Public Affairs and Parliamentary Officer

An exciting opportunity to use your experience developing successful public affairs strategies and plans to build our relationships with elected representatives to ensure that the Housing Ombudsman Service’s voice is heard in government, both national and local, and across the housing sector. The Housing Ombudsman Service provides independent, impartial and fair dispute resolution services for nearly 5 million households in England. Through resolving disputes effectively and promoting positive change across the social housing sector, we improve residents’ lives and landlords’ services. Reporting to the Head of Communications and Engagement, you will take a leading role in planning and delivering on the Ombudsman’s priority policy areas. Specifically, you will: develop and deliver political and parliamentary stakeholder engagement for the Ombudsman and play a key role in engaging with policy makers, civil servants, politicians, councillors, relevant Regulators and Ombudsman schemes, and other key stakeholders; develop and deliver a variety of public affairs projects to inform decision makers and influence policy; coordinate the Ombudsman’s parliamentary and local government engagement and maintain the stakeholder management database; and prepare communications, reports and policy briefings for internal and external audiences and help ensure our systemic work has impact. For this key role, you will offer a track record of developing and implementing public affairs strategies and plans that have had demonstrable success in furthering the aims of your organisation across Parliament. You will be adept in using your quantitative and qualitative research skills to produce evidence-based arguments, using these, and your excellent communication and interpersonal skills, to create impact and influence stakeholders. An understanding of an ombudsman’s remit and knowledge of housing policy would be ideal.