Policy Officer

Location: Shelter Head Office, Old Street London, Hybrid

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: £34,596.75 per annum plus £5,023 London Weighting (if applicable)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Interviews to be held w/c 19th January 2026

Closing date: Monday 5th January 2026, 23:30

Do you have the skills to develop clear, impactful policy that helps drive meaningful change? We're looking for a Policy Officer to play a vital role in shaping Shelter's policy agenda and strengthening our voice in the fight for home.

This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to use their policy skills to help end homelessness and improve housing in England. Working as part of Shelter's Policy Team, you will be responsible for helping to develop Shelter's policy and responding to government initiatives on a range of housing policy areas. It includes helping to develop innovative and workable proactive policy solutions to fix the housing emergency.

You'll bring strong knowledge of social or economic policy and the ability to analyse complex issues in a wider context. You'll have experience working with both quantitative and qualitative evidence to identify trends and develop clear, evidence-based solutions to structural social problems. You'll also be confident in producing policy analysis that supports communications, campaign goals and the wider political landscape. A passion for tackling inequality and insight into the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness, and an anti-racist approach to your work would all be valuable.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

The team is seven people strong and sits within the Advocacy and Activism branch of the Communications, Policy and Campaigns division. Using the latest data, research and intelligence from our services, and working with people with lived experience, we analyse the problems in our housing system and identify effective and creative solutions.

Please click 'Apply for Job' below. Please send your CV and a supporting statement addressing the following points. Each section should be 250 words Your response should:

• Set out how you meet the three Knowledge, Skills and Experience points marked as 'Essential' in the JD.

• Provide examples of how you have demonstrated the following three behaviours in your career:

We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

We create change and align behind our strategy

We are open to risk and learning from our experiences

If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know – we're happy to support you.

Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.

Home is a human right. It's our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people engaged in the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Vacancy ID :

060672

Closing Date :

05-Jan-2026

Contact Person :

Resourcing and Talent Team

Contact Email :

Contact Number :

£34,596.75 per annum plus £5,023 London Weighting (if applicable)

Shelter Default Post

London Head Office