Category: policy

What skills and abilities does a good policy officer need?

A policy officer requires a range of skills and abilities. Whether you’re starting out on a career in policy, or looking to recruit your first policy officer, this post will give you some helpful pointers.

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In this post, I’m going to explore what I see as some of the critical skills and abilities that a good policy officer needs.  

There are, of course, a variety of positions that might have a role in influencing policy.  For the purposes of this post, I have decided to focus in on the policy officer role, which is often the entry point for people starting out on a career in influencing policy, and also where most organisations looking to grow their capacity to influence policy will start. 

Many of the skills needed for a good policy officer can also be acquired and developed in post.  Throughout my career, it has been extremely satisfying to see people grow in to such roles and develop their careers.  It’s always sad to say goodbye to them when it’s time for them to move on to bigger and better things. 

When you’re recruiting a policy officer, it’s also important to remember that you don’t necessarily need to recruit someone with subject matter expertise.  The essence of what makes a good policy officer (or the foundation for someone with the potential to become a good policy officer) are their policy skills, rather than their subject matter knowledge.  For someone with the right skills or potential, getting to grips with a new policy area is, in many ways, the easy bit.  Just like the way that civil servants move from department to department, the same is true for someone entering a new field or sector.  

Job descriptions often include slightly cryptic references to skills and competencies that are needed for policy roles.  In this post, I’ll try to illustrate what some of those are actually about.  So whether you’re looking to recruit your first policy officer, or you’re someone thinking about a career in policy, here are my top ten skills and abilities that a good policy officer needs.  

#1:  Analytical skills

Policy work is, by its very definition, based on analysis.  A good policy officer needs to have the ability to absorb and interpret complex information from a wide variety of sources, and be able to identify both potential problems and solutions.  Whether that is analysing evidence and data, legislation, or stakeholder feedback, analytical skills are the most important skill requirement for every role that plays a part in influencing policy.  

#2:  Communication skills

‘Good communication skills’ is one of the most widely used (and ill-defined) phrases in most job descriptions.  A good policy officer will need to have top-rate writing skills. They will be writing consultation responses, parliamentary briefings and think pieces, and will need to be able to communicate complex messages not just clearly and succinctly, but persuasively too.  They will also need to be able to produce analysis that is easy to understand and accessible for non-technical audiences.  But it’s not just about written communication.  They’ll need to be able to explain complex issues verbally too – whether that’s briefing a parliamentarian, or helping stakeholders understand policy change.  And social media is becoming more and more important as a communication channel for policy influencing too. 

#3:  Interpersonal skills

A good policy officer needs to be comfortable interacting with a variety of people.  Whether that’s the ability to brief officials and politicians, to network and build alliances with other stakeholders, or the confidence to ‘pester’ people or to speak out in meetings.  It can be quite daunting to be sitting in a policy working group (frequently with people who are far more expert on the matter at hand) and feel able to raise an issue or challenge something.  Confidence, of course, in part comes with experience, but the foundation of great interpersonal skills is an essential building block for a good policy officer.   

#4:  Research skills

Although closely related to having good analytical skills, a good policy officer also needs a good foundation in research skills.  Both in the interpretation and use of research, but also in undertaking research to support their policy development work.  For example, that might involve capturing people’s stories and experiences to evidence their arguments, or undertaking (or commissioning) a piece of research to fill a gap in knowledge.  

#5:  Public affairs skills

There are broadly two schools of thought when it comes to the policy and public affairs interface.  There are those organisations that choose to separate them out with separate policy and public affairs roles.  And then there are those that combine them in a more integrated way.  My personal view is that the integrated approach is the way to go.  It makes sense to me that someone analysing policy and generating ideas for change should also understand some of the ways in which that change can be achieved using parliamentary and public affairs routes, such as parliamentary debates, or All-Party Parliamentary Groups, for example.  

#6:  Political astuteness

A good policy officer not only needs to be able to analyse and interpret policy, they also need to have a degree of political astuteness to know which policy influencing objectives and aims are politically achievable.   They’ll need to understand party political differences, and the impact that events and context can have on politics and policy making.  They’ll also need to be able to take a long view, horizon scanning, spotting issues and opportunities proactively.  

#7:  A tactical approach

It’s very easy to make a lot of noise about an issue, but noise doesn’t necessarily equate to influence.  A good policy officer should be able to advise on the best tactics to deploy for the maximum impact.  Whether that is public campaigning engaging stakeholders and supporters, or behind-the-scenes influencing, being able to pick the right tactics on a case-by-case basis is an essential skill.  I’ll return to the question of visibility versus effectiveness in a future post.  

#8:  Problem solving

Influencing policy is all about solving problems, so good problem-solving skills are an essential attribute of a good policy officer.  This means being able to look at problems from different angles, thinking creatively about potential solutions and testing those to come up with the best possible solution. 

#9:  Project management

A policy officer is likely to be juggling a number of different policy influencing projects.  They might be getting stakeholder input on one topic, while simultaneously responding to a consultation on another, and briefing parliamentarians on a bill.  Good time management, and good project management skills, are going to be really important.

