Policy & Communications Assistant
Job Title: Policy & Communications Assistant
Position Type: Permanent/Full time
Reports to: Senior Press and Comms Officer/Senior Policy and Campaigns Officer
Based at: School Food Matters, The Bridge, 7b Parkshot, London TW9 2RD
Working Hours: 9am-5pm (flexible)
Salary: £28,770
Pension: School Food Matters matches pension contributions at 5% of pensionable earnings
Holiday: 31 days including bank holidays
School Food Matters is closed between Christmas and New Year
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Background to School Food Matters
School Food Matters (SFM) exists to teach children about food and to improve children’s access to healthy, sustainable food during their time at school. We provide fully funded food education programmes to schools. Our experience delivering these programmes informs and strengthens our campaigns, bringing the voices of children, parents and teachers to government policy.
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Job Purpose
• To support the policy and communications work of School Food Matters
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Key Tasks
· Work with SFM colleagues and networks to coordinate and support campaign activity
· Attend meetings to support policy and campaign discussions and provide meeting services, including organising agendas, venues, and minutes
· Keep up-to-date with policy and media developments that could benefit or have relevance to SFM
· Identify award opportunities and write applications to gain recognition for our work
· Track the impact of SFM’s communications/campaigns, including in the press and on social media
· Assist with maintaining our database of press contacts and MPs and keep a record of interactions
· Attend programme sessions to capture photos, videos and quotes
· Design and create communications assets such as presentations and social media content
· Contribute to policy/campaign briefings, letters to MPs, web content, articles and blogs
· Staying up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures
· Maintain the ethos of the charity and positively promote our work at all times
· The Policy and Communications Assistant will also undertake any other tasks relevant to the affairs of SFM that may arise from time to time. Therefore, being flexible and approaching the job with an open and positive mindset is essential!
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Person specification
Essential
· Exceptional oral and written communication skills in fluent spoken and written English, for a range of audiences
· A strong attention to detail and the ability to translate complex data and policies into accessible language and engaging stories and communication materials
· Strong administrative and organisational skills, including the ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise workload
· Experience designing communication assets
· Confident and competent IT skills across Office suite of programmes
· Ability to work in a team, and seek help when needed
· Ability to work independently with a can-do attitude
· Good time management and the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines
· Energy, enthusiasm, creativity and tenacity
Desirable
· Experience of research and analysis, ideally in a policy environment
· Experience of working for a charity or not for profit organisation
· Experience of working in education
· Knowledge of issues and policy around school food, children’s health and education
· An interest in food education and children’s health
· Digital campaigning and social networking skill
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.