Political and Public Affairs Adviser

Protection Approaches; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Protection Approaches in London is seeking a policy professional with strong political understanding to help shape UK responses to identity-based harms and protect democracy. You will work at the intersection of politics, policy and strategy, engaging senior decision-makers across government and Parliament.

The role emphasises rigorous research, clear writing, and relationship-building to translate evidence into actionable policy. Flexible hours with 35-hour weeks and optional two days from home.

Qualifications

• Deep interest in UK politics and policy development.
• Ability to interpret complex political information and present it clearly.
• Experience in briefing, reports and policy papers for diverse audiences.
• Commitment to justice, dignity, equality and human rights.

Responsibilities

• Engage with senior decision-makers across government and Parliament.
• Develop practical policy solutions at the intersection of politics, policy and strategy.
• Draft briefings, policy papers and other materials for varied audiences.
• Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders and partners.

Skills

Political understanding

Relationships & engagement

Research & writing

Policy analysis

Public affairs

Job description

At a time of growing polarisation, diversifying identity-based harms and intensifying pressures on democracy, this is a rare opportunity to help shape how the UK prevents and responds to these challenges. You'll work at the intersection of politics, policy, and strategy, developing practical solutions, engaging with senior decision-makers across government and Parliament, and bringing together varied expertise to strengthen the protection of people, rights and democracy.

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week, flexible working hours

Location: Based at Protection Approaches’ offices in London, with optional 2 days from home

Deadline: Sunday 29 November, 11.59pm

We are interested in the skills, experience and personal qualities you bring to this role, rather than a particular career path or set of qualifications.

Political understanding and curiosity

• A deep and genuine interest in UK politics, including the big and small stories, personalities, relationships, shifting priorities and developments that shape political decisions.
• A strong understanding of how Westminster, Whitehall and the wider UK political system work, including both formal processes and informal routes to influence.
• Sincere recognition that defending people and democracy require a breaking down of outdated binaries between the ‘domestic’ and the ‘international’.

Relationships and engagement

• Existing political networks and relationships
• A comfortable ability to build and maintain relationships with different people, including confidence engaging with political figures, government officials, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
• An understanding of how relationships, evidence and political opportunities inform decisions and secure change.
• The ability to bring people together, facilitate productive discussions and identify opportunities for collaboration.
• Initiative, creativity and resourcefulness in identifying and pursuing opportunities to advance our work.

Research, analysis and communication

• Excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to get to grips with complex issues, critically assess evidence and develop well-founded conclusions and recommendations.
• Outstanding writing skills, including the ability to produce clear, persuasive and engaging briefings, reports, policy papers and other materials for different audiences.
• The ability to work at different speeds, from producing high-quality written materials at very short notice to undertaking more substantial pieces of research and policy development.
• A demonstrated commitment to advancing justice, dignity, equality and human rights.
• Intellectual curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm for understanding and responding to complex political and policy challenges.
• Confidence working both independently and collaboratively in a small, dynamic organisation that values adaptability, initiative and ambition.
• An appreciation that achieving meaningful change requires both long‑term work and the ability to respond quickly when opportunities arise.

Experience

We expect candidates to have experience working in UK politics, policy, public affairs or related fields. This might include working in an MP's office, a political party, government, a think tank, a public affairs consultancy, a civil society organisation or another politically engaged institution. We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate experience across several of the following areas:

• Political research, analysis and monitoring.
• Policy research, development and writing.
• Engagement with parliamentarians, political advisers, government officials or other decision makers.
• Building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders.
• Convening meetings, roundtables, coalitions or other forms of collaborative policy engagement.
• Identifying and acting on opportunities to influence policy or political decisions. We do not expect candidates to meet every criterion.

We are looking for someone with a strong combination of the skills, experience and personal qualities outlined above, and the enthusiasm and capacity to develop further.