PPS launches a new Policy Associates Scheme

PPS is seeking applications to its newly launched Policy Associates Scheme. The scheme will be open to UoS PhD Students and Post Doctoral Fellows and will run during 2020/2021 academic year (between October 2020 - July 2021).

Policy Associates Scheme details

Policy Associates will support the delivery of variety of UKRI funded projects and activities across the University through two functions: stakeholder analysis and policy synthesis.  

Stakeholder analysis will ensure that relevant decision-makers, practitioners, civil society and end point users are identified and engaged in the development of policy implications stemming from UKRI funded research. This analysis will use specialist tools and networks available to PPS and full training will be given to candidates.

Policy synthesis brings together relevant literature from academia and a grey literature (government/ Parliamentary publications, civil society, user groups) into an executive report, verbal presentation and accompanying slide deck made to the research team. This work will provide a map of the current policy landscape to the project team when forming policy recommendations.

The scheme will allow to learn new skills, including in evidence to policy interface, gain experience of working with the PPS team, work with a broad range of researchers within University of Southampton and civil servants within Government.

The position will be paid at Administrative L4 level.

• policy synthesis, £17.98 per hour, 80 hours
• stakeholder analysis, £17.98 per hour, 40 hours

10 Policy Associates will be recruited in 2020/21 and will work together and separately on a range of policy related research projects based on their availability and expertise.

PPS will deliver training to all Policy Associate pool members covering the following components ‘Introduction to the Impact Agenda’, ‘Role of PPS’, ‘Overview of stakeholder analysis’, ‘System 1 - DeHaviland database’, ‘System 2 – creative stakeholder identification’, ‘Overview of policy synthesis’.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible to apply for a Policy Associate position, candidates must:

• be a Doctoral student or a Post Doctoral Fellow;
• have sound literature review skills;
• be capable of working in an area aligned to relevant policy area

We welcome application from PhD students studying on a Tier 4 visa (please be aware of the limitations of your visa requirements on total number of hours that can be worked)

How to apply

Candidates are required to submit a recent CV and a complete application form (also available via the button below) addressing the following points:

• suitability of the candidate for the Policy Associates Scheme;
• a statement on what the candidate would like to achieve as a Policy Associate.

Applications should be submitted to publicpolicy@soton.ac.uk by 23:00 on 24 September 2020.

Review criteria

Applications will be shortlisted through a selection process. This includes a panel chaired by the Head of Public Policy|Southampton. Candidates successfully shortlisted will be interviewed by PPS.

Notes:

This opportunity will be part-time so PhD students would not be required to suspend their doctoral candidature.

 

FAQs:

Q: Is the overall commitment 120 hours over 10 months? Will these hours be distributed evenly or will Associates be working these during a shorter period of time?

A: Yes, the overall commitment is 120 hours. The scheme will run during 2020-2021 academic year, however the work on a particular project will be done during a much shorter period. We expect Policy Associates to be available to work 20 hours per week (could be less depending on individual capacity) over the course of 1 to 2 months. Your research work is a priority, so if we approach you at a time when you don’t have capacity to work part-time on the PPS project, then we will get in touch later in the year with a different project.

Q: Are the hours at fixed times or is it more flexible hours? 

A: Flexible hours that suit your schedule

Q: How would this work be carried out in light of the COVID-19 restrictions? Would it be in-person work on campus or would the majority be individual work and research with occasional online/in-person meetings? 

A: Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions this semester the work will be done remotely with regular online meetings with PPS team. If the situation improves in the new year, we can have both individual work and in-person meetings.

 

Additional questions should be addressed to publicpolicy@soton.ac.uk or Y.Basystyuk@soton.ac.uk (Public Policy|Southampton)