Campaigns Organiser (Glastonbury and Somerton)

Job Title: Campaigns Organiser and Communications Officer

Salary: £26,000 - £28,000

Location: Glastonbury and Somerton Lib Dems HQ, Sparkford, Somerset

Days: 3 days a week as Campaigns Organiser and 2 days a week as Communications Officer for Sarah Dyke MP. It is expected that the Campaigns Organiser will work to assist evening and weekend campaign activities by agreement.

Tenure: 18 months fixed with 6 months probation

Responsible to: Sarah Dyke MP & the designated Regional Campaigns Manager

Closing date: Monday 13th January 4pm

Job Details:

Sarah Dyke MP & Glastonbury & Somerton Liberal Democrats are recruiting a split role of Campaign Organiser and communications officer. You will work for Glastonbury & Somerton Liberal Democrats organising campaigns and volunteers for the MP and for local election candidates, as well as for the MP’s Parliamentary office on communications for constituency and non-party political matters.

This is a split role working 3 days a week as Campaigns Organiser for Glastonbury & Somerton Liberal Democrats and 2 days a week as Communications Officer for Sarah Dyke MP.

As Campaigns Organiser, you will be communicating with volunteers about upcoming campaign activities, recruiting and triaging new volunteers, designing and arranging distribution for campaign leaflets, coordinating constituency door knocking efforts, and working together with respective campaign teams to steer our campaigning efforts.  

Each of these tasks will require strong communication skills, a welcoming attitude, and the confidence to work with and engage volunteers. 

The successful candidate will be highly motivated by hitting targets, and proactive in keeping the pace of the campaign, getting stuck in on a range of different tasks and getting things done.

As Campaigns Organiser you will:
Lead the volunteer recruitment and capacity building/retainment processes in Glastonbury and Somerton to ensure we have a motivated and well-trained volunteer network of deliverers, canvassers and clerical helpers.
Contribute to the literature schedule planning and provide key input to copy editing, design, proofing and approval, and print and distribution of regular art worked leaflets, direct mail letters and emails to members, supporters and voters.

Campaign budgeting and financial management in liaison with the Treasurer/Election Agents.
Plan and coordinate member and volunteer training, volunteer and capacity-building action days and constituency events.
Designing and delivering an ongoing programme of communication to champion Liberal Democrat policy and achievements across Somerset.
Coordinate and support membership recruitment and engagement strategy.

As Communications Officer you will:
Develop and own media strategies and plans including producing online graphics and video content.
Establish, monitor and update social media and online presence in the constituency, including MP's website content.
Follow up on social media queries and comments.
Monitor media coverage.
Produce press releases, liaise with media outlets, meeting deadlines as appropriate.
Assist with the writing of Parliamentary speeches and Oral Questions.
Responding to and monitoring Parliamentary Written Questions and Letters.
Develop and maintain current knowledge on relevant areas of parliamentary business including motions, legislation, Hansard, EDM's etc... This would include issues of importance in the Glastonbury and Somerton constituency.

Essential Criteria:

• Ability to communicate effectively with and maintain the confidence of a wide variety of stakeholders.
• A willingness to recruit, mobilise and manage volunteers effectively.
• Demonstrate a “can-do” attitude and resilience in pressured/difficult situations.
• Understanding and experience of election campaigns and management.
• Ability to motivate and manage a team of people and work effectively as a team member
• Ability to work unsupervised and effectively prioritise from a wide variety of tasks.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to delegate effectively.
• Sympathetic to Liberal Democrat aims and/or values

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge of the local area, its politics and local communities.
• Ability to produce effective political literature.
• Good digital skills and willingness to learn new software/apps and media: social media, ability to update web sites, ability to use a variety of specialised software e.g. desktop publishing, video subtitling.
• Ability to spot issues with campaigning potential.
• Ability to work with the local media and generate positive coverage for the party and its representatives.
• Possession of driving licence and access to a vehicle, given the geographical nature of the Constituency.

Upon appointment you will be required to apply for security clearance, undertaken by the Security Vetting and Pass Office. 

See Members’ Staff Security Clearance page for further info. MPs generally pay staff in accordance with IPSA guidelines.

Closing Date: 13th January 2025

Interview/Start Dates: Interviews: Week commencing 20th January 2025
 

Application Details

How to apply:

● A full CV and including contact information
● A covering letter of no more than two pages setting out why you want the job and how your experience and skills are relevant to it.
Email subject line “Application for Campaign Organiser / Communications Officer - [Your Name]”
Please email applications to sarah.dyke.mp@parliament.uk 
Website: www.sarahdyke.uk 

We will be reviewing applications as they come in and reserve the right to appoint prior to the closing date

Please note: We will not be able to employ you if you are not eligible to work in the UK.

We will not be able to obtain a work permit on your behalf.

Applicants are encouraged to inform us if any reasonable adjustments are needed to be made during any part of the recruitment process.

Please let us have details of your two referees including one from your current employer – if you would prefer us not to contact them until a later stage of the selection process, please let us know.

The Party believes it is essential to foster equity, equality, diversion and inclusion within our workforce. We want our employees to thrive in an environment where everyone is welcome and supported to achieve their potential. It is important to celebrate what makes us unique and that you feel valued, appreciated and free to be who you are.