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Head of Policy and Research

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Head of Research and Policy

Maternity cover for approximately 12 months (duration dependent on start date).

Salary: £56,574.00 per annum

Location: Hybrid – London

Contract: Fixed Term

Band: E

ActionAid UK is a member of the ActionAid Federation, an international charity working with women and girls living in poverty. We work alongside partners and dedicated staff around the world to end violence and fight poverty so that all women, everywhere, can create the future they want.

Are you an experienced leader with a passion for feminist research, policy and influencing?

Do you have the skills to bring together a multidisciplinary team, strengthen strategic partnerships and drive meaningful change for women and girls?

Then we'd love to hear from you!

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and collaborative Head of Research and Policy to join ActionAid UK on a maternity cover basis.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Advocacy and Influencing, you will provide strategic leadership to our newly combined Research and Policy team, bringing together expertise across feminist research, women, peace and security, feminist humanitarian action, climate justice, women's economic justice, and women's and girls' protection and leadership.

You will play a key role in establishing a shared vision and priorities for the team, supporting colleagues to bring together their specialist expertise and deliver impactful research, policy and influencing work. Working across ActionAid UK and the wider Federation, you will strengthen collaboration, develop strategic partnerships and ensure our work is grounded in the priorities and leadership of women's rights organisations and feminist movements.

As a senior leader within the Advocacy and Influencing department, you will contribute to wider organisational priorities, support the development of funding and influencing opportunities, and create an inclusive environment in which your team can thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to the newly combined Research and Policy team, establishing shared priorities and ways of working while supporting staff development and collaboration.
• Lead the development of feminist research, evidence-based policy and influencing strategies across the team's thematic areas.
• Provide strategic oversight of the team's technical expertise, supporting cross-Federation technical assistance, capacity strengthening and programme learning.
• Develop and strengthen equitable partnerships with women's rights organisations, feminist movements, academic institutions and other key stakeholders.
• Represent ActionAid UK at national and global forums, strengthening engagement with policymakers, donors and other decision-makers.
• Work collaboratively across ActionAid UK and the Federation to identify funding opportunities and ensure research and programme evidence inform advocacy, campaigns and influencing.
• Manage the team's people, resources and budgets, contributing to departmental and organisational planning and leadership.

About You

We are looking for an experienced and inclusive leader who:

• Has significant experience of leading multidisciplinary teams, setting strategic direction and supporting staff development.
• Brings substantial experience in feminist research, policy development and influencing, with a strong understanding of women's rights and gender justice.
• Has strong knowledge of women, peace and security, feminist humanitarian action and related thematic areas, including climate and economic justice.
• Has experience of developing equitable partnerships with women's rights organisations, feminist movements and other relevant stakeholders.
• Can provide strategic or technical oversight of research, policy or women's rights programmes and translate evidence into effective influencing.
• Has experience of developing strategic plans, managing budgets and contributing to funding opportunities.
• Can lead through organisational change, bring together different areas of expertise and foster an inclusive and collaborative team culture.
• Is committed to feminist principles, anti-racism, decolonisation and shifting power to women, girls and their movements.

Why Join Us?

At ActionAid UK, you'll be part of a global movement working towards a world free from poverty, injustice and gender inequality. Our work is rooted in the leadership and expertise of women and girls and the movements working to advance their rights.

This is an opportunity to shape the direction of our newly combined Research and Policy team, bringing together different areas of expertise to strengthen our research, policy and influencing work. You will work alongside committed colleagues across ActionAid UK and the wider Federation, building partnerships and supporting collective action for feminist change.

In return, we offer a supportive and collaborative working environment, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, and the opportunity to contribute to lasting change for women and girls worldwide.

Additional Information

Diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging:

Diversity, inclusion and belonging are key to our organisational culture. We are on a journey to become not only an anti-racist organisation but one that proudly celebrates the diversity of all applicants and employees. We look forward to you bringing your full self to work, proudly sharing your unique perspective and helping us to shape our combined future. We especially welcome applications from those from under-represented/marginalised communities.

AAUK is a Disability Confident Committed organisation and as such any candidate that declares a disability will be shortlisted for interview if they meet the essential criteria for the role.

Referencing and safeguarding:

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, safeguarding, criminal records and terrorism finance checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures. 

ActionAid UK is committed to preventing any form of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse (including child abuse and adult at-risk abuse) and responding robustly when these harms take place. We expect all ActionAid UK staff and ActionAid UK representatives to share this commitment. We will not tolerate our staff or other representatives carrying out any form of sexual harassment, exploitation or abuse towards anyone we come into contact with through our work. 

Working practices:

ActionAid is committed to supporting flexible working. If you would like to discuss flexible working options, including the possibility of a job share for this role, there will be space to do so during the interview process.

ActionAid UK has a hybrid working policy for many of our roles. The requirement will vary from team to team and the responsibilities of individual roles. As a minimum, all colleagues are expected to attend the office 12 days per year, plus additional time for induction, training, and company connection days. Some roles may require in-office attendance on all days and if so, these will clearly be marked as in-office roles.

Please note that ActionAid UK does not offer fully remote working options. We encourage you to discuss hybrid working expectations at interview.

Recruitment processes:

Please note that ActionAid UK may review, shortlist and interview candidates prior to the closing date so we encourage all candidates to apply as soon as possible. If we receive a very high response, we may close the vacancy early and will not accept further submissions. Vacancies close at 23:55pm