Senior Policy Adviser (Housing)

Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust; York; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate individual to drive policy development in housing and land. This role offers the opportunity to lead significant projects aimed at advocating for affordable and secure homes, particularly for low-income households. You will be shaping the future of housing policy, drawing on your expertise and creativity to influence decision-makers. If you are committed to social justice and eager to make a tangible impact, this is a remarkable opportunity to join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to social change.

Qualifications

• Significant knowledge of housing policy and its intersection with social issues.
• Ability to analyze complex policy dilemmas with creativity and rigor.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects to influence housing policy and improve access to affordable homes.
• Work with senior colleagues to develop innovative policy ideas.

Skills

Policy Analysis

Social Justice Advocacy

Research Skills

Project Management

Networking in Housing Sector

Education

Degree in Social Sciences or related field

Job description

York/London/Hybrid (willing to discuss flexible working from other locations, but will need to be able to attend either York or London office a minimum of two days per week)

Permanent, Full Time - 35 hours per week

About the role

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is working to speed up and support the transition to a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, in which people and planet can flourish. Inspired by the work of our founder over a century ago, today we are an independent, social change organisation, with an endowment, working across all nations of the UK.

This new role has been created to help us achieve our mission around people and planet and will entail working with senior colleagues to create a new stream of policy development and influencing activity around housing, particularly as it relates to poverty and economic insecurity in the UK today and chart a course to a different and better future. Your brief will be to devise arguments and ideas which can help us advance arguments that help to improve access to affordable, safe, secure homes for all which are both ambitious and sensitive to the needs of households in the UK, particularly those on low incomes.

The post-holder will have the freedom to shape the scope of work and lead significant projects, which should draw on JRF’s capacity to blend policy, analysis, advocacy and convening – combining in-house delivery and resourcing the work of others.

In this role, you’ll have the space and resources to create, connect, convene and cultivate ideas to catalyse social change on housing and land. You’ll design and lead projects, expanding our expertise – and our impact – into a high-profile policy area, and be our point person on housing and land. By linking to JRF’s work on campaigns, advocacy, emerging futures and social investment, you’ll find compelling ways to bring our policy & ideas to life.

About you

Candidates will bring a significant knowledge of policy issues related to housing and land and how they intersect with wider issues of social and economic disadvantage, and your portfolio to date will be distinctive for its quality, creativity and rigour. Able to analyse and unpick complex policy dilemmas, drawing on key literature, research evidence, leading-edge practice and everyday experience, you'll be a ‘go-to’ voice for original thinking and expertise among decision-makers and opinion formers. You’ll bring curiosity, a powerful commitment to social justice, and ideally a network of relationships from within the housing sector.

How to apply

If you share our passion and this role sounds like you, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Please submit your CV and supporting information via our online application platform.

The closing date for applications is 9th January 2025.

Interviews will take place either in York, London or remotely the w/c 3rd February 2025.

Additional Information

In support of our approach to flexible working, we are happy to receive applications from those seeking full-time employment, as well as those who may want to share the role on a part-time basis. When making your application, please state whether you want to be considered for either full or part-time work and, if part-time, the number of hours per week you would be looking for.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. This means that we are committed to the recruitment, progression and retention of disabled individuals. We shall also offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the job. If you have a disability, please tell us if you would like to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.