Policy Researcher, RTC

Focus of the Role

Renewing the Centre is the UK-focused policy unit of the Policy Futures team at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. Our 13-strong team produces, commissions and curates high-quality empirical analysis with a view to developing a radical but practical policy platform to renew the progressive centre ground of politics. With a primary focus on the UK, our aim is to develop an exciting, positive agenda for change to improve people’s lives and strengthen liberal democracy against a rising tide of angry populism.

To apply, please send your CV, an example of past work, and a covering letter setting out how you meet the person specification.

Job Introduction

How has the nature and experience of inequality changed over the past generation? What are the right training policies for the economy and labour market of the future? What’s behind the productivity puzzle? What new skills do we need in the labour market to get to net-zero carbon emissions? What is the role of industrial strategy in rebuilding the economy after Covid? These are just some of the types of questions we will be exploring to provide an evidence base for a radical policy agenda to renew the progressive centre ground of UK politics.

We are looking to hire a Policy Researcher with strong quantitative skills, an entrepreneurial approach to empirical investigation and a good policy brain, to contribute to the analytical basis of our research and policy agenda.

As an exceptional analyst, you will be adept at finding ways to add value to the work of colleagues leading the development of analysis and policy in a wide range of areas, injecting critical thinking and rigour. This role is likely to have a focus on issues relating to labour markets, skills, industrial strategy, productivity and inequality.

Applicants may have some experience in one of our areas of policy focus – public services, work and inequality, productivity and sustainability, and community – and will demonstrate the creativity to produce entrepreneurial research that can move policy debates forward.

Working initially across a range of policy areas, with the potential to specialise, this exciting role offers the post-holder the opportunity to contribute to the team’s exciting new agenda, and make a name for themselves by developing incisive analysis that can change the terms of debate.

With a strong academic background, you will combine sophisticated analytical capabilities with a strong interest in policymaking, to help develop proposals that go beyond technocratic tinkering with the status quo and address the more fundamental problems that policy must address.

Close attention to detail and a commitment to excellence will be hallmarks of your work and, as an excellent communicator, you will be adept at conveying complex analysis and its implications to a wide audience including the media.

Key Responsibilities

Key elements of the role include:

• Undertaking rigorous, quantitative and qualitative analysis, for example using national statistics, LFS and household survey data, primarily focused on the UK.
• Getting to grips with the detail of major policy areas in order to make effective proposals for reform.
• Undertaking original research involving primary analytical work as well as secondary analysis of the academic and policy literature.
• Taking an entrepreneurial approach to framing policy issues in insightful ways that motivate solutions.
• Contributing to reports that elucidate the policy challenge and helping to develop radical but practical solutions.
• Drafting policy briefs, research notes and reports in close cooperation with senior staff.
• Contributing analytical support across a range of different policy areas within the team.
• Representing TBI in the media and other public forums.

Person Specification

• A passion for using analysis and creativity to provide radical policy solutions that can help to revitalise the centre ground of politics.
• An interest in policy questions relating to labour markets, skills, productivity and inequality.
• Familiarity with using quantitative techniques to analyse data, such as household surveys, and using it to build an evidence base.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis tools such as Stata or SPSS.
• Versatility to apply analytical skills to new policy areas.
• Creativity to produce new and rigorous analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A good postgraduate degree in a social science discipline.

Desirable:

• Post-graduate experience in a think tank, government, academic or consulting environment.
• Experience of working in one or more major public policy areas.
• A strong record of policy-relevant publications.

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) aims to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies in an interconnected world. We do this through our Policy Futures ideas and our Government Advisory Practice.  What we believe in as an organisation:

• Open and Progressive – you’ll believe in the value of teamwork
• Bold and Pragmatic – you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity
• Optimistic Changemakers – you’ll be focused on results

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you're successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.