Advocacy campaigns officer jobs in belfast, northern ireland
Job purpose
This is an exciting time to join Action for ME. With developments in research and policy alongside delivering services which are in high demand, you will enjoy working in a fast-paced and continually changing environment. You will be responsible for overseeing operational programme design and delivery, reporting of progress, and measuring the impact of all Action for ME work to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow. You will also assist the Chief Executive in implementing the organisational strategy, and by adapting and evolving delivery models on the ground. As you will have operational management and oversight for our Healthcare Services and hold the Designated Safeguarding Lead role for the organisation, you will bring considerable services-related experience at a management and leadership level. The Chief Executive will focus predominately on external matters and therefore you must have experience of managing an organisation to achieve high quality programmes with evidenced impact and motivated teams. You will act for the Chief Executive on topics, as agreed, and deputise during their absence.
Key duties
1. Leadership
- Ensure that children and adults with ME are at the heart of everything we do through meaningful engagement and participation to influence all aspects of our work.
- Deputise for the CEO and represent and promote the Charity at national meetings and events.
- Deputise for the CEO during periods of absence, and in relation to specific matters, issues or elements of operation as delegated from time to time by the CEO, ensuring a consistency of approach and decisions aligned with the organisation’s objectives.
- With the CEO and HR Business Partner, lead on implementing the People and Culture Strategy and ensuring our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging plan is achieved.
- To provide support, leadership and coaching to the Management Team to ensure the smooth running of the organisation and development of the Charity.
- Contribute to the development of the overall strategy for Action for ME, ensuring that the best use is made of available resources within agreed priorities. Ensure that agreed strategy is delivered to target and in line with agreed budgets.
- Work closely with the Chief Executive and Trustees to ensure effective reporting to the Board and sub-committees.
2. Operations & management
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the Charity ensuring high quality service provision that meets all best practice, legal and regulatory frameworks and internal policies and procedures.
- Hold overall management responsibility for our Healthcare Services including the role of the CQC Nominated Individual, ensuring all regulatory requirements and compliance are met.
- Manage the staff and volunteer team, including holding regular meetings and ensure the efficient running of the office ensuring a culture that supports, inspires and motivates the team while ensuring required standards and quality are met at all times through effective performance management.
- Act as the organisational Designated Safeguarding Lead (children and vulnerable adults), working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Officers, colleagues and the Safeguarding Lead Trustee; facilitate the annual safeguarding audit (led by the Lead Trustee) and ensuring safeguarding standards across the organisation are maintained.
- Contribute to the learning and development of key personnel including coaching support (either directly or through the identification of external coaches) to enhance performance.
- Establish (where not already in place) and maintain a clear performance outcome-focused management system driving positive change and improvement across all teams.
- Ensure that policies and procedures are effectively implemented and kept up-to-date to enable the effective management of operations and support growth.
- Take the lead role for data protection, health and safety, compliance and risk management across the organisation and act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
3. Finance & income generation
- Hold financial leadership responsibility, working closely with the Finance Manager and the Fundraising Director to ensure sustainability for our work.
- Ensure effective financial management with procedures in place which are kept up-to-date and implemented accordingly.
- Provide support and engagement, where appropriate, to actively grow our income.
4. Working with others
- Lead, nurture and develop relationships with key stakeholder groups and partner organisations, both locally and nationally, supporting Action for M.’s place as the ‘go to’ organisation for people affected by ME
- Lead on new business ideas and pilot projects in line with the strategic objectives; with colleagues, develop the business case, identify and manage risks, lead implementation across teams, evaluate success and learning and make recommendations for future development.
5. Other key accountabilities
- Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting operations and maintain and improve personal competence through continuous professional development.
- Take direction on projects and priorities from the CEO, which may vary from time to time.
- To ensure best value in all service delivery.
