Senior Policy Researcher (Westminster)

Note: Applicants must be UK based within a reasonable commute of London.  Application without a cover letter will not be considered.

Location                      Home based (Home working with regular meetings in London)

Hours                          Full Time, permanent (flexibility may be offered for an excellent candidate.)

Reports to                   Director of Policy and Research

Main purpose and scope of the role:

Parentkind is a national charity representing 13,000 Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and has a long term ambition to be the voice of parents in policy making. 

We are looking for someone to support our work in Westminster and Whitehall, improving our relationships across Parliament and inside government as we seek to be the credible voice of parents in UK policy making. 

The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of advocacy and policy research in Westminster, either within Parliament or government. If you have a passion for politics, a background in policy research and an interest in education policy and politics this is the role for you.

The role will involve:

• Conducting research on parents, including polling of parents and their views. We have an ambition to make high quality policy recommendations based on this research. 
• Alongside the research requirements of the role, you will be expected to support our political and broader stakeholder engagement activity to make sure the work we do is seen by the right people. 
• Organise and plan political events to communicate our research, including roundtables, lunches and dinners and launch events in Westminster. 
• Lead on responding to public consultations on behalf of Parentkind to ensure the voice of parents is heard in the public consultations.

You will represent Parentkind at important events and meetings and have the chance to promote our research and policy recommendations. We would particularly welcome candidates who can demonstrate some media experience, including writing press releases and placing stories with national media outlets.

Duties and key responsibilities

Policy research and analysis

• To conduct research under the guidance of the Director of Policy and Research.
• To produce summarise large amounts of information and produce briefing material on education policy for external audiences, often at pace.
• To support the development of parent opinion polling related to our policy work.
• Respond to relevant consultations on behalf of Parentkind. 

Policy development

• To provide rapid briefing material for any relevant future business relating to Parliament and the UK government.  
• To provide political monitoring and identify opportunities for political engagement.
• To support the development of policy recommendations and experience of publishing policy related research.

Political engagement

To plan and organise political events, such as roundtable discussions, lunches and dinners and launch events in Westminster.

To identify political stakeholders relevant to our work in Parliament and the UK government, including:

• officials inside government departments,
• elected representatives,
•  think tanks and other relevant research institutions.

To maintain a wide range of political contacts and meet with political stakeholders to promote our research and policy work.

To meet with organisations with an interest in our work and provide effective briefings.

To attend party conferences and other education led events to represent Parentkind. 

Media engagement

To support the Director of Policy and Research in media engagement, including background research for press releases. 

To summarise our policy and research ready for social media platforms.