November 2015
Dear Applicant,
Policy Officer
Thank you very much for your enquiry about the above post. Please find attached:
1. A recruitment pack
2. An application form
3. A recruitment analysis form
Please email your application to . Alternatively you can post it to Recruitment, Stonewall, 13th floor, Tower Building, York Road, London SE1 7NX. Please mark it ‘Strictly Private’.
The deadline for the submission of completed applications is 12 noon on 7 December 2015. Please also ensure that you return the recruitment analysis form with your application.
We intend to hold interviews on 15 December 2015. If you’d like receipt of your application to be acknowledged please let us know by email or enclose a stamped addressed envelope.
Thank you for your interest in Stonewall. We look forward to receiving your completed application.
Yours sincerely,
Cathryn Wright
Managing Director
Stonewall Background Information
Stonewall was founded in 1989 by people whose aim was to create a highly professional lobbying organisation to put the case for equality on the mainstream political agenda. The organisation has become widely recognised for its work in transforming the legislative landscape for Britain’s 3.7m lesbian, gay and bisexual people including securing equal marriage in 2013. Our strategy is now to work to ensure equality in every part of the lived experience of LGBT people at home, at school and at work.
We work with a comprehensive range of stakeholders and are one of the most effective campaigning charities in Great Britain. Stonewall is at a crucial stage. The challenges that we face are complex as we attempt to ensure that every single lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans person achieves full equality. We have an ambition to reach further into our communities, sharing our knowledge, interventions and campaigns with the widest possible audience. We no longer have to just convince politicians; we have to convince the owner of the small business, the dad who doesn’t want a gay son, the priest who doesn’t know he has lesbian parishioners.
Campaigns, Policy and Research department
Stonewall campaigns raise awareness, change attitudes, and inspire change. The Campaigns, Policy and Research department has made significant progress in improving the lives of LGBT people over the last few years. Key successes include:
· Transforming schools to prevent homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying
· Raising awareness of homophobia in sport
· International campaign
· Extensive research, policy and campaigns in other areas such as criminal justice, health and social care, older LGB people, workplace equality.
Despite considerable progress, there are many LGBT people, here and abroad, who still experience discrimination. Stonewall has a renewed purpose: we're here to let all lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people, here and abroad, know they're not alone. We’re here to support those who can’t yet be themselves. The Campaigns, Policy and Research team will not only ensure that Stonewall remains the leading authority on LGBT issues in health, social care, criminal justice, education, employment, international, and sport but will also support a highly effective team to develop new policy, research and campaigns around social exclusion and poverty, housing, religious, rural and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and trans people in partnership with those communities.
Stonewall staff
At Stonewall we believe our people to be our most precious resource. We aim to recruit the very best staff – with a mix of private, public and third sector backgrounds – and have an ambition to make Stonewall an ‘employer of choice’. We’ve reviewed our benefits package in recent years to reflect this. In our most recent (April 2015) staff survey:
· 92% of staff said they were proud to work for Stonewall
· 79% of staff said that working for Stonewall is fun
· 90% of staff said that they enjoy the work they do
In line with best practice we annually review our diversity statistics and take action to address any underrepresentation. At May 2015:
· 57% of our staff were female
· 10% of our staff were from black and minority ethnic communities
· 10% of our staff considered themselves to be disabled
· 33% of our staff were heterosexual
· 16% of our staff were bisexual
Policy Officer Job Description
1. With the Senior Policy Officer and the Director of Campaigns to brief parliamentarians, local politicians and political parties on equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.
2. Oversee the effective monitoring of parliamentary activity for issues relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality and brief relevant staff where appropriate.
3. Work closely with Stonewall staff in Scotland and Wales on relevant activity in the Senedd and Holyrood.
4. Coordinate Stonewall’s activities in the run up to local, national (working with Stonewall Scotland and Stonewall Cymru as appropriate) and European elections.
5. Draft responses to English and European public consultations as required and maintain Stonewall’s bank of policy positions.
