Policy Officer

As a Policy Officer, you will collaborate with policymakers across the sector, civil service and Parliament to identify and highlight policy issues relating to education and skills.

The key responsibilities of the role will include:

• Monitoring and analysing relevant developments in government policy and in Parliament (particularly around TVET, apprenticeships, and wider skills reform, as well as wider education issues);
• Supporting Edge’s public affairs activity, including engaging with MPs, members of the House of Lords, and their staff, and tracking this;
• Producing up-to-date stakeholder mapping materials and using these to identify opportunities for Edge to engage;
• Developing internal policy overviews and briefings outlining the education and skills policy landscape for the team;
• Contributing to the development of Edge’s wider cross-cutting research and policy reports, which cover areas such as further education, apprenticeships, and skills reform;
• Supporting with drafting consultation responses and policy positions;
• Building relationships with partners across the education and skills sector, Parliament, government, and beyond, including by attending events and conferences;
• Assisting the Senior Policy Advisor with running Edge’s Policy Network, including support for organising meetings and our monthly newsletter.

Person specification
The successful candidate should have:

• Strong project management, organisational and administration skills;
• Strong analytical, written and presentation skills;
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders;
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a small team;
• Interest in education and skills policy, as well as a basic understanding of key policy issues or an ability to learn quickly;
• Alignment with Edge’s values.

We welcome any prior experience of working in policy, politics, or public affairs roles (including an internship or work experience), but this is not a pre-requisite. We are also open to career switchers, including those currently working in the education sector.

As this is an entry-level role, we will favour skills and a desire to learn over any prior experience.