Job Description

Job Scope

Job scope

The Royal Society is looking for an enthusiastic person to join us as a Policy Adviser in our People and Plant team in Science Policy. Working with some of the UK\xe2\x80\x99s leading scientists, the successful applicant will be a part of a friendly and highly visible team within the Society and have the opportunity to impact policy decisions relating to human flourishing within the constraints of the natural environment.

This is an exciting time to be joining the People and Planet team as we begin a range of new programmes. At least initially, your role will involve working with a Senior Policy Adviser on projects relating to the environment. Possible topics for this programme include how to ensure that nature-based solutions to climate change deliver as much for nature as they do for climate, what is the future of food and agriculture, and how can we improve our resilience to drought?

This position is suitable for an efficient and motivated person with experience of engaging policy stakeholders at all levels of seniority.

You will have experience of successfully undertaking research and analysis, drafting reports, and managing events and projects.

You will be expected to work closely with staff, Fellows and others to provide expert insight on issues relating to environmental change.

We typically undertake the following activities, on topics that reflect the Society\xe2\x80\x99s priorities:

• Projects: Analysing the scientific evidence relating to major policy issues in collaboration with other experts
• Reports & publications: Producing reports, statements, consultation responses and other publications on a regular basis
• Events: Bringing together policymakers, academics, businesses and NGOs to discuss current topics in science policy

In addition to working on the environment programme, the successful applicant will be expected to support the work of the wider team and task manage other members of staff on specific projects. Working under the guidance of a Senior Policy Adviser, you will also contribute to the overall development and delivery of the objectives of the People and Planet team, as well as the wider Science Policy directorate.

The Royal Society

The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of the world\xe2\x80\x99s most distinguished scientists. Our fundamental purpose, reflected in our founding charters of the 1660s, is to recognise, promote and support excellence in science and to encourage its development and use for the benefit of humanity. We are the world\xe2\x80\x99s oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.

Providing scientific advice to shape policy and the wider public debate is one of the Society\xe2\x80\x99s strategic priorities. Our work in the Science Policy directorate focuses on global challenges such as pandemic responses, climate change, and energy, food, and water security. We make the case for strengthening investment in research and innovation and developing STEM education, and we set out the potential for emerging areas of science and technology such as data science, AI and genetic technologies.

Reports to: Senior Policy Adviser, People and Planet

Location: Carlton House Terrace, London, plus hybrid remote working

Pay Band: D

Salary: \xc2\xa335,931-\xc2\xa344,913 per annum

Hours: 35 hours/week

Contract: Permanent

Responsibilities

• Leading and coordinating a particular area of the Society\xe2\x80\x99s policy work, including managing finances and using appropriate tools to help delivery.
• Keeping up to date with science and policy developments in the UK, Devolved Administrations and globally and able to spot opportunities for deployment of that knowledge.
• Working within the Royal Society\xe2\x80\x99s governance systems to create, plan and deliver programmes.
• Managing projects, ensuring agreed activities are delivered on time, on budget and within the desired scope.
• Drafting and editing policy reports, briefs and other written outputs.
• Organising events, liaising with the Society\xe2\x80\x99s internal conferencing and events teams.
• Using analytical skills to critically assess difference forms of evidence, including quantitative and qualitative data.
• Undertaking horizon scanning and using other futures techniques to create forward-looking policy.
• Building effective working relationships with colleagues and Fellows.
• Creating national and international networks of contacts with policymakers, scientists and other stakeholders across different levels of seniority.
• Representing the Society and its policy positions in meetings with government, policymakers, regulators and other stakeholders.
• Undertaking other reasonable activities as required.

Key Knowledge and Skills Required

Experience/abilities

Able to convey complex scientific, technical and policy-related ideas effectively

Essential

Skilled oral and written policy communication for a range of audiences

Essential

Effective interaction with people at all levels of seniority

Essential

Able to prioritise and manage more than one set of tasks simultaneously

Essential

Excellent management of time and workload to meet tight deadlines

Essential

An enthusiastic team player, with experience of collaborative working

Essential

Creative thinking and problem solving

Essential

Managing or running projects on budget and within the desired scope

Essential

Establishing and maintaining influential networks

Essential

Preparing minutes from meetings

Essential

A good understanding of science policy

Desirable

Organisations of events, workshops, or meetings

Desirable

Working with committees

Desirable

Circumstances

Able to be flexible about working hours on occasions

Essential

Able to undertake national and/or international travel on occasions

Essential

Competencies

Self-management

\xc2\xb7 Works unsupervised and can motivate self

\xc2\xb7 Produces results under pressure

\xc2\xb7 Can manage in stressful situations

\xc2\xb7 Pushes for the best results

\xc2\xb7 Pursues and encourages feedback that may reveal an error in judgment and then makes appropriate adjustments

