We are recruiting for a Analyst (Policy and Advocacy) within A Healthy Life

About Nesta

We are Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good. We design, test and scale solutions to society’s biggest problems. Our three missions are to give every child a fair start, help people live healthy lives, and create a sustainable future where the economy works for both people and the planet. 

For over 20 years, we have worked to support, encourage and inspire innovation. We work in three roles: as an innovation partner working with frontline organisations to design and test new solutions, as a venture builder supporting new and early stage businesses, and as a system shaper creating the conditions for innovation (including developing and influencing policy). Find out more at nesta.org.uk.

About the A Healthy Life mission

We want to increase the number of years lived in good health for all, and particularly those most affected by health inequalities.

We are focusing on tackling the biggest driver of lost years of healthy life: obesity. Today, nearly one in three adults in the UK have obesity. Our primary focus is on reducing obesity through improving our food environments i.e. making healthy food more available, accessible, affordable, appealing and convenient for all. We work across sectors - with businesses, national policymakers, local government, academics and other charities - in order to drive the changes we need to see to. 

The role 

We are looking for someone to help us develop policy ideas, influence the political system and shift the wider narrative. This role will involve: 

• Policy development: You will identify and develop policy solutions that deliver a reduction in obesity, improve health inequalities and prevent wider ill-health. You will assess different policy ideas, consider their implications within the current context and build them into compelling propositions for the national Government and other stakeholders. You will also contribute to ensuring  an effective policy and political influencing function, working alongside a Mission Manager and Deputy Director .

• Influencing and advocacy: You will be responsible for identifying the best routes to influence the political system, and developing plans to deliver this with maximum impact. You will offer analysis and recommendations on how to  advocate for Mission policy recommendations and wider work. You will help the team navigate the wider political system, ensuring the work that we develop and deliver  reaches the right stakeholders.  

• Stakeholder engagement and management: You will identify and nurture relationships with key stakeholders for the Mission to help navigate the most effective routes to influence. You will advise on the best tactics to use for different stakeholders and audiences. 

• Project delivery: You will contribute to projects and  deliver your tasks and activities, under the leadership of Mission Manager(s) and Deputy Director(s). You will apply  excellent task prioritisation and time management skills to meet deadlines.

The person

You should have the following skills and/or experience:

• Political, government or policy experience: You will have previously worked within a relevant role, such as in Government or Parliament, or have experience of operating within these contexts.

• Knowledge of policy making and the political system: You will have knowledge and understanding of  how policy is made and developed, and of the wider political system,including central government and Parliament. You will have experience of navigating these to maximise results and impact.

• Stakeholder management skills: You will have experience of building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders, such as  Government Ministers, officials and parliamentarians. 

• Project delivery skills: You will have a proven experience of delivering high impact projects. You can proactively plan and deliver work, and identify and act on risks and issues. 

• Presentation and communication skills: You will present information and ideas in a compelling way in a range of settings to effectively engage those within the Government and the wider political system. This includes both in writing and verbally, developing  presentations, slide decks, research reports and blog posts. 

What we offer

Salary: £36,400 - £50,000 (offers will not exceed £45,000) plus array of benefits, including health cash plans, dental insurance, the ability to buy and sell annual leave, eyecare vouchers and more.  

Location: This role is based in Blackfriars, Central London. We also offer a hybrid working arrangement, but expect staff to work from the office 2 days per week.

Term: 12 month fixed term contract. We can offer this post as a secondment from an existing employer.

Hours: This is a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) but we offer a range of flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to take advantage of them. Many do. 

Reports to: A mission manager within our team

Making an application 

To apply for this role, please submit a CV and short statement (no more than 500 words) please submit your application before 8.00am on the 5th August 2024. 

Interviews will take place on w/c 12th August.

At Nesta, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results. 

We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop. 

This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful. 

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements.   

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.