Health advocacy officer jobs

Representation & Advocacy Coordinator

We’re looking for someone with passion and enthusiasm for working with student leaders to advocate for themselves. You’ll join the Student Change Team to upskill students in a vibrant landscape of changemaking and activism to deliver student-facing events that help foster networking and collaboration that drive forward meaningful change.

The Role 

Role:  Representation & Advocacy Coordinator
Hours: Full time, 35-hours per week (to be worked flexibly)
Salary: Grade B (£24,987 to £28,329) 
Contract: 1 year fixed term

Who are we?

Exeter Students’ Guild is the University of Exeter’s students’ union, led by students for students. We’re an independent charity, offering a wide range of opportunities, services and support to help students get the most out of their unique journeys at university. This includes everything from social activities to making sure things are going well on their academic course. We have over 300 student groups and all of our work is led by, and in the best interest of our members.

The Guild is a truly rewarding place to work. Our talented and passionate staff make a real difference to the lives of students every single day, working together to achieve the Guild’s purpose: to shape an excellent student experience for all students at Exeter by empowering them to take their place in the world and make a positive difference. We are looking for people who recognise that the Guild is student-led and share a genuine passion for student engagement and empowerment. If you share a commitment to our values and want to be part of a radically inclusive organisation with a seriously exciting future ahead, we can’t wait to hear from you.

What will you bring? 

· You’ll have some experience of planning and delivering projects.
· You’ll be able to empower others to understand and challenge policy and decisions that affect them.
· You know how to engage with diverse audiences and communities to drive forward change.

We offer lots of great benefits including enhanced family pay, at least 6-weeks’ holiday, sustainable travel incentives, access to exclusive discounts and perks and a free confidential advice service. We’re committed to helping you achieve a healthy balance between your work and home life through a real commitment to flexible and hybrid working. We also provide access to great development opportunities, including a personal development budget for you to spend on sharpening your skills. We’ll also help you to gain valuable experience, ensuring that you have opportunities to grow your career both here at the Guild and beyond.

Inclusion is central to the Guild. We approach our work collaboratively, empower our people and celebrate our uniqueness. If you’re driven to empower others and achieve great things, you’ll fit right in. Our people are proud of who they are and value each other’s differences, and we are committed to creating a diverse community that is radically inclusive of race, gender, age, religion, identity and experience.

To find out more about this role and what its like working with us, please visit our website:

How to Apply? 

Please submit your application via our recruitment portal.  You will need to provide an up-to-date copy of your CV, and answer the following questions related to the person specification for the role:

1.Please outline your experience of scoping, initiating and managing projects that drive meaningful change?
2. Please tell us how you would approach upskilling people in shaping change and influencing decision-makers?
3. What is your understanding of our values, and how you would apply these in the role?

Please note:

• We will contact you to let you know the outcome of your application. This can sometimes take a few days.
• You must be able to provide proof of your right to work in the UK before starting work with us. We are not currently able to sponsor employees requiring a visa.
• Applications received after the above closing date will not be considered.

A message from your new Manager

Charlotte Agnew, Student Change Manager

If you'd like an informal chat with me to find out more about the role, the team and what we’re looking for in our Representation & Advocacy Coordinator, please get in touch using the details on our website.I would love to hear from you! 

Dates for your Diary

· Closing Date: 10:00am on Monday 4th August 2025
· Shortlisting: Monday, 4th – Tuesday 5th August 2025
· Interview: Monday, 11th August 2025

GDWG has an exciting full-time opportunity to join our team working within the casework team, with responsibility for leading our IRC welfare surgeries, volunteer training programme and educational outreach work.

We require blended working from home and from our office in Crawley with Thursday in the office and one other day a week to be agreed. This is a one-year fixed term contract. The role requires an all-rounder who is comfortable giving calm support to people in crisis, can demonstrate a high level of organisational skills in a fast-paced work environment and a passion for educating the public on the issue of immigration detention. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Managing a caseload of clients in detention
• Coordinating Detention Centre drop-ins
• Supporting on research projects
• Leading on educational outreach
• Leading on training IRC-related staff
• Supporting Advocacy and Support Volunteers
• Coordinating volunteer training
• Volunteer coordination

Skills and experience required:

Essential

• Attention to detail
• Empathy with GDWG’s values and mission and with the issues facing refugees, people seeking asylum, and those in or with experience of detention
• Ability and willingness to learn and develop in the role
• Initiative, problem-solving, and resourcefulness
• Reliability
• Ability to build strong working relationships with external contacts and volunteers
• Natural empathy and ability to build trust with those we support in detention
• Non-judgmental attitude and ability to work with clients with unconditional positive regard
• Ability to maintain effective professional boundaries with those we support
• Teamwork and self-reliance: ability to work well with others and also use initiative
• Effective time management and ability to juggle and prioritise competing demands on their time
• Understanding of issues faced by migrants with an unstable immigration status
• Experience using databases
• Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel
• Experience receiving and sending emails

