Policy Specialist (Dairy)

Permanent

Salary c. £35-45k per annum

Based in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire with hybrid working

About you

Are you a committed and driven person with strong communication skills, and looking for an opportunity to work in exciting sector? We are looking for a new specialist to join the team, working in the British dairy sector to represent our members.

To succeed in this position, you will be strategically minded and results oriented, with the ability to manage and adapt to a varied and complex portfolio. You will have strong influencing skills and demonstrate robust management and team-working skills. You will have a strong sense of drive and focus to deliver for our members but you should also be able to adapt your approach to achieve strategic long-term goals for farming and the NFU.

As a great communicator you will possess the ability to work unsupervised, as well as within a small team and alongside the NFU Dairy Board.

With a relevant degree, you will need to possess a high standard of written and verbal communication skills, be an assured public presenter and have proven negotiation skills. You will need to be well organised and prioritise workloads and think creatively to solve problems and overcome policy and political challenges.

It’s an exciting and high profile position, requiring broad knowledge of UK food industry and a sound background in food/farming or marketing, policy development, advocacy and/or government relations.

About the role

An opportunity has arisen in our Food and Farming Department for an enthusiastic and politically astute individual to be the NFU’s Dairy Policy Specialist.

The successful candidate will be a powerful champion for our dairy farming members and will advise the National Dairy Board on policy matters and develop effective lobbying strategies. At the same time, the role will monitor political, technical, legal and commercial developments, ensure constant online and offline communications with key opinion formers and generate a steady pipeline of high profile news stories.

The role will have the flexibility and freedom to drive forward your own policy areas and make a difference to the lives and businesses of our farming members.

Who are we?

The National Farmers’ Union is the voice of British farming, and our members are at the heart of what we do. On their behalf we lobby government and other stakeholders, develop policy and provide a range of frontline services.

We are proud to make a difference. Working for the NFU means working alongside great people who are committed to their work and recognised for their knowledge and expertise. Please see our careers page for more information.

Why join our team?

You will become part of our friendly, dedicated working environment and work with a highly motivated team, recognised for their knowledge and expertise and passion about food and farming.  In addition to this we also offer, 25 days annual leave (plus, statutory bank holidays), increasing with length of service, and an attractive contributory, stakeholder pension scheme.

At the NFU, we embrace the unique worth of everyone from all backgrounds, identities and circumstance. As a Professional, Resourceful, United and Inclusive organisation, we strive to celebrate all individuals.  We are committed to creating a sense of belonging, educating and developing an inclusive community, and welcoming the value of diversity.

We are currently piloting a ‘hybrid working’ scheme that gives colleagues the choice of working from home for up to 3 days a week, with other working days being from the office, or out and about with our members.

We recognise that some applicants may wish to work flexibly, and we welcome discussions regarding this.  Please discuss this with us as part of the recruitment process. 

We encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

Closing date:  03 January 2022
Interview Date:  13/14 January 2022