Public affairs jobs

The Difference is an education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030 and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, particularly those most vulnerable.

We are a small, growing charity delivering many school leadership programmes, with a growing research and policy arm. We have had excellent early impact but there is work ahead to capture this, share learning with schools and policy-makers, and campaign to lower exclusions across England.

The Role
This is an exciting time to join The Difference as we increase our impact, reach more schools, and develop our influencing strategy. As Head of Policy and Public Affairs you will: 
 

Design and execute an impactful influencing plan 

• Design an influencing plan - Identify via horizon scanning opportunities to influence national policy using open policy windows, or by nudging/creating new ones. 

• Execute an influencing plan - Utilise own assets and assets across the organisation, including the Director team, to deliver against the influencing plan.

• Relationship building - Build highly credible and impactful relationships with a variety of stakeholders who hold power. This will include policy makers in national governments, local government officials, politicians, other third sector organisations and think tanks. 

• Leadership - Play a significant role internally and externally in communicating the organisation’s policy position, raising organisational and own brand.

Build policy capacity and credibility across the organisation

• Policy positions and solutions- Use the concepts, work and experience of The Difference’s programmes to develop new, and refine existing, national policy positions to shift incentives. 

• Thought leadership - Be the organisation’s education policy and political expert. 

• Generating income - Use own and team’s expertise and credibility to generate income via speaking engagements and consultancy to support the organisation’s financial sustainability. 

Person Specification

Essential – We are looking for someone with the following knowledge, experience and skills, though you may be stronger in some areas than others:
 

• Deep expertise in education policy, particularly on the topic of lost learning and the various policy and political debates, including areas of controversy, surrounding this policy topic. 

• Strategic thinker with a proven track record in identifying policy windows and designing activities that lead to meaningful national policy change. 

• Excellent relationship builder, who brings with them their own network of influential stakeholders and has a plan for building new relationships. Adept at navigating tricky situations and explaining complex, sometimes difficult, messages.

• Expert convener with a strong knowledge of the education sector, including which schools, trusts and local authorities are influential and experience in bringing a variety of perspectives together to generate consensus. 

• Persuasive and clear writing style for publication, including reports, press, blogs and ghost writing for members of the senior leadership team, often based on consensus positions, and designed to communicate key messages for impact. 

• Confidence and credibility in communicating nuanced messages in a contentious landscape, in writing, verbally and in public (e.g. on panels), to raise the profile of The Difference. 

• Strong project manager who can design systems and processes to keep self, team and other stakeholders on task and on time. Experience of designing programmes of work and monitoring their effectiveness. Flexible project management style that can adapt to a changing environment. Confidence in managing a variety of stakeholders and supporting them to deliver on time. 

Desired – You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have one or more of the following: 

• Familiarity with The Difference’s programmatic work, theory and practice. 

• Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people (e.g. those with experience of the care system, mental ill health, special educational needs, exclusion, and racism).

We know that some people, especially those from marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply unless they meet every listed requirement. If this role excites you and you believe you could make a strong contribution, we warmly encourage you to apply. 

We actively welcome applications from people whose backgrounds are under-represented in the charity sector, including but not limited to: people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with experience in the case system, non-graduates and first-in-family graduates.

Annual leave: 33 days (plus eight bank holidays)
Benefits:

• enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and shared parental pay
• family-friendly policies
• 8% employer pension contribution (Aviva) 
• three x basic salary life assurance cover
• free health cashback plan (Medicash): employee cover plus up to four dependent children
• 24/7 virtual GP access (UK registered), plus access to Best Doctors
  free, confidential employee assistance programme (Medicash)
• access to a wellbeing app
• flexible working options including hybrid working, flexible working patterns such as part-time, compressed hours, and more*
• learning and development opportunities including bespoke training and access to LinkedIn Learning)
• commitment to employee health and wellbeing.
• we have a Menopause Friendly accreditation and are a Disability Confident employer

Join Dementia UK as Public Affairs Manager and help shape our impact as we enter our 2025–30 strategy. You will play a central role in strengthening our political influence and championing the voices of people affected by dementia at the highest levels of decision-making.

You will lead our public affairs work in Westminster, building strong relationships with parliamentarians, government officials and political advisers, and providing clear political insight to shape our campaigns, policy development and public-facing activity. You’ll help position Dementia UK as a trusted voice on dementia, social care and health, proactively identifying opportunities to raise our profile and influence key debates.

Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you will develop, shape and own a small but high impact public affairs function. You’ll also provide line management and team leadership to a Public Affairs Officer.

To succeed in this role, you will bring extensive experience in public affairs with a strong understanding of UK political institutions, policy-making processes, and how to build public affairs capabilities. You will have a proven track record of building and managing relationships with senior political stakeholders to deliver policy change, and the ability to set direction, assess risk/opportunities in a fast-moving political environment.

Apply today and be a part of a team committed to making a real difference in the lives of those affected by dementia.

We would love to hear from you! If you would like to find out more about the role, or have any queries, please get in touch with us.

Our culture

In addition to a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, we truly value our people. It’s important for us to create a working environment that looks after our workforce to support them in achieving their full potential. You will become part of a diverse and dedicated team who are supported to use and develop their skills. We recognise and value the key role you will play in delivering our strategic plans for the benefit of those living with dementia.

Our staff have a voice. Representatives from different roles and levels across the organisation positively contribute to and lead on our working groups around health and wellbeing, menopause, and equity, diversity and inclusion.

Dementia UK is proud to welcome everyone. We aim for a truly inclusive culture with talented, diverse teams that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We celebrate difference and individuality and encourage everyone to join us and be their whole selves always.

Dementia UK is a Disability Confident Employer. If you’d like support to make an application, contact us.

By applying to join Dementia UK, you acknowledge that in the event you are successful for the role, any offer and your ongoing employment will be conditional on you having or obtaining the right to work in the UK.

