This position can be based in any Acas office with an element of working from home. Regular travel to London will be required for this role. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in GB and not overseas. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Informal hybrid arrangements are available and the balance between home and workplace working is agreed with the line manager to achieve the right balance between collaboration, in-person engagement and flexibility.

This post offers an opportunity to work as part of a small team supporting Acas to develop its policy influencing activity for some of the biggest challenges facing the modern world of work, contributing to Acas’s aim to make working life better for everyone in Britain. As an Inclusive Workplaces Senior Policy Adviser, you will:

• monitor a wide range of policy debates and legal developments, draw together evidence and undertake analysis to lead on shaping Acas’ stance on key issues affecting businesses and working life in Britain, focusing on mental health and wellbeing (MHWB) and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
• write clear, engaging briefings setting out evidence-based positions and impartial recommendations to develop consensus and inform strategic decision-making at a senior level in Acas.
• create persuasive narratives promoting Acas’s impartial view on EDI and MHWB issues and write commentary for publication on the Acas website, on social media and for use at conferences and events.
• build strong stakeholder relationships inside and outside Acas, identifying and developing opportunities to influence the world of work through government policymaking as well as through Acas’s advisory products and services. 
  
  

Horizon scan to understand the external environment.

• Undertake systematic horizon scanning and analysis of multiple sources to understand Acas’s political, economic and social environment and emerging issues, challenges and policy debates around EDI and MHWB issues.
• Capture the unique insights of Acas’s frontline staff through analysis of data from Acas’ services and engaging directly with Acas colleagues.
• issues, challenges and policy debates around EDI and MHWB issues.

Develop Acas’s stance and voice on EDI and MHWB issues.

• Develop Acas’ thinking on key issues through analysis of a range of evidence and information sources, including supporting the delivery of Acas’ Inclusive Workplaces Policy Programme.
• Develop positions and recommendations grounded in Acas’ impartiality and independence.

Produce informative, insightful and persuasive commentary and briefings on public policy issues

• Develop commentary for external audiences across a range of channels, including leading on the development of Acas responses to public consultations, writing discussion papers and blogs, and delivering presentations at external events.
• Write internal briefing papers and deliver engaging presentations to ensure senior Acas leaders and colleagues are aware of key developments and the implications for Acas and its users.
• Work collaboratively on written outputs, including providing peer commentary and editorial support to team colleagues.

Consult and advise Acas Council and Executive Board

• Provide clear and timely information to Acas Council and Executive Board on emerging ‘inclusive workplaces’ policy issues. This can involve rapid turnaround of briefings and lines-to-take on key issues.
• Develop and present considerations papers to facilitate deliberation of issues, including risks, options and recommendations on positions and actions to take.

Build positive relationships with external public policy makers, including government and other stakeholders

• Use insight, experience and evidence to engage with government, social partners and other stakeholders to shape and inform public policy on MHWB and EDI in the workplace. This includes advising and influencing the Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Health and Social Care and Government Equalities Office, as well as employer and employee representative bodies, policy think tanks, academic researchers and charity campaign groups.

Identify and develop opportunities to turn Acas’s policy positions and stakeholder partnerships into Acas products and services

• Share insights and work collaboratively with Acas subject matter experts to transition analysis, insights and expertise into online guidance and other advisory products.
• Review and develop Acas’s statutory Codes in light of policy or regulatory changes and/or new evidence on workplace practices and oversee the creation of new Acas Codes where appropriate.

Identify areas for new policy research by Acas

• Identify opportunities for new Acas research on EDI and MHWB to address evidence gaps.
• Collaborate with the Acas research team to generate, analyse and comment on findings from new studies.

Manage projects, engage others and report progress

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure projects are well-managed and delivered at pace to budget. Contribute progress and impact reports to inform Acas’s broader programme and organisational reporting.
• Support Acas to align its internal policies with external best practice, informing, advising and collaborating with HR. (Note this does not include accountability for developing internal HR policies.)
• Manage a flexible workload, collaborating with team colleagues to prioritise and share the team’s workload as required.

There is currently no line management function associated with this role.

Who we are

Acas exists to make working life better for everyone in Britain. We are the experts in workplace matters, we’re impartial, so we’re not on anyone’s side. That means we’re working for everyone to help prevent and resolve workplace issues.

Acas helps employers and employees by providing information, advice, training, conciliation and other services that prevent or resolve workplace problems.

There's no charge for most of what we offer. Acas has been recognised for its Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace from the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion awards – Disability Confident Highly Commended; Pay Gap award winner and Overall winner for public sector organisations. Acas is committed to providing services and developing policies which embrace diversity, promote equality of opportunity and eliminate unlawful discrimination.

Experience

Essential:

• Strong knowledge of public policy design, development and implementation processes – Lead criteria
• Experience of developing policy positions, including use of evidence and making recommendations in order to influence policymaking and/or workplace practices. – Lead criteria
• Experience of horizon scanning to build and maintain a good understanding of developments and priority issues across the landscape of employment relations and workplace practices, employment law and/or labour markets policy.
• Experience of working with external partners (stakeholders, employers, social partners and/or public policy makers) and confidence in advising, informing or developing partnerships in order to extend reach and influence.
• Experience of advising senior leaders on complex issues, providing advice and presenting with credibility and confidence to have influence and impact.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of project and/or programme management, including collaboration, reporting and risk management
• Prior understanding of any of the following:  EDI/MHWB policy issues; labour market policy; employment relations and workplace practices; employment law. 

Analytical and drafting skills, specifically ability to:

• Effectively interrogate and explore underlying issues in a problem.
• Appreciate the value of an evidence-based approach and understand how, when and why diverse inputs will improve understanding of an issue.
• Understand the core goal when problem-solving and frame it according to the prospective impact on those affected by the problem (for example, how impact differs across demographics, protected characteristics or workplace contexts).
• Use simple analytical methods and problem-solving techniques and know how to interpret different sources of data (e.g., reports, tables, interviews)
• Build in consideration of risks when developing options and recommendations.
• Select and present the right information in an accessible way and set out arguments in simple, compelling terms.
• Communicate effectively when writing for different audiences and purposes, adapting tone and style appropriately to achieve the right impact.
• Respond credibly and effectively to feedback and challenge.
  
  

Alongside your salary of £43,019, Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service contributes £11,658 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We’re big believers in rewarding people for the amazing work they do, take a look at some of the fantastic benefits we offer:

• Learning and Development;
• Health and wellbeing;
• Pension scheme;
• Cycle to work scheme;
• Childcare schemes;
• Interest free season ticket loans;
• Volunteering opportunities.

Could you ask for any more?

You’ll have access to a Life style website, were you’ll be able to grab savings over a wide range of products from holidays to your weekly shop.

To find out more please check out Working for Acas

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Job contact :

• Name :HR Recruitment
• Email :[email protected]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email :[email protected]