Public policy jobs

About the role

Enact Equality works closely with high-profile public figures, parliamentarians, and policy leaders to drive national-level change on racial justice. Our work sits at the intersection of campaigning, policy development, and political engagement, with a growing reputation for influencing debates that matter.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an organisation at the forefront of racial justice campaigning and policy-making in the UK. The role is well suited to someone who wants their work to have real-world impact – shaping conversations, supporting change at a national level, and contributing to projects that directly influence decision-makers.

We are seeking a highly motivated Project Officer to join our team. As a Project Officer, you will be responsible for carrying out a wide range of tasks to support the delivery of projects from initiation through to completion.

The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to equality and racial justice, excellent communication skills, and an understanding of UK policy processes related to racial justice and social equity.

Work location
Remote, based in London. There will be occasional requirements to attend events and meetings in person.

Hours and pay
This is a part-time role with flexible working hours, starting at approximately 16 hours per week. This can be worked as two full days per week or four hours per day across four days, by agreement.
The hourly rate is £14.80 – £18.00 per hour, depending on experience.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, a range of tasks across the following areas:

• Research

• Projects and campaigns

• IT and communications

• Events

• Administration

• Press and media

Requirements

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

• Understanding of racial justice, equality, and social policy issues

• Ability to engage effectively with stakeholders, policymakers, and community groups

• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines

If you are a highly driven and dedicated individual with a genuine commitment to racial justice, and a desire to contribute to impactful, nationally focused work, we encourage you to apply.

Closing date: 28 February

Are you a creative communicator ready to use your skills for a meaningful cause? At St Catherine’s Hospice, we’re looking for a Marketing and PR Officer to enhance our marketing efforts, grow our reach, and drive income—so we can continue delivering vital services to those who need us most.

This is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of a supporter-centric, data-driven approach that raises awareness, engages our community, and shares the powerful stories behind our work. If you’re passionate about delivering communications that inspire action, we want to hear from you.

About the Role

As Marketing and PR Officer, you will:

· Lead PR Efforts: Build relationships with media outlets, develop engaging stories, secure impactful coverage, and manage press releases to elevate our profile.

· Enhance Internal Communications: Ensure staff and volunteers feel informed and inspired through engaging internal updates and on-brand messaging.

· Deliver Marketing Campaigns: Support the implementation and delivery of multi-channel campaigns that build brand awareness, promote our services, and support fundraising goals.

· Use Data for Growth: Analyse campaign performance and apply insights to refine strategies, ensuring continuous improvement and greater reach.

What We’re Looking For

· Experience: Proven success in PR and marketing, including campaign delivery and writing for varied audiences.

· Creativity and Clarity: A talented storyteller with a strong eye for detail and the ability to create content that resonates.

· Organisational Skills: Ability to manage competing demands, meet deadlines, and juggle multiple projects effectively.

· Emotional Intelligence: Sensitivity to the needs of patients and families, with resilience to navigate challenging situations.

· Technical Skills: Proficiency with digital platforms, content management systems, and marketing tools.

Why Join Us?

At St Catherine’s Hospice, your work will directly contribute to providing compassionate care to those who need it most. You’ll join a supportive, purpose-driven team with opportunities to grow professionally while making a tangible impact on our community.

What We Offer

· Competitive salary

· 36 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) and an additional day off on your birthday or nearest working day

· Access to an employee assistance programme with a wealth of wellbeing resources

· Competitive pension scheme

· Life insurance

· Hybrid working opportunities

· On-site free parking

· A chance to use your skills for a cause that makes a difference every day

· Opportunity to work on meaningful, high-impact projects

· A supportive environment that values innovation and creativity

Apply Today Ready to make a real difference? Submit a CV and covering letter by 9th February 2026 at 5pm.

Interviews will take place on 25th February 2026

As an interim Supervising Solicitor in Public Law, you will supervise and carry out CPAG’s public law legal aid cases, to benefit families and children in poverty. You will play an active role in managing CPAG’s legal practice and conduct high-profile public law litigation. 

We are looking for someone who is passionate about using the law to advocate for the rights of, and directly improve the lives of, families in poverty. The ideal candidate will be a solicitor (E&W qualified) with experience of conducting public law litigation and legal aid (publicly funded) work. You will be able to supervise the casework of colleagues, such as CPAG’s junior or trainee solicitor(s) and welfare benefit advisers. You may have experience of working with clients in vulnerable situations or with additional needs, for example, survivors of domestic abuse, refugees, disabled people or children and young people.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack. 

