The policy profession is a specialized field of public administration in the United Kingdom that focuses on developing and analyzing policies to address public issues. Professionals in this field, often referred to as “policy officers” or “policy analysts,” work for government departments, local authorities, think tanks, advocacy groups, and other organizations to research, design, implement and evaluate public policies.
What do policy professionals do?
Policy professionals have a diverse range of responsibilities that can include:
- Researching social, economic, and political issues
- Analyzing data and evidence related to policy issues
- Engaging with stakeholders to identify issues and objectives
- Developing policy proposals and options
- Assessing the costs, benefits, and impacts of policy options
- Drafting policy documents, legislation, and regulations
- Consulting and advising ministers and senior officials
- Implementing and monitoring approved policies
- Evaluating policy outcomes and effectiveness
- Providing policy advice and recommendations
Essentially, their role is to use research, analysis, and stakeholder engagement to design evidence-based policies that effectively address public needs and problems. They support governments in making informed decisions on policy issues.
Where do policy professionals work?
Policy professionals are employed across all levels of government in the UK:
- Local government – Work on policy issues related to service delivery, planning, housing, transportation, environment, public health, and community services for a city, county, or district.
- Devolved administrations – Work on policy areas like health, education, environment, and transport that are managed separately by the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, and Northern Ireland Assembly.
- UK government departments – Develop national policies on issues like foreign affairs, defense, trade, welfare, immigration, justice, and infrastructure.
- Executive agencies – Agencies like the Environment Agency and Food Standards Agency employ policy experts to support their regulatory roles.
- Parliament – Provide policy advice and analysis to parliament committees and individual MPs.
- Think tanks – Conduct policy research and develop new policy proposals at organizations like the Institute for Government, IPPR, and Resolution Foundation.
- Interest and advocacy groups – Groups campaigning on issues like poverty, environment, human rights, business, and education employ policy specialists to advance their causes.
Policy professionals may also work as independent consultants or within universities, charities, unions, and private companies.
What skills are required to work in policy?
A career in policy requires certain hard and soft skills:
Hard skills:
- Research and analysis – Ability to gather, interpret and make sense of data, evidence and research on complex policy issues.
- Critical thinking – Assess issues from different perspectives, challenge assumptions, and consider unintended consequences.
- Economics – Understand economic theory, modeling, and analysis to estimate policy impacts.
- Statistics – Analyze and interpret statistical data and trends regarding social issues.
- Policy and legislative knowledge – Understand government processes and procedures for drafting and enacting policies.
- Stakeholder engagement – Effective consultation skills to identify needs and concerns of those impacted by policies.
- Project management – Coordinate and oversee policy processes in a structured way.
- Written communication – Produce clear, well-structured and persuasive policy briefs, reports, and documents.
Soft skills:
- Critical thinking – Assess issues from different perspectives and challenge assumptions.
- Collaboration – Work constructively with ministers, officials, stakeholders, and other partners.
- Analytical skills – Interpret complex information and propose solutions.
- Creativity – Design innovative and workable policy proposals.
- Diplomacy – Navigate sensitive issues and conflicting views with tact.
- Adaptability – Adjust to changing political and organizational priorities.
- Political awareness – Understand political dynamics, constraints, and impacts on policymaking.
What qualifications are required?
While there are no set entry requirements, most policy roles require:
- A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like politics, economics, statistics, or public administration.
- A postgraduate degree like a Master’s in Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, or relevant field.
Useful undergraduate degree subjects include:
- Politics
- International Relations
- Economics
- Statistics
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Law
- Business Administration
- Environmental Sciences
Some employers may not require formal qualifications but relevant work experience is essential. Entry-level policy roles are available for those with an undergraduate degree.
What is the graduate entry route into policy?
The main entry route into the policy profession for graduates is through the Civil Service Fast Stream graduate programme. This offers the following policy-related schemes:
- Generalist – Work on a range of domestic policy areas in UK government departments.
- Economist – Provide economic analysis and advice to shape policy decisions.
