Policy jobs

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Senior Manager, Policy Fellowships and Systems in Government to play a leading role in the Academy’s policy programmes work. Joining the Policy Programmes team within the Policy and International Directorate, you will help connect policymakers with engineering expertise and systems thinking to address complex policy and delivery challenges across government. Drawing on your understanding of the UK policy landscape, you will lead the design and delivery of high-quality policy fellowships, systems-based programmes, workshops and events that strengthen capability across government.

Working closely with senior policymakers, Academy Fellows and expert partners, you will build trusted relationships that shape programme content, maximise impact and ensure our work remains relevant to government priorities. You will oversee programme planning, budgets, evaluation and stakeholder engagement while supporting the continued evolution of our policy fellowships and systems offer.

As you further develop programmes and partnerships, you will play an important role in positioning the Academy as a trusted partner to government and a leader in applying engineering-informed systems approaches to public policy. If you enjoy designing impactful programmes, working with senior stakeholders and translating complex ideas into practical solutions, this is an exciting opportunity to help influence policy thinking and delivery across government.

Our location

Our light, spacious head office is based in a fantastic location in central London with views over St James’s Park and close to the West End. We operate hybrid, flexible working practices with a baseline for office-based working of a mandatory weekly team day plus further days each week as required for the role and the Academy.

Who are we?

Engineering matters. It shapes our everyday lives, from our ability to turn the lights on, have a hot shower and commute into work to the mobile phones we rely on to keep connected. It also plays a vital role in addressing some of the biggest challenges facing society today, from climate change to global health pandemics and cyber threats.

The Royal Academy of Engineering is a charity that harnesses the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation, building global partnerships, influencing policy and engaging the public. Together, we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age. 

With a diverse workforce and an inclusive and supportive culture, we look to attract candidates from wide and different backgrounds who have a passion for the role engineering plays in society. Our aim is to make the Academy the best place to work for the staff we have and those we seek to attract.

Why work for us?

We’re looking for people who are driven to make the world a better place. If you’re passionate about what you do and want to work collaboratively with talented colleagues to make change happen now and for future generations, we want you to get in touch.

This is the perfect time to join us. We have a dynamic, visionary CEO, a strong leadership team and an ambitious and exciting strategy. The value we bring as experts in our field and change agents is highly recognised and makes the Academy a motivating place to be. Our work today builds on a long, proud history with a focused and ambitious future which we’d love you to be part of.

We are looking for talented people who want to make a difference to join our team – is this you?

For more information and to apply, please visit our careers page.

Closing date: 24 August 2026.
Interview date: w/c 31 August 2026.

The Academy is committed to making reasonable adjustments to remove barriers that hinder applicants from applying or staff from working effectively and comfortably.

With a diverse workforce and an inclusive and supportive culture, we look to attract candidates from wide and different backgrounds who have a passion for the role engineering plays in society. Our aim is to make the Academy the best place to work for the staff we have and those we seek to attract.

The Royal Academy of Engineering is proud to be an ‘A’ Rated Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence holder, as approved by the UK Immigration Authorities.

The Academy may consider sponsorship for roles that are eligible, as defined by the Home Office. In accordance with Home Office criteria, sponsorship may only be considered where there is a suitable Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code, the minimum salary threshold is met, and all other relevant Points Based System requirements for Skilled Worker sponsorship are fulfilled. Please note that this does not guarantee that the Academy will be able to sponsor a candidate as a Skilled Worker and accordingly may not be able to make an offer.

A Certificate of Sponsorship may be assigned, and a Skilled Worker visa application will only be made once an applicant has been successfully and conditionally offered a role. All offers of employment requiring sponsorship under the Academy’s Sponsor Licence are subject to the individual obtaining the legal right to work in the United Kingdom for the Academy in the specific role.

Employment will not be confirmed until the Skilled Worker visa application has been formally approved and communicated by the Home Office. Additionally, a potential offer of employment may be made to candidates who already hold a visa permitting work for the Academy in a specific role. As with Skilled Worker sponsorship, such employment may be time-limited depending on the nature of the visa.

We are looking for a policy adviser to work primarily in our resource stewardship theme to help deliver ambitious leadership for the environment. You will also have opportunities to work on projects in our Legislation & Governance unit.