Preferred

• Lived experience of detention/the asylum system or experience of work with refugees, migrants, criminal justice, or human rights
• Experience of work/volunteering in the voluntary sector
• Good understanding of mental health and complex needs
• Experience of safeguarding people with vulnerabilities

Equal Opportunities

GDWG is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that isinclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and valuesthe diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds including those with lived experience of detention and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged. We are committed to the employment and career development of disabled people and guarantee an interview to anyone with a disability whose application demonstrates the essential requirements of the role.

Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) is seeking our next Executive Director to lead our small, dynamic charity. You will be joining an impactful local organisation at a crucial time in our development. Since 2021 we have grown significantly and sustainably, developing new services based on client needs. You will be leading a highly competent and passionate team who are community minded and experts in their fields. 

The Executive Director has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of the charity, including finance and fundraising, as well as supporting the development and delivery of services. They will work with four experienced project leads to deliver and develop our core services: Casework and Advocacy Service, Rainbow Club Supplementary School, Destitution Service and Food Bank, and our Allotment of Refuge, as well as our Policy and external influencing work led by our Deputy Director for Casework and Policy. 

We are seeking to appoint an exceptional candidate who can balance the demands of strategic leadership with the operational execution and development of our services and policy work. We are seeking someone with a high level of operational skill and accountability in operational management and governance. You will be responsible for the central services of the charity including finance, fundraising, legal, HR and communications. We are looking for a thoughtful leader who is passionate about staff and volunteer support. You should have experience and understanding of small charities and the external context within which we operate.

About us:

Founded in 2004, AFRIL supports refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants to lift themselves out of poverty, assert their rights, and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community. We provide both crisis support to meet immediate need, and longer-term, flexible programmes to tackle the underlying issues that result in poverty. We engage in policy and legal interventions to affect change. Our work is grounded in the values of professionalism, inclusivity, and solidarity, and our approach to service delivery is one of co-production and empowerment. We work with partners locally and nationally to deliver high quality services and advocacy.

Our Services:

• Casework and Advocacy – AQS and IAA accredited advice, casework and legal interventions in housing and homelessness, complex welfare rights, community care, asylum support,  immigration, access to education and employment, healthcare and related matters. 

• Destitution Project - supporting families to overcome extreme food poverty through regular food vouchers, fresh culturally appropriate food, toiletries, and essential household items plus small grants and a free café.

• Rainbow Club Saturday School - improving educational attainment, wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem, and raising the aspirations of disadvantaged primary age children. 

• Allotment of Refuge - a welcoming and integrated community of food growers improving the health, wellbeing and healthy food access of children and adults seeking sanctuary in Lewisham.

• Immigration Project in partnership with Southwark Law Centre - free legal advice and representation to support families to regularise their UK immigration status in the UK.

In addition, we hold a monthly Members Forum, and use the evidence from our frontline work together with the testimony of our members to influence improved policy and practice.

AFRIL is currently in a good position, with the several long-term grants and statutory funding secured, and good relationships with community and individual donors. The Executive Director position represents an exciting opportunity to work with a passionate and highly competent team and the wider community to bring about real, positive change for vulnerable migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees in South East London. 

AFRIL is an equal opportunities employer. We are a diverse staff team and particularly encourage applications from BAME candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and those with lived experience of asylum/irregular migration. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support our staff to flourish.

We are proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector. Please feel free to use their information and resources which may help in preparing your job application.

Please read full Job Description and Person Specification. Applications will only be accepted through CharityJob - please submit a CV and cover letter (no more than 2 sides of A4) detailing how you meet the person specification. 

The Policy and Advocacy Manager will play a key role in the Doctors of World UK policy and advocacy team and organisation, driving and shaping UK health policy and delivering programmes to advance the right to health in the UK.

The role works to maximise DOTW’s influence and impact on health policy debates whilst influencing practice in health services to ensure accessible and equitable healthcare for everyone living in the UK.

The role will take a lead on Doctors of the World’s work to build capacity within the UK health system to provide accessible and equitable primary care services for migrants and refugees and be responsible for managing, analysing and reporting on data from our medical programmes in order to support advocacy and research work.

Full time role. Applications for the role on a part time basis are welcomed. Please specify this in your covering letter.

