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Success Stories
NYA - Head of Policy and Public Affairs
About NYA
The National Youth Agency (NYA) is dedicated to supporting young people in the UK by providing high-quality youth work and advocating for youth policies that promote their well-being and development.
Why NYA needed TPP's support
TPP has built a strong relationship with the National Youth Agency over recent years, having completed two major Trustee campaigns (resulting in 4 Trustees and Chair of Education and Training Standards Committee) a Director of Growth and a Director of Communications (now Director of Policy, Insight and External Affairs). As a result, the Director of Policy, Insight and External Affairs sought our expertise to assist in recruiting for the critical Head of Policy role.
The Head of Policy and Public Affairs role at NYA is crucial in driving the agency's mission forward by influencing policy decisions and ensuring that the voices of young people are heard at the national level. This role was particularly vital as the recent government recognised the significant role of youth work in advancing societal development and the NYA wanted to build on that.
What TPP did
The recruitment process for the Head of Policy role at NYA was designed to identify candidates with significant experience in policy and public affairs, knowledge of relevant policy area, line management expertise, excellent communication skills, and a proven ability to engage with senior-level decision-makers.
The process included the following steps:
Job Advertisement:
The campaign was designed to capture the attention of premier candidates and demonstrate the significant opportunity for impact on the future of youth policy.
- The role was prominently advertised across multiple platforms, including the TPP website and various job sites.
- A professionally produced video (see below) was shared across social media to showcase the role's significance and attract top quality candidates.
- Comprehensive candidate packs and detailed role context were provided to all enquirers and to proactive approaches, ensuring potential applicants fully understood the pivotal nature and requirements of the Head of Policy role at NYA.
Search:
- A targeted email was strategically sent to TPP’s database of Senior Policy Managers and Heads of Policy and Heads of Public Affairs.
- Research identified and approached senior policy professionals in key areas. Many candidates were not actively looking but applied after understanding the role's scope of opportunity and importance.
Job advert
As part of our service, we created an engaging video promoting the role, which we shared across social media channels to reach and attract a broader pool of candidates.
What TPP achieved
Application review
Through our advertising and our proactive search, the position attracted an overwhelming level of interest, with over 300 initial enquiries and 114 full applications. Each application was carefully reviewed to assess the candidates' policy experience and their ability to influence national and local policy.
Out of the 114 applications TPP shortlisted 12 candidates.
The 12 selected candidates were invited for a preliminary interview with Lisa Ross, Senior Consultant at TPP. These interviews were designed to gauge their skills, experience, and potential fit within the organisation.
The preliminary interview stage is critical as it helps narrow down the candidates to those who truly align with the role's requirements and the organisational culture. This ensures that only the most suitable candidates progress to the final stages, making the selection process more efficient and targeted.
Additionally, all shortlisted candidates were evaluated consistently using a structured set of interview questions, promoting inclusivity and fairness in the recruitment process.
Comprehensive profile reports were created for each candidate and provided to NYA, ensuring a thorough and transparent assessment.
This meticulous process enabled NYA to make informed decisions about which candidates to advance to the final interviews, ultimately leading to successful recruitment outcomes.
NYA’s interviews
Based on TPP’s recommendations, NYA selected six candidates for interviews.
TPP provided detailed feedback on behalf of NYA to those candidates who did not advance. This feedback was an integral part of the recruitment process, ensuring transparency and maintaining a positive employer brand.
Shortlisted candidates gave a 10-minute presentation on NYA's key policy priorities. Two advanced to the second stage, and one was offered and accepted.
Outcome & Selection
The final selection was based on the candidates' performance in the interview and their ability to demonstrate extensive experience influencing policy at a head-of-level and their understanding of the youth sector. Importantly they also demonstrated a desire to have an impact on the youth population in the UK.
Testimonial
Client
Lisa was a pleasure to work with and went above and beyond in our search for a Head of Policy. She took the time to thoroughly understand the role and the type of person we were looking for to ensure a strong team fit. Through her search, she generated interest from highly qualified candidates, resulting in a strong shortlist and multiple appointable interviewees. I truly felt that Lisa cared about finding the right fit for us and went the extra mile. I highly recommend Lisa at TPP!
Harriet McCann
Director of Policy, Insights, and External Affairs, National Youth Agency
Successful candidate
Throughout the process Lisa at TPP was very approachable, supportive and well-informed about the role and organisation to which she was recruiting. She kept me updated at every stage, communicating clearly, and was always happy to help. I appreciated her support - and was delighted to secure the position.
Jennifer Crisp, Head of Policy
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