Role description: CLP Policy Officer

Download a PDF version of this page here Policy Officer e-learning module on Achieve National Policy Forum website

CLP Policy Officer

As your CLP’s Policy Officer, you will have a lead role in bringing the Labour Party’s people-powered policy making process via the National Policy Forum (NPF) to life. It is your responsibility to offer members meaningful opportunities to play their part in developing Labour Party policies, and to help members learn about and engage with current Labour Party policy consultations. You’ll act as a main point of contact in your CLP with the Policy Development Team based in Head Office and will liaise with your regional NPF representatives to help keep your CLP’s membership up to date with and involved in their work, and encourage members to play their part in the policy making process.

This role would suit those with an active interest in various aspects of politics, a sound knowledge of, or ability to become familiar with, current Labour Party policy priorities, the Labour Policy Forum website and the policy making process, good organisational and communication skills, and a commitment to empower members by encouraging them to help develop Labour Party policy.

A CLP Policy Officer will help to facilitate discussions around policy topics, inform members about the process of party policy formation, encourage members to take part in consultation events and formulate policy submissions around issues that are important to them and facilitate their submission to the Party.

Key Responsibilities and tasks

  • Work with your local NPF Representatives and the Policy Development Team to communicate their work to members in your CLP, and support members to engage with the policy making process.
  • Organise and facilitate regular policy discussions.
  • Facilitate the formulation and submission of policy motions through member engagement.
  • Keep yourself and others informed about current party policy consultations, procedures and strategies, as well as wider political matters.
  • Work with other Executive Committee members (especially the Political Education & Training Officer, if there is one) to deliver educational sessions on party policy consultations and procedures.
  • Work closely with equalities officers in your CLP to ensure all voices are heard in the policy making process.
  • Develop a strong understanding of Labour Party policy making processes and keep abreast of changes to this.
  • Raise awareness of, and encourage members to make individual submissions to the Labour Policy Forum website regarding issues they care about.
  • Ensure that policy development feeds into local campaigns and community organising activity and vice versa.
  • Ensure that all those participating within the policy process are aware of the guidelines and code of conduct when discussing policy.

Activity

This role can be varied and exciting, requiring dedication and continuous learning, and you can make a real difference to your CLP and the wider party through this position. You should ensure you’re pro-actively working with members in your CLP and with the wider party, giving them meaningful opportunities to assist in developing the Labour Party policy platform that they would ultimately like to see in our manifesto.

At the heart of your activity should be the aim of empowering members to formulate and develop policies that will make a positive difference in our communities, working closely with local elected representatives, candidates, your regional NPF Representatives and your fellow CLP Officers to do so. This will help give members the up to date information and accurate knowledge they need to become involved in shaping party policy.  We know that one of the main reasons people join the Labour Party is to help shape policy so, as CLP Policy Officer, you can help ensure that everyone gets the most out of their membership.

Activities that can work well include talks from guest speakers – you could ask your NPF Representatives to attend your meetings give an update on the work of their policy commission, or invite an expert on a particular policy area. Presentations on the policy making process, policy discussions, information in your CLP newsletters and educational posts on social media and interactive workshops are also really effective.

It’s important that you provide members with information about how Labour Party policy is created from start to finish.  It is also essential that you ensure that both CLP and branch meetings have time dedicated to policy discussion and development, and that motions that are submitted and passed are progressed through the relevant channels.

By capturing members’ expertise and enthusiasm, as CLP Policy Officer you are in a key position to help develop Labour Party policies, involve our local parties in this process and really bring our people-powered movement to life.

Useful links and contacts

There are many other contacts and resources to assist you in your role. Keep up to date with our latest campaigns, find out more about Campaign Technology, find resources for role holders and check our online training offer at www.labour.org.uk/resources. You can also purchase and download membership recruitment and campaign materials from the Campaign Shop.

The Labour Party Policy Forum website at http://policyforum.labour.org.uk is updated each year with details of that year’s NPF consultation.

For useful guides and resources on campaign technology, membership engagement and how to use Organise to full effect, visit http://help.labour.org.uk, and if you need support or advice, you can contact your national or regional office.

Training resources are available at https://achieve.labour.org.uk. Achieve has modules on the policy development process and the roles of Labour’s affiliated unions, socialist societies and the Co-operative Party.

Download a PDF version of this page here Policy Officer e-learning module on Achieve