About the Job
Are you passionate about independent film? Do you want to promote and advance social justice?
Join our team and help us in our mission to empower people and communities through independent cinema!
The Independent Film Trust is a charity committed to advancing the cause of independent filmmaking by uncovering untold stories, empowering emerging creative voices and developing new audiences. We campaign to provide an independent film scene that is both entertaining and challenging, inspiring empathy through diverse stories from an eclectic range of life experiences.
The Research and Advocacy officer is a member of the organisation's management team, leading our work to change policy and practice through evidence-based research and influencing activity. The successful candidate will play a crucial part in helping IFT achieve its mission.

Job Impact:
• You will work closely with the CEO to shape all IFT research and advocacy programmes.
• You will help the IFT play a critical role in diversifying UK film, arts and culture industries securing opportunities for more diverse stories to be told at a national level.
• You will help the IFT influence the national discourse through media and the Arts, encouraging greater empathy, understanding and celebration of diverse cultures within British society.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities:
Developing and implementing a robust strategy to maximise influence on policies and practices that impact the lives of underrepresented filmmakers and visual artists.
Exploring and implementing innovative new ways to influence policy and practice, including thinking beyond Westminster to other actors or mechanisms to secure change for diversity in film and the Arts.
Building strong relationships with external stakeholders including film industry leaders, government ministers and civil servants, political parties, corporate and public sector partners, other charities and donors.
Working with colleagues to secure funding for the organisation's policy and research activity.

Knowledge, skills, training and experience:
• Demonstrable experience of leading successful projects that change policy and practice through evidence-based research and influencing activity.
• Demonstrable passion for amplifying underrepresented voices within film and media.
• Excellent writing skills and experience of writing and pitching proposals.
• Confidence in developing, overseeing and quality-assuring a programme of practical research.
• Strong skill in identifying opportunities to influence policy and practice in different ways - looking beyond Westminster to other audiences and tactics that will improve opportunities for marginalised communities.
• Sound understanding of the creative media industry and how it is developing with new technologies and platforms.
• Strong experience of building relationships with funders, partners and sector peers.
• Strong communication skills and ability to simplify complex problems into component parts and evaluate systematically.
• Has the ability to consider a range of problems and uses own judgement to apply effective, time critical solutions.

REMUNERATION: £40,000 pro rata.

LOCATION: Ideally based at our London office. All work will be remote as long as COVID travel restrictions are in place.

CONTRACT TYPE: 3-month term, Full-time.

DEADLINE: DECEMBER 30TH AT 5PM

APPLY WITH CV, COVER LETTER AND REFERENCES

FAO: Ms Knowles

More about the company
The Independent Film Trust, exists to advance the cause of independent filmmaking by uncovering new stories, empowering new voices and developing new audiences. We advocate for more diversity and representation in the film industry, amplifying stories that explore new ideas, challenge audiences and inspire empathy.
The IFT was set up in 2004 and is a UK-registered charity. Our activities include advocacy for a more diverse and representative film industry, support for filmmakers struggling to develop projects and the provision of film and media training for those who are marginalised.
Collaborations with industry partners help us impact positively on the professional UK film industry and advocate for greater equality and innovation in storytelling.
Our community outreach allows people who might never engage with film to take an active role in producing cinema and contributing to British film.
At every stage we campaign to provide an independent film scene that is challenging and entertaining whilst inclusive and representative of the broader UK public.