We welcome applications on a secondment basis.

For more information about this post and to apply download the Supervising Solicitor - Public Law (Interim)

Location: Hybrid working between the Aldgate, London office and home.

A great opportunity has risen for a Policy Manager to support our ambitious external affairs team in influencing national and regional policy to drive improvements in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions.  

Asthma + Lung UK is the only charity in the UK fighting for everyone with a lung condition, aiming for a world where everyone can breathe with healthy lungs. We fund cutting-edge research, provide advice and support for the 12 million people who will get a lung condition during their lifetime. We also campaign for clean air and for better NHS diagnosis and treatment.

You will lead a programme of proactive policy and influencing work covering a range of areas depending on organisational strategy and business planning, but likely to include: health inequalities, tobacco control and smoking cessation, the implementation of the NHS England 10 Year Plan, local health systems influencing, and support for the Taskforce for Lung Health working groups.

You will have excellent analytical skills, an understanding of the opportunities and challenges in the health policy landscape, and an understanding of how to effectively communicate and translate the challenges people living with lung conditions face into policy solutions. You will be organised, a good communicator and a team player. You will interact with colleagues at all levels across the organisation and have a great opportunity to develop your leadership skillset.

As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits including 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), membership of a health cash plan, employee assistance programme, cycle-to-work scheme, interest-free annual season Travelcard loan and pension scheme. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an organisation committed to being the driving force behind the transformation of lung health.

Public Affairs and Media Officer
£37,264 pa pro rata plus excellent benefits
London WC1 and home-based – hybrid working (minimum 40% in the office)
35 hours per week, full-time
Fixed Term Contract to 27 November 2026

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking a confident and proactive Public Affairs and Media Officer to join our Media and Public Affairs team at an exciting time for child health policy and advocacy.

This is a varied and high-impact role at the heart of our influencing work. You will help shape and deliver campaigns that call on decision-makers to strengthen the child health workforce and services, tackle child health inequalities across the UK, and protect children’s rights. You will support the College’s public affairs, campaigning and media activity; ensuring paediatricians’ voices are heard where they matter most.

As Public Affairs and Media Officer, you will monitor political and media developments, identify opportunities to influence parliamentarians and stakeholders, and provide high-quality briefings and communications content to support our advocacy priorities. You will work collaboratively across the College, including with colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, to deliver coordinated, UK-wide influencing activity.

The role also includes supporting the day-to-day management of the RCPCH press office, drafting press materials, leading media monitoring, and contributing to social media and digital campaigning activity.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the delivery of public affairs and influencing activity aligned to the College’s strategy
• Monitoring political and policy developments and identifying opportunities for engagement
• Preparing high-quality briefings for senior paediatricians and staff to support engagement with MPs, Peers and stakeholders
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with external partners, coalitions and key stakeholders
• Producing compelling content for newsletters, website, social media and e-campaigning platforms
• Coordinating cross-team collaboration to deliver integrated influencing campaigns
• Leading daily media monitoring and supporting press office activity, including drafting press releases
• Contributing to social media planning and acting as a social media champion within the team

Essential skills and experience:

• Degree or equivalent relevant professional experience
• Experience in public affairs, stakeholder engagement and/or campaigning
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to tailor content for a range of audiences and channels
• Experience producing media and social media content
• Experience working collaboratively, including in coalitions or partnerships
• Strong project management and organisational skills

Desirable experience includes working in a press office, delivering social media campaigns, and formal project management training.

The RCPCH has more than 25,000 members and fellows and employs around 200 staff, most of whom work in our London office in Holborn. We have a Devolved Nations team operating from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Our College values: Include, Influence, Innovate and Inspire, are important to us. These values ensure we bring out the best in each other, strive forward together to make the College a positive and dynamic place to work. 

The RCPCH champions Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Our workplace is inclusive, offering a supportive environment where staff can thrive. The College is keen to accept applications from people with protected characteristics. We believe that our staff should represent all of the diverse communities we serve. Join us to help realise our vision of a world where every child is healthy and well.

