Revolving Doors Agency are seeking a Volunteer policy intern

About Revolving Doors

Revolving Doors Agency is a charity working across England to change systems and improve services for people with multiple problems, including poor mental health, who are in repeat contact with the criminal justice system. Multiple problems or needs experienced by this group (the revolving doors group) include homelessness, substance misuse, family breakdown and poverty.

Our mission is to demonstrate and share evidence of effective interventions and to promote reform of public services through partnerships with political leaders, policy makers, commissioners and other experts and by involving people with direct experience of the problem in all our work.

Volunteer internship opportunity

We are seeking a volunteer intern to work with our policy team. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is looking to start a career in policy or public affairs.

The internship would involve supporting the policy team to:

- Monitor relevant policy developments, ministerial speeches, publications etc. and provide briefings to colleagues

- Draft policy briefings and support the development of consultation responses

- Strengthen influencing targets database including profiling of targets e.g. MPs

- Develop Revolving Doors and Making Every Adult Matter’s Vision Paper (see http://www.revolving-doors.org.uk/policy--research/policy-projects/vision-paper/ for more information)

- Update the policy and research section of the website.

Learning opportunities

The internship will offer opportunities to:

- Learn about the policy environment across mental health, criminal justice and social exclusion

- Attend relevant meetings and events to broaden policy knowledge

- Test and improve techniques for policy monitoring and analysis

- Learn about best practice in working with people with multiple needs in contact with the criminal justice system

- Learn about the operation and day to day running of a small criminal justice charity

- Improve written communication skills

- Learn about and use information management systems

- Learn and use skills in website management

- Work in central London as part of a small friendly team.

Essential skills and knowledge required

- Knowledge of social policy in the areas of criminal justice and/or mental health

- Knowledge of political processes

- Excellent writing skills

- Able to work proactively and supportively within a small team

- Ability to use a range of computer packages including MS Word and Excel

- A commitment to the mission and objectives of Revolving Doors Agency.

Terms and conditions

- Lunch and travel expenses within London paid

- 14-28 hours per week (to be arranged with successful candidate)

- We ask for a minimum commitment of two months

- Based at our office in Clerkenwell, London

 

Contact:

Please email a CV and covering letter to Anna Page at anna.page@revolving-doors.org.uk by 5pm on Wednesday 22nd June 2011. 

Unfortunately we will only be able to respond to applicants who have been short-listed for interview.