Policy and Public Affairs Officer

Turn evidence into influence - and help champion the UK’s modern universities

MillionPlus is looking for an experienced, proactive Policy and Public Affairs Officer to join our small, high-impact team. You will track the political and higher education landscape, turn complex policy and data sets into clear and accurate insight, and help to inform persuasive papers, briefings, reports and campaigns that strengthen the voice of modern universities.

MillionPlus champions the contribution of the UK’s modern universities and represents its members shared interests. You will play a pivotal role supporting our Head of Policy & Research in the delivery of our policy and research strategy; and assist our Head of Public Affairs in advocating for the interests of modern universities, and MillionPlus members in particular, to parliamentarians, government officials and key sector stakeholders.

What you’ll do

• Monitor policy, political and parliamentary developments and flag risks and opportunities quickly.
• Analyse qualitative and quantitative evidence, identify trends and translate findings into reasoned, accurate and accessible insight.
• Produce clear data visualisations (tables, charts, graphs, key statistics) and collate institutional case studies for inclusion in reports, campaigns and social media.
• Draft and contribute to high-quality, evidence-led, policy and parliamentary briefings, meeting papers, consultation responses and research reports for a broad range of audiences.
• Support stakeholder engagement with member universities, government, parliamentarians and higher education sector bodies.
• Help deliver public affairs activity, events and meetings, including agendas, papers, minutes and follow-up actions.

What you’ll bring

• A relevant degree and/or substantial experience in policy, research or public affairs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to make complex information clear, reasoned and compelling.
• Strong research, policy and data-analysis skills, including confidence gathering evidence and producing clear visualisations.
• First-rate organisation: you can manage a busy workload with competing priorities, meet deadlines and keep projects and activities on track.
• Sound judgement and initiative - you work effectively on your own and know when to seek guidance.
• Confident relationship-building skills with senior colleagues, stakeholders and officials.
• The resilience and professionalism to thrive in a busy, collaborative small-team environment.
• Experience taking accurate minutes and action notes, plus a working knowledge of Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and enthusiasm for evidence-led policy that advances a cause.

 It would be an advantage if you have

• Experience in a membership organisation or the higher education sector.
• Experience monitoring and analysing higher education policy and parliamentary developments.
• Knowledge of data-analysis tools such as Power BI or an equivalent platform.

What we offer

• A full-time, permanent role with meaningful exposure to UK higher education policy and public affairs.
• Hybrid working, with office attendance in London on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and home working on the remaining days, subject to business needs.
• 27 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays and seven university closure days.
• The opportunity to make a visible contribution in a supportive, fast-moving team.

To discuss the role in more detail, contact Jayne Hope at info@millionplus.ac.uk in the first instance.

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