Humanitarian jobs

Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor

Be a champion for children in UK foreign and development policy.

Join an international children’s charity working with children, their communities, and with supporters and partners, in almost 100 countries.

Position: Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor

Location: London / Hybrid 2 days a week in the office

Hours: Full time 36.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £40,000 - £43,000

Closing Date: 3rd April 2026. We reserve the right to interview candidates and close the ad ahead of the closing date should a strong candidate be identified.

About the Role

We are seeking an authentic advocate for children’s rights to help drive our influence with government and other stakeholders. You will develop and implement policy change strategies across a range of thematic areas, underpinning the advocacy strategy. Your expertise will shape the development of research, policy and campaign materials to be used by the charity in advocacy for children’s rights and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

• Help shape policy research. This will include: researching statistics; collecting data and research from other sources; supporting briefing development; and engaging with other offices and youth advocates to gather evidence and stories.
• Lead advocacy within campaigns, including in the development of campaign materials, ensuring policy agenda is accurately embedded
• Work collaboratively cross-organisation to advise on campaign activities, assets and events
• Ensure the voices of children and young people are central and well represented in policy and advocacy
• Represent with external stakeholders, including with government and civil society, and build strategic relationships in alignment with advocacy priorities
• Support senior leaders and other colleagues to engage key external stakeholders, providing briefing where required
• Monitor political and policy developments and disseminate across relevant teams

About You

We’re looking for someone with demonstrable experience influencing policy change, including through campaigning or social mobilisation, and who has a genuine commitment to promoting children’s rights, including their right to participation.

As an active Christian, this role offers you the opportunity to integrate your Christian faith and be sensitive to its various expressions across cultures and denominations. Inspired by the Christian faith, the team serve alongside children of all faiths and none through long-term development projects, emergency responses and advocacy in almost 100 countries.

Please note that you MUST have the Right to work in the UK documentation as unfortunately, this role is not sponsored, and your application cannot be considered any further without it.

Please note the organisation can only consider applicants who presently have the right to work in the UK and all candidates must be personally committed to the Christian faith and be able to respect, uphold and work within our client’s Christian mission, values, culture and faith statements. This individual will represent and speak on behalf of a Christian charity and as such the Occupational Requirement for an active Christian faith is justified under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1, clause 3.

Benefits include: a flexible and supportive working culture, pension scheme (with employer contributions), generous holiday allowance, free parking (Milton Keynes office), opportunities for faith-based gatherings, prayer, and devotionals and a welcoming, purpose-driven team who are passionate about making a difference.

About the Organisation

Joining the charity means becoming part of an energetic and flexible team committed to making a positive impact in the world. As an employee, you will play a crucial role in supporting Fundraising efforts, helping to drive the mission forward. You will have the opportunity to work in an environment that values collaboration, innovation, and dedication to humanitarian causes.

Our client values diversity and aspires to reflect this in their workforce. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented sections of the community. The organisation also operates flexible working policies and practices. As a Disability committed employer we encourage qualified individuals with a disability to apply and request a reasonable adjustment if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access as a result of your disability.

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Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

• Location: Oxford UK/ (with the ability to work from home under Oxfam GB's hybrid working arrangements)
• Workplace Type: Hybrid
• Hours: 36 hours per week
• Salary: £49,601 (with a discretionary range up to £57,000 depending on experience)
• Job Family: Business Support & Admin
• Division: Operations
• Grade: B
• Job Type: Open ended
• Closing Date: 3 April 2026
• Country: United Kingdom

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

The Role:

As Legal Counsel (Employment) at Oxfam, you will play a pivotal role in supporting teams across Oxfam GB on a wide range of employment-related queries and litigation, both in the UK and globally. You will advise country programmes worldwide alongside UK-based HR colleagues on complex employment law matters, delivering clear, practical guidance that aligns with Oxfam’s values and balances legal, operational, and reputational risks.

A key part of this role will be helping Oxfam understand and apply the law in ways that advance its Equality and Anti-Racist Strategies, including advising on positive action and other lawful measures that promote equity and inclusion across the organisation.

