Head of communications and external affairs jobs

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

Head of Communications
Salary: Banding Level 5 £45,000 - £50,000
Contract type: Permanent / Working hours: Full time
Location: Taunton, Somerset. Opportunity for hybrid working

The Head of Communications is a fundamental role within the Somerset Wildlife Trust.

The role is responsible for leading the development and coordinated delivery of the Trust’s communications in line with the Wilder Somerset 2030 strategy. This includes identifying key audiences, crafting core messages, and selecting effective communication channels to raise awareness and understanding of the Trust’s work. The postholder will support staff across the organisation in achieving the strategy’s aims while managing a team of specialists and responding to emerging issues professionally and astutely.

Working across teams, the Head of Communications will develop and deliver an annual communications plan that meets the organisation's priorities.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Responsibility 1: Leadership & Cross Team Working

• Strategic Planning: Lead the development of the communications delivery plan and annual calendar, involving all areas of the Trust, defining key audiences, messages and channels with the aim of increasing awareness and understanding of the Trust. Provide effective leadership and build strong working relationships with departments across the charity to ensure integrated communications plans and campaigns are developed and implemented to achieve the maximum impact with external audiences.
• Communications Delivery Plan: Effective coordination of both messages and activity – both reactive and proactive throughout the year. Including improvements with revised website navigation and architecture, SEO improvements and content targeted at priority groups, including use of video, and influencers.
• Senior Leadership Team: Be an active member of the Senior Leadership Team taking collective responsibility for decision making, risk and budget management across the Trust. Work with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure all communications effectively contribute to and support all strategic goals of the Trust.
• Brand Marketing: Work with teams to improve our products and services and how these meet the needs of our audiences, including working with focus groups (with co-creation when relevant).
• Building Capability: Coordinate providing support and training for all staff to achieve effective communications, which supports the Trust’s overall brand and positioning, including mentoring the communications team.
• Systems & Processes: Maintain and develop systems for gathering information and communications planning within the Trust and from project partners, RSWT and SWT. Embedding into all teams’ ways of working.

Responsibility 2: Communications Delivery

• Line Management: Manage, support and develop a team of staff and volunteers to deliver the communications work programme, providing effective line management. Including the provision of specialist support and advice for the development of specific communication campaigns or tools across the organisation.
• Budgets: Ensure communication activity elsewhere in the Trust is produced within allocated budgets and timeframes.
• Performance: Set and manage KPIs and budget for communications programmes, monitoring and reporting performance and reforecasting in line with Trust requirements. Continuous improvement.
• Brand: Develop the Trust’s brand, ensuring a clear and distinctive brand proposition and engaging brand identity, which also supports the Trust as part of the Wildlife Trusts movement. Ensure the brand’s consistent use and monitor the link with the Trust strategy and values.
• Public Affairs: Oversee the PR and media relations (press office function), and act as a key charity spokesperson when required. Horizon scanning and being aware of emerging issues to develop opportunistic messages to optimise nature recovery actions.
• Crisis Management: Protect the Trust's reputation by ensuring the effectiveness of robust crisis management plans and the definition of clear policies and position statements.
• Design, Content & Print: Coordinate the Annual Report with teams and Trustees. Editor for the members’ magazine and print products to support membership retention and enable action for nature.

Responsibility 3: Campaigns for Change

• Strategic Campaign Planning: Work with our policy, advocacy and engagement specialists to design campaigns that move people through the engagement funnel, change behaviour, influence policy, and improve supporter retention. Work with the Exec Team to set campaign objectives tied to clear outcomes: acquisition, activation, retention, behaviour change, policy influence, or income generation.
• Supporter Journeys & Segmentation: Map and optimise journeys across channels (email, web, social media, print, events) with named next steps that move people toward deeper engagement and action.
• Marketing Campaign Leadership: Own the strategic design of multi-channel marketing campaigns and provide clear briefs and creative direction to the delivery team. Ensure channel integration so website journeys, email, print content and social media activity are coordinated and measurable. Keep storytelling compelling while optimising for acquisition and action.
• Advocacy & Policy Campaigns: Work across teams to design campaigns to influence systems change by leveraging our data and evidence, combining public voice, stakeholder engagement and targeted advocacy tactics.
• Behaviour Change Campaigns: Work with our engagement specialists to apply social marketing techniques and behavioural frameworks to shift norms and the adoption of actions for nature. Translate data and evidence into interventions that use communication tactics such as prompts, social proof, incentives and nudges to create measurable behaviour change.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 7% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Flexible and agile working
• Wellbeing support – EAP, wellbeing champions
• Diversity networks through RSWT/TWT
• Paid volunteer days
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• 33 days of holiday (25 + bank holidays) + Christmas shutdown
• Staff social calendar and events
• The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities and the climate

