Parliamentary Officer Vacancy

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Protect’s dynamic team in the role of Parliamentary Officer where for over 30 years we have provided legal advice to whistleblowers, campaigned for better legal protection for whistleblowing and supported organisations to create effective whistleblowing systems.  The role will entail advocating the charities policy aims with MPs, Peers and officials in Whitehall. 

Closing date 

Thursday the 6th June 2024, to apply click here. 

Interviews 

Interviews are planned for the week of the 17th June 2024, there will be a short-written exercise as part of the interview process. 

Parliamentary Officer Duties 

• Create and implement a Parliamentary and Whitehall lobbying strategy for Protect’s strategic goals set by the charity.   

• Feed in expertise around Parliamentary and Whitehall lobbying into the creation of Protect’s strategic goals for the coming year.   

• Lead efforts in networking among politicians, Government officials and other stakeholders to enhance support for Protect and its strategic goals.  

• Monitoring Parliament for opportunities for Protect to further policy aims.  This includes but is not limited to Parliamentary questions, debates, upcoming legislation, Select Committee enquires and evidence sessions.  Liaising with the Head of Policy to provide briefings on these issues. 

• Draft briefings and letters for MPs, Ministers and Government Officials on topics that further the policy aims of Protect.  This includes responses to Government and party political consultations 

• Draft Parliamentary questions to be tabled in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. 

• Monitor relevant policy debates and ensure the Protect’s views are represented (for example, by submitting evidence to inquiries or representing the Protect at events) 

• Write blogs and articles on whistleblowing issues from a Parliamentary perspective both for Protect’s website, newsletter and for external publication.  

• Contribute to raising Protect’s profile especially in public affairs. 

• Assist the Comms and Policy teams to publicise events and published research among our politicians, civil servants and other political stakeholders. 

• Collaborate with colleagues from across the organisation and share learnings from different activities with stakeholders to ensure the delivery of Protect’s strategy. 

Benefits of working with Protect    Work life balance   

• We offer hybrid working with a minimum commitment for most staff to attend the office twice a week.  However, we are prepared to consider other options. 

• We are happy to talk flexible working and over a third of our staff are on non-standard hours. 

• We trust our staff and focus on outputs, not presenteeism. 

Health and wellbeing 

• We offer 30 days (pro rata) holiday each year, plus a day of “birthday” leave. 

• We run a cycle to work scheme. 

• On completion of five years’ service, we offer a sabbatical scheme. 

• Our staff surveys reveal consistently high levels of staff satisfaction and engagement. 

• We hold regular staff socials. 

Supporting growth 

• We encourage all staff to undertake training and development. 

• Some legal advisers can train with Protect to become solicitors.  

• At our discretion, we may offer loans to help with the costs of legal training courses. 

• We encourage internal promotions. 

Rewards 

• We provide 4% employer pension contributions. 

• We have transparent pay scales, and a successful annual performance review can be rewarded by a move up the pay scale, depending on the charity’s resources. 

• We review staff salaries annually and award annual pay increases to take account of inflation where possible. 

Line management  

The Parliamentary Officer will be line managed by the Head of Policy with a dotted line to the Legal Director.