Summer Internship: Policy Engagement Administrator

Overton is a socially conscious startup focused on making government policy more transparent: we help researchers, journalists and the public to see the evidence and influences behind real world guidelines, laws and regulations.

Want to see the research behind national climate change plans, or the influences pushing different COVID policies? Overton is where you go.

Our customers range from UN & EU agencies to think tanks, big charities and dozens of universities. Our primary product is a large, searchable database of government policy that we text mine to pull out topics, links to academic papers, people and more.

The founding team is experienced, friendly and genuinely cares about the space – we’d love you to join us.

We have just launched a brand new product called Overton Engage, which helps universities find ways of engaging with policymakers (like governments and IGOs) and increase the visibility of their research. We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Policy Engagement Administrator to rapidly increase the coverage of our policy engagement opportunities as we start piloting the tool in different countries.

You'll play a pivotal role in enhancing the data that drives the product, conduct in-depth research to identify new international policy engagement opportunities, helping us add new information to the platform to a high standard, and optimising our data collection processes.

You'll be studying for or have a qualification in public policy, politics or a closely related field and an interest in the research/policy interface. Prior knowledge of the university impact and engagement space would be a bonus but is not essential.

This will be a full-time internship position starting ASAP and running for 3 months during the summer. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and will close once the right candidate is found.

• Maintaining and curating a collection of policy engagement opportunities
• Monitoring online sources of opportunities to find newly published listings to enter into the platform
• Uncovering new sources of engagement opportunities that we don't yet track
• Entering, uploading and editing data associated with the policy engagement opportunities
• Communicating data coverage improvements to internal stakeholders
• Updating internal documentation on data coverage
• Establishing processes to optimise data collection processes

Requirements

• Have the right to work in the UK
• Advanced proficiency in the English language
• Excellent attention to detail
• IT literate – we use Google Workspace, Slack and our own databases
• A keen interest in policy and/or policy/research engagement
• A proactive and self-starting individual
• Has a degree or is currently studying at university

Benefits

• Hybrid and flexible working
• A supportive, friendly work environment within a company that cares about its staff and its impact on the world (we are accredited by the Living Wage Foundation and the FSB Good Business Charter and we’re net zero)
• Exposure to the latest innovations in the policy engagement and research impact fields
• The chance to be involved with developing a brand new product in an entrepreneurial environment - you'll have a real impact from your first week here
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days per year excluding bank holidays (equivalent pro rata for fixed term contract)

We know everyone works best in different ways so we offer flexible working as standard and we are offering this role as hybrid office/remote, with Tuesdays and Thursdays in London (we have nice office space very close to Euston station!).

We are a small team and mainly collaborate using Slack, video calls and regular all-company meetings to see each other in person.

1. Apply via Workable – you’ll need to provide a CV and a non-generic cover letter that explains why you are right for this role and why it interests you. You’ll also need to complete a short screening test which should take around 10 minutes. We’ll get back to you within a week.

2. We’ll arrange an initial 15 minute call to discuss the role with you and discuss your application.

3. We’ll then schedule an interview at a time that suits you – this will consist of a 20 minute practical exercise related to the role and then a 50 minute interview. This can be at our London office or virtually.

4. We’ll make an offer. We’ll be interviewing a number of candidates so there may be a short delay, but we will try to keep you informed throughout the process.