Practice Lead Governance and Politics Centre of Expertise (October 2026)

Location: UK based with the option for remote working.

Occasional overseas travel to support programme implementation and/or oversee activities is required for the position.

Benefits : Yearly performance related pay, generous leave, 4 wellbeing days per year, eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme option - employer contribution up to 28.97% and more.

Contract : Fixed Term - From 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2028, with possibility of extension

Working Pattern : Full-time: WFD will consider flexible working arrangements, including, job share, compressed hours, part time, flexitime.

About the Democratic Governance Centre of Expertise (CoE)

Democratic governance is facing an historic challenge as autocratic trends undermine the hard-won global gains of the 20th century. To ensure that FCDO posts are resourced with substantive and insightful information, analysis, and advice on "what works" to respond to these challenges and support democratic governance in their contexts, the FCDO launched the Democratic Governance Centre of Expertise (CoE) in partnership with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. This CoE helps the FCDO network deliver more impactfully by serving as an authoritative source of expertise and insight, drawing on WFD's accumulated knowledge and evidence and on input from our networks of partners and collaborators

Role Overview with key responsibilities

The Practice Lead Governance and Politics role offers a chance to learn, develop excellent practice and consolidate a reputation within the sector.

Reporting to the Head, Centre of Expertise, this role is a core member of WFD's Centre of Expertise's Expertise and Thought Leadership Unit. This senior position will be expected to operate independently, with the freedom to develop relationships with partners and colleagues within a framework of intellectual and pastoral support.

Noted areas of responsibility are for:

• Strategically leading in your technical area across the organisation: Support the design and delivery of programming offering intellectual and managerial leadership within the Centre of Expertise, wider organisation and externally.
• Delivering high level technical advice, support and resources for the FCDO: Applying both political and institutional analysis and providing technical governance analysis and corresponding political advice drawing on global lessons.
• Actively contributing to the intellectual output of WFD, showcasing WFD as a source of policy knowledge and programmatic expertise, writing or commissioning selected publications (blogs, articles, reports, manuals). Attending events and building relationships and networks developing WFD's thinking and practice base.

About You - We are looking for the following

It is essential your application clearly shows,

Technical expertise, deep understanding and working knowledge of the following

• Governance evidence, policy, and practice in a range of settings. Established knowledge of core governance concepts and methodologies including Political Economy Analysis (PEA), with informed understanding of political dynamics, interactions, and changes with institutions at global, national, and sub-national/regional settings. Application of both political and institutional analysis to inform policy direction, deliver plans, advice, and programming decisions.
• Political systems, including elite bargains, how to foster more inclusive politics (elections, parliaments, political parties, civil society, and media) while managing the risks.
• Influencing and providing advice, set policy direction, and programme leadership on political governance, and the strengthening of inclusion and accountability, working with HMG and partners.
• Public sector governance at national and local levels. Understanding of evidence on how change happens and its application for partner institutions and sectors. Providing analytical, advisory and programme support to public sector reform processes that deliver improved services for all.

Consistent success in the following areas

• Delivering high quality consultative support to international actors in the sector.
• Designing and delivering democracy assistance programmes, including those addressing issues relevant to his/her technical area.
• Applying political economy analysis, thinking and working politically and other development methodologies.

About Us

WFD is the UK public body dedicated to supporting democracy and governance around the world. We collaborate with partners in over 50 countries and territories, supporting democracies to evolve, become more resilient and address the most urgent challenges societies face. Recognised as an expert, trusted partner and an influential voice, we are an organisation that shows how strong democracies are critical for sustainable outcomes for people and our planet. Our work with parliaments, political parties, electoral institutions, civil society and others helps encourage growth, respond to climate change, end corruption, protect elections, tackle disinformation, challenge barriers to women's participation, and protect and uphold the rights young people, people with disabilities, and LGBT+ people.

Our Offer

With staff in the UK and in-country teams around the world that lead our work, we are a diverse, global organisation.

Everything we do depends on our teams being able to thrive, so we pride ourselves on our supportive environment and benefits. As well as WFD's warm and welcoming culture, we offer flexible, hybrid, and remote working, generous leave, 4 wellbeing days per year, performance-related pay, and more.

This vacancy will close on 18th October 2026

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