6. Lead on maintaining and strengthening Stonewall’s policy work in partnership with a diverse range of stakeholders in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities, such as BAME and faith communities, including organising roundtables and consultation events
7. Identify emerging issues affecting LGBT equality for different communities and work with the research and campaigns teams to develop robust evidence and campaigns on issues identified as a priority.
8. Produce plain English briefings, reports, guidance and toolkits both independently and in collaboration with partners to develop good practice, capture learning and inform practice on LGBT inclusion.
9. Represent and speak on behalf of Stonewall, where required, in relevant meetings with key stakeholders including the delivery of training and workshops.
10. Work with the Senior Policy Officer, and Fundraising and Communications teams to promote Stonewall’s work to supporters and other audiences.
General responsibilities and duties
· Conduct the duties of the job description in accordance with the operational policies of Stonewall, including but not limited to the diversity policy and code of conduct.
· Maintain good working relations with Trustees, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders.
· Contribute to the general administration and delivery of all Stonewall’s programmes, events and overall objectives
· Undertake any other reasonable duties as may be required
Policy Officer Person Specification
1. Experience working in a policy or parliamentary related environment.
2. Experience of meeting and influencing senior policy makers to achieve change and the implementation of policy objectives.
3. Strong analytical skills and experience applying these in a policy environment .
4. Experience of writing clear and concise guidance and briefings for a range of audiences.
5. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to relate effectively to and influence a wide range of audiences.
6. Highly organised and able to deliver to tight deadlines under pressure, with the ability to respond rapidly to new and changing information.
7. Good knowledge of LGBT and other diversity issues, including an understanding of the legislative background to LGBT equality in Britain.
8. A good understanding of parliamentary process and a strong interest in current affairs.
9. Commitment to and understanding of the aims and objectives of Stonewall.
Policy Officer Key Terms and Conditions
Place of Work 13th Floor, Tower Building, York Road, Waterloo, London, SE1 7NX
Working Week This is a full-time permanent position, comprising a total working week of 35 hours. Stonewall’s normal office hours are Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.30pm, however the demands of this post require a flexible approach to both timing and duration of the working day.
Salary Scale The salary will be £25,000 and is paid retrospectively on the 24th day of each month.
Annual Leave 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 after three years service), three additional ‘Stonewall Days’ over Christmas and eight statutory holidays.
Pension Stonewall will contribute up to 9% of salary to the Stonewall Friends Life pension scheme.
Other benefits After successful completion of the probationary period you will qualify for: free health insurance, death in service benefit of two times your salary, interest free loan on travelcard, tax-free cycle scheme, childcare vouchers, and 24 hour employee support line.
Sick Pay Prior to completion of the probationary period sick pay is at the Chief Executive’s discretion. Thereafter an employee who is absent from work due to sickness will be paid up to four weeks at full pay and four weeks at half pay in any 12 month period. After two years continuous service an employee absent from work due to sickness will be paid up to 12 weeks full pay and 12 weeks half pay in any 12 month period.
Probationary and The post is subject to a six month probationary period. During this
Notice Periods period you will be entitled to receive, and are required to give, at least two weeks notice of termination, which must be in writing. After successful completion of your probationary period you are entitled to receive, and are required to give, at least 1 month’s notice of termination, which must be in writing.
Policy Officer Application Guidance Notes
The covering letter indicates what should be included in the pack. If you’ve not received everything, please contact
We shortlist applicants for interview by matching the details given on the completed application form against both the role description and the person specification. We’ll be looking for clear evidence to show that your experience, skills and knowledge match those set out in the person specification and role description.
We’re interested in all relevant experience, wherever you have gained it, as well as beyond paid employment, that may contribute to your ability to meet the requirements of the job.
All parts of the role description and person specification should be addressed, as information not given or not made explicit on the application form cannot be taken into account in the shortlisting process. Please note that CVs are not accepted and any information given on a CV will not be considered.
Due to the high quality and number of applications we receive, we only contact shortlisted candidates. If you would like confirmation that you have not been successful please contact
If posting, print or complete the form in black ink.
If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to attend interview please contact us. Our offices are accessible.
www.stonewall.org.uk