Policy Advisor (Early Years Focus) - Parental Leave Cover in London

We are recruiting for a Policy Advisor in Nesta’s Policy Team. Please note that this is a 12-month parental leave cover. This role is open to secondment arrangements.

About Nesta

We are Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society’s biggest challenges. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet. For over 20 years, we have supported, encouraged and inspired innovation.

How will a Policy Advisor contribute to Nesta’s success?

A policy advisor will help us make progress on our missions by:

• Working at the intersection of our A Fairer Start mission and wider governmental policy priorities.
• Working on cross-cutting issues to unblock or galvanise action on our missions.

Policy change is a major route to impact at scale for Nesta. We combine our expertise in applied innovation with policy expertise and political insights to develop and land policy changes in service of our missions.

The role

In this role, you will be part of the central Policy Team (approximately 14 people) at Nesta — strengthening Nesta’s relationships with policy-makers and bringing fresh, innovative and pragmatic solutions to some of the biggest challenges the country faces. Your primary focus will be on early years and related policy in relation to the UK Government; the team also has colleagues focusing specifically on the Scottish and Welsh Governments.

You’ll work closely with our multidisciplinary A Fairer Start mission team. You can expect to collaborate closely with colleagues who have a diverse range of expertise across research, data science, design, behavioural science and communications. You can expect to be writing policy notes, synthesising evidence and insights from our mission work, identifying and engaging with key stakeholders, developing and helping to formulate policy recommendations and landing influencing strategies effectively.

You will need to be a resilient self-starter, curious about a wide range of policy domains, adaptable to change, and excited by the potential impact of mission-driven approaches in government.

You will:

• Write incisive policy notes to policymakers, synthesising insights from primary research, reviews and data analysis.
• Conduct research and draw on expertise from across the Nesta Group and from external partners to test, improve and promote our policy proposals.
• Cultivate strong and sustained relationships with external experts, policymakers and those who influence them.
• Promote a more experimental ‘test and learn’ approach to policy development.
• Support the commissioning and development of new analysis, tools or products which help policymakers engage with choices, trade-offs and ideas.
• Develop and deliver targeted convening activities, whether public events or private workshops.
• Keep on top of policy debates and identify opportunities for Nesta to have an impact on the most important policy issues that affect our missions.
• Work proactively and collaboratively with colleagues across the team and the whole of Nesta to develop the best possible policy proposals.

Examples of work you may produce and contribute to:

• Evidence-based policy advice responding to and supporting the shaping of pressing priorities.
• Leading and supporting interdisciplinary projects where there are policy implications.
• Proactive primary research and data analysis on early years and education-related topics.
• Design and delivery of workshops and presentations, at all levels of government as well as internally.

The person

We are looking for someone with policy and political savvy who can develop, iterate and land evidence-based policy ideas. A background in the early years and wider policy landscape is desirable but not essential.

Key skills include:

• Excellent writing and communication: You can draft policy proposals clearly and concisely.
• Technically savvy: You can interpret and synthesise quantitative data.
• Strong interpersonal skills: You have a strong appetite to engage and persuade external stakeholders.
• Independent: You have the ability to work independently, identify priorities and develop new ideas.
• Outcome-focused problem-solver: You’re invested in the end goal of a piece of work.
• Organised project manager: You are highly organised, able to scope and manage your work.
• Domestic policy wonk: You have an excellent understanding of and interest in domestic policy.

What we offer

Salary: £49,200 – £65,800 plus a range of benefits, including private medical insurance, dental insurance, the ability to buy and sell annual leave, eyecare vouchers and more.

Location: This role is based in London, hybrid working arrangement.

Term: 12-month parental leave cover.

Reports to: Senior Policy Manager.