Technology Policy Manager

Closing Date:

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Job Description:

Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Monday 30 March, and therefore we advise getting your application in by no later than midnight on Sunday 29 March.
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We therefore encourage candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible.
 

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 you’ll be part of
 

The team helps to answer some of the most pressing questions relating to the impact of new and emerging technologies on online safety, such as: What techniques can be used to assess and audit the AI systems used by regulated online services? Will the advent of generative AI tools make it easier for bad actors to create harmful content? What impact will new and emerging technologies have on our approach to online safety regulation? How should we assess the accuracy, effectiveness and lack of bias of content moderation technologies? 
 

The team supports the Online Safety Group in navigating a complex technology landscape. We think strategically about technical policy challenges and use our deep subject matter expertise to steer Ofcom’s approach to online safety policy development. We lead work on critical policy areas, collaborate with teams across the Group to promote a tech-driven approach to policy development and build critical relationships with key stakeholders.  The team also collaborates closely with other policy groups in Ofcom, as well as other regulators, ensuring that we pool knowledge and share best practice.
 

The purpose and scope of the role
 

As a Senior Associate in the team, you will play a pivotal role in helping Ofcom understand relevant technologies and generate evidence-based approaches to some of the most complex policy issues facing society. Working within the scope of applicable legislation, you will develop and communicate coherent policy positions which uphold online services’ safety duties whilst taking account of technical limitations and proportionality concerns. You will ensure that policy advice is supported by persuasive reasoning and knowledge of the broader public policy landscape, building consensus with internal and external stakeholders as you refine relevant regulatory outputs within your remit.

We are recruiting for 1x permanent and 1x 12 month FTC role as part of this recruiting round. Please note in your application if you have a preference for either position. If there is no note, we will assume you would be happy with either post.

Your Key Responsibilities
 

Some of the key responsibilities for these roles include (but are not limited to): 

• Be responsible for the day-to-day management, delivery, and development of tech policy workstreams, working closely with senior overseeing colleagues.

• Work effectively, flexibly and collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to develop policy positions.

• Ensure that outputs are designed and delivered on time and to an excellent standard.

• Lead cross-functional networks and task manage others as appropriate.

• Articulate to internal governance bodies the arguments for and against different policy positions, including your own recommendation for why we should take a particular course of action.

• Proactively communicate the latest evidence and positions to internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders. This could be via presentations, short briefings, research reports, or other means.

• Build productive relationships with experts and thought leaders in the areas you oversee, including from the worlds of academia, industry, civil society, government, and regulation.

• Contribute to the culture of the Tech Policy team and the wider Online Safety Group, making it an enjoyable, interesting, and rewarding place to work.
   

The above list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive, and the successful candidate will be expected to perform different tasks as and when required.

Distressing Content Material
 

Applicants should be aware that this role may include exposure to potentially distressing content and material and/or themes. Ofcom is committed to safeguarding our colleagues who undertake this type of work. We endeavour to reduce exposure to distressing content, material, and/or themes wherever possible. Where this isn't possible, we control the risk by ensuring that colleagues who are exposed to DCM are appropriately protected and supported. We offer a range of tailored support options, psychological screening assessments and access to specialist therapeutic support where required.

The skills, knowledge and experience you’ll need for success.
 

Essential:

• Demonstrates a strong enthusiasm for technology policy 

• Ability to understand and interpret how emerging and relevant technologies impact and shape online safety policy objectives. For example, knowledge of content recommender systems, content moderation systems, generative AI, end to end encryption and/or AI auditing and assurance techniques

• Applies understanding to support evidence‑based decision‑making and contribute meaningfully to policy development.

Behavioural Skills:

• Executing Plans: A track record of independently designing, overseeing and executing projects on time and to an outstanding standard.

• Articulating Ideas: Experience of drafting high quality written outputs (e.g. policy papers) that are robust, accessible and evidence-led and excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to explain complex technical, legal, and policy concepts to a variety of specialist and non-specialist audiences.

• Forming Relationships: Strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to work across organisational boundaries, building trust and driving collaboration across diverse teams and disciplines.

• Building Solutions: Sound judgement and the ability to weigh up the available evidence to make smart and sensible recommendations in line with Ofcom’s strategic priorities.

• Empowering Development: Experience of task managing others and fostering colleagues’ development.

Inclusivity Statement

Ofcom has a clear mission: to make communications work for everyone.  To be able to deliver on this, we want our organisation to reflect the diversity of background, experience, upbringing and thought that exists across the UK.  We aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – no matter your social background, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or disability. We also warmly welcome applicants who are returning to the workforce after a break – for whatever reason. If you have taken time away and are ready to rejoin, we look forward to reviewing your application.

Where positions are listed as full-time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares, and other flexible working options. From day one, we champion flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual needs. You can read more about our Rewards, Benefits and Well-being on our careers page.

Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you need adjustments, information in an alternative format, or prefer to apply in a different way, please contact us at [email protected] or call 0330 912 1378.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about this scheme here.  https://careers.ofcom.org.uk/careers/how-we-hire/