Senior Policy Officer

The role of the Senior Policy Officer is to provide policy advice and support, to inform key decision-making across the UK Supreme Court. Working directly to the Chief Executive, the post-holder will have responsibility for undertaking research, briefings, analysis, horizon scanning and policy work on a range of issues as required by the Chief Executive and President of the Supreme Court. This work includes responding to government reviews and consultations, implementing the judicial diversity and inclusion strategy, and the stakeholder engagement plan. You will have the opportunity to play a significant leadership role in the development of policy.

This post leads on the considerable international work undertaken by the Court. Working directly to the Chief Executive and Deputy President, the post-holder will have responsibility for implementing the international strategy, planning, and arranging bilaterals with national courts, preparing for meetings and events with incoming international visitors, providing briefings and taking minutes. This will take approximately half their working week and they will be working alongside the Events and Communications Manager to deliver this.

The post-holder will need a sound understanding of the work of the Supreme Court, the position it holds within the UK constitution and a strong interest in the rule of law in a democratic society. The successful candidate will have excellent policy skills with sound awareness of the environment, be an excellent communicator who can work effectively and persuasively with senior figures.

There are currently no line management or budgetary responsibilities with this post though this may change in the future and the post holder should be prepared to offer a flexible approach with regards to both.

Key Responsibilities:

• You will spend the majority of your time providing high quality briefings, analysis, and policy advice, taking account of the wider external landscape and showing good judgement.

• You will attend meetings with stakeholders including providing briefings to the Chief Executive and Justices of the Supreme Court, taking minutes and following up on any action points.

• You will lead on international work, planning bilateral meetings, meeting international visitors, coordinating with other UK courts, providing briefings to the Chief Executive and Justices, taking minutes and following up on action points.

• You will support the implementation of the Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy by contributing to the development and delivery of events, developing a methodology for evaluating activities, and producing an annual update.

• You will work proactively and collaboratively with other business areas, providing analysis and input as required.

• You will work with colleagues to build positive relationships with senior stakeholders and parliamentarians, considering views, perspectives, and insight from across an appropriate range of stakeholders to inform your work.

• You will contribute to the Courts strategic objectives in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Essential Criteria:

1. A sound understanding of the work of the Supreme Court and the position we hold in the UK Constitution with a strong interest in the rule of law, or the ability to become proficient in new topics quickly.
2. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate to both internal and external stakeholders, using appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact, providing advice on matters with authority and clarity.
3. Strong research skills with an ability to analyse a range of information and to use balanced judgement to provide evidenced options to inform own decision making and that of others.
4. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain strong working relationships internally and externally with key stakeholders.
5. Good awareness of the external environment, and experience of working with central government departments, including the ability to produce objective and balanced work unaffected by the post-holders political or other views.
6. Ability to work on own initiative.
7. Excellent IT skills, especially MS Word, Teams, Excel and Copilot, and the ability to quickly develop the skills to work with new IT solutions.
8. Strong planning and organisational skills.
9. Experience of operating flexibly and working at pace.
10. Adaptable and willing to review priorities with senior managers to meet the current and future needs of the UKSC.

Qualifications:

Educated to degree level or equivalent experience, demonstrating the ability to analyse complex information, exercise sound judgement and communicate effectively.