Policy and Advocacy Officer (Accountability)
Contract Type: Employee (100%) The contract will be managed by a third party (the EOR: Remote) that will act as the legal employer, handling payroll and compliance, while specifying the applicable British employment conditions
Contract Duration: Fixed term, 3 years.
Team: Policy, Advocacy and Accountability
Reporting to: Policy and Advocacy Manager
Start Date: May 2026
Location: London, UK (n.b. applicants must have the existing right to work in the UK)
About the NCD Alliance
The NCD Alliance (NCDA) is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Geneva, Switzerland, dedicated to supporting a world free from preventable suffering, disability and death caused by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Founded in 2009, NCDA brings together a unique network of over 400 members in more than 60 countries into a respected, united and credible global civil society movement. The movement is unified by the cross-cutting nature of common risk factors including unhealthy diets, tobacco and alcohol use, air pollution and physical inactivity, and the system solutions for chronic NCDs such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, mental health and neurological disorders.
NCDA is at the forefront of elevating NCDs onto the global health and development agenda through strategic relations with the World Health Organization, United Nations (UN), and governments, with staff around the world, including Geneva, London, and New York City. Our network includes global and national NGOs, scientific and professional associations, academic and research institutions, private sector entities and dedicated individuals.
NCDA’s activities aim to influence policy, raise awareness of NCDs, broker knowledge and good practice to prevent and treat NCDs. NCDA supports capacity development of NCD civil society organizations and alliances, mobilizing a network of 75 national and regional NCD alliances around the world. Our achievements to date include supporting the adoption of landmark political commitments on NCDs – including from the UN High Level Meetings (HLMs) on NCDs in 2011, 2014 and 2018, the global 2025 NCD targets, NCD-related targets in the Sustainable Development Goals and the declaration of the UN HLM on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in 2019 and 2023. Please find more information about NCDA on our website.
About the role
NCDA is seeking a motivated Policy and Advocacy Officer to support the delivery of a multi-year project focused on advancing national and regional implementation of global noncommunicable disease (NCD) commitments, and to coordinate PAA’s input into global accountability processes, and regional advocacy programs and global campaigns, with a particular focus on government relations and accountability.
The Policy Advocacy and Accountability team (PAA) is looking for a Policy and Advocacy Officer to play a key role in delivering integrated planning across these programs, and key elements of these plans, as outlined:
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Tracking NCD Accountability processes and coordinating PAA’s policy development and engagement
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Support PAA’s tracking and engagement with the WHO process for the extension of the NCD Global Monitoring Framework (GMF).
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Assist in drafting materials, including consultation submissions, policy briefs, and advocacy tool content, to provide information to policymakers and partners.
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Support global accountability policy development, coordinating network feedback, and liaising across the PAA unit for detailed advocacy content and inputs in specific impact areas.
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Regional advocacy and implementation support
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Coordinate PAA priorities and input into the Advocacy Institute’s Regional Programme to help Regional Alliances hold governments accountable for UN High-Level Meeting (HLM) commitments.
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Support Advocacy Institute (AI) regional alliance engagement in global advocacy campaigns with a specific focus on global accountability policy development and advocacy, the 3rd NCD Financing Dialogue (Manila, September 2026), and UHC accountability processes (e.g. UHC-ACT), and the build-up to the UN HLM on UHC.
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Support regional strategy development, including the utilization of existing PAA content and the creation and delivery of advocacy and accountability tools for priority topics.
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Coordinate policy inputs from PAA for Capacity Development-led activities, primarily the regional alliance convenings and NCDA’s Global Forum in 2028.
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Coordinate PAA contributions to Advocacy Institute Alliances’ engagement with WHO Regional Committee Meetings (RCMs).
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Government Relations and Systems Coordination
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Liaise with the Capacity Development (CD) team to improve systems and coordination for government contacts and intel sharing, particularly in countries with AI national and regional alliances.
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Identify opportunities to showcase national and regional NCD policy successes on the global stage.
