Policy & Engagement Officer
Apply now for this exciting new role with UMHAN!
Are you looking for a new role where you can make a tangible difference to a small charity?
This role offers a great opportunity for someone who enjoys a mix of self-driven and collaborative work and is keen to deliver impactful and relevant policy insights to both internal and external audiences.
We’re looking for an individual with excellent policy and public affairs skills, who is experienced in undertaking research and analysis.
You will work on a number of interesting and complex issues, so you’ll need to be able to digest and condense a range of information and material. We currently work with the Office for Students, Department of Education, Student Loans Company, as well as other sector organisations, and are on advisory boards for several large research projects - you will have the opportunity to take part in this collaborative work.
The role will shape and contribute to the UMHAN’s policy strategies by building and managing relationships, writing briefings, organising stakeholder events, intelligence gathering, monitoring of media and the wider mental health debate, drafting press releases and developing an external stakeholder contact database. As this is a new role, you will have the opportunity to help shape this area of UMHAN’s development.
Salary: £29,000 (pro rata)
Hours: 3 days per week for 12 months, with possibility to extend
Location: remote
Closing date: Monday 22nd May at 10 a.m.
Outline
As focus on student mental health continues there is an increasing amount of research, discussion and comment and other activity outside of UMHAN’s own evidence base. This can all potentially have an impact on the strategic direction of the charity, our day to day activities (e.g. providing comment on reports and policy documents, ensuring members are up to date), as well as directly on the roles and work of our members. In addition, we know that any changes to external policy can also influence the experiences of students with mental health conditions e.g, developments in Disabled Students Allowances, guidance on information sharing/trusted contacts.
The challenge
We would like the role holder to keep abreast of sector developments in a more dynamic way than we are currently able to. This could include, but is not limited to, researching and analysing the impact of new policies, engaging with sector stakeholders and policymakers and promoting the work of UMHAN’s members.
The higher education landscape is also changing, with an increased focus on good governance, links to NHS services and data analytics for wellbeing. Additionally, in the coming year, Disabled Students’ Allowance provision will undergo significant change due to a recent tender process, with the potential to have a direct impact on both students and our members. We have ongoing work with other membership organisations in this area which is likely to need substantial input.
Purpose of role
To deliver outcomes that further UMHAN’s vision and help deliver its mission.
To plan and deliver an effective programme of policy, research and public affairs work, with a strong emphasis on engagement and communication with members, networks and other external stakeholders.
In the first six months, the focus of the role will be to develop a key piece of research for UMHAN on its impact in the sector, and to help identify ideas for policy engagement.
How we work
Our values inform the way we work. We respect and value individuality, utilising, enhancing and developing the skills of our staff, volunteers, trustees and members and recognising the contribution of a variety of ways of working and thinking. We believe in the cornerstones of trust, respect and flexibility within the workplace to promote wellbeing.
We strive to use our influence – whether strategic or financial – to make choices which are ethical and help address inequalities.
We offer flexible working, to help you manage your homelife, external commitments and wellbeing.
Interviews
Interviews will take place on 6th and 8th June.
How to apply
Please see job description and person specification in the attached document below. You will need to refer to the details in these documents when you complete the application form, and explain how you match the criteria we ask for - we will automatically reject your application if you do not do this!
Click the link below to complete our application form. You should be able to complete this in stages if required - by providing your email address in the top section, you will be emailed a link to enable you to go back in and edit your form.
If you have any questions on the role or application process, please email Charity Manager Sam Gamblin at [email protected]
Policy & Engagement Officer JD and person specification