Using your strong research and strong communication skills, you will contribute to work that shapes the future of circular economy policy and environmental legislation in the UK. Collaborating with colleagues across the organization, including in comms and politics, you will help identify compelling evidence, stories, and projects to drive better use of resources in the UK and will secure support for projects and policy proposals by building relationships with politicians and policymakers, environmental NGOs and community groups, business partners and other stakeholders.

This is a varied role that will also include project management to ensure effective delivery, including ensuring outputs and events are effectively planned and executed to deadline and to a high quality.

You will need to understand, or be willing to learn about, the political and environmental policy contexts we work in and the state of resources policy and wider environmental legislation in the UK.

About the role: AMRC is looking for a policy officer to join our small but highly influential policy and public affairs team, working at the heart of the medical research community. You will support our influencing and advocacy work, helping build a thriving research environment that facilitates innovation. We work with government and policy makers to ensure that our charities can invest in a healthy and sustainable research system across universities and the NHS. You will undertake analysis and horizon scanning to enable us to keep our members up-to-date, and you will support the development of AMRC’s policy activity. You will support activities in many areas of work including improving the sustainability of charity-university research; enhancing research careers, translation and infrastructure; maintaining a facilitative legislative and regulatory environment; and enhancing charity-industry partnerships, helping research findings to be translated into treatments, policy and practice more quickly. There will also be a public affairs dimension to the role that includes work with the APPG for Life Sciences, for which AMRC is part of the secretariat. 

Please see our website for the job description and application instructions. 

Policy Officer

Salary: £43,099 plus excellent benefits

Contract type: Permanent, full time

Hours per week: 37.5 hours per week. All staff are required to work in person for a minimum of two days per week, in line with our hybrid working policy. The post-holder may be required to undertake some work outside normal working hours.

About the Health Foundation

Health is our most precious asset. Good health enables us to live happy, fulfilling lives, fuels our prosperity and helps build a stronger society. Yet good health remains out of reach for too many people in the UK, and health and care services are struggling to provide access to timely, high-quality care.

The Health Foundation is an independent charitable organisation with a mission to build a healthier UK. We work to achieve this by generating high quality research and analysis; developing practical solutions to the biggest problems in health and health services; engaging, convening and building coalitions to build understanding, inform debate and drive action; and developing the long-term capability needed to transform health and care.

Our values

We expect everyone who works with us to be committed to our values and to share our commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation. Our values are impact, evidence, integrity, and collaboration. You can read more about them in our five-year strategy. We also expect everyone to share our commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation and to help deliver our EDI strategy.

About the role

There are 2 Policy Officer roles in the Health and Care Policy team available. The team focuses on shaping the future of the health and social care system in the UK to ensure the best care for all, by supporting more evidence-informed policy and decision-making. One officer will work across a range of thematic areas, and one will focus initially on technology and AI, with the opportunity to work across other areas further down the line. The Policy Officer will work on a mix of short and longer-term projects, including supporting in-house policy analysis and research, as well as helping to scope and develop ideas for externally commissioned research. This will involve a range of different approaches, including synthesising qualitative and quantitative research evidence; analysing policy documents and grey literature; qualitative methods such as key informant interviews and thematic analysis; and other approaches involved in policy-focused research. The Policy Officer will help write and contribute to external publications, including briefings, blogs, and longer Health Foundation reports. They will also support the team to bring together policymakers and others in events, meetings, workshops, and other activities to inform and influence thinking and decisions. Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting with a range of high-profile policy projects, including project planning and development, and helping with analysis, writing and publication.
• Contributing to literature reviews and rapid scans of data and evidence; producing summaries of the main findings and implications for policy.
• Supporting policy research, working with internal and external partners and assisting with written outputs.
• Assisting with communicating the findings of our work to a range of audiences, including policymakers, academics and the media.
• Building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders relevant to our policy portfolio.
• Supporting the design and delivery of workshops or other events with policymakers and other relevant stakeholders – for example, helping to design a session to communicate and discuss the findings from a research report.

How to apply

Our priority is to find the right individual for each opportunity. We are dedicated to building an inclusive workplace that values diversity and invite you to find out more.

