Senior Policy Officer: Windrush Justice

• Salary £35k – 37k per annum.
• Hours 35 hours per week (full time)
• Location Hybrid: 3 days in Kings Cross office and 2 days working from home.
• Contract duration 3-year fixed-term.
• Annual leave entitlement 28 days per year plus bank holidays.
• Pension (employees only) 8% employer contribution.
• Reports to: Windrush Policy Manager & The Head of Policy

The Windrush Senior Policy Officer will work with Windrush advocates and key stakeholders to influence policymakers to right the wrongs of the Windrush Scandal.  

This is an excellent opportunity to work at the national level for a valued charity with effective links to national, regional and local government, and Windrush advocates.  

The postholder will have a strong interest in racial justice. We apply an intersectional approach to everything we do. You will work closely with the Windrush Policy Manager, Head of Policy, and senior leadership team, the grassroots Windrush groups and members of the Windrush Justice Community Collective, civil society partners and government officials to develop evidence-based positions and use them to influence government policies at all levels and develop practical solutions to improve outcomes for people affected by the Windrush Scandal.  

You will be required to produce quality policy briefings, letters, social posts and news updates, and organise parliamentary events and roundtables. You will collate information convene and evidence from our Windrush policy working group in collaboration with the ARE team.  

• Convene a policy working group of experts from grassroots groups previously on our Windrush Justice Programme and translate their insights into practical recommendations for different audiences. 
• Work with members of the Windrush Justice Community Collective to create and deliver an iterative campaign strategy that keeps Windrush Justice on the political agenda  
• Work with members of the Windrush Justice Community Collective to organise and deliver events. 
• Organise and manage parliamentary events and roundtables and represent ARE at appropriate external meetings. 
• Maintain good relationships with ARE stakeholders including law centres, grassroots groups and Third Sector organisations to ensure their input into ARE’s policy development and research. 
• Work with ARE colleagues to produce briefings, collate data and share what’s happening with the wider Windrush landscape. 
• Work with MPs, Peers and Ministers and senior civil servants to advance policy recommendations. 
• Keep up to date with developments in public policy, legislation, best practice, relevant initiatives, and news on Windrush justice and racial justice and respond appropriately through written briefings, blogs and formal evidence submissions. 
• Contribute to ARE’s responses to relevant government consultations and working groups as part of the wider policy team. 
• Senior stakeholder engagement: effectively build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders such as civil service colleagues, local authority representatives, and other relevant positions with direct impact on policy making.  
• Contribute to the ongoing development of ARE’s strategy on Windrush policy work and work closely with our funders to ensure delivery including producing funder reports and applications with the Policy Manager, Head of Policy and Senior Leadership Team.  
• Implement a monitoring and evaluation process to support reporting requirements for funders, the board of trustees, and the Senior Leadership Team. 
• Support the Communications team to draft press releases, write blogs and create social media content. 

Professional Development

• Help to identify and support your own continual professional development and cooperate with performance appraisals. 

• Contribute to the success of ARE by participating in performance management arrangements, fundraising and research proposals and by applying the principles and practices associated with equality in employment, equality in service delivery and health & safety in the workplace. 

• Undertake any roles or tasks that are consistent with the level of this post or that fall within the scope of the role thereby ensuring that the overall business and operational priorities of ARE are delivered in a timely and effective manner. 

The post holder will be actively interested in what is happening in government, Windrush justice and be alert to opportunities to work collaboratively with colleagues to advance ARE’s mission and values. They should be comfortable communicating to general and specific audiences and have excellent writing and presentation skills.  

Experience

• Experience of working in a political space (for example working with Ministers / MPs and their offices) and/or with senior stakeholders within the civil service, local authorities or with grassroots organisations. 
• Will have experience in policy development and/or social research and be committed to addressing racial disparities, as well as: 
• Experience of social policy development or social research 
• Experience of event and stakeholder engagement 
• Experience of leading a work programme area 

Qualifications

• No formal qualifications are required, although a relevant qualification in public policy, law, social sciences, race and ethnicity studies or a related field would be welcomed.

Specific Skills 

• Good written and oral communication skills 
• Experience of policy analysis 
• Ability to understand and analyse data 
• Ability to work across organisational boundaries and develop constructive relationships with key stakeholders 
• Ability to work in partnership 
• Effective interpersonal skills including influence, persuasion, assertiveness and sensitivity 

Specific Knowledge: 

• Knowledge of the systemic issues affecting Black, Asian/South East Asian, and Mixed heritage communities 
• Awareness of the role of government and various government agencies in shaping policies affecting Windrush Justice   

Personal qualities

• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team 
• Ability to work independently and design and lead projects 
• Motivated with the ability to motivate others 
• Able to prioritise workloads and complete agreed policy outputs 
• Pro-active approach and skill in creative problem solving  
• Proven IT skills including Microsoft Office 365 particularly Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint 

Confidentiality

All employees must respect at all times the confidentiality of the organisation both internally and externally

Basis of contract 

• The post is funded by Legal Education Foundation for 3 years. 

Alongside our values, we expect everyone to display the behaviours needed to contribute to our vision and purpose. In return, we seek to offer an inclusive, rewarding, and collaborative environment with several benefits. 

Stay and grow 

• 28 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays per year  
• Mid and annual performance review with development plans 
• 8% Employer pension contribution scheme 
• Annual individual Continuing Professional Development budget 
• Monthly all-staff training and learning sessions 
• Manage your attendance, expenses and development via our easy-to-use online Bright HR system and app 

Keeping healthy 

• Employee assistance programme 
• Mental health and wellbeing support  
• Glasses eye test cost reimbursed  
• Working from home equipment budget to work safely 
• Office closure between Christmas and New Year 
• Discounts for services and products via Bright HR system 

Great environment 

• Hybrid working 50% of the working week 
• Team building sessions throughout the year 
• Opportunity to engage with Board of Trustees 

For more information, or an informal chat about the role, contact Kimberly Mcintosh.