Policy Adviser

Job summary

Do you want to make a tangible different to the lives of children across England? Can you use your skills to be a catalyst for creating meaningful change? Are you committed to protecting the rights of children? Are you ready to join a committed team, dedicated to giving children and young people a voice on the issues affecting them?

The Children’s Commissioner’s role includes taking children’s thoughts, opinions and ideas to decision makers, to ensure that the Government reflects children’s voices in the decisions that will affect them in years to come.

Joining the team is a chance to be involved in shaping children’s policy, making sure children’s voices are heard and being part of an exciting environment which puts children’s needs at the heart of everything we do.

The Children’s Commissioner is looking to fill a role in the Policy team. The role will be based in Central London at 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP.

Selection for appointment to the Office of the Children’s Commissioner is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition.

We are looking for a wide variety of people to take on our roles, however we would particularly welcome applications from care leavers or individuals with experience of being ‘looked after’ by the state. We also actively encourage applicants from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds. We welcome applications from both inside and outside the Civil Service.

The role is suitable for hybrid working, with up to 2 days a week working from home. This is a voluntary non-contractual arrangement, and your office will be your contractual place of work.

Job description

As a Policy Advisor you will work flexibly across the Children’s Commissioner’s work on children’s rights, but with a particular focus on children’s safety – particularly where harm is experienced in the online world. You will ensure that the office’s work improves the lives and experiences of children. This will include initiating and delivering evidence-based projects, taking the lead on briefing the Children’s Commissioner on matters relating to children’s interactions with the online world and as victims of crime, as well as supporting the work and strategy of the wider office.

You will identify opportunities for the Children’s Commissioner to effect change on behalf of children and represent the Commissioner at external meetings, including with highly vulnerable children, and build positive working relationships with a range of stakeholders.

You will achieve recognition for your work, and the work of the office, across Whitehall, turning policy propositions into real legislative and regulatory change.

Key responsibilities

• Monitor the policy landscape relating to children’s interactions with the online world, and how these interactions can connect to being victims of harm both online and offline.
• Conduct policy analysis and formulate reasoned, evidence-based arguments for change.
• Respond to policy consultations on behalf of the Children’s Commissioner.
• Work on specific projects as outlined in the Children’s Commissioner’s business plan, listening to and interpreting the experience of children and young people, and understanding the policy issues involved.
• Attend and deliver policy briefings to the Children’s Commissioner and significant stakeholders.
• Participating in qualitative research projects in partnership with the research team.
• Work with colleagues to commission research, including using the Commissioners statutory powers to develop robust evidence.
• Deliver high quality external facing outputs, communicating the evidence and views of the office fluently and credibly.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders who can support with improving children’s experiences of the online world, and children’s lives more broadly. This includes developing partnerships and relationships to support the delivery of projects.
• Support and manage colleagues to deliver high impact work where appropriate.

Person specification

Successful applicants will:

• Be a policy professional and motivated self-starter with the ability to get to grips with complex work at speed.
• Be comfortable managing competing priorities and able to take responsibility for delivering high quality work to completion.
• Be skilled at engaging and building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Be able to thrive in a small, friendly, hard working and very supportive team.
• Be committed to upholding the rights of children.
• Enjoy working with children and young people, and ensuring their voices are heard.

Key Criteria

Essential

• Experience working in a policy environment and an understanding of the policy making process, including using evidence to support the delivery of policy change.(LEAD CRITERIA)
• Experience working with parliamentarians, including on legislative change.
• Experience working with communication colleagues to influence change.
• An understanding of research methodologies and experience of using research and evidence to develop policy propositions.
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills, including producing public facing outputs at speed.
• The ability to manage and deliver multiple projects in a fast-moving organisation.
• High levels of personal effectiveness in working as part of a team and contributing to a successful organisation.
• Knowledge and understanding of online policy and legislation

Desirable

• Experience of working directly with children
• Knowledge and understanding of policy relating to child victims of crime

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,981, Office of the Children's Commissioner contributes £11,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 27.97%. Benefits of the pension scheme - Civil Service Pension Scheme
• An Employee Assistance Programme.
• A comprehensive reward scheme.
• Generous holiday allowance starting at 25 days plus bank holidays and one privilege day.
• Flexible working options including full-time or part-time and hybrid working (amend as per role).
• A range of family friendly policies.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• A culture encouraging inclusivity and diversity.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

CV

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