The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Policy Assistant to join the Public Policy Team, providing key administrative and research support for the Policy Directorate.  

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

This is a varied role that cuts across the Public Policy team’s four themes: Sustainable Futures, Digital Society, Social and Cultural Infrastructure, and Governance, Trust and Voice. It includes a range of responsibilities, including assisting with the production and management of policy team events, logistical and administrative support for policy activities, coordinating team diaries, assisting with policy projects and research activities, and helping to implement a new relationship management tool (based on Salesforce).  

The role will include opportunities to work across a range of British Academy policy projects and this makes it an ideal role for those looking to build up more experience in evidence-based policy work. 

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

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Directorate-wide and Public Policy Team administrative support 

• Responsible for the administration and management of activities and meetings of the Public Policy Team and Policy Directorate as required, including coordinating dates for internal and external meetings, managing room bookings and catering, maintaining the Directorate’s and Team’s activities within the forward planning grid, and supporting logistics for travel if required.  

• Support the smooth running of policy activities, including liaising with external attendees and supporting their travel logistics as needed, managing registrations and attendee lists, and supporting in any post-event follow up activities. 

• Support improvements to Policy teams’ relationship management by assisting with the migration to and implementation of a new relationship management tool (based on Salesforce). Then, on an ongoing basis, proactively enhancing the existing data and supporting better use of the system to benefit the team. 

• Support the management of research grants and tenders, working with colleagues in the Research Funding team to input information into the FlexiGrant system, organise reviews and review panels, and contact applicants.  

• Work closely with peers across the Directorate and develop understanding on how to identify logistical and administrative synergies across teams. 

 2. Support the Policy Director 

• Provide general administrative support as might be required, including assisting in the preparation of documents and papers, liaising, and assisting in communication with staff and external contacts at all levels, maintaining files and keeping accurate records and updating the relationships management system with any key information from engagements. 

• Meet and greet visitors at all levels of seniority and, where appropriate, use these interactions to build your skills in this area of networking which enables you to contribute to the development of links, networks and collaborations with organisations and stakeholders.   

3. Support Public Policy programme work and, over time, build up experience with evidence-based policy work  

• Work closely with 1-2 public policy programme teams (policy advisers & senior policy advisers), supporting the smooth running of policy activities, including contributing to discrete tasks such as research and event scoping, liaising with external attendees and supporting their travel logistics as needed, managing registrations and attendee lists, and supporting in any post-event follow up activities. 

• Over time, and as part of the progression within the role and with support from policy advisers and senior policy advisers, build up experience with analysis and writing skills by contributing to public policy programmes with background research, participating in analysis discussions (including learning about various methods), drafting parts of reports, minutes and other written outputs, reviewing papers and contributing to the wider programme activities.    

• With support and guidance from policy advisers and senior policy advisers, build up experience with engaging stakeholders and communicating findings by attending internal and external events, speaking to potential stakeholders, helping to make connections with our work and showing a keen interest in our work.  

• Continually build up knowledge of the policy environment and context around the public policy programmes being contributed to, communicating insights gained and actively contributing to internal discussions. 

• Where appropriate, provide support for Academy activities including papers for committees, and producing draft minutes as requested from time to time. 

  Key Stakeholders

Internal:

Colleagues in the Public Policy team, Higher Education and Research Policy; Global Strategy, Policy and Engagement; Media and Public affairs, Events, and Research Funding; Director of Policy. 

External:

Award holders and other researchers; UK Government; Civil society organisations; International partners; Multilateral organisations

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

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

• 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

• Support for the British Academy’s organisational values

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills – including minute writing, communicating with important stakeholders, producing clear and concise summaries and briefings, writing in an analytically rigorous and engaging style for policy audiences. 

• Exceptional organisational skills, including an ability to manage a varied portfolio and organise impactful meetings and events. 

• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and the capability to learn new IT skills and apply IT to solve problems and deliver work more effectively. 

• Knowledge or experience of Salesforce is not required but would be an asset. 

• Demonstrable interest in relevant areas of research and salient public policy issues, as well as policy research methods suitable for our programmes. 

• Confidence to learn from mistakes, seek and accept feedback and continuously improve. 

• A strong desire to develop new skills and knowledge and apply them to strengthen our work. 

• Ability to work effectively with committees and working groups. 

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

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

• Has the ability to prioritise and make informed judgements about allocation of time to different tasks, and work under pressure and to tight deadlines. 

• Comfortable with a mixture of independent, self-directed, and collaborative teamwork.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Can make clear and reasoned decisions under pressure and adapt to changing needs and priorities, to meet key deadlines. 

• Can take on a varied set of responsibilities and flexible to support on all parts of project/programme delivery. 

• Demonstrates creative, curious, analytical, and innovative thinking, particularly in relation to policy development

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

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

• Demonstrates commitment to 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 for this role beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. Scoring of questions will be completed in two stages. First, question one will be reviewed for all applicants, then the hiring panel will select the strongest applicants to review the second two questions. 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.

The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on 6 March 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 Friday, 31 March 2026 but this may be subject to change.