P/T Senior Employment & Social Security Policy Officer (hybrid working - 21 hours, £37,616 pro rata)
Maternity Action is the UK's maternity rights charity dedicated to promoting, protecting and enhancing the rights of all pregnant women, new mothers and their families to employment, social security and health care.
About us
We have an active programme of policy and campaigning to protect and strengthen the rights of low-income pregnant women and new parents. Our in-house legal team delivers advice and casework support to over 3,500 pregnant women and new parents across the UK each year and our 50+ online information sheets are viewed over 1.3 million times.
Our benefits:
- 25 days annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays and 3 days fixed leave between Christmas and New Year
- 8% employer pension contribution
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Paid sick leave
About our policy and campaigning work
We undertake thoughtful research and policy analysis which is grounded in the lived experiences of pregnant women and new parents, and which draws on the expert knowledge of our legal team and evidence from our advice services. Our work influences law and policy with the aim of reducing poverty, improving health and advancing equality and human rights for all pregnant women and new parents.
Key areas of campaigning on employment rights include ending pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace and promoting a more equitable framework for maternity and parental leave. Our work on the cost-of-living crisis is highlighting the underinvestment in maternity pay and maternity benefits, the limited support available for migrant mothers and calling for improved financial support. We have an on-going campaign and programme of work around NHS charging for maternity care, which affects some of the most socially and economically vulnerable women in the UK.
Our policy and campaigns work has a strong focus on partnership working with voluntary organisations, health professionals and unions to support women to exercise their rights.
About you
We are looking for an experienced Senior Employment and Social Security Policy Officer to undertake policy analysis, campaigning and research on employment rights affecting pregnant women and new parents, including maternity discrimination, precarious work, health and safety, maternity and parental leave and flexible working. You will be able to form relationships with Government, Trade Unions, business groups, Equality and Human Rights Commission and voluntary sector organisations. You will be able to communicate about employment policy effectively to a wide range of audiences.
You will have an understanding of the social security system as it relates to pregnant women and new parents, and an ability to analyse policy developments relating to the Department for Work and Pensions.
We particularly welcome applications from Black and minority ethnic candidates and from people with lived experience of pregnancy or parenting, low income or migration.
The role
This is a hybrid role to be delivered from home and our office in Finsbury Park, London, over 21hrs per week. Other than Thursday we are flexible about start/finish times and days worked, within normal business hours. Hours can be spread across three, four or five days. All staff are required to travel within the UK occasionally.
Please send us a covering letter outlining how you meet the selection criteria and your CV.
Applications close 9am Monday 23rd September 2024. Virtual interviews are expected to take during the week beginning 30th September.
Job description: Senior Policy Officer - Employment and Social Security
Job purpose: To undertake policy research and analysis relating to employment and social security as they affect pregnant women and new parents.
Key tasks:
- Analyse Government policy and develop policy positions within the remit of this role
- Prepare reports, briefings, responses to Government consultations and policy submissions
- Undertake primary research with women, unions and voluntary sector workers on employment issues, including sensitive health issues, using interviews, online surveys and focus groups
- Represent the organisation in face to face and online meetings and networks
- Build and maintain effective relationships with Government agencies, unions, business organisations and voluntary organisations
- Build and maintain effective coalitions in support of policy and campaigning goals.
- Engage in advocacy with relevant Government agencies, unions and voluntary sector groups
- Communicate about policy and research work, including through presentations and social media
- Undertake monitoring and evaluation, and prepare reports for funders
- To undertake other duties as may be required from time to time.
Person description
Knowledge/Qualifications:
- Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent qualification or experience (E)
- Knowledge of employment policy (E) Knowledge of one or more of the following policy areas: maternity discrimination; gender equality; precarious work (D)
- An understanding of the social security system as it relates to pregnant women and new parents (D)
- Knowledge of organisations and networks engaged in debates on employment rights and gender equality (E)
- Commitment to women's rights (E)
Experience:
- UK public policy experience in a relevant field (E)
- Experience in preparing reports, briefings, responses to Government consultations and policy submissions (E)
- Experience of making presentations and communicating using traditional and social media (E)
- Experience of carrying out research using interviews, online surveys and focus groups (D)
- Experience of working in a small team (D)
Skills:
- Excellent skills in policy analysis (E)
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills (E)
- Good research skills, including literature reviews, interviews and focus group (D)
- Good computer skills, MS Word and MS Excel (E)
- Ability to work collaboratively in a small team (E)