Policy advisor jobs

Senior Policy Advisor - Regions – Job Description 

Resolve Poverty is recruiting to a new Senior Policy Advisor – Regions role that will oversee the delivery of Resolve Poverty’s policy and systems change activities in several English regions and in Wales. You will also support the Chief Executive and Head of Policy and Research with our strategic approach to regional work, ensuring Resolve Poverty is positioned to influence and shape regional approaches to poverty across England and in the devolved nations.

You will join a high performing team that is increasingly shaping responses to poverty at a local and regional level and informing national policy. Building on our work exploring the role of regional government in tackling poverty and in building active regional anti-poverty networks, you will be excited about contributing to strategic development and managing and delivering policy and systems changes activities.

With a background in policy and systems change work, you will also bring strong organisational and planning skills with an ability to contribute to a long-term vision for this and Resolve Poverty’s wider work.

Particulars: 

• Location: Combination of homebased and working from Resolve Poverty’s offices in central Manchester. You will be expected to work from the office for at least two days per week. There is an expectation of travel across the country that comes with this role.

• Working hours: Full-time (35 hours per week). Part-time hours will be considered.

• Salary: Fulltime equivalent salary range is £41,500 to £47,500 (dependent on experience).

• Contract type: Permanent.

• Paid annual leave entitlement: 25 days excluding bank holidays. 

• Line management responsibilities: Management of Resolve Poverty’s regional systems change and coordination roles and incoming Wales Senior Policy Officer role. Reporting to: Head of Policy and Research.

Job description: 

Regional policy development 

• Supporting the development of Resolve Poverty’s policy and research work in respect of regional government.

• Ensuring Resolve Poverty’s regional policy work aligns with organisational agendas and development goals.

• Delivering policy and research outputs, including regional policy position papers with a view to shaping policy approaches in regions.

• Developing strong networks with policymakers and other stakeholders across various English regions.

Project and line management 

• Day-to-day line management of Resolve Poverty’s regional policy roles.

• Developing and delivering policy and research and other regional projects as required.

• Supporting regionally focused members of the team to deliver systems change and achieve other KPIs. 

• Overseeing KPI reporting relating to policy and research projects and KPIs relating to the work of direct line reports.

An effective team member 

• Contributing as an effective team member, including through attendance at regular team meetings.

• Supporting organisation wide outputs and activities, including Resolve Poverty’s Annual Conference.

Person specification: 

Education & Experience 

• Background: Degree in Public Policy, Economics, Social Sciences, or demonstrable equivalent experience in the social enterprise or non-profit sector. 

• Experience: 3+ years’ experience in a policy, public affairs, or research role, with experience of line management.

• Line management: Experience of line managing policy and/or advocacy/systems change roles.

Knowledge & Expertise 

• Influencing sub-nationally: Experiencing of working at a local, regional or devolved nation level through either policy, research or advocacy activities.

• Sector Knowledge: Deep understanding of poverty and governance arrangements across the UK. This should include knowledge of the role and potential role of regional government in tackling poverty.

• Policy Landscape: Comprehensive knowledge of relevant local, regional and national policy areas. This should include knowledge of the UK social security system and areas of policy that Resolve Poverty currently focusses on.

Skills & Abilities 

• Communication & Influencing: Superb written and verbal communication skills. Confidence in presenting to a wide range of audiences and in engaging with policymakers, and building consensus across competing interests.

• Strategic Thinking: The ability to be ‘on the balcony’ where necessary, seeing the bigger pictures and identifying long-term opportunities, and develop proactive strategies that advance Resolve Poverty’s mission.

• Development: An appetite for engaging in Resolve Poverty’s development activities, working with the income generation team to identify and inform new partnerships and delivery opportunities.

• Project & Team Management: Excellent time management, with experience delivering and overseeing advocacy, policy and research activities. An ability to effectively manage a staff team working across a range of geographies. 

• Partnership Working: An ability to work effectively with partners, including funders and commissioners, providing timely and effective communication and identifying future collaboration opportunities.

Personal Attributes 

• Mission Alignment: A genuine passion for and commitment to Resolve Poverty’s mission and values. 

• Commitment to Inclusion: An embedded understanding of equality, diversity, and the importance of ensuring the voices of underrepresented groups inform policy design