Policy Advisor

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global not-for-profit organisation, operating in more than 40 countries across five continents. Our teams include political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages and are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Role Summary

The Policy Advisor for Industry, Technology, and Geopolitics is based within the Science & Technology (S&T) Policy team in TBI’s Policy and Politics division in London. The S&T Policy team develops radical, actionable policy solutions to help governments foster innovation, accelerate technology adoption and navigate the geopolitical implications of technological change.

Emerging technologies are increasingly reshaping global power. Artificial intelligence, advanced computing, semiconductors, biotechnology, space and other critical technologies are changing the foundations of economic competitiveness, national security and geopolitical influence. Yet the ability to develop, adopt and shape these technologies remains highly concentrated in a small number of countries and companies.

For middle powers, this creates a distinct set of challenges. Few countries can compete across every layer of the technology stack, but all must make choices about where to build domestic capability, where to depend on others, how to attract investment and talent, and how to use international partnerships to strengthen their position. Governments need strategies that reflect their own economic strengths, technological ecosystems and geopolitical circumstances.

The role will combine work on technology ecosystems and innovation with analysis of geopolitical competition, strategic dependencies and international partnerships. This could include examining how countries build capabilities in priority technologies, attract frontier companies and investment, develop research and talent ecosystems, manage dependencies in critical supply chains, and cooperate with allies and partners.

The successful candidate will combine rigorous policy analysis with excellent political judgement and exceptional written and verbal communication skills. They will be able to understand complex technological, economic and geopolitical questions, identify what matters for political leaders, and translate their analysis into clear, compelling and actionable recommendations.

The role is suited to someone with experience in technology policy, innovation, international political economy, geopolitics or a closely related field who is ready to take significant ownership of substantive policy projects while helping shape TBI’s wider emerging technology and geopolitics agenda.

Applicants must have an existing right to work in the UK at the time of application.

Key Responsibilities

The holder of this position will:

• Support substantial policy projects examining how middle powers can build technological capability and influence in an era of accelerating technological and geopolitical competition.
• Produce outstanding written policy work, including major reports, policy papers, briefings, comment pieces and materials for senior political audiences, translating complex technological, economic and geopolitical questions into clear and persuasive arguments.
• Develop practical policy proposals that reflect countries’ different economic strengths, institutional capabilities, geopolitical relationships and positions within global technology ecosystems.
• Provide policy advice and briefing to senior leaders within TBI and support TBI advisory teams working with governments globally, helping political leaders develop strategies for technology, innovation and geopolitical resilience.
• Build and manage relationships with leading stakeholders across technology, innovation, government and geopolitics, using these relationships both to strengthen TBI’s policy thinking and to build support for its recommendations.
• Work collaboratively across TBI, including with colleagues in policy and advisory teams, ensuring that our research draws on TBI’s experience working with governments around the world and translates into practical in-country advice.
• Contribute to a high-performing team culture, including supporting and collaborating with analysts and other colleagues on research and policy development.

Closing Date: