From understanding environmental safety regulations to complying with local zoning laws for real estate projects, policy specialists are here to help.
So how do you hire policy specialists? What follows are some tips for finding top policy specialists on Upwork.
How to shortlist policy professionals
As you’re browsing available policy consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the professionals you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:
- Industry fit. You want a policy specialist who understands your industry so they will be familiar with the laws, regulations, and other policies that are relevant to your business.
- Project experience. Screen candidate profiles for specific skills and experience (e.g., health policy).
- Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular policy specialist.
How to write an effective policy job post
With a clear picture of your ideal policy specialist in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a freelancer to know if they’re the right fit for the project.
An effective policy job post should include:
- Scope of work: From compliance audits to policy writing, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries or policies, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
Ready to ensure your organization is operating in compliance with local policy? Log in and post your policy job on Upwork today.
FAQS FOR HIRING POLICY SPECIALISTS
What is policy?
Policy refers to the laws, regulations, and guidelines a business or organization must adhere to in order to operate.
Here’s a quick overview of the skills you should look for in policy professionals:
- Legal writing
- Policy analysis and development
- Industry-specific legal expertise (e.g., employment law, contract law, real estate law)
Why do you want to hire policy specialists?
The trick to finding top policy specialists is to identify your needs. Is your goal to find someone to audit your business’s HR practices for compliance with local tax regulations? Or do you need help understanding the legal nuances of importing luxury goods from Spain?
The cost of your project will depend largely on your scope of work and the specific skills needed to bring your project to life.
How much does it cost to hire a policy specialist?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.
- An experienced policy specialist may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
- A freelancer who is still in the process of building a client base may price their policy services more competitively.
Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.
How long should you contract a policy specialist to complete your project?
As difficult as it is to estimate how long you will need a policy specialist, budgeting time is very important to keeping your project on track.
Be prepared to budget more time for more-demanding policy projects. For example, drafting documents in accordance with HR policy will typically take less time than putting together legal paperwork for a major construction project.
What are the steps involved to hire policy specialists?
Here’s how to hire policy consultants in four simple steps:
- Identify your project needs, whether it’s performing compliance audits or drafting documentation.
- Define the scope of work and write a detailed job post. Be specific about deliverables (e.g., researching local zoning regulations in preparation for a construction project).
- Review proposals and shortlist potential policy specialists for unique skills needed to bring your project to life (e.g., experience as a law clerk).
- Interview policy talent to gauge whether they’re the right fit for your project.