Director of external affairs jobs

This role manages the BSI’s Clinical Immunology Professional Network, and drives partnerships to secure funding and support. You will also lead the BSI’s work on vaccines, aiming to accelerate the development and deployment of effective and affordable vaccines that deliver patient benefit.

This is a highly visible role requiring extensive engagement with partner organisations including the NHS, charities, funders, government bodies and industry, alongside a strong understanding of the relevant policy landscape. Acting as a primary interface with clinical and research communities, funders and other key stakeholders, you will also secure external funding to support project delivery. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to build strong relationships and successfully deliver projects both within and beyond the BSI.

This is an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious and innovative science and health membership organisation, delivering impactful projects, and building important partnerships in the dynamic field of clinical research.

Employer: Community Rail Network 

Salary: £43k-£51.5k pa, full time 

Location: Home based / flexible or Huddersfield 

We are seeking a dynamic director of policy and communications, to lead and develop our increasingly impactful external affairs activity. You’ll be sharing community insights and evidence with policy and decision-makers at national and devolved level, supporting a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable transport and mobility, while overseeing high-quality, inspiring member communications and thought-leadership, drawing on grassroots experiences.  
  

About us 

Community Rail Network is a national not-for-profit organisation supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.

Community rail is made up of 76 community-based partnership organisations, and c.1,300 station friends volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence among marginalised groups, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener tourism by rail.

Our enthusiastic team of 24 works from home in different locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to support our members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights. We believe in developing our team and helping everyone reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.

About this role 

This role is crucial for us, our members and their communities, especially at the current time, with our need to seize on the opportunities of rail reform and devolution, promote wider use of sustainable transport, and bring communities together. You will spearhead our external affairs strategy and plans, building political relationships, influencing decision-making and raising awareness of community rail and its insights, while ensuring effective communications with our members and helping them to have a voice locally and regionally. You’ll be striving to put community rail at the forefront of a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable mobility.

As a member of our senior leadership team, reporting to and working closely with our chief executive, you will manage a passionate team of four, ensuring collaboration with our other teams, partners and funders, and drawing on members’ insights.

 
Main responsibilities 

• Lead the review, development and delivery of our communications, policy and insights strategy, working to position the community rail movement effectively, use its insights to influence policy change, and ensure our members are well-informed and have a voice; 

• Further strengthen our advisory and influencing work with national, devolved and regional government, transport bodies, parliamentarians and other decision-makers, especially around rail reform, transport devolution and integrated, inclusive, sustainable transport; 

• Ensure we’re engaging effectively with policy developments and opportunities, taking forward a programme of relationship-building, and identifying and engaging in relevant consultations, events and speaking opportunities, enabling community rail’s insights and experiences to be shared; 

• Collaborate with partners in rail, government and the third sector to feed in our expertise on community engagement with rail, amplify our campaigns, and build opportunities for joined-up communications and policy work;

• Continually develop and disseminate our evidence base and insights on the social, environmental and economic value community rail delivers, and opportunities to create greater benefits for communities from rail and transport; 

• Oversee high-quality, coherent and inspiring communications with our members and partners, promoting our work, and sharing news, opportunities, and good practice across the movement; 

• Manage production of high-quality resources, case studies and reports that our members can use to enhance their impact and which showcase community rail’s impact; 

• Lead and develop our media relations and awareness-raising PR, championing community rail and its messages on sustainable, inclusive travel and communities at national and regional level, while supporting members on local PR; 

• Develop our online presence and reach, making full use of our website, social media, our Scenic Rail Britain campaign, and partners’ channels to celebrate and position community rail and grow its reach and impact; 

• Oversee a calendar of creative and impactful campaigns that involve and empower our members, creating PR and engagement opportunities, including Community Rail Week;

• Play a key role in collective leadership, strategic focus and organisational development as a member of our senior leadership team, including through internal communications and cross-team working, annual planning, funder liaison and reporting, upholding our strategies and policies, and pursuing opportunities for continuous improvement. 

 
Skills and competencies 

1. Strong leadership and management skills, including experience managing, developing and drawing on a multi-faceted team delivering complex campaigns or projects, and budget management; 
2. Excellent communication and external leadership skills; articulate, assertive, and with the ability to work diplomatically and persuasively with stakeholders at all levels; 
3. An understanding of public affairs, ideally in relation to community development, sustainability and/or transport, and a demonstrable ability to identify influencing opportunities, deliver thought-leadership, and engage with policy-makers, including sharing community insights; 
4. Politically astute, with awareness of and commitment to social inclusion, social justice and sustainability, and a good grasp of the importance of public transport sustainable travel, and community-led action, to these agendas; 
5. Understanding of political processes and experience of engaging with policy and decision-making, ideally at national, devolved and local levels; 
6. Sound knowledge of communication and marketing methods and channels, and ability to oversee messaging and targeting of public and professional audiences, and to align content across multiple channels; 
7. A demonstrable ability to think analytically and draw on statistical and qualitative research to construct robust, evidence-based arguments; 
8. Experience of working with the media and achieving coverage at national, regional and local level; 
9. Experience working collaboratively with partners and ideally funders to deliver communications and policy activity and forming professional networks; 
10. Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while dealing with competing priorities, and to support team members to do so; 
11. IT literate with a good working knowledge of Office, the internet and social media; 
12. Appropriate qualifications and professional development demonstrating knowledge and skills in line with the above, and a commitment to ongoing learning and development.

