As the debate on climate action hots up, could you help Ashden influence UK policy to secure a fairer, better zero carbon future for all?

Ashden seeks a new UK policy lead to develop and promote transformative climate policy recommendations. As well as demonstrating credibility across climate policy in general, you will have the expertise to translate the insights and experiences of the inspirational local innovators, communities and change-makers that Ashden supports into policies to deliver system-wide impact.

But developing policy isn’t enough. Working with the CEO and other senior staff, you will support our influencing strategy, targeting audiences from politicians to climate funders and investors. Media work naturally comes with the territory, including responding at short notice to government policy announcements and other breaking news.

We achieve policy change by working in alliance with other organisations. A major driver is the collaborative Let's Go Zero Campaign, supporting UK schools to become zero carbon by 2030. So too is our coalition work on retrofitting the UK housing stock and adapting to global heating, in a way that creates local jobs and helps reduce social injustice.

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 Wednesday 11 October 2023 and in person Friday 13 October 2023.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: UK Policy Lead

Job purpose:  Be the primary source of climate policy expertise within Ashden. Draw on learning from our work innovators, local authorities, schools and communities to develop robust policy recommendations to accelerate and scale up solutions to the climate emergency, and achieve systemic change. Work with colleagues to create and implement strategies to promote these recommendations and influence external stakeholders and decision-makers. 

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

·         Be the primary source of UK climate policy expertise within Ashden.

·         Work closely with the UK programme teams, as well as with partner organisations and external stakeholders, to develop and refine climate policy recommendations across Ashden’s UK interest areas, which includes innovation, decarbonising towns and cities, community adaptation and the education sector.

·         Discern policy linkages across these sectors to create a broad, joined-up policy platform.

·         Support Ashden in delivering a influencing strategy to promote this platform to decision makers, from national and local government to funders and investors.

·         Work with the UK Towns and Cities team to produce meaningful insight and policy reports for target audiences, helping to design and support 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; taking a leading role in developing 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 SFCT financial policies and procedures.   

Ensure compliance with data protection.  

Personal compliance with SFCT health and safety procedures, Equal Opportunity and Diversity Procedures.  

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCE

·         General UK climate policy expertise.

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