As a member of the OGB Legal Team, you will also contribute beyond employment law, providing commercially astute advice on a broader range of legal issues as needed to support Oxfam’s strategic priorities. This is a collaborative and impactful role, ideal for someone who can combine technical expertise with sound judgement and a commitment to Oxfam’s mission.

What we are looking for:

We’re looking for a candidate who cares about Oxfam's mission to end poverty and is personally aligned to our feminist principles and values of empowerment, accountability and inclusion in all you do.

An ideal candidate for the role will also have:

• 5+ years PQE and legally qualified in the UK
• Experience of advising on complex and varying UK employment law and HR matters, including investigations and whistleblowing.
• Broad commercial experience either in-house or private practice advising a range of stakeholders
• Ability to support on colleagues internationally on employee relations processes, employment disputes and litigation
• Experience of advising on the drafting of HR policies and procedures
• Ability to identify key legal questions within complex queries and manage responses in accordance with legal team workload, level of legal risk identified and organisational priorities
• Experience of producing guidance notes and training
• Ability to work equally in a detail-focused manner as well as big-picture oriented, so as to effectively prioritise workload and projects

We offer:

We offer a competitive salary and a range of additional benefits to staff including flexible working options, generous pension scheme, annual leave, additional leave allowances, company sick pay, life assurance and a range of other benefits. 

From the day you join Oxfam we invite you to stretch and learn in your role. Our wide range of Learning & Development opportunities includes in-house courses, e-learning modules, on-the job learning opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and much more. 

You can read more about all Oxfam has to offer 

Flexfam:

We believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you. We think this role would work particularly well working within our Hybrid Working guidelines which includes regular home-based working. The successful candidate would be expected to be based in our Oxford office one day per month.

How to apply:

As part of your online application, please upload your up to date CV and Cover Letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile.  

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our  are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the .  In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job 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. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

About us

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

 is a member of  of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries. 

A thriving diverse Oxfam:

It’s people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organisation working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we’re committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today.

To do that:

• We need to dismantle the unequal power structures that exist everywhere, this including Oxfam and the wider development and charity sectors.
• We need an inclusive Oxfam where everyone can bring who they are to our work and feels celebrated for the differences they bring.
• We want and need everyone, and that means we need you.

Company Overview
International Communities Organisation (ICO) is a London-based NGO that works with communities, governments, and international partners to address the root causes of exclusion that often drive conflict and instability. Through programmes focused on dialogue, capacity building, inclusive governance, economic revitalisation and utilising United Nations mechanisms, ICO seeks to find tangible ways to drive the inclusion of minority communities in political, social, and economic decision-making while supporting governments to develop more inclusive and responsive systems. 

ICO helps build trust between communities and governments, strengthen participation and accountability, and create the conditions for durable and inclusive peace.

Position Overview
The Project Coordinator will play a central operational role within the International Communities’ Organisation (ICO), ensuring that programmes across multiple country programmes are delivered effectively, on time, and within budget.

The role focuses on coordination, implementation oversight, reporting, and organisational support across ICO’s programmes in Cyprus, Kosovo, the Middle East, and Cameroon. Working closely with programme leads, the Project Coordinator will ensure that work plans are implemented as agreed, milestones and deliverables are tracked, and internal reporting and communications are maintained. 

This role combines project management, operational coordination, communications support, and administrative oversight, ensuring that programme heads can focus on strategic delivery while the coordinator manages cross-programme organisation and follow-through.

Key Responsibilities

A. Project Coordination and Implementation Oversight 50%
Monitor implementation of programme workplans across ICO programmes.
Track milestones, deliverables, timelines, and budgets.
Ensure tasks are completed in line with agreed work programmes.
Identify implementation risks or delays and flag them early.
Coordinate across programme teams to ensure alignment and delivery.
Maintain and update: programme workplans, implementation timelines and budget tracking documents
Support programme leads in ensuring activities move from planning to delivery.

