Senior Policy and Programme Officer, United Kingdom

At a time of unprecedented forced displacement and system disruption, we are reforming the global system of safe and legal routes to protection. Our world-class team works closely with leaders and innovators from across sectors in over 20 countries. Together we design, launch, and expand safe and legal routes for displaced people. Together we pilot bold new ideas aimed at making the entire global system of safe and legal routes stronger and more sustainable.

We build and lead powerful partnerships and networks. We provide trusted advice. We accelerate operational delivery. We generate and share insights. We inspire change.

We are seeking a Senior Policy and Programme Officer, United Kingdom to join Pathways International's powerful global team at a formative moment for the UK’s new named community sponsorship programme. This is a broad, versatile role spanning programme and partnership delivery and policy. You will plan and deliver the projects and partnerships that build the named community sponsorship ecosystem, while also helping shape policy development and implementation and keeping the programme informed by wider migration developments. The balance between policy and delivery will flex with the needs of the programme and the shape of the UK team. Reporting to Hannah Gregory, Global Director Knowledge and Sponsorship, and working closely with Pathways International's UK and global teams, you will help shape and sustain the development of named community sponsorship in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Policy, research and the migration landscape: Contributing to the development of the UK named community sponsorship policy framework, supporting the design and development of the framework post-launch, including sponsored labour and education routes, in coordination with colleagues and partners. Building and maintaining an understanding of the national, devolved, regional and local landscape relevant to sponsorship, and drawing out its implications for the programme. Maintaining an overview of wider migration developments in the UK and globally, and advising on their relevance for named community sponsorship. Researching, analysing and drafting high-quality briefings, policy documents and other written materials for senior stakeholders.
• Programme delivery, relationships and representation: Planning, delivering and coordinating projects across the UK named community sponsorship portfolio, including organising events and meetings, developing resources, materials and tools and supporting monitoring, reporting and learning. Building and maintaining relationships across government, civil society, local partners and funders, and communities across the UK, and connecting delivery partners to training, mentoring and resources, including via Pathways International’s global networks and UK partners. Supporting the multi-stakeholder working group, engaging government and other policy stakeholders (including preparing for and following up on meetings and events), and representing the programme externally.

About you – who are we looking for?

We are looking for a versatile person who can move comfortably between programme and partnership delivery and policy thinking, and who thrives on a varied portfolio in a fast-paced environment. You combine professionalism and maturity with the warmth and versatility to build rapport quickly across very different audiences. We particularly encourage applications from qualified candidates with lived experience of forced displacement or migration, or with close personal and cultural connections to refugee communities.

Skills and experience required:

• At least 8 years of relevant work experience spanning programme or project delivery and policy, research or analysis, including working in or closely with government.
• A proven understanding of one or more relevant fields, such as forced displacement, refugee protection, community sponsorship, global migration or migration policy.
• Strong policy and analytical skills, with excellent written and verbal communication in English and the ability to produce high-quality briefings and materials for senior stakeholders, with keen attention to detail.
• A confident, approachable relationship-builder who can work with and convene a wide range of UK stakeholders — government, civil society, delivery partners and communities — collaborate effectively with people from different backgrounds, countries, cultures and languages, and bring the judgement to represent the programme in senior meetings.
• Excellent project-management and organisational skills, comfortable coordinating meetings, events and projects, prioritising across competing demands, and getting stuck into the practical details when needed.
• Able to thrive on a varied and constantly evolving portfolio, while consistently showing professionalism, discretion, tact and responsibility.
• A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field (e.g. public policy, public affairs, political science, international development). Education and work experience equivalencies will be considered.
• Comfortable preparing well-presented PowerPoint and Word documents and using AI tools, Excel, Zoom, MS Teams and SharePoint.

Location

This is a London area-based hybrid-working role with the ability to travel within the UK on a regular basis as needed and access available to shared office space. Applicants contacted for evaluation will be asked to provide proof that they have the legal right to work in the UK. Maintaining such legal right to work is a condition of employment.

Salary

Competitive, commensurate with experience.

Contract

Full-time. One-year term (renewable), or permanent — confirm.

Equal opportunity employer

Pathways International is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from qualified candidates of all genders and from all national, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities and those with lived experience of forced displacement. We will provide accommodation upon request during the recruitment, selection, and assessment process.