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Support cross-unit improvements in planning and managing government relations between the PAA unit as well as capitals and regional intergovernmental bodies corresponding with AI grantees.
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Maintain and update systems for tracking interactions with partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
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Support the planning and delivery of key events in the run-up to the Global Week for Action Campaign (GW4A).
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Support planning, development, and delivery of a strong campaign during the GW4A.
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Work closely with the Comms and GW4A team on campaign deliverables in the lead up to the GW4A, to be held mid-September (date TBC) on the theme of Leadership and policy implementation.
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Support the transition of campaign focus from HLM4 toward UHC HLM-related calls in 2027.
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Operational and logistical support
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Support unit and organizational operations, as requested
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Contribute to team processes, including note-taking, planning, and reporting
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Collaborating with relevant Operations and PAA team members to deliver in-person and virtual events.
Experience and skills:
Essential
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University degree in public policy, international affairs, or health-related subject with a minimum of 2 years of relevant job or internship experience.
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Experience supporting advocacy campaigns for non-profit organizations.
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Knowledge of global health and the WHO.
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Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
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Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English, with the ability to draft reports, briefs, and presentations.
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Strong interest in global public health.
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Capacity to work independently and collaboratively across time zones in an international and multicultural environment
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Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
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Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
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Availability for some international travel.
Desirable
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Additional work experience directly related to engaging in national or regional advocacy
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Policy research skills and experience.
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Knowledge of UN processes and regional health governance.
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Ability to work in additional UN languages.
Terms of Employment
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Start date: May 2026
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Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We regret that we cannot support visa applications.
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Diversity and inclusion are central to the way we work at NCDA. We are committed to cultivating a fair and healthy environment where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles.
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We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. If accommodation is needed to make the application process more accessible to you, please let us know.
NCD Alliance values
Our work is underpinned by values which align with well-established principles of global health and sustainable development:
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People-centered
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Collaboration
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Equity, diversity and inclusion
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Accountability
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Independence
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Excellence and results driven
Your application should include, in one PDF:
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A cover letter (one page maximum) outlining how you meet the required experience and competencies, confirmation of your right to work in the UK, and when you would be available for employment.
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Your resume/curriculum vitae (two pages maximum).
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One relevant writing sample (five pages maximum).
Please note that we will not consider incomplete applications.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Shape public policy. Safeguard professional standards. Lead a profession towards the statutory recognition it deserves.
Not every Chief Executive role involves influencing government, protecting professional standards and occasionally resolving a registrant query before the end of the day.
After seven years, Mike Orlov is retiring as Chief Executive and Registrar of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters. The Board is now seeking a successor who can continue strengthening the organisation and raising the profile and importance of professional interpreters working across public services.
NRPSI is the independent voluntary regulator and national register for public service interpreters in the United Kingdom. It sets professional standards, upholds accountability and provides assurance to public sector organisations, including the Ministry of Justice, the Metropolitan Police and NHS bodies, in settings where interpreters are relied upon in critical situations.
In these environments, clear communication is essential. When it fails, the consequences can affect legal outcomes, safeguarding decisions and, in some situations, lives.
The organisation is entering an important moment in its development. The House of Lords Public Services Committee’s 2025 report on interpreting services in the courts has brought renewed national attention to the role that professional interpreters play across justice, policing and healthcare. At the same time, NRPSI continues to advance the longer-term ambition of statutory regulation and protection of title for Registered Public Service Interpreters.
As Victor Olowe, Chair of NRPSI, puts it: “This is an important moment for NRPSI and for the wider profession, particularly following the House of Lords 2025 report and the government’s commitment to address some of its key recommendations.”
As Chief Executive and Registrar, you’ll engage with senior stakeholders across government and public services while leading a specialist, long-standing team responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Register and the standards that underpin it.
Drawing on your experience, you’ll help shape the organisation’s next stage of development and strengthen the role NRPSI plays in safeguarding the public through professional interpreting standards.
The Role
Stepping into this role, you’ll be accountable to the Board for the governance, strategic direction and operational leadership of the organisation.
