DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND ADVOCACY
Salary:
£40-45k (depending on experience)
Hours:
35 hours per week
Holiday:
25 days per year plus statutory holidays
Location:
Roebuck House, Mortlake, South West London
Contract:
Permanent contract
Responsible to
Chief Executive
The Director of Policy & Advocacy leads the Policy and Research team. The team’s purpose
is to extend the influence of Missing People in supporting and protecting missing people and
their families by collating knowledge and pressing for change amongst a wide range of
external organisations.
OVERALL PURPOSE


To be responsible as part of the Leadership Team in positioning Missing People as an
authoritative voice for missing people and their families.
To be responsible for the strategic development of the public policy, advocacy, political
and knowledge management work of Missing People.
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Strategy and leadership
 To provide leadership in the delivery of Missing People’s policy and advocacy
activity.
 To provide leadership in the development and delivery of Missing People’s research
and knowledge management activity.
 To develop and implement a Missing People advocacy strategy.
 To work with leaders and managers across Missing People to ensure that influencing
capacity is embedded into every team.
Partnerships and advocacy
 To develop relationships within parliament, Whitehall, devolved administrations and
local government to advance Missing People’s policy and advocacy aims.
 To work with existing and emerging networks and campaigning groups to advance
our objectives.
 To develop strong partnerships with agencies including national Policing bodies and
private sector supporters to further the strategic aims of the organisation.
Representation and voice
 To become a credible advocate for missing people and their families with the media
and in high level relationships.
 To work closely with the chief executive in the delivery of high level written briefings
and speech writing
 To work closely with the Communications team to develop effective campaign
strategies which further Missing People’s policy aims and raise awareness.
 To oversee the arrangements for engaging with service users, understanding their
needs and ensuring effective representation of their needs to external agencies.
Knowledge
 To provide leadership in the development of systems and structures to harness
knowledge, learning and impact measurement for Missing People.
 To provide leadership in the development of effective resources to communicate our
knowledge and evidence our impact.
 To provide leadership in the development of Missing People’s research capacity.
Team leadership and development
 To lead and co-ordinate the Policy and Research Team, in consultation with the
Leadership Team.
 To support the professional development of Missing People’s Policy and Research
Team
 To participate in staff, Leadership and Board meetings as appropriate.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Skills
Essential (e)
or desirable (d)
Ability to work with other department leaders to provide effective
charity leadership.
e
Ability to provide strong and effective leadership to the Policy and
Research team.
e
Ability to provide intellectual and ethical leadership both within the
Policy and Research team and more broadly across Missing People
e
Excellent policy and advocacy skills.
e
Ability to provide effective research and knowledge management
leadership.
e
Ability to identify, forge and foster strategic partnerships and
relationships with key external organisations/individuals.
e
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to liaise with internal
staff at all levels, as well as other professionals and service-users.
e
Negotiation and diplomacy skills.
e
Excellent written communication skills (e.g. strategies, briefings).
e
Excellent oral communication skills (including presentations, events,
chairing meetings).
e
Strategic planning and analysis.
e
Good team and individual management skills.
e
Ability to foster professional development.
e
Ability to work to tight deadlines.
e
Good IT skills.
e
Experience/knowledge
Clear understanding of, and at least 4 years performing in, a
significant leadership role.
e
At least 4years’ experience at a senior level, of policy, public affairs or
advocacy work.
e
Experience, understanding of, and commitment to the role of the
voluntary sector.
e
Experience and/or clear understanding of the role of Whitehall/civil
service in the policy process.
e
Experience and/or clear understanding of the role of the Westminster
and devolved parliaments in the legislative and policy process.
e
Experience and/or clear understanding of the role of statutory bodies,
e.g. police, local authorities, NDPBs etc. in legislative and policy
processes and in delivering and commissioning services.
e
Experience of leading and delivering charity campaigns.
d
Experience and/or clear understanding of the importance of data and
evidence in informing policy development.
e
Experience and/or clear understanding of how organisations can
foster knowledge as both an internal and external resource.
e
Experience and/or clear understanding of the processes by which
research is identified, commissioned, undertaken and reported.
e
Experience and/or clear understanding of how organisations can
foster service user engagement as both an internal and external
resource.
e
Knowledge of policing in the UK.
d
Knowledge or experience working in the field of,
safeguarding/protecting vulnerable people.
d
Knowledge, or experience working in the field of, providing emotional
support, counselling, ‘talking therapies’ etc.
d
Knowledge or experience working in the field of, providing financial or
legal support/advice.
d
Knowledge of or experience working in the field of, outcome and
impact measurement.
d
Education and professional qualifications
Post graduate education or equivalent experience.
e