Closing date: Monday 5th January 2026

Please note: We reserve the right to close the position early if application volumes are particularly high. We encourage you to get your application in sooner rather than later.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Somerset Wildlife Trust have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan and are committed to continuing to improve the equality, diversity and inclusion of every aspect of our work; we know we need to engage with everyone to live our values and achieve our goals. We welcome applications from everyone and are happy to discuss any accommodations or arrangements that would make the recruitment process better for you, and the working environment should you be employed.

No agencies please.

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

UnLtd is a vibrant, ambitious organisation at the heart of the UK’s social enterprise sector. As a key stakeholder and leading funder and supporter of social entrepreneurs, we continuously learn and adapt to better meet their needs and maximise their impact.

We are seeking a talented Communications Manager to amplify UnLtd’s voice and influence within the sector while shining a spotlight on the incredible work of social entrepreneurs. This role is about balance: telling inspiring stories that bring their journeys to life, while also demonstrating measurable outcomes, addressing challenges, and showcasing how our unique funding and support model drives impact.

As a core member of a small, collaborative team, you will create and deliver high-quality communications across multiple channels. Your work will include managing media relations, overseeing day-to-day digital communications and social media, updating and optimising website content, producing marketing and campaign materials, managing communications projects, and supporting events.

We are looking for someone with experience in a broad communications role, including press office expertise, who thrives in a dynamic environment and brings a proactive, learning mindset. The potential for impact is significant: your work will strengthen UnLtd’s positioning as the UK’s leading organisation backing social entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, while engaging funders, partners, and communities to build a fairer, brighter future together.

Head of Communications & PR

We are seeking a Head of Communications & PR to elevate the national voice of a values-driven arts education charity as they prepare to open their new headquarters at the iconic Wigan Pier. Shape the story of their next chapter and help influence the future of cultural education in England and beyond.

Position: Head of Communications & PR
Salary: £39,837 to £43,570 (pro rata based on 35 hour week FTE)
Location: Wigan (hybrid: home working, Wigan Pier office from Summer 2026, plus travel as needed)
Hours: 25-30 (negotiable)
Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 9.00 am on Monday 19th January 2026

Please note - This role is offered at 25-30 hours per week (FTE 35 hours), with flexibility and negotiation on your working pattern to help you to balance work and life.
 

About the Role

The Head of Communications & PR plays a pivotal role in strengthening the organisation’s national presence and ensuring that the story of arts education and the people who make it possible, is heard, understood and valued.

You will shape a clear communications and PR strategy, lead and support a small communications team, champion ethical and inclusive storytelling, and ensure all messaging reflects the organisation’s values of equity, inclusion, quality and care.

Reporting to the Director of Relationships and Marketing, you will:

• Lead proactive, strategic communications that bring the charity’s mission to life
• Manage media relationships and secure thoughtful, impactful press coverage
• Oversee all digital communications, including website and social channels
• Support colleagues to communicate their work confidently and clearly
• Shape organisational messaging around programme launches, events and key moments
• Elevate the visibility of teaching artists, cultural organisations and partners
• Uphold high-quality, accessible and ethical storytelling in all content

This is a unique opportunity to influence national conversations, shift perceptions about arts-based learning, and shine a spotlight on the people, places and practices shaping cultural education today.

About You

We’re looking for a strategic communicator, a relationship-builder and a natural storyteller, someone who loves ideas, thrives on collaboration and believes deeply in the power of the arts to help children flourish.

You will be:

• A confident communicator with excellent writing skills and an eye for accuracy
• An experienced media handler who builds strong, respectful journalist relationships
• Curious, creative and able to turn complex ideas into compelling stories
• Organised, calm under pressure and skilled at managing multiple priorities
• Inclusive and ethical in your approach to storytelling and representation
• A supportive team leader who motivates others with clarity, care and ambition

This is an exciting moment to join the team. You’ll help establish the organisation’s voice as it moves into its new home at Wigan Pier and expands its local, national and international reach.

About the Organisation

The charity’s vision is for a future where being creative and experiencing brilliant culture is a regular part of every child’s learning and life. They work strategically across Northern England, nationally and internationally to tackle unequal access to creativity and the arts for children and young people.

