Ofcom Consumer Panel Policy Executive

Background

The Consumer Panel has a statutory remit to provide high quality evidence-based advice to Ofcom and others on matters affecting consumers, particularly those who may be at greater risk of detriment, in the communications markets. The Panel operates independently of Ofcom, with a delegated budget and a dedicated support team and is responsible for setting its own agenda. Part of its budget is dedicated to research.

The successful candidate will be employed and managed by Ofcom for performance and development purposes but, in practice, the work will involve working directly to the Manger of the Panel and Chairman.

Key duties of the Job

• To work closely with the Consumer Panel Manager to provide the Panel with comprehensive advice on matters affecting consumers’ interests in communications in order to assist them in;
  1. commenting in a timely manner on key Ofcom projects
  2. reaching cogent and compelling policy positions
  3. offering sound evidenced-based advice to Ofcom and other relevant parties.
• To help build an effective and strategic link between the Panel and Ofcom and its regulatory activities and responsibilities in so far as they affect customers.
• To prepare communications material for a variety of audiences, including Panel members, Ofcom colleagues and external stakeholders (e.g. final edit of research publications, briefings for external meetings, event reports).
• To assist in the development and execution of events with external stakeholders to help disseminate key policy and research findings.
• To assist in contributing to the Panel’s website.
• To monitor a wide range of domestic and regulatory initiatives relevant to consumers and the communications industry to ensure that the Panel has a clear understanding of the wider policy context.

The successful candidate will

• Be a graduate calibre policy or public affairs professional with knowledge and experience of consumer issues and/or the communications sector.
• Have experience in consumer policy analysis and development, ideally in communications.
• Have a keen interest and understanding of issues affecting consumers in the communications industry with the desire to keep knowledge up to date and track developments across a wide field.
• Ideally have some experience in the use of research to shape policy.
• Have excellent communication skills with the ability to write high quality reports and deliver concise oral briefings to Panel members and represent the Panel to external audiences.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills with the confidence to interact with senior decision makers.
• Able to manage and deliver a varied and demanding workload to a high standard in a small team and on own initiative.
• Be capable of building and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders to ensure good information flows.

To apply

Please send a CV and a covering letter (quoting the reference 00002335) stating how you meet the above criteria to:. applications@ofcom.org.uk. You should also complete a diversity monitoring form.

The closing date for applications is: 25 July 2008.

For further information on the Ofcom Consumer Panel please visit the website at: www.ofcomconsumerpanel.org.uk

For more information about this post, please contact Georgia Klein, 020 7981 3833.

Ofcom is an equal opportunities employer. It wishes to reflect the diversity of contemporary UK society and is therefore actively seeking to recruit colleagues from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds as well as those who have a disability.