*Please note that any decision on flexible working is based on business needs 

When you apply for a job at Dementia UK, we will collect certain information about you to process your application and assess your suitability for the role. Further details can be found in our privacy notice.

Job Title: Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Wales)

Directorate: Strategy and Knowledge

Team/Department:  Policy and Public Affairs

Salary range: £ 28,337 - £33,301 (recruitment is typically at the bottom of the range)

Location: Cardiff (hybrid working, with at least one day per week in the Cardiff office). The post holder maybe expected to travel to locations across the UK to support business needs, as and when required.

Working hours: 35 hours per week

Context and Background

The NSPCC’s vision is that together, we can stop child abuse and neglect. Through the collective power of our staff, volunteers, supporters, partners, and over 100 years of experience we will move closer to achieving that vision.

We launched our ten-year strategy in 2021, which is centred around three impact goals. This is the difference we want to make by 2031:

1.  Everyone plays their part to prevent child abuse: we’ll work together to make it easier for everyone to play their part and create a social safety net that prevents child abuse and neglect.
2. Every child is safe online: together, we’ll transform the online world, so it’s safe for every child to go online.
3. Children feel safe, listened to and supported: more children will be able to speak out, so they feel safe, listened to and understood – and abuse doesn’t shape their future.

The Policy and Public Affairs team works to ensure that national laws, policies and guidance across the UK are fit-for-purpose in preventing cruelty to children. We work across the four nations of the UK. We develop and maintain the NSPCC’s positions on key public policy issues, drawing on research and policy analysis and feed in organisational insight and expertise gained through our services. We use our evidence-based positions to shape and influence national policy discussions on issues affecting child protection and manage the NSPCC’s political relations and work with governments, legislatures and stakeholders across the UK.

We focus on five key policy priorities: the child protection system and children’s social care; early years and health; child sexual abuse; online safety; and young victims and witnesses.

Job purpose

We are recruiting a Policy and Public Affairs Officer to contribute to the work of the Wales Policy and Public Affairs team in delivering real change and reform in the best interests of children.

The Policy and Public Affairs Officer will be responsible for undertaking policy work to achieve the NSPCC’s strategic goals, using their skills and experience to strengthen the NSPCC’s impact on public policy, and in doing so make a significant contribution to keeping children safe. The post holder will support the delivery of a range of policy-focused projects both within the Wales policy team, and across the wider UK policy team:

• Within the Wales team, the Officer will research and help build persuasive, evidence-based policy positions, support the NSPCC’s influencing activity as appropriate, and write consultations and impactful briefings. They will play a key role in supporting policy analysis, policy research and public affairs activity with a range of external stakeholders, including relevant elected members and government officials. The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this role.
• Across the wider UK team, the Officer will also support policy colleagues working on one or more of our policy priority areas (which are focussed on: child protection; child sexual abuse; early years; online safety; young victims and witnesses). The post holder will help to coordinate collaboration across the teams, facilitate information-sharing and support the delivery of relevant cross-nation projects

Key relationships - Internal

• Reports to the Policy and Public Affairs Manager Wales)
• Colleagues in the wider Policy and Public Affairs and Campaigns teams across the UK
• Colleagues in the Strategy and Knowledge directorate
• Colleagues in the Media team
• Colleagues in the Services directorate (to ensure policy development is informed by experiences and learning from our frontline professionals/ volunteers)
• Colleagues working with children and young people (to ensure the experiences and voices of young people are embedded in policy and influencing work)

Key relationships - External

• Key civil servants and policy advisers in Welsh Government
• Elected representatives in the Senedd and local government structures
• Colleagues in relevant voluntary and statutory agencies
• Practitioner bodies
• Key academics, researchers and research networks

Main duties and responsibilities

• Develop and maintain expertise on key policy areas, enabling the NSPCC to predict and react to changes in the external environment.
• Scope, develop and refine key policies on priority issues, in line with the NSPCC’s strategic goals and outcomes.
• Support the smooth running of one of more NSPCC policy workstreams, supporting effective four-nations collaboration
• Prepare high-quality briefings, summaries and papers for internal and external audiences.
• Draft responses to government consultations and other public policy initiatives.
• Use project management skills to plan effectively the delivery of policy development activity and aligned public affairs activities.
• Undertake policy research and analysis, using a wide range of primary and secondary sources of evidence (such as policy documents, academic literature, survey data and qualitative data from interviews and focus groups), to develop high impact, credible policy positions
• Be a point of contact for internal and external requests for information and advice on NSPCC’s positions public positions
• Coordinate the delivery of NSPCC policy events and conferences (working with colleagues from across the organisation) and represent the NSPCC at external events.

Responsibilities for all Staff within the Strategy and Knowledge Directorate

There is a set of responsibilities for all staff within each directorate.

• A commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people
• To carry out the responsibilities of the post in a manner consistent with promoting equality and diversity, and which demonstrates respect for children’s rights
• To participate actively in regular department and team meetings, contributing to strategy, discussions and decisions
• To maintain an awareness of own and other’s health and safety and comply with the NSPCC’s Health and Safety policy and procedures
• A willingness to take a flexible approach to work.

Person specification

1.  A good understanding of public policy relating to the NSPCC’s work, child protection issues and knowledge of the wider legal and political context in Wales.
2. Demonstrable public affairs skills, with good knowledge of policymaking and parliamentary processes in Wales and experience of successfully influencing government or other policymakers.
3. Proven policy development and policy research skills, with experience of collecting and analysing data, forming robust, evidence-based policy positions, and clearly presenting findings to make a clear and compelling case for policy and legislative change. 
4. Strong verbal and written communication skills including the ability to write clearly, concisely, and persuasively in a variety of formats for a variety of audiences and deal effectively, efficiently and appropriately with internal and external stakeholders.
5. Good organisational and project management skills, with demonstrable experience of delivering on competing priorities within a time-pressured environment.
6. Confidence in working as part of a team, with experience of working collaboratively with colleagues to help ensure the successful delivery of projects.
7. Experience of organising and successfully delivering external influencing events
8. Support for the NSPCC’s mission and values

Safer Recruitment

As an organisation, we are committed to creating and fostering a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children and adults at risk.

Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and thorough process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all persons appointed are suitable to work with our children and adults.

The recruitment and selection of our people will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.

Our principles:

• Always seek to recruit the best candidate for the role based on merit including their skills, experience, motivation and competencies. Our robust recruitment and selection process should ensure the identification of the person best suited to the role and the organisation.
• Committed to diversity and equality of opportunity and will interview all applicants (internal and external) who self-declare at application as having a disability and who meet the minimum requirements in the person specification of the vacancy they are applying for.
• We will make reasonable adjustments at all stages of the recruitment process in order to enable successful candidates who declare disabilities to start working or volunteering their time with us.
• Any current member of staff or volunteer who wishes to apply for vacancies and is suitably qualified will be considered and addressed fairly and objectively based on their merit.
• As an organisation committed to safeguarding, we will ensure all under 18’s joining the organisation will have ongoing risk assessments to ensure their role and activities are safe and appropriate.
• All documentation relating to candidates will be treated confidentially in accordance with the GDPR legislation.

The Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) is a Charity and Company Limited by guarantee and is the representative body for Directors of Public Health (DPH) in the UK. It seeks to improve and protect the health of the population through collating and presenting the views of DsPH; advising on public health policy and legislation at a local, regional, national and international level; facilitating a support network for DsPH; and providing opportunities for DsPH to develop professional practice.

The Association has a rich heritage, its origins dating back more than 160 years. It seeks to improve and protect the health of the population through collating and presenting the views of DsPH; advising on public health policy and legislation at a local, regional, national and international level; facilitating a support network for DsPH; and providing opportunities for DsPH to develop professional practice

We are seeking a dedicated Public Affairs Manager to join our small and supportive team. In this role, you will utilise your expertise to shape strategies to help influence legislation and government policy, making a meaningful impact in the public health sector. You will be responsible for developing and implementing effective public affairs strategies, building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders and decision-makers, and crafting tailored communications, including letters and briefings, that resonate with diverse audiences. Staying informed about the UK political landscape will be essential for driving successful initiatives.

To excel in this role, you should possess a degree or equivalent experience, complemented by a solid background in public affairs. A proven ability to navigate political systems and employ tactics for effective advocacy is crucial, as is exceptional writing skill paired with excellent IT and interpersonal capabilities. Strong organizational skills are necessary, along with a commitment to meeting deadlines with precision.

While experience in local authorities or the public health sector is desirable, we are particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate resilience, confidence, and a keen attention to detail. We value a flexible and pro-active self-starter who is enthusiastic about ensuring positive change and can adapt to evolving challenges.

The Association offers hybrid and flexible working and welcomes applicants from across the UK, though attending meetings in London will be a feature of the role. Full details can be confirmed ahead of any application if required by contacting Mark Hamblett at the Association. The successful applicant will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

To be considered for an interview in addition to an up to date CV applications must include a covering letter outlining why you feel you would be a suitable applicant for the role.

We do reserve the right to arrange interviews ahead of the quoted closing date so would urge candidates to apply as soon as is possible.

We are a charity representing and advocating for people living with dyslexia. Our mission is simple but powerful: to influence government and institutions so that society becomes truly dyslexia-friendly – enabling individuals of all ages to reach their full potential.

This is a key role leading our parliamentary engagement and policy development, ensuring that dyslexic children, young people, families, and adults have a strong voice in Westminster, Whitehall, and across the UK. Working closely with senior leaders, campaigns and media colleagues, and external partners, you’ll help shape policy and drive change in education, health, and employment.

Your work will make sure policymakers understand the barriers dyslexic people face - and the evidence-based solutions we champion. You’ll ensure our positions are grounded in lived experience, research, and best practice, and that our engagement is proactive, impactful, and aligned with our mission.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and deliver a parliamentary engagement strategy to advance our policy priorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with MPs, Peers, Ministers, advisers, and civil servants.
• Provide timely briefings and strategic advice to senior leaders.
• Monitor political developments and identify opportunities for early influence.
• Lead policy research and produce clear, evidence-informed recommendations.
• Represent the charity at events, roundtables, and forums.
• Work collaboratively across teams to ensure policy insights inform campaigns and communications.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven, up-to-date experience in public affairs, parliamentary engagement, or a related policy-influencing role, with a  strong track record of delivering impact.
• Strong understanding of UK parliamentary and governmental processes.
• Excellent communication skills—able to translate complex issues into clear, compelling messages.
• Political awareness, strategic thinking, and confident networking ability.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and a passion for improving outcomes for dyslexic people.

Please review the full job description for complete details about the role, responsibilities, and person specification before applying.

Why Join Us?

This is your chance to make a real difference – shaping policy, influencing decision-makers, and helping create a society where dyslexic people can thrive. You’ll work in a collaborative, supportive environment with colleagues who share your passion for positive change.

Closing date: 14 January 2026 (5pm). We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received, so we encourage you to apply early.

Use of AI in Applications
We value the unique experience and perspective each candidate brings. While we understand that AI tools can be helpful in drafting applications, they can sometimes result in responses that feel generic or impersonal. This makes it harder for us to get a true sense of you.

To help your application stand out, we encourage you to write your responses in your own words. If you do use AI tools to support your writing, please treat the generated content as a starting point rather than a final answer. Make sure your application genuinely reflects your experience and voice.

Public Affairs Officer
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Reporting to Head of Policy Campaigns and Impact
Permanent
London/Hybrid with 2 days in office in London (London Bridge/SE1 3GN)
Full time, 35 hours per week with flexible working hours
£35,708.40 + £6000 London Weighting
Benefits include: 25 days AL + Bank Holidays, a Salary Sacrifice Scheme for Pensions where JRF puts in 6% with a 3%+ minimum from the employee, cycle to work, employee assistance programme, gym discounts, eye-care vouchers, a health cash plan, and season ticket loans. You can also buy and sell a week of leave.

