Development writer and research officer jobs

Join the award-winning Independent Society of Musicians
Central London – Senior Communications Officer Full time – £35k to £40k DOE

The ISM is now looking for an experienced and talented Senior Communications Officer to join our team, reporting to the Head of Sales & Marketing. This is an exciting opportunity for an outstanding writer and communications professional to help raise the profile of the ISM, promote the value of membership and engage professional musicians through high-quality content and campaigns.
You will lead on the planning, writing, editing and publication of content across a wide range of channels, including the ISM website, newsletters, publications, marketing materials and external media. You will be responsible for developing compelling and persuasive content that supports membership growth, strengthens the ISM brand and communicates the organisation's work effectively to members and the wider music sector.
You will also play a key role in managing the ISM's content strategy and SEO activity, working closely with the Website and Marketing Manager to improve content performance, increase visibility and attract new audiences through search. This will include content planning, keyword research, link-building activity and reporting on performance and engagement.
Working collaboratively across the organisation, you will identify opportunities to showcase the work of the ISM Group, including its campaigns, events, resources, legal services and thought leadership. You will also work closely with the Chief Executive on the production of Music Journal, secure profile-raising opportunities for senior representatives and support the development of speeches, presentations and briefing materials.
You will have significant experience in a communications, content, copywriting or marketing role and be able to demonstrate exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills. You will have experience of producing engaging content for a variety of audiences and channels, alongside a strong understanding of content marketing, brand management and SEO best practice. If possible, you should have a music background. 
You will be joining a professional and committed staff team based in Bayswater, London. This is an excellent opportunity for a creative and proactive communications professional who wants to make a real impact in a leading organisation supporting musicians across the UK.

For a full job description for this role please visit our website. 

To apply please send a CV and covering letter saying why you are right the person for the job 

Closing date is Tuesday 1st September at 8.30am. First interviews will take place face-to-face on Tuesday 8th September. Applications generated by AI will not be considered.

Youth Employment UK is seeking a Senior Policy Officer to join our Policy and Research department at an important moment for youth employment policy.

The Senior Policy Officer will strengthen Youth Employment UK’s policy and insight capacity by helping gather, analyse and communicate evidence from young people, employers, members and the wider youth employment system.

Working with the Policy and Research Director, the role will support Youth Employment UK to develop high-quality policy positions, recommendations, briefings and reports, and to strengthen our reputation as a leading source of insight and practical solutions for youth employment.

This is a policy-focused role with strong research literacy. It is not a technical academic research post, but the postholder will need to be confident in interpreting evidence, drawing out implications, writing clearly, and translating insight into practical recommendations for different audiences.

Summary of responsibilities

• Monitor, analyse and respond to youth employment-related policy developments through written briefings, articles, guidance and formal evidence submissions. 

• Support the development of Youth Employment UK policy positions, recommendations and messages

• Work with Youth Ambassadors and young people to gather insight that informs policy positions, reports and recommendations

• Support delivery of our Youth Voice Census by writing up findings for a wide range of audiences

• Support Youth Employment UK’s Good Youth Employment Benchmark by conducting employer interviews and writing employer-facing reports.

• Support Youth Employment UK’s public affairs activity, including APPG, Connected Communities and other policy forums.

• Work closely with the Policy and Research Director, Policy and Research Coordinator and wider team in an agile, fast-paced working environment 

About you

We are looking for someone with strong policy judgement, excellent writing skills, professional curiosity and a commitment to improving systems for young people. 

You will bring:

• Experience in policy, public affairs, research, youth employment, education, skills, employment support, social policy or a related area

• Research literacy and confidence working with evidence, data, reports and lived experience insight

• Ability to turn complex information into clear briefings, recommendations and practical outputs

• Confidence in engaging with a range of stakeholders, such as young people, employers, members, policymakers, charities, NGOs, think tanks or public bodies.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication to a wide range of audiences 

• A high level of self and project management skill, able to work effectively as part of a team and independently 

• A clear passion for improving education, employment and transitions outcomes for young people through policy activity. 

A full overview of responsibilities in the role and person criteria can be seen in the attached job description. 

What we will provide to you

• Competitive salary.

• Standard company pension.

