Policy Officer

Policy

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the team which leads on developing and delivering Preston’s ground-breaking Community Wealth Building (CWB) agenda, often referred to as the ‘Preston Model’, and delivering the council’s commitment to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030. The post holder will have special responsibility for embedding the council’s commitments to social value, including the roll out of a social value procurement framework, and working with other anchors in Preston to develop shared initiatives to promote social value, progressive procurement and an inclusive local economy, resilient to the growing threat of climate change.

A major focus for the Policy team to March 2025 will be to support the delivery of Preston City Council’s ambitious investment plan for the city’s £5.2 million allocation from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The overarching aim of the UKSPF is to build pride in place and increase life chances by investing in three priorities: communities and place, supporting local business and people and skills. Preston’s UKSPF investment plan aligns with the council’s strategic priorities for the city, including delivery of its Community Wealth Building Strategy, CWB 2.0, and its commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, which formed part of Preston’s Climate Emergency Declaration in 2019. As a member of the Policy team, the Policy Officer will be involved in key aspects of the delivery of the UKSPF investment plan.

We are looking for a fast-thinking and experienced individual to help us deliver the ambition of Preston’s strategic commitments though the UKSPF and other policy initiatives. You will be educated to degree level with previous experience in policy and/or project delivery roles, as well as experience of developing and maintaining external partnerships across a variety of public, voluntary and private sector agencies. As a self-motivated and engaging team member, you will be willing to take the initiative and will have the confidence to influence decision making.

If this sounds like you, please apply!

As an employer we like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of employee benefits including flexi time, hybrid working, a minimum of 30 days’ annual leave (plus Bank Holidays), family friendly policies, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Local Government Pension Scheme, AVC’s, life assurance scheme, discounted parking, cycle to work scheme and discounted bus and rail fares.

For an informal discussion about the role or for further information, please contact Rachel Stringfellow, Policy Manager by email on R.Stringfellow@preston.gov.uk or by telephone on 01772 903410