You can find the job description for this role here. If you would like to apply, please submit your CV, and a supporting statement that answers the following application questions:

• We are hiring for two Policy Officer roles, one initially focussing on technology and AI and the other working in a more generalist role across projects on the NHS and social care in the Health and Care Policy team. Do you have a preference or would you like to be considered for both roles?
• Why are you well suited to this role and why do you want to work at the Health Foundation? (Max 400 words)
• What skills and experience do you have in policy research? As part of your answer, please describe an example of a piece of research or analysis you have led or contributed to. (Max 400 words)
• Describe your experience of communicating the findings of a piece of work to an external audience. How did you approach it and what did you learn? (Max 400 words)

Our commitment to equality, inclusion and diversity

We are committed to an inclusive hiring process, where every candidate has the chance to showcase their unique skills and experience in an accessible and supported environment, to ensure that we can make the best appointment for each opportunity on merit. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage those from underrepresented groups in this field to apply to us. We have identified three key areas to improving diversity. Our aim to achieve a more balanced representation across our organisation, with a particular focus on increasing the number of women in leadership, enhancing the representation of people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds and welcoming more people with disabilities. As part of this commitment, we strongly encourage applications from these groups.

Apply to join our team and let's work towards building a more diverse and inclusive workplace together. If you require any support through this process, please contact us. Help us work together to make the recruitment process and potential future employment more accessible and enjoyable for you.

Closing date: 23rd August 2026

Interview date: week commencing 31 August 2026

Prospectus is thrilled to be partnering with our client n their search for a Policy Adviser to join their Education and Skills Policy team, supporting high-profile programmes focused on educational reform, mathematical and data education, education research and skills development. This is an opportunity to work on influential projects that bring together leading experts, policymakers, educators and researchers to improve outcomes for young people across the UK. This is a permanent role, 2-3 days a week in the office and paying £35,000 - £38,500. 

Working closely with the Senior Policy Adviser, you will lead and coordinate policy projects from concept through to delivery. You'll help turn strategic recommendations into practical action, manage stakeholder relationships, leading research activity, develop policy briefings, and support the delivery of workshops, events and conferences.

You bring demonstrable experience in policy, research, or a related field. You will comfortable working independently and managing multiple priorities. You’ll also have excellent stakeholder management and relationship building skills, with strong written communication, project management and influencing capabilities.

While previous education policy experience would be advantageous, we are particularly interested in candidates with strong policy expertise and a genuine interest in improving education.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver education policy projects from planning through to implementation.
• Research emerging policy issues and develop evidence-based briefings and reports.
• Build and maintain relationships with Fellows, policymakers, researchers and education stakeholders.
• Organise stakeholder meetings, workshops, committees and events.
• Coordinate project plans, timelines and external contributors.
• Support the delivery of major education policy programmes and events.

Application Process
To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation for the role. In your cover letter, please ensure to highlight your: 

• Experience working in a policy environment
• Experience managing projects from inception to delivery 

Recruitment Timeline:
Closing date: 31st August
Shortlisting: 7th-8th September
Interviews: 17th September

At Prospectus, we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds and are happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you require assistance with your application, please contact Shannon Sanderson, the lead consultant for this role. Please note that applications and CVs sent directly by email cannot be accepted and must be submitted through the application link to ensure they are properly recorded and considered.

Youth Employment UK is seeking a Senior Policy Officer to join our Policy and Research department at an important moment for youth employment policy.

The Senior Policy Officer will strengthen Youth Employment UK’s policy and insight capacity by helping gather, analyse and communicate evidence from young people, employers, members and the wider youth employment system.

Working with the Policy and Research Director, the role will support Youth Employment UK to develop high-quality policy positions, recommendations, briefings and reports, and to strengthen our reputation as a leading source of insight and practical solutions for youth employment.

This is a policy-focused role with strong research literacy. It is not a technical academic research post, but the postholder will need to be confident in interpreting evidence, drawing out implications, writing clearly, and translating insight into practical recommendations for different audiences.

Summary of responsibilities

• Monitor, analyse and respond to youth employment-related policy developments through written briefings, articles, guidance and formal evidence submissions. 

• Support the development of Youth Employment UK policy positions, recommendations and messages

• Work with Youth Ambassadors and young people to gather insight that informs policy positions, reports and recommendations

• Support delivery of our Youth Voice Census by writing up findings for a wide range of audiences

• Support Youth Employment UK’s Good Youth Employment Benchmark by conducting employer interviews and writing employer-facing reports.

