Senior policy and public affairs manager jobs

Terms:  Part time (0.4 FTE), 24-month contract

Salary range:  £27,810 - £41,200

Location:  Remote, with occasional in-person meetings and conference travel

Start date:  March 2026

Line manager:  Project Manager, Nuclear Transparency Inventory

Please note that you must have the right to work in the UK. 

Application closing date:  16th January 2026

About BASIC

BASIC is an independent, non-profit think tank working to safeguard humanity and Earth's ecosystem from nuclear risks and interconnected security threats, for generations to come. Our vision is for a global security consensus founded on multilateralism, the recognition of the indivisibility of security, adherence to Earth's planetary boundaries, and consideration of future generations.

For nearly 40 years, we have built a global reputation for groundbreaking dialogue and incisive thought leadership to strengthen international peace and security. We are an intellectually and culturally diverse team of 20 expert-practitioners with deep institutional experience, headquartered in London with additional presences in Berlin and Rome. We are independent, receive no core funding from any state, and our project work is funded transparently.

BASIC's approach to resolving contemporary nuclear dynamics is centred on dialogue as both a practice and a philosophy. We interpret dialogue broadly, recognising that meaningful engagement takes many forms: from facilitating direct strategic conversations between adversaries grounded in conflict resolution principles, to developing networks and diplomatic initiatives that build consensus around shared objectives, to shaping the intellectual foundations of policy discourse through rigorous research and thought leadership.

BASIC is a fast-paced and rewarding environment with an exceptionally positive and inclusive team culture. We have experienced rapid growth over the past decade and are well-suited to people who are motivated by our mission, able to work at a sustained pace, keen to develop professionally, and enjoy being part of a collaborative team working on consequential issues.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with room for growth

• 30 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays and closure days over the December festive  period

• Employer pension contributions of 5% (above the national minimum)

• Flexible working arrangements, with set days (Wednesdays required) but flexibility on hours

• Remote working with option to use co-working space

• 1-2 all-staff in-person team away day per year, as well as other in-person working opportunities

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

• Excellent team culture built on respect, openness, and inclusion

Role Description

The Project Officer will directly support the Project Manager, Dr Lyndon Burford, in delivering the Nuclear Transparency Inventory (NUTRI). NUTRI will catalogue the transparency policies and practices of all nuclear-armed states regarding their nuclear arsenals and related facilities. It will be published on a free, interactive website. 

The primary focus of NUTRI is on whether, how, and why states choose to disclose data about their nuclear arsenals and related facilities and policies. The project aims to support further research and dialogue by offering a go-to source of trusted information for officials, decision makers, and analysts on how the leaders of different states think about nuclear transparency. The aim is to help increase mutual understanding and prevent miscalculations, and foster confidence for future arms control and disarmament efforts.

The role of the NUTRI Project Officer will include desk-based research on nuclear transparency; helping coordinate the work of external consultants; engaging with and helping coordinate the work of the project Advisory Board; helping facilitate peer review of research findings; travelling nationally and/or internationally to promote NUTRI and its findings; drafting project-related policy briefings and other publications; and helping convene in-person and online meetings with experts and policy makers. The role also includes collaboration with the team working on BASIC’s NPT Monitor project.

Personal attributes and experience

The NUTRI Project Officer will have 4-6 years of experience and will have begun to carve out a presence in the nuclear policy field. They will be highly motivated, work well independently and in a team, and be comfortable speaking and presenting to, and writing for, a variety of audiences, including government officials, analysts, and civil society experts. 

The successful applicant will have a working knowledge of the world’s nuclear arsenals and related policies and demonstrable experience producing high-quality research. They will be highly organised, with strong time management skills and the ability to maintain focus on core project aims while juggling multiple workstreams. Though the Project Officer may be relatively new to fundraising, they will be able to contribute to the process with excellent writing skills, attention to detail, and policy insights. The Project Officer will work with their line manager to identify a professional development plan to close skills gaps and work towards becoming a respected leader in their field.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Support the Project Manager in the day-to-day management and implementation of the project, ensuring timelines and milestones are met. 

• Conduct independent research and provide analytical support to the Project Manager. 

• Help coordinate, with support from the Project Manager, the work of project partners and consultants, including Advisory Board members, external consultants, and peer reviewers.

• Proof read data from external consultants to ensure it is appropriately formatted according to agreed specifications.

• Help coordinate, with support from the Project Manager, the development of a dedicated website to publish project findings.

• Draft briefings for diverse policy audiences, including government officials and senior decision makers, international institutions, and civil society experts. 

• Help develop and facilitate, with support from the Project Manager and in collaboration with other BASIC staff, online and in-person events, including at the 2026 NPT Review Conference.

• Co-produce written materials with the Project Manager. 

• Develop and manage, in collaboration with the Project Manager and Director of Communications, regular social media posts to promote NUTRI and its findings.

Role Requirements

Essential:

• Educated to Master’s level
• 4-6 years of work experience in a think tank, research institute, NGO, foundation or government working on international security issues
• Passion and commitment to our organisational mission of promoting dialogue to advance global security
• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds and different levels of seniority
• Excellent analytical and methodological skills, and highly organised approaches to research and data storage
• Good working knowledge of Google suite / Microsoft 365
• Strong interpersonal skills and team work
• Experience helping organise policy roundtables and workshops
• Willingness to travel internationally when required
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

Desirable:

• Experience organising high-level meetings (in-person and/or online)
• Project management experience