External affair manager jobs in Edinburgh
This is a senior communications and public affairs role at The British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) at a pivotal moment for human rights in the UK. You will help shape public and political narratives about the Human Rights Act, amplify lived experience, and ensure BIHR’s expertise cuts through in national debates.
You will lead BIHR’s external communications - including media, digital content, and website oversight – and support evidence‑informed policy positioning and parliamentary engagement. Working closely with colleagues across the charity, you’ll transform insights from our programmes into powerful, accessible messaging and high‑impact advocacy.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a small but mighty team known for its expertise, credibility, and influence on human rights in everyday systems.
Please note this is not an entry‑level role.
Key Responsibilities
Please refer to the Application Pack for the full details, but below is a summary.
Communications
- Lead BIHR’s external communications strategy to ensure consistent, accessible, rights‑based messaging.
- Draft proactive and reactive press releases and media statements.
- Secure media opportunities highlighting BIHR’s work and the role of the HRA/ECHR.
- Manage the consistency and quality of website content.
- Create engaging digital content that translates complex human rights issues into clear, plain language.
- Maintain a content calendar aligned with key parliamentary, policy, and public affairs milestones.
- Track and analyse engagement data to inform strategy.
Policy Evidence, Analysis & Positioning
- Conduct policy research grounded in the HRA/ECHR framework.
- Translate lived and practitioner experience into evidence‑informed policy positions and recommendations.
- Draft high‑quality briefings, consultation responses, reports, and messaging documents.
- Horizon‑scan for risks and opportunities to protect and advance human rights.
- Maintain BIHR’s internal knowledge base on HRA/ECHR and priority policy areas.
Government & Parliamentary Engagement
- Monitor UK parliamentary activity and analyse implications for the HRA/ECHR and BIHR’s work.
- Build relationships with parliamentarians, government officials, and parliamentary offices.
- Support targeted advocacy to defend the HRA/ECHR and promote rights‑respecting law and policy.
- Represent BIHR at political and policy meetings and events.
- Ensure monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of public affairs activity.
Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
- Build and sustain partnerships with NGOs, academics, policymakers, legal professionals, civil servants, and parliamentarians.
- Represent BIHR externally and engage in sector networks.
- Communicate BIHR’s policy positions and resources clearly and effectively.
- Identify opportunities for collaboration and influence.
Other organisational requirements
- Work collaboratively as part of a small team.
- Support organisational processes and continuous improvement.
- Undertake other duties as required.
Who the Role Is Suitable For
This role is ideal for someone who brings strong communications skills, policy and advocacy experience, and a commitment to human rights as practical tools for change.
You’ll thrive if you:
- Can translate complex law and policy into accessible, compelling communications.
- Have experience engaging with parliamentarians, officials, and senior stakeholders.
- Are confident in human rights frameworks, particularly the HRA.
- Enjoy working in a small, collaborative team.
- Can manage competing priorities in a fast‑moving, politically sensitive environment.
- Live within approximately one hour of London, as regular Westminster/Whitehall meetings are expected.
Please refer to the Application Pack for a detailed Person Specification.
Applying for the role
Please click on the 'Redirect to recruiter' button (above or below) to:
- Get more information about the role, how to apply, and the selection and intterview process/timing.
- Download an Application Pack and Application form (and an optional Equality & Diversity Form).
Please also note that:
- Completed application forms must be received by 10am on Wednesday 11 March 2026; we regret that late applications will not be considered.
- You should not submit a CV and cover letter instead of using the application form; such applications will also not be considered.
Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to receiving your application form.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
BIHR's mission is to champion the Human Rights Act as a practical tool for everyday justice.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Team: Advocacy
Location: Remote with regular travel - Must be a commutable distance to Edinburgh or Belfast
Work pattern: Mon-Fri, 7 hours per day. Occasional weekend or evening hours required
Salary: Up to £37,565.95 per year
Contract: Permanent
We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.
Will you join us and make life better for cats?
Responsibilities of our Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Scotland/Northern Ireland:
- This role will cover both Scotland and Northern Ireland, the successful candidate will need to be able to travel between the two nations
- Lead engagement with the Scottish Government, the Northern Irish Executive, UK and local Government
- Support engagement with the UK Parliament
- Monitor parliamentary activity daily and conducting online research
- Preparing position statements and responses to external policy developments
- Developing public-facing charity campaigns including online resources, organising events and delivering presentations
- Media spokesperson for Cats Protection
About the Advocacy team:
You will be working as part of the Advocacy & Government Relations team in the Advocacy & Influence Directorate. The team is made up of 11 members who work across the whole of the UK speaking up for cats. Our campaigns change laws to better protect the health and welfare of cats.
What we’re looking for in our Advocacy and Government Relations Officer for Scotland/Northern Ireland:
- Experience of advocacy, public affairs or influencing work (which may include campaigns), ideally in Scotland/Northern Ireland
- Lives within a commutable distance of Edinburgh or Belfast or willing to relocate to the area
- Experience of policy work and research
- Experience of dealing with high profile/ VIP individuals e.g. Ministers, MSs, MPs, MSPs, MLAs, Government Officials, Local Councillors and officers, corporate executives; professional organisations
- Proven ability to multi-task and work independently on own initiative, accurately and under pressure
- Resilience and an ability to deal with potentially upsetting topics
- Experience of effective use of social media and the internet in an advocacy/campaign context
- A confident communicator with good written and oral skills; and great people skills
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to be flexible and adaptable
- Intermediate skills using Microsoft Office – Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
What we can offer you:
- range of health benefits
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
- Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing
- Access to a wide range of internal and external learning and development opportunities
- A friendly and supportive team
- We are happy to wait for the right candidate, please still consider applying if you have several months’ notice period
- and much more, which you can learn about
Application closing date: 11th February 2026
Virtual interview date: 5th & 6th March 2026
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.
If successful, your recruitment journey will include:
1. Anonymised application form
2. Video screening
3. Virtual interview
Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.
Please email us if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey.
Registered Charity
501 - 1000
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Animal Free Research UK is the leading charity working to create a world where human diseases are cured faster without animal suffering. By pioneering excellence, inspiring and supporting scientists and influencing change, we are ending the use of animals and improving medical research.
We are looking for a Media & PR Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping our public profile, strengthening our reputation and helping to change how the world talks about medical research.
This is a managerial role that will:
- lead the development and delivery of high-impact PR and media activity aligned with organisational priorities
- position Animal Free Research UK as a trusted and authoritative voice across science, policy and public debate
- build strong relationships with journalists, broadcasters, influencers and external advocates
- secure sustained, high-quality coverage across national, sector and digital media
- lead on issues management, reactive media and crisis communications in sensitive or high-profile contexts
- work closely with digital and engagement colleagues to align media, social and campaign activity
- use insight and performance data to strengthen impact and inform future strategy
You will work closely with colleagues across the charity to ensure our media and public narrative supports scientific credibility, policy influence and public engagement at a critical moment for animal-free research.
About You
We are looking for someone who brings:
- demonstrable success in securing high-impact media coverage across national, broadcast and digital channels
- experience building trusted relationships with journalists, influencers and senior stakeholders
- strong copywriting and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific or policy issues into compelling stories
- confidence operating in high-profile, fast-moving or sensitive media environments
- a strategic mindset with the ability to deliver tactically under pressure
- a deep commitment to animal protection, scientific integrity and the mission of Animal Free Research UK
A background in science or biomedical research is welcomed but not essential if you can demonstrate the ability to engage credibly with complex evidence and policy.
How to Apply
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. If you are unsure whether you meet all the criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway.
We recognise that people use AI tools in many contexts. For this application, please ensure your submission reflects your own specific experience and insights. We use follow-up questions at interview to confirm authenticity.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to take part in the application or interview process, please let us know when you apply or contact us via email.
To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter explaining how you meet the person specification and requirements of the role.
Closing date: Monday 9 February 2026, 5pm
First-round interviews: Thursday 12 February 2026 (via Microsoft Teams)
Second-round interviews: Monday 23 February 2026 (via Microsoft Teams)
Registered Charity
11 - 20
Our mission is to champion animal-free, human-specific technologies that deliver better treatments for human diseases faster.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Role outline and purpose
The Senior Policy & Public Affairs Manager will be accountable for overseeing public affairs activities, policy development and supporting influencing activity to advance the goals of the Supportive Communities programme. The role will plan and lead public affairs activities, policy development and support influencing strategy and activities, providing in-depth expertise across the programme with a specific focus on our emerging community design priorities and our work with a range of stakeholders, local/regional decision-makers and national policy-makers in the communities space.
This role is part of Trussell’s Supportive Communities programme, the goal of which is to enable local communities to become places where people at risk of needing to use a food bank are supported and are using their agency to bring about meaningful changes that prevent anybody from needing emergency food. This role is focused on the successful delivery of the overall programme outcomes, contributing to the fulfilment of our long term vision of a UK without the need for food banks.
Role responsibilities
· Lead public affairs activities linked to the Community Design portfolio within the Supportive Communities programme, including developing and delivering an effective public affairs strategy reaching key decision-makers including parliamentarians, mayors and local authority leaders.
· Work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders from the sector and among policymakers to shape and deliver the programme’s policy strategy.
· Lead policy development to achieve the goals of the Supportive Communities programme.
