Policy Researcher

Focus of the Role

This role is based in the UK Policy team of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.  Part of the wider Policy Futures team at the Institute, we produce, commission and curate high-quality policy analysis with a view to developing a radical but practical policy platform for the future of Britain. 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.

Job Introduction

As part of recent growth of team, and TBI as an organisation, we are now hiring a Policy Researcher to support our policy analysis on productivity, innovation and the future of work issues, reporting to the Head of Productivity and Innovation Policy.  You will play a significant role in developing an evidence-based policy agenda for the UK on topics ranging from economic growth to how technology is reshaping the world of work. 

Individuals who would flourish in the post will have strong quantitative skills and experience in policy development.  As an exceptional policy analyst, you will contribute to the work of colleagues across a wide range of areas, injecting critical thinking and rigour.

Applicants may have some experience in one of our areas of policy focus – labour markets, skills, industrial strategy, productivity and inequality – and will have the creativity to contribute ideas and research that can move policy debates forward.

Working initially across a range of policy areas, with the potential to specialise, this role offers the post-holder the opportunity to contribute to the team’s agenda for the Future of Britain and raising your profile by developing incisive analysis that can change the terms of debate.

Key Responsibilities

Key elements of the role include:

• Undertaking rigorous quantitative, qualitative and desk research 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 across a range of policy areas within the team
• 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 analysis, blogs and reports that help address some of the biggest challenges the facing the UK today

Person Specification

• A passion for using analysis and creativity to provide radical policy solutions that can help to revitalise progressive politics in Britain
• An interest in policy questions relating to the innovation, skills, productivity and the future of work
• The ability to evidence a keen interest in UK Politics and an up to date knowledge of current press/news stories in this area
• 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 degree in a social science discipline

Desirable:

• A good postgraduate degree in a social science discipline
• 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 (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people.

We do this within two connected divisions:

Government Advisory

Our Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It works with a variety of partners and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

Policy Futures

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas:

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics;
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world.

As an organisation the core beliefs we all embrace are:

• 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