• Support Youth Employment UK’s public affairs activity, including APPG, Connected Communities and other policy forums.

• Work closely with the Policy and Research Director, Policy and Research Coordinator and wider team in an agile, fast-paced working environment 

About you

We are looking for someone with strong policy judgement, excellent writing skills, professional curiosity and a commitment to improving systems for young people. 

You will bring:

• Experience in policy, public affairs, research, youth employment, education, skills, employment support, social policy or a related area

• Research literacy and confidence working with evidence, data, reports and lived experience insight

• Ability to turn complex information into clear briefings, recommendations and practical outputs

• Confidence in engaging with a range of stakeholders, such as young people, employers, members, policymakers, charities, NGOs, think tanks or public bodies.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication to a wide range of audiences 

• A high level of self and project management skill, able to work effectively as part of a team and independently 

• A clear passion for improving education, employment and transitions outcomes for young people through policy activity. 

A full overview of responsibilities in the role and person criteria can be seen in the attached job description. 

What we will provide to you

• Competitive salary.

• Standard company pension.

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 26 days after 12 months’ service.

• 2 volunteering days per year.

• 2 additional wellbeing days per year.

• Onsite parking, available on a first come, first served basis.

• Personal development opportunities.

• Free breakfast and lunch options when in the office.

• Team activities and events.

• Dog-friendly office.

Please note that this is a full-time (37.5 hour) role, with some flexibility over working hours. Our main office is in Kettering, right next to the train station. However, we are open to discussing remote and hybrid working arrangements with the right candidate. 

Prospectus is pleased to be partnering with a leading global anti-corruption organisation to recruit for a Head of Policy on a permanent contract, operating with a hybrid working model which will include UK and international travel.

The Head of Policy provides strategic direction and leadership to advance policy impact by translating evidence into systemic change to strengthen defence and security institutions globally. The postholder will lead policy and stakeholder engagement at regional and global levels and support nationally led efforts to influence decision-makers towards reforms grounded in evidence informed policy positions. As part of the leadership team, the postholder formulates and advances policy positions within budget and resource plans and manages a small team of advocacy and policy staff. 

The successful candidate will bring significant experience from within the defence and security space. You will bring excellent stakeholder engagement skills, leveraging your networks in this area. You will have demonstrable success in advancing policies, and with some experience of managing teams. With an empathy and passion for the mission, you will also have the ability to build strong internal relationships quickly. Experience of anti-corruption is not essential for this role – this knowledge can be developed over time.

To apply please click through to the vacancy on the Prospectus website, where you can also view the full job description. Please submit your CV only in the first instance. You may be asked to provide a supporting statement or further information as part of the recruitment process.

As a specialist Recruitment Practice Prospectus is committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Prospectus invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.

Policy Engagement Manager - 12-month Fixed Term Contract

At The National Lottery Community Fund we are passionate about strengthening communities and improving lives.  We are driven by our strategy, ‘It starts with community’ and its four community-led missions, as well as our equity-based approach to tackling poverty, discrimination and disadvantage.

To help us in supporting our communities in Wales, we are now looking for a motivated Policy Engagement Manager with a strong understanding of the social policy context, and the environment in which our grantholders operate.  You will play a key role in shaping and strengthening our engagement with government, voluntary and community sector organisations, and funding partners. Working closely with the Head of Policy and Engagement in Wales, you will help build influential relationships, provide strategic policy insight, and ensure that the experiences of communities inform our funding and development priorities. You will play a key role in enabling the Fund to use our insight, position and influence in Wales to celebrate and promote the power and expertise of communities.

Key Responsibilities

As Policy Engagement Manager, you will be an excellent relationship-builder with a strong understanding of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. You will be comfortable working across complex stakeholder environments and translating policy developments into practical insight, including providing insight and policy context to inform medium and long-term funding initiatives across the UK.

You will develop a thorough understanding of the policy environment relating to our four community-led missions and our commitment to addressing poverty, discrimination and disadvantage through an equity-based approach. 

You will maintain a broad understanding of the political and social context in which our grantholders operate, convening grantholders and stakeholders to explore shared challenges and opportunities. We’re looking for someone who is values-driven, passionate about the Fund’s purpose and deeply committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We invite you to join our team and contribute your skills and experience to creating lasting change for communities and society.

