Policy lead jobs in radlett, hertfordshire

With oversight by the Director of Science and Regulatory Affairs, you will support the collection, preparation, organisation, and use of the Science team’s key information resources which contribute to ensuring that our work and external communications are underpinned by accurate and robust evidence.

You will support the Science team in inputting to marketing and fundraising efforts as well the preparation of press releases and other forms of external communication. Your work will contribute to ensuring that the organisation’s advocacy, media and supporter communications are based on accurate, evidence-based science.

You will also work with the organisation’s press and media function to help maintain the quality of media coverage relating to animal testing and animal-free science. In collaboration with colleagues, stakeholders, and partners you will work to support research and contribute to the production of high-quality scientific material which can be used to advance the agenda to end all animal testing, including through the provision of the organisation’s digital education service.

Key responsibilities:

• Support the preparation, organisation, and maintenance of key Science team information resources which underpin our work and provide support for their use across the organisation. This includes responsibility for maintaining a well-organised central knowledge base to ensure our work is easily tracked, accessed and referenced.
• Support and input into research and contribute to the production of high-quality scientific material, including briefings, reports, presentations, posters, and summaries of the latest developments to support the Science team’s work. Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely press releases and support increased media coverage for our organisation.
• Support the preparation and maintenance of up-to-date briefings for internal and external use on emerging trends and latest developments in non-animal approaches, as well as helping to maintain the organisation’s specialist expertise in key regulatory toxicology topics.
• Contribute to raising awareness across the organisation on animal testing issues and the work of the Science team.
• Provide support to the Director, and Deputy Director, of Science & Regulatory Affairs on regulatory toxicology and other scientific issues, as required.
• At the request of the Deputy Director of Science & Regulatory Affairs, undertake any other duties consistent with this post.

Personal attributes needed for this role are: Essential Skills and Personal Qualities

• Ability to assimilate scientific information and describe it this succinctly and with clarity for the lay person.
• Ability to search for, select and critically analyse large amounts of scientific information.
• Excellent interpersonal and team-working skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Ability to work flexibly and independently as required.
• Excellent organisational skills including an ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks with clear attention to detail.
• Strong commitment and ability to build strong, mutually beneficial relationships with colleagues across the whole organisation.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages.
• Commitment to animal protection and support for the vision, mission and values of Cruelty Free International.

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience of animal testing and/or non-animal methods.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering on research projects.
• Excellent track record of assimilating scientific information, drafting accurate and robust scientific reports and briefings, as well as web copy and articles.
• Experience of presenting complex scientific information to internal and external audiences at events and meetings.
• Experience of digesting complex technical information to advise colleagues and external partners.
• Experience of successful networking with external colleagues, stakeholders and partners.

Education and Professional Qualifications Required

• Post or graduate qualification in the biological or chemical sciences or qualified by relevant work experience.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in regulatory affairs and/or toxicology.
• Familiarity with regulations governing toxicity tests, particularly for chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
• Familiarity and personal interest in opposition to animal testing.
• Familiarity with the charitable and not-for-profit sector.
• Interest in science communications

About the role

As a Foundation we are committed to learning together with others and reflecting and acting on what we learn. We learn to improve our understanding about how to approach the complex issues we are trying to address, to examine how our funding relates to the social change we want to see, and to improve how we work and fund.

The Learning & Insight Officer will play a key part in delivering our learning, monitoring and research activities, and we want the successful candidate to be able to develop their skills and interest within the role. They will work closely with the Head of Learning & Insight, wider Grants team colleagues and others across the Foundation to gather insights from our grants and wider work. These insights will inform our strategic direction and contribute to wider sector learning and understanding.

This is a permanent, full time role (35 hours) but we will also consider a part time role at 4 days/ 28 hours equivalent.

We are committed to best practice and accountability in equity, diversity and inclusion. We value, welcome and respect all the differences that make us who we are including: age, disability and mental health, neurodiversity, cultural background, ethnicity and race, sex, gender identity and expression and sexual orientation including LGBTQIA+ identities, religion and socioeconomic background.

Main Responsibilities

• Work with colleagues to design and implement systems for the LEF to collect data and to capture and share learning in a systematic way that reflects our values and our commitment to Power, Cuture and Inclusion.

• Coordinate a timetable of activities for LEF to learn from its grants and direct work (such as regular feedback surveys and internal reflection sessions).

• Work with colleagues to collate and analyse evidence from organisations we fund to identify key insights and learning (such as reports and notes from grant management calls).

• Work with the Head of Learning & Insight and wider grants team colleagues to prepare our grants data for publication (for example through 360Giving and as part of the Funders for Racial Equality Alliance (FREA) Audit)

• Support the LEF to communicate insights in accessible and engaging ways.

• Work with colleagues to prepare key insight reports and data for a range of audiences such as colleagues, trustees or other funders.

• Work with colleagues to run internal sessions with staff and trustees to reflect on our processes (what is working well, less well and what we can improve about how we work) and understand the progress the LEF is making towards its strategic objectives.

• Work with colleagues to run online and in-person events to bring together the organisations and people we fund to reflect and learn from one another.

• Support the development of a ‘culture of learning’ within the LEF and with grantees and 

• Work with the Head of Learning & Insight to commission and manage external contractors for particular pieces of work (for example, research briefs or learning partnerships).

• Provide administrative support on tasks, such as scheduling meetings.

• Carry out such tasks as the Director of Grants & Learning or Head of Learning & Insight may from time to time deem necessary for the effective and efficient functioning of the Foundation.

To see a full description of the role and what we are looking for, download the candidate recruitment pack.