CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES:

PARLIAMENTARY OFFICER (PO) - 2 days/week

Job Description
Two days a week, £25,000 pro rata.
Responsible for parliamentary outreach for the Nuclear Weapon Policy Liaison Group (NWPLG). It is anticipated that this post will exist for three years from September 2013, up to the point of the debate in Parliament on the Main Gate of the Trident renewal project (currently planned for 2016), depending upon emerging strategy and funding.

• Work with representatives of the NWPLG to help formulate a ‘Group Parliamentary and Media Strategy’ with clear specified outputs and timeline, to guide the group’s work, to be discussed and adopted by the group.
   
• Monitor the parliamentary system to identify timely opportunities for the group to make timely interventions; and share information of proceedings / developments. Liaise with target Parliamentarians on the possibility of timely debates. Help mobilise members of the Group to input in advance of those debates.
   
• Assist in drawing up and placing effective PQs where appropriate and possible. Ensure follow-up on these PQs.
   
• Research, produce and disseminate regular briefings to policymakers in conjunction with group members where appropriate. Ensure that these are well distributed to parliamentarians and to the House of Commons Library.
   
• Organise meetings and events in parliament and at party conferences to exert influence on the UK parliamentary and government debate over nuclear policy.
   
• Assist in drawing up strategy of bilateral briefings with targeted parliamentarians, and follow through by arranging these and assisting with debriefing and reporting where appropriate.
   
• Assist in drawing up the list of targeted parliamentarians, and maintain a database to track the strategy.
   
• Identify novel opportunities for parliamentary-related funding and formulate funding applications in conjunction with the Group chair.
   
• Manage interactions with parliamentary staffers.

The post-holder will be expected to work at least one day a week in central London and will be directly answerable to the Chair of the NWPLG.

Person Specification
We are looking for someone with experience of working in or with the British parliamentary system, who shows excellent understanding of the methods used to exert influence within Parliament, and ideally possesses a good existing network that crosses Party boundaries. The PO will enthusiastically align with the purposes of the NWPLG, will be able to work as a self-starter, as well as understand the needs of working well with the NWPLG as a whole.

About the NWPLG
The nuclear weapons policy liaison group (NWPLG) is a collection of 15 experts and academics from various UK-based non-government organisations involved in nuclear weapons policy work, in order to coordinate activities and improve outreach to parliamentarians. The group was created in 2007 to:

• address Britain’s attachment to its nuclear weapons status in a world that is moving towards decreased reliance on nuclear weapons;
   
• ensure that Britain plays a full role in reducing global nuclear dangers; and
   
• enable debate and discussion on how Britain can meet its security needs without relying on nuclear weapons.

The group is funded largely by the Network for Social Change and the Polden Puckham Charitable Foundation. It views the next two to three years as a unique opportunity to engage with UK parliamentarians to raise awareness of the possibilities, both domestically and internationally, in terms of British leadership on nuclear disarmament (in the light of, in sequence, the Scottish referendum, the General Election and the final investment decision on Trident renewal). The NWPLG is currently chaired by Paul Ingram, Executive Director of the British American Security Information Council (BASIC).

How to Apply
Please download and fill out this one page application form, and email this, along with your CV/resume to Rachel Staley at rstaley@basicint.org. Please use the subject line ‘NWPLG Parliamentary Officer application’.

• Closing date: 30 June 2013. All applicants will hear back as to whether or not they have been shortlisted for an interview soon after this date.
   
• Interviews: for mid-July in central London.
   

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

BASIC is currently welcoming applications for the summer and fall terms in London, and for the fall term in Washington. Please note, though, that we will keep applications on file and then review them at the time that we start the selection process.

BASIC’s London and Washington interns will gain an understanding of many of the current issues affecting security; familiarity with the arms control communities in Europe and the United States; an understanding of employment opportunities in the field; a first-hand view of how a small think tank influences international media coverage and national policy formulation; and exposure to the challenges and responsibilities of international networking.

Interns will research fact sheets and reports; help to organize conferences and events; and prepare news updates. They are also expected to attend hearings and briefings; monitor arms control meetings and news websites; and perform various administrative tasks.

Qualifications

• Excellent academic record and relevant Masters degree. We may consider applicants with a first/undergraduate degree with relevant experience.
• Strong research, writing, and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office.
• Established interest in transatlantic security, and nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament issues.

Interns are asked to commit to working at least three days per week for three months so they can establish a sense of continuity and undertake substantive assignments. Longer internships are possible.

Internships are unpaid.

We also encourage interested applicants to visit the website of the Herbert Scoville, Jr. Peace Fellowship, which pays a stipend for degree-holders to work with peace and security NGOs based in Washington, DC for six to nine months.

How to apply for a BASIC internship

Applications are considered as and when a place becomes vacant, so please apply well in advance.

Application requirements include

1.) a cover letter, which should state:

• when you are available and how many days a week you wish to work
• why you are interested in working at BASIC;

2.) your CV/resume;

3.) a recent writing sample (1,500 - 2,000 words);

4.) and two academic references from former or current professors and/or employers.

UK applicants should email their applications to
rstaley@basicint.org or post them to:

BASIC
Attn: Rachel Staley
3 Whitehall Court
London SW1A 2EL

Please note: The London office is currently only accepting applications for autumn 2013.

U.S. applicants should email their applications to
clindborg@basicint.org or post them to:

BASIC
Attn: Chris Lindborg
110 Maryland Ave, NE, Suite 205
Washington, DC 20002

Preliminary interviews will be conducted by phone for applicants who do not live in London or Washington.

If you are a student in the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick and are interested in applying for the BASIC-PAIS internship for the autumn, the deadline is June 28, 2013. Please visit the PAIS website or email rstaley@basicint.org (London office) or clindborg@basicint.org (Washington office) for more information on this internship.

Visas/work permits

BASIC cannot help applicants obtain visas or permits. Please contact the British Consulate or the American Embassy in your country of citizenship before applying to ensure you are eligible for a visa or work permit.

If your university’s or college’s career placement office does not have information about BASIC, please let us know so we can provide it.

Thank you!

BASIC is an equal opportunities employer.

If you are a recruiter or a recruitment website, please contact a member of BASIC staff before re-posting our job opportunities on your own site.