The College operates a flexible and modern working policy, whereby our colleagues work in the office for a minimum of 40% over a 4 week cycle and the remainder from home.

The RCPCH is committed to safeguarding the children, young people and adults it has contact with in the exercise of its functions and responsibilities. The RCPCH expects all staff to share this commitment – we place a high priority on ensuring only those who do so are recruited to work for us. 

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. 

Closing date: 15 February 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, learn by doing and kick-start your career in policy and public affairs; we’d love to hear from you.

This is a 9-month paid internship opportunity. This role is largely home-based, with regular travel to Westminster and occasional UK travel. NASS represents and supports special schools across England and Wales. With 2025 set to be a pivotal year for SEND reform and the anticipated 2026 Schools White Paper, we are seeking a Policy and Research Intern to provide additional capacity to our small, ambitious team. This is a newly created role, offering a real opportunity to shape our work and help ensure NASS remains a strong voice for special schools. This is a hands-on role offering excellent experience in policy, research and public affairs. You will support media and policy monitoring, parliamentary tracking, research, briefings, communications and events.

Grade: 5

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

Position type: Permanent

Responsible to: PR & Communications Manager

Direct reports: None

Location: Truro, Cornwall (Hybrid) or Remote (UK based) with travel to Truro up to 4 times per year

ROLE PURPOSE:

As our Communications & PR Officer, you'll work closely with the Communications & PR Manager and lots of other colleagues across the organisation.

You'll create high quality written content including organisational messaging, reports, and press releases. You'll help drive fundraising and awareness by supporting campaigns and securing media coverage.

This role is key to:

• Raising awareness of ShelterBox's work and issues faced by the people we support

• Coordinating communications across fundraising and communications teams

• Ensuring consistency and accuracy in our external messaging

• Protecting and enhancing ShelterBox's reputation

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We're looking for a creative, motivated communications professional with experience writing for different audiences and working with the media.

You'll be organised, detail-oriented, and confident managing priorities in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.

As part of the Communications & Digital team, you'll help increase awareness among new and existing audiences, support fundraising, and ensure teams across the organisation have the communications materials they need.

DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:

Media engagement  

• Work with the PR & Communications Manager to maximise media opportunities across national and regional, print, digital, and broadcast media

• Draft press releases, features, opinion pieces, and letters to editors

• Prepare media pitches, briefings, quotes, and statements

• Proactively pitch stories and spokespeople for campaigns and response work

• Secure media interviews and manage logistics

• Monitor and respond to media requests via the PR inbox

• Track media coverage and analyse trends for KPI reporting

• Support organisation-wide media training

• Build and maintain regional and national media contacts

• Stay across the news agenda and our response work to identify opportunities

Communications

• Write clear, compelling organisational messaging and FAQs to support fundraising, especially during major disasters, appeals, and campaigns

• Draft key reports, including monthly response summaries, reach and impact reports, updates for our Royal patron, and the annual report

• Research and collaborate with colleagues to develop messaging

• Help develop and deliver communications campaigns

• Keep organisational statistics and messaging up to date

• Support with coordinating communications across channels to maximise storytelling

• Contribute creative ideas and support planning for communications activities

• Evaluate communications performance

• Identify messaging gaps and potential stories

Other duties

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post

• Follow ShelterBox policies and procedures on Health & Safety and take responsibility for personal safety.

• Work flexibly, including out of hours when needed

The Organisation

Family Fund is the UK’s largest charity supporting low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.

We help thousands of families every year with essential grants, services and practical support. But we do much more than that. We champion families’ voices, challenge inequality and help shape the conversation on disability, childhood illness and disadvantage. 

The Role 

This is an exciting opportunity to shape how Family Fund connects with people across the UK. As a newly created role, it offers real scope to define and develop the function, while playing a central role in strengthening the organisation’s voice and influence.

We are looking for a bold, creative Group Director of External Affairs to join our Senior Leadership Team. At a time when families need us more than ever, you will raise Family Fund’s national profile and influence, positioning the organisation as a trusted, evidence led voice on childhood disability, serious illness and the broader challenges facing low-income families. You will build and sustain strong relationships with policymakers, funders, and the public ensuring the organisation secures the visibility, support, and resources needed to drive lasting change for the families we serve.

