Policy Manager
- Job Title: Policy Manager
- Salary: £35,000 – £40,000 (pro-rata, 4 days per week)
- Benefits: Flexible working; parental leave; 7% pension contribution; generous training and development budget; 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata) plus public and bank holidays and additional time off in December when office is closed; company-provided Macbook.
- Location: Nationwide (home-based/remote). Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.
- Duration: Permanent
- Deadline for Applications: 9am 28 March 2022
- Interview Dates: W/C 4 April 2022
- Start Date: ASAP
The fight for the future of the GDPR and data protection standards in the UK is at a critical juncture. In response, ORG is pursuing a multi-strand initiative designed to inform, mobilise and influence a cross-sectoral challenge to Government efforts to weaken data protection and the role of the Information Commissioner’s Office.
You will play a crucial role in this strategy through leading research, case-study analysis and policy advocacy as well as supporting our public campaigning with the goal of mobilising a broad coalition in defence of GDPR standards. A key focus will be on examples and lessons that can be drawn from public health surveillance measures adopted during the COVID 19 pandemic. You will also support us to develop comparative analysis with policies and practices adopted by other European DPAs.
You are a first and foremost a passionate and persuasive advocate with an extensive policy background. You will have experience working on human rights and technology issues, with strong knowledge of data protection policy. You understand the value of the GDPR to a range of fundamental rights, and in particular as a tool to promote and protect the rights of vulnerable communities.
You will have experience of UK parliamentary procedures, ideally with a strong network of contacts and a good understanding of how to creatively engage relevant regulators and government departments. Your policy background means that you can conduct in-depth policy research to identify gaps in safeguards and develop policy recommendations designed to promote and protect fundamental rights. You will be able to craft and articulate a robust defence to current Government attacks on the GDPR. You will work with colleagues to mobilise and influence non-traditional allies from outside of the digital rights community and who represent those marginalised, minority and vulnerable groups most at risk from weakened data protection standards.
About the Open Rights Group
ORG is the UK’s premier data and digital rights campaigning organisation. Founded in 2005, we have over 20,000 members and supporters and 10 local groups across the UK. Our remote team is spread across the UK with a small office in Scotland.
We uphold human rights like free expression and privacy. We condemn and work against repressive laws or systems that deny people these rights.
- We DEFINE emerging harms and abuses through our research and investigation
- We MOBILISE our members and supporters across the UK through our public campaigns
- We PERSUADE allies and adversaries through our policy advocacy
- We CONFRONT threats to our fundamental rights through our litigation
We campaign, lobby, go to court – whatever it takes to build and support a movement for freedom in the digital age. We work across three main areas:
- Combating Big Tech and Platform Power
- Combating State Intrusion into Rights Online
- Promoting the Rights of Vulnerable, Marginalised and Minority Communities against Digital Threats
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter (no longer than 2 sides of A4) setting out how you are suited to the role by emailing recruitment@openrightsgroup.org by 9am on 28 March 2022.
Please ensure that your email has the subject heading ‘Policy Manager’ and that all attachments are sent in PDF format.
Interviews for short-listed candidates will be held online.
- Conduct and lead policy research with a particular focus on the future of the UK’s data protection framework and the role of the ICO in upholding strong data protection standards.
- Conduct and lead comparative analysis of policy and practice of ICO and European DPAs, with a focus on public health surveillance measures adopted across Europe during the COVID 19 pandemic
- Develop and consult on SMART policy recommendations – and support review and critique by partners and allies – that address gaps in regulatory oversight and enforcement by ICO.
- Develop and advance constructive outreach to parliamentarians and their advisors, legislative bodies, regulators and relevant government departments
- Identify new and creative opportunities to further our policy aims through engagement across Westminster, Senedd, and Holyrood
- Ensure that your policy research and recommendations are fed into public campaigning and grassroots activism alongside Campaigns Manager overseen and supported by Executive Director and COO.
- Work with colleagues to maintain and expand a coalition of cross-sectoral allies around our Stop Data Discrimination campaign.
- Develop public-facing documents on policy areas such as responding to consultations, reports, and preparation for evidence sessions at Parliament.
- Contribute to ORG’s website with blog posts summarising policy submissions and producing campaign materials.
- Act as a spokesperson for ORG by giving press quotes and interviews as well as representing ORG at external events
Person Specification
| CRITERIA | Essential | Desirable |
| Degree in human rights, political science or international relations, related fields or equivalent experience. | X | |
| Experience in policy development and advocacy related to data protection and privacy. | X | |
| Extensive experience in policy development and advocacy related to Technology and/or Human Rights. | X | |
| Experience in designing and implementing creative outreach and communications strategies targeting policymakers, regulators, government departments, civil society partners as well as the public. | X | |
| Experience of strategically engaging with and mobilising diverse groups of stakeholders including governmental, inter-governmental, industry and civil society actors. | X | |
| Experience working in and/or with NGO coalitions or networks | X | |
| Experience managing projects, and monitoring and evaluating impact | X | |
| Experience working with and in small teams. | X | |
| Strong interpersonal skills in liaising, communicating and engaging with colleagues and external audiences from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. | X | |
| Proactive and self-motivated individual capable of working unsupervised and taking responsibility for managing relationships with key partners, stakeholders and policy-makers. | X | |
| Exceptional communications and presentation skills, both written and oral, with a proven track record of communicating complex issues to diverse audiences | X | |
| Experience in establishing and managing a network of data protection policy experts/contacts | X | |
| Strategic thinking and ability to see the ‘big picture’ in respect of the UK post-Brexit digital policy | X |
The Policy Manager will be line managed by the Head of Policy and Litigation.
They will work within our Policy and Litigation Team alongside our Immigration Policy Manager, Investigator, Sector Support Policy Manager, and Legal and Policy Officer.
Length and Salary
The Policy Manager will be employed on a permanent basis following successful completion of a six-month probation period.
The annual salary is £35,000 – £40,000 pro-rata for 4 days per week less any required deductions for income tax and national insurance. The position will be home-based, though travel into London will be required.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.
ORG is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a diverse and inclusive team working in a supportive environment is vital to the success of our work. We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as well as from LGB, Trans and non binary candidates.