Job Title / Senior Public Affairs and Policy Analyst
Department / Public Affairs and Policy
Job Grade / SEO
Responsible to / Head of Public Affairs and Policy
Purpose of the job / The Senior Public Affairs and Policy Analyst will manage the delivery of evidence-based projects; take the lead in briefing the Children’s Commissioner ahead of meetings or select committees; produce concise and clear policy notes on emerging issues; and support other teams across the office in delivering the Children’s Commissioner’s business plan.
S/he will be expected to identify opportunities for the Children’s Commissioner to effect change across Whitehall on behalf of vulnerable children and to represent the Children’s Commissioner at external meetings, including meetings with highly vulnerable children
Specific duties / •Monitor the policy landscape relating to children to identify opportunities to influence Government and other stakeholders, making proposals to senior managers on new projects and pieces of work based on rigorous analysis of evidence.
•Analyse existing policy and formulate reasoned and evidence based arguments for change.
•Lead policy-based projects, acting as the project manager for multiple pieces of work, coordinating project roles, tasks and use of resources, and developing proposals for efficient delivery of projects.
•Work with colleagues to inform the commissioning of research and gathering of evidence, using the Commissioner’s statutory powers, to develop a robust evidence base which supports the Commissioner’s policy work.
•Develop and maintain networks of stakeholders of relevance to the Commissioner’s ongoing work and strategic priorities, ensuring that the Commissioner has high quality relationships with key stakeholders, and developing partnerships with stakeholders for the delivery of projects as appropriate.
•Produce fluently argued, highly credible policy reports and briefings, ensuring that outputs are of a high quality and meet the standards expected by the Senior Management Team.
•Achieve recognition for our agenda throughout Whitehall and turn policy propositions into real legislative and regulatory change.
Changes / This is a description of the job as it is presently constituted. It is OCC’s practice to periodically review job descriptions and to update them from time to time. This process will be conducted in consultation with you. It is the aim of OCC to reach agreement on any changes but if agreement cannot be reached, it reserves the right to insist on such changes, after consultation with you.
Date / February 2018
Essential / Desirable
Knowledge and Experience / •Educated to Degree level or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.
•Knowledge of policy-making process
•Understanding of research methodologies.
•Experience of working in a demanding, intellectually rigorous environment.
•Experience of working collaboratively. /
- Masters degree in relevant subject
- Qualitative and/or quantitative research training
- Experience of working in a children’s policy field
- Experience of writing and developing policy or legislation
- Project management training
Personal Skills / •Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills.
•Excellent written and verbal skills.
•Willingness to present at meetings and seminars
•Ability to think ‘outside the box’ and balance strategic and pragmatic issues.
•Excellent analytical skills. Able to interpret complex information to inform decisions.
•Ability to balance diverse work to tight deadlines under pressure.
•A team player.
•Proactive and able to use own initiative. /
- Demonstrable experience of writing public-facing documents or articles at speed
- Experience of making public presentations
Essential personal qualities / •Personal integrity and honesty
•Firm commitment to advancing social justice
•Ability to travel within the UK, including occasionally at weekends and evenings
•Understanding of and willingness to abide by the 7 Standards of Public Office, including political impartiality.