If you’ve been working in a policy role within government, at a think tank, research agency or similar and want to use your insights and experience to influence UK government policy debates this could be the role for you. Join Nesta as Senior Policy Advisor and design, lead and deliver creative policy projects as part of our our cutting edge work to help governments and communities reimagine public services and recraft the role of public servants to be fit for the future.
About Nesta
Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society. Nesta is based in the UK and supported by a financial endowment. We work with partners around the globe to bring bold ideas to life to change the world for good.
Nesta’s work helps governments at a national and local level to understand future trends, make use of quality new research insights, test ideas in demonstrators and scale up or replicate proven interventions. Over the last 10 years we have worked with hundreds of local and national government partners, as well as supporting thousands of innovators in charities and social enterprises, to bring bold ideas to life to change the world for good. We have particularly focused on the value of people powered public services, smarter use of data and technology and better use of new financial instruments to make change happen.
About this key role
You will maximise the impact of Nesta’s government innovation research and programmes by managing a portfolio of policy projects that develop our reputation as an influential voice on government and community policy in the UK. This will include collaborating with relevant colleagues across Nesta, helping to distil our ideas into clear, creative and insightful policy proposals and managing the commissioning process of policy provocations from experts in the field. You will also:
- Undertake specific policy projects related to the team’s influencing campaigns;
- Lead on the design and delivery of workshops and events aimed at policy, political or industry audiences;
- Compose targeted and regular communications activities such as blogs and newsletters to promote our policy ideas;
- Horizon-scan for opportunities to promote Nesta’s innovation policy work;
- Research and write policy briefs for external and internal audiences;
- Develop a network of influencers and decision-makers in governments at all levels and other related bodies and organisations
What we are looking for
Someone with a strong grasp of UK policy relevant to government and community innovation, you have an understanding of how to influence public policy and decision-makers in government and industry and extensive networks with key policy makers in Whitehall departments and large charities.
You will be a thought leader in your own right, ready to generate new ideas but you’ll also have a passion for ideas grounded in experimentation and what works on the ground. You will actively seek out insights and examples from the wealth of programme expertise we have working with innovators in local government up and down the country, and in social enterprises, charities and civil society. A skilled communicator, you will be able to distil research and complex ideas into briefs, articles and policy recommendations for expert and general audiences.
Nesta is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion - we welcome and encourage applications from everyone.