Policy Officer
Job description
We’re the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), and we’re here for everyone affected by sight loss. Working for us means working for one of the UK’s biggest charities, supporting almost two million people living with sight loss in the UK.
RNIB is leading the creation of a world where there are no barriers for people with sight loss. One of our key priorities is to ask people to see sight loss differently, reversing inaccurate perceptions and changing public behaviours so everyone expects equal participation from people with sight loss and the creation of a fully accessible society.
What we are looking for
We are looking for a talented policy professional to lead the organisation’s policy development in their areas of focus (initially eye health and social care), and contribute to the work of the RNIB Policy team.
The role sits within a large and dynamic policy and campaigns team, which works to create a world where there are no barriers to people with sight loss. In particular, we seek to drive change across political decision making and business practices to deliver better outcomes for blind and partially sighted people, as well as addressing public perceptions and behaviours around sight loss.
What you’ll be doing
You will drive the development of well-evidenced, impactful policy and hold key external relationships, with an initial focus on eye health and social care. You will ensure that you involve blind and partially sighted people in this work. In all this, you will be drawing on the deep base of expertise, research and evidence within RNIB, involving collaboration with a number of internal stakeholders, as well as connecting with external partners and stakeholders.
With knowledge and experience of policy analysis and development, and using that to advocate for change, you will be both confident working independently and enjoy being part of a collaborative team. You will have excellent attention to detail, and be able to analyse, interpret and communicate complex information rapidly without sacrificing accuracy.
What we offer
In exchange we offer a competitive salary, a stimulating and supportive working environment and a benefits package including:
- 26 days holiday per year (plus bank holidays), which increase with service.
- Excellent pension schemes
- Flexible working
- Staff discount schemes
If you would like to apply for this great job opportunity, please review the documents linked below, then select “Apply Online” at the bottom of this page and complete our short application form, telling us how you meet the Specialist Skills, Knowledge and Experience criteria (Section 1 of the person specification in the Job Description). Guidance for completion can be found on each page of the application form
[Internal only] If you are going through a restructuring or redundancy process, and you have been told you are at risk of redundancy, you are able to make a ringfenced application for any post within RNIB Group with an expression of interest form. For a copy of the form, please click on the text link below
This Appointment may be subject to an Enhanced Criminal Records Check and relevant Barred Lists check, where appropriate.
One of our core values is to be led by blind and partially sighted people and we involve our customers in recruitment. Please be advised that your anonymised application may be shared internally with those involved in the recruitment process.
RNIB is committed to equality of opportunity and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of its staff and volunteers. We welcome everyone’s contribution and are proud of our status as a Disability Confident Leader. We welcome applications from people with sight loss and talented people from all sections of the community who share our values.
Please note, we do reserve the right to close this role early in the event of a high number of applications.
