4 Policy officer jobs

Programmes Officer (Communications and Policy) — two posts

At the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, our vision is of a fair, effective and accountable justice system, in a society less dominated by criminalisation and punishment. We create spaces where conventional criminal justice policy is scrutinised and challenged, where fresh ideas are discussed, and where real solutions are developed and put into action.

We help build and communicate the evidence base that conventional thinking too often skips past, scrutinise what isn't working, and use that grounded understanding to find genuinely new ways forward. We work in close collaboration with the wider movement for change: briefing MPs and peers across the political spectrum, giving evidence to select committees and inquiries, and being in dialogue with grassroots organisations, advocates and academics. Our work includes focusing on particular issues of injustice and public interest. Currently this includes women's justice, unfair prosecutions, discriminatory practices, and sentence reform.

About the roles

We're recruiting two Programmes Officers to join our small and growing team, combining policy, research, communications and programme support. The exact shape of each post will be discussed during the interview stage and following appointment.

What you'll be working on:

• Researching, drafting and producing written materials and audio-visual content, and reviewing and editing work produced by others.
• Keeping abreast of developments in criminal justice policy and practice, and communicating these clearly to a range of audiences.
• Building effective relationships with policymakers, advocacy groups, researchers, academics, and policy and practice organisations.
• Managing content for our website, social media and eBulletins, and helping deliver our programme of events and publications.
• Representing the Centre externally, acting as an effective ambassador for its work.

Key details

Position: Programmes Officer (Communications and Policy), x2 posts
Responsible to: Policy and Research Manager
Location: Vauxhall, London (up to two days a week WFH)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary: £35,429, including London weighting
Contract: 12-month initial contract, renewable subject to funding
Annual leave and benefits: 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays; 8% employer pension contribution
How to apply: Submit your application via our website. You'll be asked to answer three key questions and upload a one-page CV.
Closing date: 5pm, Wednesday 14th October 2026
Interviews: Wednesday 28th October, in person at our Vauxhall office.

This job is for you if...

• you enjoy communicating clearly and engagingly about complex ideas
• you want to put your skills to work on real issues in crime and justice reform specifically, rather than communications or research work in the abstract
• you'd rather dig into evidence and data to get to the bottom of a problem than just describe it
• you work well in a small team, flexing around shifting priorities rather than operating within a larger, departmentalised structure
• you get things done, including the day-to-day tasks involved in keeping events, publications and projects on track
• you're comfortable contributing to discussion and debate without always having a settled answer. If you're drawn to clear-cut, black-and-white positions, this probably isn't the role for you

You'll also need a 2:1 or above undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent professional experience) and at least 18 months of relevant paid experience.

Please download the application pack to find out more and read the full job description and person specification.