Policy & Public Affairs Intern

Length: 32 weeks, estimated start in May

Salary: London living wage, £26,936 pro-rata

Working Pattern: Full-time, 35hrs Mon – Fri | Staff can opt to work 32hrs over 4 days each week (with either Monday or Friday as a non-working day). The BES is a 4-day work week organisation with no reduction in pay.

Location: Hybrid. We ask that staff spend at least 60% of their time at our London office.

Closing Date: Thursday 2 April, 10:00am

Interview Date: Monday 27 April

Purpose of role: This role will provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of working in environmental policy and public affairs. You will join our small friendly Policy team working across the BES’s policy priorities, ensuring scientific evidence is accessible to policymakers across the UK. If you have strong interpersonal and organisational skills, demonstrable interest in environmental policy and a desire to learn about the BES’s policy work, we would love to hear from you.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Policy and Research

• Research and prepare a policy briefing on a topic aligned with the BES’s policy strategy.
• Drawing from previous BES publications, help develop and refine the BES’s strategic messaging to support consistent and effective external communications.
• Oversee the policy section of the BES website, including writing expert and engaging blogs and news items, and organising the contribution of external collaborators.
• Working with the communications team, help to develop content to communicate key messages, including webinars, podcasts, newsletter content and social media.

• Develop a database of contacts and stakeholders to help communicate our key messages.
• Represent the BES, alongside other members of the Policy & External Affairs team, at meetings with external partners, workshops, parliamentary receptions and conferences, building relationships and forging effective partnerships.
• Help with policy event management including policy roundtables, expert workshops, policy training and other online and in-person events.

• Provide support to the BES Policy Committee and our national Policy Groups in England, Wales and Scotland. This includes organising meetings, as well as producing relevant papers, agendas and minutes.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage a wide range of audiences
• Ability to analyse, interpret and summarise complex scientific information in an engaging manner
• Self-motivated, with the ability to be proactive and work independently
• Familiarity with social media with experience of writing webpages, blogs and social media posts.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with experience of developing effective working relationships with a range of individuals.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to meet multiple deadlines and prioritise work with excellent attention to detail.
• Good IT skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Degree in natural sciences or social sciences.
• A demonstrable interest in environmental policy.
• Some knowledge of the environmental policy priorities of the UK and devolved governments.
• Some knowledge of BES policy priority areas, including Nature Finance, Nature Based Solutions and Nature-Positive Infrastructure.
• An understanding of the BES’s work and the role of learned societies.

To apply for this vacancy, please submit:

• Your CV - no more than 2x A4 sides detailing your education, training and work history, as well as any relevant skills
• A cover letter no more than 1x A4 side explaining why you wish to undertake this particular role at the BES
• Your Equality & Diversity information - this voluntary information helps us to assess the diversity of our recruitment and further improve recruitment processes in the future. It has no bearing on the success of your application and is not considered as part of the shortlisting process.

We recognise that AI tools can support candidates in refining their job applications, particularly in improving clarity and language. If you choose to use AI to assist with your application, please remember you are responsible for the content and quality of your application. AI may be used to improve - but must not replace - your own voice and experience. Applications must reflect your own understanding, experience and suitability for the role. We encourage all applicants to review their submission carefully before sending.

BENEFITS

• Four-day working week
• Along with our four-day working week to support a better work/life balance, we offer a range of flexible working options, including hybrid working and variable start and finishing times.
• Annual leave
• With a generous holiday allowance and office closure between Christmas and the New Year, we’ll make sure you have space for yourself. We also offer everyone a week working from anywhere.
• Pension
• To help with saving for your retirement, we offer a generous pension plan.
• Health and wellbeing
• With a supportive occupational sick policy, eyecare checks and seasonal flu jabs we’re here to keep your health a priority. We have regular wellbeing activities, a wellness room and annual away-days for all staff.