Technology Policy Associate

Please note that this advert will close at 00:01 on Tuesday 22 July and therefore we advise getting your application in no later than midnight on Monday 21 July.

How to apply:

Please send us your CV and a covering letter. The covering letter should be no more than one page and should explain what has motivated you to apply and how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the role.

Please note that you are able to upload multiple documents at the point where you are asked to upload your CV.

About Ofcom

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day. We make sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as keeping an eye on TV and radio.

Our culture is clear – we live by our values: Empowerment; Excellence; Collaboration; Agility and Respect. These define how we work to deliver our purpose, now and in the future. The behaviours which support these values set the path for a fully inclusive and innovative culture at Ofcom.

We focus not only on what we do, but how we do it. We pride ourselves on being an organisation of people who genuinely care about helping others.

About the team you’ll be part of

This role sits in the Technology Policy Team. This team helps to answer some of the most pressing questions relating to the impact of new and emerging technologies on online safety: In what circumstances is proactive detection of content necessary and proportionate? Will the advent of generative AI tools make it easier for bad actors to create harmful content? What are the best approaches to assessing and auditing algorithmic systems like content moderation tools?

The Technology Policy team’s job is to help the Online Safety Group not just understand new technologies and how they interact with Online Safety objectives, but also how they impact people and how they use regulated services. In doing so, the team work closely with Ofcom’s growing cadre of technology experts, translating their extensive expertise into real world policy impact. The team also collaborates closely with other policy groups in Ofcom, as well as other regulators, ensuring that we pool knowledge and share best practice.

Day to day, the team’s work involves a combination of horizon scanning activity, discrete research projects, policy development, and efforts to support future supervision and enforcement activity.

The purpose and scope of the role

We are seeking someone who is passionate about technology and has a real desire to understand its transformative impact on Online Safety. As an Advisor in the team, you will play an important role in helping Ofcom understand relevant technologies and generate evidence-based approaches to some of the most complex policy issues facing society.

As a Technology Policy Advisor, you will work on some of the most challenging (and complex) policy issues facing society. You will support the development of Ofcom’s position on cross-cutting technology issues – which might include end to end encryption, Generative AI, algorithmic assessment and audit, and AI-driven recommender systems. You will need to build knowledge of online regulation in a fast-changing world of digital and technological innovation. You will receive guidance from senior colleagues and develop your analytical skills across different projects and sectors within the new Online Safety regime.

You will also help develop robust policies and implement them, as part of a team. You will ensure the team’s policy advice is supported by persuasive reasoning, knowledge of the broader public policy landscape and will help build consensus with key internal and/or external stakeholders.

Your Key Responsibilities

Some of the key responsibilities for this role include (but are not limited to):

• Supporting the development of technology policy projects that contribute to the Online Safety Group’s new strategic objectives, working in collaboration with technical experts and policy specialists across the organisation.
• Liaising and collaborating with relevant external stakeholders, representing Ofcom’s position on technology issues, listening carefully to their input and shaping internal policy advice accordingly.
• Contributing to drafting documents for external publication, including upcoming consultation documents and statements relevant to Ofcom’s statutory responsibilities within the Online Safety regime.
• Contributing to briefing documents and materials to develop the thinking of our senior colleagues, including the Director for Technology Policy, the Group Director for Online Safety and our Chief Executive.
• Acting as an internal point of contact for the team on specific technology issues within your own area of expertise.
• Working across policy and organisational boundaries to develop and shape Ofcom’s position on new technologies that will have an impact on the operation of the Online Safety regime (and more widely, where appropriate).
• Identifying opportunities to promote the work of the team – both within Ofcom and to external stakeholders. This might include representing the team at relevant external events and developing plans to communicate our strategic priorities to a wide range of audiences.

The skills, knowledge and experience you’ll need for success

• Generates insights – Uses evidence-based methods to gather insights and makes well-founded decisions based on thorough analysis.
• Scans the horizon – Grasps the bigger picture, anticipates emerging trends and challenges, and ensures actions and decisions align with long-term objectives. Maintains awareness of technology policy debates and the relevant technologies within Ofcom’s regulatory remit.
• Owns accountabilities – Takes responsibility for actions, decisions, and their outcomes.Committed self-starter who delivers reliably and prioritises work in line with broader team and organisational goals.
• Channels influence – Shapes opinions and decisions through clear, persuasive communication. Builds alignment through strong interpersonal skills and confidently presents complex ideas to non-specialist audiences.
• Articulates ideas – Expresses thoughts and information clearly and concisely, ensuring messages are understood by all and with a focus on producing clear, concise documents for internal use or external publication.

Inclusivity Statement

At Ofcom we prioritise inclusive and diverse recruitment in order to truly reflect the society we represent.

Where positions are listed as full time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares and other flexible working options from day one of employment. We warmly welcome applications from candidate returning to work after a break – for whatever reason.

As a disability confident employer, we offer interviews to any disabled applicant who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about the scheme here.

If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team at [email protected] or call 0330 912 1378.