Charity People are proud to be partnering with Joseph Rowntree Foundation to recruit a Public Affairs Officer.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation is an independent social change organisation, working to support and speed up the transition to a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, where people and planet can flourish.

The Public Affairs Officer will work closely with the wider Campaigns and Public Affairs Team which is responsible for JRF's policy influencing and cross organisational influencing strategies. The role will also involve close work with JRF colleagues in Policy, Research, and Communications and Public engagement.

You will help to identify new relationships with key MPs, Peers, and Staffers, assisting with regular political monitoring and horizon scanning, and ensuring that planning and content management systems are regularly updated. It will also help to ensure that JRF are connecting the dots across all areas they influence on including social security, work, housing, family and care, housing, and energy.

This role requires experience within policy, public affairs, or politics, as well as a clear understanding of UK parliamentary and government procedure. The successful candidate will need to hit the ground running and therefore this is not seen as an entry-level role and does require experience.

The first six months would focus on relationship building, getting to grips with JRFs processes, laying the groundwork for regular reporting updates. This would include:

• Work across broader JRF teams to offer support to the different 'Stretch Policy Groups' on mapping potential MPs to influence.
• Taking ownership of the system for tracking impact and measuring progress against our organisational influencing objectives.
• Looking for potential opportunities in parliament to make use of JRF's policy proposals.
• Work closely with the Senior Public Affairs Officer to ensure we are co-ordinating political engagement effectively.

Key responsibilities

• Public affairs support: Assist in the delivery of policy and advocacy activities, including parliamentary events, building our presence at party or sectoral conferences, written briefings and MP engagement.
• Horizon scanning: With a focus on the Westminster parliament, UK government departments and the main city regions (England), keep a running watch for suitable opportunities for JRF to advance its arguments with key audiences and ensure that relevant colleagues are alerted well in advance to be able to respond.
• Stakeholder mapping: Identify parliamentarians who may be interested in working with us, build detailed profiles of the issues that matter to them, and maintain a core list of public affairs stakeholders.
• Stakeholder engagement: Support colleagues (by gathering information through desk top research or other methods) to prepare for their interactions with high value targets and record top level details of any contact between them and JRF.
• Network building: Build an effective network of contacts among the support staff in political offices and/or opposite numbers in other organisations with a view to identifying opportunities for collaboration between JRF and their employers.
• Representation and insight gathering: Observe speeches, conferences, and select committee hearings and report any noteworthy points.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the following knowledge and experience:

• Experience of working (either in a paid or voluntary capacity) in a public affairs/policy/political team and demonstrating initiative and flexibility to deal with a range of tasks.
• Experience of networking and using interpersonal skills to develop and promote excellent relationships.
• Experience of analysing information, conducting research and finding positive solutions to challenges.
• Confidence managing multiple projects to tight deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience of tracking political engagement across a project / campaign (desirable)
• Experience working with people who have lived experience of poverty and hardship campaigning for change (desirable)
• A strong understanding of UK Government and Parliamentary procedure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including engaging with parliamentary audiences.
• A good understanding of the issues facing low-income households in the UK and how political developments may affect them.
• An understanding of JRF's mission and work, and the context behind our policy aims.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and how this can be best applied to the role.

This role requires experience within policy, public affairs, or politics, as well as a clear understanding of UK parliamentary and government procedure. The successful candidate will need to hit the ground running and therefore this is not seen as an entry-level role and does require experience.

The successful candidate will be based at JRF's London office. Additionally, the Campaigns and Public Affairs Team find being in the office beneficial to their work and team building, therefore hybrid working at JRF means staff are encouraged to attend the office at least twice a week. The role is subject to satisfactory references.

How to apply:

The application process is CV and Supporting Statement. For more information about the role, and for the full job pack, please share your CV via the link below. The closing date is 9am on Monday 19 January. Interviews will take place w/c 26 January. We will be hosting a webinar on Thursday 8 January at 1pm for candidates interested in the role (this will be recorded and shared if you are unable to attend).

As part of our commitments under the Disability Confident Scheme, Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust operates a guaranteed interview scheme. Candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria set out in the job description and person specification will be offered an interview.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

We are a not-for-profit organisation committed to increasing the diversity and numbers of young people entering engineering and technology to meet the future workforce needs, as well as promoting roles that help us work towards net zero and drive environmental sustainability.
 

We are looking for a pro-active Public Affairs Advisor to be part of EngineeringUK’s busy policy and public affairs team. If you are interested playing a part in enabling more young people from all backgrounds to be inspired, informed and progress into engineering and technology through driving forward EngineeringUK’s engagement with politicians and enjoys collaborating with others to advocate for change, we want to hear from you. In this role as Public Affairs Advisor, you will work closely with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs to develop and enact EngineeringUK’s public affairs strategy and engagement. You will represent the organisation externally in meetings with political and policy stakeholders and work with public affairs teams across the engineering sector and beyond to advocate for improvements in the education and skills sector. 
 

About EngineeringUK 

Our purpose is to drive change so more young people choose engineering and technology careers. 

 
Our vision is that the UK has the workforce needed for engineering and technology to thrive, to improve sustainability and to achieve net zero. 

 
Our mission is to enable more young people from all backgrounds to be informed, inspired and progress into engineering and technology.

In the UK, we don’t have enough engineers and demand is going up. So, we need more young people to realise there could be a future for them in engineering and technology. To really thrive, we need a stronger, more diverse and representative workforce and for that we have to do things differently to make engineering more appealing. 

We are a not-for-profit working with hundreds of organisations across business, education, professional institutions and the third sector so we can all grow the future talent pool together. We drive that collective effort through research and evidence, leadership, activities for schools and advocacy, with a focus on long-term sustainability. 