We are looking for a self-organised person with a keen interest in supporting mental health to join us as a Sector Development Officer. This role will facilitate, coordinate, and encourage collaboration between and across the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Sector, specifically across youth and adult mental health provision. This is done through the sharing of information and opportunities, gathering sector insights and the provision of tailored guidance and signposting. 

Our preferred candidate will be committed to developing a strong understanding of the VCFSE and Health sectors in Cheshire East. They will be confident in networking and presenting to groups of varying sizes, and have a commitment to fostering collaboration. They will be able to present information in a variety of formats, and be able to manage and prioritise their own workload. 

About Us

As the Local Infrastructure Organisation for Cheshire East, CVSCE are an independent organisation which acts as a connector, enabler, advisor and advocate for VCFSE organisations across the county. We support networks and partnership working and we have an intermediary role, supporting and facilitating joint working between voluntary and community groups and with statutory bodies; helping to ensure that the interests and concerns of the voluntary and community sector are properly represented.

We provide resources and advice to enable capacity building and the support of volunteers in local organisations of all sizes, from grass roots to the local branches of large national charities, from those just starting up, to organisations that are already well established. We are committed to equal opportunities and to making our services relevant, accessible and inclusive for all, supporting the development of a vibrant, effective and influential voluntary and community sector across Cheshire East.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of stakeholder management is preferred 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Commitment to developing and maintaining strong knowledge and understanding of the VCFSE Sector 

• Commitment to developing and maintaining strong knowledge and understanding of the Health Sector 

• Good IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office 

• Ability to convey information in a variety of formats, including verbally in meetings 

• Ability to self-organise and prioritise work 

• Confident in networking and presenting to groups of varying sizes 

Values and Behaviours

• Commitment to CVS Cheshire East’s vision and values. 

• A strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Commitment to collaboration 

• A keen interest in supporting mental health 

Please click the link to view the recruitment pack and to complete our application form.

What the job involves 

We’re looking for an exceptional nurse to join the Specialist Nurses team at Prostate Cancer UK, part of our wider Support Services team that helps men and their loved ones to navigate the challenges of prostate cancer.

First and foremost, you’ll be providing invaluable information and support directly to men and their families via a range of channels, including telephone, email, webchat, and WhatsApp. 

You’ll also work with other teams across the charity, ensuring that Prostate Cancer UK maintains a strong, credible clinical voice in all its activity. This will range from supporting men through webinars and classes, to delivering education sessions to health professionals, to reviewing health information resources, to supporting communications campaigns. 

Please note that there is no face-to-face patient contact as part of this role, and the team’s remit is contained to information and support – not clinical advice. 

You’ll be working Monday – Friday, with a hybrid working model. The service runs predominantly remotely, but periodical office attendance for collaborative work is expected. 

Current daily shift patterns are 8.45am – 4.45pm or 9.15am – 5.15pm. The appointee will need to be available 8.45am – 5.15pm daily, as shift patterns are allocated based on service requirements.  

What we want from you 

You’ll be a registered nurse with solid experience at NHS Band 6, including recent work in either urology, oncology or palliative care looking after men with prostate cancer. You’ll bring excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to organise and prioritise your work effectively and flexibly. You’ll also be flexible and adaptable to meet the complex demands of this role. You’ll show willingness and proactivity to step away from frontline service delivery to support a range of wider charity activity. You’ll also be comfortable with remote working, both in terms of delivering information and support over the phone and working in a remote team.

As a Specialist Nurse, you’ll be committed, enthusiastic and compassionate – keen to apply your existing clinical experience and knowledge to provide information and support to those affected by prostate cancer and have the desire to develop new skills. 

Why work with us?
Every man needs to know about the most common cancer in men – prostate cancer. It’s a real and present danger that takes over 12,000 of our dads, grandads, brothers and friends each year.

Prostate Cancer UK is the largest men’s health charity in the UK. We have a simple ambition – to stop prostate cancer damaging lives. We invest millions in research to revolutionise testing, treatment and care. We’re blazing a trail to a screening programme that could save thousands of lives with regular, accurate tests for all men at risk. And we work tirelessly to spread the word about risk and offer specialist support to people living with the disease.

Work with us and you’ll see your efforts pay off as we give men and their families the power to navigate prostate cancer.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

At Prostate Cancer UK we’re committed to righting health inequalities across the UK, starting with those faced by Black men. This includes ground-breaking research into Black men's risk and working with communities directly to overcome barriers to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. To make this happen, we're dedicated to being an inclusive, proactive organisation, as we strive to be Allies to Black communities. We’ll achieve this by advocating and working alongside those communities to promote change. We're also working to be Allies to each other, not only protected groups. In 2024, we launched our New Allyship Training Programme. All colleagues at Prostate Cancer UK will be trained to act and identify as an Ally.

