Senior Policy Officer / Policy Officer – Protection Approaches
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About Protection Approaches
Protection Approaches exists to prevent and protect people from identity-based violence, such as hate crime, violent extremism and mass atrocities, here in the UK and around the world. In 2014 we were founded on the belief that the struggle between authoritarianism and inclusive democracy cannot be won without understanding and responding to the ways in which identity, grievance, and division are exploited. At this dangerous moment for rights, protection, and collective safety, we know it is essential to demonstrate the central role identity-based harms play in many of the most serious challenges facing communities, states and the world—and to provide solutions. We are recruiting a Senior Policy Officer or Policy Officer (depending on experience) to help us raise alarm of what is coming, develop our emergency response capability, and embed identity-based violence prevention across the UK’s domestic and international strategic priorities.
We Believe
* Justice is at the heart of human dignity and rights
* Identity-based violence comes in many forms, each rooted in the same set of causes
* Identifying and understanding what drives identity-based violence is central to preventing it
* Building strong, resilient, and inclusive societies requires challenging structural discrimination and inequality
* We have a collective and individual responsibility to protect those at risk of violence
* Governments have a fundamental duty to challenge and prevent identity based violence no matter where it occurs or how it manifests
About The Role
This is an exciting role for a committed advocate who would like to join a dynamic team focussed on the prevention of identity-based violence and mass atrocities. The successful candidate will work at the heart of national and international policy conversations on how to build community cohesion, prevent hate crime and mass atrocities, and protect those who are targeted. The role will be offered either at Officer or Senior Officer level, with salary dependent on how much previous management and policy experience you have. You will work under the oversight of the Co-Executive Director, Dr. Kate Ferguson.
This role requires 3+ years experience working in UK advocacy or politics (5+ for the Senior position), a love for following the big and small stories in UK politics, and an eye for spotting opportunities to build relationships and secure change. You will be an excellent communicator with a knack for quickly condensing information into compelling narratives and written materials. You will be a confident coordinator with a proven track record across the advocacy and influencing skill set. Our team is small, agile and creative—this role will suit someone who enjoys thinking big, who believes in ambitious change, and recognises the success of our work is often in the details.
What We’re Looking For
* Proven and exceptional ability to communicate complex issues and write clear and engaging written materials that connect with a wide variety of people, from practitioners to policy experts, and from supporters to the press
* Proven ability to build and hold relationships with many different people, including confidence to successfully convene mixed groups of stakeholders
* Experience working at the heart of a team where your work overlapped with, and contributed to, many different functions and responsibilities
* A demonstrated commitment to advancing justice, social change, dignity and equality—and a recognition of how pressures and impacts of undertaking this work are rapidly changing
* Strong understanding of the UK government, parliament, and Westminster press – and their processes and culture. Existing networks will be very helpful.
* Track record of successful public affairs and advocacy, including ability to identify political opportunities and comfort in flexible, responsive ways of working
* Comfort working autonomously and collaboratively within a small dynamic human rights NGO that prioritises adaptability over the structures and processes found in big institutions
* Ability to work at different speeds, whether meeting tight deadlines in the face of emergency crises while likely coordinating longer pieces of desk research
* Deep and proven interest in how our work intersects with UK party politics, following the big and the little political trends, shifting positions of influence, policies and legislation
Core Responsibilities
* Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain effective relationships with parliamentarians, government officials, civil society partners, and international institutions; hold and cultivate relationships with journalists and media to represent Protection Approaches in meetings, coalitions, and public forums to strengthen our influence and profile.
* Policy Development: Monitor and analyse UK and international policy developments relevant to our work; undertake desk-based research and partner engagement to support policy positions, analysis and recommendations; provide expert advice to colleagues and partners to support campaigns and programmes.
* Communications: Produce clear, persuasive policy materials including briefings, consultation responses, and reports; work with colleagues to communicate complex policy issues to varied audiences, ensuring consistency across media and advocacy outputs.
* Organisational Contribution: Contribute to the effective running of Protection Approaches as an active member of a small, collaborative team; support internal operations and cross‑organisational projects, helping to strengthen systems, share learning, and uphold our values in all aspects of the charity’s work.
Senior Policy Officer Responsibilities (5‑8 Years Experience)
* Strategy Development: Contribute to senior design and delivery of Protection Approaches’ policy and advocacy strategies, including implementation of our forthcoming 2026‑2029 strategic plan; identify opportunities to influence policy and wider positioning in line with organisational priorities.
* Project Management: Lead and coordinate policy, research, and advocacy projects from planning through to delivery, ensuring objectives, timelines, and budgets are met; monitor project progress, evaluate impact, and contribute to continuous learning to strengthen the effectiveness of Protection Approaches’ work.
* Funding Development: Identify funding opportunities that advance Protection Approaches’ mission and long-term goals; oversee and/or support the development of high-quality funding proposals, reports, and donor communications; work with senior management to diversify the charity’s income portfolio, cultivating relationships with funders and enhancing the sustainability and resilience of our work.
Working at Protection Approaches
* Flexi hours — all staff members work flexible working hours allowing them to better plan their workload.
* Employee assistance programme — all staff members have access to a free employee assistance programme including a 24/7 helpline with trained operators.
* Training and support — from pre‑emptively preparing for impacts of our work to strengthening cyber and personal security protocols.
* Duvet days — all staff are entitled to take ‘duvet days’, unscheduled leave to alleviate stress or pressure that does not count against holiday or sick days.
To Apply
Visit https://protectionapproaches.org/current-vacancies for information on how to apply.
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