You can download an application pack for this role here: Policy adviser July 2025
Closing date: 9am, Tuesday 19 August 2025
We are looking for a new policy adviser who will work primarily in our natural environment to help deliver ambitious leadership for the environment. They may also work on projects for one or more of our other themes.
You will be a strong researcher and confident communicator who can understand the main environmental and political challenges in the UK. As well as understanding the bigger picture, you will have experience of working in policy areas covered by our natural environment theme which are food, farming, land use and nature.
You will work as part of a team that uses political, policy and analytical insights to drive forward UK government policy on food, farming, land use and nature. You will be able to synthesize complex information rapidly, including in areas unfamiliar to you. You will take initiative in using that information to propose policy positions to the team that are sensitive to the wider political context. You will be organised and independent, ensuring outputs and events are executed to a high quality and to deadlines.
Communication skills are important. You will be a skilled writer, capable of turning complex information into easily understandable briefings, reports, and blogs for our audiences. You will have the ability to build relationships with politicians, environmental NGOs, business partners and other stakeholders. You will be comfortable presenting our work to internal and external audiences, helping to secure support for projects and policy proposals.
Green Alliance balances long and short-term projects, as well as being responsive to government agendas and public discourse. This means team members need to be eager to rapidly build knowledge in new policy areas and be willing to learn from colleagues and bring a flexible and dynamic approach to their work.
We encourage a feedback culture, where people are willing to give and receive feedback and make changes as a result. These qualities and alignment with our values are characteristics we'll look for when recruiting to our team.
Position in the organisation
You will report to the head of natural environment and will work closely with the theme’s political advisor and policy analyst.
Key tasks and responsibilities
Research on policy relating to food, farming, land use and nature, and other subjects as needed, with rigour and accuracy.
Write in an accessible, engaging and relevant way in reports, briefings, articles, blogs, consultation responses and other communications materials.
Act as a persuasive advocate of key policies when representing Green Alliance externally, including at events and in the media.
Manage tasks efficiently, producing high-quality work to deadlines.
Plan and manage meetings, webinars and events to advance the theme’s priorities (with Green Alliance’s events manager where necessary).
Help develop new ideas for projects.
Build strong relationships with project partners, policy makers and other stakeholders
Be an active member of the Green Alliance staff team, contributing to a supportive and inclusive work culture.
Work effectively as part of a team and work independently with initiative and drive.
Provide support to ensure effective communication and project management within the team.
Any other tasks which may reasonably be requested to be undertaken within the scope of the position.
Key relationships – internal
Research and policy director
Head of natural environment
Policy advisor and policy analyst in the natural environment theme
Communications team
External:
Civil servants
Policy makers, advocacy leads and researchers in other organisations including other charities, universities and trade unions
Key industry stakeholders
Person specification
Essential
Knowledge, skills and experience
Good understanding of food, farming, land use or nature policy in the UK.
Experience of working for an organisation, in a role that helped shape policy.
An ability to rapidly synthesise information and make recommendations for a policy or political audience.
Track record of creating engaging, high impact communications tailored for specific audiences.
Motivation to work in a purpose-driven organisation, working towards a world where people and the environment thrive together.
Affinity for working in a team, and independently when needed,
Excellent time management skills, working to tight deadlines across multiple projects.
Ability to build strong relationships and networks with a wide variety of stakeholders.
Ability to work collaboratively and supportively with colleagues in a multidisciplinary environment.
Flexible and able to adapt quickly to new opportunities.
Desirable
Experience of working with politicians or in Parliament.
Experience of successfully advocating for specific changes and policy developments.
Experience of developing new ideas for funding proposals.
Media experience, for example speaking to print journalists or taking part in radio or broadcast interviews.
In your application we’ll ask you to provide evidence for how you meet the key criteria for the role, which are the ones in bold above. We will assess all aspects of the person specification across the different parts of the recruitment process. If you feel you meet the essential criteria, but not any or all of the desirable criteria, then please still consider applying.
How To Apply
For your application, we would like you to answer three questions that address the key criteria highlighted in the person specification. We will also ask you to upload a CV with details of your education and work experience. We recommend that you prepare your responses to the questions before starting the application process as you will be unable to save your application and return to it later.
Application questions
Why do you want to work for Green Alliance? Summarise the skills and experience you would bring to the role.
Tell us about a topic within food, farming, land use and nature policy that you are most interested in. Summarise one of the key challenges and provide a policy solution to address it.
Give an example of when you have worked independently to deliver an output, such as a report or presentation, that had a persuasive effect on its audience.
We recommend that each answer is no longer than 300 words. Where you can, give examples of the experience, knowledge and skills you have gained through employment, study or voluntary activities.
To apply:
Prepare your answers to the three questions above.
Click on "Apply for this job".
Cut and paste your answers to the three application questions online. Upload your CV.
Review and submit your application. You will receive a confirmation email to acknowledge your application.
Approach to AI
We recognise that some applicants may choose to use AI tools as they prepare their applications. We strongly encourage you to ensure that your application is personalised and accurately reflects your own experience, insights and voice. AI should not replace your own input or authenticity. We want to hear your perspective, not a generic response and reserve the right to reject applications that closely resemble AI generated answers to our application questions.
We are genuinely interested in learning about you, your motivation, your experiences and what makes you a great fit for the role. Your application will be reviewed by one of our team members and we look forward to reading it.
Right to work
All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship, so you will be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK during the recruitment process. We are unable to sponsor the renewal of work visas for people who have short-term permission to work in the UK.
Terms and conditions
Terms: This post is advertised as a permanent contract. We are happy to consider flexible working arrangements.
Salary band: £35,002 - £38,623
Starting salary: Will be commensurate with experience but we would expect the starting salary offered to be at the lower end of the band to allow for progression.
Location: Green Alliance's office is in central London and is fully accessible. We support hybrid working; our staff are usually in the office for two days a week. We will provide IT hardware and other equipment needed for working from home; you will need to provide good internet access.
Hours: 35 hours per week with some flexibility; the post holder would be expected to work occasional evenings for time off in lieu.
Holiday: 25 days per year in addition to statutory holidays and the period between Christmas and New Year.
Pension: Green Alliance provides an auto-enrolment pension with Aviva. All employees receive a pension contribution up to 7.5 per cent of gross salary which may be paid into this scheme or another of their choice.
For other staff benefits, please see the Employee benefits and staff wellbeing page here.
Next steps
Here is what you can expect after the closing date for applications:
Application review
All applications will be anonymised and assessed by our team against the key selection criteria. This ensures we review candidates based solely on relevant skills, knowledge, and experience.
We will contact you to arrange an interview if your application is moved forward to the next stage. We expect to do this by the end of Friday 22 August. We aim to keep candidates informed at each stage of the process and you will hear from us if your application has been unsuccessful.
Interviews
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 2 September 2025, in person at our office in Millbank Tower, Westminster, London. Candidates will be asked to complete a test as part of the interview. Interview travel expenses will be reimbursed. Candidates who are unable to attend in person will be offered an online interview.
Reasonable adjustments
We are committed to making this process inclusive and accessible. Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support to participate fully by emailing Iruka, our HR officer, on iegenti@green-alliance.org.uk