We guided by a series of values that we apply to all our activity: 

• We are inclusive and care about diversity. We understand that we have different needs and create opportunities for everyone's voice to be heard 

• We are collaborative. We listen, share and work in partnership to achieve our vision 

• We are curious and keen to learn. We challenge ourselves and others to innovate and experiment 

• We are insightful. We evaluate what we do and draw on research to make decisions and to improve our collective understanding 

• We are driven by a strong sense of purpose. We are determined to make an impact and achieve our goals 
  
   

About the role 

Working closely with colleagues in the policy and public affairs and the research teams you will drive forward EngineeringUK’s engagement with politicians, policy makers and other political stakeholders, ensuring that EngineeringUK’s policy views are heard across Westminster, Whitehall and in the regions. This will mean developing clear engagement strategies and plans with the support of the Head of Policy & Public Affairs focused on nurturing our relationships with MPs and Peers. You will monitor political and policy developments in Westminster and the regions, working closely with policy colleagues in the team, and brief MPs and Peers using EngineeringUK’s research and policy reports and recommendations, ensuring that EngineeringUK’s views are heard in debates in Westminster and across Whitehall. As the Public Affairs Advisor you will represent EngineeringUK in meetings with some of our key partners, including the public affairs group of the National Engineering Policy Centre, supporting them to take forward joint projects. 

The role is London based at our office at 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN and may involve some travel in the UK. We believe that hybrid working has many benefits and are pleased to offer flexible working with a baseline of 2 days (or 40%) a week in our vibrant central London office overlooking the Thames. We also offer core hours of 10am to 4pm. Further details on our flexible working practices can be discussed at interview or you can reach out to a member of our HR team.

Further details of the role can be found in the job description and person specification. 
 

Role responsibilities 

• Together with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs, develop and keep up to date clear engagement plans focused on building trusting and fruitful relationships with political stakeholders and other key influencers across Westminster (with the possibility of expanding this into the regions and devolved nations). 

• Monitor, share intelligence and respond to political developments in Westminster, Whitehall and the regions.

• Write and organise Parliamentary Questions; write and organise briefings for a range of stakeholders including parliamentarians, EngineeringUK colleagues as well as some of our members. Draft consultation responses for parliamentary committees, APPGs and others as needed. 

• Represent EngineeringUK externally including on the public affairs group of the National Engineering Policy Centre.

• Support the organisation of policy and public affairs focused events in Parliament and other locations. 

• Work with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs to define and deliver our work with All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) including  a new APPG focused on the engineering and technology skills, crucial to the achievement of the Government’s growth ambitions. 

• Organise MP visits to EngineeringUK-run projects relevant to their constituencies.

• Work in line with EngineeringUK’s values to be inclusive, collaborative, curious, insightful and driven.

This is a general guide to the key responsibilities of this role - it is not exhaustive. Similarly, the amount of time that you spend on various aspects of the role may vary. 
 

Person specification 

Essential skills/competencies 

• A good understanding of politics and political processes in Westminster and Whitehall. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including a proven ability to write confidently and concisely for a variety of audiences. Experience writing briefings and consultation responses. 

• Proven ability to work independently and prioritise in response to many competing demands and time, but also take direction, be flexible and work collaboratively with others, contributing to team decisions and facilitating cross-organisational working. 

• Proactive approach to working.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with a clear ability to build relationships. 

• Team player and happy to collaborate with others.

• Commitment to our mission and values, you will be able to engage with our values and work in a way that supports our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. 

• Understanding of regional politics and political processes.

Desirable 

• Understanding and/ or experience of the politics and political processes in the devolved administrations and local government.

• An understanding and/ or experience of STEM education and skills policy

• An understanding of the engineering and technology sector 

• An existing network of relevant political and policy stakeholders. 

Education/level of experience 

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, or similar ability gained through work experience relevant to the role. 

• Experience and a good understanding of working with politicians and other political stakeholders across different parties. 

• Experience of representing organisations externally at meetings and events.

• Demonstrable experience in simplifying complex policy messages for a wider audience. 

• Experience and interest in developing policy positions.

EngineeringUK is committed to being an inclusive workplace, where everyone feels they belong. This is supported by the dedicated work we are doing to ensure our policies and practices are inclusive and training our staff to be able to fulfil this commitment. 
 

We value the benefits of a diverse workforce and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.Our recruitment process is designed to be as accessible and inclusive as possible and to ensure people are individually assessed regardless of their backgrounds or characteristics. We are an equal opportunities employer and are open to flexible working, including job share. 

Applying for this role 

Applications 

If you would like to request to submit your application in an alternative format to support accessibility, please let us know.

The deadline for applications is 16:00pm on 26 January 2026.

Interviews

Applications will be assessed against the requirements for the post as set out in the Role Profile and Person Specification. 

We are a Disability Confident committed employer. We guarantee an interview to any disabled people who meet the minimum requirements of the role. Additionally, if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to make this process easier for you then we are happy to do so. Just complete the relevant sections of the online application form.

We aim to notify candidates who have been shortlisted on 29 January 2026. If you have not heard from us after this date, please assume that you have not been successful. 
 

First interviews will be held on 3rd and 4th February 2026.  

What can we offer you?

• Competitive salary 

• 28 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), in addition we normally close for the Christmas week

• Competitive pension (10% employer contribution) 

• Annual bonus opportunity

• Flexible working

• A vibrant office with terrace overlooking the Thames embankment and Tower Bridge

• Employee Assistance Programme 

• Life Insurance (4 x salary) 

• Long term illness/incapacity insurance cover (permanent health insurance or PHI)

• Annual private health check for all employees over 40 once they have completed their probationary period and to employees over 35 after 3 years’ service 

• Discounted gym membership 

• Cycle to work Scheme 

• Yearly flu vaccination 

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We have embarked on our 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.

Location: South Wales Skylight to work hybrid in line with Crisis’ Hybrid Working Policy, with an expectation to work a minimum of one day a week from the Skylight more as per business requirements

Contract: Permanent

About the role

The Senior Policy and Public Affairs Wales role at Crisis is an exciting opportunity to make a big difference in our mission to end homelessness. Through collaborating with colleagues, our frontline services, our members with lived experience of homelessness, key partners, civil servants and Members of the Senedd, you will help to develop and push for impactful policy change in Wales.

