Policy Officer

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health initiative in the West Midlands is seeking a Policy Officer to enhance their groundbreaking research programme. You will play a crucial role in reducing health inequalities, collaborating with universities and local authorities. This role involves data analysis, relationship management with key partners, and applying evaluation methods. The position is fixed-term until October 2027, requiring strong communication skills and a passion for research. The role demands at least 2 days in the office each week.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

28 days paid annual leave

Discounted gym membership

3 days paid leave for volunteering

Discounted shopping options

Qualifications

• Proven experience in planning and conducting research and evaluation projects.
• An inquisitive mind that thrives on research, development and asking insightful questions.
• The ability to translate complex data and insight into clear, actionable plans.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal – to engage and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside the current Policy Officer to implement and capture learning and impact across funded projects.
• Manage relationships with key partners to influence policy and practice.
• Apply realist evaluation methods to collect and analyse data and insight.
• Connect work into new collaborative workstreams to build a common approach to learning and evaluation.
• Promote the impact of the realist evaluation approach across partner teams.

Skills

Research planning

Communication skills

Data analysis

Collaboration

Job description

Do you have a passion for research, evaluation and insight? Do you want to make a real difference in reducing health inequalities?

We are seeking to appoint a Policy Officer to work alongside our current Policy Officer and Health and Communities Team at the WMCA. This is your chance to be part of a groundbreaking research programme funded by Sport England, working alongside leading universities, local authorities, Mental Health Trusts, charities and community groups to reduce health inequalities, including inequalities in physical inactivity across the West Midlands.

You will be helping to build on the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games legacy, aiming to leave a lasting positive impact on the health and well-being of the West Midlands population through the power of movement, collaboration and learning!

What you will be doing.

• You’ll be a vital member of the WMCA's Health and Communities Team, working alongside the current Policy Officer and collaborating with Sport England and Hartpury University to implement and capture learning and impact across several funded projects.
• Working alongside the current Policy Officer, you will manage relationships with key partners, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing across the region to influence policy and practice.
• You will apply realist evaluation methods to collect and analyse data and insight to track progress, measure impact, and inform future policy decisions.
• You will connect this work into new collaborative workstreams, building a common approach to learning, evaluation, and evidencing progress, such as the WM plans to be an Outdoor Region.
• You will use the learning to devise evidence, policy influence and creation and demonstrating impact.
• You will have access to mentoring and training to enable you to enhance your skills and knowledge of realist evaluation and the Learning, Evaluation and Evidence approach.
• You will promote the impact of the realist evaluation approach across these partner teams, within the WMCA and other agencies.
• You will share your insights with key partners through workshops, reports, and presentations to maximise the programme's reach.

What's essential.

• Proven experience in planning and conducting research and evaluation projects.
• An inquisitive mind that thrives on research, development and asking insightful questions.
• The ability to translate complex data and insight into clear, actionable plans.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal – to engage and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Please note this is a fixed-term contract until 31 October 2027.

Interviews will be held at our Office in Summer Lane, Birmingham on Monday 23 February 2026.

Location.

The location for this role is Summer Lane with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

How to apply

Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started.

• Create your Careers Account. Register with your name, email address, and a password.
• Build your Profile.Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
• Write your Supporting Statement.Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
• Submit your application.Do one final check and once complete, click submit.

Anonymised Applications.

Your uploaded CV won't be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting. Be thorough in each section. It's your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We cannot stop anyone from using AI to help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the FAQs section of our careers site.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team ([e-mail] ).

Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributionscheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).
• 28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days.
• Discounted gym membership, will writing,andmortgage advice.
• An option to buy a bicycle, including e-bikes and adapted pedal cycles, at a discounted rate.
• 3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.
• Interest-free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology
• Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers, and more. You can now also obtain a Costcomembership through the WMCA.
• Boundlessunlocks unlimited entry to top-rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts.
• Eye Care Scheme,offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

WMCA is laser-focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.

Creating an inclusive workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

• Directorate Employment, Skills, Health & Communities