Job Description and Person Specification
Please note this statement is for information only and does not form part of a contract. This
list is not exhaustive and you will be expected to undertake such duties as may be assigned
to you by ActionAid from time to time. Employees are expected to be flexible in their work in
order to deliver the objectives of the organisation.
Job title
Contract type
Grade/starting salary
Policy Advisor
Permanent
Grade 5 (£38,332- £39,492)
Reporting to
Direct Reports:
Programme Policy Manager
Potential line management
Context
Are you passionate about making a real difference?
As part of the global ActionAid family, we are helping to build a fair and just world where
everyone can claim their rights. To achieve this we work with local people in more than 40
countries to fight hunger and disease, seek justice and education for women, hold
companies and governments to account and help communities cope with emergencies.
This role sits within the Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns department of ActionAid UK, which
persuades and pressures UK policy makers on many international development issues, from
development finance to biofuels to women’s rights. We do this using a wide range of tactics,
such as persuasive research, public campaigning, media pressure and political lobbying.
The main collective responsibilities for the Policy Team are to:
 Develop and advocate for changes in policy and practice (as per key areas in
strategy)
 Support public facing campaigns (currently tax justice)
 Create thought leadership and build ActionAid’s public profile
 Identify and campaign against UK and global constraints to bottom-up alternatives to
current development models, amplifying the voices of communities we work with
Over time, the issue areas we work on shift. ActionAid is currently an influential voice in land
rights, education, tax justice, and women’s rights. Our 2012-2017 strategy, Action for
Change, prioritises these issues and adds a stronger focus on resilience and emergencies
as well as issues arising from other programmatic work. Alternative development models are
also part of the remit for the team. The team must remain flexible to respond to these shifting
demands. The result is that the focus of any one post will shift over time as well. Policy
Advisors will be hired with an initial focus, but also a strong understanding that they will be
supported to move on to other issues depending on the needs of the organisation.
Purpose of the Role
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To undertake policy analysis, research and advocacy on one or more focus issues –
with the immediate focus being on development finance and aid to the private sector,
and on helping to develop ActionAid’s thinking on the role of the private sector in
development
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To shape and implement advocacy strategies, and to contribute to the strategic
development of a campaign on the focus issues
To represent the organisation externally through writing, media, social networks,
expert groups and public speaking, with a particular focus on digital media
To support policy work of ActionAid International and southern affiliates and country
programmes
Key Relationships
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Programme Policy Unit and the wider Policy Team within which the Unit sits
The Campaign Team and Advocacy Team in UK Policy & Campaigns Department,
especially the private sector advocacy adviser
Policy, Advocacy & Campaigns Director and the Chief Executive
UK Communications Department, in particular the Media Team
UK Fundraising department, including the Philanthropy and Partnerships Team and
the Programme and Emergencies Funding Team
ActionAid International staff, especially the International Head of Programmes, policy
staff and other country-based staff working on similar issues
ActionAid staff in affiliates and country programmes working on similar issues
UK Government: civil servants and senior officials
Academics, media commentators and other opinion-formers
UK and international NGOs working on relevant issues
UK and international journalists covering relevant issues
Key tasks and responsibilities
Main Duties
1 Undertake policy analysis and research
 Produce rigorous policy analysis, reports and briefings with
recommendations for changes in the policy and practice of UK
government, international institutions and other relevant targets.
 Supporting and working with Affiliates and Country Programmes, on
prioritised areas of research and analysis to inform policy development in
the UK.
 Undertake desk based and field research, commission researchers or
coordinate country-based researchers,
 Undertake investigative work, in collaboration with colleagues in other
teams as appropriate
 Work with ActionAid International and ActionAid UK colleagues to ensure
that the team’s work is informed by, aligned with and contributes to
ActionAid International’s priorities.
 Ensure strong gender analysis in all our policy work.
 Monitor policy and political debates and developments on your current
issues.