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 26 days after 12 months’ service.

• 2 volunteering days per year.

• 2 additional wellbeing days per year.

• Onsite parking, available on a first come, first served basis.

• Personal development opportunities.

• Free breakfast and lunch options when in the office.

• Team activities and events.

• Dog-friendly office.

Please note that this is a full-time (37.5 hour) role, with some flexibility over working hours. Our main office is in Kettering, right next to the train station. However, we are open to discussing remote and hybrid working arrangements with the right candidate. 

Position

MSF UK is looking for a Press Officer to focus on it's proactive, strategic media coverage. We're looking for someone who is collaborative, innovative and has plenty of connections in the industry - be that regional, national or international media, trade or political press, podcasts or documentaries.

Hours: Full-Time (37.5 hours per week) Mon - Fri

Duration: Permanent

Location: London – hybrid, 2 days per week London Office (including Wednesdays)

Salary: £41,902.62 - £51,214.32 per annum | Salary is offered in line with our pay framework and typically starts at the entry point of the band. Salary increases are considered annually and are subject to our appraisal and performance review process.

Job Purpose:

• The main purpose of this role is to proactively seek coverage of MSF / create news about MSF.
• This role is about creating opportunities for impactful coverage and setting up good relationships externally. 
• To raise awareness of the work and priorities of MSF with core target audiences via coverage in UK and international radio, podcasts, TV, print, online and documentaries. 
• Maintain relationships with international colleagues e.g. the International Office (IO), Communication Advisors, other press officers in key hubs globally as well as field communications teams. 
• While the majority of your time will be spent gaining proactive coverage, there’s also an expectation that you will help with incoming enquiries or offer to assist the News team if it’s busy - under instruction from the Head of Media or Senior Press Officers. 
• You will be part of an on-call / out of hours rota, including evenings and weekends, for which you will accumulate TOIL. 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Demonstrable experience in press office work, TV production or international journalism, 
• including substantial understanding of, and contacts in, UK media. 
• Experience in pitching stories and features to print, radio, TV, podcast and online. 
• Good knowledge of world affairs and a demonstrable understanding of and commitment to humanitarian issues. 
• Ability to work to tight deadlines, handle content of a sensitive nature, and be a team player.
• Project management skills. 
• Industry contacts preferred.
• Experience of international development/humanitarian relief preferable. 
• Experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite.The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Yammer. 

Position: Senior Communications Manager
Based: London (hybrid)
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Salary: £50,000–£60,000, dependent on proven experience and qualifications
Reporting to: CEO
Deadline: Please apply via the application form linked in this job posting by 6pm BST on 11 September 2026

About the role
The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) is seeking an experienced and creative communications professional to join our growing international team working to deliver conservation impact and protect the basic human right to a secure natural environment. Reporting to the CEO, you will oversee the implementation of EJF’s content and digital communications, ensuring our investigations and advocacy are presented with clarity and impact. This role manages colleagues in the communications team as well as working closely with campaigners, researchers, investigators, project leads and filmmakers across four continents.
You are a skilled writer and storyteller with a strong grasp of digital platforms and an understanding of what makes content compelling. You understand how to translate complex evidence and investigative findings into clear, engaging communications for diverse audiences.
We are looking for someone proactive, highly organised, and passionate about environmental justice. You will be comfortable working at pace, managing multiple projects simultaneously, and maintaining high editorial standards.

Key responsibilities
1. Content strategy and production
● With senior team members, support the development of a comprehensive comms strategy prioritising campaign outcomes across EJF’s strategically important nations and regions.
● Lead the development and delivery of compelling content across EJF’s communications channels, including reports, briefings, blogs, newsletters, and multimedia assets.
● Oversee the production of and quality-assure outputs, including op-eds, campaign updates, web copy, and supporter communications, ensuring consistent voice, accuracy, and impact.

● Work closely with the campaign and investigation teams from project inception to translate findings into engaging communications materials for a range of audiences.
● Ensure EJF’s editorial standards are met across all communications outputs.
● Maintain EJF’s style guide and communications templates, supporting colleagues across the organisation to communicate consistently and effectively.
● Maintain an editorial calendar that aligns content production with campaign milestones, report launches, and external events.

