Main Purpose of the Job

The John Innes Centre is a world-leading centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences.

Its strategic vision for Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game changing impact of its science globally – driving a step change in agricultural productivity, developing new products from plants and microbes and ensuring that agriculture is sustainable in the face the climate emergency.

This role will deliver a framework of policy and public affairs activities as outlined in the John Innes Centre’s Engagement Strategy. The role will ensure that the JIC has clear routes to provide evidence to inform and influence priority areas of policy and that staff and students across the JIC are effectively supported to successfully engage with policy makers.

Key Relationships

This post sits at the interface between the JIC and our policy stakeholders. External relationships will include policy makers (including politicians and civil servants), collaborators and funders. Internally, the post-holder will work closely with a broad range of scientists and technical staff, with the senior management team, and with comms and knowledge exchange professionals. You'll also be working closely with policy and public affairs professionals at other organisations across the Norwich Research Park, and other collaborative organisations. 

This post reports to the Head of Strategic Engagement.
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

To deliver a programme of policy and public affairs activity for the organisation, as outlined in the JIC’s Engagement Strategy, and support updating the strategy at its renewal.  

To scan the horizon for changes of policy, practice or demand to help ensure that the JIC understands the wider policy context for its work and frames its vision in the context of long-term global demands.

To work with staff across JIC to prepare credible policy positions on topics which impact JIC research, researchers or translation of our research.

To provide responses to relevant consultations and calls for evidence.

To plan and deliver effective public affairs strategies to inform and influence policy makers on priority topics.

To organise public affairs events and meetings with policy-makers and collaborators.

To work closely with partner organisations on joint policy projects, including partners on the Norwich Research Park, at other BBSRC funded institutes and other relevant organisations across the sector.

To ensure professional support for staff in their delivery of policy and public affairs through timely briefings, training and advice. 

To work with the Communications and Engagement team to convey accurate and engaging messages about the JIC’s policy positions externally – to the public, journalists and other stakeholders

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

A degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience

Essential

A postgraduate degree in a relevant area

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

A developed understanding of the research policy environment

Essential

Broad scientific awareness across subjects and disciplines relevant to the work of JIC

Essential

Effective project management

Essential

An understanding of the research environment

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience of successfully engaging with the UK government and its agencies or experience of working within UK Government and its agencies

Essential

Experience of effectively managing multiple stakeholder interfaces, successfully building relationships

Essential

Experience of engaging with complex scientific content and communicating it effectively for non-scientific audiences

Essential

Experience of writing policy reports or briefings

Essential

Excellent planning and organisational skills with demonstrated ability to effectively manage competing priorities/deadlines

Essential

Experience of working with researchers to draw up policy positions

Desirable

Experience of working on the science/policy interface

Desirable

Experience of working with communications teams to achieve strategic policy outcomes

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Outstanding written communication skills

Essential

Experience of working collaboratively with stakeholders at all levels including with senior leadership team

Essential

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and influence at all levels

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the institute

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

This is an outward-facing post and may involve travel within the UK to engage with stakeholders

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the John Innes Centre, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

John Innes Centre

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society.

Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.

For more information about working at the John Innes Centre, please click here.

We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme, a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).

Department

Directorate

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Policy and Public Affairs Manager
Salary:            £47,450 - £58,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Contract:        36 months, full-time
Location:        John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Closing date: 15 November 2026
Reference:     1006225

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Policy and Public Affairs Manager to join the Strategic Engagement team at the John Innes Centre.

About the John Innes Centre:

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience, and translate that knowledge into societal benefits. Our strategic vision, Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet, sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game changing impact of our science globally. 

Our employees enjoy access to a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management. Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre.

The role:

The Policy and Public Affairs Manager will work with the Head of Strategic Engagement to deliver a framework of policy and public affairs activities as outlined in the John Innes Centre’s Engagement Strategy. The role will ensure that the JIC has clear routes to provide evidence to inform and influence priority areas of policy and that staff and students across the JIC are effectively supported to successfully engage with policy makers. 

In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in stakeholder engagement and effective policy communication.

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should have a degree in a relevant science subject, a broad awareness across the subjects and disciplines relevant to the work of JIC and an understanding of the research policy environment. Candidates should have the ability to engage and influence at all levels of management and have experience of successfully engaging with or working within the UK government and its agencies.

They should have in-depth knowledge of effective project management and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Additional information:

This role is full time for three years. We are happy to discuss working arrangements or any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. 

Interviews will be held on 26 November 2026.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity.  As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.