Research and Policy Communications Manager (THRIVE/DEEP)

Are you an experienced Communications professional who loves the research-into-policy space? Do you relish the prospect of delivering communications support to large-scale, global programmes? Do you want to work in a values-driven organisation, motivated by its mission?

Oxford Policy Management (OPM) is a leading international development consultancy, working with governments to support public policymaking in some of the poorest countries in the world. Through our global network of offices, we work in partnership with national decision makers to research, design, implement and evaluate impactful public policy. We work in all areas of social and economic policy and governance, including health, finance, education, climate change and public sector management.

We’re looking for an experienced and proactive Research and Policy Communications Manager to join our fast-paced, creative Communications and Marketing team based in India and UK. The role can be based in our UK, India or Germany offices, with hybrid working in one of those countries supported, and is offered on an initial two-year contract with the possibility of extension. The role reports into the Head of Communications and Marketing.

As the Research and Policy Communications Manager you will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of cohesive and inspiring communications for two global research programmes: DEEP and THRIVE, worth £9.8m and £15.75m respectively. DEEP (Data and Evidence to End Extreme Poverty) is a recently launched research programme aiming to build evidence, insights, and solutions that help end extreme poverty globally. THRIVE is a new research programme consortium in early childhood development focused on unlocking children’s potential to thrive.

This is a new role, so there will be opportunity to shape and enhance the role, to make it your own. You will be developing the brand and reputation of the two programmes, including building the communications infrastructure and ways of working with the project teams. You will oversee the delivery of strategic communications to a range of academic, government, and practitioner audiences across the social sectors.

Key priorities for this role will include:

• Owning the communications strategies and the delivery of the communications functions for the DEEP and THRIVE programmes, ensuring they help to increase the impact of the programmes’ research and evidence among their audiences.
• Being the expert strategic communications advisor, acting as a key broker between academic research teams and policy influencing communications, helping to translate and make accessible complex research outputs into engaging policy communication tactics.
• Supporting the consortiums to deliver first-class communications by providing frameworks, tools, advice, and knowledge about best practices and approaches for research, policy, and evidence communications.
• Build awareness of the DEEP and THRIVE brands within their wider research and policy sectors in order to develop each programme’s reputation and increase opportunities for visibility and influence.
• Management responsibility for the Project Communications Assistant, as well as oversight of project country communications leads, supporting their development and empowering them in their position.
• Acting as part of the Communications and Marketing team to foster a positive team culture, in line with OPM’s values.

We would love to hear from candidates with the following skills and experience:

• The pre-existing and valid right to work in either the UK, Germany or India (please note, we are unable to sponsor visas).
• Substantial experience of delivering a complete communications function, in research communications, policy communications, or a similar area.
• Experience of working in a global organisation.
• Proven communications project coordination/management experience, used to liaising with multiple international internal and external stakeholders across different organisations, including briefing and managing relationships with external agencies and freelancers.
• Experience in delivery of a publications, thought leadership and/or content pipeline, with ability to align and prioritise activities with organisational/programme strategy and aims.
• Outstanding writing skills, with a strong editorial eye and ability to summarise research information into clear, appealing, and non-specialist language and formats.
• Excellent prioritisation and planning skills, able to work under pressure whilst remaining positive and solutions-orientated.
• Exceptional influencing and communication skills, with demonstrable experience in working with senior stakeholders, building credibility and trust.
• Highly self-motivated, able to work use own guidance, initiative, and good judgement in the execution of their role.
• Should be committed to and be able to demonstrate the company values of collaboration, mutual support, empowerment, integrity, accountability, trust, and respect.

This is intended to be a full-time contract, but we are open to considering part-time applications (no fewer than the equivalent of four working days a week), as well as flexible working arrangements.

If you are interested in this role and want to join a welcoming and vibrant team, please apply as soon as possible with a tailored CV and one page cover letter (uploaded as one single PDF document) via the OPM portal as soon as possible. We will be reviewing application on a rolling basis so please apply today! We look forward to receiving your application.