Advocacy and campaigns advisor jobs in Manchester
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Contract: Full Time (35 hours per week), Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week
Location: Manchester
Starting salary: £34,220 per annum
Closing date: 16.08.2026
Expected date of interviews: w/c 31.08.2026
Job ref: VA795
We have an exciting opportunity for a welfare advisor based within our Legal Advice and Welfare Services (LAWS) team.
About the role
Do you want to use your extensive welfare benefits and/or asylum support experience to help torture survivors realise their welfare rights and entitlements?
Freedom from Torture is a human rights organisation that provides rehabilitation to survivors of torture. We are looking for someone who shares our passion for human rights to join our team in Manchester.
The Welfare Advisor works within the holistic rehabilitation model of Freedom from Torture and provides welfare advice and advocacy to our clients, forming part of a multi-disciplinary team. You will receive, process and manage welfare referrals, and act as a point of contact on welfare issues primarily for the Manchester centre, and to a smaller degree, the Scotland Centre.
This role requires careful and sensitive delivery of complex welfare information and advice, often to very vulnerable clients. You must have in- depth knowledge of the welfare rights and benefits available to asylum seekers and/or refugees. This may include completing Section 4 applications, or appealing negative benefits decisions on health or vulnerability grounds.
About you
The ideal candidate for the role will have the following:
Experience of working within a similar role providing advocacy on a range of welfare issues to include housing, welfare benefits and Asylum Support
Extensive experience of working within the benefits system, including the application, assessment and appeals procedures
Experience working with refugees and asylum seekers and an understanding of the needs of this group and the associated support services and mechanisms available
Experience of liaising with external agencies and government bodies to ensure that service users are given access to their available welfare rights and entitlements.
At interview you will need to demonstrate your ability to identify welfare needs and provide appropriate advice and recommendations. You will be given a case study to work through and you will be asked to share your analysis and plan with us.
In return, we offer a competitive package, with a generous 30-day annual leave entitlement, and 6% employer pension contribution (minimum 1% employee contribution).
Freedom from Torture is committed to showing the salary for all advertised roles and not negotiating salaries for roles, in light of evidence that this contributes to structural inequality.
Our policy is that all appointments will be at the start of the salary range but successful candidates will have the opportunity to move up the scale over time. The progression up the salary range is reviewed on an annual basis and subject to affordability. For this role, the salary range is £34,220 - £39,696.
To view the Job Description and Person Specification, please kindly see the attached file.
Please note a CV and a cover letter addressing the job description and person specification of the role are mandatory to be considered for the position.
Freedom from Torture is dedicated to healing and protecting people who have survived torture. We provide therapies to improve physical and mental health, we medically document torture, and we provide legal and welfare help. We expose torture globally, we fight to hold torturing states to account and we campaign for fairer treatment of torture survivors in the UK.
We campaign for national and global change, using evidence from our services and survivor voices to protect and promote survivors' rights and hold torturing states to account. We are proud to play a significant role in the global anti-torture movement. Survivors, active and empowered, are at the centre of all of our work.
Freedom from Torture is committed to its responsibilities under safeguarding and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory DBS disclosure, as well as a need for full employment history and up to date employment references.
Freedom from Torture is an equal opportunity employer. People with lived experience of torture or asylum, from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.
No agencies please.
Thank you!
Purpose of the Role
The Director of External Affairs and Growth is an SLT role responsible for leveraging the voice and power of the eoa's network to influence and accelerate the growth of the employee owned sector.
The role leads the eoa’s external affairs, policy and insights, marcomms and events, shaping the external environment for employee ownership and securing the funding and commercial income needed to support sustainable sector growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead external affairs strategy, building the relationships and influence needed to shape policy, remove barriers and expand EO.
- Build strategic relationships and secure grant funding and commercial partnerships, generating income to support advocacy, events and sector growth initiatives, including the UK EO Growth Strategy.
- Oversee our policy and insights work, engaging key stakeholders to co-produce content that influences EO practice and policy and strengthens the eoa’s voice in public affairs.
- Oversee the delivery of a mar-comms strategy that delivers commercial objectives and positions the eoa as the leading authority on EO.
- Oversee our events programmes, ensuring they drive knowledge-sharing, sector development
- and commercial sustainability.
- Represent the eoa at industry forums, policy roundtables and public affairs events,
- championing the employee ownership model.
- Collaborate with the Director of Membership and Operations to align advocacy and external
- engagement with member needs and priorities.
- Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering innovation and delivering measurable impact across income generation, advocacy, policy, events and mar-comms activities
Knowledge, Experience, and Attributes
- Proven expertise in external affairs, advocacy, or policy leadership, ideally within a business, trade body, or membership association.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing government, media, and corporate partners.
- Demonstrated ability to drive sectoral or policy change, leading successful advocacy initiatives.
- Strong commercial acumen, with experience in sponsorship acquisition, revenue generation, grant funding and developing financially sustainable initiatives.
- Exceptional strategic communication and storytelling skills, able to engage and mobilise diverse audiences.
- Experience in event programming, ensuring high engagement and sector impact.
- Passion for employee ownership and economic models that promote shared prosperity.
- Innovative, creative, and proactive in problem-solving and strategy execution.