2 Take part in public and private debate, particularly online
 Identify, secure and act on opportunities to communicate AA policy and
thinking through writing articles, blogs, online debate and public speaking.
 Network with colleagues in other NGOs and academic institutions,
including those in the global South, to share intelligence and develop joint
thinking.
 Work with media colleagues to research and place media stories, and act
as an issue spokesperson or support other staff to act as spokespeople.
 Work to provide opportunities for southern colleagues’ to develop policy,
and to access advocacy and public platforms in the UK.
3 Shape and implement advocacy and campaigns strategies
 With colleagues in the Advocacy Team, develop and implement policy and
advocacy strategies.
 Depending on focus issue, work with colleagues in the Campaigns Team
to develop and implement campaign strategies.
 Network with relevant UK and international networks to co-ordinate and
undertake joint work.
 Lobby civil servants, elected officials and other decision makers at national
and international levels.
 Provide written briefings for decision makers and for senior colleagues (eg
Directors and spokespeople).
 As part of the team, undertake monitoring and evaluation of outcomes and
impact of advocacy activities.
 Work closely with colleagues in the Advocacy team to lead or input into
submissions, reports and presentations on our issues.
4 Depending on issue focus, staff supervision
 Supervision of research, digital communications and other public facing
materials.
 Ensure that staff are managed in accordance with ActionAid policies and
practice.
 Ensure understanding of, and commitment to ActionAid's mission, vision,
values and strategic aims and work towards their achievement within the
context of Action for Change and PAC objectives.
 Provide each staff member with appropriate development opportunities
through ActionAid’s appraisal system, and regular 1:1 sessions.
 Manage any casual/temporary staff or trainees that are part of or allocated
to the team.
 Proactively ensure that all staff are kept fully briefed on key organisational
management, marketing and campaigning issues.
5 Contribute to the operations of the Policy, Advocacy & Campaigns
department and of ActionAid UK
 Peer review the work of other policy staff in the department.
 Support the policy and campaigning work of ActionAid UK on a wider
range of subjects as required.
 Attend and contribute to departmental meetings, away-days, staff briefings
and conferences.
 Work with colleagues in the fundraising department to secure income for
policy projects, when appropriate.
 Undertake other tasks & responsibilities that the Head of
Policy/Programme Policy Manager deems necessary and appropriate.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
Desirable
Excellent knowledge of development Knowledge of debates and trends in aid
including a strong understanding of power and development finance and aid,
relations and the political and economic particularly around catalysing private sector
forces which shape relations between the investment
global North and South
An understanding of the importance of Understanding of the role of the private
women’s rights in development and gender sector in development, informed by critical
analysis skills
Southern and feminist perspectives, as well
as by experience engaging with the private
sector
Degree in an appropriate subject
A post graduate degree in a relevant subject
At least two years’ experience of policy Experience of living and/or working in
analysis and research on relevant issues developing countries or working closely with
gained in a public policy, NGO or academic NGOs from developing countries, ideally in
environment
the field of policy, advocacy or campaigns
Experience of lobbying civil servants and Experience of briefing media or being a
politicians
media spokesperson
Experience of networking and contact
building in political, academic or NGO
settings
Experience of using social media in a
professional context
A strong commitment to ActionAid’s values,
including those on women’s rights
Skills and Abilities
Excellent writing skills and the ability to
translate complex material and data into
clear
and
concise
lobbying
and
campaigning briefings and materials
Excellent negotiation and presentational
skills and the ability to communicate
effectively at all levels and across cultures
Ability and enthusiasm to speak in public
forums and take part in public debates
online
Ability to prepare strategic plans
A proven ability to work in teams; strong
collaborative and team–building skills
Proven computer literacy with the ability to
adopt new digital platforms
Ability to travel, up to a maximum of 8
weeks per year
Quantitative skills, command of excel and
statistical software
Skills in desk-based research skills, and in
investigative or action research methods