Head of Public Affairs

Focus of the Role

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) is a not-for-profit organisation which advises reforming political leaders and governments on strategy, policy and delivery, with technology as an enabler across all three functions.  In so doing we make a significant and positive impact for citizens around the world.

Job Introduction

This new role, located in Brussels, and part of the newly formed Strategy and Partnerships department, is critical to delivering TBI’s ambition. The Head of Public Affairs, reporting to the Director TBI Brussels, is responsible for ensuring TBI’s understanding of and engagement with the issues, actors and partners in the EU (institutions, governments, think tanks and strategic partners). The focus for our work is progressive politics, global development and technology.

Along with the Director and with the support of the global TBI Policy and Political Team, the Head of Public Affairs will be responsible for following up on TBI activity at a national level as well as engagement in major conferences.

This role will be critical in consolidating our reputation amongst progressive leaders and governments for delivering policy strategy and delivery with tech as an enabler. The Head of Public Affairs, Brussels office, will liaise closely with TBI teams to raise awareness of our work among European actors.

The Head of Public Affairs will be part of a small team based in Brussels acting as a focal point for TBI’s work in Europe. Deploying a strong understanding of TBI’s unique offering and supported by colleagues across the different parts of the Institute, they will develop and implement a targeted information gathering and engagement strategy. This will ensure TBI understands the trends in European Policy relevant to our mission, establishes or consolidates relationships with key actors and partners and builds our reputation in the European policy and decision-making space, including European capitals.

This role requires a detailed understanding of the European Political and Policy space including, ideally Tech Policy along with a good network of some the key actors (decision makers and policy influencers). As a new position in a new innovative and energised team, the role will be exciting and creative with potential for success and personal growth.

Please note that applicants must have the right to work in the EU and we will be sifting applications as they are received given the priority of delivery of our work in country and the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop EU office Public Affairs plan and communications strategy and outline the ambition
• Set and deliver annual OKRs
• Working with the Director and Brussels team and in close collaboration with colleagues in Government Advisory, Business Development, Tech & Public Policy, Policy and Political Teams, create an outreach strategy aligned to the organisational strategy with a focus on tech policy; progressive agenda; development policy; resource mobilisation  
• Support the Director to develop, build and nurture strategic partnerships with EU Member States representatives and delegations to the EU, European Parliament committees, not for profits, networks, think tanks and other stakeholders to advocate and promote TBI’s mission
• Oversee the monitoring and analysis of the EU political landscape and advise TBI senior management and colleagues on opportunities to inform EU policy and decision making in service of TBI’s mission goals
• Identify opportunities for policy dialogue with the EU. Coordinate policy dialogue with the EU level (European Commission, Council, European Parliament, EU Member States, as applicable), connecting and leveraging capacities of TBI head office and country teams, including coordinating expert policy advice
• Generate briefings, and contribute to speeches by senior TBI colleagues
• Represent TBI and foster collaboration with other organisations on behalf of TBI including facilitating representation of TBI at events, conferences, working groups and meetings in Brussels/EU
• With the support of the Brussels office Analyst and help of TBI colleagues, lead the preparation of comprehensive and substantive briefs, reports, statistics for TBI leadership, also in context of meetings with high-level officials from the EU and member states
• Develop and help implement along with TBI Comms team, communications strategy and workplan aimed at enhancing our reputation with key actors including through propagating relevant success stories from across the Institute.
• Recruit and supervise the Brussels office Analyst, including performance management and people development

Key internal relationships: Director Brussels office, department colleagues, and focal points (‘Europe team’) from Global Client Solutions, Global Advisory and Policy and Politics, Executive office, Comms team.

Person Specification

• Significant public affairs and or advocacy and communications experience
• Bachelor’s or postgraduate degree (e.g. public affairs, international or European studies, political science or Communications) and/or equivalent practical experience
• Excellent knowledge of the European Union and its institutions, their workings and structures
• Excellent political acumen, judgement and ability to develop and maintain key relationships
• Proven communications skills and understanding of media and other communications channels
• Ability to develop and adapt plans for successful delivery of challenging objectives
• Substantive knowledge of a range of TBI areas of work: government advisory, policy, multilateral organisations and the skills to learn the key elements of priority workstreams
• Impact focused, you will have the agility and creativity to spot opportunities relevant to TBI and a background of delivering operationally with a positive impact
• Excellent networking and diplomatic skills
• The ability to work autonomously and with imagination and discretion as well as to tap into and collaborate with colleagues in a highly matrixed organisation
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and at least one other EU language
• A proven self-starter and is entrepreneurial in spirit
• Keenly interested in the work of TBI and share in our mission and values

Please note, it is essential you have an existing right to work in the EU to apply for this role.

#LI-Hybrid
 

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It works with a variety of partners and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.