Other information

As you will be home-based, we are flexible about your location. However, you will be expected to travel to in-person full team meetings quarterly (usually in West Yorkshire), and you will need to bring your team together (currently all West Yorkshire based) with similar regularity in between. Attendance at in-person events and meetings is also important. We therefore welcome applications from those with decent public transport links, not too far from a railway station, to enable journeys to be made sustainably.   

This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of six months.   

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.  

Title: Finance Officer

Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Contract: Two-year fixed term contract - until 30 November 2027

Salary: Local Terms and Conditions apply

About the role

As Finance Officer, you will contribute to effective financial management and accounting for the Bangladesh Country Office, ensuring compliance with local regulations and Sightsavers’ policies. You will manage accurate bookkeeping, budgeting, reporting, and forecasting, while supporting partner organisations with financial oversight and capacity building. The role also involves preparing donor reports, monitoring project expenditure, and maintaining strong financial controls to support organisational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate cash flow forecasts, monthly fund requests, and ensure timely uploads to accounting systems such as SUN/UniFi.
• Process approved expenditures with correct coding, maintain systematic financial records, and ensure compliance with organisational and donor requirements.
• Complete monthly bank reconciliations, collect statements, and maintain accurate cash and bank records.
• Manage payroll and employee benefits, ensuring timely payments and proper bookkeeping.
• Support partners with budgeting, reforecasting, and preparation of financial reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Review and approve fund requests, monitor partner budgets, and conduct variance analysis to identify and address discrepancies.
• Assist in preparing annual country and project budgets, reforecasts, and draft financial statements for audits and donor reporting.
• Maintain fixed asset registers, conduct physical verification, and ensure compliance with tax, VAT, and income tax return submissions.
• Conduct financial monitoring visits to partner organisations, provide feedback, and support capacity building in financial processes and compliance.
• Prepare consolidated financial reports for donor requirements, ensuring deadlines are met and data integrity maintained.
• Ensure systematic maintenance of hard and soft financial files and records, including staff provident fund documentation and investments.
• Support overall financial control of the country office, ensuring adherence to organisational policies, legal frameworks, and donor guidelines.

This is a highly varied and involved role and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. Please see the Job Description for full details.

Jobholder Requirements

Essential

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Finance, Accounting, Management, Business Administration) or equivalent relevant work experience.
• Experience working in NGOs/INGOs with responsibility for financial management.
• Experience managing donor funds and project accounting, including partner financial oversight.
• Strong knowledge of accounting processes and data management.
• Understanding of tax and VAT regulations in Bangladesh.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other MS Office applications.
• Strong communication skills in English and Bangla.

Desirable

• Familiarity with organisational procedures, donor compliance, and financial frameworks.
• Knowledge of NGOAB requirements and government compliance.
• Experience in financial monitoring and capacity building for partners.
• Ability to work collaboratively and contribute to team performance.

Closing date:

Next Steps

To apply for this exciting new opportunity, please complete an application via our recruitment portal. We are particularly interested in learning of your motivations for applying.

As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people living with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

Job Purpose

The Head of Campaigns will work to ensure that we meet our UK campaign goals, currently for Marine Protected Areas, Sustainable Fisheries, and Offshore Oil and Gas.  

Reporting to and advising the Executive Director, and working closely with the Leadership Team, you will oversee the planning, development and implementation of all delivery across our current campaigns.   You will manage the Campaigns team (2 direct and 2 indirect reports) to ensure that we deliver impactful campaigns that ultimately achieve our goals.

Eligible candidates should be confident and proactive, with the ability to oversee multiple projects, and with excellent team management skills.  They must have sector relevant campaigning experience, be able to support and advise during the annual strategic planning cycles, and be enthusiastic and positive in response to the changing demands of a small team.  They must be passionate, and able to design and develop creative and bold campaign strategies alongside our small but experienced team.

The position will be hybrid, with 3 days per week (Tues-Thurs) based in Oceana’s UK offices in Newquay, Cornwall or Paddington, London.  Regular national, and occasional international, travel will be required to meet team members and stakeholders in geographically diverse locations, including Washington, DC.

Oceana 

Oceana is dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans on a global scale. We are a leader in science-based advocacy, and we campaign for policies to make the world’s oceans more abundant, vibrant, and biodiverse. Globally, Oceana has won more than 325 policy victories for marine life and habitats. From stopping bottom trawling in sensitive habitat areas to protecting sea turtles from commercial fishing gear, our victories represent new hope for the world's ocean. Our talented staff consists globally of about 240 people, working in more than twelve countries, including scientists, communications, fundraising, finance, administration, policy, and advocacy experts.   All team members have the opportunity for occasional travel to our headquarters in Washington, DC to connect with the global network.

