Apprenticeship training course

Policy officer (level 4)

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Information about Policy officer (level 4)

Contribute to the development of policy.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • The history, priorities, aims, issues and risks associated with their policy area.
  • The wider organisational environment the policy area sits in and how policymaking typically operates within it.
  • The political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors that impact on the policy area and the opportunities and challenges they each present.
  • The principles of project management tools and techniques and the importance of reviewing and maintaining plans.
  • The importance of achieving value for money.
  • The core stakeholders within the specific policy areas and how to engage with them.
  • Communication techniques and approaches to interact with a range of key internal and external stakeholders.
  • Technology and software used to present data in agreed formats for publication.
  • Regulatory and legislative requirements such as data protection and confidentiality, which affect practical processes such as the handling and processing of data and its application.
  • Policy implementation tools and processes to ensure delivery meets desired policy aims.
  • Evaluation methods through which policy interventions can be reviewed and improved, including cost benefit analysis and impact assessments, and their advantages and disadvantages.
  • The importance of horizon scanning for future changes and developments in relation to policy interpretation.
  • The value of a diversity of skills and expertise within teams, as well as an inclusive environment.
  • The organisation’s structure, strategy and priorities of organisational leaders or decision makers, and how their role supports these.
  • The purpose of engagement and consultation.
  • Different levels of engagement (from passive informing through to active co-production with those impacted by policy interventions) and methods used to achieve engagement.
  • The importance of monitoring and reviewing processes, including identifying and managing risks (e.g. operational, budgetary, reputational, legal).
  • How to measure the success of a policy, including the use of measures for progress, success, and impact.
  • Sources of evidence available in the relevant policy area and their strengths and weaknesses (e.g., operational data, research from charities acting in the area, academic research).
  • Negotiation methods and factors to be considered when conducting negotiation.
  • The legal, judicial and political context within which the relevant policy area is situated and how this influences policy development.
  • The support requirements and training needs of their team.

  Skills

  • Undertake research and data collection from a range of primary and secondary sources to determine quality, accuracy, reliability, cognitive bias and trustworthiness of data sources.
  • Use analytical techniques on research and data, making use of stakeholder expertise in the policy area.
  • Demonstrate problem solving ability and evidence-based decision-making.
  • Prepare documents and present findings, making use of evidence to underpin arguments.
  • Adapt communication style to different audiences.
  • Apply project and risk management tools and techniques across the policy lifecycle.
  • Manage conflicting priorities to ensure work is completed within deadlines and budgets, setting own milestones to manage workload.
  • Manage joint work with other organisations through tasks such as creating reference documents and records of policy decisions.
  • Demonstrate networking and stakeholder management skills.
  • Facilitate events such as conferences, forums, or roundtable discussions on policy issues.
  • Keep accurate records of relevant information such as key data, identified trends, critiques, commentary, media attention and topical issues.
  • Evaluate data related to current and previous policy interventions.
  • Work with specialists from outside of the policy function. For example specialists in research, communications, commercial, legal, and science.
  • Looking beyond immediate role to larger trends which may impact on the relevant policy area, utilising big picture thinking to support organisational strategy.
  • Support the development and delivery of materials and activities to train their team.

  Behaviours

  • Seeks learning opportunities and continuous professional development.
  • Works collaboratively with others.
  • Role models ethical behaviour and practices.
  • Works flexibly and adapts to different circumstances.
  • Has accountability and ownership of their tasks and workload.
  • Remains motivated and resilient under pressure.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Business and administration
• Qualification level: 4; Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)
• Course duration: 18 months
• Maximum funding: £6,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Advocacy officer
  • Engagement and consultant officer
  • Insights officer
  • Policy advisor
  • Policy analyst
  • Policy and delivery officer
  • Policy officer
  • Policy researcher

View more information about Policy officer (level 4) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.