SKILL ROADMAP 38 · LEGAL CAREER ROADMAPS
Policy Professional
Policy analysis → Evidence → Policy brief → Consultation response → Stakeholders → Policy area → Fellowships and roles
Track your progress
- This roadmap has 7 steps, 4 checkpoints and 3 projects.
- Open the interactive version to tick checkpoints and projects. Your progress is saved in your browser.
1 What this path is
Policy professionals analyse problems, assess laws and recommend changes for governments, think tanks, companies and civil society. This roadmap builds on the Legal Researcher roadmap.
2 Who this path may suit
The work involves research, clear writing for busy readers, data and engagement with different stakeholders.
3 The roadmap, step by step
- Learn policy analysis.
Learn: to define a problem, its causes and possible responses.
Practise: by analysing one current policy problem. - Use evidence.
Learn: to gather and weigh legal, economic and social evidence.
Practise: by building an evidence table for your problem. - Write a policy brief.
Learn: the brief structure of problem, evidence, options and recommendation.
Practise: by writing a two page brief. - Respond to consultations.
Learn: how ministries and regulators invite public comments on draft laws and rules.
Practise: by submitting a consultation response. - Understand stakeholders.
Learn: how government, industry, civil society and affected communities see an issue.
Practise: by mapping stakeholders for one policy question. - Choose a policy area.
Learn: one area deeply, such as technology, criminal justice, health, environment or governance.
Practise: by building a body of briefs in that area. - Enter fellowships and roles.
Learn: about fellowships, think tank roles and government consulting.
Practise: by applying with your briefs as samples.
4 Your levels and checkpoints
Beginner level
- Explain a policy problem clearly
Intermediate level
- Write a balanced policy brief
- Submit a consultation response
Advanced level
- Produce a body of policy work in one area
Advanced professional level
Your analysis shapes decisions in government, industry or civil society.
These checklists are for honest self assessment. They are not an official certification.
5 Build these projects
- A policy brief
- A consultation response
- A stakeholder map
6 Internship direction
Look for think tanks, policy teams and government bodies. Prepare a policy brief as your sample.
7 Portfolio evidence
Briefs, consultation responses and published commentary.
8 Common mistakes
- Writing opinion without evidence
- Writing long reports busy readers will not finish