Oceana in the UK is tightly focused on some of the biggest threats facing UK seas, including protecting seabed habitats, ending overfishing, and preventing new offshore oil and gas developments. 

We fight for UK seas to get the protections they deserve through highly visible campaigns and detailed policy interventions to secure measurable changes to rebuild and maintain ocean abundance and health. We act as a vital public-policy interface – raising the profile of our issues through campaigns, science, communications, and expeditions, and influencing policymakers directly for commitments at key moments throughout the year.

Our small, experienced, and highly motivated team work in geographically diverse locations in London and Cornwall, coming together both digitally and in person as part of developing and delivering our ambitious campaign strategy to restore ocean biodiversity and abundance.

We’re proud to be bold, creative, agile and visual in our campaigns, and proud of the team we’re creating here in the UK. We’d love for you to join us.

Responsibilities

• Lead all current campaigns, and take accountability for the quality, timeliness and success of all campaign activities and deliverables in support of our campaign goals.
• Oversee all projects across the campaigns team including (but not limited to) campaign actions and launches, public mobilisations, digital actions, NGO partnerships and coalitions, and potential legal challenges.
• Oversee and document project planning, ensuring activities are underpinned by an effective theory of change, and ensuring input and buy-in is secured from all relevant members of the UK and HQ teams.
• Monitor and evaluate progress against plans, ensuring effective delivery of campaign objectives.
• Oversee the campaign calendar and budget, ensuring that all campaign deliverables are managed and delivered on time and to budget, with any updates accurately reflected in the quarterly reforecast process.
• Work closely with the Executive Director, Leadership Team and global team members on the strategic development and innovation of campaigns, reviewing and setting annual plans, longer term goals, and new campaign areas.
• Understand and monitor all components of all campaigns and be able to confidently communicate progress and details to internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee public affairs activities, manage political consultancy and co-ordinate Oceana presence at relevant political meetings and events.
• Collaborate closely with senior Science and Research, Policy, and Communications colleagues to ensure campaigns have robust and complementary foundations across all departments.
• Work with the UK leadership team to develop and communicate a compelling campaign vision and strategy to Oceana staff, supporters, donors, and allies.
• Work as part of the UK’s Leadership Team, contributing to decision making and overall progress towards organisational goals, and represent campaigns in this forum.
• Represent the Leadership Team in person in the London or Cornwall office 3 days per week (Tues-Thurs), providing direction and guidance and promoting a positive working culture.
• Manage and support 2 line reports, and 2 indirect reports, helping to coach and lead a high-performing Campaigns team.
• Build strong external relationships and represent Oceana UK to ensure we advance our campaign goals with a wide range of stakeholders, including civil servants, politicians, the fishing industry, NGOs, and businesses.
• Draft timely, accurate and compelling funder and supporter reporting.
• Draft periodic progress reporting on UK campaign goals and milestones for Oceana’s global board.
• Be prepared to represent the organisation publicly where needed, including through media interviews, speaking events, and writing.
• Ensure a strong commitment to the organisation's values and vision, as set out by Oceana globally.  
• Travel occasionally, both nationally and internationally, to meet with team members and wider internal and external stakeholders.
• Other responsibilities as appropriate and necessary to achieve campaign and organisational objectives.

Candidate Requirements

Education and work experience:

• At least 7 years of professional experience in campaigning, ideally toward ocean or environmental goals (essential).
• Experience leading and developing campaign strategic plans, alongside detailed annual plans and budgets.
• Proven experience developing innovative, bold and creative campaign activities in support of overall campaign goals.
• Experience as an active member of a Leadership Team or Management Team in a similar organisation.
• Extensive line management experience, including of multiple reports.
• Experience working in an international NGO (preferred).
• Experience working closely with policy colleagues, lobbying and negotiating with civil servants in government on policy matters.
• Experience working closely with communications colleagues, ensuring effective messaging and engaging growing audiences.

 Skills and knowledge:

• Familiarity with fisheries or marine and environmental regulations, legislation and policies in the UK, as well as with the key institutions and decision-making processes.
• Excellent project management skills, with demonstrable experience managing and prioritising multiple workstreams, tasks, projects and timelines effectively.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to quality and impactful campaign outputs.
• Excellent management skills, and proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Excellent relationship building and stakeholder management skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with staff and with other organisations and allies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organise, analyse, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Good understanding of the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and a proven commitment to improving these in the environmental space.  
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to speak confidently in the media and at events.
• Integrity and the ability to work with confidential information with discretion.

Equal Opportunities

Oceana is committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the community it serves at all levels of the organisation, and we particularly welcome applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented within the conservation sector. 

All offers of employment are conditional upon the successful completion of reference checks and a criminal background check.

• Application Deadline: Sunday 11th January
• Interview Dates (TBC)

Contract type: Full time, Permanent

Salary: £31,242 per annum (+£5000, London area weighting if applicable)

Hours: 40 hours per week

Location: Hybrid, with regular travel to our Devonshire Square London office.

About the Role

Nacro is looking for a Policy & Public Affairs Officer – Young People to support the delivery of our influencing strategy. This role will focus on developing Nacro’s policy positions on issues affecting young people and delivering proactive and reactive public affairs activity to influence decision-makers.