We've also signed Business in the Communities Race at Work Charter, as a dedication to our Black health equity work and wider EDI priorities. As a signatory, we're responsible and accountable for driving positive change.

Ways of working

Our hybrid working approach combines the best of flexible working – a positive work/life balance, inclusive and accessible platforms, and online information at our fingertips.

Next steps
More information on what we offer, as well as the role, can be found on our vacancies page. Please download our job profile document (job description) with our ‘How to apply’ section sharing the key points to refer to in your application and to apply.

Got a question? Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or questions – we’re here to help.

The closing date is Sunday 10th August 2025.  Applications must be submitted by 23:45 UK time.

Interviews: By arrangement. Currently scheduled for the week of Monday 18th August 2025.

SANE is a UK-wide mental health charity working to improve the quality of life of anyone affected by mental illness. It aims to raise awareness and understanding of all mental health conditions; fight to improve frontline mental health services for individuals and carers; provide support, information and guidance through SANEline, our Call Back service, email and text support. SANE also promotes and host research into causes, treatments and therapies through its Prince of Wales International Centre for SANE research.

About the role:

We are looking for a compassionate and committed Youth Support and Project Officer to join our SANEline Services team with a dedicated focus on supporting young people affected by mental health.
 

In this role you will;

- Deliver emotional support and to both adults and young people

- Shape and lead on a youth helpline and/or written service

- Liaise with external agencies and services

- Help build and shape youth focused services at SANE

You will bring;

- Experience of supporting young people with mental health needs ideally in complex situations

- Strong safeguarding knowledge

- A trauma informed, empathetic and resilient approach to support

- The ability to build trust and rapport with young people and families

Salary: £30,000-32,000 per annum, depending on experience

What can you expect?

- To work within SANE’s framework, including regular check-ins, debriefs. To receive training specific to your role and the wider SANEline services.

- To become part of an established and diverse team.

- To gain exposure to a wide range of mental health problems.

- To gain valuable practical experience in providing emotional support to both adults and young people.

- A culture where team members support and learn from each other.

- A warm supportive and encouraging environment.

Please note: This role may close early if a suitable candidate is found, please do not delay in submitting your application as interviews are taking place on an ongoing basis
 

Closing date: Midday 23rd July 2025 – early applications encouraged
 

To apply: Please complete your application before the closing date, addressing all areas on the job description and person specification (downloadable below) and tell us why you want to work for SANE. Applications without a supporting statement will not be considered.

Advocacy Project Manager

Join Mind in Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Redbridge as our Advocacy Project Manager to lead our Tower Hamlets Advocacy Service. You’ll oversee a skilled team, build strong partnerships, ensure contract targets are met, and embed co-production and inclusivity in everything you do.

Location: Tower Hamlets
Salary: £40,000
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: 12 month FTC - potential to become permanent 

Key Responsibilities:
• Manage day-to-day operations and performance of our Tower Hamlets advocacy service.
• Ensure contract targets and KPIs are met, including monitoring and reporting.
• Supervise, support and develop advocacy staff and volunteers.
• Champion co-production and culturally sensitive service design.
• Build strong partnerships with commissioners, health, and community organisations.
• Contribute to service development and funding opportunities.

About You:
• Qualified advocate (National Advocacy Qualification).
• Experience managing advocacy or support services, preferably in mental health.
• Skilled in staff supervision, service performance, and stakeholder engagement.
• Committed to anti-racist and inclusive practices.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Why join us?
We are a dynamic, inclusive charity affiliated with national Mind, committed to empowering diverse communities and transforming mental health support.

Apply now to lead with purpose and make lasting impact.
 

Closing date: Monday 28th July at 9am

Interview date: Wednesday 30th July
 

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those with lived experience.

Assistant Communications Officer

Do you have experience working in a fast paced press office or communications team and are looking to take your next step? Are you skilled in juggling tasks and enjoy the buzz of a busy comms office? Mencap is recruiting for an Assistant Communications Officer - a vital role across our PR and social media teams, helping bring together our day to day work - this position is hugely varied with bags of opportunity to learn and grow in the role.

The role is full time (37.5 hours per week) with hybrid working at home and in the London Office. We know that work is something you do not just a place you go.  At Mencap we give office-based colleagues and teams more flexibility about where the work is done. 

