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.
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.
The Policy and Campaigns Manager leads ADUK in championing reforms that pave the way for better access for all disabled people partnered with a highly trained assistance dog. Through dynamic campaigns and impactful initiatives, this role is pivotal to how ADUK amplifies the voices of those whose lives are transformed by these life changing dogs, ensuring that their rights are protected for years to come.
Key Responsibilities
- In partnership with the Executive Director (ED), continue to develop a compelling case for taking a standards-based approach to the training and welfare of assistance dogs.
- Gather, analyse and apply robust evidence to strengthen ADUK’s credibility, influence and voice on key policy and campaigning issues.
- Work with the ED to identify and progress opportunities for ADUK and its members to engage with policymakers, regulators and other decision-makers, and to support positive policy change.
- Develop and deliver written and in-person reports and briefings for different audiences, including politicians, policy officials, and other decision-makers.
- Collaborate with the ED and Head of Education and Allyship to develop relationships with key stakeholders.
- Lead, manage and convene the ADUK Advisory Panel, ensuring it operates effectively and informs ADUK’s policy and campaigning work.
- Monitor legislation and policy developments relevant to assistance dogs and dog welfare and communicate these as appropriate to members.
- Support the ED with the delivery of ADUK’s policy function, including the preparation of policy statements, briefing papers, media responses, and submissions to consultations and inquiries.
- Provide informed policy advice to the ED on priority issues affecting ADUK and its members.
- Represent ADUK externally, articulating its policy positions at meetings, events and forums, where appropriate.
- Take responsibility for projects, with the support of the Executive Director where appropriate, including joint work with partner organisations.
- Organise meetings, policy roundtables, expert workshops, policy training and other events.
- Provide information and support to service providers on assistance dog policies to promote access rights for disabled people with assistance dogs.
Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:
Essential – applicants will:
- Have experience working in a policy, public affairs/campaigning role, with a solid understanding of how the policy development process works and how to influence national policy.
- Experience in convening and facilitating advisory groups, panels or stakeholder forums to support organisational decision-making.
- Experience in planning and delivering events, workshops or meetings that support policy, stakeholder engagement or organisational aims
- Have the ability to analyse and interpret information from a range of sources.
- Have strong interpersonal skills including being able to develop positive and effective working relationships with a diverse range of people and organisations.
- Have the ability to act on your own initiative and develop new work.
- Be comfortable maintaining existing policy positions and relationships.
- Have experience in communicating complex ideas or processes to a range of diverse audiences.
- Have excellent writing and verbal communication skills and experience in producing briefings, consultation responses and other communications on behalf of an organisation and for a wide range of audiences.
- Represent ADUK with credibility and authority in all external communications
Applicants should be aligned with ADUK’s values of championing a standards-based approach to the training and welfare of assistance dogs.
See recruitment pack for full job and person spec.
To champion high standards of welfare and training for assistance dogs, and to work for a society where their owners have no barriers.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are recruiting a Head of Income and Engagement to provide strategic leadership and vision for two critical functions—Fundraising and Marketing & Communications—bringing them together into a unified, high-performing team. This role focuses on shaping strategy, building external relationships, and driving organisational growth through income generation and brand engagement, rather than day-to-day operational management.
You will set the direction for attracting significant funding, particularly through corporate partnerships, while strengthening what PAPYRUS already does well:
- Securing grants and trusts funding
- Harnessing the passion of our large, committed supporter base - including bereaved families and others who raise voluntary income for us
In a challenging financial climate, you will lead efforts to grow these income streams and maintain a strong, values-driven presence across press, social media, and broadcast channels. The role requires influence, innovation, and the ability to inspire all managers and staff, as well as external stakeholders.
Please visit the careers site for the full job description and person specification for the role.
Salary: £58,523 per annum (Scale SCP 46) progressing by increments to £62,852 per annum (Scale SCP 49)
Hours: 36 hours per week Location: Remote with regular travel across the UK
Contract: Permanent
Benefits: You will receive 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time workers), hybrid and flexible working arrangements, an attractive pension scheme, Simply Health membership, enhanced sick pay and enhanced parental pay. Please visit our website for more details.
Closing date: midnight on 22nd February 2026
We reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier if we receive sufficient applications so, please submit your application as soon as possible.
PAPYRUS is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment, and its recruitment policies are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
PAPYRUS is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk that interact with the organisation. The organisation recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of these vulnerable groups by a commitment to procedures to protect them. The charity expects all staff and volunteers to fully support and promote these commitments.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
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.
