Public Policy Lead

Poverty is not part of God's plan. You are.

Are you an experienced advocate and manager, well versed in international policy challenges with a passion to influence decision-makers to serve the needs of people in poverty affected by environmental breakdown, conflict and disasters?

Do you want to play your part in influencing global policy and supporting local actors, particularly the church, to seek justice?

At Tearfund, we know that the related challenges of economic instability, climate crises, pollution, conflict and humanitarian disasters is having a devastating impact on people in poverty and reversing gains made in poverty reduction. We are passionate about accompanying the church to take a central role in advocating for justice in the response of governments and business and in building bridges between stakeholders to drive more ambitious action.

The purpose of this role is to lead Tearfund's public policy team and work to deliver collaborative ambitious, well resourced policy and advocacy programmes and to be a focal point for all our influencing work with the UK Government, EU, US and UN.

Key areas of focus for the postholder would be to:

• Oversee the effective development and impactful implementation of comprehensive global policy and advocacy strategies on four areas
• Foster collaborative ways of working with other relevant teams in the influencing and international group and fundraising and communication group
• Represent the organisation in high-level influencing meetings and act as a key media spokesperson
• Give general policy advice and support to the Chief Executive and organisationally.
• Contribute to the leadership of the wider Policy and Programme Development Unit leadership and lead and manage the Public Policy Team

Do you have the following experience?

• Experience of leading, formulating and implementing advocacy strategies and plans and overseeing others to do the same.
• Experience of lobbying and driving policy level changes with multiple governments, businesses and key donor agencies globally.
• Experience of working collaboratively in a complex environment

Do you have the following skills?

• Skilled in leading diverse and virtual teams
• Significant ability to influence others through articulate written and verbal communication with audiences at all levels
• Significant ability to think and plan strategically
• Significant ability to network, negotiate and influence within and outside the organisation
• Strong political judgement

Tearfund is a faith based organisation and applicants must share our statement of faith.

Contract: This is a full time role that can be based in any country where Tearfund is registered and is able to employ staff. The salary will be dependent on location and will be market related.

Hybrid Working: For UK staff, this role is eligible for hybrid working and you will be required to work from the Teddington Tearfund office and from your home by agreement with the line manager.

We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and those from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds (in our UK workforce) as these groups are currently under-represented at Tearfund.

The recruitment process will include specific checks related to safeguarding. In addition, personal identification information will be submitted against a Watchlist database to check against criminal convictions as a counter-terror measure.