Guardian Jobs
Policy and Communications Officer, SHiFT
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We are a systems change organisation committed to anti-racist, anti-oppressive practice in working with children, families and public services to create new ways of working that improve outcomes for children, families and communities – changing systems through an insider/outsider approach. That means expanding our impact beyond individual children and changing decisions, cultures and systems on a bigger scale to keep children safe.
We're looking for a Policy and Communications Officer who is passionate about using evidence, stories and relationships to influence systems change. That includes policy influence, challenging harmful narratives, building relationships across government, public services and community organisations, sharing learning about what works, and inspiring change in systems that feel immovable.
At SHiFT, we have a proactive and creative culture and you will be supported to make communications more than raising awareness and policy as more than papers. We need someone who is excited by the possibility of changing systems through ideas, relationships and compelling storytelling.
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS NOW
SHiFT has just launched its new strategy. Alongside delivering high-quality relational practice with children and young people, we are increasing our focus on creating lasting systems change that improves outcomes far beyond the children we work alongside directly.
We know that transforming individual lives is not enough if the systems surrounding children continue to reproduce inequality, exclusion and harm. Lasting change requires us to influence policy, practice, culture and public understanding, using the insight generated through our work to shape how services are designed, commissioned and delivered.
Policy and communications are central to this ambition. We want to ensure that the experiences of children, practitioners and partners inform national and local decision-making, challenge dominant narratives about children involved in crime, and contribute to more relational, equitable and effective public services.
This role will play a vital part in helping SHiFT turn practice and learning into influence. Working across policy, communications and stakeholder engagement, you will help turn learning into influence, evidence into action and relationships into systems change.
Working closely with colleagues across practice and learning, you'll help ensure that what we learn through practice drives wider systems change - making SHiFT an increasingly influential voice in shaping better futures for children, young people and the systems that serve them.
What You'll Do
Policy and Systems Change
You'll help identify opportunities for SHiFT to influence local and national policy. This means Positioning SHiFT as a trusted voice and thought leader in evidence-informed systems change.
This Might Include
- Researching emerging policy developments across youth justice, children's social care, education, safeguarding and health.
- Producing briefings, consultation responses and policy papers.
- Supporting parliamentary engagement and meetings with policymakers.
- Spotting opportunities for SHiFT to contribute to national debates.
- Translating learning into compelling insights that influence policy, commissioning and practice.
- Identifying opportunities for research partnerships and funding to strengthen the evidence base.
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Creative Communications
You'll help design communications that change hearts, minds and systems.
This Could Include
- Creating compelling reports and publications that demonstrate SHiFT’s impact and learning and make it implementable for sectors and systems.
- Designing and delivering comms campaigns around our projects to support engagement and voice and participation in their development – from research on girls experience of the criminal justice system to the impact of SHiFT when we are no longer doing direct work with children in an area.
- Communicating policy developments and practice learning around youth justice, remand, custody and systems change.
- Working with colleagues to communicate complex ideas in accessible and engaging ways.
- Support communications around our practice lifecycle – from announcing new partnerships, scoping and mobilising, launch, SHiFT movement and systems change events and SHiFT Legacy Practices.
- Work with colleagues to identify stories that showcase SHiFT's work while protecting children and families.
Stories And Lived Experience
We believe children's experiences should shape the systems around them. You'll help ensure that happens safely, ethically and meaningfully by:
- Working with programme teams to identify stories that demonstrate SHiFT's impact.
- Supporting interviews, case studies and opportunities for children, practitioners and partners to share their experiences.
- Ensure communications are consistent with SHiFT's values, tone of voice and anti-racist, anti-oppressive approach.
- Challenging deficit narratives about children involved in crime.
Relationships and Influence
At SHiFT, relationships are everything, including how systems change happens.
You'll help build and strengthen SHiFT's relationships with policymakers, local authorities, other sectors from health, education and policing, commissioners, funders, academics and researchers, charities, strategic partners, trustees and practitioners.
You'll help maintain stakeholder maps, prepare briefings, coordinate meetings and identify opportunities to strengthen SHiFT's influence.
Building our culture and the SHiFT Movement
You'll also support communications that help colleagues in SHiFT Practices and the wider SHiFT Movement feel informed, connected and inspired. This could include internal newsletters, recruitment campaigns, opportunities to get involved with development and projects, awareness days and heritage months, organisational updates, celebrating learning and achievements across SHiFT. Working alongside our Digital Media & Events Officer, you'll also help bring people together to learn, connect and collaborate. This might be through the planning and delivery of conferences, roundtables and stakeholder events; preparing event materials, speaker briefings and follow-up communications; maximising engagement before, during and after events, and identifying opportunities to raise SHiFT's profile through external speaking and partnership opportunities.
What We're Looking For
You might have worked in policy, campaigning, communications, journalism, public affairs, research, organising, youth work, politics or another field where you've helped influence people, ideas or systems. We know excellent candidates may not meet every requirement listed below. If this role excites you and you believe you could succeed in it, we encourage you to apply.
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Essential Experience
- Experience producing high-quality written communications for different audiences.
- Experience researching policy or complex social issues.
- Experience building relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Confidence working both independently and collaboratively.
- Commitment to anti-racist, anti-oppressive and participatory ways of working.
Valuable Experience (not Essential)
- Knowledge of youth justice, children's services or wider public services.
- Experience supporting campaigns or influencing work.
- Experience planning events or stakeholder engagement.
- Experience working with people with lived experience.
- Experience using digital communications or social media.
- Experience supporting partnerships or fundraising.
What You'll Gain
This is an opportunity to build a career at the intersection of policy, communications and systems change. You'll develop experience influencing national conversations, working alongside senior leaders, policymakers, practitioners, researchers and children with lived experience. You'll be encouraged to develop your interests, grow your expertise and contribute ideas from day one.
How To Apply
Please send a CV and supporting statement by an email via the button below, by 23.59 on 18th August.
We expect interviews to take place in early-mid September. The short supporting statement (up to two pages or around 1,000 words) should tell us why you're interested in the role and how your skills and experience relate to it.
We Recognise That People Communicate Their Experience In Different Ways. Instead Of a Written Statement, You're Welcome To Apply By Submitting One Of The Following
- a video (up to 5 minutes)
- an audio recording (up to 5 minutes)
- a visual portfolio with commentary
- another accessible format that works for you
You don't need to have worked in policy before. We're interested in transferable experience from campaigning, community organising, communications, journalism, research, youth work, activism, public services or lived experience. If you have examples of your work - such as writing, campaigns, presentations, creative projects, research or communications - you are welcome to include them, but this is optional and won't disadvantage applicants who don't have a portfolio.
We want our recruitment process to be as accessible and inclusive as possible. If there are adjustments that would help you participate fully - for example, receiving questions in advance, additional time for tasks, or an alternative interview format - we're happy to discuss these with you.
Safeguarding and checks
This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check. Having a criminal record will not automatically exclude you from employment. Decisions will be made fairly, proportionately and in line with safeguarding responsibilities.
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
Benefits
- Flexible and hybrid working
- Pension contribution
- Professional development opportunities
- A supportive, values-led and ambitious team
- The opportunity to shape national conversations about children, justice and systems change
- The chance to help build a fairer future for children and young people.
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