Head of Policy and Strategy – Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner
| Posting date: | 19 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £61,000 to £67,100 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 05 May 2024 |
| Location: | London |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 349926/1 |
Summary
- prevention of modern slavery and human trafficking;
- detection and identification of potential victims;
- support to victims of modern slavery; and the
- investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of modern slavery offences.
The Independent Commissioner is supported by a small independent team. The team works collaboratively with the modern slavery ‘sector’ and key stakeholders (charities, the Home Office and other government departments, other public and local authorities, businesses, and international partners) to promote best practice in these areas.
The Head of Policy and Strategy is a key role within IASC to support the Commissioner and their team by:
- Providing IASC with insight, advice and recommendations aligned to the Strategic Plan;
- Produce reports for the office on key issues affecting modern slavery in line with the IASC’s statutory duties;
- Engaging constructively with a very broad range of stakeholders;
- Working collaboratively with the IASC’s Chief of Staff, the Head of Strategic Analysis, Senior advisor on communications and stakeholder engagement and Private Secretary; and
- Evaluating evidence to identify and assess potential policy options, provide valuable insight and constructive challenge to the status quo. Working closely with the Head of Strategic Analysis, you will develop policy recommendations for the office, liaise with NGOs and charities in the sector on their work, monitor Parliamentary activity and spot opportunities to influence and shape legislation.
This is a particularly exciting time to join us, shortly following the recent appointment of Eleanor Lyons to the post of Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner in December 2023, as the commissioner’s office establishes its new team and sets out its Strategic Plan for 2024-2026. The role will evolve as the team is embedded but broadly responsibilities will be as follows:
Working with the sector
- With the Chief of Staff and stakeholder engagement lead, manage the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner's relationships with non-government organisations and the wider ‘anti-slavery sector’.
- Write and develop policy reports and content for the IASC office.
- Provide written and verbal briefing to the IASC on work of the sector.
- Own and maintain positive working relationships within the sector and government policy teams, including the Devolved Administrations, to represent the Commissioner’s interests and share IASC perspectives in meetings.
- Working with the Senior advisor on communications and engagement and Head of Strategic Analysis to plot publications, blogs and social media content against the wider media and political landscape.
Strategic plan, annual reports and other publications:
- Develop key areas of interest, policy recommendations and milestones to inform and draft elements of the IASC’s Strategic Plan setting out the Commissioner’s work for the next three years, annual reports on activity delivered and other reports commissioned by the Commissioner.
- Work with stakeholders to feed in their priorities to the IASC’s Strategic Plan and annual reports.
- Draft a visionary, summary document of the IASC’s strategic priorities, draft annual reports, and other publications as necessary.
Legislation and Parliamentary engagement:
- Monitor and track legislation in Parliament.
- Proactively spot opportunities to shape and influence legislation.
- Draft amendments and engage Parliamentarians.
Important Information
- Whilst the independence of the IASC is critical to this role, as the IASC is not a separate legal entity, you will be employed by the Home Office, on Home Office terms and conditions and benefits. However, your role and tasking will be set by the Commissioner and their Chief of Staff.
This post is being offered on a fixed term/loan basis for 12 months to complete a finite piece of work, with a possible extension. The current expectation is that an internal HO candidate applying for a loan position advertised across-government would take up the post on Detached Duty and return to their original post, if available, at the end of the period or a similar grade within their home business area.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs).
Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
- Due to the nature of the role, this post is available on a full-time basis only with the possibility of compressed hours working and job shares.
- Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estates capacity, by Spring 2024. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).
- Some travel across the UK may be required, in support of engagements the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner may have in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.