Royal Academy of Engineering Hiring for Education and Skills Policy Advisor Job at London, England Full Time

We are seeking Education and Skills Policy Advisors for the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The world faces complex challenges from climate change to data and AI (artificial intelligence) and the benefits and risks brought by disruptive technologies. Engineers are central to designing and implementing solutions to these challenges, and as the UK’s National Academy for engineering we want to nurture and grow engineering talent wherever it exists. We are expanding the scope and ambition of our education and skills policy work in the UK, collaborating closely with partners across the engineering profession through the National Engineering Policy Centre, to raise the visibility and impact of our work.

Who are we?

The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.

With a diverse workforce and an inclusive and supportive culture, we look to attract candidates from wide and different backgrounds who have a passion for the role engineering plays in society. Our aim is to make the Academy the best place to work for the staff we have and those we seek to attract.

The roles

The roles offer an opportunity to work with some of the country’s best minds – our Fellows – and some of the most experienced business and education leaders on urgent policy challenges such as how the UK can develop talent with the right specialist skills and knowledge to deliver on the UK’s net-zero challenge. Currently, only 7% of engineering companies in the UK with a sustainability strategy say they have the skills needed to fulfil it, according to a survey conducted by one of our partners, the Institution of Engineering and Technology last year. How we educate and inspire young people from all backgrounds to consider a career in engineering – along with developing an engineering mindset that puts sustainability, ethics and diversity at the heart of their practice – is central to our policy work in education. But with 80 per cent of the projected 2030 workforce already working today, how we upskill our existing engineering workforce to meet the challenges of emerging technologies is also paramount.

As a policy advisor, you’ll own and create responses and policy interventions for our work across school, technical and higher education working to meet national priorities on net zero skills, growth and levelling up. And you’ll work with employers and partners across engineering and other disciplines to understand better how to develop policy that meets their current and future skills needs.

We offer excellent support and development and a chance to grow your own profile in the engineering, education, skills, and policy worlds, and to make a real contribution to delivering lasting change.

Who are we looking for?

We need two high-calibre professionals who can hit the ground running. You would bring experience of policy development, ideally accompanied by experience in a policy area relevant to skills (for example in an area where you’ve used your strong quantitative skills) or perhaps in STEM education. You will have good numerical and analytical skills, write with precision, clarity and impact, and have curiosity and experience of working in a professional environment. You must be able to work well with others, and capable of building productive and respectful relationships with thought leaders. More than anything it is your initiative, drive and determination to harness the insights of engineering for the public good that will matter the most.

Why work for the Royal Academy of Engineering?

We’re looking for people who are driven to make the world a better place. If you’re passionate about what you do and want to work collaboratively with talented colleagues to make change happen now and for future generations, we want you to get in touch.

Company Benefits

The Academy offers a fantastic package of additional benefits including:

• BUPA cash plan
• Private medical insurance
• Subsidised restaurant
• Regular social activities
• Independent Financial Advice
• Generous holiday allowance
• Non-contributory pension scheme
• Health and wellbeing programmes
• Wellbeing days and office wide Christmas leave
• Significant investment into your personal and professional development.

Location

Our light, spacious offices are based in a fantastic location in central London with views over St James’s Park and close to the West End. We operate hybrid, flexible working practices with a baseline 2 days a week in the office.

Interviews will be held virtually on week commencing 29 November 2021.