B. Reporting and Internal Coordination 30%
Prepare weekly internal updates for senior leadership.
Produce quarterly reports for the Board summarising programme progress.
Contribute to the annual report and other institutional reporting outputs.
Compile information from programme leads into structured reporting formats.
Maintain clear records of: programme outputs, deliverables achieved, key outcomes and indicators

C. Communications Support (Interim) 20%
Until a dedicated communications role is created, the Project Coordinator will support basic organisational communications, including:

• Maintaining ICO’s LinkedIn and communications 
• Updating the website news section weekly
• Identifying events, conferences, or forums relevant to ICO’s work
• Supporting the coordination of press releases and media articles
• Liaising with external communications partners to supporting the coordination of press releases and media articles (e.g., Whitehouse Communications)

Qualifications & Skills
Required

• Strong organisational and administrative skills, including project planning and record-keeping of budgets and work plans.
• Communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders and community representatives
• Proficiency in time management and multitasking to handle multiple projects promptly
• Experience in coordinating and managing projects/ programmes 
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools
• Empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to humanitarian values
• Excellent written and verbal communication 
• Background in human rights, international relations, sustainable development and peace and security
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or relevant work experience

Desirable

• Knowledge of conflict resolution or mediation practices is advantageous
• Familiarity with communications or social media management

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised and proactive
• Able to work independently with limited supervision
• Strong coordination and stakeholder management skills
• Comfortable working across multiple programmes and geographies
• Resilient and solutions-oriented
• Adaptable and able to work in a small, fast-moving organisation

Reporting Structure
The Project Coordinator will report directly to the ICO director and work closely with programme heads responsible for regional portfolios.

Interview Process
The recruitment process will take place in three stages designed to assess both the candidate’s professional capabilities and their suitability for working within a small, international organisation.

Stage 1 Remote Interview
The first stage will be a remote introductory interview. This conversation will focus on understanding the candidate’s background and overall suitability for the role. We will discuss previous experience supporting programmes or projects, coordinating with teams or stakeholders, and managing reporting or administrative processes. The discussion will also explore the candidate’s interest in governance, development, or international policy work, as well as their working style and overall fit with ICO’s team and values.

Stage 2 In-Person Interview
Candidates who progress to the second stage will be invited to an in-person interview. This stage will include a more in-depth discussion of the role. This will include further behavioural, situational and competency-based questions. This stage also allows candidates to ask questions and learn more about the team and how we work. Please note this stage may involve a short practical exercise to understand how candidates approach tasks similar to those they would encounter in the position. 

Stage 3 Final In-Person Discussion
The final stage will be a conversation with senior members of the organisation. This discussion will focus on the candidate’s overall fit with the team and organisational culture, as well as how they would operate within a small team supporting international programmes. It will also provide an opportunity to address any remaining questions or clarifications from either side. The purpose of this stage is to ensure that the role aligns well with the candidate’s expectations and that both the candidate and the organisation feel confident about moving forward together

To apply for this position, please submit the following:

• Your CV
• A short cover letter (1 page maximum) outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage candidates to apply early. The position will remain open until 2 April, after which applications will close.

We are ideally looking for someone who can start the role as soon as possible, but we are also happy to consider candidates who have a notice period to complete before joining. 

Grade: 2

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week (flexible working considered)

Position type: Permanent

Responsible to: Head of Global Communications & PR

Direct reports: Communications & PR Officer

Location: Truro, Cornwall (Hybrid) or Remote (UK based) with some travel to Truro

ROLE PURPOSE:

This role works to raise awareness of the issues faced by people around the world who have lost their homes to disaster. It generates positive media coverage for ShelterBox, positioning us as experts in emergency shelter, as well as supporting fundraising with media engagement and PR activities. The role also works to ensure colleagues across the organisation can talk about our work accurately and consistently by producing key messaging about our international programmes.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

ShelterBox is seeking an experienced, motivated and proactive communications professional with excellent attention to detail and line-management experience.

You will be skilled in writing a variety of materials - including press releases, statements, and Q&As, and in simplifying complex information. You will also understand the nuance of language, ensuring messaging reflects dignity, avoids harmful narratives and upholds humanitarian neutrality in sensitive contexts.

