JOB SUMMARY

Are you looking for an exciting role, developing and delivering policy which directly impacts citizens across the UK?
We are seeking enthusiastic and driven policy experts to work on the delivery of vital electoral reforms essential for upholding our democracy – as set out in the Government’s ‘Restoring trust in our democracy: A strategy for modern and secure elections’- published in July 2025. Much of this strategy will be delivered through an elections bill and subsequent secondary legislation, as well as non-legislative reforms.
The Elections Directorate in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is a high performing, welcoming and inclusive team. We are responsible for a challenging and dynamic policy landscape, always in the public eye, covering electoral policy and law. This includes how elections are run, who can participate, and how elections and campaigning are regulated.
The roles will be based in the Electoral Campaigning Team which leads on policy and legislation relating to political finance, the conduct of electoral campaigning, digital campaigning, and the regulator of elections (the Electoral Commission). This team helps to tackle some of the most challenging and complex threats to our democracy, including foreign interference in UK elections, the spread of mis and dis-information relating to elections online, and the growing trend of harassment and intimidation of those standing for election.

JOB DESCRIPTION

You will be based in one of the following three policy areas:

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

THE ROLE, POWERS AND GOVERNANCE OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION

• The Electoral Commission is the independent statutory body which oversees elections and regulates political finance.
• The role of the regulator in overseeing elections and regulating political finance is integral to maintaining public confidence in the integrity of our electoral system and in combating the threat of foreign interference in our democracy.
• Therefore, you will need to think strategically and proactively to make links to the other policy areas, programmes and departments, for example, the Government’s wider response to the threat posed by AI-driven election interference.

As a policy advisor your responsibilities will include:

• Leading on the development and implementation of discreet policies, including through primary and secondary legislation as well as non-legislative routes
• Working with analysts, lawyers and stakeholders to disseminate and analyse policy options
• Leading on the production of high-quality advice for Ministers and communicate complex issues clearly. This will include producing ministerial briefings and submissions, preparing for parliamentary debates and questions, and responding to relevant reports and ministerial correspondence.
• Leading on measures in the elections bill, working closely with lawyers to draft new legislation, develop key bill products which explain and justify our measures, and respond to requests often at pace to brief or support Ministers on the measures through parliamentary passage.
• Keeping track of media coverage and research and be ready to provide rapid advice in response to current events.
• Building strong relationships and work collaboratively with other departments, the Electoral Commission, and the wider electoral community, including political parties and civil society organisations.
• Working proactively and with autonomy, but with appropriate support from the team tailored to your level of experience and grade.

There may be opportunities for candidates to work flexibly depending on the business needs. This will be discussed with the vacancy manager on a case-by-case basis if you are successful for the role.

• Please note: The Darlington Economic Campus is a pioneering new cross-government hub which will bring together people across departments and public organisations to play an active role in the most important economic issues of the day. The work of the Campus will make a real difference to people both across the UK and internationally. There will be substantial career opportunities and exciting prospects - a career at the Campus means you will be working at the heart of Government, with access to the benefits and fantastic opportunities offered by the civil service