Government Relations and Public Affairs Coordinator (0919)

Transport for Wales; Pontypridd; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 19,000; Part time

Job summary

Transport for Wales is seeking a part-time Government Relations Assistant in Wales to support with sensitive, high-priority casework and stakeholder communications. You will help keep communities informed and TfW open and transparent in its dealings.

The role involves drafting responses, coordinating internal communications, and supporting meetings and research. You will remain impartial and provide professional service to elected representatives while developing your government relations

Qualifications

• Excellent written communication and ability to interpret complex information.
• Experience planning, prioritising and delivering work to a high standard and deadlines.
• Experience building positive working relationships to support objectives.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and ability to learn new platforms.
• Basic knowledge of the Welsh political environment.
• Experience in project management or project support (e.g., events).
• Ability to work remotely and flexible hours as required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate records and coordinate with colleagues on policy and stakeholders managed by the team.
• Draft responses to correspondence for political stakeholders, ensuring accuracy and governance.
• Seek approvals to issue responses and elevate matters to prevent reputational damage.
• Source content for communications and prepare audience-appropriate updates to raise TfW's profile.
• Support meetings and events, including administrative support to advisory panels.
• Monitor records of proceedings and provide brief reports to the team.
• Remain impartial and act as an ambassador for TfW in all interactions with stakeholders.
• Carry out administrative duties to support government relations and public affairs functions.
• Stay updated on best practices to improve the team’s approach and advocacy.

Skills

Communication skills

Planning & prioritising

Relationship building

Microsoft Office

Welsh politics knowledge

Project management

Remote working

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Please note that this is a part-time position, with working hours of 10:00am to 3:00pm, Monday to Friday.

The Role

The purpose of the role is to support with issues that are often sensitive, of high importance, urgent, and raised on behalf of the customers and communities we serve, to ensure stakeholders managed by the team feel informed and included in Transport for Wales (TfW) activities, and the organisation retains its commitment to openness and transparency.

Role Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate and effective record keeping by working with colleagues across the business to understand progress/development of, and TfW's position on, operational policy and other matters of interest to stakeholders managed by the team.
• Work with colleagues across TfW to coordinate internal responses to casework, managed by the delivery partners to promote the importance of delivery, accountability and transparency is maintained. Work with colleagues and relevant teams across TfW to draft responses to correspondence received by political stakeholders, to ensure accuracy and adherence to required processes and governance.
• Seek the necessary approvals to issue responses or elevate matters by following business requirements and protocols, in a timely manner, to prevent reputational damage.
• Source and draft content for communications, such as newsletters and briefings issued by the team, by gathering accurate information from colleagues in Stakeholder Engagement and other relevant teams and writing audience-appropriate content to raise the profile and positive impact of TfW for Wales and Borders.
• Prioritise organisation, ensuring it remains paramount by supporting the delivery of meetings and events managed by the team, including administrative support to our advisory panels, to ensure they achieve the intended outcomes.
• Review and monitor records of proceedings, including parliamentary debates and committees, by capturing and issuing details where TfW is mentioned to ensure brief reports are provided to the immediate team.
• Remain impartial within the political environment and be an ambassador for TfW by promoting our vision and values when delivering projects, attending meetings and in communication with internal and external stakeholders to ensure all elected representatives receive an efficient and professional service from TfW.
• Support the team as required by performing administrative and ad-hoc duties that need to be completed to ensure delivery of an effective government relations and public affairs provision, including e.g. compiling mentions, supporting research and listening programmes
• Be responsible for own professional development by staying abreast of developments in best practice to ensure the continual improvement of the Government Relations team's approach and contribute to increasing advocacy from elected representatives.

Who We're Looking For

• Excellent communications skills (primarily written), with the ability to understand and interpret complex information, and to communicate this accurately and effectively to a range of audiences.
• Experience of planning, prioritising and consistently delivering work to a high standard and by the required deadline.
• Experience of building positive working relationships to support achievement of objectives.
• Experience of using Microsoft Office, and the ability to quickly learn new platforms.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of the political environment in Wales.
• Experience of project management or project support (e.g. events).
• Able to work remotely and flexible working hours in line with business requirements.

Welsh Language Skills

While not essential for this role, Welsh language skills would make a great addition to your application.

TfW support anyone who wants to learn Welsh or improve their skills. We offer online learning, classroom courses and funding attendance at local community courses.

Equal Opportunities

We're changing the way the transport industry looks. By celebrating and embracing differences, we're building a workforce that represents Wales. We need talented people from all backgrounds and cultures to bring their perspectives and experiences. Diverse teams make better decisions and drive innovation. Join us in transforming the way Wales travels.

Who We Are

Transport for Wales is changing the way Wales travels, making sustainable transport the first choice. We're building a multimodal integrated transport network called the T Network, making it easier for people to travel by train, bus, walking, wheeling and cycling.

We're a Disability Confident Leader. Let us know about any reasonable adjustments you may need in the recruitment process and as part of the role if you are successful.

This advert will close at 23:59 on the day of the application closing date stated above. However, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive enough applications.