Regular travel around Wales is expected, as well as some travel to other parts of the UK to connect with colleagues.  We offer a flexible and supportive working environment and an excellent all-round benefits package.

The successful candidate must have an understanding of Welsh language legislation and the Welsh Language Standards of the Fund. Ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable.

Interview Details:

Date: 21 September 2026

Format: In Person

Location: Cardiff, Wales

Our office is in Cardiff, but we are flexible about location within Wales. We have a hybrid approach to working.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the recruitment team.

For any questions about the recruitment process, please email the recruitment team.

How to apply:

Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement (1000 words) with the following criteria, we will use this to score your application.

Essential criteria

• Experience of engaging with government, public sector, VCSE or funding stakeholders.
• A strong grasp and knowledge of the policy environment and the developing issues and themes relevant to our Missions and grantholders in Wales.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting policy and political developments.
• Demonstrable strategic influencing skills
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and contribute to strategic planning and development.
• Understanding of the use of digital tools and systems to manage relationships, share information and support policy development.
• Experience of project management

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.) 

Research and Policy Officer 
Job Description 

About DigitalCare Hub 

Digital technology helps care services spend more time caring. It helps the people we support keep control of their lives, and of their care. Over the last few years, the need for information to be shared securely and efficiently between health and care services has become even moreapparent. But this introduces new risks – for example how information is kept safe and secure, and what happens if a digital system fails. 

This is a shared role across DigitalCare HubandtheBetter Security, Better Careprogramme which wemanage. 

Digital Care Hubis runwithsocialcare,for social care.The Digital Care Hub provides free information,guidanceand support to enable adult social care providers to make the most of digital technology – and to do it safely. 

We are an independent, not-for profit, Community Interest Company, guided by care providers, so we understand the needs and challenges facing the diverse range of organisations in our sector. 

Better Security, BetterCareis a support programme– funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and managed by Digital Care Hub -to help adult social care providers to store and share information safelyby using the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT). The DSPT is a free, online self-assessment for health and care providers to evaluate and improve their data and cyber security. 

The programme is delivered by acentral team and our local support organisations across the country. Most of these support organisations arelocal care provider trade associations. We also work closely with colleagues from the NHS, ADASS, DHSC and local councils. 

About you and the role 

We're looking for an inquisitive, analytical and collaborativeResearch and Policy Officerto join our growing team. 

You'll play a key role in helping Digital Care Hub become the leading source of evidence, insight and practical guidance on digital transformation, data, AI and cybersecurity in adult social care. 

Working across our national programmes, you'll design and deliver research projects, analyse policy developments, engage with providers and partners, and translate complex issues into clear, practical resources that help the sector improve. You'll contribute to consultation responses, produce reports and briefings, support national events and webinars, and help us demonstrate the impact of our work. 

This is a varied role that combines research, policy development, stakeholder engagement and programme delivery. No two weeks will look the same—you could be facilitating a roundtable with care providers, analysing survey data, drafting a briefing for government, interviewing providers for a case study or helping develop new guidance on AI in social care. 

You'll work closely with colleagues across Digital Care Hub and our national partners, taking an entrepreneurial approach to identifying emerging issues, generating insight and turning evidence into action. You'll report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will have the opportunity to shape the development of our research and policy function as the organisation continues to grow. 

Key Responsibilities 

Research and Insight 

• Design and deliver research projects. 

• Develop surveys and analyse data. 

• Conduct interviews and focus groups. 

• Facilitate provider roundtables. 

• Review policy and academic literature. 

• Produce evidence summaries. 

• Identify emerging issues across digital health and adult social care. 

Policy Development 

• Draft policy papers and consultation responses. 

• Translate research into practical recommendations. 

• Produce briefings for government, boards and senior leaders. 

• Track developments across DHSC, NHS England, CQC and ICO. 

• Support Digital Care Hub policy positions. 

Programme Delivery 

• Support grant funded programmes. 

• Develop guidance and resources. 

• Produce webinar materials and case studies. 

• Coordinate advisory groups. 

• Support monitoring and evaluation. 

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Build relationships with providers and representative bodies. 

• Collaborate with universities, government and sector partners. 

• Engage technology suppliers where appropriate. 

Communications 

• Write reports, briefings and newsletters. 

• Draft articles and presentations. 

