Policy and Research Officer
Would you like to work in a dynamic forward-looking organisation as the Policy and Research Officer, where you can help to advance, promote, and maintain high standards of practice of psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic counselling for the benefit of all?
Position: Policy and Research Officer
Location: Hybrid/London (in the office at least once per month on average)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full and part time hours considered
Salary: £33,824 per annum (FTE) (pro rata for part time hours)
Closing Date: Monday 20th January 2025
Please note we reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible.
About the Role
We are looking for a Policy and Research Officer who is passionate about mental health service provision in the UK, to join a vibrant and thriving team, working to build the psychotherapeutic evidence base in support of the public interest and the charitable objectives. This is a particularly exciting time to join as we have just launched our three-year strategy.
You will be pivotal in developing and implementing the research and policy strategy, including campaigning to national policymakers to drive positive change in the mental health arena. To help to support and promote the research work of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors.
Key responsibilities include:
• To assist the policy and research manager and wider campaigns team in their ongoing national policy and campaigning work, such as raising awareness of psychotherapy and improving access to psychotherapy.
• Supporting all aspects of policy, campaigning and public affairs work – including MP engagement, campaign design and administration.
• Leading on the devolved policy engagement work in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Building relationships with stakeholders within parliament, public bodies, higher education institutions and the wider mental health sector.
• Contribute to work to lobby Government, NHS England, local commissioners and other decision makers and stakeholders.
• Undertake desk-based research to support policy objectives, such as literature reviews and scoping research.
• To support appropriate research projects, including collecting and analysing survey data.
• Provide administrative support to the organisation’s research committees.
• To assist in the organisation’s advocacy work on behalf of members and services.
• Produce written briefings, publications and other materials that communicate complex messages clearly and effectively to different audiences.
• To provide policy and research input to support the delivery of the organisation’s strategy.
About You
This is a role for an individual who is open to new ideas, who is motivational and pragmatic. You will enjoy the opportunity to support an important cause where there is a growing demand in society for greater choices of high-quality mental health service provision. There’ll be scope for professional development as well as personal reward in working with autonomy in a small team and for an important charity. In short, it is an opportunity to make a real difference.
You will need to have the following skills and experience:
• A good working understanding of policymaking, public affairs and campaigning.
• An understanding of parliamentary procedures and how to influence the political and policy making process.
• Ability to understand and analyse information including research reports and legislation.
• Experience of conducting research in an academic context.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to write for a range of non-academic and academic audiences.
• Ability to engage and build positive relationships, including with colleagues from other organisations across the sector, and with higher profile stakeholders such as MPs and policy makers.
• Excellent ability to plan and prioritise multiple projects to meet agreed deadlines and targets, and ability to respond to tight deadlines and changing circumstances.
About the Organisation
The employer is the leading professional body for psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Alongside professional support for members, they are the leading research, innovation, educational and regulatory body working to advance psychotherapies, and emotional and mental wellness for the benefit of all. They represent training organisations and over 8,000 individual therapists - working privately or in the NHS or voluntary sector - offering a wide variety of psychotherapeutic approaches or modalities.
You may have experience in areas such as: Policy Assistant, Research Assistant, Policy Officer, Research Officer, Policy Lead, Research Lead, Policy Analyst, Research Analyst, Public Affairs Officer, Public Affairs Lead, Communications Officer, Communications Lead, Communications Analyst, Engagement Officer, Engagement Lead.
PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.