- Statistician – Collect, analyze and apply statistical evidence on policy issues.
- Social Researcher – Design and conduct social research and analyze data to guide policymaking.
The application process is highly competitive with success rates around 3-5%. It involves:
- Online application form
- Critical thinking tests
- Video interview
- Assessment centre
Applicants must have at least a 2:2 undergraduate degree in any discipline. Successful candidates complete an intensive 2-year training programme, gaining experience in various government departments before specializing.
How to build a career in policy
Typical career progression route:
- Policy officer (entry level)
- Senior policy officer
- Principal policy officer
- Deputy director
- Director of policy
- Director general
It’s also possible to specialize in areas like:
- Economic policy
- Social policy
- Environmental policy
Or take on senior roles like:
- Head of policy profession
- Chief economic advisor
- Chief scientific advisor
Tips for career development:
- Take on stretching projects to broaden experience.
- Publish research and analysis externally.
- Complete relevant training courses.
- Obtain further qualifications like a PhD.
- Gain experience working on parliamentary committees.
- Secure promotions through Civil Service grades.
- Network and make professional connections.
- Mentor junior colleagues.
What is the pay for policy professionals?
Salaries vary by role, experience and employer. Some typical examples:
Role | Salary |
---|---|
Entry level policy officer | £25,000 – £30,000 |
Senior policy officer | £30,000 – £40,000 |
Principal policy officer | £40,000 – £60,000 |
Deputy director | £60,000 – £80,000 |
Director of policy | £70,000 – £100,000 |
Director general | £100,000 – £150,000 |
Higher salaries are paid in London and the South East. Bonuses are sometimes available for outstanding performance.
What are the main professional bodies?
The main professional bodies supporting policy careers are:
- Institute for Government – Leading think tank aiming to improve government effectiveness through research.
- Institute for Policy Research – Respected policy research institute conducting analysis on social and political issues.
- Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy – Professional body providing training and qualifications for public finance professionals.
- Government Social Research profession – Represents social researchers working in government departments and agencies.
- Government Economic Service – Professional body for economists providing analysis to guide policymaking.
These organizations provide:
- Training courses, seminars and events
- Professional qualifications and accreditation
- Research, guidance and standards for policy work
- Opportunities to network and exchange ideas
Membership can help policy professionals maintain expertise and progress their careers.
What are the main policy job sites?
Key websites advertising policy and public affairs vacancies include:
- Civil Service Jobs – Official recruitment site listing policy roles in government
- Public Affairs Jobs – Specialist site for lobbyist, political advisor and think tank jobs
- Guardian Jobs – Extensive listings including policy and government affairs roles
- Politico Jobs – US site regularly featuring UK public policy openings
- Institute for Government – Lists job vacancies at the think tank
- NHS Jobs – Recruitment site advertising health policy roles
- Local government jobs – Council sites listing policy officer positions
Websites of think tanks, charities, unions and companies are also worth checking for relevant vacancies.
What are the pros and cons of a policy career?
Potential advantages:
- Interesting, meaningful work making a difference on important issues
- Good job security and benefits, often in the public sector
- Opportunities to specialize in an area you’re passionate about
- Analytical role utilizing research skills
- Scope to be innovative and creative when developing policy options
- Variety of work with insight into different policy areas
- Collaborative role working with range of stakeholders
Potential disadvantages:
- Policy proposals don’t always get approved or implemented
- Frustrating bureaucracy of government systems
- Workload can be demanding at times with tight deadlines
- Need to adhere to organizational policies you may disagree with
- Work can be impacted by sudden political changes
- Less scope for leading policy compared to senior civil servants
- Lower pay than commercial sector at senior levels
Conclusion
The policy profession provides a stimulating career route for those interested in social issues and making a difference through evidence-based policy solutions. Roles utilize strong analytical, research and communication skills to advise government decision-making. While competitive to enter, it offers varied work, good job security and the opportunity to specialize in areas of interest. With uncertainties and challenges facing society, policy professionals play an important role researching, developing and implementing policies for the public good.