About the role of Assistant Communications Officer:

•  You will be supporting both the media team and wider communications team to help us reach as wide an audience as possible.
•  Supporting the media team with day-to-day tasks such as writing and issuing the daily news summary, managing rotas, assisting with compiling monthly reports, take part in the team rota to be the first point of contact for media requests coming into the organisation - via press phone and media inbox.
•  Supporting the media team with campaign press - writing press releases and creating social media content, pitching stories to journalists, setting up media interviews and writing briefing documents and work with the social media team to monitor our social channels and interact with followers where required.

You will be a crucial cog in ensuring the smooth running of the press office with:

·  Strong organisation and time management skills to keep the team running efficiently and manage your varied workload.

· At least 1 years experience within communications.

· Have good initiative.

*This is not an exhaustive list of the role, please see the attached job description for more information.

This role closes on Wednesday 23rd July 2025 and first interviews will be Wednesday 30th July via Microsoft Teams.

At Mencap, we value a diverse and inclusive workplace and we intentionally plan for the success of our colleagues in everything we do. We welcome applications from everyone, so come as you are and join us. Together we are Mencap! 

Benefits

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.

· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes

· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.

We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.

Location (UK): Office Hybrid* - London
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Benefits: Read more about the excellent benefits we offer
Travel: Occasional travel to Versus Arthritis offices (London, Chesterfield, Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow)

Join us and use your skills, knowledge, passion and energy to help us achieve a future free from arthritis.

We’re looking for a Policy Officer who will make a difference to health and social care policy for people with arthritis.  

Within the Chief Executive’s Office, the UK Advocacy and Health Intelligence Department are focused on creating lasting change. We identify creative policy solutions in response to the challenges people with arthritis face. We influence decision-makers through stakeholder engagement, public affairs activity and by campaigning alongside people with arthritis. We have expertise across health and care services, public health, and employment policy. We also work in collaboration to influence medical research and data policy and play an active role in several cross-sector groups. 

About the role

The purpose of this role is to drive policy development across our policy priority areas. The Policy Officer will lead on specific policy projects, commissioning research, developing policy positions, and producing reports and consultation responses.

This role will cover a broad range of issues across one of our strategic goals – prevention and diagnosis; access to treatment; and living well with arthritis. Our approach considers the needs of people of all ages who have arthritis.

The Policy Officer will also contribute to the wider work of the team, working closely with colleagues in the Nations Teams, the Research Directorate and the wider charity, including by representing us on cross-sector policy groups, drafting briefings, and participating in events and conferences.

We’ll give you autonomy, variety and challenge with opportunities to work with inspirational campaigners, attend events in Parliament and meet senior stakeholders in Government. We’re a supportive team who will value your well-being and professional development.

About you

If your knowledge, skills and experience include the following then we’d love to hear from you:

• Understanding of policy issues relevant to people with long-term conditions or disability.
• Experience of working in a policy team.
• Experience of developing and influencing health and social care policy.
• An ability to think creatively and communicate effectively.
• An enthusiastic, adaptive and flexible approach.

*As a hybrid worker the expectation is that you will spend around 40% of your working time in our office spaces or working in community settings. As an inclusive employer we will consider home-based working for anyone where office-based hybrid working would be a barrier to being able to work for us, for example for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability.

Background

Medact organises with the health community to win a world in which everyone can truly achieve and exercise their human right to health. We cover some of the most pressing national and global threats to health and wellbeing including institutional racism, climate change, human rights abuses, violent conflict and rising inequality. We’re a member-led organisation, and our members are made up of a range of people who work in health including nurses, doctors, midwives and clinical researchers.

We take an organising-centred approach to our work. We build community power by working in solidarity with health workers and the communities experiencing harm from the unjust systems we challenge. We run national campaigns, use research to expose injustice and we support local organising groups across the country who lead most of our work.

Details

Salary: £30,501.83 at 0.8FTE (£38,127.28 full time equivalent) Note: We do not negotiate salaries, so please only apply if this is in line with your expectations.

Contract: 1 year fixed-term (parental leave cover)

Hours: 0.8 FTE – 28 hours per week

Location: Hybrid. Staff work remotely and from the Medact office in East London. London-based staff work in-person as a team one day per week, and staff based outside London come in at least once a month, with support for travel costs. Applications from outside London are encouraged.

Apply by: 9am, Monday 4th August

About the role 

The Campaign & Programme Lead: Climate & Health supports health workers to campaign for just and proportionate action on climate change, working closely with our Movement Organiser and other colleagues. Currently our work focuses on the intersection of climate and housing, working to end the public health crisis of fuel poverty and poor-quality homes. In particular this role is responsible for national advocacy and campaigning on fuel poverty and housing, supporting members to organise in their local communities, and being a key part in the Homes for Health campaign team.