You will lead an energetic, specialist team spanning communications, media, public affairs, partnerships and research, bringing these areas together through a joined up external engagement strategy that delivers real impact.

Some key responsibilities include:

• Lead our communications, media, public affairs, partnerships and research teams
• Raise Family Fund’s profile as a trusted national voice 
• Build strong relationships with policymakers, media, funders and partners 
• Help drive real change for families through influence and insight

Who we’re looking for 

We are looking for an experienced leader who loves the power of communication, influence and connection.

Key attributes will include:

• Senior experience in external affairs, communications or public affairs 
• A strong track record of influencing policy and engaging senior stakeholders 
• Experience leading teams and working at senior level 
• A warm, confident communication style and great relationship skills 
• A real passion for Family Fund’s mission and social justice

This is an exciting, high impact role with the chance to make a genuine difference to families across the UK. 

Candidate Briefing Pack

For comprehensive information about Family Fund, the role responsibilities and the person we are looking for, please download the Candidate Briefing Pack.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply for this fantastic opportunity, please provide the following with your application:

• An up-to-date CV
• A supporting statement of no more than 2 sides of A4, outlining your experience, motivations and suitability for the role.

All applications are being handled by our recruitment partner, Russam. All applications should be uploaded via the Russam website.

If you have any difficulty uploading your application or if you would like to have an informal and confidential discussion about the role, please contact Melissa Baxter - Managing Partner, Charities at Russam.

Closing date for applications: Monday 2nd February 2026
Initial interviews with Russam: 17th and 18th February 2026
Interviews with Family Fund: 4th, 5th and 6th March 2026

Flexibility will be provided if needed - do let us know as soon as possible if you are unavailable on these dates.

We commit to inclusion, equality and diversity and we welcome applications from all parts of the community. Family Fund is a Disability Confident Leader. We will invite to interview all disabled applicants who meet the requirements for the role. If you have a disability, and are happy to let us know, please highlight this in your covering letter. We have also signed the Armed Forces Covenant, and we welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community. 

About the Refugee Council 

The Refugee Council is the nation’s refugee charity. Together with community groups, partners and volunteers, we help people who have escaped war and persecution to rebuild their lives, integrate into communities, and play their part in Britain. Born in the aftermath of World War II, our frontline services support over 14,000 refugees each year to find safety, get to know their neighbours, and enter education, training or work. We share our evidence and expertise with policymakers to help build integrated communities where everyone can contribute.

We have offices across the UK where our Services teams provide support to refugees at local level. 

Inclusion and accessibility 

Ensuring that the Refugee Council is an inclusive and accessible place to work is important to us. We want to enable people from different backgrounds to apply and thrive with us. We believe our recruitment process enables that and are also happy to make adjustments on request.

Our Values 

Our values underpin everything we do:

• Inclusive: We are inclusive. We work with - not for - refugees and people seeking asylum, so they have an equal voice, co-producing projects and ensuring their expertise and experiences are at the heart of what we do. 
• Collaborative: We are collaborative. Working with others is a priority in order to have the collective impact that is vital to achieve policy and practice reform.
• Courageous: We speak out when we see injustice, cruelty and unfairness. We always stand up for what we believe is the right thing to do to transform the experiences of those seeking protection in our country.
• Respectful: We are respectful of all those we interact with. We treat everyone – our staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, partners and people we disagree with – with the same respect, professionalism and understanding. 

About the role

The Public Fundraising Manager (Stewardship and Retention) is responsible for leading public fundraising programmes across retention campaigns, newsletters, community and events, legacy and in-memory giving. The postholder shapes and delivers multi-year supporter retention and growth strategies and budgets, ensuring sustainable income and engagement through cross selling of fundraising products. They provide expert advice on donor stewardship, manage complex workflows across multiple channels, provide expert advice on data management, analysis and reporting and ensure service quality and compliance with fundraising regulations.

Operating as a key Manager within Public Fundraising, the role balances stewardship with innovation, maximising lifetime supporter value and amplifying positive narratives about refugees.

Staff benefits

To reward our staff for the value they bring, we offer a variety of enhanced terms and conditions and a wide range of benefits, including:

• Training & Development
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension Scheme
• Work Life Balance Policies
• Employer-Sponsored Volunteering
• And more.

Let’s work together to improve the lives of refugees in the UK - apply on our website today.

Closing date: 2 February 2026.

Ensuring that the Refugee Council is an inclusive and accessible place to work is important to us. We want to enable people from different backgrounds to apply and thrive with us. We believe our recruitment process enables that and are also happy to make adjustments on request.

About the role

Enact Equality works closely with high-profile public figures, parliamentarians, and policy leaders to drive national-level change on racial justice. Our work sits at the intersection of campaigning, policy development, and political engagement, with a growing reputation for influencing debates that matter.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an organisation at the forefront of racial justice campaigning and policy-making in the UK. The role is well suited to someone who wants their work to have real-world impact – shaping conversations, supporting change at a national level, and contributing to campaigns that directly influence decision-makers.

We are seeking a highly motivated Media Officer to join our team. Within this role, you will be responsible for managing our social media platforms, performing duties that facilitate marketing, public relations and social media engagement.

The ideal candidate will have a strong passion for equality and racial justice, excellent communication abilities, and a proven track record of increasing social media engagement for organisations/companies.

Work location
Remote, based in London. At times, you will be required to attend events and meetings in person.

Hours and pay
This is a part-time role with flexible working hours, starting at approximately 16 hours per week. This can be worked as two full days per week or four hours per day across four days, by agreement.
The hourly rate is £14.80 – £18.00 per hour, depending on experience.

Requirements

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

• Proven experience working in media-related roles

• Strong creative skills, with the ability to develop engaging and impactful content

• Proven track record of increasing social media engagement for organisations/companies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

If you are a highly driven and dedicated individual with a passion for racial justice, and a desire to contribute to the success of our organisation, then we encourage you to apply for this position.

Are you ready to bring client stories to life and make a real impact across a national charity?

Do you have the experience to build strong relationships with teams across StepChange and manage stakeholder needs to deliver stories that meet shared objectives?

Are you ready to take responsibility for how sensitive stories are sourced, protected and shared, ensuring every voice is treated with care and integrity? 

We’re looking for a Stories Officer to join our External Affairs team. In this role, you will help bring the experiences of people affected by debt to life, working with clients and colleagues to create authentic, impactful stories for campaigns, media, events and public communications.

What you’ll be doing

As Stories Officer, you will take ownership of StepChange’s storytelling function, working directly with clients and internal teams to ensure stories are delivered ethically, effectively, and in line with organisational objectives.

You’ll develop and maintain processes for sourcing, sharing, and managing client stories, balancing creativity with safeguarding and data protection requirements. You’ll work closely with colleagues across media, marketing, campaigns, partnerships, policy, research, and public affairs to deliver stories that meet their needs and help StepChange communicate with impact.

From interviewing clients with lived experience to co-creating materials for campaigns and public events, you’ll ensure every story is told safely, respectfully, and authentically. You’ll also help identify new storytelling opportunities.

This role is at the heart of StepChange’s External Affairs work. You’ll collaborate with a wide range of colleagues, manage ethical and safeguarding responsibilities, and help build a consistent, trusted approach to client storytelling across the charity.

About you

We’re looking for someone with experience in storytelling or content management within a charity or equivalent organisation. You’ll have hands-on experience engaging with people with lived experience and translating their stories into clear, compelling narratives.

Confident working with internal stakeholders, you’ll be able to manage multiple priorities, deliver stories that meet team needs, and maintain strong professional relationships across the charity. You’ll have a keen understanding of safeguarding, data protection, and ethical storytelling, ensuring that clients are always supported and respected.

You’ll be proactive, organised, and adaptable, with excellent verbal and written communication skills. A passion for storytelling and an interest in the debt advice sector will help you succeed and make a meaningful impact in this role.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are incredibly important to us; we have a culture of belonging. We’re always looking to increase the diversity of our workforce to ensure we can provide the best service possible for everyone. It’s not just about the professional experience you bring – we’re interested in who you are and your potential. If there’s an adjustment to our recruitment process that would help you to be your best, speak to our team and they’ll be happy to help.

The Multiple System Atrophy Trust (MSA Trust) is the UK and Eire’s leading national charity offering vital support to people affected by MSA – a terminal neurodegenerative disease. 

