate. (Current groups include the Development Directors Forum, Sports Betting
Group, the Voluntary Code on Broadcasting and the Alliance’s taxation working group).

Any other duties as reasonably required by Line Manager (the Head of Policy)

JOB TITLE Policy Officer
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The Policy Officer must demonstrate the ability to:
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Communicate effectively in face to face situations with a range of people including
Alliance members, Parliamentarians, civil servants and agency colleagues

Read and understand complex documents (e.g. Parliamentary Bills and Acts, governmental strategies and action plans) and distil from these the key implications for Alliance members

Draft concise, accurate and convincing documents (e.g. briefings, reports, Select
Committee submissions and consultation responses) for a range of audiences including Alliance members, Parliamentarians, civil servants and agency colleagues

Be perceptive as to how the Alliance can most effectively present its case on specific issues, given prevailing social and political trends

Manage a range of tasks effectively, meeting tight deadlines with high quality work
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Be proficient in Microsoft Office applications
The Policy Officer must demonstrate some knowledge and understanding of:
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How policy impacts on sport and recreation, and how investment in sport and recreation can in turn contribute to a healthy and prosperous nation

UK and European institutions and processes how the Alliance can best use these to further its policy work

The role and remit of National Governing Bodies of sport, and other sporting organisations

The role of a membership organisation
Desirable:
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Active interest or participation in sport

Language skills