They value curiosity, courage, collaboration, care, conscientiousness and credibility, and are committed to anti-racist practice, ensuring diversity is at the heart of everything they do.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Head of Communications, PR Manager, Communications Lead, Head of External Affairs, Media & Communications Manager, Senior Communications Officer, Strategic Communications Lead, Head of Marketing and Communications, Public Relations Lead, or similar.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We have embarked on our 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.

Location: South Wales Skylight to work hybrid in line with Crisis’ Hybrid Working Policy, with an expectation to work a minimum of one day a week from the Skylight more as per business requirements

Contract: Permanent

About the role

The Senior Policy and Public Affairs Wales role at Crisis is an exciting opportunity to make a big difference in our mission to end homelessness. Through collaborating with colleagues, our frontline services, our members with lived experience of homelessness, key partners, civil servants and Members of the Senedd, you will help to develop and push for impactful policy change in Wales.

With the next Senedd term fast approaching and new homelessness legislation expected, you will be joining the team at a critical time in our calls for bold action to end homelessness in Wales. The postholder will be passionate about achieving fairness and equity, advocating for others, and achieving social justice through policy change.

About you

· Excellent knowledge of national and local government structures across Wales, with a proven track record for  effectively influencing policy

· Ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly and concisely to a range of audiences

· Dedication to seeking effective policy change to help end homelessness, valuing the importance of lived experience in policy development

· Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team, collaborating with colleagues and building a network across key partners

· Experienced in working in a busy environment, prioritising workloads and working to deadline

· While not essential for the role, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable

Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds. 

Working at Crisis 

Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.

Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.  

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including: 

· A competitive salary. Please note our salaries are fixed to counter inequity and we do not negotiate at offer stage.

• Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy. 
• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5% 
• 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave. 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
• Flexible working around the core hours 10am-4pm 
• Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly 
• And more! (Full list of benefits available on website) 

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career. 

When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.

How do I apply?

Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.

Closing date: Sunday 18th January 2026 23:59

Interview process: Competency-based interview and a written task

Interview date and location: Friday 6th February 2026 (in-person) at Crisis Skylight, South Wales, 163 St Helens Road, Swansea, SA1 4DQ

AI in Job Applications

We understand some candidates use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we want to learn more about you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences

Accessibility 

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Talent Acquisition team will contact you to discuss how we can help. 

For more information about our work please visit

Registered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC040094 

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.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Communications, you’ll join a small, creative, and supportive team working to make a real impact for Scotland’s seas. This is a maternity cover position, offering an exciting opportunity to step into a dynamic role where you can quickly make a difference.

You’ll help craft engaging digital content and drive public campaigns that raise awareness of seafood sustainability and marine protection — inspiring both people and policymakers to take action.

A key part of your work will be supporting collaborative external campaigns and finding imaginative ways to grow Open Seas’ reach and influence. From storytelling through film and design to building our online presence, your creativity will help showcase Scotland’s incredible marine life — and the urgent need to protect it.

You’ll contribute across a range of activities, from managing social media and improving SEO, to developing new website content and visual communications.

We’re looking for someone who’s agile, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-moving environment. You’ll be a positive self-starter and a collaborative team player who enjoys bringing fresh ideas to life and adapting as priorities evolve.

This maternity cover role is a fantastic opportunity to use your digital and creative skills for good — contributing to progressive, solutions-focused campaigns that help shape the future of Scotland’s seas.

About Open Seas

Open Seas is a small environmental charity working in Scotland and beyond to promote environmental recovery in our seas and champion sustainable seafood. Established in 2016, we conduct environmental and policy research to inform consumers, markets and decision-makers as well as generate campaigns to drive positive change for the environmental health of Scotland’s seas. 

