Policy and Public Affairs Manager

Job Title: Policy and Public Affairs Manager

Salary: Band C - The starting salary is £47,060 which includes allowances totalling £2,928.

The salary is broken down as £44,132 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £52,652. Plus, a location allowance of £1,982 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.

Location: Remote working nationally within UK. NPCC is currently based in close proximity to St James’ Park Underground Station, London and therefore occasional travel will be required to this premise and other Police locations across the UK. We encourage applications from candidates living across the UK. Further details on flexible arrangements will be discussed at interview stage.

Contract – Permanent.

THE NATIONAL POLICE CHIEFS’ COUNCIL (NPCC)

Policing is operating in a time of global change and uncertainty, the public and our staff need a service which is responsive, able to tackle future challenges and embrace opportunity.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) brings UK police leaders together to set direction in policing and drive progress for the public.

We achieve this through:

Coordination – by joining up the operational response to critical national policing issues to deliver policing today and shape the future.
Collaboration – by working in partnership as part of the whole policing system and beyond to improve public safety.
Communication – by sharing the collective expertise, views and action of UK police chiefs.

NPCC Strategic Planning and Performance (SPP) Team

The Strategic Planning and Performance (SPP) team forms a part of the NPCC Strategic Hub (the Hub), the SPP team provides strategic and business planning functions to the NPCC including research and analysis, stakeholder engagement and partnership working, and risk management capabilities. The SPP team supports the development and coordination of activity across the NPCC, and the team works effectively with partners and stakeholders across policing, building effective, collaborative relationships and ensuring a coordinated response to policing issues at all of levels.

THE ROLE

The successful candidate would need to have the following experiences and skills:

A relevant degree with at least two year’s relevant experience in policy or public affairs.
Strong track record of effective stakeholder engagement through targeted advocacy, coalition-building, and evidence-based communications, building strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to build a sound understanding of policy positions and achieve mutually successful outcomes.
Sound knowledge of the UK policymaking and legislative process; the practical stages and the process and opportunities for influencing.
Up to date professional knowledge of how policy-making works, and the practices, tools and techniques required to effectively influence policy makers through planning and provision of insight and evaluation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; the role holder will have regular communications with chief officers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and their staff, government departments and key stakeholders providing advice, guidance and support managing complex or controversial issues on behalf of the leadership of the police service.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - If you join and work for us, you will get access to:

A competitive salary with yearly increments.
Support networks, free Employees' Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
Flexitime, with the ability to undertake your hours flexibly and in line with business need.
Hybrid working, with the ability to work remotely dependent on role.
Competitive pension scheme.
Company sick pay.
Job related equipment supplied
Specialist equipment supplied, under Occupational Health referral
Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme for discounts and services (requires a one-off payment of £5).
Development, coaching and mentoring opportunities available.
Supportive and flexible onboarding plan, including regular check-ins throughout your initial period of joining us to ensure you are up to speed with the role and getting the support you need.

VETTING

Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) at NPPV2 / RV and CTC level before taking up the post.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Please provide a CV and evidence against the following competencies, (350 words maximum per competency) which are based on the knowledge, skills and experience set out in the job description and the competencies in the Competency and Values Framework (CVF). Please note, CV’s will not be assessed within the initial application, answers to the CVF questions alone determine next steps. Once candidates identified for interview has been confirmed, CV’s will then be shared with the appropriate Hiring Manager.

We are collaborative, Level 2 - Please give an example when you have demonstrated the ability to work with partners/stakeholders to influence their views/perspective, in the face of competing priorities and opinions.

We analyse critically, Level 3 - Can you give an example of where you have had to research, collate and analyse varying policy positions from a variety of stakeholders to deliver a briefing or advice?
We are innovative and openminded, Level 2 - How do you stay abreast of emerging trends to inform your innovative thinking?
We deliver, support and inspire, Level 2 - Please outline your experience in shaping or influencing public policy, including how you have engaged with parliamentary processes, government departments, or external stakeholders to achieve policy outcomes.

Should you want to know more about the role, we would strongly encourage you contact hr-recruitment@npcc.police.uk to arrange an informal conversation.

REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS

With all recruitment processes, we support reasonable adjustments. This aligns with the Equality Act 2010 and reflects best practice in inclusive recruitment. Please let us know in advance so we can support you appropriately. See the following examples of adjustments recommended by Optima Medical Team for prior candidates.

Assistive technology e.g. transcription software
Advance access to interview questions
Extra time for assessments and interviews

IMPORTANT NOTICE FAIR RECRUITMENT COMMITMENT / INTERVIEW CONDUCT

Should you require assistive technology as part of a reasonable adjustment (e.g. transcription software), please let us know in advance so we can support you appropriately.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Occasional national travel may be required. Travel expenses will be paid if location allowance is not being received, or when travel falls outside of the home to work journey. NPCC will pay for overnight accommodation if required.

The Metropolitan Police manage HR for NPCC recruitment.

Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 16th November 2025.

Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. The application review for this vacancy will commence from 17th November 2025.

Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview. Interview dates to be confirmed.

This role is open to external candidates as a permanent contract.