2. Digital communications and social media
● Oversee EJF’s social media channels, developing and publishing content that grows engagement, extends reach, and drives campaign impact.
● Manage EJF’s website content: commissioning and implementing updates, ensuring pages are current, accurate, and optimised for search.
● Use data and analytics to monitor performance across digital channels making evidence-led recommendations to improve our strategy.
● Monitor developments in digital communications and proactively identify new opportunities.

3. Campaign communications
● Work with campaign teams to maintain communications plans, ensuring messaging
is consistent, evidence-led, and tailored to relevant audiences to achieve intended impacts.
● Support the review and dissemination of campaign reports, policy briefings, and impact updates, maintaining EJF’s editorial standards across geographies and languages.
● When required, support the planning and delivery of campaign events, film screenings, and launches, including supporting external communications around
these moments.

4. Internal communications and team support
● Support effective internal communications within EJF, helping ensure that staff across the organisation are informed and connected.
● Work collaboratively to support strategic planning, team coordination, and reporting on comms outcomes.
● Provide communications guidance and capacity-building to colleagues across campaign and country teams.
● Manage comms colleagues to success, ensuring clarity in priorities and mentoring their abilities to deliver outcomes.

About EJF
EJF exists to protect the natural world and uphold our fundamental human right to a secure environment. We work at the frontlines of environmental injustice, alongside communities most affected by climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and exploitation - transforming evidence into action, and injustice into lasting change.

EJF is a global non-profit driven by a powerful belief: that environmental protection and human rights are inseparable. Through courageous field investigations, rigorous research, and strategic international advocacy, we expose environmental crime, challenge impunity, and catalyse systemic reform. Our work delivers real-world impact, shaping policy, strengthening governance, protecting vital ecosystems and biodiversity, and defending those who risk their lives to safeguard them. Our campaigns span four deeply interconnected areas: oceans, climate, forests and wetlands, and the training, protection, and empowerment of environmental defenders and journalists.
EJF is an international organisation with a diverse team working across four continents, united by a shared ambition: to protect people by protecting the planet. We are bold, evidence-led, and impact-driven. We speak truth to power – and we build pathways to a fairer, more resilient future. Join Us.

Essential skills and experience
● Demonstrable commitment to EJF's vision, mission and values and a determination to change the world for the better.
● At least five years of professional experience in a communications role.
● An outstanding writer and editor in English, able to adapt style and tone for different audiences, formats, and platforms.
● Demonstrable experience leading and managing social media channels and digital content for an organisation, with a strong understanding of platform strategy and analytics.
● Experience producing a range of communications content, including reports, blogs, web copy, newsletters, and social media.
● Excellent project management skills: able to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously and coordinate input from colleagues across teams.
● Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to factual accuracy.
● A collaborative and solutions-focused approach; comfortable working in a fast-paced, international environment.

Desirable skills and experience
● Experience working on environmental, human rights, or related issues.
● Team management - a proven ability to motivate colleagues to achieve.
● Familiarity with SEO, email marketing platforms, and web content management systems.
● Experience producing or commissioning multimedia content (video, photography, data visualisation).

● Proficiency in one or more additional languages relevant to EJF’s work.
● Experience supporting or coordinating communications across an international or multi-office organisation.

What we offer
● 22 days annual leave (plus public holidays), increasing with each year of service, plus additional paid leave between Christmas and New Year.
● Private healthcare package.
● Generous pension scheme, with employer contributions increasing over time.
● Hybrid working (3 days in the office).
● Cycle-to-work scheme.
● A supportive working environment, with genuine opportunities for professional development and career progression.
● The chance to play a meaningful role in an organisation delivering real-world impact for people and planet.

Application
To apply, please complete the application form linked in this job posting. This includes:
● Cover letter outlining your suitability and interest in the role (max 2 pages)
● CV (max 2 pages)

The deadline for applications is 18:00 BST on 11 September, 2026.

** We encourage early applications as we review on a rolling basis and may begin
interviewing shortlisted candidates ahead of the deadline.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. If you feel you would be
a good fit for this role but are unsure if you meet every single requirement, we strongly
encourage you to apply.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No other forms of communication or agencies
please.
You must hold the legal right to work in the UK.