Senior Policy Analyst

Job summary

CCW is the passionate, independent voice representing water consumers in England & Wales. We support thousands of people each year, providing free advice and helping people to resolve their complaints with their water company in an easy, caring way. We champion everyone’s needs and interests, completing and showcasing research that influences water companies, government, and regulators to make change happen.

Job Purpose Statement

The senior policy analysts are responsible for creating, developing and implementing CCW’s policies to support the delivery of CCW’s Forward Work Programme and Delivery Plan.

They will proactively identify new opportunities where policy gaps need to be filled or improvements to existing policy need to be made.

They will react in a timely manner to circumstances that require a policy response from CCW; for example, news stories that require a CCW view, or specific complaints that need policy input, or calls for evidence to parliamentary inquiries.

They will use CCW’s policy positions to secure improvements for water consumers, through leading relevant campaigns and/or initiatives, directly influencing senior stakeholders at a national and company level.

Job description

CCW Senior Policy Analyst

Job title

Senior policy analyst

Reports to

Head of policy (household or non-household)

Division

Policy and Communications

Location

CCW Birmingham/Cardiff on a blended work pattern

Job purpose

The senior policy analysts are responsible for creating, developing and implementing CCW’s policies to support the delivery of CCW’s Forward Work Programme and Delivery Plan.

They will proactively identify new opportunities where policy gaps need to be filled or improvements to existing policy need to be made.

They will react in a timely manner to circumstances that require a policy response from CCW; for example, news stories that require a CCW view, or specific complaints that need policy input, or calls for evidence to parliamentary inquiries.

They will use CCW’s policy positions to secure improvements for water consumers, through leading relevant campaigns and/or initiatives, directly influencing senior stakeholders at a national and company level.

Key duties and responsibilities

Leadership

• Line manage and lead a team of policy analysts to deliver policies and campaigns, motivating and developing them into a high-performing unit
• Provide leadership and strategic input in all matters relating to their policy area(s), and positively contribute to wider policy development

Policy development and implementation

• Identify and propose solutions to policy gaps in the water industry that affect customers
• Contribute to the development and delivery of CCW’s Forward Work Programme in a way that focusses on delivering for customers’ strategic priorities
• Develop and deliver a clear plan and long-term strategy for policy area(s) that is continuously assessed and updated to reflect evolving priorities and policy changes
• Provide relevant expert policy input into the price review process and help secure regulatory policy changes
• Provide relevant expert policy input into the legislative process and help secure legislative change for the benefit of customers
• Work with CCW’s research team to develop and commission projects that deliver valuable and actionable insights to influence governments, regulators, companies, retailers and other stakeholders

Policy advice and support

• Keep CCW sighted and briefed on external policy developments or operational issues related to their policy area
• Ensure that CCW’s Policy Handbook is kept up to date
• Through assimilation and analysis of the latest data, insights and/or consumer perceptions, produce robust conclusions that can be used to influence CCW policy and the positions of others
• Lead, shape and write/quality assure all consultations within policy area(s)
• Provide specialist input to complaints that require a view on policy issues
• Create and quality assure relevant papers for CCW Board and Executive on relevant policy area(s)
• Respond to requests for expert briefing and information from senior internal and external stakeholders as required
• Work with CCW communications team to craft messages for media activity

Stakeholders

• Build and maintain strong relationships with relevant external stakeholders
• Work with partner organisations on policy projects of mutual benefit
• Work with external agencies that provide CCW with multi-disciplinary scientific research, evidence and analysis on specific policy areas
• With appropriate training and support, represent CCW authoritatively and engagingly at eg conferences and with the media – both nationally and regionally

Management of resources

Human resources – line manage and lead a small number of policy analysts

Financial resource – none

Equipment – laptop, phone

Contacts and communication

Internal

Daily contact with head of policy (household or non-household)

Regular contact with other senior policy analysts

Regular contact with customer service team

Regular contact with company relationship team

Regular contact with research and insights teams

Regular contact with communications team

Occasional briefings to Board and the Executive team

External

Regular contact at appropriate level with eg Ofwat, Environment Agency/NRW, water companies, retailers, Water UK, WaterWise, MOSL, market Panel, Committees and industry groups (including Strategic Panel, Performance Assurance Committee and Retailer Wholesaler Group), other consumer bodies and NGOs

Regular contact with external agencies that provide CCW with multi-disciplinary scientific research, evidence and analysis on specific policy areas

Occasional contact with governments as required

Specific duties for senior social policy analyst

• Identify, develop and deliver CCW’s policies about social policy, including water affordability; water poverty; billing and charging policies and schemes; vulnerability; debt; consumer protection (including licence conditions and service during incidents)
• Liaise as appropriate with external organisations eg water companies, Defra, Welsh government, Ofwat, NGOs

Specific duties for senior policy analyst - regulation

• Identify and deliver improvements to the regulation of the water sector to increase benefits and protections for consumers
• Lead CCW’s role as the consumer voice throughout the regular price-setting process – using lessons learned from previous price reviews, evidence of consumers’ views and expectations, and working with CCW relationship mangers to influence companies’ business plans to ensure the outcomes consumers expect are delivered
• Provide a consumer perspective and evidence into any mergers and acquisitions in the sector, new approaches to restorative justice/enforcement and/or regulatory reporting
• Identify and utilise ideas from other regulated sectors that could benefit consumers if adopted for how water is regulated
• Monitor financial performance and capital structures of the companies with a view to (a) informing consumers about where their money goes and (b) highlighting to the industry where there may be risks to customers’ interests, or opportunities for outperformance/windfall sharing with customers
• Liaise as appropriate with external organisations eg water companies, Defra, Welsh government, Ofwat

