Director of external affairs jobs
Global Advocacy Lead (Maternity Cover)
Depaul International oversees a group of leading homelessness charities working around the world to end homelessness. Depaul International is seeking a confident and strategic Global Advocacy Lead to champion our international advocacy work and strengthen the global response to homelessness.
Position: Global Advocacy Lead (Maternity Cover)
Salary: £47,000 pro rata, plus pension and benefits
Location: Hybrid, 2 Days from Home, Central London Office + Travel
Hours: Full-time (5 days), open to 4 days/part-time
Contract: Fixed-term, 12 months from October 2025
Closing Date: Friday 5th September
About the Role
This leadership role will focus on driving forward Depaul International’s global advocacy strategy during a period of maternity cover. Homelessness is a growing international challenge, yet lacks a unified global response. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring our advocacy strategy continues to progress, positioning Depaul as a trusted partner and expert voice.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the delivery of our global advocacy strategy in line with the Depaul Group Strategy
- Building and managing strategic relationships with international stakeholders such as the UN, EU, multilateral banks and global NGO networks
- Representing Depaul International at advocacy forums, government and global policy events
- Supporting national members to strengthen their advocacy capacity and share best practice
- Commissioning and overseeing research that underpins advocacy and policy work
- Monitoring international policy developments and influencing responses to global homelessness
About You
We are looking for a skilled leader with experience in advocacy, policy or research, ideally within an international NGO, development or humanitarian setting. You will bring:
- A strong track record of developing and implementing international advocacy strategies
- Experience influencing policy at global and regional levels
- Confidence in engaging with global institutions such as the UN, EU, World Bank, G20 or COP
- Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, able to represent Depaul International as a credible and authoritative voice
- Strong analytical, project management and strategic planning skills
- A personal commitment to Depaul’s values and mission to end homelessness
In return for working here, you will receive:
- A comprehensive training package tailored to your needs and role
- Flexible working model for suitable roles.
- 26 days annual leave rising to 30 after five years of service.
- Family-friendly leave policies including - maternity, adoption and parental leave and Carers leave.
- Auto-enrolment to pension scheme employer from day 1 with employer contribution up to 7% and increasing with service
- Employee Assistance Programme and access to the app – 24/7 GP appointments, prescription service, health checks and nutrition advice.
- Discount vouchers including gym, retail, food & drink, travel, electricals and more.
- Cash benefit plan for you and your partner (living with you) and children under 18 including covering Dental, Optical, Hospital Stays, Scans and More
- Death in service (4x Base salary)
- Legal Advice line
About the Organisation
The Depaul Group – made up internationally of seven charities and overseen by Depaul International – exists because we believe everyone deserves the dignity and security of a place to call home. We are locally governed and locally run and committed to ending homelessness and improving the lives of the people affected by it. The Depaul Group also has a key strategic relationship with the Ruff Institute of Global Homelessness (IGH) and the Famvin Homeless Alliance (FHA).
Depaul International (DPI) oversees the Group, ensuring the highest standards of service provision, governance, finance and helping develop capacity in areas including fundraising, communications and safeguarding. DPI currently consists of a team of 14.
We are currently based in seven countries across Europe and North America, (Croatia, France, Ireland, Slovakia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States of America) providing a range of urgent accommodation and services for people in great need.
The Group also has a key strategic relationship with the Ruff Institute of Global Homelessness, which focuses on ending homelessness globally by bridging research, policy, and practice and the Famvin Homeless Alliance – mobilising the Vincentian Family across the world to develop new housing and other projects. Both strategic partnerships were born out of our shared values and commitment to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by it.
Ever since Depaul’s inception over three decades ago, our values have helped to create a unique approach to supporting people that come to us for help.
Other roles you may have experience of could include: Head of Policy, International Advocacy Manager, Global Policy Lead, External Affairs Director, Head of Research and Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns Lead
PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.
Are you an experienced fundraising leader ready to shape the future of Individual Giving and Legacies at a national charity?
We're looking for a Head of Individual Giving & Legacies to lead our talented teams and drive significant income growth through multi-channel marketing and supporter engagement. This role plays a vital part in the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association's fundraising strategy, with responsibility for developing innovative approaches, managing a substantial income budget, and delivering an exceptional experience for our donors, supporters and those leaving gifts in
You'll oversee a committed team, working collaboratively across the organisation and with external partners. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who brings strategic insight, strong leadership, and a track record in growing income in Individual Giving and/or Legacy fundraising.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the development and delivery of the Individual Giving and Legacies multi-channel strategy to achieve ambitious income targets.
- Support, develop, and manage a high-performing team.
- Identify and assess new opportunities for growth, leading associated business cases and change processes.
- Oversee supplier and agency relationships, ensuring campaigns are delivered effectively and within budget.
- Work with an external Legacy Administration LLP to ensure gifts in Wills are administered promptly, in line with delegated responsibilities.
- Collaborate across teams to support shared goals and deliver an engaging supporter journey.
- Work with the Data & Insight and Finance teams to understand campaign performance and monitoring key metrics.
- Promote best practice in supporter experience, audience segmentation and journey planning.
