The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Associate Political Intelligence Analyst (L1)
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering core research tools, understanding the internal reporting rhythms, developing initial briefing note writing skills, and accurately monitoring assigned topics.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivers accurate daily monitoring reports on time.
- Can independently research and summarise a specific policy document.
- Receives positive feedback on research quality from senior analysts.
- Proactively identifies and flags relevant news or legislative mentions.
- 2
Research Assistant / Policy Researcher (Think Tank / NGO)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- In-depth policy analysis, academic-style research methodologies, understanding policy advocacy, and distilling complex information for various audiences.
You're ready to move on when
- Has authored or co-authored published policy reports or analyses.
- Comfortable with quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Can demonstrate experience translating complex research into accessible summaries.
- Understands the policy-making process from a research perspective.
- 3
Junior Government Affairs / Public Affairs Officer
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Understanding the legislative process from an advocacy perspective, stakeholder engagement basics, political landscape mapping, and supporting lobbying efforts.
You're ready to move on when
- Has supported engagement with policymakers or government officials.
- Can identify key political stakeholders on a given issue.
- Understands the importance of timely intelligence for advocacy.
- Has experience drafting policy briefs or position papers.