Policy Assistant x2

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is working to speed up and support the transition to a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, in which people and planet can flourish. We recognise poverty as multi-dimensional, with material, social and emotional aspects (while viewing economic, social and environmental justice as inextricably linked). Inspired by the work of our founder over a century ago, today we are an independent, social change organisation, with an endowment, working across all nations of the UK.

The purpose of these programmes is to deliver distinctive and powerful work that makes an impact in areas we care about: communities and social security; work, care and families; and housing, land and climate.

As our Policy Assistant, you will support the delivery of projects that generate arguments and policy thinking around our priority policy areas, focusing on issues related to poverty and economic insecurity in the UK today, and chart a course to a different and better future. You will seek out and connect with people or organisations developing new ideas and strategies that can contribute to our policy goals.

You’ll support policy, analysis and external affairs leads to help project our work externally in ways that seek to:

• shape the national conversation;
• influence power and decision making at the highest levels;
• build alliances and partnerships;
• catalyse social change across society;
• nurture the seeds of longer range shifts in thinking and action.

This is an entry level position - no experience of working in a thinktank or charity is required. Candidates will have an interest and familiarity about the causes and consequences of poverty and the social and economic conditions on which it rests (this could be through direct experience of poverty and/or disadvantage).

You’ll have an awareness of politics, relevant policy debates and approaches to social change along with an understanding of how research and evidence can be used to understand and grapple with an issue (quantitative, qualitative and participatory).

If you share our passion and this role sounds like you, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you. Please submit your CV and supporting information via our online application platform. The closing date for applications is Sunday 6th July 2025. Interviews are TBC.

We reserve the right to bring the closing date forward should enough quality applications be received prior to the current closing date.

Applications are welcome from all, regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socioeconomic background. We actively encourage applications from people with lived experience of poverty, those who have grown up working-class, or have experienced other forms of marginality and exclusion. We seek to have plurality of thought at JRF and we know that this is brought about by having diversity of experience.

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and operate an anonymised recruitment process so that bias is eliminated from the shortlisting process. In support of our approach to flexible working, we are happy to receive applications from those seeking full-time employment, as well as those who may want to share the role on a part-time basis. When making your application, please state whether you want to be considered for either full or part-time work and, if part-time, the number of hours per week you would be looking for.

We’re developing a more blended approach to how and where you work. This means you can expect to work flexibly between the office and home (with an expectation of two days a week in your home office).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. This means that we are committed to the recruitment, progression and retention of disabled individuals. We shall also offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the job. If you have a disability, please tell us if you would like to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme. If you have any additional needs and need reasonable adjustments to be made to the interview process, please let us know.