Policy AND/OR Campaigns Officer (x2)

HEALTH POVERTY ACTION

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:Policy AND/OR Campaigns Officer(x2)

Responsible to: Head of Policy and Campaigns

Responsible for:Volunteers as needed

Job purpose:To carry out Health Poverty Action’s policy and campaigns work

We consider flexible approaches to their fulfilment of these two roles, including applications that meet either the policy OR campaigns aspects of the role as well as considering part time/job share candidates. The final responsibilitiesof each role will bedetermined based on the skills of the successful candidates.

Background

Health Poverty Action approaches health and poverty as issues which are inextricably bound together. Health is understood first and foremost not as a medical challenge – though that plays its part – but as a fundamental issue of social, political and economic justice.

Spanning over a quarter of a century, Health Poverty Action works with communities in Africa,Asia and Latin America, often in very difficult environments.We work with these communities to achieve both immediate and long-term improvements to their health. At the same time we campaign for the changes in policies and practices needed to realise the right to health.

Our policy and campaigns work has developed more recently, but is a major organisational priority, operating both alongside and integrated with our programmes work, so that the two in combination contribute to building a global movement for health justice.

Current priority areas for Policy & Campaigns include:

a)Addressing the broad determinants of health and poverty, especially structural issues relating to the global political economy;

b)Challenging narratives about aid and charity and promoting better understanding of the root causes of poverty and poor health;

c)Buildingon our programmatic expertise with communities across the world to advocate for strong health systems that deliver for the needs of minority groups

The post

CAMPAIGNS AND/OR POLICY OFFICER

We are looking for two outstanding and passionately committed people to take forward our policy and campaigns work. You will deliver high impact campaigns and/or policy influencing on some of the key issues underpinning global poverty and poor health. The roles will suit dynamic campaignersand/or policy officers, with a deep understanding of the root causes of poverty. Successful candidates will be able to work flexibly across a range of issues, have superb writingskills,and the ability to network and effectively influencedecision makers. One role will also work closely with HPA’s Communications Officer to increase media profile for our campaigns, whilst the other will lead policy and campaigns input intoHPA’sconsultancy work - conducting evaluations of the policy and influencing work of other organisations. The final division of responsibilities of each role will be determined based on the skills of the successful candidates. We therefore welcome candidates who meet either the policy AND/OR campaigns aspects of the role.

MAIN FUNCTIONS OF POSTS

  • Develop and lead at least one of HPA’spolicy/campaign areas
  • Build and maintain relationships with key decision makers at both UK and international levels
  • Work with HPA’s Communications Officer to generate media coverage for our policy and campaigns work
  • Engage in policy and advocacy on other areas as appropriate

OUTLINE OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The following outlines the scope of the work across both roles, within which strategies, priorities and key decisions will be agreed with the Head of Policy and Campaigns following recruitment.

Overall

  • Develop and implementinfluencing strategies for key areas of HPA’s policy and campaigns work
  • Produce a range of publications including consultation responses, reports, briefings and blog posts
  • Build and maintain relationships with key decision makers to influence policy and practice
  • Represent the organisation in a range of external networks

Policy and Advocacy

  • Develop well researched, credible policy positions – including drawing on evidence and case studies from HPA’s programme work
  • Build and maintain a network of parliamentary contacts
  • Provide policy support to programmes teams and country offices when required

Campaigns

  • Develop engaging public campaign actions
  • Develop campaign stories and resources and work with HPA’s Communications Officer to generate media coverage
  • Speak and run workshops at events and conferences

Other

  • Lead policy and campaigns input into consultancy evaluations (analysis of policy and campaigns impact)
  • Act as medias spokesperson when required
  • Report to funders
  • Contribute to a range of other tasks as required

PERSON SPECIFICATION

We are recruiting for two postsand with the final division of labour to be determined based on the skills of the successful candidates. We have therefore first listed the essential criteria which must be met for both roles. This is followed by the primary criteria which are those to which we will give the most weighting in the initial selection process, however wedo notexpect candidateswill haveeveryprimary skill listed. This is followed by secondary or desirable criteria for either role.In your application pleaseclearly outline with the use of bullets pointswhich of the criteria you meet, and provide examples to demonstrate that.

Essential ( for both posts)

  • Sound understanding of the root causes of poverty and poor health
  • Excellent copywriting skills and the ability to distil and effectively communicate complex information to a range of audiences
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills, a high level of initiative and the ability to work with minimal supervision
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Strong communication skills and a confident public speaker
  • A demonstrable commitment to Health Poverty Action’s values

Primary

  • Significant experience of running successful campaigns (gained in a professional or voluntary capacity)
  • Significant experience of researching and developing policy (gained in a professional or voluntary capacity)
  • An excellent eye for a story, and ability to generate media coverage
  • Experience of developing and implementing influencing strategies
  • Ability to advocate with senior decision makers
  • Excellent influencing and networking skills
  • Ability to engage the public on issues of global justice
  • Understanding of how to influence the UK parliamentary system
  • Experience of working cross organisationally to gather and analyse information

Secondary

  • Knowledge of research methods and experience of conducting primary research
  • Experience of conducting policy or campaigns evaluations
  • Knowledge of relevant policy/campaign areas (for e.g health systems, access to medicines, trade or tax justice)
  • Previous engagement in the health justice movement
  • An existing network of media contacts
  • Experience using CMS and design packages such as Adobe Indesign and Photoshop to produce infographics, images and attractive online campaign pages.

We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in this sector and wish to change this. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic people; people with disabilities; people who identify as LGTBQIA;and people who identify as working class or have done so in the past.Appointment will be based on merit alone.

Terms

Salary£26,527 including London weighting, rising in length of service increments (plus cost of living increases applied to this scale over time).

Hours 35 hours per week (part time/job share considered). Evening and weekend work may sometimes be required, for which time off in lieu can be taken. Health Poverty Action believes in supporting flexible working as much as it reasonably can.

Holidays 25 days per year, plus the time between Christmas and New Year, plus English public holidays. An additional day leave is added for each two years completed service, up to a maximum of 3 days.

PensionStaff are encouraged to join Health Poverty Action’s pension scheme. Health Poverty Action will match their own contributions up to a maximum of 5% of gross salary (and subject to a minimum contribution of 2.5%).

Location The posts are based at Health Poverty Action’s offices in Vauxhall (central London). Candidates will therefore need to either have or be able to acquire the right to work in the UK. The post may involve some international travel.