The role involves holding Medact’s key knowledge base on climate and health issues. You will build relationships across the health community and wider climate movement, from establishment institutions to frontline workers and grassroots groups. 

About you

This is a skilled role but you don’t need to have had a job in an NGO before or be a professional campaigner to be right for it. You might have worked with your local community to campaign on a social justice or health issue that you care about. Or, you might be a health worker who has seen the impact of these issues on your patients and wants to challenge the systems that drive inequity and marginalisation. 

You’ll have a strong understanding of power and how to work with others to create pressure for change. You need to be a great communicator, able to build trusting relationships with Medact members, academics, partner organisations and community groups. You’ll have an understanding of how digital communications compliment campaigning and an eye for a good media story.

Key dates

Applications close at 9am, Monday 4th August

Interviews will be Wednesday 20th August

If needed, second interviews will be in the week of 25th August

Our recruitment principles

Medact aims to be an inclusive and supportive employer, and we recognise that recruitment processes don’t work for everyone. We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in the NGO sector, and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people of colour, people with disabilities, people who identify as being LGTBQIA+, people who have a mental health condition, and people who identify as working class or have a working class background. If you have any questions or uncertainties about this position and whether you are right for it, please do get in touch. 

Frequently asked questions

• Do I have to be a health worker to apply? No, and Medact staff are not all health workers.
• Can you sponsor my visa? We are unable to offer sponsorship for individuals without the right to work in the UK.
• How flexible are the working hours? Medact has a Flexible Working Policy which supports staff to adjust their hours around our core working hours (11am–4pm), and can accommodate periods of working abroad / in different time zones, compressed hours and other configurations.

Are you looking to join a team that values people and partnerships and is dedicated to creating transformational experiences for our community?

Would you like to work for an organisation that values growth, with the opportunity to learn, develop, and grow in a collaborative and supportive culture?

If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for someone with great interpersonal skills and an advice background for the role of Advice and Advocacy Officer with Spring Community Hub.

The project aims to identify those in Welfare, Health, Wellbeing, Employment, housing, and/or food crisis who have had unresolved issues over a prolonged period and provide support for them to overcome the immediate crisis and work towards longer-term stability

The Advice and Advocacy Officer will provide holistic advice and advocacy to guests, supporting them on issues such as debt, welfare, housing, employment, and business support, in a trauma-informed and empowering way.

The postholder will be a key part of growing the Hub’s  Advice and Advocacy/ Pastoral / Wrap-around services, working as a team with our partners, providing support to guests and volunteers.

• Working with a Caseload of Guests on a 1-1 and group basis and providing support via multiple channels, including Telephone, Email, In Person, virtually, and other project locations, develop action/support plans

• Working with a caseload of guests to provide support/signpost

•  Facilitate group workshops, Coffee Mornings, and information sessions

• Provide Information, advice, guidance, and resilience

• Support for people facing hardship.

• Providing Support, Supervision, mentoring, and guidance to Volunteers in our Advice and Advocacy / Pastoral Teams

• Attend meetings/ events/Training/networking opportunities and  undertake outreach to promote the work of Spring Community Hub 

The post holder will be required to be flexible to the changing needs of the organisation and, as such, undertake tasks and responsibilities not specifically listed here but relevant to the smooth running of SCH, including general office and administrative tasks and aspects of service delivery, as directed by the CEO and Trustees.

We’re committed to building a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of society. If this opportunity excites you and if you believe you possess the skills and experience we need, we look forward to hearing from you.

• Facilitate workshops ( Job Club/ Community Cafe/ Coffee Morning/ Information sessions  ) and Group Sessions - in person/ virtually 

• Support guests in the Centre and virtually, and undertake initial Assessments and follow-up Calls

• Represent Spring Community Hubs Service and project at relevant forums and meetings at a  local level

• Collate monitoring data from all project streams, providing regular updates to the Head of Compliance / Development 

• Contribute to providing information for funders and monitoring reports to the Head of Compliance and Development 

• Assist in the induction/ onboarding and support of volunteers 

• Assist in and facilitate Team Training Sessions, Workshops, Presentations, and Project meetings, and produce progress reports, papers, agendas, and minutes in line with direction from the Head of Compliance and Development 

• Develop and contribute to the creation, maintenance, improvement, and expansion of our range of debt, immigration, and welfare benefits information resources

• Contributing to building testimonials /case studies and impact measurement, and monitoring 

• Lead/ Support the team  with the design and development of resources for the benefit of all users of the debt and welfare benefits system, and help drive forward our safeguarding and co-production culture

• To work with the Head of Compliance and Development to ensure the quality of the support given by the team/volunteers through assisting  with case reviews, training, and development

• Research, analyse, and interpret relevant policies, legislation, and programmes related to the sector with the support of the Head of Compliance and Development 

• Work with the Head of Compliance and Development to proactively identify gaps in information provision across our programmes and implement solutions. 

