JRF works to speed up and support the transition to a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, in which people and planet can flourish. We are a UK-wide social change organisation, with a focus on all four nations. Our work is anchored around the reduction of poverty and household economic insecurity. We recognise that both poverty and insecurity are multi-dimensional, with material, social and emotional aspects, and we also consider economic, social and environmental justice to be inextricably linked.
About the role
We organise our Policy & Ideas work around the following issue areas: families, work and care; housing, land and climate; community, place and social security; and macroeconomics and fiscal policy. This role will have a focus on either macroeconomics or fiscal policy, or both, whole also working to support out other policy themes. We want our work to confront the immediate manifestations of poverty and insecurity but also the deeper social and economic conditions on which these rest.
That’s where you come in.
We are seeking two Senior Economists, one full-time permanent role and one 12-month fixed term role, which could be either full-time or part-time. In both roles, we are looking for someone to develop and lead research projects that generate arguments, policies and ideas to address the social and economic challenges that underpin poverty and household economic insecurity in the UK today and chart a course to a different and better future.
You will devise, lead and deliver high quality economic analysis and thinking to JRF’s policy & ideas work and offer a professional economics perspective across the wider organisation – and as a trusted, expert voice externally. You will seek out and connect with people or organisations developing new ideas and strategies that can contribute to our mission; and to develop proposals for how JRF should use its platform and resources to support their development and diffusion.
About you
As a Senior Economist, we would like you to either have a professional economics training or equivalent professional work experience, advanced data analysis skills and the ability to use a wide range of tools and software to undertake large scale and groundbreaking economic analysis (including using micro-data from major national surveys).
With experience of working on policy issues relating to poverty, you will have significant experience of having initiated, designed, led and delivered projects that included original economic analysis that generated a different or better understanding of policy challenges and helped to guide new arguments and ideas. You will be able to think critically and creatively, analyse and problem solve, and contribute to the generation of new ideas and alternative ways of approaching an issue, able to communicate arguments and ideas persuasively, via writing and speaking.
You will have advanced knowledge and critical awareness of economic theory, principles, datasets and analytical techniques and how to deploy these effectively in support of understanding and addressing the drivers of household economic insecurity. With significant knowledge of one or both of macroeconomics or UK fiscal policy and a strong understanding of how policy making works across the UK, devolved and sub-national governments, you will have an awareness and engagement with relevant political, policy and intellectual debates, plus models and approaches to social change.
How to apply
If you share our passion and this role sounds like you, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you.
Please submit your CV and supporting information via our website.
The closing date for applications is 27th June 2025.
Interviews will take place at the end of July (Date TBC)
We will be holding an online webinar to provide prospective applicants the chance to meet JRF staff and learn more about the role. If you might be interested in attending this session, please fill out the short form on our website, and we will contact you by email with the time and date.
Additional Information
Applications are welcome from all, regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socioeconomic background.
We positively encourage applications from people from marginalised backgrounds, including but not limited to those with experience of living in poverty.
We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and operate an anonymised recruitment process so that bias is eliminated from the shortlisting process.
In support of our approach to flexible working, we are happy to receive applications from those seeking full-time employment, as well as those who may want to share the role on a part-time basis. When making your application, please state whether you want to be considered for either full or part-time work and, if part-time, the number of hours per week you would be looking for.
At JRF we’re at our best when we’re continually building on trust, showing we care and making a difference – and hope others will do the same. So, for those roles which allow it, we’re developing a more blended approach to how and where you work. This means you can expect to work flexibly between the office and home (with an expectation of two days a week in your home office).
We are a Disability Confident Employer. This means that we are committed to the recruitment, progression and retention of disabled individuals. We shall also offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the job. If you have a disability, please tell us if you would like to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.
