Start date: ASAP

Interviews: week commencing 4th December 2023 (in person)

Contract: Full time, fixed-term 12 month contract

Location: 7 Ridgmount Street, WC1E 7AE, London.

About IFS

The Institute for Fiscal Studies is the UK’s leading independent economics research institute and an award-winning ‘think-tank’. We are independent of political influence and have a strong reputation for producing high-quality, high-visibility policy-relevant analysis and commentary. We are recognised as a global centre of academic excellence.

Our goal at the IFS is to promote well-designed and effective economic and social policies. We do this by conducting research that helps us better understand how such policies affect individuals, families, businesses and the government's finances. Our research not only has an impact on policymakers, think tanks and practitioners, it has also gained a worldwide reputation for academic rigour. 

We communicate our research widely, providing independent advice and evidence to policy makers; collaborating with renowned academics on new economic theories and techniques; and disseminating our findings through the press, media, social media and online. Our remit and expertise are wide, covering important topics such as education, health, public finances, retirement, consumer behaviour, overseas development, tax, inequality and poverty.

Purpose of the role

We are looking for a hardworking and engaged individual to join us for a 12-month fixed term contract as a Communications Assistant during an exciting year for the organisation. This is a unique opportunity to gain the essential skills and experience needed to kickstart a career in communications. 

The successful candidate will be part of a fast-paced and high impact organisation as we prepare and deliver first class analysis for the forthcoming General Election. Reporting to the Press and Communications Manager, the new Communications Assistant will be an essential part of the team, gaining valuable skills with on-the-job and formal training where needed. 

The role will include assisting in all aspects of communications from planning, press and public affairs activity, working across digital platforms including our website, social media and e-marketing to helping with online and in-person events and working on a wide range of day-to-day communications activities. 

Last year, the small but high-performing and professional Communications Team oversaw 48,000 mentions in the UK press, 1.5 million website visitors, over 200 mentions in parliament and ran 45 events. They will share their expertise with the successful candidate. 

What we are looking for

The successful candidate will be motivated by the opportunity to be a key player in an organisation that makes a real difference to people’s lives through impartial, rigorous analysis of policy and insight. This is your opportunity to be a part of that story during an exciting election period. 

We are looking for someone that understands and values the importance of our political independence - and the need for clear communication - during a time when it is needed most. You will be able to demonstrate you are keen to learn and develop new skills in communications, can write and speak to different audiences both inside and outside the IFS and show an interest and willingness to get stuck into a variety of tasks during a busy year. 

Alongside the Communications Team and others at the IFS, you will champion a positive and collaborative approach and feel excited to be part of a team that strives to place high-quality evidence and research at the heart of everything we do.

What you can expect from us 

• A salary of £25,000

• Training opportunities and a positive environment in which to develop your skills 

• The chance to make a real difference, helping us to promote high-quality and truly independent research that has a genuine impact on public debate and government policy 

• The support of an experienced, fun and professional communications team and a friendly, sociable and collaborative organisation 

The role:

• Support the successful planning and management of all IFS communications work including reports, comments, events and social media 

• Assist with the day-to-day running of the press office

• Understand and consider the external public policy and media environment and use this to feed into all aspects of communications and decision making 

• Work with the digital team in creating website pages and help to develop new areas of the website and new content approaches

• Prepare digital content including social media posts, newsletters, event invitations and publication alerts

• Assist the events team with on-the-day support and promotion for report launches, press briefings and academic conferences

• Be a proactive, hands-on, flexible and friendly member of  the communications team, providing a high level of professional support to research teams and external stakeholders when needed

Responsibilities will include: 

• Assist with all aspects of forward planning including working with the team and wider group of colleagues to decide on suitable launch dates and timelines, using forward planning tools to help with external horizon scanning and keep the team’s communications grid up to date

• Support the-day-to day running of the press office including; maintaining press contacts database, media monitoring to measure impact and building knowledge of our key contacts and the media landscape more broadly

• Draft and publish newsletters to our thousands of subscribers and stakeholders using Mailchimp

• Upload simple web content to the existing IFS website as well as to new areas

• Write social media posts for X, formerly Twitter, and LinkedIn promoting our reports, briefings, announcements, events and recruitment activity 

• Work with the Communications Officer to learn and make simple data visualisation including charts and infographics for the website and social media

• Assist the events team with in-person events, events pages on the website and producing events collateral

• Help with ad hoc diary management for team

• Work with the Head of Communications to provide reporting assistance to help manage a high-profile impact project, funded by the UK Research Councils. 

Essential

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Interest in developing a career in communications

• Competency in Microsoft Office

• Very good attention to detail

• Willingness to get stuck in and eagerness to learn 

Highly desirable

• An understanding of and interest in the public policy and media landscape

• Experience writing for an external audience

• Experience working with a range of digital formats 

• Familiarity with Adobe production packages, particularly InDesign and Photoshop 

• Familiarity with website content management systems

Occasional out of hours working may be required.

The postholder will be expected to spend the majority of their contracted hours in the London office with one day a week working from home, if desired. 

The IFS has an active social calendar with weekly teatimes, sports groups and after work activities for a variety of interests.

Interviews will be held in person at our London office. 

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK, as this role is not eligible for a Skilled Worker visa.