Policy Specialist

Policy Specialist

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead policy development to influence change for blind and partially sighted people.
  • Company: Join RNIB, a progressive organisation dedicated to inclusion and advocacy.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, enhanced family benefits, and a generous pension scheme.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by championing the voices of disabled individuals in policy.
  • Qualifications: Experience in policy analysis, strong communication skills, and a passion for inclusion.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

Hybrid – London (regular travel to London required 3-4 times per month with flexibility to attend events and meetings) Permanent. We’re looking for an experienced and motivated Policy Lead to help shape RNIB’s policy influence across policy areas affecting blind and partially sighted people. In this role, you’ll lead on defined policy areas, producing high‑quality, well‑evidenced policy that influences decision‑makers and drives real change.

Working as part of RNIB’s Policy, Campaigns and Social Action team, you’ll collaborate closely with colleagues to develop policy positions, influencing plans, briefings and reports rooted in robust evidence, lived experience and insight. You’ll champion the meaningful involvement of blind and partially sighted people in our policy development and ensure RNIB speaks with one clear, authoritative voice.

A key part of the role is championing the meaningful involvement of blind and partially sighted people in both the development and delivery of our policy work. You’ll maintain regular contact with RNIB customers and supporters, ensuring lived experience informs our analysis, challenges assumptions and strengthens our impact. You’ll also help build RNIB’s profile by contributing to media activity, blogs, articles and stakeholder engagement. You’ll identify opportunities to influence at national and local levels and act as an RNIB spokesperson, helping to build RNIB’s profile across your policy areas.

To succeed in this role, you will be:

  • A skilled policy practitioner - Experienced in policy analysis and development, with the ability to use evidence and insight to advocate for change in policy and practice.
  • Passionate about inclusion – Deeply aware of the challenges faced by disabled people and committed to ensuring their voices are at the heart of policy development.
  • A confident communicator – Skilled at turning complex data and ideas into clear, compelling reports, briefings, and messages tailored to different audiences.
  • A collaborative team member – Comfortable working across teams, recognising the expertise of others, and contributing constructively to shared goals across policy, campaigns and social action.
  • Organised and delivery‑focused – Experienced in planning and prioritising work, managing complex workstreams and supporting the delivery of influencing activity to tight deadlines.
  • An effective advocate – Confident engaging with stakeholders and decision‑makers, building relationships, and representing RNIB with professionalism and credibility.

What We Offer: RNIB prides itself on being a great place to work with a positive, progressive culture. We offer a wide range of benefits including 27 days of holiday per year (plus bank holidays) which rises with service, enhanced family friendly benefits, a contributory pension scheme with an employer contribution of up to 11% and a rewards platform with employee discounts across over 800 retailers.

For more information on our available benefits, please visit our Benefits of Working at RNIB page.

How to Apply: If you'd like to apply for this opportunity, please apply online, uploading your CV and supporting statement, telling us how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification. Please note, applications without a supporting statement will not be considered.

Policy Specialist employer: RNIB

RNIB is an exceptional employer that fosters a positive and progressive work culture, dedicated to making a meaningful impact for blind and partially sighted individuals. With generous benefits such as 27 days of holiday, enhanced family-friendly policies, and a robust pension scheme, RNIB prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. The hybrid working model in London allows for flexibility while engaging in impactful policy work, ensuring that employees are at the forefront of driving real change in society.

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Contact Details:

RNIB Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Policy Specialist

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how valuable personal connections can be in landing that Policy Specialist role.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching RNIB’s current policies and initiatives. We want you to show your passion for inclusion and your understanding of the challenges faced by blind and partially sighted people. This will help you stand out as a confident communicator!

Tip Number 3

Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've used evidence and insight to advocate for change. We love hearing about real experiences that demonstrate your skills as an effective advocate.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who are ready to make a difference in policy development.

We think you need these skills to ace Policy Specialist

Policy Analysis
Policy Development
Evidence-Based Advocacy
Inclusion Awareness
Communication Skills
Report Writing
Stakeholder Engagement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft a Compelling CV:Your CV is your first impression, so make it count! Highlight your relevant experience in policy analysis and development, and don’t forget to showcase your passion for inclusion. Tailor it to reflect the skills mentioned in the job description.

Nail Your Supporting Statement:This is your chance to shine! Use your supporting statement to directly address how you meet the essential criteria. Be specific about your experiences and how they relate to the role, and remember to keep it clear and concise.

Showcase Your Communication Skills:As a Policy Specialist, strong communication is key. Make sure your application reflects your ability to turn complex ideas into clear messages. Use straightforward language and structure your documents well to demonstrate your skills.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly, and you can easily upload your CV and supporting statement there!

How to prepare for a job interview at RNIB

Know Your Policy Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into RNIB's current policies and recent initiatives. Familiarise yourself with their key areas of focus and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows genuine interest and helps you articulate how you can contribute.

Showcase Your Advocacy Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your experience in advocating for policy changes. Think about specific instances where you've used evidence and insight to influence decision-makers. Be ready to explain how you engaged stakeholders and what impact your advocacy had.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Practice explaining complex policy issues in simple terms. During the interview, aim to convey your ideas clearly and confidently. Use examples from your past work to illustrate your points, ensuring they resonate with the interviewers' expectations for effective communication.

Emphasise Collaboration and Inclusion

Highlight your ability to work collaboratively across teams and your commitment to inclusion. Share experiences where you’ve worked with diverse groups or involved stakeholders in policy development. This will demonstrate your alignment with RNIB’s values and your readiness to champion the voices of blind and partially sighted people.