Do you have experience in policy, policy development and campaigns and a real passion for ending the housing emergency? Then join Shelter as a Policy Manager and you could soon be a key member of a team that prides itself on creating well-grounded but creative policy that can challenge any think tank.
About Shelter
A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent.
We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.
About the team
Part of our Communication, Policy and Campaigns Division, Shelter’s Policy team is responsible for developing policy on housing and homelessness issues. Grounded in the experience of the people who use Shelter’s services every day, as well as in expert research, the team combines work on short term change in policy and practice at a national and local level with innovative policy development aimed at tackling the root causes of Britain’s housing emergency. Whatever the challenge, however, the central focus of the team’s work remains the same - to maximise its contribution to our core mission of delivering positive change for those in housing need.
About the Role
There’s never been a more important time to take on this challenge. The coronavirus pandemic has laid bare the inadequate state of our housing in this country. And, as we face the second major recession in ten years, far too many people will face the threat of homelessness. The next two years could change the face and shape of the country.
A rare opportunity to play a lead role in developing Shelter’s policy programme on key strategic campaigning themes, this varied role will require you to quickly get to grips with the problems faced by the people who come to Shelter every day for help, thus enabling us to swiftly respond to and influence national and local policy. As well as developing innovative and workable proactive policy on the issues that get to the heart of our nation’s long-term housing problems, we’ll rely on you to help build upon the team’s good reputation. You’ll also be responsible for line managing Policy Officers/Assistant Policy Officers, contributing to team management and development and deputising for the Head of Policy as and when required.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About you
You’ll need experience of developing innovative new policy, grounded in robust evidence and sensitive to public and/or cross-party political attitudes, which delivers positive change. You’ll also need a real passion for ending the housing emergency and the intellectual capacity and curiosity to seek out and develop the best ideas for doing this. Strong political nous and a campaigning mindset are important attributes too, as are the communication and strategic leadership skills it takes to work across an organisation to create real and effective policy changes through successful campaigning. Someone who excels at project scoping and management, engaging with stakeholders and communicating through policy maker events, social and traditional media comes naturally to you too. What’s more, you’re adept at distilling complex arguments to make them clear and understandable, focused on outcomes and able to work across boundaries to build and lead successful campaigns.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
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.