Working closely with the Head of Policy & Public Affairs and colleagues across the organisation, you will help ensure that the voices and experiences of young people inform policy development and public debate.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyse the political and policy environment relating to young people’s issues to identify opportunities for influence.
• Develop evidence-based policy positions, working with service users, frontline staff and research colleagues.
• Draft policy briefings, reports and responses to government consultations.
• Develop and deliver public affairs plans aligned to Nacro’s influencing objectives.
• Identify, build and maintain effective relationships with parliamentarians, government officials and regional decision-makers.
• Represent Nacro at external events, including APPGs, parliamentary events and meetings with MPs.
• Produce parliamentary briefings and contribute to legislative scrutiny as required.
• Organise and support parliamentary and stakeholder events that advance influencing objectives.
• Build strong working relationships with sector partners and external organisations.
• Act as the internal point of contact for expertise on young people’s policy.
• Provide content for media comment, blogs and wider external communications.
• Prepare briefings for the Head of Policy & Public Affairs, Director of Engagement & Impact and the CEO.
• Support wider campaigning and influencing work across the organisation as required.

Skills and Experience

• Significant knowledge of policy issues affecting young people.
• Strong understanding of Westminster, Whitehall and political processes.
• Experience of designing and delivering public affairs activity.
• Proven experience of influencing decision-makers and working with parliamentarians.
• Experience of building and maintaining productive external relationships.
• Strong experience of writing policy papers, briefings and campaign materials.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of political awareness and sound judgement.
  
   

Our Expectations

You will take ownership of your learning and development, always promote Nacro positively, and work collaboratively as part of an integrated team. You will adhere to safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, equality and diversity policies, and demonstrate professional behaviours aligned with Nacro’s values.

 

Why Join Nacro?

We believe that everyone deserves a good education, a safe and secure place to live, the right to be heard, and the chance to start again, with support from someone on their side.

That’s why our housing, education, justice, and health and wellbeing services work alongside people to give them the support and skills they need to succeed. And it’s why we fight for their voices to be heard and campaign together to create lasting change.

We see your future, whatever the past.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about influencing policy and improving outcomes for young people, we welcome your application. Please submit your application

This prominent role will drive our vision of transforming humanitarian action by strengthening locally led, anticipatory, and innovative approaches to crisis response.

The Director will oversee four key teams including, Systems Innovation and Change; Evidence and Learning; Policy, Advocacy and External Affairs; and Communications ensuring our work delivers meaningful impact, strong evidence, and global influence. You will shape strategic direction, lead organisational planning and budgeting, and help an inclusive, high-performing culture across a diverse and global team.

We are looking for a senior leader with proven experience in strategic influence, organisational positioning, and managing multidisciplinary teams. You will bring exceptional communication, innovation, and leadership skills, along with a commitment to Start Network’s values of inclusivity, collaboration and ethical practice.

Join us to help drive system-level change and improve humanitarian outcomes worldwide.

This great opportunity has arisen to join our External Affairs team supporting our Director of External Affairs and the External Affairs Directorate, as well as supporting the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Finance + Corporate Services.

Asthma + Lung UK is the only charity in the UK fighting for everyone with a lung condition, aiming for a world where everyone can breathe with healthy lungs. We fund cutting-edge research, and provide advice and support for the 12 million people who will get a lung condition during their lifetime. We also campaign for clean air and for better NHS diagnosis and treatment.

Reporting to the Director of External Affairs, your role is crucial in ensuring the directorate runs efficiently and effectively.  You will be responsible for acting as the first point of contact for the Director of External Affairs, supporting the work of the External Affairs directorate, and will also provide support to the Chief Executive and Director of Finance + Corporate Services. The role involves liaising with internal and external contacts, managing diaries, administering meetings, responding to queries, collating information, and ensuring that a positive image of the charity is maintained so that key relationships can be fostered.

We are looking for candidates with exceptional organisational skills with the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver on a number of tasks and projects concurrently. You will interact with colleagues at all levels across the organisation and will have good interpersonal and negotiation skills to be able to build and maintain effective working relationships. In return, we are offering a great opportunity to work in a friendly and collegiate charity where you can develop your skills and play a part in driving improvements to the lives of the millions of people living with a lung condition in the UK.

As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits including 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), membership of a health cash plan, employee assistance programme, cycle-to-work scheme, interest-free annual season Travelcard loan and pension scheme.

Part-time options considered at 28 hours a week and above

Interviews: Expected week commencing 19 January 2026

Nacro is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head of Policy & Public Affairs to lead our strategic policy development and influencing work with Government, officials, and other key decision-makers. This pivotal role will shape and deliver a high-impact policy and public affairs strategy that improves the lives of the people we support—those affected by the criminal justice system, housing insecurity, and barriers to education.

You will be Nacro’s senior voice in government spaces, the media, and across the public affairs landscape. You will ensure our policy positions are evidence-based, rooted in lived experience, and influential at the highest levels.

