Shelter is looking for good communicators with knowledge of housing and social policy to join us as Policy Officers to creatively develop Shelter’s policy and influencing on housing and homelessness issues.
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
At a time when housing and homelessness has rarely been higher on the public and political agenda, Shelter’s policy team uses its thorough analysis and expertise, influence and powerful communication to achieve change for millions of people impacted by the growing housing crisis. We use rigorous research and our insight into our clients’ experiences to develop astute policy positions. As you would expect, our work targets national and local government. Just as importantly however, we target business and consumer behaviour and public attitudes and beliefs too.
About the role
Your focus will be on developing Shelter’s policy and responding to government initiatives across a range of highly topical issues like affordability, welfare and housing standards. We’ll also rely on you to identify emerging policy and monitor issues emerging from our services, as well as external policy and political agendas. You will also work closely with colleagues across research, media, campaigns and public affairs to develop and implement strategies and projects to ensure we have impact. And, when it comes to spotting opportunities to work with other organisations to develop policy responses and produce outputs, again, we’ll count on you. Producing high quality blogs, briefings, and reports, representing us to a range of audiences and building relationships with government officials, housing organisations, think tanks and others in the social policy field – these are just some aspects of this challenging role.
About you
You’ll need a proven ability to undertake creative policy development work on specific social and/or economic issues in a wider political context. We’ll also be looking for experience of analysing evidence, assessing policy options, developing new ideas and linking policy outputs to communications activities and campaign objectives. You’ll have a proactive, results-driven and commercially aware approach to projects along with a collaborative way of working, well-rounded communication skills, including a persuasive writing style and the ability to positively influence others. Above all, you are keen to help shape the housing policies of the future.
Benefits include 30 days’ annual leave, the possibility of flexible working, enhanced family friendly policies and significant opportunities for learning and development.
Safeguarding is everyone’s business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Full-time (37.5 hours) or Part-time (22.5 hours per week) - Other working patterns considered (e.g. 2 x 30 hours per week).