\xc2\xb7 Recognises own personal biases or limitations, and uses this understanding to improve decisions and plans for action

\xc2\xb7 Seeks out mentors and other development resources to gain additional self-awareness and personal development

\xc2\xb7 Reflects on negative situations with maturity and seeks to understand own contribution to the situation

Working with others

\xc2\xb7 Seeks out new networks that will create opportunity for the Society

\xc2\xb7 Able to present complex issues simply

\xc2\xb7 Contributes ideas and identifies opportunities to work with others both within the team and across the organisation

\xc2\xb7 Willing to provide feedback to sectional colleagues when requested

\xc2\xb7 Produces succinct presentations and papers for senior colleagues

\xc2\xb7 Understands when to seek senior advice on potentially delicate negotiations

\xc2\xb7 Reaches a variety of audiences using an appropriate mix of communication methods and tailored messages to appeal to their unique needs

\xc2\xb7 Creates an environment of transparency while respecting confidentiality requirements

\xc2\xb7 Builds consensus for delivering team goals. Frequently interacts with peers, on cross-functional matters

Resource management

\xc2\xb7 Makes the best of internal/external resources and coordinates well with external partners to best meet the needs of the Society

\xc2\xb7 Builds contingency into projects taking into account possible outside factors

\xc2\xb7 Sets and monitors performance against quality and results orientated targets.

\xc2\xb7 Focuses on both short and long-term goals

\xc2\xb7 Creates novel solutions to problems

\xc2\xb7 Creates a detailed design or plan to implement a new solution or approach

\xc2\xb7 Evaluates new technology as potential solutions to existing issues.

\xc2\xb7 Adjusts course as new information comes to light

\xc2\xb7 Executes quickly and decisively in a time-sensitive situation

\xc2\xb7 Takes accountability to persist until opportunity is realised or problem solved

Critical thinking

\xc2\xb7 Determines and clarifies the exact requirements of any situation

\xc2\xb7 Checks information for accuracy and raises concerns if information is inaccurate

\xc2\xb7 Extracts the key points succinctly, clearly and accurately

\xc2\xb7 Puts forward suggestions for improvement concerning current processes or systems

\xc2\xb7 Tries different ways of doing things to get the best results

\xc2\xb7 Compares and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of options

\xc2\xb7 Formulates an opinion by considering opposing views and suggestions

\xc2\xb7 Runs trials and models or applies statistical analysis and stress testing to confirm or disconfirm proposal

Adaptability

\xc2\xb7 Overcomes obstacles and is not deterred by setbacks; checks assumptions and first principles and works out alternative approaches

\xc2\xb7 Reacts proactively to new challenges and works in a flexible manner to produce solutions

\xc2\xb7 Provides feedback and participates in discussions surrounding new ideas approaches or projects

\xc2\xb7 Adjusts to act differently depending on the situation

\xc2\xb7 Takes steps to understand basic risk management and importance of identifying and maintaining controls

\xc2\xb7 Helps others to understand and cope with ambiguous situations

Managing people and relationships

\xc2\xb7 Delegates effectively, setting clear expectations and authority

\xc2\xb7 Monitors results and feedbacks to team on a regular basis

\xc2\xb7 Recognises others\xe2\x80\x99 contributions and acknowledges their limits

\xc2\xb7 Helps others to identify ways to improve their performance

\xc2\xb7 Prioritises supervisory responsibilities and carries them out in a timely fashion

\xc2\xb7 Understands and can identify client/stakeholder/staff needs and looks for opportunities to improve their experiences

\xc2\xb7 Demonstrates trust in others\xe2\x80\x99 ability to accomplish tasks at acceptable levels of performance

\xc2\xb7 Provides current, direct, complete and actionable positive and constructive feedback

The Royal Society