About the Role

To lead on the Trust’s Policy and Communications work. To ensure our strategy and work in this area is led by the specific needs of people affected by MSA. This will require effective contact between the Trust and people affected by MSA, a range of health and care professionals; in order to develop their engagement in a professional and supportive way. To be an ambassador for change in wider society, working in the best interests of people affected by MSA. To develop and ensure effective external communications and dialogue with people affected by MSA and facilitate positive collaboration with other relevant agencies and policymakers. To co-ordinate marketing and clear messaging to key stakeholders.

To promote the development of this element of work within the MSA Trust, which may include future line management responsibility as the work develops.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with the CEO, internal teams, Services Committee, and other colleagues to set and deliver an integrated Policy and External Communications strategy for the MSA Trust. 
• Be responsible for the development and delivery of an operational plan with targets and be accountable for the budget in this area.
• Lead on policy and campaigning work, ensuring priorities reflect the views of people with MSA.
• Be responsible for the Trust’s external communications and messaging.  
• Be responsible for ensuring that the development and output of our communications and policy work are inclusive and reflect the diversity of our MSA community.
• Play a key role in the development and effectiveness of national and local voluntary networks that support shared ambitions for the neurology sector.
• Play a key role in the production of MSA News – the Trust’s flagship publication for members.
• Work closely with colleagues to ensure our services are compliant with relevant policies, procedures and relevant legislative frameworks.
• Create positive relationships with MSA Trust colleagues, Trustees, and external networks to share knowledge, insight and evidence.

General Responsibilities

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the role.
• Embrace diversity and share in the MSA Trust’s commitment to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination.
• Work closely with the Fundraising Team to build fundable propositions and build relationships with supporters.
• Use the charity’s resources efficiently and effectively to ensure that our financial resources are demonstrably used for the benefit of our service users.
• Ensure that information is obtained, used and stored in accordance with our Data Protection and Confidentiality policies.
• Maintain compliance and adherence with all processes to ensure good governance.
• Develop a deep understanding of the issues facing people affected by MSA across the UK and Ireland, including the Health, Social Care and Welfare landscape.

We will not accept applications without a covering statement. Please ensure in your covering letter you mention any dates you might not be available for interview.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

About the Refugee Council 

The Refugee Council is the nation’s refugee charity. Together with community groups, partners and volunteers, we help people who have escaped war and persecution to rebuild their lives, integrate into communities, and play their part in Britain. Born in the aftermath of World War II, our frontline services support over 14,000 refugees each year to find safety, get to know their neighbours, and enter education, training or work. We share our evidence and expertise with policymakers to help build integrated communities where everyone can contribute.

We have offices across the UK where our Services teams provide support to refugees at local level. 

Inclusion and accessibility 

Ensuring that the Refugee Council is an inclusive and accessible place to work is important to us. We want to enable people from different backgrounds to apply and thrive with us. We believe our recruitment process enables that and are also happy to make adjustments on request.

Our Values 

Our values underpin everything we do:

• Inclusive: We are inclusive. We work with - not for - refugees and people seeking asylum, so they have an equal voice, co-producing projects and ensuring their expertise and experiences are at the heart of what we do. 
• Collaborative: We are collaborative. Working with others is a priority in order to have the collective impact that is vital to achieve policy and practice reform.
• Courageous: We speak out when we see injustice, cruelty and unfairness. We always stand up for what we believe is the right thing to do to transform the experiences of those seeking protection in our country.
• Respectful: We are respectful of all those we interact with. We treat everyone – our staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, partners and people we disagree with – with the same respect, professionalism and understanding. 

About the role

The Public Fundraising Manager (Appeals and Acquisition) is responsible for leading individual giving and engagement programmes through direct marketing and supporter care. The postholder shapes and delivers multi-year supporter acquisition and growth strategies and budgets, ensuring sustainable income and engagement. They provide expert advice on donor recruitment, new audience engagement, manage complex workflows across multiple channels, provide expert advice on data management, analysis and reporting, and ensure service quality and compliance with fundraising regulations.

Operating as a key Manager within Public Fundraising, the role balances acquisition with innovation, maximising supporter numbers and value while amplifying positive narratives about refugees.

Staff benefits

To reward our staff for the value they bring, we offer a variety of enhanced terms and conditions and a wide range of benefits, including:

• Training & Development
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension Scheme
• Work Life Balance Policies
• Employer-Sponsored Volunteering
• And more.