You will enjoy finding strong stories and ensuring they are told ethically. You will be experienced in creating news, working with the media and contributing to multiple projects at pace.

We are looking for someone with experience in crisis communications who can help protect and enhance our reputation by identifying potential issues early. You will also have experience delivering media interview training, building confidence in spokespeople, and supporting them through briefings and interviews.

You will have experience of line management. You will have experience of working with a direct report to develop their abilities and support them to be motivated and produce great work.

This is a great opportunity to be part of a dynamic fundraising and communications department, working together to achieve our mission of no one without shelter after disaster.

The role requires someone who can pivot priorities quickly when needed. When major disasters happen, our teams need to be able to flex very quickly to that focus.

MAIN ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This role works as part of a small and dynamic Communications & Digital team and has direct line management of our Comms & PR Officer. You will focus on gaining media coverage for our international programmes, understanding the issues and opportunities of our work and securing impactful media interviews. You will support our fundraising campaigns and events with media engagement.

You will work closely with the Head of Global Communications & Digital and colleagues across the Fundraising & Communications department to develop and deliver communications and media engagement activities supporting campaigns and driving awareness.  

The role line-manages a Communications & PR Officer. You will work with them to extend the output and reach of our comms and media work and support them to feel motivated and produce high-quality work.

This role also supports wider departments by producing centralised messaging to ensure colleagues talk about our work consistently and are aligned with our brand.  

You'll work with the wider communications and fundraising teams on integrated campaigns, ensuring key messaging is aligned and PR angles and risks are considered.

There may be occasional opportunities to travel to countries where ShelterBox works for media purposes. This travel is not mandatory. There will be regular travel to the Truro head office to support media interviews, deliver training, and participate in organisational collaboration days.

Flexibility with working hours sometimes required, especially during sudden-onset emergencies (TOIL available for additional hours).

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

PR & Comms Lead 

• Manage a variety of communications and PR activities to raise awareness of the needs of people who have lost their homes to disaster.

• Produce a range of high-quality written materials for different audiences. 

• Develop strong working relationships with people across the organisation, including in our international programmes and fundraising teams.

• Take a proactive approach to media engagement and communications as our PR and communications subject-matter expert.
• Line manage the Comms & PR Officer, supporting them to prioritise their workload, ensuring they have clear goals, and are performing well.

Media Engagement 

• Maximise media opportunities for ShelterBox across national and regional, print, digital, and broadcast media. 

• Maintain a strong understanding of the media landscape and keep across relevant stories and trends.

• Work with colleagues to identify strong stories and create news angles.

• Prepare and use a variety of effective PR tools, including press releases, quotes, features, blogs and photo opportunities.

• Sell-in stories, respond to media enquiries, and secure interviews.

• Deliver interview training for colleagues.

• Prepare messaging and briefings for spokespeople for interviews and events. 

• Ensure plans are ready to roll-out when major disasters happen - including comms plans, media lists, trained spokespeople, quotes and other resources. 

• Identify, develop and maintain great relationships with external stakeholders, including journalists, PR agencies, and freelancers.

Communications 

• Produce high-quality written materials, including messaging, Q&As, and reports, ensuring consistency with brand and tone of voice.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across social media, website, celebrity, brand, content, and fundraising) to deliver integrated campaigns.

• Support reputation management, lead crisis communications activities, and play an active role in the Crisis Management Team.

• Offer creative ideas and planning for communications campaigns. 

• Coordinate and, when required, manage external agencies and consultants.

• Evaluate PR and communications activity to measure success and improve future performance.
• Manage subscriptions and licences for communications tools, including media monitoring platforms, and liaise with procurement on tender processes when required.

Other Responsibilities

• Work as a member of our EDI team, ensuring EDI principles are included within our comms and media work.
• Undertake any other duties that are commensurate with the post.
• Carry out the duties of post in accordance with the ShelterBox's policies and procedures on Health and Safety and take responsibility for ensuring personal health and safety.

• Work flexibility, prioritise workload and work effectively as part of a team. 

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.