Job Description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Job details
Job details Job reference VAC007499 Date posted 29/09/2025 Application closing date 27/10/2025 Location City Hall College Green City Centre Bristol BS1 5TR Salary BG10: 31,314 - 37,939 Package Flexible Working Hours Pension Scheme Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Communications, PR and Media Attachments
Policy and Public Affairs Officer Job description
Full Time, Permanent
We are looking for someone with a keen interest in public policy and local government to join our Policy & Strategy team as a Policy, Strategy & Public Affairs Officer.
This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the council's strategic thinking and engagement with key partners across the city and beyond. The team works closely with senior leadership, elected Councillors, and external stakeholders to shape and coordinate the council's approach to policy, strategy, and public affairs.
As part of this central team, you will support the council's work to influence external policy developments, provide strategic insight and analysis, and help build and maintain effective relationships. You will contribute to the development of corporate policy and strategy documents, support strategic planning processes, and help maintain the council's library of policies and strategies.
The role also involves contributing to updates of the council's overarching Corporate Strategy, supporting the production of the annual Business Plan, and assisting with bid-writing and horizon-scanning for policy and funding opportunities.
We're looking for someone who is organised, analytical, and interested in how policy shapes public services. This is a great opportunity to build experience in a central policy role and contribute to work that makes a difference to the city and its communities.
This role is politically restricted in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. This means that you are prevented from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace. Politically restricted employees are disqualified from standing for or holding elected office, and these restrictions are incorporated as terms in an employee's contract of employment under s.3 Local Government Officers (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990.
You are also prohibited from canvassing on behalf of a political party or a person who is or seeks to be a candidate and from speaking to the public at large or publishing any written or artistic work that could give the impression that they are advocating support for a political party.
Why Bristol City Council?
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.
Join us and you'll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you'll be working in a supportive environment where you'll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
How do I apply?
If you share our and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.
To be shortlisted for interview you'll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.
We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
For further information, please refer to the and Person Specification or alternatively, please contact Naomi Lynch
At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.
The personal information section (including your name) you'll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.
Job title Policy and Public Affairs Officer Job reference VAC007499 Date posted 29/09/2025 Application closing date 27/10/2025 Location City Hall College Green City Centre Bristol BS1 5TR Salary BG10: 31,314 - 37,939 Package Flexible Working Hours Pension Scheme Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Communications, PR and Media Attachments Job description
Full Time, Permanent
We are looking for someone with a keen interest in public policy and local government to join our Policy & Strategy team as a Policy, Strategy & Public Affairs Officer.
This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the council's strategic thinking and engagement with key partners across the city and beyond. The team works closely with senior leadership, elected Councillors, and external stakeholders to shape and coordinate the council's approach to policy, strategy, and public affairs.
As part of this central team, you will support the council's work to influence external policy developments, provide strategic insight and analysis, and help build and maintain effective relationships. You will contribute to the development of corporate policy and strategy documents, support strategic planning processes, and help maintain the council's library of policies and strategies.
The role also involves contributing to updates of the council's overarching Corporate Strategy, supporting the production of the annual Business Plan, and assisting with bid-writing and horizon-scanning for policy and funding opportunities.
We're looking for someone who is organised, analytical, and interested in how policy shapes public services. This is a great opportunity to build experience in a central policy role and contribute to work that makes a difference to the city and its communities.
This role is politically restricted in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. This means that you are prevented from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace. Politically restricted employees are disqualified from standing for or holding elected office, and these restrictions are incorporated as terms in an employee's contract of employment under s.3 Local Government Officers (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990.
You are also prohibited from canvassing on behalf of a political party or a person who is or seeks to be a candidate and from speaking to the public at large or publishing any written or artistic work that could give the impression that they are advocating support for a political party.
Why Bristol City Council?
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.
Join us and you'll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you'll be working in a supportive environment where you'll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
How do I apply?
If you share our and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.
To be shortlisted for interview you'll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.
We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
For further information, please refer to the and Person Specification or alternatively, please contact Naomi Lynch
At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.
The personal information section (including your name) you'll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.

Skills Required