As Senior Policy Officer, you’ll play a vital role in setting out Rethink Mental Illness’s position as a thought leader and key stakeholder in the mental health sector and support the organisation to influence and create lasting change. With a working knowledge of the mental health policy environment and levers for change, you will be able to understand complex policy issues, recognise their relevance to Rethink Mental Illness, and identify policy solutions.

Your policy and influencing work would be instrumental in making sure that people severely affected by mental illness can access high quality joined-up treatment and care for their mental health and other needs in their local community. You would also play a substantial role in influencing government and other stakeholders to take steps to end unfair health inequalities experienced by those with severe mental illness. 

You will have a good working knowledge of the current mental health policy environment and levers for policy change and experience of successfully analysing this environment and identifying policy solutions. You will demonstrate an interest in creating change, and a good understanding of influencing parliament, arms-length bodies, and external stakeholders and excellent and persuasive writing skills which you can adapt for different audiences.

You will also understand qualitative and quantitative research methods and have experience of using policy research methods to get insights from service users and policy makers to develop and deliver credible policy messaging and solutions

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer. We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues.