Communications and public affairs assistant jobs
Senior External Affairs Adviser
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract (12 months)
Full time: 34.5 hours, we are open to a conversation about how you work these hours
Location: Home based
Salary range: £43,000 - £48,000
About us
At Macmillan you'll find talented people working together to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. We're going all out to find even better ways to help even more people who need our support. Our values are at the heart of who we are and everything we do, inspiring our thinking and guiding our actions.
Our new organisational strategy sets out how we’ll fight even harder to make every pound raised count for even more. With your help, we’ll transform cancer care for good.
About the role
Join Macmillan Cancer Support as a Senior External Affairs Adviser, where you will play a vital role in shaping and delivering impactful change propositions and external affairs strategies across the UK. Your work will focus on delivering at-scale change for people with cancer, particularly the most marginalised groups.
Key responsibilities:
- Provide senior-level advice to develop external affairs strategies aligned with Macmillan’s mission.
- Lead cross-functional external affairs projects that are evidence-based and impactful.
- Develop and manage relationships with political stakeholders, policymakers, civil servants and healthcare providers.
- Provide high-quality insight and briefings to senior colleagues on the political landscape, and what the external opportunities and risks are.
- Anticipate shifts within the external environment and adapt approaches to maintain our relevance and influence.
- Collaborate with teams to ensure policy positions are strategic and evidence-based.
- Represent Macmillan at external events, advocating for improvements in cancer care.
- Coordinate campaigns to influence public policy and funding decisions.
About you
The successful candidate will have...
- Proven ability to manage complex and sensitive external contexts, making sound judgements on tone and messaging.
- Strong understanding of operating within a four-nations context and engaging with diverse stakeholders, including senior politicians and civil servants.
- Expertise in analysing complex policy issues and developing impactful, evidence-based policy positions.
- Strong organisational skills and flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and emerging issues.
- Excellent communication skills which are adaptable for external and internal audiences.
- Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams or on multi-disciplinary projects.
Recruitment process
Application deadline: 23:59 on Tuesday 16th December 2025
Interview date: Virtual interviews will be held on 8th January 2026
To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed.
So we can support you to be your best during the application or interview process, please contact Macmillan's TA Team for advice and reasonable adjustments.
We welcome applications from everyone who meet the criteria and strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Macmillan. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy along with our internal employee representation body, ‘Our Voice’ and 8 Employee Network groups help us promote fairness and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.
At Macmillan you'll find talented people working together to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer.


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!
We are looking to recruit an experienced journalist to manage all aspects of content development and production of the Charity’s membership magazine, Under 5, in both print and digital format. This is a hybrid role (two days a week in the London office).
Benefits:
- 26 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, pro rata for part time employees
- Enhanced sickness pay
- Employer and employee contribution pension scheme
- Birthday leave so you can have a day off for your birthday dedicated to you and your well being
- Enhanced sickness pay and paid bereavement leave
- Regular access to internal and external learning and development opportunities
- A Recruitment Referral Payment Scheme, giving you an introductory payment of up to £300 if someone you have referred to the Alliance takes up a role in the charity.
- Access to our Employee Assistant Programme (EAP), which includes 24/7 helpline access, dedicated managers helpline, confidential counselling sessions delivered by accredited specialists, legal, debt and life management advice, discounts, and wellbeing content plus resources.
- Savings of up to 25% on O2 Refresh Airtime Plan on any new phone or tablets
- A dedicated mental health First Aider to support your mental well being
Main duties:
- To identify and research themes for each issue, sourcing and managing contributors to ensure the magazine has a clear, consistent, relevant and interesting voice to the readership.
- To lead on planning, sourcing contributors, writing and managing content of Under 5 magazine, 10 issues produced every year
- To liaise with Communications and External Affairs colleagues to ensure that corporate partnership publicity, advertorial, editorial and competition deals are delivered to meet terms of contra deals in relevant issues of Under 5.
- To write, edit and upload regular online news stories for selected digital communication including planning, writing and managing content for the fortnightly Under 5 e-newsletter.
Essential criteria:
- Proven experience of working on magazine in an editorial role with an ability to lead on commissioning, writing, sub-editing and proofing professional copy.
- Excellent journalistic writing skills, with the ability to write concise and accurate news copy.
- Clear understanding and practical experience of managing magazine print and production processes
- Strong interpersonal skills with direct experience of managing internal and external suppliers, journalists, production staff, advertisers and contributors.
- Strong creative and written skills with an ability to produce clear, accurate and interesting copy tailored for different audiences.
Please provide an additional statement with your application explaining how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification.
To support early years providers to deliver high quality, affordable and sustainable care and learning to families.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Grade: 6
Salary: £15,582 per annum, pro rata (£25,971 FTE)
Position type: Part time, 22.5 hours a week, 12 months fixed term contract (Flexible working considered)
Responsible to: Supporter Care Team Lead/Officer
Direct reports: None
Location: ShelterBox HQ, Truro, Cornwall (Hybrid working with minimum one day per week in the office)
ROLE:
As part of the Supporter Care team, the Supporter Care Assistant will help provide an excellent supporter experience and through every interaction will seek to build meaningful relationships with our supporters which increases their level of satisfaction and engagement. Whether you are handling donations, maintaining a high-quality database, responding to various supporter enquiries and fulfilling their requests, responding to complaints and feedback, or providing supportive administrative services to the department, the delivery of outstanding customer service to our many supporters will remain at the heart of your role and be the focus of your efforts. Over the coming year ShelterBox is transitioning to a new CRM system (Dynamics 365), and the job holder will be involved in supporting team SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) and being active participant in adopting new changes and learning new processes.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
We are looking for a proactive and enthusiastic individual with a passion for amazing supporter experience. The ideal candidate will be a great communicator and be a real people person with previous experience in customer facing roles. They will have a keen eye for detail, able to accurately follow processes and have experience handling spreadsheets and databases.
As part of a growing organisation, we are looking for someone with an interest in supporter engagement and international affairs who will continuously seek new ways to ensure supporters are at the heart of everything we do.
Duties will include but not be limited to:
* Delivering a consistent and high quality of supporter engagement through all enquiry channels including inbox, phone calls, social media direct messages and post.
* Managing the ongoing relationship with supporters as they progress in their ShelterBox journey.
* Championing the supporter voice throughout the organisation via meetings, communications and daily interaction.
* Processing and acknowledging all donations that have come in through a range of sources including but not limited to post, website, standing orders, direct debits and financial reconciliations.
* Maintaining accurate gift aid records.
* Ensuring supporter records are kept up to date and data entry is accurate, recording all communications on our CRM database.
* Producing written correspondence such as bespoke letters and responding to feedback or complaints.
* Aiding the Supporter Care Manager, Supporter Care Team Leader & Supporter Care Officer in project work that will develop the team's approach to supporter engagement.
* Supporting and supervising volunteers within the team.
* Taking an active part in ensuring your own personal development.
* Contributing new ideas and continually seeking to improve processes to drive efficiency and improve supporter experience.
* Undertaking general admin tasks related to supporter communications such as filing, scanning etc.
General Duties
Contribute new ideas and continually seek to improve processes to drive efficiency and improve supporter experience.
* Participate in the day-to-day work of the organisation - such as reporting, attending team meetings as required, and taking a flexible approach.
* Following all policies and procedures at all times and contributing to the review of any policies and procedures as required.
* As part of an emergency organisation there will be times when you will be required to work evenings and weekends at short notice in response to a disaster.
* Occasionally represent the work of ShelterBox at events to members of the public and supporters.
Job Title: Hertfordshire Project Officer
Salary: £29,500 (London Fringe weighting)
Position Type: Full time/Fixed term (until December 2028)
Reports to: Scaling Manager
Based at: Remote, with travel to schools in Hertfordshire
Working Hours: 5 days a week, 9am-5pm (flexible)
Pension: School Food Matters matches pension contributions at 7% of pensionable earnings
Holiday: 31 days including bank holidays that fall on working days. Holidays must be taken during the school holidays
This role requires occasional work outside of core hours (for example, if visiting a school breakfast club). It also requires travel to schools across Hertfordshire, so access to a car would be desirable. Training for delivery of the programme will be provided online and in person, and you will be expected to travel outside of Hertfordshire for some of these sessions.
Background to School Food Matters
At School Food Matters we believe that school food can unlock a happier, healthier, more sustainable future for every child. We want a school food system that delivers for all children, so they can enjoy nutritious, delicious and sustainable school food and leave school with an informed and positive relationship with food. To achieve this, we campaign for a better school food system, bringing the voices of children, parents, and teachers to government policy, and deliver fully funded food education programmes in schools across the country.
Background to Nourish
Our Nourish programme supports schools to create a food environment that puts children and young people's nutrition first. The evidence-based, multi-component programme helps schools to develop action plans and policies to cover the food served across the whole school day. Nourish uses a collaborative whole school approach to food involving everyone across the school community to create lasting positive change.
Job purpose
· To deliver Nourish in 40 schools in Hertfordshire (primary, secondary and SEND settings) over 3 years in a delivery team of two Project Officers and a Project Assistant.
Key tasks include
· Support with recruitment of schools to take part in Nourish
· Complete in person food audits in schools looking across the whole school day
· Support schools to create and deliver a food improvement plan (action plan)
· Develop and deliver workshops in schools to staff, parents and students based on their action plan (e.g. assemblies, cooking sessions, school food standards training, packed lunch advice, food ed/sensory tasting sessions)
· Support schools to write a school food policy
· Build relationships and work closely with teachers, teaching assistants, cooks, kitchen teams and senior leaders in schools to improve the food they offer their students
· Collect data and maintain accurate records relating to the project
· Work closely with University of Hertfordshire and our Evaluation team to complete all monitoring and evaluation
· Work in collaboration with Hertfordshire project delivery team
· Gather content for our comms team (website and social media platforms)
· Keep Scaling Manager fully updated on progress
· Keep up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures
· Maintaining the ethos of the charity and positively promoting our work at all times
· You will also be expected to 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
· Registered nutritionist or advanced understanding of nutritional guidelines and health promotion
· Good interpersonal skills, with experience of building relationships
· Confident engaging with a variety of audiences (students, headteachers, school staff and parents), including communications via email, virtual and face to face meetings with the ability to deliver workshops & presentations
· Excellent administrative and organisational skills with great attention to detail
· Excellent IT skills including excel, word and email
· Able to work independently and remote
· Self-motivated and optimistic with a can-do attitude
· Ability to work in a team and seek help when needed
Desirable
· Experience of engaging and working with schools and/or communities
· Experience of working for a charity or not for profit organisation
· Knowledge in food education and children’s health
· Access to a car
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.
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!
Community Fundraiser - Home Counties
Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?
Brain Tumour Research is seeking an experienced and motivated fundraiser to join our team. As a key part of our fundraising efforts in our high-performing East region, you will have the opportunity to drive income generation through a variety of initiatives, including challenge events, fundraising groups, and corporate partnerships such as charity of the year. You will also be responsible for driving initiatives to increase our profile and supporter base within Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Essex.
Key Responsibilities:
- Generate income across a range of community fundraising initiatives and events, with the opportunity to lead on key projects
- Steward supporters to help drive the charity’s fundraising activities and growth
- Work with the fundraising team to develop and maintain strong relationships with fundraisers, donors, partners, and key stakeholders
- Contribute towards the growth and success of fundraising efforts, ensuring a sustainable income stream for the vital ongoing funding of brain tumour research
Requirements:
- At least one year of fundraising experience, with a proven track record in income generation
- Strong experience in supporter stewardship
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire supporters and partners alike
- Passion for Brain Tumour Research and its mission to fund research and ultimately find a cure
If you are looking for a fulfilling and impactful role and have the level of experience and skill we are looking for, we welcome your application.
We will give preference to those candidates living in the Bucks, Beds and Northants areas of this region.
We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.
We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process. Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.
Closing Date: 14th December 2025
We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.
To find a cure for all types of brain tumours To increase the UK investment in brain tumour research
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Purpose of the job
The Head of Programmes will lead the strategic planning, delivery, and quality assurance of our youth development programmes. The role is responsible for ensuring high-quality programme implementation, managing key stakeholder relationships, overseeing budgets and resources, and ensuring safeguarding and compliance standards are met.
Key responsibilities
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Programme Delivery, Management & Quality Assurance
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Stakeholder Management
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Planning, Budget and Resource Management
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Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
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Leadership and Management
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Safeguarding, Inclusion and Wellbeing
Experience we're after
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Significant experience in programme management within the youth, education, employability, or mental health sectors.
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·Strong leadership skills with experience in managing teams and delivery partners.
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Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
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Proven experience in budgeting, resource management, and financial oversight.
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Strong understanding of safeguarding and risk management in youth programmes.
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Ability to use data and evaluation to drive programme improvement.
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Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
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Excellent strategic and operational planning skills with the ability to successfully manage a diverse and complex programme portfolio.
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Excellent leadership and team management skills, with experience developing staff and effectively managing performance.
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Knowledge of safeguarding principles and practice.
Why work at UK Youth?
UK Youth is a leading charity that exists to ensure all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. We have influence as a sector-supporting infrastructure body, a direct delivery partner and a campaigner for social change. As outlined in our 2025 #unlockingyouthwork strategy, we believe youth work is a catalyst for change that young people need now more than ever. We play a unique role in addressing; the lack of investment into the youth sector, the lack of cross-sector understanding of how youth work makes a difference and the limited opportunities to embed effective solutions.
We are building a movement of change; galvanising likeminded individuals, organisations, government, and businesses from all sectors, to work together and deliver system change for all young people. Together we will create a society that understands, champions, and delivers effective youth work for all.
What we can offer you
We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:
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Flexible/Agile Working
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27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)
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Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity
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Other training available in support of your personal and professional development
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Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)
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Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary
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Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally
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20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.
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IT equipment provided for the duration of contract
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CycleScheme and TechScheme
How to apply
If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.
Closing date: Monday 8th December 2025 at 10:00am
Provisional Interview Dates: W/C 15th December 2025
As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.
UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.