5Rights is seeking to recruit an exceptional, UK-based Policy and Public Affairs professional to take forward our ground-breaking digital policy and corporate accountability work.​
​
About 5Rights​​

5Rights Foundation exists to ensure a digital world that will serve children and young people today and for future generations. We are a small team of senior professionals and experts delivering change in how the digital world works. We have shifted the narrative and the agenda through provocative comms campaigns (e.g. Twisted Toys), pioneering research (e.g. Pathways) and award-winning tools (e.g. Child Online Safety Toolkit). We continue to drive real-life change thanks to an outstanding track-record of delivering legislation (e.g. Californian Age Appropriate Design Code), policy and regulatory frameworks (e.g. UNCRC General comment No.25), and industry standards (e.g. IEEE 2089).​

Role Purpose​

We are seeking to recruit an ambitious and driven Public Affairs Officer to support the delivery of our advocacy strategy in the UK. Reporting to the Head of UK Affairs, you will play a vital role in analysing policy and political developments, crafting engaging briefings and reports, and nurturing relationships with essential stakeholders in civil society and politics.​​

Key Responsibilities​

The core responsibilities and tasks are:

• ​To lead on analysis of UK policy and political developments and legislative and regulatory materials.
• ​To support on drafting briefings, position papers, consultation responses and reports in line with 5Rights positions.  
• ​To support in building and maintaining relationships important to the UK team’s work with key partners, political stakeholders, and stakeholders in civil society and beyond, both individually and as part of coalitions. 
• ​To support on briefing political stakeholders, senior colleagues, or external partners on 5Rights positions and take the lead on arranging events for a range of different audiences.   
• ​To support with the organisation of the UK team, including arranging internal and external briefings, creating, and maintaining stakeholder lists, research depositories and other databases as are relevant.  
• ​To support on creating content for social media and external channels. ​​

Person specification

• ​You will have at least two years’ experience in a public affairs, UK parliament or other relevant role.  
• ​You will have an understanding of the UK parliamentary system and an interest in UK politics.  
• ​You will be a confident and clear communicator, both verbally and in writing.  
• ​You will be well organised with the ability to manage competing tasks and projects at the same time.  
• ​You will be looking to develop new skills and be comfortable working independently on certain projects.   
• ​You will have a commitment to our values and mission.  
• ​You will have an interest in children’s rights, the tech industry and digital services and products.  ​​

Practical details

​Location: This is a remote-working position based in London, with access to a co-working office space two times per week.

​Salary: £34,500 per annum. The final offer will depend on skills and experience.

​Working hours: Full time (38 hours per week), with occasional accommodation necessary for work across time-zones. 

​Statutory pension contribution

​25 days annual leave + 1/day per year worked

​Work equipment including a laptop will be provided.

​Starting date: ASAP, depending on notice period.

​Reporting line: Head of UK Affairs, based in the UK​​

5Rights values diversity and we strongly encourage people from under-represented groups to apply for this role. We aim for our recruitment to be inclusive and equitable, and we strive to constantly learn and improve in this regard. ​

How to apply​

Please send your CV and a brief cover letter via the link on our website by 11th January 2026. Please include where your heard about this role. ​

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

The Public Affairs Lead sits within our Policy and Advocacy Team, working to build support for The Food Foundation’s work amongst Parliamentarians and to influence the government to help deliver policies that will transform the food system. This is an exciting opportunity to join a small organisation delivering big impact on the political agenda around food.

The Public Affairs Manager reports to our Head of Policy and Advocacy and will be responsible for planning and delivering our public affairs activity. This includes: 

• Political engagement: meeting MPs and Peers in parliament and building relationships with their teams with a view to identifying potential new supporters 
• Policy and research: working closely with colleagues to share perspectives on which priorities it may be tactical to pursue and to understand what evidence is available to inform engagement.
• Networking: working with public affairs professionals in other organisations to deliver joint programmes of engagement work which leverage respective organisational strengths.
• Monitoring: You will have excellent political instincts and a strong interest in policy developments,
  monitoring closely what is going on in Parliament and in Government,in order to identify opportune moments to maximise political attention and to galvanise support for policy change.
• Communicating: building compelling narratives targeted at different political stakeholders about the impacts of the food system on our diets, our health and our planet, and the need for evidence-based solutions. 
• Developing briefing materials and reports for policy audiences and formulate responses on behalf of the organisation to policy development processes and Parliamentary inquiries.
• Events: ensuring our messages and priorities are noticed and heard by policy-makers in a very crowded policy space, including by working closely with our events manager to deliver impactful parliamentary events.

You will bring a learning mindset to the role, assessing the impact of our policy engagement approaches in order to make continuous improvements.