• Working closely with the Head of Compliance and Development, Leadership / Service and Operations Team/  wider service and partners to ensure guests are supported.

Person Specification

• Experience delivering advice & Advocacy/ Wrap around care  in at least one relevant area,/Relevant qualifications for the post 

•  Understanding of trauma-informed and inclusive practice

•  Experience with group facilitation (desirable)

• Commitment to empowerment and diversity

• Willingness to undertake further training, including Information Advice and Guidance L2/L4 or as relevant to the role

• Experience in working with individuals who are experiencing significant poverty and may also have multiple and complex needs. You will have the ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people.

• Experience in/willingness to learn the use of  databases for the recording, processing of advice given, and reviewing the quality of team records/ usage 

• Experience in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with external stakeholders

• IT Literate / Proficient in Microsoft/Google Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Slack, and experience with project management software / Communication tools (e.g., Zoho, Trello) is a plus.

• Time-management skills, with the ability to work successfully both alone and as part of a team

• Ability to communicate effectively (oral and written) with a wide variety of people at all levels, including statutory, voluntary, and other colleagues 

• Ability to organise and prioritise own work, especially when under pressure

• Ability to work accurately and confidently with figures (statistics) and with attention to detail

• Commitment to the concept of continuous improvement of procedures and practices

• Ability to remain calm in challenging situations and reinforce boundaries

• Ability to support people in managing difficult feelings, and communicate their needs effectively

• Knowledge of best practice for lone working, data protection, and safeguarding adults

• Ability to recognise and work within the boundaries of the role, including confidentiality, and the working protocols between agencies

• Strong sense of self, and ability to set and maintain boundaries, and lead by example 

• Ability to communicate effectively in person on a one-to-one basis and with groups, as well as over the telephone and in writing

• Excellent listening skills

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and others.

• Willingness to work outside normal working hours, as and when required.

• Understanding of the needs of disadvantaged, disaffected, and vulnerable people, and the ability to work with them in a positive way

• A clear commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and confidentiality

• Professional and positive approach, with a commitment to professional development and self-improvement.

• Ability to think and plan strategically to inform decision-making. 

• Qualifications, Training, or Relevant experience in IAG, Welfare Benefits, Housing, Immigration, Employment, Law, or Similar 

• Clear communication skills, face-to-face and on the phone, or via email

•  Ability to troubleshoot difficult situations and deal with them calmly, efficiently, and effectivel

• Knowledge of food security/poverty issues in the UK and working with diverse communities..

• Delivering projects relating to Social Change and Social Justice

• Willingness to undertake further training as required by Spring Community Hub.

• Commitment to the concept of continuous improvement of procedures and practices.

• A compassionate and empathetic approach, with a genuine interest in the well-being of others.

• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures, including child protection and vulnerable adult support.

Responsible for staff/equipment 

Advice & Advocacy / Pastoral Team Volunteers  / Phone / Laptop

Reporting to…

The Head of Compliance & Development/ Chair of Trustees

Why Join us / Benefits

• A warm, welcoming, and passionate working environment

• People-focused with a friendly and supportive workplace culture

• We are a London Living Wage Employer

• An active commitment to equality and diversity

• We offer continuing opportunities for learning, and personal and Professional development together with regular supervision, training, and support for all our staff and volunteers

• Generous annual leave entitlement: 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays)

• Company pension scheme

• Frequent team away days and celebrations, as part of a friendly and collaborative team.

Application Process:

1. Complete our Application form 

2. Submit your CV with a Supporting Statement.

3. Initial Telephone interview - shortlisted candidates will be invited for a Telephone interview

4. If you are shortlisted from the Telephone Interview, you will be invited to a formal interview, which will consist of the following: 

• A  Presentation topic will be shared with you in advance

• 60-minute Panel Interview with members of the SLT / Board of Trustees 

• Questions will be shared with you before the interview so that you can prepare. 

• Role-specific Practical Task

The National Lottery Community Fund is recruiting for two External Affairs Officers, key roles in our External Affairs Team within our newly restructured communications function.

The External Affairs Officer role is part of our ambitious transformation as we implement a significant pivot in our communications approach – building on our support for grant-making to demonstrate the powerful impact communities have in strengthening society and improving lives.

You will help position the Fund as a convening force in civil society, supporting our sectoral and political engagement during a time of exciting change.