 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Policy & Public Affairs

• Lead Nacro’s strategic policy and public affairs activity with Government, parliamentarians, officials, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and implement a compelling public affairs strategy that drives meaningful change.
• Build and maintain strong, productive relationships with senior policymakers.
• Represent Nacro externally, including with senior stakeholders and in the media.
• Oversee the development of evidence-based policy positions and research projects that support Nacro’s strategic objectives.
• Ensure service user experience informs all policy and influencing work.
• Produce and oversee high-quality policy outputs including consultation responses, briefings, reports, blogs, and media commentary.
• Safeguard Nacro’s reputation as a trusted and authoritative source of insight and expertise.
• Provide strategic political intelligence and advice to the Director of Engagement & Impact and the Chief Executive.

People Leadership

• Lead, motivate, and support a high-performing team, setting clear direction and expectations.
• Model Nacro’s values and behaviours, enabling a positive, inclusive, and accountable culture.
• Manage communication channels effectively, ensuring key organisational messages are understood and cascaded.
• Set objectives, monitor performance, and hold regular one-to-one meetings.
• Support professional development and wellbeing across the team while driving innovation and high standards.
• Take responsibility for all aspects of people management, including recruitment, conduct, performance, and attendance.
• Recognise, reward, and encourage excellent performance.
   

Leadership Across the Organisation

• Play an active role in the Senior Leadership Team, helping to drive organisational strategy.
• Operate both strategically and operationally, identifying opportunities and risks for Nacro.
   

Professional Expertise

• Significant senior-level experience in policy and public affairs.
• Strong track record of leading policy campaigns that delivered real impact.
• Excellent political awareness, judgement, and communication skills—both written and verbal.
• Knowledge of criminal justice, education, young people’s policy, or housing policy (desirable).

Performance & Compliance

• Set and deliver directorate performance targets, ensuring effective management of budgets and resources.
• Oversee health & safety responsibilities in your area.
• Contribute to business development and bid work in partnership with relevant teams.
• Ensure accurate and timely record-keeping and reporting.
• Promote and uphold Nacro’s values, safeguarding, data protection, and equality and diversity policies.
• Represent Nacro positively, building strong internal and external relationships.

Why Join Nacro?

We believe that everyone deserves a good education, a safe and secure place to live, the right to be heard, and the chance to start again, with support from someone on their side.

That’s why our housing, education, justice, and health and wellbeing services work alongside people to give them the support and skills they need to succeed. And it’s why we fight for their voices to be heard and campaign together to create lasting change.

We see your future, whatever the past.

If you are a strategic thinker, an influential communicator, and passionate about social justice—we want to hear from you.

 Apply now to lead change where it matters most

Salary: £46,698 (London) / £42,373 (National) per annum

Hours:                       35 hrs per week

Contract: Fixed term contract (until March 2027)

Benefits

· 27 days annual leave + statutory holidays + 3 closures days over the Christmas period;

· Flexible working for all staff including working from home / hybrid working, and flexi-time/TOIL scheme;

· Attractive family friendly policies;

· Private healthcare cover;

· Season ticket loans;

· Employee awards, and training and development opportunities.

For more information about our benefits please visit our website.

Office locations:  London, Bristol or homeworker

The role will involve spending a substantial amount of time in the East of England (including early starts/late finishes and overnight stays where required) and regular travel nationwide for NHF events and meetings. 

Please note, if office based, the successful candidate will be expected to carry out two days in-person working per week on average which will include attendance at your office location.

Flexible working arrangements can be discussed and agreed with the line manager subject to role and business needs.

An exciting opportunity has arisen at the National Housing Federation (NHF) to join our team of External Affairs Managers on a fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave. The NHF is the voice of housing associations in England. We are the trade body to almost 600 housing associations, who have grown from philanthropic roots to provide 2.6 million homes to around 6 million people. You can find further information about the NHF on our website.

Could you be our new External Affairs Manager, working closely with our housing association members across the East of England?

This is a unique and varied role which would appeal to someone with a background in areas such as stakeholder management, policy, public affairs, communications, programme management – or a combination of these areas! For example, you may be looking to step into a role to further develop your leadership and stakeholder engagement skills, whilst still building on your policy or programme management experience and knowledge.

You will operate at the heart of social housing by working with key decision makers across the housing association sector – including managing relationships with chief executives, chairs of boards and executive directors. Strong communication and influencing skills are essential to the role, as well as the confidence to work at the most senior levels.  

It is crucial that you can work collegiately to lead key programmes of work across the NHF with colleagues in other teams, for example from our policy, press, events, and public affairs teams. Equally, you will be comfortable working autonomously and shaping your own work programme.

The core of the role involves being responsible for engagement with a whole geographic region of our membership; and working closely on or leading one of the NHF’s key themes of work, which include areas such as supported housing; devolution; developing new homes; decarbonising existing homes; ensuring the building safety agenda is delivered; or representing our rural or smaller housing associations.

The role is wide ranging and in addition to stakeholder management and programme leadership, will include running roundtables between our members and government, chairing sessions at NHF conferences, and presenting political and policy updates to senior teams within housing associations.

