Strategy & Policy Adviser

Northumbria Police; North Shields; Hybrid; GBP 42,861 - 49,716; Full time

Job summary

A regional law enforcement agency in North Shields is seeking a Strategy and Policy Adviser to shape the strategic direction of policing. This role involves leading research and analysis to identify risks and opportunities, creating evidence-based insights for senior leaders. The ideal candidate will have experience in public sector planning and policy development related to national strategies. This position offers a permanent contract with agile working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Experience in strategic analysis and policy development related to UK policing.
• Ability to produce high-quality reports and presentations for senior audiences.
• Strong understanding of public insight methods and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental scanning to identify trends and risks in policing.
• Deliver strategic analysis to inform decisions on long-term planning.
• Build relationships with academic partners and external networks.

Skills

Strategic analysis

Policy development

Public sector planning

Analytical thinking

Communication

Job description

Salary: Band 9, £42,861 – £49,716 (Please note it is Northumbria Police policy to appoint at the beginning of the band)

Location: Agile, Middle Engine Lane Police Station and homeworking

Hours/Contract: 37 hours per week, permanent

The role

Here at Northumbria Police, we think our region is amazing! It takes a great deal of people from different backgrounds, with diverse skills and experience to serve our force area effectively, think you have what it takes to help us make a difference? This could be the perfect time for you to join us in our Corporate Hub as a Strategy and Policy Adviser.

As a Strategy and Policy Adviser, you will play a vital role in shaping the long-term strategic direction of the Force. You will lead environmental scanning and research activity to identify trends, risks and opportunities affecting policing and public safety, producing high quality strategic analysis that informs senior leaders’ decisions. You will also contribute to key corporate products, including the Force Management Statement (FMS), ensuring that organisational strategy, operational planning and resource decisions are grounded in robust evidence and good practice.

In this role, you will build strong relationships with academic institutions, external partners and national policing networks to strengthen the organisation’s evidence base and embed innovative, forward-thinking approaches. Working collaboratively across departments and area commands, you will act as a strategic business partner – supporting local planning, influencing priorities and promoting continuous improvement in strategic planning, policy development and change processes.

What you’ll do

• Lead environmental scanning and research activity to identify trends, risks, opportunities and challenges affecting policing and public safety.
• Deliver high quality strategic analysis and evidence-based insights to inform senior leaders’ decisions on long term direction and strategic planning.
• Build strong relationships with external partners, academic institutions and professional networks to gather intelligence and share learning.
• Support the Force’s strategic and business planning processes, ensuring alignment between long term strategy, operational plans and resource decisions.
• Provide expert policy advice and produce strategic products that reflect organisational priorities and emerging trends.
• Lead or support engagement with academic institutions and research partners to strengthen the Force’s evidence base, maintaining effective relationships with universities, research bodies and national policing networks.

What you’ll bring

• Demonstrable experience in strategic analysis, policy development or public sector planning, with a strong understanding of the UK policing landscape – including national strategies, governance structures and emerging challenges – and experience in roles involving external engagement, horizon scanning or futures thinking.
• Highly proficient in producing high-quality written reports, briefings and presentations for senior audiences, with additional desirable experience in policing, criminal justice or public safety sectors, as well as familiarity with public insight or community engagement methods and an understanding of policy development processes and relevant legislation.
• Demonstrates strong strategic analysis and policy development capability, with experience in public sector planning and engagement; able to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced environment using a structured, methodical approach; applies analytical thinking and good judgement to complex problems; works collaboratively to support organisational goals; and communicates with clarity and impact, tailoring style to different audiences.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to identify root causes and propose evidence-based solutions, alongside the initiative to identify emerging issues and opportunities for strategic development.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the team and wider organisation to achieve shared goals, contributing positively to team discussions by sharing insight and supporting others.

We know it’s important for you to feel that you’re not only part of a great team, but part of a community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, and their talents are fully utilised. Appointments are based on merit alone.

Just so you know

Our application form will help us understand how your work, education and life experience has prepared you for the role of a Strategy and Policy Adviser with #TeamNP. To help support your application research what makes us tick here at Northumbria, the role you’re applying for and the values and behaviours that contribute.

The recruitment process will consist of the initial application form followed by a face‑to‑face interview and a presentation. Just so you know, you can save your application and come back to it any time prior to the closing date on the advert.

We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, working together to improve the lives of disabled employees. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. In cases of very high application volumes, we may prioritise those who most closely meet the criteria, applying the same fair approach for all candidates.

If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter) You can get in touch with us via [e-mail] for any support regarding the application process. Please provide us with plenty of notice so we can ensure your visit goes smoothly.

Use of AI in Applications: At Northumbria Police, we embrace innovative technologies to enhance our recruitment process. We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While AI can be a valuable resource, we encourage applicants to ensure their submissions accurately reflect their personal qualifications, experiences, and skills. Our selection process includes thorough evaluations to verify the authenticity and suitability of all applications. We value genuine and thoughtful responses that showcase your unique strengths and perspectives.

If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a Recruitment Vetting (RV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 3 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information, and references.

Terms of appointment

This is a permanent role subject to a six‑month probationary period.

If you are successful in your application, you will have a six‑month probation period with us where you will be unable to apply for any other post advertised internally or externally.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.