Person specification
Experience and Knowledge
- Proven experience in an operations, leadership, or senior management role, ideally within the charity service delivery or healthcare sector, with the ability to develop and implement strategic plans that drive organisational growth and reporting that demonstrates impact delivered. If you come from outside a support services background, you must demonstrate sound understanding of the regulatory and best practice requirements related to delivering support and/or healthcare services.
- An understanding of ME and associated/overlapping illnesses, the impact on people affected by it or a commitment and ability to understand the illness and lead services to meet the needs of children and adults with ME
- Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams, including remote workers, and fostering a supportive workplace culture where change is a constant.
- Safeguarding understanding at a management/decision-making level.
- Proven experience of building and nurturing strong relationships internally and externally at all levels.
- A sound understanding of outcome-focused, effective performance management, quality assurance and risk management.
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, financial planning, and resource management in the voluntary sector.
Skills and Behaviours
- Experience of governance, risk management, and compliance, including within regulated services, ideally within a charity and/or service delivery setting.
- Proven ability to think strategically, balance competing demands, use initiative to solve problems and actively seek innovative approaches to problem solving and delivering results.
- Strong interpersonal skills including motivational, negotiating influencing and networking skills which build strong internal and external relationships.
- An ability to understand, analyse and make effective use of data across all of our work.
- A proven ability to coach and motivate staff and to build and lead teams reflecting organisational culture and values, a respectful, constructive and energetic style.
- Proven, strong MS Office skills that supports writing, email, internet and database use.
- Demonstrable ability to work within our organisational values
Interview: The first round of panel interview scheduled to take place in Bristol on the 24th of June 2025.
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Role: Healthcare Partnerships Lead
Hours: 22.5hr hrs per week, (3 days)
Location: Homebased within the UK with a requirement to travel and support in person events, conferences and meetings
Reporting to: Director of Programmes and Partnerships
Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, 28 days of annual leave (FTE) + 1 day for your birthday, pension scheme
Key relationships: Managing external relationships with key healthcare professionals and partners and working closely with our Medical Advisor and Information and Research Manager
Salary: £38,000 per annum (FTE)
Essential: Access to own car and full clean driving licence
About The Role
Do you have experience in working collaboratively, establishing meaningful partnerships within the healthcare sector and are looking to make an impact at the world’s leading multiple sclerosis healthy lifestyle charity?
We’re looking for an experienced Healthcare Partnerships Lead to continue to steer the delivery of our Healthcare Engagement Strategy and build upon our Program expertise. With a strong focus on reducing health inequalities, you’ll lead, develop and deliver activities that meet our strategic ambition to ensure that as many people as possible understand that there is hope after an MS diagnosis.
We need to engage with healthcare professionals as, for many people with MS, this group are the first people they seek credible information from and will potentially have a life-long relationship with, given the incurable nature of the condition.
About Us
Overcoming MS is the world’s leading multiple sclerosis healthy lifestyle charity established in 2012. We are unique in our whole person approach and practical evidence-based focus upon self-management of MS, formulated as a holistic program. At Overcoming MS, we are here for everyone with MS who wants to take control of their health and wellbeing.
Although there is currently no cure for MS, we help people with MS to live well by making informed lifestyle choices. They have clear, practical actions to take, by following an evidence-based self-management program. This program uses substantial scientific evidence of how holistic self-care, alongside medical therapies, benefits people’s physical and mental health. Knowing people can change their risk of deterioration through lifestyle choices gives hope to us all.
Our vision is that people with MS feels empowered to take control of their health, are making informed lifestyle choices and living a full and healthy life.
Overcoming MS Strategy
Our strategy for 2024 to 2026 establishes five key objectives:
Raise awareness within the global MS community of the importance of healthy lifestyle and the Overcoming MS Program.
Deliver world class information, tools and support to the Overcoming MS community, empowering them with the confidence and knowledge to follow, understand and share the Program, wherever they start.
Build the authority of Overcoming MS through developing team expertise, communicating the existing evidence base, building new evidence, and through influencing and working in partnerships.
