Freelance Governance Policy Writer

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POLICY WRITER (NON-HR)

Responsible to: Director of People & Culture
Type of Contract: Freelance/Self employed
Start date: ASAP
Immediate start completion by: August 2026
Duration:
Location: Remote

ABOUT US

Rape Crisis South London supports women and girls' survivors across 12 boroughs through counselling, advocacy, and specialist support services. The organisation currently operates a hybrid delivery model, including online services and the use of rented community-based spaces across the boroughs it supports.

ROLE PURPOSE

We are seeking an experienced freelance policy writer to develop, review, and refresh a suite of operational, governance, and service-delivery policies for our organisation. This role sits outside the HR function: the successful candidate will focus on the policies that govern how we run our charity, deliver programmes, manage information, and protect the people we serve.

The successful candidate will bring expertise in policy writing for the voluntary sector, a sound understanding of charity governance and regulatory requirements, and a genuine commitment to the organisation's feminist, intersectional mission.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Policy Development & Review

• Conduct an audit of existing non-HR policies and identify gaps, outdated content, or areas requiring revision
• Draft new policies and update existing ones across areas including (but not limited to):
  • safeguarding adults and children
  • data protection and GDPR compliance
  • confidentiality and information sharing
  • conflict of interest
  • financial controls and anti-fraud
  • volunteer management
  • communications, media and social media use
  • equality, diversity and inclusion in service delivery
  • complaints and feedback handling
  • environmental sustainability
  • risk management
• Ensure all policies are compliant with relevant legislation, the Charity Commission's regulatory requirements, and recognised sector standards

Documentation & Accessibility

• Produce clear, plain-English policy documents suitable for a diverse workforce with varying literacy and language needs
• Produce accompanying quick-reference guides, flowcharts, or decision trees where appropriate to support staff implementation
• Develop a master policy register with review schedules, version control, and ownership assigned to named roles
• Ensure all documents are formatted consistently and accessibly, with consideration for screen readers, translation needs, and low-literacy users
• Format all documents consistently within the organisation's house style

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, and relevant operational leads to gather input and ensure policy accuracy
• Facilitate a structured consultation process to incorporate staff, volunteer, and where appropriate, beneficiary perspectives into policy development
• Present completed policies with a clear rationale and implementation guidance, including recommended staff communication approaches
• Advise on a phased implementation plan and internal sign-off process for the full policy suite

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Demonstrable experience writing operational, governance, or service-delivery policies for UK charities or non-profit organisations
• Strong knowledge of the Charity Commission's regulatory framework, charity law, and good governance standards (e.g. the Charity Governance Code)
• Sound understanding of data protection legislation (UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018) and its application in a charity context
• Familiarity with safeguarding frameworks for both adults and children in a UK charitable organisation context
• Ability to write clearly and precisely in plain English for diverse audiences, with exemplary attention to detail
• Experience conducting policy audits and producing policy registers or frameworks
• Demonstrable commitment to gender equality, feminist principles, and intersectional approaches to service delivery
• Proven ability to work independently, manage competing deadlines, and deliver to a high standard without close supervision

Desirable

• Experience developing policies specifically for organisations working with women, girls, gender-based violence survivors, or other marginalised groups
• Knowledge of trauma-informed service delivery and how policy frameworks can reflect and embed this approach
• Familiarity with the Fundraising Regulator's Code of Fundraising Practice and related compliance requirements
• Understanding of environmental and sustainability policy within the charity sector
• Experience writing policies for volunteer-involving organisations
• Qualifications in law, governance, public policy, or a related discipline
• Experience of policy consultation with beneficiary communities, particularly those with marginalised identities

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please submit the following to our People & Culture team:

• A brief covering letter (no more than two pages) outlining your relevant experience and your approach to writing HR policies for mission-led organisations
• A CV or professional profile
• Two examples of HR policies you have written (these may be anonymised)
• Your day rate and availability

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a brief interview with the Director of People & Culture, which may include a short-written task.

We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. We particularly welcome applications from Black and minoritised women, disabled women, and those with lived experience relevant to our work. We can make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process — please let us know what you need.

Safeguarding Notice

This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and young people. All contractors are expected to adhere to our Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. An enhanced DBS check may be required depending on the nature and level of access to organisational systems and beneficiary data.

Charity No. 1085104 | Registered company number 4113588 | ©RCSL 2025

PO Box 383, Croydon, CR9 2AW T: 0208 683 3311

E: info@rapecrisissouthlondon.org

W: www.rapecrissouthlondon.org