Policy Officer: Child Poverty & Vulnerable Children

Location: Hybrid – agile working from home and in the Cardiff office
Hours: 28 hours per week
Salary: £35,893.80 per annum (pro rata) Actual £28,715.04
Closing Date: 13 April 2026, 12:00pm
Policy Officer: Child Poverty & Vulnerable Children
We are looking for someone who has enthusiasm, motivation and drive, and be able to demonstrate a passion for policy work, and a firm commitment to promoting children’s rights and the capacity of babies, children and young people as part of your work.
About the role:
This post is an exciting opportunity to contribute to our drive to eradicate child poverty in Wales, and our commitment to empower and support vulnerable children to realise all of their rights.
The purpose of the post is to lead on both the development and delivery of high quality, evidence-based policy and influencing work, which helps ensure that all children in Wales, including children living in poverty and vulnerable children, have their rights fulfilled and their issues are at the centre of the decision-making process. Working as part of a small team, the post holder will be required to build and maintain strong relationships and partnerships with member organisations working with babies, children, young people and families, as well as partners working in relevant policy areas.
This post will work to deliver the strategic objectives of Children in Wales, including fulfilling our role as a national representative umbrella organisation and in influencing change by shaping national policy and programme development. The role will contribute towards our mission for full realisation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in Wales, and to ensure that the issues of importance to babies, children and young people, as well as the workforce which works with and for them, are sufficiently amplified.
Vulnerable children’ has a broad definition and includes children whose opportunities and wellbeing may be affected by their characteristics, circumstances and/or situation.
Main duties and responsibilities:
* To lead on the delivery of our policy and influencing programme of work as it relates to issues concerning child poverty and vulnerable children, including children with additional learning needs.
* To lead on the co-ordination and delivery of key national thematic professional networks as directed and determined by the Children in Wales annual workplan and strategic priorities
* To represent Children in Wales in a range of externally led meetings and events, gathering and disseminating information internally and externally to our membership as required
* To work effectively with the Children in Wales communication team to ensure the programme of work is publicised widely and relevant sections of the website are updated
* To gather evidence, research and information to produce written content for publication, including briefings, reports and responses to relevant public consultations
* To keep abreast of current legislation, policy and programme developments in relation to child poverty and vulnerable children, and the impact of changes at a local/regional level.
* To contribute to the delivery and content of thematic workshops and events
* To contribute to the monitoring and reporting arrangements as determined by our funders, including monitoring and evaluating impact, and producing content for Trustee and Senior Leadership Team reports as required
* To work with Children in Wales colleagues to ensure that the voices and priorities for babies, children and young people inform our work.
* To provide subject expertise to wider Policy Team and contribute to other areas of policy and programme work as required.
* To contribute towards Children in Wales funding bids and income generation as required.
* To carry out all the above in accordance with the aims, values and strategic objectives of Children in Wales, with particular regard to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and Child Protection Policies
* To participate fully in the activities of the organisation, including through supervision, staff meetings and to undertake any other tasks as required by the Senior Leadership team
Presently, this includes the End Child Poverty Network Cymru (ECPN) and the Third Sector Additional Learning Needs Alliance (TSANA).
This list is not exhaustive as there may be other duties and responsibilities, which Children in Wales may require the post-holder to perform from time to time in contributing to the delivery of its activities.
Personal Specification
General
You will have the necessary skills and subject expertise, to drive forward policy work, and a firm passion and commitment to promoting children’s rights and the capacity of babies, children and young people as part of your work. You will need to be highly motivated and be able to work flexibly, be an effective communicator and writer, and be able to achieve the key deliverables within agreed timescales. Children in Wales is committed to safeguarding and promoting the rights and needs of babies, children and young people and expects all staff to share that ambition.
Key Requirements – Essential:
* Educated to degree level in a relevant subject.
* Experience of working in an ALN or Poverty policy or related role in a setting such as in the voluntary sector, public sector, local or national government.
* Experience of collaboration and multi-disciplinary partnership working, with an ability to broker, manage and maintain external relationships through for example coordinating and managing professional working groups or networks.
* A strong understanding of the drivers of poverty and the issues facing children living in poverty and other vulnerable children living in Wales, including children with additional learning needs
* Knowledge of relevant legislation, policy, research and practice in relation to child poverty and vulnerable children, including children with additional learning needs
* Excellent ability to communicate complex and detailed information effectively and in an engaging way using a range of oral, written and other presentational methods.
* Proven ability to lead and drive forward subject specific areas of work and to contribute to wider work as part of a small team, and willingness to build strong internal relationships
* Ability to work creatively on own initiative within agreed guidelines, with excellent organisational and IT skills
* Ability to meet deadlines, monitoring and reporting arrangements and evaluate the impact of your work
* Able to demonstrate strong knowledge of, and a commitment to the values and principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) with a determination to promote its implementation.
* Willingness to travel and to work outside standard office hours when necessary
Key Requirements - Desirable
* Ability to communicate both orally and in writing through the Welsh language
* Knowledge and understanding of the political environment in Wales, including the Senedd, Welsh Government and local government.
* Experience of planning and delivering events for professionals
* Experience of managing and delivering project specific work