Title: Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager
Salary: From £45,000 - £55,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 per week (Monday to Friday)
Holiday: 25 days per year plus bank holidays
Location: Home based with regular travel within / to London and across the UK
Probationary Period: 3 months
Reports to: Head of Department
Benefits: An additional 3 days holiday between Christmas and New Year, Flexitime policy, 5% pension contribution
Title and salary to be commensurate with experience.
We are River Action
We are a small and agile campaigning organisation on a mission to rescue UK rivers from a toxic cocktail of agricultural, sewage and industrial pollution and water shortages. We support community action, galvanise and mobilise public opinion, influence government policy, take legal actions and call out destructive industrial practices to incentivise changes that end river pollution and secure freshwater.
We are building a talented team of positive disrupters and stakeholder mobilisers to deliver our strategy to urgently protect and restore our rivers for the benefit of communities, rivers and wildlife.
Britain’s rivers are our life support system and they are dying. We need urgent action to bring them back to life.
Who we are looking for
We are expanding our political influence by introducing this new position, which will work closely with our existing Policy and Advocacy Manager to bolster our strategic reach particularly in the areas of water scarcity, security and justice, sewage and chemical pollution, and water sector reform.
We are seeking a dynamic and self-motivated individual who shares our passion for protecting rivers and securing our nation’s water, food, health, jobs and economy to join our team to drive forward our policy and advocacy work. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong policy insights capable of blending analytical problem-solving with intelligent advocacy to drive meaningful change. This role requires someone to have excellent writing skills and the ability to draft complex policy documents as well as top line arguments for wider communication.
The ideal person will bring a combination of expertise, energy and ideas to amplify our impact, holding decision-makers and polluters accountable with a professional and diplomatic approach. They will engage with influential people across the sector, government, industry and media.
If you thrive in fast-paced environments and want to be at the forefront of environmental policy and advocacy across multiple campaigns, we’d love to hear from you.
What you’ll be doing
As a Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, you will lead the development and drafting of River Action’s overall policy strategy as well as leading on specific policy areas. You will play a leading role in shaping and advancing River Action’s political and policy influence, working closely with the Senior Management Team, Chief Executive and wider organisation to develop and execute an impactful policy and advocacy strategy.
River Action is the Co-Secretariat for the APPG on Water Pollution, offering our Policy and Advocacy Manager a unique opportunity to shape the policy direction for River Action and also to influence policy development across Parliament.
You will also work closely with our public affairs agency who manage our daily Westminster activities.
You will:
-
Lead River Action’s development and delivery of our policy and advocacy strategy on sewage, industrial water pollution, and water scarcity
-
Collaborate with River Action’s team and external partners to ensure our collective work is underpinned by robust and forward-thinking policy analysis and evidence.
-
Develop policy analysis to support campaign, communications and policy strategies, based on a strong evidence base and a sound understanding of the relevant legal and policy frameworks.
-
Translate complex policy and evidence into concise documents with clear messages and compelling campaigns to engage political and policy stakeholders.
-
Monitor and analyse political and policy developments, interpreting their implications and opportunities for River Action and its supporters.
-
Generate analysis to enable participation in public consultation processes, including drafting high-quality and persuasive consultation responses and briefings for Westminster and Whitehall audiences.
-
Increase our political influence with exciting policy interventions, ensuring River Action’s voice is heard at the highest levels of decision-making.
-
Build and maintain relationships with key policymakers, civil servants, industry experts and partner organisations.
-
Support grassroots community groups and third-sector partners in engaging with their local representatives for effective advocacy.
-
Organise and attend key political meetings and events, including the Water Pollution APPG, stakeholder roundtables and parliamentary events.
-
Manage strategic policy partnerships, including our relationship with Wildlife and Countryside Link and other third-sector organisations.
-
Ensure River Action’s policy and advocacy efforts align with our creative campaigns, by making sure colleagues and spokespeople are well-briefed and communications content is well-informed to maximise reach and impact.
You will also:
-
Actively engage in professional development and training.
-
Adhere to health and safety policies while working in different locations.
-
Maintain confidentiality in all areas of work at River Action.
-
Demonstrate a strong commitment to an inclusive, equal and diverse workplace.
-
Work collaboratively with colleagues across River Action to collectively deliver our mission while being true to our values.
UK travel will be required and regular trips to London. Training and operational activities may require overnight stays away from home, in which case costs will be covered and standard River Action procedures will apply.
