12-month FTC maternity

The British Academy - the UK's national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Senior International Policy Adviser to join our International department, providing key support in the delivery of the Academy's international programmes and activities for 12 months.

The role

The British Academy's international team promotes and supports international collaboration and mobility, develops and maintains links with sister academies, international organisations and other partners overseas, and leverages the expertise of Fellows and award-holders to further the Academy's reach, impact and influence internationally.

The current work programme includes a broad portfolio of topics such as: Europe's Futures; Global (Dis)Order; Just Transitions; What is a good city?; and Knowledge Frontiers.

The Academy's international programmes are multi-year endeavours which entail a wide array of activities: from providing research funding to talented individuals in the UK and overseas to informing policy and public debates to using the Academy's convening power to showcase the value of international and interdisciplinary collaborations for addressing today's global challenges and ensuring that the UK maintains its place as a world-leader in social sciences and humanities.

You will have a leading role in taking forward the Academy's international engagements and policy advice. Working with colleagues, Academy Fellows and the researchers we support you will lead on strands of the Academy's diverse and fast-moving international policy portfolio. You will be a primary lead and source of expertise for the Academy's international engagement with significant responsibility to represent the Academy externally. This is an opportunity to gain unique exposure to international policy engagement working at the interface of research, policy and practice with stakeholders globally.

For further information about the International activities of the British Academy, see:

About the Academy

The British Academy is the UK's national body for the humanities and social sciences, established by Royal Charter in 1902. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. Today's complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, culture, and societies. With a Fellowship of around 1,400 leading national and international academics, the Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas; engages the public with fresh thinking and debates; and brings together scholars, government, business, and civil society to influence policy.

The Academy currently has five directorates: Communications & Marketing; Development; Policy; Research; and Resources, plus a small Governance & Fellowship Team. We have increased staffing in the last 12 months and expect to continue to grow this year.

Working at the Academy

Our senior management team have worked with staff to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empathy, in which all contributions are recognised as we work towards our common goals. Our people strategy and working practices focus on building strengths and sharing insights, with learning & development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion at the centre of how we operate as an organisation. Investing in our staff and encouraging a healthy work/life balance is central to our success, as we move forward and continue to grow.

Terms and conditions

The British Academy is based at 10-11, Carlton House Terrace, London SW1, a Grade 1 listed building. We offer a competitive benefits package including a 35-hour working week, with hours and location worked flexibly under our hybrid-working policy; 34 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays; a subsidised canteen and an excellent occupational pension.

How to apply

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, in line with our commitment to create a diverse and inclusive working environment, promote equal opportunity, and address under-representation. We will make reasonable adjustments to support disabled job applicants and offer an interview to those meeting the minimum selection criteria.

To apply, and to see the full job description and our workplace values, please follow the link to access the Applied recruitment platform.

Applications must be received no later than noon on 8 January 2024.

Please contact the HR team at if you have any questions.