Specific duties for senior policy analyst - non-household

• Understand non-household market codes – including Market Arrangement Code; Customer Protection Code of Practice; Retail Exit Code; Wholesaler and Retailer Code – and what they mean for customers
• Identify possibilities and proactively engage MOSL and Ofwat on market codes to benefit business customers
• Support the Head of Policy (non-household) on influencing, proposing, and securing code changes to strengthen protections and improve customer service
• Help scrutinise potential code changes and the process, timeline and prioritisation of changes as part of the Code Change Committee
• Represent CCW and customers’ interests in formal market groups, panels, committees etc and at business retail market conferences, workshops and events
• Work with CCW’s customer service team and CCW’s retailer relationship team on specific complaints and issues arising from business customers and through retailer liaison
• Work with CCW’s research team on non-household-specific research to gather the views of business customers
• Support the Head of Policy (non-household) in their Strategic Panel customer representation role
• Understand retail market legislation and support the Head of Policy (non-household) on campaigning for legislative changes for the benefit of business customers
• Understand how to work within the strategic framework for business customers in England and Wales
• Work with Welsh government to further the interests of business customers in Wales
• Understand the business retail market across other utilities to proactively identify policy developments and how they could influence and impact the water industry
• Deputise for the Head of Policy (non-household) as appropriate

Specific duties for generalist senior policy analyst

• Identify, develop and deliver CCW’s policies about environmental performance in England and Wales, including wastewater management issues and sewer misuse; water resources planning processes and behaviour change; the intersection of planning and development with water; long-term infrastructure planning/asset health/water security; drought planning and interventions; drinking water quality; environmental transparency; climate change (adaptation and mitigation)
• Lead on Wales-specific overarching policy framework
• Coordinate with other CCW senior policy analysts and heads of policy to ensure CCW’s policies are delivered appropriately in Wales
• Identify, develop and deliver CCW’s policies about water companies’ finances and corporate governance
• Examine Ofwat and water companies’ annual and interim accounts and annual performance reports to identify areas of financial performance where there is a legitimate customer interest angle. The postholder will own the repository of financial information and will be expected to develop/update this annually.
• Advise Policy team colleagues of issues, trends and observations from company financial performance that can inform other areas of policy such as charging and tariffs, and how the water sector is regulated.
• Liaise as appropriate with external organisations eg RAPID, Drinking Water Inspectorate, Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, water companies, Defra, Welsh government
• Work with external multidisciplinary agencies to support and extend CCW’s policymaking capabilities

Person specification

Attributes and qualities required

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Attainments

Standard of general education

Professional/technical education

Specialised training

Work experience

Proven experience in researching, organising, analysing and synthesising complex qualitative and quantitative data and evidence from a range of sources to inform policy advice

Experience in managing projects or initiatives from conception through to implementation and evaluation

Line management experience

Understanding of non-household retail market

Water industry experience

Attitudes/disposition

Management/ leadership

Reliability

Decision making

Problem solving

Flexibility

Team working

Excellent ability to spot policy gaps, identify complex issues, apply sound judgement and develop evidence-based solutions

Ability to understand the strategic context of a policy area - political, economic and operational implications

Strong organisational skills, the ability to prioritise effectively, work with focus and drive, and maintain quality while delivering at pace

Ability to work effectively as part of multi-disciplinary teams (eg external analysts, partner agencies and operational colleagues) to deliver a policy outcome

Ability to work on a number of diverse areas simultaneously, to flexibly manage their time and seamlessly switch between different policy areas

Special skills and aptitudes

Oral communication

Written communication

Numerical

Interpersonal

Experience in identifying, engaging and maintaining positive relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders

Experience in drafting high-quality, clear and persuasive written materials for diverse and senior audiences

Ability to confidently and accurately represent CCW at external workshops and events

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £50,478, Consumer Council for Water contributes £14,623 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Annual leave entitlement starting at 25 days rising by one annually to a maximum of 30 days, plus 10.5 Bank Holidays and Privilege leave.

Benefits include Civil Service Pension, Flexitime with up to an extra 24 days off per year, Generous Annual Leave provision, Flexible Working Options, Retailer and Healthcare discounts/cashback, Travel Season Ticket Loans, Bicycle Loans, Employee Assistance Programme and much more.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

If you are interested please apply using the apply tab and submit both your CV and a statement of suitability (no more than 2 pages) which outlines how your key skills and experience match to the job description and person specification, explaining your suitability for the role. Applications that do not include all this information are unlikely to be considered.

The selection process will include:

• A sift using the content of your CV and statement of suitability
• Interviews and exercise in person 9th February 2026, Birmingham location.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. If you are interested in applying, we’d encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Lisa Gregory/Laura Smurthwaite
• Email : recruitment@ccwater.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ccwater.org.uk

Further information

ccw.org.uk