Parliamentary Campaigner London, England
Job description
Contract: Fixed term contract up to 12 months
Hours: Part time, 2 – 4 days per week (negotiable)
Salary: £33,000-£35,000 pro rata
Location: London
Deadline for applications: Friday 24 March 2023, 2pm
Are you concerned about how the pressures of corporate advertising and consumerism are
impacting our mental health, wellbeing, climate and urban spaces? Do you want to empower local
communities to improve their neighbourhoods in line with climate and public health goals?
We’re looking for a dynamic campaigner who knows how to shape national policy, work in
coalitions and build support among MPs. This role offers an opportunity to work with Adfree
Cities and like-minded partner organisations as we take the campaigning of our local city
groups to Westminster and seek national policy change.
Background to the role
While our Adblock groups successfully ‘hold the line’ by blocking new applications for
billboards in their local areas, more and more outdoor advertising sites are being built across
the UK – in particular, digital ad screens. Digital billboards are not only more intrusive, but
have specific impacts relating to human wellbeing, nature and the climate: local residents
describe them as ‘dystopian’, they are far more distracting for road users1, cause significant
light pollution that harms people’s health and wildlife2, and require an extraordinary use of
energy that is incompatible with climate policy goals (one large digital billboard requires as
much electricity as 11 average UK homes per year3). The disproportionate placement of outdoor
advertising in low income areas of towns and cities also entrenches existing social
inequalities. However, current planning legislation governing advertising infrastructure
predates digital advertising screens – which has led to their unchecked spread across the UK.
National policy change in this area is now long overdue.
Adfree Cities are seeking a dedicated Parliamentary Campaigner with familiarity with
the UK’s political landscape who can push for change in national planning legislation,
including securing manifesto commitments from political parties in the run up to 2024 General
Election. We are seeking change in two areas: tobacco-style legislation to restrict
advertising for high carbon products and reforms planning law regarding how new digital screens
are granted planning consent or not.
Primary responsibilities
To lead on national lobbying work to strengthen planning policies regarding the control of
outdoor advertisements, particularly digital screens and securing tobacco-style legislation to
end advertising for high carbon products.
Support local lobbying efforts at a council or London Borough level to implement ethical
and low carbon advertising and sponsorship policies and influence local planning guidance.
Coordinate political engagement opportunities such party conferences, online public
consultations and other relevant events.
Targetted engagement regarding the regulation of advertisement content, such as through the
UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Build relationships and partnerships with allies in political and campaigning spheres.
Attend regular Adfree Cities staff meetings and Badvertising project meetings (both
remotely) and occasional in-person meetings in Bristol or London, and report back on progress.