What you’ll bring
The position will suit a self-motivated, strategic and determined person. You will be an excellent communicator, with exceptional writing skills and comfortable representing River Action and engaging with diverse stakeholders in positions of responsibility. You will have a passion to protect and restore our waterways and to hold decision-makers and polluters to account.
Essential knowledge, skills and experience:
-
Experience in a senior policy and advocacy role, ideally within the environmental sector and including experience of water policy.
-
Policy and/or legislative experience, with a good understanding of the workings of the UK government and Parliamentary procedure.
-
A good understanding of the UK water industry, the key UK water-related policies and the issues that are impacting our rivers, land and wildlife.
-
Knowledge of the challenge of water scarcity.
-
Excellent communication and writing skills with close attention to detail and the ability to produce concise and persuasive briefings, reports and consultation responses.
-
Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to working creatively and at a fast pace with colleagues, stakeholders and partners.
-
Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to proactively plan and prioritise work and to report your progress and impact.
-
Ability to work flexible hours and travel as necessary.
-
A good and supportive team player with a willingness to muck in as and when required.
Why join us?
-
Be part of a mission-driven organisation working to restore and protect the UK’s rivers.
-
Work at the heart of political and environmental change, influencing decision-makers at the highest levels.
-
Work in an agile, supportive and happy work environment where your ideas and expertise will have real impact.
-
Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organisation.
Diversity and inclusion
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies show that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single criteria. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. So if you like the look of this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description, we’d still love to hear from you. You may be just the right person for this role.
How to apply
To apply, please submit to jobs at riveractionuk dot com with the subject Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager’:
-
your CV (2 pages),
-
a cover letter (2 pages) explaining why you want to work for River Action and how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role, and
-
a written submission (2 pages) as described below.
Only applications including all three documents will be accepted. Please provide your documents in pdf format.
Written submission
Please prepare a 2 page policy briefing for Parliamentarians on the issue of water scarcity and water justice and how it affects UK rivers and our security. Your briefing should be written in a clear, persuasive style suitable for a Parliamentary and government audience and:
-
Identify causes of water scarcity and injustice.
-
Provide a concise analysis of the impact on rivers, biodiversity and our economy.
-
Summarise and assess gaps in relevant UK Government policies, legislation and plans.
-
Propose two or three practical policy recommendations for decision-makers.
Application process
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 5pm on Wednesday 15th July.
Should your application be selected during sift, the next stage will involve an initial 15-minute interview. You may then be invited to attend a second interview with a panel.
Interviews will be held in the weeks commencing 19th July and 26th July via video conference.
Please indicate in your covering letter or in a covering email your availability for interviews.
If you have any questions about the role or your application, please contact us on jobs at riveractionuk dot com.
Thank you!
Salary:£53,500 - £56,268 per annum
Contract Type: 12-Month Fixed Term Contract
Closing date: 12 July 2026 at 11pm
Interview date: 15 - 17 July 2026
About CARE
CARE International is a global humanitarian organisation leading the fight to end poverty in the world’s most challenging situations. Women and girls are at the centre of our work, because we cannot overcome poverty and inequality until all people have equal rights and opportunities. We know that when a crisis erupts, women are often the first to pick up the pieces, so we work alongside women, so they have the power to make change where it’s needed most. Founded in 1945, CARE currently works in over 100 countries and last year alone reached 53.4 million people through nearly 1,500 projects.
Why work for CARE International UK?
This is an exciting time to join CARE International UK. We are embarking on a new four-year organisational strategy, and our Advocacy and Influencing Team sits at the heart of it - leading efforts to sure up the UK Government's political commitment to women and girls, move power and resources to women-led organisations, and build networked advocacy for the issues we care most about.
This is also a pivotal moment for the wider sector. In a political environment marked by growing scepticism toward international aid, the mainstreaming of anti-gender narratives, and increasingly polarised public discourse, the case for gender equality has never needed making more urgently or more skilfully. At CIUK, you'll be working at the frontline of that challenge, helping to ensure or advocacy on gender equality is not only technically rigorous but politically resonant and accessible to the audiences who are shaping the debate.
About you
You are an experienced, politically astute advocate with a strong track record of influencing policy change on gender equality or international development. You thrive in complex, collaborative environments and know how to translate evidence into compelling political asks.