With the next Senedd term fast approaching and new homelessness legislation expected, you will be joining the team at a critical time in our calls for bold action to end homelessness in Wales. The postholder will be passionate about achieving fairness and equity, advocating for others, and achieving social justice through policy change.

About you

· Excellent knowledge of national and local government structures across Wales, with a proven track record for  effectively influencing policy

· Ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly and concisely to a range of audiences

· Dedication to seeking effective policy change to help end homelessness, valuing the importance of lived experience in policy development

· Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team, collaborating with colleagues and building a network across key partners

· Experienced in working in a busy environment, prioritising workloads and working to deadline

· While not essential for the role, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable

Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds. 

Working at Crisis 

Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.

Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.  

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including: 

· A competitive salary. Please note our salaries are fixed to counter inequity and we do not negotiate at offer stage.

• Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy. 
• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5% 
• 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave. 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
• Flexible working around the core hours 10am-4pm 
• Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly 
• And more! (Full list of benefits available on website) 

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career. 

When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.

How do I apply?

Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.

Closing date: Sunday 18th January 2026 23:59

Interview process: Competency-based interview and a written task

Interview date and location: Friday 6th February 2026 (in-person) at Crisis Skylight, South Wales, 163 St Helens Road, Swansea, SA1 4DQ

AI in Job Applications

We understand some candidates use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we want to learn more about you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences

Accessibility 

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Talent Acquisition team will contact you to discuss how we can help. 

For more information about our work please visit

Registered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC040094 

Prospectus is pleased to be collaborating with a UK charity founded by families who lost loved ones to gambling-related suicide to recruit for a Head of Public Affairs, Policy and Advocacy to join them on permanent contract to start in 2026. The charity operates as a fully remote working organisation however there will be significant London and UK travel required as part of this role.

The Head of Public Affairs, Policy and Advocacy is responsible for the delivery of the charity’s public affairs and lived experience advocacy strategy. This role is the most senior operational position within a small advocacy function and is accountable for ensuring that agreed strategy is converted into effective, timely and impactful advocacy action by and in support of bereaved families.

The post holder will feed in to overall organisational strategy and will play a critical role in shaping delivery plans, prioritising activity, and personally undertaking significant advocacy work — including drafting letters, briefings, parliamentary questions and amendments, co-ordinating political engagement, and ensuring policy asks are actively advanced within Parliament, government and regulatory processes. The post holder will support and enable bereaved family members to engage in meeting with MPs and Peers and in provision of evidence to committees

The successful candidate will have significant experience in political advocacy or public affairs influencing, with a proven track record of responsibility for delivering policy and political outcomes. You will bring drive and passion to the role, with an empathy for people with lived experience. You will bring experience of hands-on policy delivery and a strong understanding of the UK political system, parliamentary processes and policy-making cycles. You will also have excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, persuasive and politically astute documents.

To apply please submit your CV and a two page supporting statement, preferably in Microsoft Word/PDF format. The statement should outline your motivation for joining the charity and why you feel you would be a good fit for this role. You should also demonstrate your experience and skillset with examples relating to the Person Specification section in the Job Pack. If you have any further questions or would like to know more about this opportunity please contact Steven Fraser from Prospectus.

As a specialist Recruitment Practice Prospectus are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Prospectus invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.

Role outline and purpose

The Senior Policy & Public Affairs Manager will be accountable for overseeing public affairs activities, policy development and supporting influencing activity to advance the goals of the Supportive Communities programme.  The role will plan and lead public affairs activities, policy development and support influencing strategy and activities, providing in-depth expertise across the programme with a specific focus on our emerging community design priorities and our work with a range of stakeholders, local/regional decision-makers and national policy-makers in the communities space.

This role is part of Trussell’s Supportive Communities programme, the goal of which is to enable local communities to become places where people at risk of needing to use a food bank are supported and are using their agency to bring about meaningful changes that prevent anybody from needing emergency food.  This role is focused on the successful delivery of the overall programme outcomes, contributing to the fulfilment of our long term vision of a UK without the need for food banks.

Role responsibilities

· Lead public affairs activities linked to the Community Design portfolio within the Supportive Communities programme, including developing and delivering an effective public affairs strategy reaching key decision-makers including parliamentarians, mayors and local authority leaders.

· Work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders from the sector and among policymakers to shape and deliver the programme’s policy strategy.

· Lead policy development to achieve the goals of the Supportive Communities programme.

· Establish and maintain momentum in policy development across the programme, ensuring the creation of credible proposals and building a strong case for policymakers to implement asks.

• Support with wider strategic development as part of Trussell’s policy and influencing strategy, including working with colleagues to align policy development and asks within the programme across the UK, nations and regions.

· Provide advice and line management, including regular 1:1s and assessment against objectives, and identify development needs.

Person Specification

Technical skills and minimum knowledge:

· Significant experience of developing and delivering effective public affairs strategies and interventions with evidence of securing local or national policy-change

· Significant track record of successfully developing policy solutions and influencing politicians and/or key decision-makers to achieve policy change

· Strong communication skills (written and oral) with impact and for a range of audiences

· Experience of providing strategic input to support senior leadership

· Experience of line managing, including dealing with performance issues and supporting team development

· Self-sufficient use of IT, including proficiency in Work, Excel, PowerPoint, and experience in project management processes and software

Behaviours and competencies:

· Works collaboratively, managing challenges in a constructive manner

· Balances competing priorities and work to tight deadlines

· Demonstrates a dedication to the values of Trussell

· Demonstrates empathy for people from disadvantaged, marginalised or socially-excluded backgrounds

· Role models inclusive behaviour, values and leadership

Public Affairs Officer
Location: WWT Slimbridge, GL2 - Hybrid + Travel
Salary: £31,680 per annum
Contract: Permanent

About The Role

Are you passionate about building a political consensus for nature restoration? Are you able to translate public support into parliamentary will? Do you want to shift the political dial for one of our most superpowered habitats? 

