Policy Specialist

A key purpose of the role is to contribute to the development of high-quality research and policy positions rooted in AA programme and evidence, applying feminist principles to research and analysis. The role demands a specialist who will bring demonstrable quantitative and qualitative research skills, networking ability and a spirit of collaboration to ActionAid UK as it delivers on its new 5-yearStrategy –Together with women and girls.

ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. Our dedicated local staff are changing the world with women and girls. We are ending violence and fighting poverty so that all women, everywhere, can create the future they want.

ActionAid UK are currently recruiting a part time Policy Specialist working 17.5 hours per week to join the Research and Programme Policy unit within the International Development Policy and Practice team (IDPP).

The IDPP team is a key delivery partner in ActionAid UK’s new strategy to promote a world where women and girls are valued, live free from violence, and can exercise their rights to promote their own economic empowerment, safety, equality and voice. The team supports financial resource mobilisation, grant/ contract management, programmatic innovation and assurance, research and learning as well as programme-grounded policy work. The Research and Programme Policy unit in the team is comprised of policy and technical advisers who research, develop and advance policy perspectives and programme led learning to ActionAid UK’s target donors, decision makers, partners within civil society and academia and policy makers.

A key purpose of the role is to contribute to the development of high-quality research and policy positions rooted in AA programme and evidence, applying feminist principles to research and analysis. The role demands a specialist who will bring demonstrable quantitative and qualitative research skills, networking ability and a spirit of collaboration to ActionAid UK as it delivers on its new 5-yearStrategy –Together with women and girls.

The successful applicant will have a good knowledge of women’s rights issues within International Development as well as research experience of relevant issues gained in a public policy, NGO or academic environment. Excellent written communication skills and knowledge of relevant data sources for the type of policy work ActionAid does are essential requirements.

Over the next twelve months a key focus for this role will  be to lead on the completion and roll out of a tool to help young women activists engage with macroeconomic policies and to support the continuation of our project on women and work. More generally, the role provides ongoing research and policy support to the broader team across our portfolios on Violence Against Women and Girls, Women’s Economic Rights and Adolescent Girls’ Empowerment to underpin ActionAid UK’s advocacy and programmatic work.

The post holder must also be able to travel internationally sometimes at short notice for up to 6 weeks per year.

ActionAid is committed to driving improvement through digital channels, tools and ways of working.  We will ensure that we provide the technology and the training to enable all staff to perform their roles to the best of their abilities. In return, we ask that all staff are committed to continually improving their digital skills and knowledge within the working environment. Our recruitment processes will evaluate the digital skills of all applicants. 

ActionAid is committed to supporting flexible working. If you would like to discuss flexible working options, including the possibility of a job share for this role, there will be space to do so during the interview process.