The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Senior International Policy Adviser to join our Global Strategy, Policy & Engagement Team in the Policy Directorate, providing key support in taking forward the Academy’s international engagement and policy advice.

 ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

This is a new role in the Academy’s Global Strategy, Policy & Engagement Team. This role has a substantive focus on global research and innovation policy and EU research and innovation and international mobility policy and particularly will help to build out the Academy’s global research and innovation policy activities to begin with. This might include, for example, exploring the international connectedness of the humanities and social sciences in an increasingly contested world, the role of and support needed for the humanities and social sciences in this international funding landscape, and the importance of the SHAPE disciplines to international innovation collaboration.

The role would be well suited to candidates who have experience in international engagement and international research and innovation policy who are able to hit the ground running and are comfortable engaging with policymakers, researchers and the research and innovation sector more widely. The role has significant external-facing responsibility, requiring the building of impactful relationships and being able to effectively challenge stakeholders and counterparts.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 1. Develop evidence-based advice to inform policy and practice

• Develop and progress effectively the Academy’s international policy programmes, scanning and monitoring the international landscape in which the Academy operates, sharing relevant intelligence within the Team.

• Manage the preparation and delivery of presentations, policy synthesis reports, briefings, summaries, consultation responses and other outputs as appropriate.

• Collaborate and engage effectively with external expertise, evidence and analysis in the development and shaping of evidence-based advice to ensure the Academy’s international programmes are impactful and influential and the advice is targeted effectively to key audiences. This may require engagement with technical analyses such as scientometrics, economic analyses or innovation analysis of a quantitative and qualitative/ mixed method nature.

• Take responsibility for outcomes, outputs, activities and communications within specific projects, working closely with Fellows, advisory groups and colleagues.

• Engage and convene stakeholders through events and meetings in a range of formats to support input, analysis and dissemination.

• Balance a range of projects and activities across the breadth of the Academy’s international engagement and international policy programmes.

• Provide support for relevant committees and working groups, undertaking analysis and background research

 2. Build relationships with key stakeholders to support the Academy’s International strategy, engagement and policy programmes

• Develop and sustain positive internal and external stakeholder relationships that deliver on the Academy’s international engagement and policy goals.

• Work particularly closely with colleagues in the Academy’s Higher Education and Research Policy team identifying synergies where appropriate.

• Identify, cultivate and maintain impactful relationships and networks with researchers, policymakers and practitioners to enhance the influence of the Academy’s international engagement and international policy programmes and activities, sharing relevant intelligence within the Team.

• Work with the relevant Deputy Heads and Head of Global Strategy, Policy & Engagement to identify and pursue opportunities for engagement with external organisations and stakeholders in pursuit of the Academy’s international strategic objectives, including scoping and organising roundtables, workshops and similar activities.

• Represent the Academy’s views and positions professionally and authoritatively, providing effective challenge to stakeholders and counterparts as appropriate.

  3. Working collaboratively and collegially within the Global Strategy, Policy & Engagement Team

• Support all colleagues in the team, developing relationships with everyone and working collegially and respectfully across the Team, Directorate and the wider Academy, towards shared goals, and managing and facilitating the development of staff across the team and those new to the Academy, and taking a leading role in fostering a positive team spirit and culture.

• Motivate and collaborate with colleagues to deliver outputs and outcomes that have international policy impact and strengthen the Academy’s international engagement.

• Undertake tasks and responsibilities across the Academy’s international strategy and engagement and international policy programme portfolio as they arise and in a matrix fashion.

• Manage, monitor and forecast expenditure and budgets for projects and other strands of work, including making payments and liaising with colleagues to ensure effective financial reporting.

• Uphold the British Academy’s values of collaboration, creativity, empathy, excellence, integrity, resilience and respect.

 Key Stakeholders

Internal:

Global Strategy, Policy & Engagement team, International Funding team, Public Policy team, Higher Education and Research Policy team, Public Affairs & News teams, and Fellows of the Academy

 External:

International partners and stakeholders; UK National Academies and wider domestic stakeholders; Academy award holders; UK-based and international researchers and funders; UK Government; Civil society organisations; Multilateral organisations

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

Undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification, ideally in a humanities or social sciences discipline

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

• Confident, enthusiastic, pro-active, open-minded attitude to work

• Work within and contributing to a team

• Professional and confident approach when dealing with a variety of people

• Diplomatic and tactful, cognisant of different cultural contexts

• Maintains, demonstrates, and expects high levels of honesty and integrity

• Responsive, flexible, and willing to work across a range of tasks within changing priorities

• Positive attitude to challenges and co-operation with colleagues

• Personal commitment to the values, vision and objectives of the organisation

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Knowledge of UK and international higher education and research environment

• Knowledge and understanding of international policy debates, processes and policymaking

• High level of literacy, numeracy and IT skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Work in a policy environment and producing policy-focused outputs – knowledge and skills

• Prepare and manage budgets for specific activities and/or programmes – knowledge and skills

• Effectively engage with policymakers in the UK and/or internationally -knowledge and skills

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Highly organised with excellent time management skills

• Ability to perform effectively under pressure, accurately and with attention to detail, often balancing competing priorities

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 

• Able to take on a varied set of responsibilities and flexible to work on all parts of the project/programme delivery   

LEADERSHIP

Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions 

• Able to work on own initiative, plus lead and direct colleagues as appropriate in an office or remote working setting (desirable)

• Is happy to support other team members during busy periods, whilst not compromising your own workload

• Treats other staff members and stakeholders with respect and honesty.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Commitment to high quality service and efficiency in all aspects of the organisation’s operations

• Demonstrates commitment to the equality, diversity and inclusivity

• Willing to on occasion travel on British Academy business, both within UK and overseas

• Able to be flexible about working location and hours, on occasion

WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview and may involve a task component.

Please note that we use AI screening software to identify responses that have been copied from AI sources and are not your own work. Such applications may not progress to the next stage.

The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on 23 July 2026, however, we may close this role sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.  In these circumstances we will give those who have shown interest 24 hours notice of the change of deadline.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 3/4 August but this may be subject to change.