Application Guide

How to Apply for Policy and Public Affairs Campaign Lead

at Ersa Uk Ltd

🏢 About Ersa Uk Ltd

ERSA UK Ltd is a leading organization in the employment support sector, representing providers and shaping policy to improve employment outcomes. Working here offers the opportunity to influence national policy while collaborating with senior stakeholders across government and the sector, all within a flexible remote part-time arrangement.

About This Role

This role involves leading a coordinated policy and public affairs campaign focused on employment support, requiring research into commissioning developments and producing evidence-based submissions. It's impactful because you'll directly shape policy decisions and represent ERSA with key decision-makers to advance employment support initiatives.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve analyzing new DWP commissioning guidance, drafting a briefing for ERSA members on implications, and preparing for a meeting with local authority commissioners to discuss employment support priorities. You'll coordinate campaign activities across stakeholders while ensuring all policy documents maintain ERSA's evidence-based approach.

🎯 Who Ersa Uk Ltd Is Looking For

  • Has 3+ years of policy experience specifically within the employment support or welfare-to-work sector
  • Demonstrates deep understanding of UK commissioning processes for employment programs (e.g., DWP, local authority commissioning)
  • Can provide writing samples showing clear, persuasive policy briefings with evidence-based arguments
  • Has existing relationships with senior stakeholders in employment policy (e.g., DWP officials, sector leaders)

📝 Tips for Applying to Ersa Uk Ltd

1

Highlight specific employment support policy areas you've worked on (e.g., Restart Scheme, Work and Health Programme, local employability initiatives)

2

Include metrics showing impact of your previous policy work (e.g., 'policy submission led to X change in commissioning guidance')

3

Demonstrate understanding of ERSA's position in the sector by referencing their recent publications or consultation responses

4

Show how you've managed policy campaigns remotely, given this is a remote part-time position

5

Tailor your examples to employment support commissioning specifically, not general policy experience

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with employment support policy and commissioning mechanisms', 'Examples of successful stakeholder engagement with policy makers and commissioners in this sector', "How you've led coordinated campaigns that resulted in policy changes or influence", 'Why the part-time remote nature of this role fits your working style and commitments']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • ERSA's recent consultation responses and policy positions on employment support programs
  • Current DWP commissioning priorities and recent employment support policy announcements
  • ERSA's member organizations and their roles in the employment support ecosystem
  • Recent select committee inquiries or reviews related to employment support that ERSA has engaged with

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would develop a campaign around a current employment support policy issue (e.g., devolution of employment support)
2 How would you approach building credibility with DWP commissioners who may be skeptical of provider perspectives?
3 What recent employment support policy development most concerns you and why?
4 How do you prioritize competing policy issues when working part-time?
5 Give an example of a policy submission you wrote that successfully influenced decision-makers
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic policy experience without specific employment support sector knowledge
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of how commissioning works in employment services
  • Overlooking the part-time nature and not showing how you'll deliver impact within limited hours

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Ersa Uk Ltd!