Good Things Foundation is the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity, working to ensure everyone can benefit from digital. We’re building a society where everyone can participate in a digital world. We want digital inclusion to be a fundamental part of how our country works: with digital inclusion baked in, not bolted on. Where every sector steps up so that people can use technology to improve their lives. We want to collaborate to change the lives of millions – creating digital inclusion at scale, harnessing evidence and innovation, and fixing the systems that hold people back.
Our new strategy grounds us in the ecosystem of digital inclusion systems change, and this role is significant to delivering it. The role holder will support the Associate Director CCA and the Director of Evidence and Engagement in executing the organisation’s advocacy, policy, and public affairs work – driving systems change and positioning Good Things Foundation as a key component in the digital inclusion landscape.
Working in a multi-disciplinary directorate, this role is central to engaging and influencing parliamentarians and other stakeholders to ensure the UK Government delivers on digital inclusion, in a context of increasing devolution of powers and funding; and to build buy-in for Good Things’ evolved strategy. This includes representing Good Things in and around Westminster, and with our wider advocacy partners and target stakeholders for influencing. Working to engage National Digital Inclusion Network members in policy advocacy (e.g. responding to consultations) and raising the voice of people with experience of exclusion is also part of this role.
Key Responsibilities/Outcomes:
Policy Advocacy
- Supports the coordination and implementation of Good Things’ advocacy strategy – assisting with policy advocacy and influencing, primarily focused on the UK government, regulators, and strategic authorities.
- Works closely with the Associate Director, Director, and other colleagues across the directorate and wider team to deliver political, policy and advocacy activities.
- Identifies and drafts policy responses, briefings, articles, and other materials that support Good Things Foundation’s advocacy positioning, drawing on evidence and adhering to good practice standards regarding the use of statistics and data, and coordinating responses from the National Digital Inclusion Network membership.
- Contributes to advocacy delivery for Good Things Foundation and the National Digital Inclusion Network, collaborating closely with colleagues across the Evidence and Engagement Directorate to support wider efforts.
Parliamentary and Advocacy Engagement
- Represents Good Things Foundation at external forums, networks, and events as agreed, contributing to discussions reflecting Good Things’ evidence and policy positions, and bringing intelligence back
- Drafts briefing materials for parliamentarians, civil servants, and other advocacy stakeholders; and also to prepare senior colleagues for public appearances.
- Assists in identifying and supporting opportunities for policy advocacy and engagement with government at all levels (e.g., by conducting background research, drafting proposals, and preparing meeting briefs).
- Supports the development and maintenance of relationships with key influencers to progress systemic change on digital inclusion, including government officials, Parliamentarians, think tanks, and civil society partners. Helps coordinate engagement and tracking to ensure the charity’s objectives are delivered.
- Supports emerging and existing relationships with strategic partners and supporters, helping to track project delivery and ensure successful outcomes across business plan objectives and joint advocacy initiatives.
- Supports the involvement of Network voices and lived experience in policy and advocacy activities, working with colleagues in other teams.
Policy Research and Impact Tracking
- Conducts desk research and gathers evidence to support advocacy efforts, staying abreast of research, data, and policy evidence related to digital inclusion, and working with the Research and Data Insights function.
- Tracks policy and advocacy impact, keeping records and updating monthly tracking of policy engagement, citations, and impact examples as part of organisational impact monitoring and measurement.
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of key developments, debates, and public policy issues relevant to the digital inclusion agenda, signing up to relevant government and civil society alerts and using LinkedIn and others social media to identify opportunities and build relationships.
Events Support
- Supports coordination and delivery of engaging events, including roundtables (e.g. compiling invitation lists, managing invitations, drafting briefing papers), and Good Things Foundation’s attendance at political party conferences (e.g., managing logistics, drafting invitations, preparing speaker briefs, and attending where required).
- Arranges, organises and attends hub visits with parliamentarians and others, supporting the involvement of Network hubs and people with lived experience in policy advocacy activities.
Team Support
- Works closely with the wider team to identify opportunities to amplify our policy and public affairs messaging.
- Works closely with the wider team to plan and draft political and advocacy communications content including: opinion pieces, media pitches, quotes and scripts for video content.
- Provides operational insights and administrative support for team planning, helping to track and collate information about advocacy impact.
- Supports the wider Communications, Campaigns, and Advocacy Team, including drafting and editing website and other digital content, taking on other administrative tasks in line with the role, and being ready to step in and support other colleagues during busy periods.
Person Specification
- 2+ years experience working within a policy, campaigns, or advocacy environment (e.g. in a charity or think tank).
- Experience in policy, public affairs, or advocacy: Policy drafting: Proven experience drafting clear, concise, and accurate written materials, such as policy briefings, consultation responses, articles, or meeting notes.
- Experience of monitoring policy and political changes, and keeping up to date with opportunities and new thinking
- Experience planning and delivering events (e.g., roundtables, webinars, visits), including managing logistics and preparing speaker briefs.
- Experience of working well in multi-functional teams and with multiple stakeholders to deliver partnership advocacy activity
- Experience of developing and delivering engaging and behaviour digital communications
- Solid understanding of UK political systems, parliamentary processes, and how government policy is formed.
- Data and research literacy, with experience gathering qualitative or quantitative evidence and using statistics accurately to support an argument.
Personal Attributes
- Commitment and alignment to Good Things Foundation’s mission, strategy and values
- Adaptable in nature
- A growth mindset (the belief and motivation to improve on existing capabilities)
- Self-starter – proactive and adaptable. This role requires a degree of independent work with senior supervision.
- Ability to think on one’s feet and contribute to debate
- Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and keeping on top of policy and political changes
- Ability to work flexibly while maintaining balance
- Enjoys networking and building relationships
- Ambitious to make a positive difference in society
- Willing to learn and try things outside their comfort zone
- Invested in their own wellbeing and others’ in the team, and ready to be flexible to support others
- Attentive to detail and accuracy, including appropriate use of evidence and statistics
- Enjoys using data and technology to improve impact
Knowledge and skills
- Up-to-date knowledge of UK public policy and politics
- Demonstrable interest in policy areas relevant to our work
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to write compellingly for different audiences and present information clearly and confidently in person or online.
- Networking and stakeholder coordination; strong interpersonal skills with ability to engage professionally with external stakeholders (e.g., civil servants, parliamentary staff, and sector partners) and maintain positive relationships.
- Excellent organisational skills, with a track record of managing competing deadlines, delivering to time, and handling administrative tasks efficiently, complying with IT, GDPR and organisational communications systems.
- Collaborative working, a strong team player who can work collaboratively across different teams to achieve shared goals.
- Analytical thinking, with the ability to quickly grasp public policy issues, synthesize key findings, and identify relevant opportunities for advocacy.
- Knowledgeable and passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion.
