Two opportunities to join the National Sheep Association and provide a voice for the UK sheep industry
23rd December 2021
NSA is looking for a Policy Manager to join the UK-wide team from March 2022 and help drive the high-profile work of the organisation at a time of immense change for the sheep sector. This role is to manage and coordinate NSA’s policy work, ensuring effective internal and external communication and consistent representation of NSA at stakeholder and other relevant meetings. The role includes being Content Manager for Sheep Farmer magazine, which is the cornerstone of how NSA communicates its policy and other activity to members. It also includes coordinating and sharing key information between NSA staff and officeholders, and the NSA network of regions and grassroots members.
A full job description can be downloaded below but, in summary, there are two key components.
- To maximise opportunities to integrate policy work into all NSA communications, including production of Sheep Farmer magazine (six editions per year).
- To have oversight of all NSA policy work and work closely with the NSA Chief Executive to ensure consistent representation of NSA and the views of UK sheep farmers.
The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic and organised individual with an eye for detail. They will have excellent written communication skills and preferably some experience in producing printed material such as a magazine. They will have knowledge of and experience within British agricultural policy, as well as interest in the sheep sector. They will have good research skills and the ability to distil information for different audiences. They will be confident in representing an agreed position within various written and oral forums.
This full-time role will either be office-based in Malvern, Worcestershire, or home-based at a location that allows travel to Malvern on a semi-regular basis. Applicants must be willing/able to occasionally travel to represent NSA at meetings and have flexibility for very occasional evening events. Salary in the region of £32k, depending on experience, plus expenses in line with the NSA Expenses Policy.
NSA may consider splitting the role if an exceptional candidate is found for part of it. NSA is also planning to advertise for a second role in spring 2022 – an Outreach Officer – to ensure strong links between NSA Head Office and its network, and deliver the NSA Next Generation programme. Contact NSA to express an interest in this second role and we will contact you when applications open.
Applications for the Policy Manager role close at midday on Monday 24th January 2022 with first-round interviews to be conducted by video conference on Thursday 27th January. All applicants must submit a covering letter, CV and completed application form to Joanne Briggs, NSA Operations Director, at joanne@nationalsheep.org.uk . Any questions about the role can be directed to the same address or to Joanne on 07973 726048. Download the application form on this page.
