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This is an exciting role in a unique organisation. Our vision is to provide an outstanding experience for all UCL students and to be one of the best students’ unions in the UK and the world. We aim to build a vibrant and empowered student community with real influence in UCL and beyond, that enables students to enjoy their time at university; pursue their interests and passions; see the world in new ways; and develop the skills and experience to change the world for the better.
We are a registered charity employing over 150 career staff and 300 student staff, delivering a wide range of services and representative functions for UCL students. We have the widest portfolio of services of any student organisation in the country, managing UCL’s extracurricular programmes for sport, music, drama, dance, media, volunteering, academic societies and intercultural engagement; providing a wide range of fantastic social spaces; leading on student democracy and representation across UCL; and offering excellent student support services.
It's an exciting time to join our growing organisation as we lead the delivery of UCL’s groundbreaking new Student Life Strategy. This is enabling us to build more programmes to improve students’ mental and physical wellbeing, promote genuine equity for all, build students’ skills and confidence, develop their international connections and intercultural skills, and make a real contribution to our local community.
We support hybrid working. Excellent benefits including defined benefit pension scheme and generous holiday entitlement. We are proud of high levels of staff engagement and pride ourselves on being a great place to work. We will consider applications to work on a flexible and job share basis wherever possible.
The role is full-time and permanent. This role is based at our Bloomsbury campus with flexibility to work from home on a 40/60 basis (40% working from the office).
We’re looking for an Education & Advocacy Manager to empower over 2,000 academic representatives to influence decision makers and shape the future of education at UCL. This is your opportunity to support one of the largest networks of elected academic representatives in the UK, at a global top 10 university, ensuring students are core to the learning experience across all stages and levels of study.
You'll lead strategies that strengthen student representation, ensuring students are central in shaping UCL’s academic experience. You’ll work closely with student leaders and university stakeholders to deliver meaningful change and enhance the student experience.
Do you have knowledge of student engagement practices and effective volunteer management? Do you have experience empowering others and shaping educational policy?
If the answer is yes, then we want to hear from you.
An outstanding experience for all UCL students and to be one of the best students’ unions in the UK and the world.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title: Policy and Advocacy Manager
Position Type: Maternity Cover
Reports to: Founder/Chief Executive
Based at: School Food Matters, Blackfriars Settlement 9 Rushworth Street SE1 0RB (At least three days per week in the office)
Salary: £40,500
Working Hours: 9am-5pm (flexible)
Pension: School Food Matters pays pension contributions at 7% of pensionable earnings
Holiday: 31 days including bank holidays
School Food Matters is closed between Christmas and New Year
Job Purpose
· To lead and shape School Food Matters’ policy and advocacy strategy, ensuring our voice influences national and local decision-making on school food and food education
· To design and deliver campaigns that support and advance SFM’s mission
· To line manage the Press and Communications Officer and Policy and Communications Assistant
Key Tasks
· Lead and provide strategic input to campaigns, convene groups and partnerships
· Represent SFM at external meetings and coalitions such as the School Food Review
· Monitor, analyse and interpret relevant research, policy developments and news, identifying implications or opportunities for SFM
· Oversee the strategic direction of SFM’s external affairs and communications, ensuring all policy, campaigns, and public messaging align with the charity’s mission and priorities
· Provide policy research and analysis to support the activities of the School Food Review
· Oversee meetings and governance for the School Food Alliance
· Provide policy and communications expertise for the Food Education Network workstreams
· Represent SFM at relevant policy consultations, meetings and conferences to influence and inform policy discussions, and deliver presentations as required
· Lead drafting of responses to government consultations
· Working closely with the Press and Communications Officer, provide insights to inform timely media responses to policy developments
· Ensure colleagues are regularly briefed on policy activities, priorities and messages, and run internal workshops to keep them up to date with the school food sector
· Provide strategic input to meeting content for the School Food Review, and support the Policy and Communications Assistant to organise meetings for workstreams
· Oversee the development web content, articles, blogs and newsletter content by the Press and Communications Officer and the Policy and Communications Assistant
· Keep up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures
· Maintain the ethos of the charity and positively promote our work at all times
· The Policy and Advocacy Manager will also undertake any other tasks relevant to the affairs of SFM that may arise from time to time. Therefore, being flexible and approaching the job with an open and positive mindset is essential!
Person Specification
Essential
· At least two years post degree experience
· Experience of research and analysis, ideally in a policy environment
· General knowledge of issues around school food, children’s health and food education
· Comprehensive understanding of the UK’s political system
· Experience of coordinating policy/research-based projects
· Experience designing, coordinating and delivering campaigns
· Experience of working in coalitions
· Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain relationships with a range of individuals and organisations
· Confident and competent IT skills across Office suite of programmes
· Exceptional oral and written communication skills in fluent spoken and written English, with strong attention to detail and the ability to translate complex data and policies into accessible language and engaging stories and communication materials
· Strong understanding media landscape and social media platforms to oversee the communications activity of the organisation
· Ability to work independently, with high levels of self-motivation
· Good project management, time management and organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines
· Energy, enthusiasm, creativity and tenacity
Desirable
· Strong knowledge of the public health, food and education policy landscape
· Experience managing others
· Experience managing projects
· Experience managing meetings
· Experience of working with Drupal CMS
· Experience of working within a network or coalition of campaigning organisations
· Established contacts with media outlets/journalists/bloggers
· Digital campaigning and social networking skills
· Experience writing news articles and blog posts with clear structure, purpose and an engaging narrative
· Experience managing or supervising team members to deliver communications projects effectively
We campaign for a better school food system. We support schools, local authorities and MATs to improve food in schools.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.