Policy and Advocacy Interns

London or Cardiff for 6 months

London or Cardiff

Job reference: 000452

Location: London or Cardiff

Closing date: 18/11/2019

Job posted date: 28/10/2019

Salary: £19,940 per annum

Employment type: Interns

Department: Policy Team

Hours per week: 36.25

Interview date: Early December

Contract Duration: 6 months

Citizens Advice offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free. Through our national network of charities, we give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

Would you like to gain experience of working on policy for an influential and well-known national organisation?

We're looking for 5 paid policy and advocacy interns to work with us for up to six months. We'd like you to work with us to produce an influential piece of policy research, which will be published with your name on it. It'll allow you to learn research, analytical, campaigning and influencing skills on the job. You'll also have an opportunity to work on a range of subjects.  At the end of your six months with us, you'll have the skills and experience to take your next steps in the sector and beyond.

You don't need to have any experience, as we'll give you the training and support you need. You'll need to have an interest in UK politics and social policy, have some knowledge of research methods and be a good communicator.

We are committed to recruiting people from the widest talent pool. Our Policy and Advocacy internship scheme is designed to attract a diverse range of candidates and enhance opportunities for people to develop their career aspirations in policy and research.

All internships are based at our central London or Cardiff offices. You can work full or part time, providing you can commit to at least 3 days a week.

In your application form, please outline how you meet each of the 5 essential criteria set out in the job pack. 

We know that it can be difficult to know how to write an application which will get you noticed, so we've written this blog setting out what we're looking for when we're assessing applications and how we score them.

We will be running an optional pre-application webinar on Tuesday 12th November from 5.30-6.30pm for people who would like to know more about this role. We particularly encourage you to sign up if you are BAME, disabled, aged 40+ or face disadvantages in beginning a career in policy research. The webinar will cover what policy research is, what it's like to work in these roles and what we are looking for in candidates. The webinar can be accessed here 

If you are interested in joining us for the webinar please fill in this form to help us to understand what you're looking to get from it and to submit your questions in advance (there will also be the opportunity to ask questions during the livestream).

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented throughout Citizens Advice. We are a member of the race equality campaign at Business in the Community, the Princes responsible business network and are committed to improving employment opportunities for ethnic minorities across the UK. We also welcome applications from, LGB and Trans and non binary candidates.

We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people and guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role as set out in role profiles.