#10:  A focus on outcomes

One of the competencies that I think is really important for a good policy officer is being able to remain focused on outcomes.  What I mean by that is being able to take the longer term view and consider the impact that a particular policy change path could deliver.  Influencing the content of a piece of government guidance, or even the content of a parliamentary bill is one thing, but how will we know that such changes will deliver the outcomes that you’re seeking? In other words, achieving policy change itself is not the end of the process, and a good policy officer will understand the cycle of policy development and implementation.  

What do you think are the essential skills and abilities that a policy officer needs? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. 

If you or your organisation are looking to do more policy influencing work, and would like some pro bono advice, I’d be happy to have a chat. Just drop me a line via the ‘Contact’ link above, or email me at hello@thepolicycoach.co.uk

Is it any good? Tips for how to analyse policy proposals

Being able to analyse policy proposals is an essential skill for anyone seeking to influence policy.

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One of the most important skills that anyone involved in influencing policy needs to have is the ability to analyse and interpret changes in national policy.  Whether it is examining bills and legislation, white papers, national guidance or consultation documents, being able to spot potential issues and, importantly, solutions, is an essential competence for anyone seeking to influence the policy agenda. 

I was prompted to write this post having spent a few days recently trying to understand the implications of the Government’s energy price scheme.

Being able to understand what policy or decision makers want to achieve, and what they are thinking about, is a really important skill.  

There are lots of academic papers and public policy theories that try to describe the policy analysis process – you simply need to run a quick Google search to find lots of those.  While those are useful and helpful, in this post, I thought it would be helpful to think about it a little more practically.  So here are my top five tips for policy analysis. 

Tip 1:  Think about the context

As a starting point, it’s important to consider the context, and what is being presented, as this will affect the approach that you might need to take.  Are you being asked a question, or given an answer?  For instance, is it a consultation where your views are being sought, or a policy statement or decision that has already been taken?  

Tip 2:  What is the policy trying to achieve, and will it work?

The next step is to work out what it is that the policy is intended to achieve.  What problem are policy makers trying to fix? And will it deliver what it is that the policy maker intends?  Are there any unforeseen consequences that might not have been properly considered?  Your expert knowledge here is going to be particularly helpful, as you will probably know more about your stakeholders and their needs than the policy makers do.  

Most ‘bad policy’ decisions are the result of not properly considering the unintended consequences – the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is probably the best example of that in practice.  By adopting an approach based on breed and looks, rather than behaviour, it is widely criticised for failing to address the problem it was designed to fix which was to reduce the incidence of dog attacks. 

Tip 3:  Will it have a positive, negative or neutral impact?  And will those impacts be fair?

You also need to consider whether the policy is likely to have a positive, negative or neutral impact.  In other words, from your perspective, is this a good, bad or indifferent policy?  And don’t forget that you’ll need to evidence your assessment, so also think about the mix of evidence that you will need to draw on to back up your judgment. 

It’s also really important to think about equality as part of your analysis.  In most cases, policy change goes through a process of ‘equality impact assessment’ to determine whether it might have a disproportionate unintended effect on equality, and to ensure compliance with the public sector equality duty.  In reality, those assessments are not often particularly robust.  It’s often an important gap to fill.    

Tip 4:  The financial impact

As big part of your analysis will probably centre on the cost effectiveness or financial implications of the policy change being proposed.  Is it an efficient way of achieving the policy intentions?  Are there alternative solutions available that might be more cost effective?  And, of course, are there financial implications for the stakeholders that you are speaking for?  A cost-benefit analysis is a very useful tool. 

Tip 5:  Can you change it?

How the policy, or policy proposal, is being presented will determine the answer to the question of whether it’s possible to change it if needed.  A clause in a parliamentary bill (which will be subject to debate, amendment and parliamentary process) will be much easier to influence and change than, for example, a piece of statutory guidance from an arms-length body.  This will also help determine the tactics that you might need to deploy to get any change that might be needed.

Alongside your analysis, it’s also worth thinking about what your stakeholders, beneficiaries, or local community might need to know about the change.  This is important for two reasons.  First and foremost, because people will need to know what the change is and how it will affect them.  And secondly, because if change is needed, you can also think about how to mobilise your networks to push for that change.  For example, mobilising people to write to their MP about a bill before Parliament.  In this sense, policy analysis is, itself, a core component of the policy influencing process.   

Policy analysis is an essential tool for anyone wanting to influencing government policy.  It’s vital to be able to critically appraise policy proposals, to identify any unintended consequences, and ultimately to help ensure that the policy has a positive, rather than negative or disruptive, effect. 

What is your experience of policy analysis? What would you add to these tips?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. 

If you or your organisation are looking to do more policy influencing work, and would like some pro bono advice, I’d be happy to have a chat. Just drop me a line via the ‘Contact’ link above, or email me at hello@thepolicycoach.co.uk