Policy Officer

Job Introduction

About Us

The Policy Team is responsible for developing cross-cutting strategies and policies to support the council’s vision and for supporting key partnerships, ensuring local needs and priorities are addressed. Key areas of work the team are currently involved in include consideration of the council’s impact on future generations, developing proposals for local government reorganisation, tackling inequalities and developing our strategic relationship with the voluntary, community and faith sector.

The team is creative and supportive, with a positive energy and a passion for learning. As part of a new partnership with Oxford University’s Blavatnik School for Government, team members can take advantage of development opportunities run by the School.

About the Role

The Policy Officer role works in a fast-paced environment to deliver policy and support key partnerships. This ranges from early formulation of policy ideas to delivery, supporting services to ensure that policy change is embedded in the organisation, and supporting key partnerships. The team’s work is varied, with new work often flowing from decisions taken in Council meetings.

If you would like to ask any questions or have an informal conversation about this role, please contact Paul Wilding, paul.wilding@oxfordshire.gov.uk  

About you

You will have experience of working in a policy role in local government or the voluntary and community sector and will enjoy working in a fast-paced and high-profile environment to deliver policy, driving through change. With excellent interpersonal skills, you will be adept at developing effective relationships at all levels. This will be a fast-paced role, with multiple competing priorities, so the ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines is essential. 

Rewards and benefits

• Culture of flexible working 
• Technology to support agile working
• 30 days’ holiday p.a. plus bank holidays 
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

Our commitment to:
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any technical issues with the application system, please contact us at: careers@oxfordshire.gov.uk