QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

• At least 5 years’ experience working in policy development, analysis, policy advocacy or civil service in Wales
• Hands-on experience working with policy-makers or decision makers at senior level, and using techniques to support sound policy development and decision-making
• Experience using communications to effectively influence stakeholders
• An interest in disciplines that can be combined with policy analysis for social impact, particularly those represented at Nesta (data science, design, behavioural science, qualitative and quantitative research)
• Strong professional networks with people working at senior level in Welsh government, academic, or non-governmental organisations
• (Desirable) Welsh language proficiency

SKILLS / MINDSETS

• Motivated by Nesta’s mission to drive societal improvement and policy innovation, with a strong desire to use policy analysis and advocacy to deliver social change across the UK
• A problem-solver who focuses on the end goal - identifying strategic approaches and solutions that address societal challenges effectively
• A comfort working within a devolved political context and working effectively with teams based in other parts of the UK
• A strong leader, with significant experience leading people across teams towards a shared goal
• Excellent presentation, and writing skills, capable of effectively communicating recommendations to diverse audiences including stakeholders, policymakers, and the public

THE ROLE

We believe our best route to impact in Wales is to influence policy makers in Wales across each of our missions. The Head of Nesta Cymru will be responsible for delivering on this ambition, working closely with Mission Leaders and the Director of Policy and Government Partnerships.

The Head of Nesta Cymru has 6 main responsibilities:

• Lead our efforts to influence policy and other decision makers in Wales
• Work with our mission teams and policy team, including those based in Wales, to develop and deliver a strategy to influence policy on each of our missions in Wales
• Work with Nesta’s central communications team to develop a communications and influencing strategy for our work in Wales
• Develop and coordinate senior relationships with key figures in Welsh government and influential organisations
• Bring together Nesta’s staff who work in Wales to lead efforts on our missions, share learning and best practice and develop a sense of community
• Be an active member of Nesta’s senior leadership team, supporting a ‘whatever it takes’ mindset to meet our mission goals

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead our efforts to influence decision makers in Wales - act as the ‘face of Nesta in Wales’
• Develop strong, senior relationships with policy makers and influencers in Wales in each of our mission areas, and beyond where relevant;
• Offer high quality, responsive advice to policy makers to help shape the agenda (for example, quick notes on policy areas we are interested in);
• Be across the best opportunities we have to influence Welsh policy, for example, upcoming election planning;
• Be an active part of the policy community at Nesta, working within the Policy Team and reporting to the Director of Policy.
• Work with our mission teams and policy team, including those based in Wales, to develop and deliver a strategy to influence policy on each of our missions in Wales
• Develop a targeted stakeholder engagement plan;
• Identify our key policy objectives that we want to deliver on in Wales and work with mission leaders and the policy team to develop a strategy to deliver them;
• Regularly update our plans based on live opportunities;
• Work closely with mission teams to ensure that mission policy work is relevant to Wales.
• Work with Nesta’s central communications team to develop a comms and influencing strategy for our work in Wales
• Develop and coordinate senior relationships with key figures in Welsh government and influential organisations
• Identify senior figures in each mission and set up regular meetings to keep them abreast of our work and to hear their priorities.
• Bring together Nesta’s staff who work in Wales to share learning and best practice, develop a sense of community and support shared efforts on our missions
• Hold regular Nesta Cymru team meetings and learning days to share lessons, best practice and ensure the team have a sense of community;
• Work closely with those managing our work in Wales;
• Work closely with mission leadership to think through how our work can be relevant and impactful across three nations;
• Ensure we deliver on our commitments in our Welsh language policy;
• Manage the Nesta Cymru office.
• Be an active member of Nesta’s senior leadership team, supporting on ‘whatever it takes’ to meet our mission goals
• Actively contribute to the senior leadership team, including at away days or strategic meetings;
• Contribute to cross-Nesta initiatives, for example, improving our work on scale or ideation.