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of a well-respected and evidence-led organisation with an ambitious new strategy to restore 100,000 hectares of wetlands across the country. From providing homes for wildlife to protecting communities from flooding, we want to unlock the superpowers of wetlands so everyone can benefit.

Based in the Communications Team, you’ll work closely with our Senior Campaigns Manager and colleagues across the organisation to build and deliver a public affairs strategy that fits the ambition of our 2030 aims. With a keen eye on UK politics and an ability to build relationships with key decision-makers, you’ll help us translate widespread public support for nature into the political will for action, and the policies to follow it up.

With support from our team of experts, you will lead stakeholder engagement across government, Parliament and policy organisations, ensuring WWT’s research and strategic priorities are communicated effectively. Your work will include developing policy positions, producing briefings and reports, managing public affairs events, and gathering intelligence on the external policy landscape.

This hands-on role demands a strategic thinker with strong political insights, capable of building relationships, monitoring political environments and crafting plans and strategies that deliver the political change we need to see.

About You

We are seeking an individual with:

• Relevant experience working within a public affairs, campaigns, parliamentary or government environment. 
• Proven experience of developing and delivering public affairs and advocacy plans and strategies designed to influence Government, politicians and other stakeholders. 
• Experience of working closely with senior colleagues, offering strategic advice and briefings ahead of political events.
• Strong working knowledge of the UK Parliament’s political processes and an understanding of the current political environment, including parliamentary tools and processes. 
• Confidence building a network of strong and positive relationships with government officials, including politicians and civil servants to affect policy change. 
• Confidence representing an organisation and its cause with high-profile and political audiences. 
• Familiarity with campaigning to build political and public support that leads to policy change. 
• Strong writing skills, confident communicating complex issues clearly and succinctly, and adapting style for different audiences. 

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme

We are based in Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire, but support hybrid working with an expectation for team members to be in Slimbridge at least once a week.  While this post is based at a WWT site with the opportunity for hybrid working, travel will be necessary for parliamentary purposes, including outside of normal business hours when required.

If you want to make a direct contribution to the conservation of wetlands and wetland wildlife at a critical moment for the natural world, then click apply.

Closing Date: 18th January 2026

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.

No agencies please.

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. 

Job Title: Head of Policy

Reporting to: Director of Impact

Contract: 12 month fixed term contract (maternity cover)

Closing date: 23:59pm, Sunday 1st February 2026

Interview date: 12th/13th of February 2026

At the heart of B Lab UK’s strategy is the goal of ‘changing the rules’ of our economic system so that our economy works for all people and the planet. As our Head of Policy this is an opportunity to help us achieve this goal in the next 10 years.

 Certified B Corps give us real-world models of ‘business for good’ and data to prove companies can be run in a better way and credibility for our advocacy. Building on these foundations – and your own, unique understanding, vision and judgement with respect to the UK’s sustainability and ‘business for good’ landscape – you’ll work to create legislative and regulatory change so that ‘business for good’ becomes the new normal.

 B Lab UK is part of the global B Corp movement, with the mission to inspire and enable people to use business as a force for good. Certified B Corps seek to redefine success in business by putting social and environmental impact on a par with profit. There are now over 10,000 B Corps spanning 102 countries and 160+ sectors, with many well-known brands including Patagonia, The Guardian, Giff Gaff and Divine Chocolate. 2,700 of those businesses are in the UK. Find out more on our website.

In the crucial new role of Head of Policy, sitting within our Impact & Community directorate and working closely with our B Corp Community team, you’ll be expected to take our policy work to a new level: building our policy and advocacy capability and capacity, as well as working alongside our established media, campaigns and communications teams in order to transform our economic system.

• Contribute to B Lab UK's impact strategy and drive this into action.
• Shape B Lab UK's stance on a range of key policy issues.
• Participate in the development of new policies and align existing policies
• Build strong relationships with influential stakeholders in public policy and regulation, including government bodies, regulators and think tanks.
• Track proposed and upcoming policy changes in areas of interest, plus broader policy trends.

Please refer to the job description linked to this advert for full requirements for this role.

The kind of things we’re looking for…

• In depth understanding of the UK’s evolving sustainability and ‘business for good’ policy and regulatory landscape, including key institutional actors, in order to be a force for good.
• The vision and judgement to identify risks and opportunities in the political, policy and regulatory space, to choose courage over comfort, and so enable strategic decision making.
• Ability to develop strategies that take into account this context – and to configure processes, relationships and resources around those strategies.
• Ability to work with UK politicians, civil servants, regulators and other key actors in order to raise the bar of what normal business behaviour is, through legislative and regulatory change.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including developing collaborative diverse networks and building relationships at all levels.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences.
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively, coordinate complex projects and delegate when appropriate.
• Ability to take a research-informed and principles-led approach to supporting colleagues in realising and maximising their potential, and so bring out the best in everyone.
• Potential to thrive in a small team within a growing organisation – to go further together with colleagues and stakeholders alike, always advocating for a growth mindset and continuous improvement.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK (we are not able to provide visa sponsorship).

Visit our career site to learn about the application journey you can expect and for full guidance and support on making your application. You can also read about the great colleague benefits available if you join our team.

B Lab believes an equitable and inclusive work environment and a diverse, empowered team are key to achieving our mission. We’re not looking for candidates who are “culture fits.” We’re looking for candidates who can expand our culture and challenge business as usual. We strive to foster an environment where all staff can bring themselves to work by their own definition, and we strive to provide all candidates with an equitable and accessible recruitment process.

About Us

Learning and Work Institute is an independent policy and research organisation focused on lifelong learning and better work. Our vision is for a fair and prosperous society where learning and work enable everyone to realise their potential. We research what works, influence policy, and develop new ideas to improve practice.

