Programme Manager – Family Policy
We are looking for someone with the vision, ability and skills to influence and promote a policy agenda that strengthens the capacity of families to support improved social outcomes. In helping to set up and manage a distinctly branded programme, your role will encompass developing new projects, building partnerships, formulating policy and creating an effective media presence. Building on the platform of the Foundation’s successful work in many policy areas this post is a great opportunity to demonstrate your ability to influence public policy and debate.
Responsible to: Executive Director
Starting salary: £30,000, depending on experience. Employer pension contribution of 6.5%
Location: Cambridge (flexible work arrangement in terms of both time and location will be considered)
The Relationships Foundation
We are the think tank for a better connected society. We believe that a good society is built on good relationships, from family and community to public service and business. We study the effect that culture, business and government have on relationships. We create new ideas for strengthening social connections and campaign on issues where relationships are being undermined. And we train and equip people to think relationally for themselves. We work with a wide range of leaders in business, academia, public services and politics to implement relational ideas. Our approach goes beyond the traditional left-right political distinction and we work with any party or group that wants to engage with us.
The Project
The Relationships Foundation is seeking to establish a clearly branded family policy unit as one of the main elements of its work. This builds on our work on how policy can promote wellbeing and advocacy of a broadly defined family policy at the heart of the government’s agenda. The unit will raise both public and policymakers’ understanding of the role of the extended family as an institution in achieving social progress, and how it can best be supported.
Success in this area depends on ensuring that the demand for support for families is at the forefront of public debate, and is seen as something that is deliverable. This requires media presence, a strong constituency of support, specific output that commands attention, and the confidence of policymakers that useful and practical contributions will be made. In the context of the emphasis on the decentralisation of power, it will be increasingly important for project output to be demonstrably rooted in, or linked to, effective local action.
In launching the family policy unit we have identified four main objectives:
1. Government and society as a whole need to be convinced of the importance of the family as an institution, and its essential contribution to a wide range of social outcomes. Until each government department has a clear understanding of the extent to which their objectives depend on the contribution of the family, support for a cross-government family agenda will remain limited.
2. A broader coalition of support for the family needs to be built. It should include all those professions, organisations and groups with a concern for the outcomes of family relationships.
3. An understanding within government that it is possible to appropriately influence family relationships, and that this is a task for all government departments.
4. Measures of progress that capture the pressures on the family and the support available in order to hold the government to account on their promise to build a more family-friendly nation.
The Role
In achieving these objectives, and the wider goals of the Foundation, your role will include:
• Helping to shape the overall strategy of the project, and contributing to the Foundation’s continuing strategic growth and development
• Playing a leading role in the planning, development and implementation of projects that form part of the family policy programme
• Developing strong relationships and working closely with external partners in project planning and delivery.
• Helping to identify and secure funding for projects under the programme and reporting to donors
• Communicating results in ways that build influence and effect change
• Building and maintaining relevant databases of information, intelligence and views as a resource for future research and comment.
• Helping the Executive Director identify and make the most of the many PR opportunities arising from his work by providing him with advice and suitable material
Person Specification
We don’t expect any individual to do everything and can construct a role that makes best use of your strengths and complements your relative weaknesses. We also believe that people can grow and develop in a job with the right support. The successful candidate will need to show that they are, or can be:
Analytical – Facts and details matter in policy. A forensic mind that can see the flaws in other arguments and identify better options will help win policy debates.
Creative – We want people to think differently. Innovative solutions and ways of communicating them, imaginative project design, and an ability not to follow the herd are part of envisioning and bring about a more relational society.
Value driven – Our commitment to relationships is rooted in the Judaeo-Christian tradition. We are interested in your passion for social justice and concern for the values that underpin healthy relationships.
A networker – The contacts you already have will be an important resource for the project. And building new partnerships with a range of organisations, groups and professions will be essential to your success.
A communicator – Your work will only make a difference if people read or hear about it. Being heard and changing people’s thinking and actions is what ultimately constitutes success.
Experienced – You do need to hit the ground running. Knowing how to write successful proposals, influence policy decisions, engage with the media or harness expert opinion will be an asset.
Knowledgeable – Because we believe that policy in many areas affects the family, knowledge from many academic and professional areas is relevant, but an understanding of the changing nature of family relationships, the forces that shape them, and how they influence outcomes in many areas is core territory for this programme.
A team player – Small teams have to be flexible. You’ll need to get on easily with others and muck in when needed. Job descriptions are the starting point, not the limit of what may need doing!
A project manager – You will need to manage a budget, commission research, manage associates and ensure high quality work is delivered on time and on budget.
The Team
We are a small but well-networked organisation and work closely together as a team. In developing and delivering this programme you will be working closely with:
Michael Trend, The Foundation’s Executive Director. His experience in both journalism and parliamentary politics will enable the dissemination of findings and help navigate the thornier dilemmas of family policy. With ultimate responsibility for fundraising, Michael will support the post-holder in developing a well-resourced programme.
John Ashcroft, Research Director, has lead the development of relational thinking as an approach to both policy and organisational development. Lessons from major programmes of work on wellbeing, partnership and collaboration, assessing relationships, and health policy are the context for his support and advice on the content of the projects, as well as their positioning in public debate.
David Wong, Senior Research Associate. Alongside completing his PhD at the Judge Business School and developing our consultancy and leadership development programme, David has developed the conceptual framework for family proofing policy, and is currently developing indices to monitor social progress.
Andrea Fejer, Communications Manager. Effective use of our website, Facebook page, email bulletins, Twitter and other communication processes will support the project’s networking and dissemination.
How to Apply
Applications should be made in writing and consist of a full curriculum vitae and covering letter of application. Candidates are asked to describe the nature of their most recent and significant career appointments and to set out clearly their key achievements.
Applications can be sent either by post to Andrea Fejer, Communications Manager, Relationships Foundation, Jubilee House, 3 Hooper Street, Cambridge CB1 2NZ or by email to a.fejer@relationshipsfoundation-org.stackstaging.com by November 5th, 2010. The appointment will be made subject to satisfactory references.
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