Policy and Public Affairs Officer

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Job description

London WC1H (Hybrid working, with around 40% of your time per month being office based.)

The ACU is an international organisation dedicated to building a better world through higher education

We're looking for a Policy and Public Affairs Officer to help us engage and influence decision makers and other stakeholders with our work to champion higher education as a cornerstone of stronger societies. The postholder will bring policy development skills and the ability to provide analysis and insight to inform the ACU's strategic communications and policy function. Working across the organisation and with partners, the postholder will deliver engaging and impactful policy work and public affairs for major activities and organisational priorities.

We believe that international collaboration is central to this ambition. By bringing universities together from around the world - and crucially the people who study and work within them - we help to advance knowledge, promote understanding, broaden minds, and improve lives.

We champion higher education as a cornerstone of stronger societies, supporting our members, partners, and stakeholders as they adapt to a changing world.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to an ambitious strategy to shape policy on the global stage, working with a diverse network of 500 member universities around the world.

Working as a key member of the Policy and Strategic Partnerships team, the postholder will conduct research, analysis, monitoring, and reporting including on the SDGs, international higher education, and government policy, to inform the ACU's policy priorities. This will involve a range of activities including researching priority topics, preparation of draft briefings, consultation responses, speeches, newsletters, and website copy. They will be expected to develop and nurture key strategic relationships and to help identify strategic opportunities that promote the value of universities to society.

They will be highly motivated and able to work with a high degree of autonomy to produce high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.

The postholder will have a good understanding of policy making process and how to influence decision makers at both a national and local level and demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills as well as strong writing skills, to provide high quality policy advice to the Head of Commonwealth, UN and Strategic Partnerships and other team members, and support the communication of the ACU's policy priorities both internally, and externally.

As the Policy and Public Affairs Policy Officer your responsibilities will include:

1. Working with colleagues including the Policy and Strategic Partnerships team, Strategic Communications directorate and CEO's office to develop and maintain the ACU's influence and profile amongst its members, and the international higher education, political and development environment.

2. Conducting research and analysis, and providing policy support in a prompt, pro-active, and efficient manner, providing new insights and facilitating the ACU's global influencing work

3. Producing policy, papers, research reports, surveys, persuasive content for speeches, pitches, briefs, updates, and other communication that will proactively inform key stakeholders, and shape thinking

4. Using policy research and insight to identify and deliver opportunities for collaborations and cross-working opportunities across the ACU

5. Demonstrating understanding and applied knowledge of the current thinking in international higher education, including the development and political context, identifying themes, key issues, and opportunities

6. Identifying and maintaining strong working relationships with key stakeholders and influencers across the UK and Commonwealth, including government officials, and representatives within the higher education sector, to influence policy, research, and insight developments.

7. Working with the wider strategic communications team to ensure that the ACU's work, and policy priorities are effectively communicated to key external stakeholders, including ACU members, multilateral bodies, and governments.

8. Representing the ACU at external events, meetings, and conferences where appropriate.

9. Acting as a business partner for other departments, building strong collaborative relationships with colleagues through regular meetings, co-design of policy, research and public affairs activities, and providing advice and support to enhance the ACU's influencing and engagement activities.

Some of the skills you need to be able to demonstrate include:

1. Educated to degree level, preferably in a relevant discipline

2. Knowledge and relevant experience of working in higher education and/or international development, the SDG's, or the Commonwealth

3. Knowledge of the processes and structures of government in the UK and in key Commonwealth countries. and of international/multilateral bodies, including the UN

4. Experience of working in a policy, research, or public affairs capacity

5. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to draft briefs and present and communicate complex information in a clear, compelling, and concise manner, with an awareness for the audience and an ability to respond rapidly.

6. Strong interpersonal, communication influencing and negotiating skills, including an ability to present complex ideas and information in a clear, succinct, and persuasive manner and make effective presentations.

7. Excellent planning and organisational skills, time management and ability to be flexible to balance competing priorities

8. Strong commitment to higher education and its influence throughout the Commonwealth and beyond

Our benefits include 31 days holiday per year (including 4 Christmas closure days) plus bank holidays, competitive pension scheme (10% employer contribution plus 5% employee contribution), season ticket loan and excellent support for learning and development through a range of educational and networking activities.

At the ACU, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of gender, race, religion, marital status, disability, age, and sexual orientation.

As Policy and Public Affairs Officer you will be employed by ACU Trading Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary.

How to apply

Closing date: 14 December midnight

Interview date: 15 December

For further information and details of how to apply please visit our website.