Let’s work together to improve the lives of refugees in the UK - apply on our website today.

Closing date: 2 February 2026.

Ensuring that the Refugee Council is an inclusive and accessible place to work is important to us. We want to enable people from different backgrounds to apply and thrive with us. We believe our recruitment process enables that and are also happy to make adjustments on request.

Longer working lives and ongoing economic transitions are reshaping careers: how we start them, and how we move through them. But too many people remain paid in low-paid, low-quality work – with damaging consequences for them personally, and our economy as a whole. We’re seeking a senior, policy-oriented research leader to help us and our partners generate insights that enable more people to move into and progress through better work.

You’ll have a proven track record in scoping and securing funding for research and influencing activity, with significant autonomy to lead your own programme at L&W. You’ll be supported by committed researchers and managers whom you will coach, lead, and develop—alongside a peer group of Deputy Directors working across other key pillars. We welcome quantitative expertise, but most important are the skills to design and deliver high-quality, impactful research programmes.

You’ll join an organisation with a national reputation for driving policy change—and a friendly, highly capable, delivery-focused team. 

Location: Hybrid working: 40-60% in an L&W office. Our offices for this role are currently in Leicester and London, but if you are based elsewhere, please contact us to talk about how the role could work for you.

Team:Research and Development

Salary:£64,450 -£77,880 per annum (pro rata), dependent on experience and location

Duration:Permanent

Working hours:0.8 to 1 FTE, with flexible working supported (e.g. condensed hours, flexible start and finish times)

Main Purpose

The Deputy Director, Policy and Research (Better Work and Progression) will have overall ownership of the ‘Better Work’ pillar of our strategic plan at L&W: overseeing all projects and activity in this area and generating new work (including developing project ideas and securing funding).

While there is significant scope to shape the ongoing programme of research and impact work, we anticipate that key areas of focus in this area going forward will be: understanding & better supporting career change; understanding and improving policy to increase employer investment in skills; high quality and fair access apprenticeships and technical education; understanding how to better support progression from low pay.

They will be a senior leader for the organization – helping to continuously shape our strategy and the plans we are implementing to deliver it.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and management

• Intellectual leadership of the Better Work pillar: developing and owning policy positions, messages, theory of change and research priorities, and supporting the wider team to feed into and understand them
• Line management of senior and mid-level staff
• Act as a senior leader at L&W – including taking on specific organization-level responsibilities where appropriate

Income

• Write and/or co-ordinate responses to reactive research and evaluation tenders in the areas of employment, better work and progression
• Develop pro-active proposals that will drive change in your area, and respond to the interests of funders and partners
• Build relationships with current and potential funders and research partners

Impact

• Act as an external expert on the issues of better work and progression: writing press quotes, articles and blogs;speaking on platforms
• Building relationships with practitioners, policymakers and partners to improve our insights, and get our recommendations implemented
• Develop appropriate means of tracking impact towards our better work goals, and monitor against them. 

Delivery

• Deputy Director/Project Director-level oversight of projects being delivered in your and related areas: supporting project team to shape research plans, deliver sharp insights and manage funder relationships
• Quality Assurance of research proposals and outputs
• Use your research skills and experience to support the wider development of the Learning and Work team

Person Specification

Experience

Experience of developing, overseeing and delivering programmes of policy-relevant research at a high level - Essential

Experience of business development in a policy/research context: developing ideas, writing bids and building relationships with funders- Essential

Experience of building senior-level relationships with external stakeholders for impact and influence -Essential

Track record of delivering national and/or local policy change - Essential

Experience of senior organisational leadership as part of a team - Desirable 

Experience of responding to tenders- Desirable 

Skills

Advanced research skills (qualitative of quantitative) -Essential

Quantitative skills: experience of using key national research and administrative data sets to generate insights into the labour market -Desirable 

Clear and direct written communication style - Essential

Knowledge

Knowledge of, and commitment to, L&W’s charitable aims and purpose.- Essential

Demonstrable knowledge of employment and/or skills policy in the UK - Essential

Demonstrable knowledge in the specific areas of Better Work and/or progression -Desirable 

Learning and Work Institute works across the UK. Our work in Wales is led by a Cardiff based team, but all staff are required to follow the guidance set out in our Welsh language scheme when working in Wales.