This is a hands-on leadership role, working closely with the Chair and Board to shape the organisation’s strategy and priorities, while ensuring the Register continues to operate with credibility, integrity and independence.
You’ll have direct responsibility for the integrity of the Register itself. This includes oversight of registration, renewals, complaints and disciplinary processes, as well as responsibility for ensuring the organisation’s Code of Professional Conduct and regulatory framework remain robust and fit for purpose.
With your experience, moving between strategic and operational ground will come naturally to you. One week you may be engaging with senior civil servants or government departments about the importance of professional interpreting standards. The next you may be reviewing operational processes, supporting your team in the delivery of the Register’s core functions or ensuring the organisation’s financial position remains sustainable.
Your team works mainly remotely and are all long-standing, dedicated and experienced, responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Register. Working in a remote-first environment, continuing a culture of collaboration, accountability and professional development while ensuring the organisation continues to deliver high standards of service is high on the list of priorities.
Externally, you’ll act as the senior voice of NRPSI. What does this mean in reality? Engaging with stakeholders across justice, policing, healthcare and central government, representing the organisation’s perspective clearly and authoritatively. This could include contributing to sector discussions, building relationships with policymakers and making the case for why professional interpreting standards matter to public safety and effective public services, or posting on LinkedIn and social channels, giving updates or hosting town halls for registrants.
The role also sees you supporting the organisation’s longer-term ambition of achieving statutory regulation and protection of title for Registered Public Service Interpreters, a goal that will genuinely benefit from the right leader’s credibility and persistence.
Financial sustainability also sits within your remit. NRPSI is funded through registration fees paid by interpreters, and you’ll oversee the organisation’s finances while ensuring resources are used effectively to deliver its strategic priorities. Alongside this, you’ll maintain oversight of operational systems and processes, identifying opportunities to improve resilience, efficiency and the effective use of digital tools.
The Person
This is a role that calls for someone who has operated at senior or director level within a charity, not-for-profit organisation, professional body, regulatory organisation, membership association or comparable public service environment.
Someone who understands the responsibilities that come with leading an organisation whose work centres on professional standards, governance and public protection, and who brings the credibility, judgement and experience required to engage effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders including government departments, public sector organisations, registrants and sector partners.
A collaborative, trust-based leadership style will be just as important: someone equally comfortable exercising independent judgement as they are balancing strategic thinking with practical delivery in a specialist organisation where both are needed in equal measure.
You’ll bring most of the following:
- Senior leadership experience at director level or above within a charity, professional body, membership organisation, regulatory body or public service environment
- Experience influencing government policy or engaging with commissioners of public spending
- Experience developing or improving regulatory, registration or accreditation processes
- The ability to represent an organisation clearly and confidently in public, including engaging with senior civil servants, sector stakeholders and the media
- Financial literacy and experience overseeing organisational budgets and sustainability
- Experience developing and delivering strategy and operational plans
- Confidence using digital systems, data and communication platforms to support organisational priorities
- Understanding of, or experience in, a registrar or equivalent function within a professional, regulatory or standards body, including accountability for the integrity of registration processes and criteria
Desirable
- Familiarity with public affairs, policy engagement or advocacy work would be advantageous, as would exposure to justice, policing, healthcare or public service environments.
- Experience navigating politically sensitive or contested professional environments, including managing public criticism, would also be beneficial.
- A second language would be welcomed.
- Above all, you’ll share a commitment to the public interest and the role professional interpreting plays in ensuring fair access to justice and public services.
A full candidate pack providing further information about the organisation accompanies this ad.
Key Information
NRPSI is working with Michelle Paoloni, Director at House Recruitment, on this appointment.
To apply, please submit a current CV and a supporting statement of no more than two pages outlining your relevant experience, where you saw the role advertised and what has prompted you to apply.
- Applications close at 5pm on Friday 10 April 2026.
- Discovery conversations with House Recruitment will take place on a rolling basis.
- Final interviews will be held in person in London on Wednesday 29 April 2026.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
NRPSI is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive recruitment process.