You will be part of a team of eight External Affairs Managers sitting within the member services directorate, which is there to ensure that we provide excellent value for money for our housing association members.

Key elements of the role:

· You will build and maintain brilliant relationships with housing associations leaders, using your well-developed communication and advocacy skills to maximum effect.

· You will develop knowledge, insight and understanding of housing associations to shape our policy and influencing work and to create structured programmes of member engagement on critical policy and political issues.

· You will be the contact point for housing associations in your region, ensuring they receive first class customer service on the issues which matter to them. Working closely with NHF members you will facilitate the organisation of regional chief executive or leaders forums and sounding boards.

· In addition to your regional work, you will lead on the strategic planning and delivery of a key NHF policy priority. This will require collaborative working with colleagues from across the organisation and working with members across every region and specialism.  You will play a leadership role, creating structured engagement strategies to ensure members are able to influence policy as well as engaging key NHF stakeholders and sharing best practice.

· Your role will be to implement structured member engagement to ensure our policy priorities, positions and influencing work are member-led. This will include working directly with members to inform our policy positions and lead our influencing work.

· You will influence debates at the highest level and you will spot in advance and act strategically to mitigate the risk to our membership. As such, this role requires a high degree of political and organisational acumen and the ability to horizon scan.

· You will work with colleagues in our Commercial and Events teams to maximise commercial opportunities and help shape content at our conferences, as well chairing conference sessions.

· To be the face and voice of the NHF with members, stakeholders and the media.

· To ensure that as an organisation we deliver as a whole team, seamlessly, to members to achieve greatest impact in line with the business strategy.

· To maintain high quality standards and follow NHF policy and process.

The successful candidate:

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

· A sound knowledge and understanding of housing associations and issues affecting the wider sector.

· A sound understanding of the political and policy landscape that housing associations operate in.

· Demonstrable knowledge and experience of establishing and maintaining relationships with senior stakeholders, demonstrating excellent customer service and value for money.

· Effective communication skills, in person and in writing, including the ability to credibly and confidently present at meetings and events.

· Ability to listen to and influence senior stakeholders, demonstrating diplomacy, effective communication and negotiation skills.

· Clear leadership skills, able to lead complex and strategic programmes of work effectively, including experience of matrix managing and motivating a team.

· Excellent analytical skills and strategic nous with the ability to summarise complex information effectively to aid decision making.

· A commitment to excellent customer service.

· A positive, energetic and agile approach to work.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

The NHF has published its equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, which was co-created with staff. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and we value the contribution each individual makes to our work.  

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and are working to increase the diversity profile of our workforce. We are currently under-represented by ethnic minorities, people with a disability or disabilities and LGBTQ+, and would particularly welcome applications from people in these groups.

Disability confident employer

We are a disability confident employer and if you are a disabled person who meets the skills and experience we consider essential for the role, we will offer you an interview.

Please note: there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job. In certain recruitment situations such as high-volume of applications, we may be required to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.
In these circumstances the NHF will select the disabled candidates who best meet the minimum criteria for the job rather than all of those that meet the minimum criteria, as we would do for non-disabled applicants. This is in line with the Disability Confident guidelines.

We are happy to consider reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process if you have a disability or have a condition that you feel may affect your performance during the recruitment process. Please contact the People team with your request or to arrange a time to discuss in more detail.

Our role profile and job advert can also be requested in large print or in accessible format via this email address.

Completing our Application Form

To apply for this role, please complete our online application form. The application form includes your employment and education history plus you will be asked to answer questions in relation to your knowledge, skills and experience, why you are applying for the role and questions in relation to our values. The application form is anonymous and will not require you to upload a CV or cover letter. This will help us to shortlist candidates for interview based solely on their knowledge, skills and experience.

Right to work in the UK/UK VISA sponsorship

You must have the right to work in the UK and it is important to note that the NHF does not sponsor individuals to work in the UK.

Closing date for applications: 4 January 2026

Interview date: 14 and 15 January 2026

Nacro is looking for a committed and politically astute Policy & Public Affairs Officer – Criminal Justice to play a key role in delivering our influencing strategy. You will help shape Nacro’s policy positions on criminal justice issues and deliver proactive and reactive public affairs activity that drives meaningful change for the people we support.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about social justice, who understands the political landscape and is confident producing high-quality policy materials, engaging with parliamentarians, and representing Nacro externally.

 

Key Responsibilities

Policy Development

• Monitor and analyse political and policy developments in criminal justice to identify trends, opportunities, and risks.
• Work with service users, staff, and research colleagues to develop evidence-based policy positions.
• Produce high-quality policy briefings, reports, and consultation responses.
• Serve as Nacro’s internal expert on criminal justice policy.
   

Public Affairs & Influencing

• Develop and deliver a public affairs plan that advances Nacro’s influencing objectives.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with parliamentarians, policymakers, and regional decision-makers.
• Attend and represent Nacro at APPGs, parliamentary meetings, and external events.
• Produce parliamentary briefings and contribute to legislative engagement.
• Organise and coordinate parliamentary and stakeholder events that support influencing goals.
• Work collaboratively with partners across the sector to strengthen joint advocacy.
   

