The Policy Officer role is what you make of it. Alongside the core responsibilities, there is considerable scope to develop new policy, respond to political developments and make sure Young Liberals’ concerns are heard and acted upon within the wider party.

You are not expected to do everything yourself. A lot of the work can be delegated to members of the Policy Committee based on their interests, strengths and availability. Your role is to agree priorities, coordinate the Committee’s work, support members to take ownership of projects, and make sure agreed actions are followed through.

Policy Committee

• Chairing the Policy Committee, including organising meetings and agreeing priorities.
• Sharing work between Committee members and supporting them to take responsibility for different areas.
• Coordinating the Committee’s work on developing Young Liberals policy.
• Supporting the Committee to prepare and submit motions and amendments to Liberal Democrat conferences.
• Supporting policy working groups and consultations, giving members opportunities to contribute to policy development between conferences.
• Reporting the Committee’s work to the Federal Executive and following up on agreed actions.

Supporting Members

• Helping members turn their ideas into policy motions and amendments.
• Giving advice on policy content, research and drafting.
• Explaining how members can influence both Young Liberals and wider Liberal Democrat policy.
• Making sure members understand submission requirements and relevant deadlines.
• Planning and delivering training on developing policy, writing motions and taking part in conference debates.

Young Liberals Conference

• Coordinating the Policy Committee’s consideration and selection of motions and amendments, in line with the constitution and standing orders.
• Working with the Events Officer and Events Committee to prepare the policy agenda and organise the running of debates.
• Making sure people who submit motions or amendments receive clear information about decisions on their submissions and any changes that are needed.
• Helping members understand conference procedures.
• Supporting members bringing motions or amendments to conference for the first time.

Liberal Democrat Policy

• Attending the Federal Policy Committee as the Young Liberals representative.
• Preparing for Federal Policy Committee meetings and raising the concerns of young people and agreed Young Liberals policy.
• Keeping the Federal Executive and Policy Committee informed about relevant developments in Liberal Democrat policy.
• Identifying opportunities for Young Liberals members to contribute to wider party policy development.
• Coordinating the drafting and submission of motions and amendments agreed by Policy Committee for Liberal Democrat conferences, making sure deadlines are met.

Policy Book & Supporting Officers

• Maintaining the Young Liberals Policy Book.
• Updating the Policy Book after conferences so it reflects the final wording of policies which have been adopted.
• Answering questions from members and officers about existing Young Liberals policy.
• Working with the Communications Officer and other officers to make sure campaigns and public communications accurately reflect agreed Young Liberals policy.

Influence Within the Party

• Keeping up with developments in Parliament and wider political events, and identifying opportunities to advance Young Liberals policy.
• Working with the Chair and Communications Officer on timely interventions when political developments create an opportunity for YL to respond.
• Building relationships with Liberal Democrat parliamentarians, spokespeople and Federal Party bodies.
• Pressing for Young Liberals policies and concerns to influence the party’s positions and parliamentary work.
• Following up on proposals and concerns raised with the Federal Party rather than allowing them to end with an initial meeting or conversation.
• Seeking substantive responses from the party and reporting progress back to members, helping make sure Young Liberals’ input is heard and acted upon.

The role therefore involves both developing policy within Young Liberals and advocating for that policy within the wider Liberal Democrats. Some periods will be focused heavily on motions, amendments and conferences, while others may involve responding quickly to political developments or working over a longer period to build support for YL priorities.

Time Commitment

Regular attendance is expected at Federal Executive meetings, Policy Committee meetings and Federal Policy Committee meetings.

Alongside meetings, the role involves ongoing policy drafting, supporting members and maintaining relationships with parliamentarians and Federal Party officers. This includes keeping up with parliamentary developments, pressing Young Liberals’ priorities and following up to make sure concerns receive substantive responses.

The workload varies throughout the year, with heavier periods around Young Liberals and Liberal Democrat conferences and policy submission deadlines. Some flexibility is also needed to respond to political developments and opportunities to influence the party as they arise.

Outside those peaks, there is still ongoing work involved in building relationships across the party and securing support for Young Liberals policy.