- A confident and transparent leader who fosters collaboration and inclusivity.
- Self-aware with emotional intelligence, resilience, and integrity.
What Constitutes Success in This Role?
Success in this role means having a positive impact on the growth of the employee-owned sector, strengthening the eoa’s influence and increasing the adoption of “great EO”. Stronger stakeholder relationships, greater advocacy impact and improved commercial sustainability through a diverse mix of grant funding, sponsorships and strategic partnerships will also be key indicators of success.
Key outcomes for the role
- Outcome - Growth of the employee ownership sector
- Measure - Increased number of EO businesses, heightened sector awareness
- Outcome - Strengthened corporate engagement
- Measure - Growth in strategic partnerships, corporate and government engagement
- Outcome - Strong Commercial Sustainability
- Measure - Increased sponsorship revenue, secured long-term commercial partnerships
- Outcome -Increased policy influence
- Measure - Policy recommendations adopted, increased government engagement
- Outcome - Enhanced sector insight and intelligence
- Measure - Utilisation of high quality data and insights for regular sector related content outputs
- Outcome - Development and adoption of best practice
- Measure - Creation, adoption and promotion of best practice across the EO network.
- Outcome - Successful events programmes
- Measure - Increased participation, sponsorship growth, positive feedback.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit:
- A two-page CV
- And one of either:
- Cover letter setting out your motivation, approach, and what you will bring to the role
- Video (maximum 10 minutes) setting out your motivation, approach, and what you will bring to the role
Applications should be submitted before 9:00am 17 August 2026. We will close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. If you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Interviews will be in two stages. The first stage will be a virtual interview via teams on
26 August. For those who successfully move to stage 2 there will be an in-person
discussion w.c. 31 August.
The eoa welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those
who are under-represented. We recruit based on values, skills, and contribution to our
purpose.
Non Charity Employer
11 - 20
We exist to grow and strengthen employee ownership as a force for powering fairer livelihoods, stronger businesses, and a more resilient economy.
Thank you!
Money and Benefits Adviser
We are looking for a dedicated and experienced Generalist Adviser working as a Money and Benefits Caseworker.
This is an exciting opportunity to provide specialist welfare benefits advice and casework to people affected by cancer, helping them navigate financial challenges and access the support they are entitled to. Working as part of a compassionate and professional team, you will play a vital role in reducing financial hardship and improving wellbeing for clients at some of the most difficult times in their lives.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds as the organisation is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and holds the Derbyshire LGBT+ Rainbow Accreditation
Position: Generalist Adviser
Location: Derbyshire (Remote working with travel to healthcare and community settings and quarterly meeting in the local office)
Salary: £29,806.00 per annum, pro rata
Hours: Full-Time (37 hours per week) Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 21st August 2026
About the Role
We're looking for highly motivated and committed individuals to provide specialist advice and representation on welfare benefits, grants and financial support, managing a caseload that includes complex cases, mandatory reconsiderations and appeals. The Money & More Benefits Caseworker supports clients across all stages of the cancer pathway, including diagnosis, treatment, palliative care and end-of-life support. You will deliver advice through a range of channels including telephone, email, digital platforms and face-to-face appointments within healthcare and community settings.
Key duties include:
· Deliver specialist welfare benefits advice and casework.
· Manage a varied caseload, including complex benefit appeals and tribunal work.
· Support clients to maximise income through benefits, grants and other financial assistance.
· Advocate and negotiate on behalf of clients with third parties.
· Work collaboratively with healthcare professionals, community organisations and partner agencies.
· Maintain accurate case records and meet quality assurance standards.
· Contribute to service development, research and campaigns work.
About You
The ideal candidates will have:
· Significant experience providing welfare benefits advice and casework, including Mandatory Reconsiderations and Appeals
· A strong understanding of welfare benefits legislation and financial support available to vulnerable clients
· Experience supporting vulnerable people using a person-centred and empathetic approach
· Experience managing a caseload and achieving targets and deadlines
· A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
· Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
· A non-judgemental, empathetic approach to people
· Strong IT and digital skills, with the ability to learn new systems quickly
Successful candidates will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and provide proof of Right to Work.
About the Organisation
Join a local charity that provides free, confidential, independent and impartial advice to everyone across Amber Valley, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, Erewash and High Peak.
This advice can help people find a way forward with their problems, whoever they are, whatever the problem.
What is on offer:
The charity offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports your wellbeing, work-life balance, and professional growth:
· Generous annual leave: 35 days per year (pro rata), including all bank holidays and Christmas
· Buy/sell leave scheme: Flexibility to buy or sell up to one week of leave each year (pro rata)
· Employee Assistance Programme: Includes wellbeing support, free counselling, and lifestyle perks
· Contractual sick pay: depended on length of service
· Long service rewards: Extra leave and gift cards after five years of service and beyond
· Workplace pension: Auto-enrolment into our pension scheme
· Hybrid working: the option to work from home, if it works for you and for the team
Successful candidates will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and provide proof of Right to Work. Please note that the organisation does not hold a sponsor licence.
Other roles you may have experience of include Money and Benefits Adviser, Money Advisor, Benefits Advisor, Housing Advisor, Cancer Support, Cancer Advice and Support.
Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP
