Recruiting: Head of Advocacy, Centre for Public Data

Applications for this role are now closed. Thank you for your interest.

Location: Anywhere in the UK
Salary: £40-44k for four-day week (i.e. £50-55k/pa pro rata). Four days a week ideal - we will consider 3, 4 or 5 days too, pro rata.
Contract: 12-month contract, with potential for extension
Closing date: 9pm on 3 January 2022, interviews in weeks of 10 and 17 January 2022

The Centre for Public Data (CFPD) is a new, non-profit organisation that works to improve the quality of the UK’s public data to support civil society and democratic scrutiny. We’re non-partisan, and seek to build a consensus for better public data across Britain’s political parties.

We’re a community interest company and currently have one full-time staff member, with support from contractors and an independent board. Although we’re a micro organisation, we’ve had significant impact already in our first year: we’ve helped secure the release of data on Covid loans, had amendments tabled to Bills, given evidence to Select Committees, and had our campaigns featured at PMQs and in all major UK newspapers.

We’re now looking for a Head of Advocacy. This is a new and hands-on role, where you’ll play a significant role in helping us grow. The role will involve planning and executing advocacy campaigns, and getting involved in all aspects of the organisation. You’ll help shape a successful new advocacy organisation in a crucial 21st-century field.

About the role

Do you care passionately about better government policies and services? Do you believe that data and evidence needs to be better to support modern policymaking? Do you like working in a wide variety of constantly changing policy areas? If so, our Head of Advocacy position could be right for you.

You’ll report directly to the Director, and work closely with them day-to-day. Your responsibilities will include:

  • Working with Ministers, special advisers and civil servants to persuade them of the value of introducing data-related reforms to government policy

  • Working with Parliamentarians to bring forward amendments to legislation, building relationships with MPs and peers from all parties

  • Helping build media interest in the issues, communicating complex ideas clearly

  • Helping us build networks of partner influencers and organisations, across a range of policy areas and across the political spectrum

  • Horizon scanning for political opportunities

  • Developing and delivering advocacy strategies for specific areas, and advising on overall organisational strategy.

Day-to-day you’ll be working on the following:

  • Writing compelling briefings

  • Identifying and approaching potential partners

  • Meeting partners and building relationships

  • Drafting amendments and other policy documents

  • Spotting political opportunities to further our work

  • Advising on future campaigns, and planning and managing current campaigns.

You’ll also be willing to help with other tasks where needed, from reviewing research to helping draft funding bids.

About you

You are either an advocacy or policy professional with at least five years’ experience, or a public servant at an equivalent level looking to move into advocacy. 

Importantly, you’re interested in the power of data, and you’re motivated by the desire to make government work better.

Must-have skills and experience

  • Substantial senior-level experience in either an advocacy or government role, with a strong understanding of how change happens within government, and how news media operates

  • Proven experience of writing high-impact policy briefings or papers on complex topics, creating a persuasive narrative in concise, clear English

  • Experience working with senior leaders, and of creating coalitions or partnerships to persuade government decision-makers

  • Good judgement, with ability to assess and manage risks

  • Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Useful but not essential

  • Experience of planning and delivering successful advocacy campaigns

  • Qualitative or quantitative research skills

  • A-level or better maths skills

  • Direct experience of working with journalists to secure media coverage.

Things you don’t need: practical data science skills, experience in data policy, financial or legal expertise.

We’re a remote organisation, but you’ll need to be based in the UK, and available to travel to London for occasional meetings if needed (travel expenses paid).

Benefits

  • Four days per week, salary £40-44k (i.e. £50-55k pro rata) depending on skill and experience. Three-day or five-day week also available if preferred, with pro-rata’d salary

  • 24 days’ annual holiday plus bank holidays (or pro rata’d as above, so 30 days for five-day week) and pension.

This role will be a 12-month contract initially, with potential for extension dependent on securing funding.

How to apply

Please send your CV, and a covering note of no more than 300 words setting out why you’re interested in the role and what you’d bring to it, to anna@centreforpublicdata.org.

The closing date for applications is 9pm on 3 January 2022, and interviews will be held in the weeks of 10 and 17 January 2022.

Suitable applicants will be asked to complete a short written task - this should take no more than an hour, and we will pay for your time. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to interview.

We’re especially keen to hear from people from backgrounds that are under-represented at senior levels.

Got questions about the job? Feel free to email us for a chat.

Sorry, but we can’t sponsor visas for this role: please don't apply if you do not already have the right to work in the UK. We are not accepting applications from recruitment agencies for this role.

Not for you? We may be hiring again soon, and we’re always keen to hear from people who can help us succeed. Drop us a line at contact@centreforpublicdata.org or sign up for news.