Senior Policy and Programme Officer, United Kingdom

PATHWAYS INTERNATIONAL · UK NAMED COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME

London area based (hybrid) · Full-time

About us – what do we do?

At a time of unprecedented forced displacement and system disruption, we are reforming the global system of safe and legal routes to protection. Our world-class team works closely with leaders and innovators from across sectors in over 20 countries. Together we design, launch, and expand safe and legal routes for displaced people. Together we pilot bold new ideas aimed at making the entire global system of safe and legal routes stronger and more sustainable.

How we do it

We build and lead powerful partnerships and networks.

We provide trusted advice.

We accelerate operational delivery.

We generate and share insights.

We inspire change.

About the role – what will you do?

We are seeking a Senior Policy and Programme Officer, United Kingdom to join Pathways International’s powerful global team at a formative moment for the UK’s new named community sponsorship programme.

This is a broad, versatile role spanning programme and partnership delivery and policy. You will plan and deliver the projects and partnerships that build the named community sponsorship ecosystem, while also helping shape policy development and implementation and keeping the programme informed by wider migration developments. The balance between policy and delivery will flex with the needs of the programme and the shape of the UK team.

Reporting to Hannah Gregory, Global Director Knowledge and Sponsorship, and working closely with Pathways International’s UK and global teams, you will help shape and sustain the development of named community sponsorship in the UK.

Responsibilities

Contributing to the development of the UK named community sponsorship policy framework, supporting the design and development of the framework post-launch, including sponsored labour and education routes, in coordination with colleagues and partners.

Planning, delivering and coordinating projects across the UK named community sponsorship portfolio, including organising events and meetings, developing resources, materials and tools and supporting monitoring, reporting and learning.

Building and maintaining relationships across government, civil society, local partners and funders, and communities across the UK, and connecting delivery partners to training, mentoring and resources, including via Pathways International’s global networks and UK partners.

Supporting the multi-stakeholder working group, engaging government and other policy stakeholders (including preparing for and following up on meetings and events), and representing the programme externally.

Building and maintaining an understanding of the national, devolved, regional and local landscape relevant to sponsorship, and drawing out its implications for the programme.

Maintaining an overview of wider migration developments in the UK and globally, and advising on their relevance for named community sponsorship.

Researching, analysing and drafting high-quality briefings, policy documents and other written materials for senior stakeholders.

About you – who are we looking for?

We are looking for a versatile person who can move comfortably between programme and partnership delivery and policy thinking, and who thrives on a varied portfolio in a fast-paced environment. You combine professionalism and maturity with the warmth and versatility to build rapport quickly across very different audiences.

A proven understanding of one or more relevant fields, which may include forced displacement, refugee protection, community sponsorship, global migration or migration policy.

At least eight (8) years of relevant work experience, spanning programme or project delivery and policy, research or analysis, including experience of working in or closely with government.

Experience working with and convening NGOs, civil society and/or other delivery partners.

A confident representative with an easy, approachable manner, who builds lasting relationships with a wide range of UK stakeholders — government, civil society and others — and brings the judgement to handle senior meetings and the readiness to get stuck into the practical details of running an event.

Strong policy capability, able to research, analyse and draft high-quality briefings and materials for senior stakeholders with keen attention to detail.

Excellent project-management and organisational skills, able to coordinate meetings, events and projects and to prioritise effectively across competing demands.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Able to work on a varied and constantly evolving portfolio, while consistently displaying professionalism, discretion, tact and responsibility.

Excellent interpersonal skills and experience collaborating with people from different backgrounds, countries, cultures and languages.

A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field (e.g. public policy, public affairs, political science, international development). Education and work experience equivalencies will be considered.

Comfortable preparing well-presented PowerPoint and Word documents and using AI tools, Excel, Zoom, MS Teams and SharePoint.

We particularly encourage applications from qualified candidates with lived experience of forced displacement or migration, or with close personal and cultural connections to refugee communities.

Location

This is a London area based hybrid-working role with the ability to travel within the UK on a regular basis as needed and access available to shared office space. Applicants contacted for evaluation will be asked to provide proof that they have the legal right to work in the UK. Maintaining such legal right to work is a condition of employment.

Salary

Competitive, commensurate with experience.

Contract

Full-time. [One-year term (renewable), or permanent — confirm.]

How to apply

Please submit a cover letter, a CV, and a short, unedited writing sample of no more than five pages (in English) through Pathways International’s BambooHR portal at https://pathways.bamboohr.com/careers/61  by Friday, November 20th at 11:59 pm EST to be considered for this position.

Equal opportunity employer

Pathways International is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from qualified candidates of all genders and from all national, religious, and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities and those with lived experience of forced displacement. We will provide accommodation upon request during the recruitment, selection, and assessment process.