- Manage an income budget of approximately £15 million.
- Ensure legal and regulatory compliance, incorporating changes as needed.
- Contribute to relevant management groups and support the wider leadership team.
About You:
- Proven experience of increasing income and enhancing supporter engagement in Individual Giving and/or Legacies.
- A confident and inclusive leader who enables team members to succeed.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strategic thinker with experience of analysing data to guide decisions across multiple fundraising channels.
- Demonstrated success in developing new fundraising products or initiatives.
- Skilled in managing budgets and resources effectively.
- Familiar with CRM and other relevant fundraising tools.
- Committed to the values and purpose of the MND Association.
About Us:
Our vision is a world free from MND. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised, and addressed by wider society.
What We Offer:
- 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays.
- Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies.
- 24/7 GP access via phone and video.
- Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines.
- Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave).
- Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping.
- Enhanced pension scheme.
- Opportunities for training and personal development.
- Hybrid working.
The full job description is available in the candidate pack.
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.
As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.
Hybrid Working and Flexibility: This role offers hybrid working, with the expectation to attend the office in London or Northampton 2 days per week.
We are open to part-time applications or job shares - please indicate your preferred working arrangement in your application.
Interview Date: Tuesday 16th September
How to apply:
Please submit a CV and supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be no longer than one side of A4 and demonstrate how you meet the following areas of the role.
- Experience growing income across Individual Giving and/or Legacies, using data and insight to shape audience-led, multi-channel communications.
- Experience leading high-performing teams and creating an inclusive, supportive environment.
- Experience of building business cases, leading change, managing budgets, and working with CRM systems or other fundraising tools.
Important Information:
- We may close applications early if we receive a high volume, so early submissions are encouraged.
- If you require sponsorship for this role, please clearly indicate this in your application.
- Depending on the role, a DBS check may be required.
- If you need reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us for support.
- We are happy to consider alternative application formats for those who find the online form challenging.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you have a track record of producing top quality research and policy analysis? Do you have a detailed understanding of health policy and its political context? Are you motivated to help shape future work and play a key role leading research that will have significant impact at both a local and national level?
The Nuffield Trust is looking for someone capable of leading projects across a range of topics within health and care; someone who will be an energetic, inspiring presence in the team. You will have strong critical appraisal skills, with excellent written and verbal communication skills. You will have the ability to analyse policy documents, grey literature and official reports related to specific policy areas.
In this role, you will be responsible for a mix of short- and long-term projects, including in-house research and policy analysis and reactive work. You will be expected to develop and lead research projects, including leading funding bids, and you will work with a range of stakeholders, including funders and academic partners. You will have strong quantitative skills, and you may have qualitative research experience too. Expertise in workforce research is desirable but not essential.
We’d really like to meet you if you have:
- Experience of designing and leading mixed methods research
- Advanced quantitative research skills and excellent analytical and critical appraisal skills
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of health policy in the UK
- Excellent and versatile writing skills, and the ability communicate effectively to a range of audiences
- A track record of leading research and analysis aimed at influencing policy.
About us
The Nuffield Trust is an independent health think tank. We aim to improve the quality of health care and health policy in the UK by providing evidence-based research and policy analysis and informing and generating debate.
We want to help achieve a high-quality health and social care system that improves the health and care of people in the UK.
We set out to do this by:
- Improving the evidence base that leads to better care by undertaking rigorous applied research and policy analysis.
- Using our independence to provide expert commentary, analysis and scrutiny of policy and practice.
- Bringing together policy-makers, practitioners and others to develop solutions to the challenges facing the health and social care system.
Benefits
The Trust offers a competitive benefits package including a defined contribution pension scheme (with 14% employer contribution), death in service insurance, and an Employee Assistance Programme. Eligible employees also have access to a number of other benefits including interest-free travel loans, a cycle to work scheme, and enhanced carers, maternity, paternity and parental leave and pay. We operate a hybrid working policy (minimum 40-50% in-office working) and flexible start/finish times around core hours of 10am to 3pm.
Annual leave is 28 days per year. This rises to 30 days per year on completion of 5 years’ service with the Trust. All Annual leave is calculated pro rata for part time positions.
The Trust also encourages personal development and training programmes for all employees.
How to apply
To apply for the role, please download a copy of the Candidate Brief and follow the instructions on pages 10/11.
When preparing your answers to the application questions, please bear the following in mind with respect to the use of AI. The Nuffield Trust values authenticity and wants to understand your unique experiences, perspective, and personality. We acknowledge that AI can be used to refine responses, but this should not replace your own critical thinking. It is your unique insights and experiences that will make your application stand out.
Equal opportunities
The Nuffield Trust is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We wish to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and appointed solely on their suitability for the post irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
The diversity monitoring questions in the application form are optional and will not be shared with the selection panel. The selection panel will only have access to your CV and your responses to the application questions.
Final points
Offers of employment will be conditional upon the receipt of two satisfactory references. Applicants must also have the right to work in the UK. For further information please visit the UKVI website.
Strictly no agencies.
Evidence for better health care
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.