• Support thought leadership. 

Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Develop outcome measures. 

• Analyse programme impact. 

• Produce evaluation reports. 

• Identify lessons learned. 

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Degree or equivalent experience. 

• Experience designing research projects. 

• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills. 

• Excellent written communication. 

• Ability to explain complex subjects clearly. 

• Excellent organisational skills. 

Desirable 

• Charity experience. 

• Knowledge of digital transformation. 

• Understanding of AI and cybersecurity. 

• Experience evaluating programmes. 

• Experience working with government. 

 
Main terms and conditions 

• £36,000 per annum including pension. 

• Full timefixed term12 month fixed term contract 

• Homebased,withsometravelacross England 

• 28 days annual leave plus Bank holidays 

Salary: £35,850 - £36,493 (London) / £31,994 (National) per annum
Hours: 35
Contract: Permanent
Benefits:
- 27 days’ annual leave + statutory holidays + three closure days over the Christmas period.
- Flexible working for all staff including working from home/hybrid working, and flexitime/TOIL scheme.
- Attractive family friendly policies.
- Private healthcare cover.
- Season ticket loans.
- Employee awards, and training and development opportunities.

For more information about our benefits please visit our website.
Office locations: London or Bristol
Please note, the successful candidate will be expected to carry out two days in-person working per week on average which will include attendance at your office location.
Flexible working arrangements can be discussed and agreed with the line manager subject to role and business needs.

The National Housing Federation (NHF) is seeking a policy specialist to work on housing management, homelessness and supported housing, as well as other high profile policy areas impacting on housing.
The NHF is the voice of housing associations in England. We are the trade body to almost 600 housing associations, who have grown from philanthropic roots to provide 2.6 million homes to around six million people. You can find further information about the NHF on our website.
Policy Officers at the NHF shape our policy work in specific areas, with support from the rest of the policy team and the wider organisation. In this role, you would become the expert in your policy areas, drawing on the knowledge and experience of our housing association members and your own skills and expertise.
Interested in applying your skills and knowledge to influence housing policy and working in a fast-paced environment?
Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to download the full job profile and person specification for this role.

Key elements of the role:
- Working closely with our members and helping to develop policy ideas and solutions.
- Engaging with members and stakeholders to identify and respond to opportunities and challenges facing the housing sector, now and in the future.
- Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
- Keeping up to date with the current policy environment, latest thinking and issues that impact housing.
- Contributing to the NHFs high profile events and campaigns.
- Influencing strategic stakeholders and policy makers.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- A clear understanding of the processes of policy development, and substantial experience of working in a policy role (or in an equivalent role focused on developing strategic ideas and solutions).
- Experience of building relationships with, and influencing stakeholders.
- The ability to develop a strong understanding of specific policy areas.
- Strong analytical and communication skills.

Equality, diversity and inclusion
The NHF has published its equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, which was co-created with staff. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and we value the contribution each individual makes to our work.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and are working to increase the diversity profile of our workforce. We are currently under-represented by ethnic minorities, people with a disability or disabilities and LGBTQ+, and would particularly welcome applications from people in these groups.

Disability confident employer
We are a disability confident employer and if you are a disabled person who demonstrates you meet the skills and experience we consider essential for the role, we will offer you an interview.
We are happy to consider reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process if you have a disability or have a condition that you feel may affect your performance during the recruitment process, please contact the People team with your request or to arrange a time to discuss in more detail.
Our role profile and job advert can also be requested in large print or in accessible format via this email address.

Completing our Application Form
To apply for this role, please complete our online application form. The application form includes your employment and education history plus you will be asked to answer questions in relation to your knowledge, skills and experience, why you are applying for the role and questions in relation to our values. The application form is anonymous and will not require you to upload a CV or cover letter. This will help us to shortlist candidates for interview based solely on their knowledge, skills and experience.

Right to work in the UK/UK VISA sponsorship
You must have the right to work in the UK and it is important to note that the NHF does not sponsor individuals to work in the UK.

Closing date for applications: 20 August 2026
Interview date: 3 - 8 September 2026

We’re looking for a highly skilled individual who will help build on our relationships and networks across Westminster, to deliver ambitious political leadership on a range of issues. The post holder will be responsible for leading advocacy interventions and providing political support to our policy experts, with a focus on Transport and Resources policy.