A week in the job

Meeting with a Peer that is new to our work to brief them on evidence we have published and our current political priorities, completing a political stakeholder mapping exercise for a new campaign on sustainable diets to identify a shortlist of MPs to engage with, spending an afternoon in parliament to engage informally with passing MPs, pitching a new idea for a
parliamentary inquiry to parliamentary staff from the Health and Social Care Committee, drafting an MP briefing for an upcoming debate on the Government’ s obesity prevention priorities, reviewing next week’s parliamentary calendar to spot opportunities for engagement, attending a roundtable to share intelligence and discuss priorities for political party manifestos with other NGOs working on food issues, ringing round parliamentary offices to confirm attendance for
an upcoming parliamentary reception, meeting with an MP that is closely involved with The Food Foundation’s work to refine messaging for an upcoming campaign.

Your experience
You will have a strong knowledge of the UK political landscape and be comfortable and confident in engaging with stakeholders in Whitehall and in Parliament across the political spectrum. Ideally you would also have a knowledge of policy related to the food system, public health or the environmental crisis.

Your skills

• Proven ability to influence decision makers
• Strong knowledge and experience of the mechanics of the UK policy-making landscape
• Ability to work diplomatically and professionally with external stakeholders
• Significant experience working in a role with a major focus on external engagement in a policy/public affairs setting
• A confident networker who enjoys building connections and relationships with new people.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex and highly nuanced subject matter in plain English.
• Confidence in working as part of a team, with experience of working collaboratively with colleagues to share ideas, find solutions and help ensure the successful delivery of projects.
• Proactive and independent worker with strong organisational and project management skills and demonstrable experience of delivering on competing priorities within a timepressured environment.
• Close attention to detail and ability to accurately monitor policy developments, stakeholder views and engagement activity.
• You have a commitment to building equitable, diverse and inclusive policy.
• An existing network of relationships with MPs, Peers, advisors and policy officials.

Policy and Public Affairs Manager
Harrogate, North Yorkshire

We offer hybrid working. 

About Us

Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer.

Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.

As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships.

The Benefits

We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, free onsite parking and a whole lot more.

We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Policy and Public Affairs Manager to join our Research, Policy and Impact team.

Supporting the Head of Cancer Insight, you will continue to develop and deliver a policy and public affairs strategy, including influencing at a local, regional, and national level, with the aim of helping the charity achieve its strategy and bringing benefit to the people of Yorkshire. You will develop evidence-based policy reports and recommendations that can be used to influence a variety of audiences and project manage the development, delivery and evaluation of public affairs campaigns and events. As Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will also act as a source of expertise across the organisation and externally on key policy areas and the wider policy environment.

Specifically, you will:

Influencing

· Support the further development, refinement and delivery of the charity’s influencing strategy and impact evaluation process, in line with the charity’s own strategic ambitions.

· Lead the development of insightful written materials and reports to aid influencing.

· Lead the charity’s response to regional and national consultations relevant to cancer in Yorkshire, making a robust and evidence-based case for the charity’s position.

· Oversee the continued growth of the charity’s political monitoring work and ensure the effective pursuit of every opportunity offered.

· Engage with regional and national decision makers to influence policy-making for the benefit of people in Yorkshire and beyond.

· Grow relationships with key stakeholders across Yorkshire and beyond (such as DHSC, NHSE, Integrated Care Boards, Cancer Alliances, national policy groups, and other charities, to influence change based on policy recommendations.

Policy development

· Support the continued development of the policy production and dissemination process, including the policy development pathway, internal/external dissemination and impact evaluation.

· Lead the research, production and dissemination of high quality, evidence-based cancer-related policies and the strategic development of key policy recommendations.

· Oversee regular updates of existing policies and position statements, ensuring that topical policies are updated frequently.

· Ensure external insight is built into policies and policy development, such as gaining views from the Patient and Public Involvement Community, the inclusion of external patient and public contributors and endorsements from clinical and academic experts.

· Oversee work with relevant internal teams to create key messages for a range of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring these are in line with the latest evidence and are used correctly, and provide expert commentary on media stories.

· Act as a source of expertise on the charity’s cancer-related policies and position statements, both internally and externally. Undertake media interviews as required to communicate key messages with the public.

Campaigns and Events

· Project manage the development, delivery and evaluation of public affairs campaigns, in collaboration with the Brand and Relationships team where relevant, manage relationships with third parties to support campaign delivery where required.

· Lead the outreach and delivery of influencing events, including visits to charity-funded projects and party conference activity.

· Further develop and deliver of a strategy for growing and maintaining a handraiser supporter base, to enhance public affairs campaigns activity.

About You

To be considered for this role, you will need:

· To have a degree in a relevant subject area, for example public policy, public health, scientific, medical etc.

· To have substantial experience of writing influencing materials such as briefings, letters, blogs, campaign materials.