If you have any additional needs and need reasonable adjustments to be made to the interview process, please let us know.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job title if successfully recruited into the role will be Head of Creative and Production
Are you a creative leader with a passion for social justice, a talent for storytelling, and a track record of inspiring brilliant ideas? Join Shelter as our Head of Creative and Production and lead our award-winning in-house team in delivering powerful, purpose-driven work that fuels the fight against the housing emergency.
In this exciting and varied role, you’ll oversee creative output across a wide range of channels – from print and film to digital and experiential events – helping to shape the campaigns, content and communications that drive change. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you’ll champion creativity, nurture talent, and lead the Creative Team in campaigns to achieve Shelter’s mission.
About the role
Shelter is seeking a Head of Creative and Production to lead our award-winning in-house creative team (In-House Agency of the Year, 2025 Drum Awards) and build on its impressive track record of fighting homelessness and the housing emergency through sector-leading creative content.
In this varied, fast-paced and stimulating role, you will collaborate closely with your Planning Lead, Copy Lead and two Creative Leads to inspire and support Shelter’s talented writers, designers, videographers, photographers and other creatives to respond to briefs, develop concepts, and deliver highly creative and impactful outputs across a range of media (including print, tv, social, web and experiential events).
Role specifics
We’re looking for a creative leader to help drive fresh thinking and brilliant ideas across all our work. You’ll play a key role in supporting the team to develop and deliver innovative, impactful concepts that really make a difference. Working closely with the marketing team, you’ll help shape strong, clear propositions that lead to the best possible creative solutions. You’ll also build collaborative relationships across the organisation – from income generation and communications to campaigns, services and retail – making sure their creative needs are met and spotting new opportunities for the team to add value.
As well as mentoring and inspiring a talented team of designers, writers and content creators, you’ll help plan and prioritise projects, keeping things running smoothly and efficiently. You’ll work with a trusted network of external creatives to bring ideas to life to a high standard, on time and within budget. A natural champion of great creative work, you’ll foster a supportive, can-do culture, oversee asset management, and make sure the team’s work is visible, accessible and celebrated. You’ll also take the lead on managing the team’s budget and helping shape the future of the Creative Team at Shelter.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
Shelter’s multi award-winning in-house creative team (In-House Agency of the Year, 2025 Drum Awards) has an impressive track record of fighting homelessness and the housing emergency through sector-leading creative content. In leading this team, this role will collaborate closely with our Planning Lead, Copy Lead and two Creative Leads to inspire and support a talented cross-organisational team of writers, designers, videographers, photographers and other creatives.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced strategic lead to drive the next phase of our Right to Health campaign. This new role will work with our experienced and well respected team and our extensive network, to make the political case for the better legal recognition and real-world protection for the right to health.
An ideal candidate
You will be a passionate and experienced advocate for health, human, social or environmental rights, committed to driving meaningful change in the UK. You will bring proven expertise in leading policy, advocacy, or parliamentary engagement work - ideally within health, human rights, social or environmental justice sectors - and thrive in building strong, strategic relationships with government, civil society, and community stakeholders.
You have a good understanding of the structural causes of health inequality and the power of human rights frameworks to address them. You will know how the UK political and parliamentary systems work, and you are skilled at influencing these processes through clear, compelling narratives backed by evidence.
You are able to communicate with clarity and impact, tailoring your message to diverse audiences - from policymakers to grassroots activists. You are confident working independently and collaboratively within a small, flexible team, balancing strategic vision with practical delivery. Your approach is solutions-focused, inclusive, and grounded in the lived realities of people affected by health inequalities.
Most importantly, you are motivated by the opportunity to join a dynamic and well respected organisation and lead a strategic campaign that challenges the status quo and contributes to a fairer, more just UK.
You have the right to work in the UK and be able to work from home in London or within easy reach of London. A minimum of weekly attendance in London will be required.
This opportunity is open to applicants wishing to deliver the work on a self-employed freelance or employed basis.
For application, please complete:
- the Application Form
- a CV outlining your career (including paid and unpaid work), with any academic and professional qualifications, to date.
Applications that do not include both documents will not be considered.