· Establish and maintain momentum in policy development across the programme, ensuring the creation of credible proposals and building a strong case for policymakers to implement asks.
- Support with wider strategic development as part of Trussell’s policy and influencing strategy, including working with colleagues to align policy development and asks within the programme across the UK, nations and regions.
· Provide advice and line management, including regular 1:1s and assessment against objectives, and identify development needs.
Person Specification
Technical skills and minimum knowledge:
· Significant experience of developing and delivering effective public affairs strategies and interventions with evidence of securing local or national policy-change
· Significant track record of successfully developing policy solutions and influencing politicians and/or key decision-makers to achieve policy change
· Strong communication skills (written and oral) with impact and for a range of audiences
· Experience of providing strategic input to support senior leadership
· Experience of line managing, including dealing with performance issues and supporting team development
· Self-sufficient use of IT, including proficiency in Work, Excel, PowerPoint, and experience in project management processes and software
Behaviours and competencies:
· Works collaboratively, managing challenges in a constructive manner
· Balances competing priorities and work to tight deadlines
· Demonstrates a dedication to the values of Trussell
· Demonstrates empathy for people from disadvantaged, marginalised or socially-excluded backgrounds
· Role models inclusive behaviour, values and leadership
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The Head of Advocacy, Awareness and External Relations is a senior leadership role within AtaLoss, working closely with and reporting directly to the CEO. The post-holder will lead work across the public, bereavement and commercial sectors to deliver AtaLoss’ strategic outcomes by:
- providing national leadership in bereavement awareness, advocacy and policy influence, including through Parliament, the APPG and the media
- strengthening the website as the UK’s trusted gateway for bereavement support, ensuring accessible, high-quality content and effective signposting
- enabling holistic bereavement support in communities and workplaces through partnership development, training and the growth of Bereavement Friendly Communities
- contributing to organisational sustainability through income-generating training, cross-sector partnerships and effective external engagement.
The role sits at the heart of AtaLoss’ mission to ensure that every bereaved person can access the right support at the right time, and to position bereavement as a public health issue requiring timely, coordinated and understanding response.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
This is a rewarding and varied part-time role at the heart of a national organisation working to improve life for the one in six people in England affected by a neurological condition.
As Administration and Membership Officer, you will play a key role in ensuring the Neurological Alliance runs smoothly, efficiently and professionally. You will support strong governance, effective membership engagement and well-run meetings and events, helping to ensure that lived experience, evidence and collective expertise shape health and care policy.
This is a practical, admin-led role with real responsibility and autonomy. You will manage day-to-day administration, support the Board and members, maintain accurate records and systems, and ensure financial and membership processes run effectively. In doing so, you will help amplify the voices of people affected by neurological conditions and our member organisations.
This role would suit someone looking for a meaningful, flexible part-time position where their work directly supports collaboration, influence and change. The role is home-based, with occasional travel for team meetings (around once every two months) and infrequent external meetings.
About you
You will be an experienced administrator who is highly organised, reliable and detail-focused, and who enjoys keeping things running well behind the scenes.
You will be comfortable working independently, juggling multiple tasks, and supporting colleagues, trustees and members. You’ll be confident using IT systems and databases, open to learning new digital tools, and interested in improving administrative processes over time.
You will bring a friendly, professional and collaborative approach, and share our commitment to inclusion, partnership working and improving outcomes for people affected by neurological conditions.
About us
The Neurological Alliance is the only collective national voice for more than 100 organisations working together to improve treatment, care and support for people affected by neurological conditions across England.
Our vision is a world where everyone affected by a neurological condition is supported to live life to the fullest.
Our mission is to unite and empower people affected by neurological conditions and our member organisations to influence health and care policy in England, so it reflects real-life experiences and ensures everyone can access the support they need.
We are a small, collaborative organisation with a strong focus on evidence, lived experience and impact. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and to supporting staff wellbeing through flexible working, regular 1:1s, and opportunities for learning and development.
Our values
- Inclusive – we listen deeply, value every voice and welcome diversity
- Bold – we speak truth to power, grounded in lived experience
- Together – we achieve more through collaboration
- Leading – we champion the rights and needs of people affected by neurological conditions
- Insightful – we connect voices, data and evidence to guide better decisions
Key responsibilities
The role includes:
- Day-to-day administration and office management
- Supporting Board, committee and member meetings (scheduling, papers, minutes)
- Membership administration, renewals and fee collection
- Financial administration, including invoicing and use of Xero
- Managing shared inboxes and responding to routine enquiries
- Supporting the AGM, member meetings and events
- Maintaining accurate records, databases and systems
- Supporting website updates, communications and surveys
The salary for this role is £28,000 per year, pro rata.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We are a Disability Confident employer and are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace. We actively encourage applications from disabled people and from people with lived experience of neurological conditions.
