Any National Acas Office (Excludes London) with an element of working from home. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in Great Britain and not overseas. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Informal hybrid arrangements are available and the balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager to achieve the right balance between collaboration, in-person engagement and flexibility.

Great Britain is currently undergoing one of the biggest phases of employment rights reforms in recent decades. Acas plays a major role in informing policy development with practical workplace insights and developing statutory codes of practice and guidance to support these changes. This is an exciting time to join us as we expand our policy teams to help Acas shape the design and implementation of reforms which will affect the lives of millions of people at work.

There are up to 3 policy adviser roles available.

As a Policy Adviser, you will:

• Monitor a wide range of public policy debates and legal developments, draw together evidence and undertake analysis to help shape Acas's stance on key issues affecting businesses and working life in Britain.
• Write clear, engaging briefings setting out evidence-based positions and impartial recommendations to develop consensus and inform strategic decision-making at a senior level in Acas.
• Support the development of Acas's statutory codes of practice and responses to public consultations.
• Help create persuasive narratives promoting Acas's impartial view on good workplace practices and write papers and commentary for publication on the Acas website, on social media and for use at conferences and events.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships inside and outside Acas, identifying and developing opportunities to improve the world of work through influencing government policymaking and supporting the development of Acas's advisory products and services.
  
  

Main Accountabilities

1. Horizon scan to understand the external environment

• Undertake systematic horizon scanning and analysis of multiple sources to understand Acas's political, economic and social environment and emerging issues, challenges and policy debates in the world of work.
• Capture the unique insights of Acas's frontline staff through analysis of data from Acas's services and engaging directly with Acas colleagues.
  
  

2. Develop Acas's stance and voice on workplace issues

• Help develop Acas's thinking on key issues through analysis of a range of evidence and information sources.
• Help develop positions and recommendations grounded in Acas' impartiality and independence.
• Support the review and development of Acas statutory codes of practice in light of policy or regulatory changes and new evidence on workplace practices.
  
  

3. Produce informative, insightful and persuasive analysis, commentary and briefings on public policy issues

• Produce internal briefing papers and deliver engaging presentations to ensure senior Acas leaders and colleagues are aware of key developments and the implications for Acas and its users.
• Write papers and commentary for external audiences across a range of channels, including supporting the development of Acas responses to public consultations, writing blogs, and contributing to presentations for external events.
• Work collaboratively on written outputs, including providing peer commentary and editorial support to team colleagues.
  
  

4. Build positive relationships with external public policy makers, including government and other stakeholders

• Adopt a constructive, problem-solving approach, using insight, experience and evidence to engage with government, social partners and other stakeholders to shape and inform public policy on the world of work. This includes supporting the team to advise and influence the Department for Business and Trade, as well as employer and employee representative bodies, think tanks, academic researchers and third sector campaign groups.
  
  

5. Identify and develop opportunities to turn Acas's policy positions and stakeholder partnerships into Acas products and services

• Share policy analysis, insights and expertise and work collaboratively with Acas's website guidance and training product teams to support the development of online guidance and other advisory products.
  
  

6. Identify areas for new policy development by Acas

• Help identify opportunities for new Acas research to address evidence gaps.
• Collaborate with the Acas research team to commission new research using findings to develop new policy positions.
  
  

7. Manage projects, engage others and report progress

• Manage a flexible workload, collaborating with team colleagues who work remotely from each other, to prioritise and share the team's workload as required.
• Contribute to progress and impact reports to inform Acas's broader programme of work and organisational reporting.
  
  

Who we are

Acas exists to make working life better for everyone in Britain. We are the experts in workplace matters, we're impartial, so we're not on anyone's side. That means we're working for everyone to help prevent and resolve workplace issues.

Acas helps employers and employees by providing information, advice, training, conciliation and other services that prevent or resolve workplace problems.

Acas: Britain's Workplace Experts

Acas has been recognised for its Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace from the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion awards; Disability Confident Highly Commended; Pay Gap award winner and Overall winner for public sector organisations. Acas is committed to providing services and developing policies which embrace diversity, promote equality of opportunity and eliminate unlawful discrimination.

Experience

Essential criteria:

• Sound knowledge of good employment relations and workplace practices, employment law and current public policy issues affecting employers and workers in Britain (Lead).
• Experience of horizon scanning to build and maintain an understanding of public policy issues and/or developments in employment law and workplace practices.
• Experience of analysing complex information to produce clear, concise and evidence-based written briefings.
  
  

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of advising senior leaders on complex issues and presenting with credibility and confidence to have influence and impact.
• Experience of working with diverse external partners with different styles and objectives (stakeholders, employers, social partners and/or public policy makers) and developing partnerships to extend reach and influence.
• Experience of project and/or programme management, including timetabling, collaboration, reporting and risk management.
  
  

Technical

Essential Criteria:

Analytical and drafting skills, specifically ability to:

• Effectively interrogate and explore underlying issues in a problem using simple analysis/problem-solving techniques and interpreting sources of data (eg reports, interviews, numerical evidence) accurately.
• Understand the core goal when problem-solving and frame it according to prospective impact on target groups varying by demographics, protected characteristics or workplace contexts.
• Develop policy options and recommendations taking account of opportunities and risks for Acas.
• Communicate effectively, selecting and presenting the right information in an accessible way, setting out arguments in simple, concise and compelling terms, and adopting most suitable tone and style for different audiences/purposes.
  
  

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
  
  

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Written Exercise
  
  

Alongside your salary of £35,312, Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service contributes £10,229 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We're big believers in rewarding people for the amazing work they do, take a look at some of the fantastic benefits we offer: 

• Learning and Development;
• Health and wellbeing;
• Pension scheme;
• Cycle to work scheme;
• Interest free season ticket loans;
• Volunteering opportunities.
  
  

Could you ask for any more?

You'll have access to a Lifestyle website, where you'll be able to grab savings over a wide range of products from holidays to your weekly shop. 

To find out more please check out - Working for Acas

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

 

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Job contact:

• Name: HR Recruitment Team
• Email: [email protected]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email: [email protected]