Associate, Online Safety Policy Development

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Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Monday 9 November, and therefore we advise getting your application in by no later than midnight on Sunday 8 November.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV, and a covering letter of no more than 500 words answering the following:

Please describe a policy recommendation you developed in relation to online safety, technology, regulation or a similarly complex area. What evidence informed your approach, how did you assess competing considerations, and how did you reach your recommendation?

Applications should be submitted as one combined document containing both your CV and covering letter. Applications submitted without a covering letter will be deemed incomplete. If you require additional support please reach out to [email protected].

We have a number of fixed term (12 month) and permanent positions available. Please mark on your application if you only wish to be considered for one or the other, or you will be considered for both.

About Ofcom

As the UK’s communications regulator, we’re delivering vital work that helps keep the UK connected and shapes the future of how we’ll stay connected with each other.

Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to TV, radio, the postal service, and wireless devices. We’re also taking on the challenge of making the online world a safer place. And we need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences to help us achieve our goal of making communications work for everyone.

About the Team

The Online Safety Group’s purpose is to ensure UK citizens have a safer life online by implementing and overseeing the requirements under the Online Safety Act 2023. The Group is responsible for delivering online safety policy, supervising online services, and building technical expertise to meet the regime’s aims.

This role is within the Online Safety Policy Development team, which works at the centre of the Online Safety Group. The Policy Development team lead the development of Ofcom’s online safety policies which establish steps services should take to make users safer online. They are policy experts in online harms, mitigations and are responsible for implementing our policy codes and guidance.

This team works closely with cross functional colleagues from other teams in the organisation to use their skills and experience to develop robust policy. These include legal experts, technologists, economists, and research specialists amongst other

Purpose of the Role

Sitting within the Online Safety Group (OSG), this role supports the development of Ofcom's approach to regulating online safety, including how we protect users from harmful and illegal content. You will work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment on some of the most complex and challenging issues facing society.

A key aspect of the role is understanding the challenges of regulation in a rapidly evolving digital and technological landscape. Collaboration with colleagues across OSG and the wider organisation will be integral to your success, and you will have opportunities to further develop your analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.

We are seeking Policy Advisors - ideally with a regulatory background - to support the development and delivery of our programme of policy work and are central to the success of the regime and delivering improved outcomes for users online.

OSG operates a flexible resourcing model. While these roles are being recruited to support current policy development priorities, colleagues may work across a range of projects as organisational priorities evolve. This could include policy development, implementation, compliance initiatives, and other cross-cutting work needed to deliver the online safety regime effectively.

Current priority areas include, but are not limited to, Women and Girls' Online Safety, Age Assurance, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the proposed social media ban.

Your key responsibilities

• Uses initiative to understand and articulate how work contributes to One Ofcom priorities
• Uses professional/operational knowledge and expertise to deliver priorities they are accountable for on time, and to a high standard
• Support project teams to solve complex policy problems by developing options and considering their practicality, risks and long-term implications. 
• Research and analyse multiple data sources on particular topics and draw conclusions together for the wider team.
• Ensure the delivery of clear, concise and focused documents, such as meeting notes, agendas, briefings, consultation documents and research reports, for internal use or external publication. 
• Provide practical project management support to work areas, such as setting up meetings, project planning and feeding into programme management.  
• Support your team to build and maintain strong relationships with relevant online services in order to understand, assess and, where necessary, support improvements in protections for users.  
• Develop and foster online expertise across Ofcom’s online work programme and keep across online trends and technological developments. Keep abreast of the public policy landscape in relation to online regulation. 

 Please note, this role may involve some research or policy development into areas such as preventing hate and terrorism, online child sexual abuse, material promoting suicide or self-harm, or other potentially sensitive and/or distressing topics.

The skills, knowledge and experience you will need for success

• Previous experience of regulatory policy development, including gathering and analysing information from a range of sources, drafting clear policy documents or recommendations, assessing options and impacts, and using evidence to support decision-making.
• Candidates should have experience in policy development and knowledge in one or more of the following areas: AI, age assurance, and online platform features and functionalities (e,g, Proactive Tech, Recommender Systems & Content Moderation)
• Evaluating Problems: Identify and solve issues by using well-thought-out strategies. Consider different angles and potential solutions to resolve concerns.
• Generating Insights: Use evidence-driven methods to gather insights, and make well-founded decisions based on thorough analysis.
• Pursuing Growth: Show your commitment to growing and developing. Pursue opportunities to learn and add to your skillset.
• Harmonising Work: Work effectively with others, creating an honest team environment and sharing valuable information and resources.
• Articulating Ideas: Express your ideas, thoughts, and information in a clear and concise manner, ensuring messages are understood by everyone.

Inclusive hiring at Ofcom

At Ofcom, our mission is clear: to make communications work for everyone. To achieve that, our people must reflect the diversity of the UK, in background, identity and experience. 

We believe innovation thrives when difference is valued and everyone feels empowered to contribute their ideas and perspectives. That’s why we welcome colleagues of all ethnicities and races, sexes, genders and gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, faiths and beliefs, and those with apparent and non‑apparent disabilities. We value socio‑economic diversity, life experience and neurodiversity too. Whether you’re a carer, a parent, a veteran, or re‑entering work after time away, your voice and perspective matter here. 

Flexibility is at the heart of how we work because we want you to thrive in a way that suits you best. Most roles can therefore be adapted for part‑time hours, job shares, or other flexible arrangements. Learn more about our Rewards, Benefits and Wellbeing on our careers page. 

Our recruitment process is intentionally designed to be open and accessible. If you need adjustments, information in a different format or an alternative way to apply, contact us at [email protected] or 0330 912 1378. 

As a proud Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role. You can read more about this commitment here. 

Whoever you are, whatever your story, you belong at Ofcom.