The profession of public affairs officer
The Public Affairs Officer ensures communication between local authorities and the organization they work for. They define action strategies to implement and develop prospecting plans.
They continuously monitor legislative and regulatory developments in their sector and analyze the political agenda to propose recommendations. The Public Affairs Officer identifies key decision-makers within public institutions, with whom they will advocate for the company's interests.
The Master's in Public Policy at Université Paris Dauphine-PSL prepares students for the role of Public Affairs Officer. This Master's program offers courses in political science, sociology, and an in-depth study of qualitative and quantitative methods.
Role and responsibilities of the public affairs officer
The Public Affairs Officer develops strategies, manages the budget, and analyzes the results to report to the management. They can work in private companies, professional organizations and federations, as well as within local authorities or a parliamentary office. On a daily basis, the Public Affairs Officer handles multiple tasks such as:
Daily tasks
- Conduct legislative and regulatory monitoring and ensure its implementation
- Define projects and actions with a forward-looking approach
- Identify public decision-makers (MPs, senators, committee members) and advocate for the company's interests and challenges
- Analyze the political agenda
- Summarize available sector information (regulatory texts, field data)
- Relay all project-related information to the relevant teams and management
- Ensure that the mission complies with the company's commercial policy and market regulations
- Prepare technical, administrative, and financial reports
- Summarize results, write sector analyses, and provide recommendations
Salaries and career progression
The median salary for a Public Affairs Officer who has completed the Master’s in Public Policy at Université Paris Dauphine-PSL is €37,000 gross annually at the start of their career. After 5 years of experience, they can expect to earn a salary of €45,000 gross per year.
Thanks to the writing and interpersonal skills required for the role of Public Affairs Officer, employees can progress to various positions such as cabinet assistant, parliamentary assistant, or public and political communication manager.
Required skills
- Ease in public speaking and argumentation
- Analytical and synthesis skills
- Rigor and organization
- Ability to convey and simplify technical information
- Proactiveness
- Responsiveness
- Strong communication skills and ability to manage tensions
- Excellent stress resistance
- Understanding of the political system and economic challenges
- Knowledge of French and European public law, parliamentary law, and public accounting
- Writing skills
- Proficiency in English
What studies are required to become a public affairs officer ?
To become a Public Affairs Officer, it is necessary to gain a solid foundation in social and political sciences. Therefore, a Master's degree (Bac+5) is required, which should include professional experience as part of the curriculum. This allows future graduates to develop technical skills while applying them in a professional setting.
Training to become a Public Affairs Officer – PSL
Université Paris Dauphine-PSL offers a Master's in Public Policy for students wishing to train in the tools and methods of applied social sciences and public administration professions. The Public Policy and Opinion specialization, available in the second year of the Master's program, allows future graduates to develop skills in public policy analysis and master statistical tools and quantitative data processing. This program includes a minimum 4-month internship to prepare students for the role of Public Affairs Officer and facilitate their professional integration.