Communications & Support

• Provide content for media statements, blogs, and external communications.
• Prepare briefings for senior leaders including the Head of Policy & Public Affairs, Director of Engagement & Impact, and CEO.
• Support wider Nacro campaigns and influencing work as required.
   

Professional & Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of criminal justice policy.
• In-depth understanding of Westminster, Whitehall, and political processes.
• Experience designing and delivering effective public affairs activity.
• Demonstrated ability to influence decision-makers.
• Experience working with parliamentarians and developing strong relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience producing policy and campaign materials.
• Strong political awareness and the ability to anticipate developments.
   

Organisational Performance & Compliance

• Commit to personal learning and development through supervision and appraisal.
• Positively promote Nacro and contribute to an integrated, collaborative team culture focused on supporting service users and students.
• Adhere to safeguarding, data protection, and statutory responsibilities.
• Uphold and promote Nacro’s Equality and Diversity Policy.
• Report any health and safety concerns within your area.
• Demonstrate professional behaviour aligned with Nacro’s values.
  
   

Why Join Nacro?

We believe that everyone deserves a good education, a safe and secure place to live, the right to be heard, and the chance to start again, with support from someone on their side.

That’s why our housing, education, justice, and health and wellbeing services work alongside people to give them the support and skills they need to succeed. And it’s why we fight for their voices to be heard and campaign together to create lasting change.

We see your future, whatever the past.

If you’re passionate about driving change, skilled at navigating political environments, and eager to develop your policy and influencing expertise - we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and help shape a fairer future.

Director of Communications – EMMS International (Remote, Scotland-based)

EMMS International is creating a new Director of Communications role following an organisational review, separating fundraising and communications into two Director posts. Reporting to and working closely with the CEO, the Director of Communications will lead all internal and external communications, raise the charity’s profile and influence, and provide strong strategic support to income-generating functions, especially fundraising. You will develop and deliver a multi-layered communications and external affairs strategy, lead a small Communications Team (including a new Head of Communications), and play a key role on the Executive Leadership Team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and implementing an organisational communications and external affairs strategy

• Leading EMMS’ rebrand in partnership with an external agency

• Growing and engaging core and new audiences across multiple channels

• Supporting fundraising colleagues with compelling campaigns

• Managing a small team, setting objectives/KPIs and overseeing performance and development

• Budget planning and financial oversight for the Communications function

• Representing EMMS at senior level, including Board meetings and sector bodies such as SIDA

What they’re looking for:
An experienced communications leader with a strong track record in strategic comms, audience growth, media engagement and campaign delivery. You’ll bring creative thinking, excellent written and verbal skills, experience managing and developing teams, and confidence operating at both strategic and hands-on levels. Familiarity with the Scottish charity, political and social landscape is essential, as is the ability to communicate effectively with both Christian and secular audiences in line with EMMS’ faith-based origins and healthcare mission. Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience is required.

Terms and benefits:

• Salary: £63,313 – £70,347 (depending on experience), with annual inflationary rise

• Remote role with monthly meetings in central Edinburgh (more frequent in first three months)

• 25–30 days annual leave depending on length of service + 10 public holidays

• 8% employer pension contribution (with salary sacrifice)

• Salary sacrifice scheme for electric vehicle lease

• Flexible working, travel expenses to office, access to Edinburgh office, some international travel

• Life assurance (three times annual salary) and Aviva Digi-Care app

Application:
Apply by CV and covering letter (each up to 2 pages) by Monday 12 January 2026. Interviews will be held in Edinburgh, with two stages. You must live in Scotland and have the right to work in the UK.

This important role supports the operational delivery of the charity’s busy events programme and supports the team and running the office.

The events programme is diverse - from drinks receptions and report launches to events at agricultural shows across the UK - and support on administration for the wider charity, including some communications activity. Through these events, we drive awareness of our work supporting family farms and rural communities. In doing so we also garner support from funders to tackle the issues facing the countryside, ensuring our work reaches a diverse audience to raise awareness.

Under the direction of the Head of External Affairs, and with support of the wider staff team, you will be responsible for coordinating and running all the charity’s events, including full administrative support, booking venues, the invitation process and guest lists, organisation of collateral (including marketing and promotional information), catering arrangements and researching and inviting speakers. You will be also ensuring effective follow-up to each event such as wider dissemination of event content, evaluation, and reporting.

Working on events will account for approximately 75% of the role. The remaining time will be spent working across the charity undertaking a variety of administrative tasks. This will include supporting the team with mailings, coordination of specific activities and some general office management. Whilst reporting to the Head of External Affairs, this role will work closely with several team members, particularly the Executive Support & Governance Manager, providing a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and experience of different aspects of the charity’s work.

What we are looking for

This is an important role, and we’d like you to have a sound working knowledge of end-to-end event management and office experience within a charity or other professional environment.  To be successful you will be required to demonstrate a confident attitude supported by good written and verbal communication skills.  You must be comfortable using Microsoft office suite, events management platforms and our CRM system (currently Salesforce). You will be able to manage your time and prioritise your workload.  An ability to engage with a wide range of people is also advantageous. Most of all is the desire to provide first class customer service.