As a senior political adviser within the politics team, you will also be involved with, and lead on, major projects or themes of work across the political leadership theme (including the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Environment (APPG), which Green Alliance holds the secretariat for), managing and developing key external relationships and supporting the Director of politics as they lead the politics team.

You will need to be an exceptional communicator, adept at bringing people together around a shared vision and have the interpersonal skills to inspire and work across Green Alliance and liaise with our extensive network of partners.

You will be a highly organised, capable multi-tasker with experience managing projects and able to think on your feet, while managing multiple relationships and advocating plans concurrently.

The role entails identifying and leading on opportunities for the UK government to achieve environmental progress and implementing advocacy strategies to secure it. You will have direct access to senior policy makers and environmental leaders, so will need to articulate recommendations succinctly and persuasively.

The role requires excellent understanding of UK political processes (especially in Westminster, parliament and Whitehall) and experience of using it to influence policy effectively. Experience of operating within the system or of working directly with politicians and the media to achieve policy change would be a distinct advantage.

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Chief Executive

Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders) 

We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.

Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.

You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.

Who are we looking for?

You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.

You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.

Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.

IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

• 5% employer pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.

First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.

We are seeking an agile and collaborative Policy and Communications Officer to join our small but mighty team. The Policy and Communications Officer will sit at the heart of CJA’s impact, combining policy research, member engagement, and digital communications to amplify our work and effect systemic change. They will prepare and distribute the weekly CJA e-bulletin; create engaging digital content across social media; draft CJA policy responses, briefings, and consultation submissions; undertake desk research on priority areas (such as policing accountability, diversion, and racial disparities) and assist in co-ordinating member meetings, policy roundtables, and events.

This is an exciting and varied role created at a pivotal moment as we approach our 20th anniversary and begin developing our 2027-30 strategy.

Are you interested in improving the lives of people with a learning disability? Can you turn complex ideas into evidence-based policy? Are you a skilled communicator able to influence decision-makers? If so, we would love to hear from you!

We are currently looking for a Policy Specialist to join Mencap. This position sits within the Policy and Public Affairs teams of Mencap’s Campaigns, Advocacy and Activism Directorate (CAA). You will work closely with our influencing, information and advice, campaigning, and research work, as well as sector partners.

This is an exciting new role to deliver policy change and enhance the rights of people with a learning disability. At a key time to influence health reform, we are seeking a policy specialist to shape policy work that reflects the needs and experiences of people with a learning disability and their families. Working within the policy team, you will be responsible for developing evidence-based policy work and influencing decision-makers. 

This is a 4-day a week position (30 hours per week). We are flexible with your work location, but there may be some occasional travel needed to our London office or Westminster.

You will: 

You will bring to this role:

If you're passionate about driving meaningful change for people with a learning disability and you're ready to use your policy expertise to make a real impact, please apply now with an up-to-date CV. Applications close on Tuesday 1st September, 2026. Interviews are scheduled to take place via Microsoft Teams during the week commencing 7th September 2026.

• Translate complex work into clear and persuasive policy briefings, consultation responses and reports.
• Work within wider coalitions of charities, building collaborative relationships and ensuring that the needs and priorities of our community are addressed.
• Develop and expand Mencap’s ‘Policy Shapers’ work, ensuring our work reflects the health needs and experiences of people with a learning disability and their families.
• Support our information and advice team, briefing them on important developments, inputting into casework discussions relevant to your areas of work, and supporting the creation of public information resources.
• Represent Mencap at meetings and events, with MPs, civil servants, and sector partners.
• Identify and analyse relevant research to develop evidence-based policy recommendations.
• Experience of working on health policy issues.
• Strong communication skills: experience tailoring your messaging to a variety of different audiences and representing an organisation.
• Experience building positive relationships and working collaboratively to achieve outcomes; able to positively challenge, negotiate and compromise.
• The ability to work on your own initiative while contributing to team priorities and sustain enthusiasm under pressure.
•  Experience analysing evidence to develop recommendations.
• Knowledge of the health issues facing people with a learning disability, as well as the health and wider parliamentary system. 
• Passion about making the world a better place for people with a learning disability. 

Benefits

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated. 

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings. 

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team! 

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. 

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in. 

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues. 

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere. 

· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation. 

· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes 

· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves. 

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies. 

We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.