Could you influence UK climate policies to create a fairer, better zero carbon future for all? 

Ashden, a climate solutions charity, seeks a UK policy lead to develop and promote policy recommendations that will empower schools, local authorities and community organisations. They will need to put the insights and experiences of frontline organisations at the heart of inclusive and inspiring climate policies. 

Tasks will include developing and delivering a targeted and effective strategy for advocacy, rooted in Ashden's extensive programme work, to achieve policy priorities. The role holder will also need to represent policy to specialist audiences such as climate funders and investors, as well as through broader media and communications channels. This includes responding at short notice to government policy announcements and other breaking news. 

We achieve policy change by working in collaboration with other organisations. A major driver of our policy work is the Let's Go Zero Campaign, supporting UK schools to become zero carbon by 2030. Another important focus is the urgent need make the UK’s existing housing stock more energy efficient. 

The role holder must commit to support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace, as well as sustainability and carbon reductions across the organisation. 

Interviews will take place online Tuesday 29 August 2023 and in person Thursday 31 August 2023.

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Job title: UK Policy Lead 

Job purpose: Draw on learning from our work in UK schools, local authorities and communities to develop robust policy recommendations to accelerate and scale up solutions to the climate emergency. Work with colleagues to create and implement strategies to promote these recommendations and influence external stakeholders and decision-makers, to help achieve our UK programme goals.   

Reports to: Director of UK Programmes 

Terms and conditions:  

Permanent employee. 

Full time.  

Based in Ashden office in London Victoria and working from home as appropriate/agreed.  

Duties and key responsibilities 

Bring a deep understanding of UK climate and related policy affecting the UK education sector, local communities and the local government sectors, to achieve policy change by decision-makers:  

• Work closely with the UK programme teams, as well as with partner organisations and external stakeholders to develop and refine climate policy priorities, across Ashden’s UK interest areas which include towns and cities, community adaptation strategies and the education sector. 

• Discern policy linkages where appropriate across these sectors in order to galvanise robust polices responses based on insights arising from Ashden’s UK programmes.  

• Develop and deliver a targeted and effective strategy for advocacy and influencing policy to achieve agree policy priorities 

• Work with the UK Towns and Cities team to produce meaningful insight and policy reports and recommendations for targeted audiences e.g. national and local government, and investors to drive change, designing and running seminars and webinars to share best practice, insights and research as appropriate.  

• Work with the Let’s Go Zero team to produce insights and policy recommendations for our work aiming to decarbonise schools in the UK.  

• Be a spokesperson for Ashden, ready to engage decision-makers and to present our policies at public meetings, to the press, in blogs and podcasts.  

• Work closely with the communications team to ensure that we are fully prepared to respond and comment on relevant policy announcements.  

• Brief and support the EMT on all policy announcements. 

• Actively seek and create external advocacy and policy collaborations to amplify Ashden’s message.  

General responsibilities 

• Represent and be an ambassador for Ashden. 

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting your work and maintain and improve personal competence through continuous professional development. 

• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position. 

• Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace. 

• Support and promote sustainability and carbon reduction actions within Ashden, SFCT and our wider work. 

 Scope and accountability  

Decision making and limits of authority  

Leading development of policy positions across all our work in the UK; leading the development of effective policy influencing strategies based on these. 

Financial resources  

Information resources  

Maintaining records/ data for political, media and other contacts.  

Maintaining and updating relevant policies and due diligence.   
 
Legal, regulatory and compliance  

Ensure compliance with Ashden’s GDPR and safeguarding policies.   

Ensure compliance with Sainsbury Family Charitbale Trusts financial policies and procedures.    

Ensure compliance with data protection.   

Personal compliance with Sainsbury Family Charitbale Trusts health and safety procedures, Equal Opportunity and Diversity Procedures.   

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

EXPERIENCE 

• A deep understanding of UK climate and related policy affecting the education local government and community sectors.  

• Experience of developing policy positions related to UK climate policy, in particular policy impacting the local government, community and education sectors and ensuring they resulted in policy change. 

• Experience of presenting policy positions in a compelling way to decision makers and influencers, leading such external relations. 

• Understanding of how local and national government interact in the climate space.  

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• A critical and creative thinker. 

• A highly motivated self-starter. 

• Ability to work in a team and meet tight deadlines. 

• Ability to collaborate with a wide range of different organisations at varying levels of seniority. 

• Excellent communicator in writing and in person. 

KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION/TRAINING 

• Proven policy and advocacy experience  

• Knowledge and experience working in the sustainability sector in the UK. 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS  

• Flexible. Able to work evenings, weekends and out-of-hours from time to time, and travel within UK as necessary. 

• Active and self-led learner who keeps abreast of developments. 

• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work. 

• Commitment to carbon reduction through working practices.