Policy Officer

A policy officer's primary role is to shape and influence government policy by collaborating with stakeholders and experts, gathering evidence, synthesising information, and presenting recommendations to senior colleagues. They operate not only in central and local government but also in private and third-sector organisations interacting with government policy. Working within a team, policy officers report to senior policy officers.

Their responsibilities cover the entire policymaking process, involving research and understanding of the political environment, continuous policy development support, objective evidence gathering for policy influence and negotiation, handling sensitive information, maintaining accurate policy records, providing administrative support during new legislation introduction, commissioning input, preparing submissions for senior officials, and responding to public and formal correspondence within specified deadlines.