Grow a collaborative, knowledgeable, passionate and sustainable team of staff, facilitators and volunteers.
Develop financial growth and independence through reducing our cost base, increasing fundraising via diversified activity, and generating income through other sources.
Job Description
The Healthcare Partnerships Lead will be responsible for the delivery of our Healthcare Engagement Strategy, through the development and delivery of projects and activities which embrace collaboration, raise the profile and credibility of both the Overcoming MS charity and Program, and extend supported self- management of MS within the health and social sector. We want to be the go-to charity for lifestyle and living well with MS and to demonstrate the added value we bring through education, resources, community and partnership working.
The past 12 months have seen the laying of a strong foundation for both increasing credibility and collaboration. This has included identifying barriers to supporting self-management in MS, developing education, piloting projects and resources to overcome some of those barriers in partnership with healthcare professionals. Honing datasets and presenting these meaningfully, has added credibility and demonstrated value. We want to see that foundation built on further, and shared more widely, taken forward by the new Healthcare Partnerships Lead.
Key Responsibilities
· The successful delivery of the Healthcare Engagement Strategy, identifying and prioritising engagement with our key audiences and stakeholders.
· Working closely with both our Medical Advisor, Information and Research Manager (new role) and with the existing HCP Advisory Group and wider engaged healthcare partners, to facilitate the development of the relationship, profile and reach between the charity and the health and social care sectors. Around information sharing, service design, and understanding of the role of lifestyle in holistic management of MS.
· Identifying and attending key healthcare events and conferences, building networks, partnerships and other resources to increase knowledge and awareness of how the charity and Overcoming MS Program, benefits people with MS and maximise opportunities for signposting.
· Building frameworks for data gathering and evaluation to effectively review benefit of collaborative interventions and report outcomes widely and meaningfully, in partnership with the Information and Research Manager.
· Maintaining understanding of policy and priorities of healthcare agencies to ensure mutual or aligned priorities from both, in addition to people living with MS, are all factors taken into consideration when developing plans and pathways.
· Identifying opportunities for collaboration and partnership working through engagement with HCP professionals and organisations.
· Lead on healthcare education through our existing partnership with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, marketing the education widely, evaluating its benefit to HCPs and strategically reviewing the format, vehicle and content as appropriate.
· Providing clear, responsive and consistent educational content around the importance of lifestyle choices and behaviours to healthcare professionals based on the current evidence-base and the Overcoming MS Program, working closely with the Information & Research Manager to ensure up-to-date and validated content.
Other Responsibilities
· Creating meaningful engagement with the MS community and healthcare professional partners, widening our reach to support more people with MS.
· Mapping local assets and services to target and test appropriate resources and support to MS clinics, to help HCPs share information and support their patients to self-manage, tracking success.
· Empowering people affected by MS and their healthcare professionals to discuss lifestyle modification and the Overcoming MS Program with confidence, improving self-management and health outcomes.
· Engaging new HCP audiences, reducing barriers and perceptions of lifestyle modification in the treatment of MS.
· Leading on the delivery, monitoring and evaluation of key programmes, considering key insight, collecting and analysing data to measure impact against project and charity targets.
· Supporting the delivery of key products, services and events both in person and online that reach multiple audiences and budgeting accordingly.
· Identifying opportunities for accessing funding streams, working with Fundraising colleagues to diversify our income base.
· Raising our profile within the healthcare environment so that they recommend the charity and will advocate on our behalf.
· As we are a small, busy charity, all staff help with the general running of the organisation in addition to their specific role activities.
About you
Education or experience in a related field e.g. healthcare management, public health, you’ll have a strong understanding of the NHS, Public Health and the UK health care policy landscape. Knowledge of the global health care landscape would be an advantage but not essential.
You’ll have previous experience as a senior healthcare lead or similar role for example within the NHS or similar medical field or will have experience leading community or public health related engagement programmes.
With excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills, including working with stakeholders at very senior and professional levels, you’ll have strategic analytical skills, able to frame problems and solutions in a logical fashion and demonstrate a high degree of empathy and compassion for health-related issues.
You’ll have intellectual flexibility, able to embrace and deal with ambiguity, complexity and to be open to creativity in leading and bringing about effective change.
You are comfortable working remotely and attending events during evenings and weekends, with a full UK driving licence and access to a car.
What can we offer you?
Our staff benefits include:
• 28 days annual leave (FTE) plus a day off for your birthday and bank holidays
• Flexible working
• Remote working
• Pension
• Employee Assistance Programme
How to apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter by midnight on Sunday 8th June.
In your covering letter, please let us know:
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Your motivation for applying for the role
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Why you feel your skills are suitable for the role
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Your notice period
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Your current location.
Please respond ASAP, as we will start screening candidates as soon as we receive applications.
First stage interviews will be held online on Tuesday 17th June.
Second stage interviews will be held online on Friday 20th June.
We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We make hiring decisions based on merit. If you fill most or all the requirements, please apply.
No agency contact, please.
We're here for everyone with MS who wants to take control of their health and wellbeing.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Position: Fundraising Executive
Hours: Part-time,17.5 hours a week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Office based, from one of four national offices (London, Cardiff, Belfast, or Edinburgh) with flexibility to work remotely
Salary: Starting from £13,192 (FTE £26,384) per annum plus excellent benefits
Salary Band and Job Family: Band 1, Charity
*you’ll start at the entry point salary of £13,192 (FTE £26,384) per annum, increasing to £14,016 (FTE £28,033) after 6 months service and satisfactory performance and to £14,841 (FTE £29,682) after a further 6 months.
About us
We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.
Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.
Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.
Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.
About this job
We aim to deliver impactful, high-quality, and innovative community fundraising initiatives that engage our incredible supporters, providing an exciting and inclusive calendar of events and activities year-round.
As a Fundraising Executive, you'll support the Community and Events Fundraising Team with a wide range of events, helping to ensure they are delivered to the highest standards. You'll be instrumental in building strong relationships with supporters through exceptional customer care and stewardship, contributing to the overall success of the C&E fundraising objectives. Working alongside the team, you'll help create a positive experience for participants, ensuring every event runs smoothly and meets its goals.
This is a Part time, 17.5 hours per week position.
Closing date for applications: 9:00 on Monday 2nd June 2025
Interested?
PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Equal Opportunities
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.
We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application.
Disability Confident Employer
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.
You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.
If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.
More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to):
Encouraging work life balance
- 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
- More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
- Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us)
- Flexible working options
Caring for you and your family
- Generous sick pay entitlement
- More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment
- Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year
- Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis
- Enhanced leave for new parents
- Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
- Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
- 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
- 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time
- Cycle to work scheme
- Death in service scheme
- New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
- In the event of miscarriage or still birth
- To support fertility treatments
- For antenatal appointments for both parents
Thinking about your finances
- Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
- Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
- New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing
Enriching your life at work
- Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
- Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
- New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely
- Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups)
- Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support
- 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community)
- 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal
Safeguarding
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.
This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.
We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.
We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.
Your right to work in the UK
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.
You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.
No agencies please.
To fund world-leading research, share the latest information and campaign for everyone's rights. Together we are a community. Together we can stop MS
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
The Support Services Co-ordinator provides the key interface between those looking for support and the resources at Lupus UK.
This is a new role. We have identified the need for a specialist role leading on the delivery and development of our support services, including recruiting and training volunteers to deliver those services. The aim for this role is to create a fully responsive support service for the UK wide lupus community.
Please submit a CV, no more than three pages, and a covering letter, no more than two pages of A4. The covering letter should contain a brief statement on why you would like the role and an indication of how you meet each item on the person specification, providing examples where possible, unless referenced in your CV.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.