About The Role

Permanent : Part-time flexible, 22.5-30 hours per week, to be worked across 4-5 days.

Salary: £25,780-£34,910 per annum (pro rata), dependent on experience and location 

This role within our external affairs team focuses on securing impact for our work by supporting the delivery of our campaigns and events.

This varied role involves providing coordination of and administrative support to our flagship campaign, Get the Nation Learning; regional adult learning awards; and L&W events.

The ideal candidate will need experience of working in a busy administration role; excellent communication skills; the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels; excellent organisation skills; and the ability to work flexibly in a fast-paced environment. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Campaigns

• Coordinate the delivery of the Get the Nation Learning campaign. This means: working with L&W’s head of lifelong learning to produce a comprehensive project plan; monitoring progress across team members to ensure work is delivered to time; undertaking all administrative elements of campaign delivery; managing the nominations and selection process for the Get the Nation Learning Awards; monitoring the budget; and working with the head of lifelong learning to manage relationships with sponsors, stakeholders and suppliers.
• Supporting the delivery of regional adult learning awards, including coordinating nominations and selection processes; undertaking all administrative tasks; and working with L&W’s external affairs manager to manage relationships with clients and award winners.

Events

• Supporting the delivery of L&W’s in-person and online events, including our annual Employment and Skills Convention and Get the Nation Learning Awards ceremony. This involves undertaking administrative tasks such as managing registrations, liaison with speakers and delegates, supporting delivery of events on the day, and working with the external affairs manager to manage relationships with sponsors and suppliers.

Other duties

• Support the external affairs team with communications tasks, for example website updates, drafting and preparing marketing emails and social media posts, distributing press releases etc.
•  Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility for this post.

About You

Skills

• Excellent administration, organisation and planning skills - Essential
• Strong project coordination/management skills - Essential
• Excellent communication (oral and written) - Essential
• Proficient in MS Office - Essential
• Proficient in the use of CRM software - Desirable
• Proficient in the use of email marketing and website editing software- Desirable
• Basic design skills and familiarity with design software, such as Canva- Desirable

Knowledge

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

Experience

• Proven experience in a coordination or administration role - Essential
• Experience of supporting the delivery of successful influencing campaigns- Desirable
• Experience of planning and delivering events - Desirable
• Proven ability to work under pressure, prioritise workloads, negotiate and meet deadlines - Essential

Benefits (FTE equivalent, part time pro-rated)

Salary of £25,780-£34,910 per annum), dependent on experience and location .

- 31 days' holiday increasing to 33 days after 5 years’ service, of which 3 are shutdown days in addition to public holidays.

- Company pension scheme with 8% employer contribution

- Group Life Assurance 3*salary

- Hybrid working (with 40%-60% of your time required in the office)

- Flexible working practices

- Employee Development Scheme

- Retailer Discounts

- Enhanced occupational maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay

- Enhanced occupational sick pay

- Eye care scheme

- Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme

- Gold award in Investors in People

Do you want your work to influence Parliament, shape public debate and make a tangible difference to people’s lives?

We are looking for a driven, curious and politically savvy External Affairs Officer to join an excellent team that delivers for our members every day. This role offers a genuine opportunity to help build and strengthen our parliamentary engagement and wider external affairs activity at a pivotal time for social care.

You will join a supportive, intelligent and ambitious team that values evidence, collaboration and impact. We invest in our people, encourage professional development and give you real responsibility and exposure from day one. Your work will help shape national conversations and support a sector that matters.

About us

We are the UK’s membership body for over 2,200 homecare providers. Together, we work to ensure society values and invests in homecare so people can live well at home and flourish in their communities. We support our members with practical tools, trusted insight and strong representation, and we speak with authority to government, Parliament, the media and the wider public.

About the role

As External Affairs Officer, you will sit at the heart of our communications and parliamentary work. You will work closely with colleagues and members to raise awareness of the value of homecare and advance the interests of the sector.

You will help grow our profile in Parliament and the media, support campaigns, and strengthen relationships with MPs, journalists and stakeholders. You will also play a key role in translating member experience into compelling external messages and ensuring members feel heard, supported and represented.

This role suits someone who enjoys joining the dots, spots opportunities quickly and wants to build a career in external affairs, public affairs or communications within a respected, mission-driven organisation.

What you will do

• Track parliamentary activity and political developments, summarising key issues for colleagues and members
• Support parliamentary engagement, including drafting briefings, communications and Parliamentary Questions
• Build and maintain relationships with MPs, parliamentary staff and external stakeholders
• Monitor media coverage and help shape proactive and reactive media opportunities
• Draft clear, engaging content for press releases, member communications and external channels
• Plan and deliver social media activity that strengthens reach, engagement and influence
• Work closely with members to capture case studies, insights and lived experience
• Contribute to blogs, publications, events and conferences, including party conferences
• Support the team with coordination, reporting and continuous improvement

About you

You are bright, motivated and organised, with a strong interest in politics, policy and communications. You enjoy writing, relationship-building and working at pace. You take initiative, think critically and care about delivering high-quality work.

You will bring:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to tailor messages to different audiences
• Experience in public affairs, media, communications or campaigning, or a closely related field
• An understanding of UK parliamentary processes and political engagement
• Confidence using social media to inform, engage and influence
• Strong planning skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• An interest in social care, health or public services, or a desire to build expertise in this area

Why join us

If you want a role where your ideas count and your work makes a difference, we would love to hear from you.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a 2-page covering letter outlining how you meet the person specification.

The Homecare Association is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and encourage applications from all qualified candidates.

For the full role profile, and person specification, please go to our website and the 'About Us' page.

Closing date for applications

Monday 26 January 2026 at 11.59pm. We reserve the right to close applications early.

Please note that we are not accepting speculative approaches or CVs from recruitment agencies or third-party recruiters.

Interviews

First stage interviews will be w/c Monday 2 February 2026.

These will be held in person, at our office in London. The closest train station is Waterloo.