You will bring:
· Significant advocacy or public affairs experience, with a deep understanding of the UK Government, Parliament, and relevant political institutions
· Demonstrable expertise on gender in emergencies, violence against women and girls, or related areas of international development
· Experience developing and delivering successful policy initiatives that have shifted attitudes, behaviour or legislation
· Strong leadership skills, including experience managing teams across time zones and working in co-management or consortium structures
· Excellent communication skills (written and oral) with the ability to distil complexity for senior political audiences and the confidence to speak to media
· A genuine commitment to feminist principles, equity, diversity and inclusion, and to centring the voices of women's rights organisations in advocacy work
Experience working on violence against women and girls and familiarity with FCDO-funded programmes, are highly desirable.
About the role
This is a rare opportunity to lead advocacy on two of the most important fronts in international development. You will co-lead the External Engagement and Influencing workstream of What Works to Prevent Violence – Impact at Scale (What Works II), a FCDO-funded programme working to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls globally. Alongside this, you will drive CIUK's own influencing work on gender equality, shaping UK Government policy and building CIUK's reputation as a thought leader on gender justice.
You will co-manage a global team of six advocacy and communications professionals for What Works and represent CIUK at senior levels across FCDO and UK Parliament, with sector colleagues, global and domestic women’s rights organisations and influential thought leaders. You will oversee the development of high-impact advocacy products, events and influencing strategies for both briefs.
This role sits in the Programme and Policy team and is line-managed by the Head of Advocacy & Influencing.
Right to Work in the UK
All applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of appointment. Proof of right to work will be required as part of the recruitment process. For more information, please visit the UK Government's guidance on right to work.
Where you do not have current right to work in the UK, then this will be discussed with you as part of the recruitment process. Please note that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship and further information (should you require sponsorship to work in the UK) on eligibility can be found here.
Safeguarding
CARE International UK has a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse to, sexual harassment of or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners. CARE International UK expects all staff to share this commitment through our Safeguarding Policy (link here) and our Code of Conduct (link here). They are responsible for ensuring they understand and work within the remit of these policies throughout their time at CARE International UK.
Safeguarding our beneficiaries is our top priority in everything we do, including recruitment. All offers of employment at CARE International UK are subject to:
· Satisfactory references. CARE International UK participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (link here). In line with this Scheme, we will request information from successful applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.
· Appropriate criminal record checks (including a Bridger check, link here).
By submitting an application, the applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.
Equality and Diversity
We are committed to Equality and value Diversity. We are a Disability Confident Employer and particularly welcome applications from disabled people. We guarantee interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role (see person specification). If you require the candidate brief or need to submit your application in an alternative format, because of a disability, please do get in touch by sending an email to the HR Team.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from people of underrepresented backgrounds, including those from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Lead the operations, governance and compliance that enable Solving Kids' Cancer UK to deliver its mission and impact for children and families affected by neuroblastoma. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will play a critical role in ensuring the charity operates effectively, compliantly and sustainably.
This broad and varied leadership role spans governance, risk, HR, IT, data protection and organisational operations, supporting delivery of the charity's strategy through robust systems, policies and processes. Acting as Company Secretary, you will work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees, providing advice on governance, regulatory requirements and best practice. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will oversee key operational functions, lead cross-organisational projects and deputise for the CEO where required.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a strategic, highly organised and values-driven leader with strong experience in charity operations, governance and compliance. You will have a track record of ensuring organisations are well run, compliant and effectively managed, with the ability to oversee multiple operational areas and support strong governance and decision-making at Board level.
You will be comfortable working across a broad remit, including governance, risk, HR, IT and data protection, and confident providing clear, practical advice to senior leaders and trustees.
Person specification
Key requirements include:
- Significant senior-level experience in operations, governance or compliance within a charity or similar environment.
- Strong understanding of charity governance and regulation, with experience supporting boards and senior leadership.
- Experience overseeing organisational functions such as HR, IT, data protection or risk.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-organisational work effectively.
- Strong judgement, integrity and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion.
See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for information about Solving Kids' Cancer UK.
This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution at the heart of a small, ambitious charity where strong operations are a vital enabler of impact for children and families.
Location: Home-based, within easy reach of London, with regular travel to the London office and occasional UK-wide travel.
First-stage interview: Thursday 6 August
Second-stage interview: Thursday 13 August
Registered Charity
11 - 20
Our vision is a future where no child dies of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma or suffers due to the treatment they receive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.