External affair manager jobs in Edinburgh

Fantastic opportunity for a Fundraising and Grants Manager 

Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) is a well-established and respected national charity offering specialist and expert advocacy and peer support to families bereaved by fatal domestic abuse. We have an exciting opportunity to build upon and grow our fundraising success to date, in the role ofFundraising and Grants Manager. We are seeking an experienced fundraising professional, with the drive and determination to manage all aspects of our fundraising function.

AAFDA is currently funded by statutory bodies, trusts and foundations, corporates, events and individuals. Under your management, you will identify, cultivate and grow these existing and new fundraising streams.As AAFDA’s Fundraising and Grants Manager, you will be responsible for oversight and growth of voluntary and statutory funding income, including from individuals (regular and one-off gifts, major donors and legacy giving), community groups, trusts and foundations, corporates, the statutory sector (including Police and Crime Commissioners) and other benefactors. Starting from a strong foundation with multiple opportunities for growth, you will lead on the delivery of our ambitious, multi-year, multi-disciplinary fundraising strategy with an annual fundraising plan agreed with senior management.  With keen funder and customer awareness, you will regularly monitor and review both the plan and the strategy, in addition to working closely with our Finance Manager to manage diverse income streams and achieve income targets to fund AAFDA’s unique support and advocacy work with families bereaved by fatal domestic abuse.  Holding responsibility for maintaining and developing the website and building social media programmes, you will undertake an ambassadorial approach in all activity to assist our CEO and Director of Services to lead and manage the AAFDA brand and corporate identity, with a focus on generating earned income, by extending awareness of what AAFDA does and how successful we are.

This is a permanent role, subject to funding, but we will work hard (alongside you!) to secure this.

In return for joining us, we will offer you:

• 25 days annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays
• Excellent development and training opportunities
• Pension Scheme
• Healthcare Scheme
• Employee Assist Scheme

Application closing date: 11th September 2026 5pm 

We review applications on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to close this posting early if we find the right candidate, so early submission is strongly advised.

To apply please submit a supporting statement along with your CV.

Applicants will be shortlisted according to how well they meet the criteria in the person specification.  Please highlight and explain how you meet these in your supporting statement. If you have been shortlisted for interview, you will be informed by email. Regrettably, we are normally unable to acknowledge unsuccessful applicants. 

We welcome applications from candidates with experience of domestic abuse.  We are also committed to diversity and strongly encourage applications from those with Black or Minoritised backgrounds.

We are not currently able to accept applications if you do not hold permission to work in the UK.

Registered charity no: 1185078

Join our charity at a pivotal moment. We are looking for a talented communications professional who can work with our small remote team to keep migrant homelessness and destitution high on the public agenda and tell powerful, compelling stories of the work of our members and the experiences of the people in the asylum and immigration system.

You will lead our comms work, managing our digital presence, driving engagement through our social media channels, being the first point of contact for journalists and, alongside the External Affairs Lead, developing and driving our organisational communications strategy. You will have plenty of creative ideas of how to get our campaigns noticed and ensure NACCOM’s voice is heard in the public debate.

You will understand how to work with people in vulnerable or precarious situations, empowering them to tell their own stories and giving them a voice.

A strong knowledge of the media landscape and using social media to achieve change is essential. Experience of managing websites and an understanding of brand is also key.

This role is for a creative, collaborative individual who is passionate about ending migrant and refugee homelessness and destitution and who knows the power of a good story. If this sounds like you, we’d love to welcome you to NACCOM.

Hours:   Part time at 21 hours per week (which is 0.6 FTE, full time is 35 hpw)

Salary: £23,620 for 0.6 FTE  (full time / 35 hpw salary would be £39,367pa). Plus £4,000 pro rata London Weighting if applicable.

Leave: 25 days pro rata plus bank holidays (Eng and Wales) plus additional concessionary days off between Christmas and New Year

Pension:NACCOM will contribute 6% of your gross salary

Additional benefits:Flexible working hours, wellbeing time, wellbeing practice

Contract:  Fixed term initially of 12 months. Continuing depending on funding

Location:   Home-based plus occasional travel in the UK. Opportunity to work part-time in a members’ office or a co-working space.

Responsible to:   External Affairs Lead

About NACCOM:

NACCOM (No Accommodation Network) is a registered charity, and we provide a service to our (135) members who are frontline organisations based across the UK working together to end destitution amongst people seeking asylum, refugees and migrants with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

The NACCOM membership network is made up of ‘full’ members who provide accommodation to people seeking asylum who have been refused and ‘associate’ members who are organisations that are in support of the aims of NACCOM.

NACCOM brings members together to network, collaborate and share good practice, and also provides resources, support and training to enable members to increase their capacity and empower as many people as possible out of destitution. NACCOM also campaigns for a fair, just and humane asylum and immigration system that doesn’t leave people destitute.

Read more about NACCOM including our vision, mission, values and current strategy on our website. You can also view our current campaigning priorities.

Job purpose:

The Communications Co-ordinator will be responsible for the delivery of NACCOM’s communications strategy. The postholder will co-ordinate all media relations, both proactive and reactive, maintaining excellent relationships with journalists and ensuring high level visibility of key projects and the issue of migrant homelessness and destitution more broadly. This post leads and manages NACCOM’s social media presence, ensuring strong engagement and building NACCOM visibility across its social media platforms, and will play a pivotal role int the development and delivery of a new website. Empowering people with lived experience of the asylum system and destitution to be able to tell their stories in a variety of contexts is integral to the role, as well as a good understanding of delivering a communications function for a network organisation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Work with the External Affairs Lead to develop and implement a communications strategy.

