The Press, Policy and Public Affairs team lead the external influence of the charity. It manages the relationship with Government and political parties, builds connections with a wider network of policy and sector contacts and creates and influences policy in support of our vision. It also delivers media and PR activity to promote our work, the issues we care about, and to attract applicants to join our programmes. The team sit within a multi-functional Communications Department that sees its work integrated within, and planned across, all forms of communications.
Purpose of the role
Do you have a passion for education policy and an eye for statistics? Do you want your work to be used to influence change to make education fairer? If you’ve answered yes, this job could be for you.
The purpose of the role is to undertake policy research, analysis and support development of Teach First policy positions. You will integrate policy work with the wider communications team and across the organisation to support campaigns. Your policy work will equip us to influence change to make education fairer and be used to help advise the direction of the charity.
At this level you will:
- Report to the Policy and Public Affairs Manager;
- Help grow Teach First’s policy voice by: supporting the development of policy positions to be agreed and shaped by senior managers, leading on writing policy publications, providing policy insight to the organisation.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Developing Teach First policy positions in partnership with key colleagues, to support public affairs, media and campaigns, including responses to breaking news;
- Analysing data and research to identify trends, stories and inform policy development;
- Leading project management and writing of policy reports, publications and consultation responses;
- Monitoring the policy landscape and writing quick turnaround briefings to inform colleagues;
- Writing briefings, speeches, presentations, blogs and online content to disseminate policy work to the people who can influence change;
- Representing Teach First on working groups and coalitions to advocate our views;
- Manage external suppliers who help develop publications;
- Work with our Research and Strategy team to collaborate on research activity and policy development.
The critical responsibilities of this role are described above. They may be subject to reasonable changes from time to time in line with business need. As part of the role you may be required to travel to other UK locations from time to time. You will may also be required to attend away days/retreats and the annual “Offsite” event which is mandatory for all employees.
Person Specification
Essential skills and experience:
- Expert attention to detail in analysing policy and data;
- Skilled at developing new policy, ideally on education or related field;
- Expert verbal and written communication skills, with experience of writing for different audiences;
- Substantial experience of monitoring political and policy landscape to provide insight to an organisation or campaign;
- Excellent political judgment and stakeholder management;
- Flexible team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
Desirable skills and experience:
- Project management experience;
- Experience managing contracts and suppliers;
- Expertise in education policy.
All our employees are expected to model our values and help others to do so.
Benefits
Teach First’s core benefits include 27 days holiday per annum (3 of which must be taken during the one week holiday shutdown period between Christmas Day and New Year's Day), participation in the pension scheme via Salary Exchange (with an employer contribution of up to 6%), life assurance, income protection and private healthcare. Through our flexible benefits platform access to childcare vouchers, interest free travel season ticket loan, subsidised dental membership, health screening, discounted gym membership, travel insurance, GAYE and the option to buy/sell annual leave.