Policy & Insight Manager

Job Purpose

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is creating a new Policy & Insight Manager role as we strengthen our Policy, Insight, Performance and Evaluation functions.

The Combined Authority has an ambitious vision to deliver a Corporate programme of work that reflects the strategic ambitions of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Reporting to the newly created Head of Policy, Insight and Performance the Policy & Insight Manager will drive innovation, creative thinking and alternative ways of delivering outcomes in line with agreed objectives across their team and the organisation.

The role will make a significant contribution to the formulation, development, promotion and implementation of a range of policies and strategies, projects and initiatives within specified policy areas within an integrated policy and strategy framework. The role holder will deliver robust evidence bases, such as an annual state of the region review which informs. short and long-term policy positioning, strategy and business case development, including future deeper Devolution deals.

This role sits within the newly formed Chief Executive’s Office where Mayoral support, Policy, Communications, Public Affairs and Executive Support have come together to drive forward sustainable and lasting change for our communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Policy, Insight & Performance and Director of Policy & Engagement in driving forward influential policy formulation and innovative systems thinking identifying solutions to drive excellence.
• Develop effective strategic frameworks, corporate strategic planning and policy development (eg Mayoral priorities, devolution) so that priority outcomes are clearly defined and embedded at all levels.
• Lead regular policy horizon scanning and advice to business areas and office of the Mayor as appropriate
• Lead the Insight Team to initiate, plan, manage, deliver, advise and evaluate data and insight outputs in support of the delivery of Corporate Strategy outcomes and statutory obligations.
• Drive the use of research and insight-based evidence, forecasting and modelling, leading and working on projects that provide key business intelligence for the Combined
• Authority and its partners.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of strategic and directorate business plans and policies.
• Support the Combined Authority to use a broad range of information and insight to develop evidenced based strategies and policy that challenge and inform the strategic direction of the Combined Authority in support of the organisation’s goals.
• Contribute to business case development to ensure insight obtained from Combined Authority data is used to inform and influence the outputs across the Project and Programme team.
• Lead the Policy team in ensuring that appropriate standards and techniques are adopted and introduce continuous improvement in line with best practice.
• Develop and maintain effective cross-organisational policy development and practice and strategy co-ordination.
• Research and draft clear, well-targeted and influential reports, briefings, circulars, speeches, articles, presentations and other publications on key issues as required, including on emerging significant issues within the region.
• Identify and create the means to strengthen collaborative working with partners across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
• Liaise with Government to further these priorities and raise the profile of the Combined Authority area
• Work closely with Public Affairs Team to lobby and raise the profile of the policy positions of the Combined Authority, the Mayor and wider Cambridgeshire and Peterborough geography.
• Line manage Policy & Insight Team staff and oversee day to day operation of activities.

QUALIFICATIONS & KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Educated to degree level or the equivalent level of knowledge gained through significant demonstrable experience in a directly related area of work
• Deep understanding of policy research, design and delivery including systems thinking and evidenced based decision making.
• Understanding of quantitative and qualitative research design, ethics and standards, including the Code of Practice for Statistics.
• Understanding of data analysis, modelling and management including public sector information security.
• Deep understanding of at least one policy areas: transport, economic growth, climate change, skills, place making, devolution.
• Strong understanding of the operation of Central Government, Local Government and Devolution.
• Strong understanding of the legal framework applicable to the role, including equalities, Levelling Up and climate change legislation.
• Evidence of continuous professional development related to public policy.

Desirable

• Masters degree in Public Policy, Economics or Management or Data Science, Statistics or Management.
• Relevant professional qualification or membership e.g. RSS
• Power BI and other relevant system qualifications.
• Good understanding of the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, our remit and the issues currently facing the region.
• Project management qualification.

EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Significant demonstrable experience of effectively working in a senior policy role and/ or senior insight, analyst or research role.
• Proven track record of interrogating and exploring policy issues using systems thinking to model policy problems.
• Significant demonstrable experience of understanding and using research methods, data and evidence to test and improve policy solutions.
• Significant demonstrable experience of co-designing policy delivery options in collaboration with users and partners, drawing on service and organisation design principles.
• Proven track record of interpreting national changes and developments into local and organisational context.
• Proven track record of working with a wide range of social and economic data sources both national and local, with a comprehensive understanding of how each set of data is produced and issues relating to the production of that data that may affect its validity and use.
• Demonstrable experience of qualitative and quantitative data collection, demographic estimation, forecasting and consultation techniques.
• Experience of utilising statistical and analytical techniques and their use in the public sector.
• Experience of developing and/ or commissioning modelling and forecasting tools which include multi-variables such as population, housing, employment and commuting flows.
• Significant demonstrable experience of providing insight and research to inform future policy and strategies to deliver agreed short, medium and long term outputs, outcomes and impacts.
• Politically astute with demonstrable experience of working within a fast-paced political environment, including working with Elected Members.
• Experience of driving change and improvement, using evaluation throughout the policy process to generate evidence and learning that informs decisions
• Experience of building and maintaining effective working relationships with a wide range of internal and external colleagues and stakeholders to ensure formulation and delivery of effective policy.
• Proven track record of developing and maintaining appropriate networks and communities of practice for policy development best practice.
• A strong record of providing timely, robust advice to senior colleagues.
• Experience of working with colleagues to develop and implement high level corporate strategies and plans, challenging, influencing and advising on development and delivery as necessary.
• Successful development and maintenance of policy frameworks and libraries.
• Experience of working in a fast paced environment, overseeing many projects simultaneously ensuring direct reports are meeting strategic objectives and deadlines.
• Demonstrable experience of forming and leading a team, setting objectives and managing performance.

SKILLS

Essential

• Adept at implementing the processes and protocols needed to underpin a proactive policy and insight functions
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to use data to demonstrate the impact of activity
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills
• Excellent strategic planning, project management, risk management, budgeting, procurement and organisational skills

LEADERSHIP

Essential

• Works collaboratively and productively with peers, team and others
• Operates with integrity at all times
• Motivated and driven by personal and organisational achievement
• Highly adaptable to changing circumstances and demands
• Creative thinker who thinks outside ‘tried and tested’ models or approaches
• Exceptional oral and written communicator with the ability to present clear, accurate reports to a wide range of stakeholders
• Exceptional relationship-builder that generates confidence in colleagues and stakeholders
• Embraces and embodies our CIVIL values
• Enthusiasm, can-do attitude, and willingness to take on new challenges

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• To deputise for the Head of Policy, Insight and Performance as required.
• Must be able to vary working hours to incorporate evening and weekend working when required.
• Must be able to travel around Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.