This position requires you to be a reliable individual with a detailed, methodical and organised approach who can work independently as well as part of a team. You will enjoy detail and managing data, all this supported by an interest in our work and the desire to develop a successful programme of events. You must be able to handle confidential information with discretion.

If you are organised, detail-oriented, and enjoy providing support in a fast-paced office environment, we would love to hear from you. This is an exciting role that would suit someone looking to gain wide-ranging experience in the charity sector and who is keen to have an outward-facing position enjoying regular contact with our supporters and those who benefit from the RCF’s support.

Interview Date(s): 1st Interview: Tuesday 9th December 2025 & 2nd Interview: Tuesday 16th December 2025

Location: Camden (Hybrid Working)

Salary: £55,360 - £59,455 per annum

(Please note that applicants are usually appointed at the bottom of the relevant band)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (will also consider part time working 30 hours per week)

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: Tuesday 2nd December 2025

Closing Time: 00:00am

Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as an Deputy Director of Fundraising at Solace Women's Aid.  

You will be joining a team of committed and inspiring individuals whose dedication has saved the lives of thousands of women, men and children in the capital. We are looking for friendly and diligent individuals to join our services and help us make a difference.

Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.

About the Service
Income generation and fundraising at Solace is ambitious, dynamic and rewarding. This role is situated within the Business Development team driving forward our trusts and foundations grant applications and our unrestricted funding portfolio. We work alongside our award-winning Communications, Partnerships & Public Affairs team.

About the Role

We are seeking a forward thinking, creative and motivated individual who can envision and manage commissioned tenders, grant funding, individual giving, corporate partnerships and our training and consultancy functions.

You will be a highly skilled and successful fundraiser and business development professional.

The role will manage the statutory and non-statutory income generation team including tenders, grants and fundraising staff to achieve a net target of approximately £2m per annum. This team plays a pivotal role in the financial wellbeing of the charity enabling us to support the thousands of women and children who come to us each year as a result of violence against women and girls (VAWG).

About You

You will be someone who is committed to the Solace values, who thrives on leading a team to achieve challenging targets and who has excellent verbal and written communication skills.  You will also enjoy managing time and projects to achieve strategic success.

We understand that you may not have all the knowledge, experience, and skills mentioned in the Job Profile Document. However, your interpersonal skills, passion to have a positive impact, commitment to our purpose, and ability to learn quickly and collaborate effectively will be equally important.

What we can offer you

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

• Flexible working
• Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Employer pension contribution
• Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay
• Access to Inclusion Networks
• Daily clinical debriefing
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice
• Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings
• Flow & Restore yoga classes
• Meditation sessions
• Cycle to Work Scheme

How to apply

When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, transferrable skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:

• Values, Behaviours & Competencies
• Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.

No agencies.

Location: Home-based with regular travel to the Guildford office
Job Type: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £53,462
Benefits: 27 days holiday bank holidays (pro rata for part time roles), perk scheme access, life assurance, paid compassionate leave, enhanced sick pay, Cycling UK membership plus many more staff benefits.

There’s never been a better time to join the team at Cycling UK! We are 18 months into our ambitious new strategy – and we want you to be part of it. There are loads of reasons to love cycling, even if you’re not someone who cycles. From cutting pollution, to making us healthier and happier, cycling can help us all thrive.

As our Head of Brand, Marketing and Communications, which sits in the wider External Affairs directorate, you will have responsibility for increasing the profile of the charity’s brand with a particular focus on increasing engagement with our priority audiences. Working closely with colleagues within the Commercial directorate you will ensure our marketing and communications are aligned and maximising opportunities for impact and income. The role involves leading a team of 11 people in developing and delivering Cycling UK’s Brand, Marketing and Communications Strategy. This team has overall responsibility for ensuring Cycling UK’s brand is imbedded across the organisation and our brand profile is raised among our priority audiences. We are ideally looking for someone with vast digital experience able to ensure the charity is making the most of the latest developments in digital tools and platforms, with a particularly strong focus on digital marketing, supporter journeys and content strategies. The role form

If you’re a strategic brand leader, passionate about purpose-driven communications and making an impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Explore the attached job description for full details on this exciting opportunity. Complete the application form expressing why you are the right candidate for this opening. Focus on gearing your supporting statement to exemplify how your skills and experience match the requirements of the role, directly referring to the person specification. This enables the selection panel to assess your relative strengths against the specified criteria.

This role is home based with expected travel to London and Guildford.

Applications close at 9:00am on the closing date shown

You may also have experience in the following: Brand Strategy, Marketing Leadership, Communications Director, Digital Marketing, Content Strategy, Stakeholder Engagement, Campaign Management, Social Media Strategy, Brand Development, Audience Engagement, Marketing Communications, Fundraising Communications Head of Brand, Head of Marketing, Head of Communications, Marketing Director, Communications Director, Brand and Communications Manager, Digital Marketing Director, Director of Marketing and Communications, Marketing and Communications Lead, Engagement and Communications Lead

REF-225 742