Job Description

• The role has three main goals: to influence national policy debates through excellent research and writing; to influence the most senior figures in the public sector and in local government to innovate through staff and community empowerment; to contribute to policy research projects.
• The role will be particularly focused on leading our work around the Community Paradigm. It will involve leading research absolutely central to the NLGN mission and playing a high profile and dynamic role in spreading the ideas behind the Paradigm through written work, social media, film and presentations.
• The role sits within the Thought Leadership Team of five full-time policy researchers and senior policy researchers, and is line managed by the Deputy Director.

Main responsibilities

• To produce impactful research that influences a range of stakeholders including central government, the public sector, local government and the wider public policy community.
• To conduct literature reviews, policy reviews and other background research to support your analysis.
• To write a range of high-quality written materials including research reports, policy briefings, blogs and press articles to support the dissemination of your analysis, arguments and recommendations.
• To actively work with our membership network to develop and produce research and policy outputs that support their plans for influencing central government, innovation in service delivery and organisational efficacy.
• To explain and promote NLGN research and recommendations on social and broadcast media.
• To develop policy knowledge and understanding in areas relevant to NLGN policy work and to keep abreast of developments in relevant national policy.
• To work with the External Affairs Team to support the dissemination of NLGN ideas and outputs through briefings, public speaking, policy advice to media and support for other media interventions.
• To co-ordinate the work of colleagues when leading on research projects involving more than one member of staff.
• To develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders relevant to the policy work of NLGN.
• To represent NLGN at external events.
• To contribute to developing and funding research project proposals.
• To undertake other reasonable duties as specified by the Deputy Director or the Senior Management Team, and to contribute to the corporate activities of NLGN.

You

If you get the job, it will be because you demonstrated:

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Extensive experience of analysing, synthesising and communicating knowledge to a range of audiences.
• Experience of significant contribution to a range of research projects.
• Excellent research skills covering qualitative and/or quantitative methods.
• The ability to grasp new ideas, develop them and make them your own.
• NLGN has three core values: creativity, collaboration and self-determination, which underline everything that we do. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate experience and commitment to these values.
• Superb interpersonal and organisational skills, with particular emphasis on collaboration and working well in a team.
• The ability to manage projects within a fast-paced and busy environment and to juggle competing deadlines.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• A strong understanding of the public sector and local government in England and its wider policy context

Our Ideal Colleague

We’re looking for someone who will:

- have a passion for excellence and will never settle for second best

- be a constant source of new ideas and open to radical ideas from their colleagues

- flourish in an environment of autonomous working and speedy decision making and be trusted by their colleagues to make the right calls

- be eager to share their plans and work openly with other members of NLGN staff in a spirit of collaboration

- be optimistic, supportive and fun to work with.

The Organisation

NLGN is unique. Unlike other think tanks we can directly influence both national policy and front-line service delivery. This is because we are rooted in the real world of public service delivery working with our fifty-five local authority members to radically transform the way they work. In addition, we have a clear and radical long-term vision of change, recently launched in our influential paper The Community Paradigm, which seeks to revolutionise the public sector by giving communities real power over how their public services are delivered.

We also undertake a range of thought leadership work in other areas such as inclusive economic growth, city innovation and children’s services. We are looking for a policy researcher who is as furiously ambitious as us to change how public services are delivered and to use their research and influencing skills to reshape national policy in a way that genuinely addresses the big challenges facing the public sector.

Recruitment process

To apply for the role please send a CV and covering email of no more than 500 words describing your suitability for the role and indicating the role/s in which you are interested via the Charity Job online application process. Please include an example of your writing as a link or with your covering email. All applications should be received by 5pm on 19th July 2019

NLGN is very strongly committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We don’t just ‘value diversity’, we think it is central to what makes for a high impact, successful organisation. We positively encourage you to apply.

If you have a disability and need any assistance applying for this role, please do not hesitate to contact us using the contact details on our website.

Leave and working hours: We operate a highly flexible policy on working hours and leave. The NLGN’s team core working hours are 10am to 4pm but around this, staff are trusted to determine their own working hours and leave consummate with the fulfilment of their job goals to the highest level of excellence. To ensure well-being, NLGN staff are expected to take a minimum of 25 days leave each year and work no more than 35 hours a week.
Well-being: NLGN is extremely committed to staff well-being. Working long and late hours is actively discouraged and all staff at NLGN are committed to creating a pleasant, friendly and supportive environment in which to work.

If you would like to discuss the role or recruitment process please feel free to call Adam  Lent, NLGN Director, for an informal and confidential conversation using the contact details on our website.