Policy Specialist - Women's Economic Justice

Role Title: Policy Specialist – Women’s Economic Justice (WEJ)
Salary: TBC Location Dependant 
Location: Ghana, Kenya or Malawi 
Tenure: Immediately - 10 Months - Full time

ActionAid UK is a member of the ActionAid Federation, an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. We work with our partners and dedicated staff in 43 countries to end violence and fight poverty so that all women, everywhere, can create the future they want

Team: Feminist Research and Policy, ActionAid UK

Reports to: Senior Policy Specialist – Women’s Economic Justice (Based in Malawi)

Role to be based in Ghana, Kenya or Malawi on a secondment or fixed term contract basis until 1 May 2026 to begin as soon as possible.
This role sits at the heart of ActionAid UK’s feminist, anti-racist, and decolonial advocacy, advancing policies that promote women’s rights, economic justice, and systemic change. As Policy Specialist, you will:
•    Support the implementation of AAUK’s Women’s Economic Justice (WEJ) portfolio with a focus on Global South informed policy analysis and pathways, alliance building and transnational solidarity
•    Deliver policy analysis, research, and advocacy on women’s economic justice, rooted in Global South perspectives and feminist principles.
•    Support the Young Urban Women's programme key pillars on movement building, alliance development, and narrative disruption to drive systemic change.
•    Contribute to ActionAid’s policy influencing across national, regional, and global platforms, including through high-quality research, policy briefs, and public speaking.
•    Provide strategic guidance to advocacy campaigns and support country teams—especially the Young Urban Women’s programme—to amplify young women’s voices and rights.
 

Who we’re looking for:
•    A strong policy and research professional with deep knowledge of women’s rights, economic justice, and Global South-informed feminist analysis.
•    Skilled in participatory, decolonial, feminist policy and research methods.
•    Able to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling advocacy messages.
•    Experienced in building alliances, working with feminist movements, and navigating political spaces.

You should also have strong commitment to ActionAid’s values and ethos, including ActionAid’s feminist leadership principles.

Diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging:

Diversity, inclusion and belonging are key to our organisational culture. We are on a journey to become not only an anti-racist organisation but one that proudly celebrates the diversity of all applicants and employees. We look forward to you bringing your full self to work, proudly sharing your unique perspective and helping us to shape our combined future. We especially welcome applications from those from under-represented/marginalised communities. If you’re a confident communicator with a proven track record of securing major gifts from trusts and foundations—and you’re ready to apply your skills to a bold, feminist organisation making real impact across the globe—then we can’t wait to meet you. Step into a role where your voice matters, your relationships drive change, and your ambition has purpose.

AAUK is a Disability Confident Committed organisation and as such any candidate that declares a disability will be shortlisted for interview if they meet the essential criteria for the role.

Referencing and safeguarding:

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include safeguarding, criminal records and terrorism finance checks. By submitting an application the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

ActionAid UK is committed to preventing any form of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse (including child abuse and adult at-risk abuse) and responding robustly when these harms take place. We expect all ActionAid UK staff and ActionAid UK representatives to share this commitment. We will not tolerate our staff or other representatives carrying out any form of sexual harassment, exploitation or abuse towards anyone we come into contact with through our work.

Working practices:

ActionAid is committed to supporting flexible working. If you would like to discuss flexible working options, including the possibility of a job share for this role, there will be space to do so during the interview process.

Please note that ActionAid UK does not offer fully remote working options. We encourage you to discuss hybrid working expectations at interview.

Recruitment processes:

Please note that ActionAid UK may review, shortlist and interview candidates prior to the closing date so we encourage all candidates to apply as soon as possible. If we receive a very high response, we may close the vacancy early and will not accept further submissions

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