POLICY AND RESEARCH CO-ORDINATOR

£56,000 to £60,000 plus excellent benefits (Work level 5)
Manchester city centre – hybrid working with 2 days a week in the office and some evening and weekend work
At Co-op we do things differently. Our members and their voice are at the heart of the decisions we make. Member-owners shape and influence Co-op directly and by voting for other member-owners to represent their interests on our Board and Council.
Our Council and Democracy team work for member-owners by making sure their voice is heard, enabling them to choose and connect with their elected representatives locally and nationally and supporting our National Members’ Council to represent their interests in the decisions our Co-op makes.
In this role we’ll look to you to co-ordinate the policy priorities, policy development processes and work programme for the National Members’ Council, supported by evidence-based policy and research across a broad range of topics. You’ll empower our Council and its Committees to deliver their policy priorities, develop key lines of enquiry, understand the needs of our member-owners and support Council to make impactful recommendations to the Board and the business. You’ll prepare and co-ordinate all aspects of Council’s plan, work programme and external engagement with the wider co-operative movement to make sure that Council members have timely information to perform their roles. This is a fantastic chance to build a rewarding career and make a positive impact on everything Co-op stands for.

Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills and the ability to work at pace

• The ability to prepare and present information and advice in a clear and accessible way for all audiences
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills up to senior leve

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Support and co-ordinate the development and delivery of Council’s policy and research priorities and the work programme for Council and Committees as part of our Co-op’s governance
• Produce written and oral briefings, reports, presentations and materials for Council, Committees, Sub Committees, Co-op Board, internal Co-op colleagues and external bodies
• Use a broad range of policy and research methodology including engagement and co-design to provide the National Members’ Council with relevant information to support them in their role
• Attend meetings and other events to support attendees in deepening their knowledge so that outputs represent the voice of our member-owners
• Promote Co-op and the work of National Members’ Council and its contribution externally to partners and Co-op Members

THIS ROLE WOULD SUIT PEOPLE WHO HAVE

• A background in policy development, co-ordination and planning of work programmes and research within a complex, fast paced, democratic or membership organisation
• Experience of working with and supporting elected representatives within a governance setting
• Significant experience of creating clear and engaging reports, briefs and materials in a clear and accessible way for a range of audiences
  Experience of designing creative ways to engage in and facilitate the co-creation of policy solutions with elected representatives and professional leads

Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills and the ability to work at pace

• The ability to prepare and present information and advice in a clear and accessible way for all audiences
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills up to senior level