We will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace to support you to do your best work.
We may close the application window early if we receive a high volume of quality applications.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
By providing finance and support, at SIB we enable charities and social enterprises to exist, grow and thrive. We have disbursed £0.8bn to thousands of organisations since 2002. Our team believes in the power of the social economy, champions the charities and social enterprises we support - and we are all working together to build stronger communities and a fairer society.
It is a hugely exciting time to join the organisation. We are growing, investing in our expert team, and building on the successes of the last few years.
Find out more about our values and what we do by visiting our website.
Our values are: People First, Curious, Bold, Collaborative, Accountable
About this role:
Reporting to the Head of Policy and Communications, the Policy and Communications Coordinator will support SIB’s track record of sector, government and media engagement, notably the high standard of publication set through its media partnerships with Tortoise and the Financial Times, its contributions to the policy landscape in the social sector, and its in-house data analysis and insight generation. This new post will contribute to SIB’s ongoing communications and public policy work and its reach and influence, building on a growing base of expertise across SIB’s three strategic priority areas: Green Transition, Infrastructure and Services.
Key responsibilities
1. Support the Head of Policy and Communications to deliver the Policy and Communications strategy for SIB.
2. Making use of media and parliamentary tracking software keep abreast of SIB’s strategic policy areas, sharing accessible updates and digests of relevant legislation and central and local government programming and media coverage.
3. Attend / watch online relevant parliamentary committees, All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) and Commons and Lords sessions, capturing relevant outcomes and identifying MPs and Lords that SIB should seek to work with / influence.
4. Support the Head of Policy and Communications to identify a key parliamentary contacts list. Create tailored communications for these key contacts which share relevant statistics and case studies from SIB’s portfolio, alongside policy influencing lines. This will include drafting questions and briefings where relevant, and ensuring that regular contact is maintained.
5. Support the drafting of consultation responses and press releases using SIB’s core messaging, reporting, research and data.
6. Support SIB’s annual party conference attendance with coordination and administration in advance and in person.
7. Support the Head of Policy and Communications with attendance at influencing meetings and webinars with, for example, the Association of Decentralised Energy, Community Energy England, Locality, Better Society Capital, the Access Foundation and others.
8. Draft internal and external copy for newsletters and the SIB intranet and website.
9. Monitor the press email address and support correspondence with journalists on reactive and proactive stories.
10. Attend and provide oversight to the Social Investment Forum, as part of SIB’s secretariat and hosting.
11. Write, edit and produce engaging and relevant content at pace for web, social media and e-newsletters, as well as earned and paid channels.
12. Management of external suppliers of communications and policy activities, including agencies, designers, consultants and think tanks.
13. Work with the Marketing Manager, Marketing and Events Coordinator, Business Development Manager and wider team to deliver successful external events with customers, stakeholders and partners including attendance at Party Conferences.
14. Work in line with the organisation's values, principles and processes to achieve operational excellence.
15. Adopt our continuous improvement and learning ethos
16. Support and embed equality, diversity and inclusion into day-to-day behaviours and activities within your role as well as contributing more widely across SIB’s commitment to E, D & I
17. Support and contribute to the implementation and delivery of SIB’s strategy
18. In agreement with manager to undertake other tasks and work on cross team projects that support the objectives of SIB as required
Core competencies
- Previous experience of working in a public policy, PR, marketing, external affairs or communications role
- Excellent writing skills
- Good research skills, with an ability to absorb large amounts of information at pace, including in unfamiliar policy areas and produce cogent syntheses
- Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively teams across functions in an integrated way
- Good established networks through experience in a similar role, and a commitment to expanding those networks to support SIB’s strategic aims
- Experience of building effective media partnerships
- Good working knowledge of data-driven storytelling in a variety of outlets from organisation websites to mainstream media and confidence in interpreting data and understanding the key points to be drawn from it to gain traction in media and campaigning environments
- Experience of developing and delivering effective communications campaigns, including through a range of digital channels
- Strong planning skills and an ability to multi-task, work well under pressure and meet deadlines
- Strong understanding of UK political context, especially as it concerns the social economy, and parliamentary process
- An understanding of how to promote research, policy papers, data analysis and other activities of a think tank and consultancy
- Excellent IT skills and the ability to learn new programmes quickly
Desirable competencies
- Data visualisation skills
- Data storytelling
- A good aesthetic eye and ability to shape images, visuals and formatting, and to liaise confidently with designers
- Understanding of the UK charity and social enterprise sectors
Education / Professional experience
- Experience in policy, research and media
- Experience of collaborative working across teams
- In-depth digital communications expertise
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We believe in the power of the social economy to build a more equal society.