About you and the role

The Hansard Society is looking for a Communications and Project Co-ordinator for our new Review of Delegated Legislation.

If you are interested in law and politics, and think parliamentary scrutiny matters, then this is a great opportunity to contribute to a major review of one of the significant constitutional and legal challenges facing the country. The problems with the delegated legislation system have long been known but Brexit and Covid-19 have illuminated them in stark terms. Our Review will lay out a comprehensive plan to address them. The Review work will be carried out by Hansard Society staff, with the support of an advisory board, and core funding generously provided by the Legal Education Foundation.

The purpose of this new role is to:

• co-ordinate the Review’s programme of work;

• co-ordinate engagement with a network of stakeholders in other research and civil society organisations and the legal sector who are interested in or actively working on issues concerning delegated legislation, in order to maximise the impact of our interventions;

• deliver compelling, evidence-based research communications to inform and influence key audiences, building an effective case for reform of the delegated legislation system.  

The Communications and Project Co-ordinator will play a crucial role in developing support for our reform proposals by enhancing our communications, particularly with MPs, about the value and importance of improving parliamentary scrutiny and accountability in this critical area of the legislative process. We are therefore looking for someone who is highly motivated, has an understanding of the legislative system and is capable of translating often complex concepts about parliamentary scrutiny processes into engaging content for a variety of audiences. You might be a communications professional with a good grasp of parliamentary politics and the law, or a researcher in law or parliamentary studies or a similar field who understands engagement and impact. You might have worked in Parliament, perhaps for a parliamentarian or a parliamentary body, and have experience co-ordinating stakeholders and communicating research findings.

Building and maintaining networks with a wide range of people at all levels of seniority in and around Parliament and government means you’ll also need good inter-personal skills. Flexible and capable of working on your own initiative, you’ll need to have the stamina to work, often up against tight deadlines, in a rapidly evolving political/parliamentary environment with minimal supervision. You’ll have a good eye for detail and be very well organised.

This is a new role, so you will help shape how it develops but the ability to multi-task and juggle priorities is essential.

As our Communications and Project Co-ordinator, here’s a taste of what you’ll do:

• Co-ordinate the Delegated Legislation Review’s programme of work. We have an 18-month plan of work that needs co-ordination and oversight to ensure the various strands – advocacy and engagement, briefings and events, research and publications – all dovetail and are delivered in a timely way. You will also be the first point of contact with the Review’s advisory group, and be responsible for ensuring that we maximise the value of the advice and support its members provide.

• Co-ordinate engagement with our stakeholder network. You will develop and grow our network of people with an interest in the legislative process (e.g. parliamentarians, parliamentary staff, think-tanks, academic institutes, NGOs, and lawyers). Wherever possible, you’ll work to foster partnerships to maximise the joint impact of our interventions and our calls for reform.

•  Communications. Working with colleagues, you’ll use our research findings and analysis to deliver compelling, evidence-based research communications to inform, engage and influence our key audiences in support of the Review’s objectives. You’ll draft and commission blogs and briefings, write press releases, compile newsletters, edit videos and utilise social media to amplify our message.

•  Events management. You’ll also be the lead organiser of some of our private and public events with parliamentarians and other key policy-makers, to foster dialogue and debate about reform of the delegated legislation system.

Your skills and experience

You'll be the right person for this job if:

• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• You have an eye for a good story and know what it takes to help promote our research to parliamentarians, other policy-makers and commentators.

• You are well-organised, can manage projects, and have an eye for detail and the ability to juggle priorities and work with minimal supervision.  

• You have exceptional people skills and are a collaborative team-player.

• You are a creative thinker and problem-solver with a 'can do' attitude.

• You have some understanding of the delegated legislation process gleaned either through work or study.

• You appreciate our mission, have good political awareness, and can commit to the non-partisan values and ethos of the Hansard Society. 

Next steps

For full details about the role, the Hansard Society and the application process, please read the job information pack on our website.