Working across the External Affairs team, you will research and analyse policy, political and sectoral developments that affect our work, helping create clear briefings for meetings and events and arranging visits as appropriate. By horizon scanning and monitoring the external landscape, you will help the Fund respond proactively and effectively to emerging issues.

You will build and maintain relationships with parliamentary staff, officials and sector peers. By gathering intelligence, managing and supporting internal and external events, you will contribute to the Fund's engagement with decision-makers and opinion leaders. Your research and analysis will strengthen our policy positions and advocacy work.

Our External Affairs Officers play an important role in supporting the External Affairs team to deliver an effective, insight-driven strategy that articulates the Fund's missions (nationally and regionally) to critical stakeholders across the UK.

Key responsibilities :

• Responsible for providing public affairs, policy and stakeholder engagement support across the External Affairs team, working on the development and delivery of our External Affairs plan, including management and delivery of events.
• Lead the development of briefings and other assets to support the delivery of external affairs work through high quality research and analysis
• Monitor the external political and policy landscape for developments that are relevant to the Fund and advise colleagues on these as appropriate
• Represent the Fund at networking and stakeholder events
• Develop a network of key internal and external contacts in the public affairs and policy space to further the Fund's aims
• Work collaboratively with the other External Affairs Officers to share skills and intelligence
• Cross-collaboration with the Communications Strategy and External Affairs teams to ensure our engagement strategy across the full communications function (media, corporate communications, brand, campaigns and public affairs) is impactful and cohesive
• Support the effective use of the Stakeholder Relationship Management (SRM) system

Location: Hybrid working

We have a hybrid approach to working, work pattern and location will be agreed with the successful candidate. The role can be based at any of our UK offices, these are Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Newcastle and Newtown.

Interview date: Week commencing 11th August

On application, please align your supporting statement to the criteria below

Essential criteria

• Excellent persuasive communication skills, oral and written
• Confident in writing briefings, positioning papers and other materials to support political and non-political stakeholder engagement
• Strong skills in political analysis and advising senior stakeholders
• Strong project management skills; the ability to produce high-quality work against competing priorities in a complex environment
• Experience in managing events and other stakeholder engagement activities

Desirable criteria

• An understanding of, or background in the VSCE sector
• Understanding of public affairs at a national and regional level and/or in civil society
• Experience in using and developing customer relationship management (CRM) systems

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.) 

This vacancy is restricted to Black and minoritised women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

We reserve the right to close these adverts early if we have sufficient interest, so early applications are encouraged.

Are you driven by a commitment to social justice and equality? Do you want to utilise your expertise to support vulnerable women and children in their fight against inequality and discrimination? Southall Black Sisters has the perfect opportunity for you. We are seeking a dedicated Immigration Solicitor to provide specialised, personalised advice to our clients, empowering them to make informed decisions about their future.

In this crucial role within our Immigration Team, you will collaborate closely with colleagues to deliver confidential OISC Level 2 advice and representation. Additionally, you will support and train colleagues working at Level 1, ensuring the highest standards of service and advocacy.

The postholder will play a vital role in advancing Southall Black Sisters’ (SBS) policy, communications and public affairs work. This includes shaping and delivering strategies that:

· Promote SBS’s mission to end violence against women and girls (VAWG), particularly for Black, minoritised and migrant (BMM) women and girls.

· Influence public policy and legislation to secure justice, safety and rights for Black, minoritised and migrant women and girls.

· Strengthening the public voice and visibility of SBS through impactful communications and campaigning.

They will work closely with senior staff, partner organisations and stakeholders to ensure that SBS’s policy positions, campaigns and services are effectively communicated, and that the lived experiences of the women and girls SBS supports are at the forefront of public and political discourse.

By joining our team, you will be at the forefront of the fight for equality and justice, making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Why work with Southall Black Sisters?

Southall Black Sisters is committed to providing a supportive working environment, where team members feel valued, empowered and safe. To that end, we provide an excellent package of employee benefits including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement 
• Hybrid working 
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Enhanced sick pay
• Subsidised public transport season ticket
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, including access to confidential support from MBACP therapists 
• Clinical supervision with an MBACP therapist to explore issues arising from casework
• A focus on continued learning and development through accredited training delivered by experts in their field
• Organisation-wide away days
• Career development pathways and support
• The opportunity to learn and grow within an organisation renowned for inspiring political activism and campaigning successes
• Employer eye care scheme

To Apply

Submit a completed application form along with the optional equal opportunities monitoring form by the application deadline. Please do not send us your CV as this will not be considered.

Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered.

Interview date: 23 & 24 July 2025