· To have substantial experience supporting the implementation of high impact campaigns that engage the public and are designed to influence. Experience of working on campaigns that encourage behaviour change.

· To have experience of evaluating campaigns, and assessing the impact of policy and public affairs activities.

· To have excellent Public Affairs experience including understanding of local, regional and national government, the current health policy landscape as well as knowledge of UK parliamentary processes along with a proven track-record of engaging politically to make change happen.

· To have substantial experience of developing evidence-based policies for a health focused organisation.

· To have substantial experience of communicating health policy positions to a variety of audiences including for influencing purposes.

· To have a good understanding of the health care system in England.

· To be a strategic thinker with strong analytical, judgement and decision-making skills.

· To be able to sift out the essential elements from a mass of complex information, integrate and synthesise ideas, and present information to others in an accessible way.

· To be a pro-active and creative approach to policy work with an ability to identify and use external opportunities and a desire to succeed.

· To have excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills with the ability to interpret complex information and communicate this to a range of audiences so it is clear and accessible.

· To have excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise work, handle conflicting demands and meet tight deadlines with exceptional levels of accuracy maintained.

· To have strong management and leadership skills, with the ability to coach team members to encourage continued development and learning.

· To have strong networking, influencing and relationship management skills, with the ability to inspire and influence others, as well as the confidence and personal authority to work with external organisations.

Application

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People,before 15 December 2025. Please read our privacy notice before applying.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer.  We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application please contact us via our website. 

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.

Location:  Hybrid working Part London office-based and part home based with a minimum of one day a week in the office, or home based 

Salary: £31,800 per annum for London based and £29,300 per annum for home based 

Hours: 35 hours per week 

Closing date: Tuesday 6 January 2026 at 10.00am 

Interview date: Thursday 15 January 2026 

This is a permanent role. 

Who we are looking for 

Breakthrough T1D is the UK’s leading type 1 diabetes charity, dedicated to funding research, advocating for change, and supporting the T1D community. A year into our exciting rebrand from JDRF to Breakthrough T1D, we’re looking for a dynamic Community Events Officer to help us build on this momentum.

You will be an enthusiastic person with an eye for detail and the ability to plan, manage and deliver our community events programme. This role will work at the heart of a passionate team, who deliver support and information to people living with type 1 diabetes throughout their type 1 journey. Events are a key opportunity to connect those living with the condition and to share what Breakthrough T1Doffers. 

With experience in delivering events, you may have worked for charities before in similar roles. Your role will be to oversee the planning and delivery of our community events, including on-the-day logistics in person and virtually. You will also develop post-event follow-up with participants and strategically evaluate our community events programme, working with the Community Partnerships and Events Lead. There will be opportunities to represent Breakthrough T1D , network and exhibit at external events and develop creative plans and strategy for future events, to support Breakthrough T1D’s ’s aims and mission. 

Experience required 

You’ll have previous experience of: 

• Planning, delivering and evaluating successful community events

• Facilitating virtual events via Zoom or similar online platforms 

• Representing an organisation through networking or exhibiting at conferences, community events and other similar functions 

• A proven track record working with and managing budgets 

• Working within a community and building relationships with volunteers, new and existing supporters and stakeholders 

• Demonstrating excellent communication and interpersonal skills 

About Breakthrough T1D 

Breakthrough T1D is the world’s leading charitable research funder into type 1 diabetes, improving lives until we find the cure. We are dedicated to our 400,000 strong type 1 community in the UK and work closely with our international affiliates across the world, including the US, Canada and Australia. 

You will find a vibrant atmosphere and spirited team at Breakthrough T1D, always striving to make a difference to people living with type 1. 

Employee benefits 

As an employer we offer: 

• Hybrid working arrangements 

• Flexible working and will consider compressed hours 

• Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days per year plus bank holidays for full-time staff with leave increasing after three and five years’ service 

• Health cash plan that allows you to claim for some treatments such as dental, optical and physiotherapy treatment 

• Season ticket and cycle loan 

• Pension scheme 

• Family-friendly policies – maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave at enhanced rates 

• Personalised training to suit your career aspirations and professional development 

Breakthrough T1D is an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age. 

At Breakthrough T1D we do understand that AI (Artificial Intelligence platforms like ChatGPT) can be a useful tool for candidates to assist in applying for our roles. We ask that applicants do ensure their authentic voice is present, and we look forward to seeing examples of your specific experience.