· Manage NACCOM’s digital presence including the delivery of a new website.

· Ensure the delivery of a monthly email newsletter to supporters.

· Manage the design and publication process for NACCOM reports including our annual impact report, working with a freelance designer.

· Develop a social media strategy that drives engagement with NACCOM’s work with our key audiences and ensure regular, compelling social media posts and updates.

· Work with the Community Research Co-ordinator to build the capacity of our Community Researchers and Community Ambassadors to engage with communications projects and act as spokespeople in the media.

· Manage NACCOM’s media relations, providing a press office function and leading media strategy for discrete projects.

· Ensure brand and tone of voice consistency across all NACCOM communications outputs.

· Provide comms support with NACCOM events to the wider team.

Personal Specification/Key Competencies:

Essential skills:

· A commitment to and understanding of NACCOM’s beneficiaries and mission.

· Experience of developing and implementing communications strategy across multiple platforms.

· Good knowledge of the media landscape and experience of working with journalists.

· Good knowledge of social media platforms and the latest digital trends.

· Experience of managing websites and using content management systems.

· Creative and enthusiastic with excellent storytelling skills.

· Excellent interpersonal and presentation (oral and written) skills.

· Self-motivated and able to work alone using own initiative.

· Ability to work with marginalised groups and an understanding of the sensitivities involved.

· Proven ability to be flexible and meet tight deadlines.

· Confident using Microsoft Office and a range of online platforms.

· Willingness and capacity to travel within the UK.

For more info / apply for the role:

Please click the Redirect to Recruiter button where you can download the full job description and application form from our website.

Deadline to apply: Tuesday 1st Sept 2026 at 9am

Interviews: week commencing 14th Sept 2026

Head of Communications & Public Affairs 

Salary: Up to £62k depending on experience
Location: Remote, with regular planned travel nationwide, particularly to London and the South, plus attendance at monthly and quarterly team meetings
Hours: Full Time, 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

We're looking for an exceptional communications leader to join Help for Heroes as our Head of Communications & Public Affairs. This is a rare opportunity to shape how one of the UK's most recognised charities engages with the media, policymakers, supporters and the wider public, ensuring the voices of veterans and their families are heard where it matters most.

Leading our integrated communications, public affairs, policy and PR activity, you'll develop influential campaigns that continue to strengthen our reputation, support fundraising and drive meaningful change for the Armed Forces community. Working closely with senior leaders across the charity, you'll act as a trusted adviser, bringing insight into the political, media and stakeholder landscape while helping to navigate the opportunities and risks that affect our mission.

This is a high-profile leadership role for someone who combines strategic thinking with outstanding delivery, thrives on building influential relationships and wants to use their expertise to create lasting impact for those who have served our country.

Please see below for more information on what just might be your future role.

About the Role

As Head of Communications & Public Affairs, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping how the charity is seen, heard and understood by the public, media, policymakers and supporters. Ensuring the experiences of veterans and their families remain at the heart of national conversations and decision-making.

• Developing and delivering an integrated communications, public affairs and policy strategy that advances the charity's mission and influence.
• Leading high-profile campaigns that raise awareness, support fundraising objectives and drive systemic change for the Armed Forces community.
• Building influential relationships with media, government, political stakeholders, partner organisations and sector leaders.
• Acting as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, providing strategic counsel on reputation, stakeholder engagement, public policy and emerging issues
• Leading the charity's press office, crisis communications activity, ambassador programme and external reputation management
• Developing, inspiring and coaching a high-performing team, fostering innovation, collaboration and measurable impact.

About You

Are you a strategic communications leader who knows how to turn insight into action and ambition into results?

Do you have a strong track record of leading integrated communications, public affairs, policy or campaigning activity that has built reputation, influenced decision-makers and delivered measurable impact?

Can you confidently navigate complex issues, build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and provide clear, credible counsel?

Are you equally comfortable shaping long-term strategy, responding to fast-moving external events and spotting opportunities to raise the profile and influence of an organisation?

If you're passionate about telling powerful stories, understand the UK media and political landscape, and enjoy leading talented teams to achieve ambitious goals, we'd love to hear from you.

You'll bring significant senior-level experience across communications, public affairs or policy, alongside expertise in media relations, stakeholder engagement and reputation management.

Most importantly, you'll be motivated by the opportunity to use your skills, networks and leadership to improve outcomes for veterans and their families.

About the Team

You’ll join our ambitious Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs directorate, a team dedicated to amplifying the voices of veterans and their families and ensuring their experiences influence public understanding and decision-making.

We are a collaborative, creative, and purpose-driven team that works across the charity to tell powerful stories, build meaningful relationships and create lasting impact. Together, we’re passionate about helping the Armed Forces community get the support they deserve.

In return we can offer you:

• Belonging to a team who make a difference to our community and value equality, diversity and inclusion.
• 29 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, regardless of service — plus your birthday off to celebrate!
• Opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days annual leave per year.
• Added to our free health scheme from day one, including discounts on dental, opticians, massages, and more - with the option to upgrade.
• 3 volunteer days per year to support the Help for Heroes community.
• A generous salary sacrifice pension scheme with an 8% employer contribution and a minimum 3% employee contribution, plus life insurance up to 4× salary as an active member.

Closing date: 23rd August 2026

Interview Process: Two stage process with an initial competency based interview and second round stage involving a task.

First round interviews to be held in person or via Teams 4th/7th/8th or 9th September.

Second Round in person 16th or 22nd September.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high number of strong applications.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Chief Executive

Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders) 

We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.

Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.

You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.

Who are we looking for?

You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.

You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.

Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.

IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

• 5% employer pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.

First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.