• Stakeholder engagement, public affairs and influencing, including maintaining and developing a network of contacts across Government, Parliament, regulators, civil society and industry. Identifying opportunities to push forward our agenda with decision-makers, including through convening meetings and events and actively contributing to events held by others.
• Supporting the development of Internet Matters’ policy positions, ensuring they are underpinned by the latest research and informed by the sector and political landscape. Key policy areas the role will lead on are media literacy, safeguarding girls online and supporting children with SEND online.
• Monitoring UK parliamentary business and proactively finding opportunities to influence.
• Writing policy outputs for a range of audiences including social copy, blogs, briefings, reports and responses to consultations and calls for evidence.
• Presenting and sharing policy and research in a range of settings, including at external meetings and events, tailoring messages to different audiences.
• Acting as secretariat for Internet Matters’ Vulnerable User Working Group and Expert Advisory Panel.
• Contributing your ideas to team discussions about the overarching strategy for our policy and research work.

This role sits within the Policy and Research team and a core aspect of the role will be the ability to shape research and insights for policy and sector audiences. You will also support with the analysis of research in relation to policy related tasks.

About you

The successful candidate will have professional experience of working in policy, public affairs or a closely related field. They may have gained this experience from another charity/not-for-profit, a regulator, government, parliament or industry. Although not required, experience of one of the following sector or policy areas would be an advantage: tech, online safety, education, tech-facilitated VAWG or SEND.

We are particularly keen to hear from candidates that have experience writing outputs for a range of audiences and translating primary research into engaging policy insights. You will also have experience building and maintaining relationships with sector, policy and parliamentary stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have a strong eye for detail and take pride in producing high-quality work. We are seeking someone excited by the opportunity of working in a small organisation, where everyone lends a hand to deliver key priorities, and where you can contribute actively to our wider thinking and strategy.

Skills, knowledge and experience - essential

• Professional experience working in policy, public affairs or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of UK machinery of government and policymaking process, and how to influence it.
• Excellent analytical skills – ability to read, interpret and dissect complex information quickly.
• Experience producing high-quality written outputs at speed, including briefings, calls for evidence and consultation responses.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders – building strong relationships around a shared purpose or goal.
• Experience presenting and sharing policy and research, including at external meetings and events, and to civil servants and MPs, tailoring messages to different audiences.
• Strong administration skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage your own workload and priorities effectively, using sound judgement to meet deadlines.
• Motivated by the organisation’s purpose of keeping families safe online.

Skills, knowledge and experience - desirable

• Not-for-profit/charity sector experience.
• Experience working in one or more of the following sectors or policy areas: tech, online safety, education, tech-facilitated VAWG or SEND.
• Experience analysing data for insights.
• Project management and/or CRM experience.

Salary and benefits

• Annual salary £36,000-40,000
• 28 days annual leave plus all bank holidays rising to 31 days after 5 years
• Additional day of annual leave for your Birthday
• 2 additional volunteering days per annum
• Enhanced maternity pay scheme
• Enhanced sick pay scheme
• Season ticket loan scheme
• Access to an EAP including GP consults

Please note that the postholder will be required to attend occasional evening events and meetings, for which you will receive TOIL.

Application process

All applicants must have legal authorisation to work in the UK.

Please submit a cover letter setting out how you meet the skills, knowledge and experience criteria set out above, along with your CV, to apply@internetmatters.org, with ‘Policy and Public Affairs Manager’ in the subject line.

When you submit your application, please can you also provide the following information:

• Where you heard about this vacancy.
• Your current notice period (if applicable).
• Confirmation that you have legal authorisation to work in the UK.

The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Tuesday 29 September.