Policy and public affairs consultant jobs

Do you want to shape public thinking, influence national conversations, and help ensure people’s voices are heard at every level of decision-making?

Do you have experience in public affairs, policy engagement, or communications, and a passion for equity, voice, and inclusion?

Are you looking for a role where you can lead strategic engagement and influence change?

We’re recruiting for a new Public Affairs & External Engagement Lead, a role designed to shape our public profile, strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and decision-makers, and ensure our values are reflected in the systems that shape people’s lives.

You’ll be part of our growing External Influence team, working in close collaboration with the Media and PR Lead. The role is home-based with occasional travel to meet stakeholders or attend events.

About us 

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations. 

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website. 

About you

You’ll bring a strong track record in public affairs, stakeholder engagement and networking, or strategic communications, ideally within a public, policy, or values-led environment.

You’re confident navigating complex systems and building credibility with stakeholders such as local and national government, public sector leaders, charities, and think tanks.

You understand how influence works, and you’re excited by the opportunity to help shape conversations..

Experience in the health, social care, equalities, or advocacy sector would be valuable, but what matters most is your ability to listen, connect, and translate complexity into influence.

How will you make a difference?

You’ll lead VoiceAbility’s work to strengthen relationships and reputation with people who shape policy, services, and public discourse.

You’ll help position the organisation as a respected thought leader, using insight, data, and storytelling to drive awareness of the issues people face and how things can change.

Working closely with colleagues in Media, Marketing and Business Development, you’ll identify opportunities to contribute to debates, lead engagement with key public and sector stakeholders, and ensure VoiceAbility’s voice is present and consistent in the places that matter.

Benefits 

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service 

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution 

Salary sacrifices pension scheme 

Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary) 

Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc 

24/7 Employee Assistance programme 

Access to remote counselling service 

Paid Disability Leave 

Paid compassionate Leave 

Home Working Allowance  

Support with continuous professional development 

Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development  

Personal Development Plans 

How are staff supported to work remotely? 

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community. 

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach. 

Equality and Diversity

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact us for further options.

How to apply

To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on this page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form. 

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications; Midnight on 10 October 2025, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date. 

Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification. 

Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Public Affairs expert. 

The Christie Charity is a vibrant, fast moving, energetic organisation with a passionate team and a fantastic reputation.

Everything we do is geared to supporting the renowned Christie hospital ensuring cancer patients receive the highest level of treatment and care and have access to world leading research and technology. We provide funding over and above what the NHS provides.

We are currently entering a particularly exciting period of growth and expansion as we fundraise for a number of major projects.

We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic self-starter to support the Head of PR, Communications and Celebrity Engagement and work collaboratively with Charity colleagues to highlight the impact our supporters and fundraisers make to cancer patients.

You will be equally at home pitching a story to a national journalist, working with a senior consultant or scientist to draft a new Charity funded research story, briefing photographers, liaising with fundraisers to tell their story, writing newsletter copy or devising a communications plan.

The Charity team is responsible for raising millions of pounds each year to ensure Christie patients receive the very best care and treatment. This includes everything from access to world first clinical trials and receiving radiotherapy in state-of-the-art treatment centres, to young adults being cared for in a bespoke age-appropriate centre and being able to offer patients anxiety reducing complementary therapy, or even creative sessions in our art room.

If you want to make a real difference to cancer patients and are ready to rise to the challenge of working for one of the most successful charities in the North-West, then this could be the role for you.

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 29 September

Interview date: Friday 17 October

Call for expression of interest 

End-Term Evaluation Consultancy 

Project name: Strengthening Civil Society Representation of Women with Disabilities in Ghana 

Location: Ghana/Remote Global (at least 1-2 team members must be based in Ghana for data collection purposes) 

Length of consultancy: 8-9 months 

About the project 

The Strengthening Civil Society Representation of Women with Disabilities in Ghana project is a two-year project funded by the European Commission. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of two co-applicants (Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organisation (WODAO) and the Alliance for Better Advocacy and Knowledge (ABAK) Foundation) in the areas of management, communication, fundraising, coordination, advocacy, gender, climate change, networking, and financial accountability.

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen both co-applicant organisations, their partners and their members to effectively participate in development and decision-making processes. 

About the consultancy 

The purpose of this end of term evaluation (ETE) is to assess performance of the project and to understand what specific learnings can be taken forward in future project design and implementation. It is also intended that the evaluation will contribute evidence and/or insight towards some of Sightsavers’ thematic learning questions. An external ETE, to be conducted by the end of the project, is also a requirement by the donor.  

The evaluation will also be designed to collect endline data for three project indicators, as specified in the project MEL plan. It is intended that the findings, learnings and recommendations from the evaluation will be used to inform the design and delivery of similar projects and programmes. 

The evaluation will employ a collaborative and participatory approach to ensure that the evaluation takes into account the complex nature of how capacity is strengthened. It will use a mixed methods approach, triangulating secondary project documentation and data with some qualitative primary data collection. This is likely to include key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with various project stakeholders. The appointed consultant will further define the methods and tools and may wish to consider elements of outcome harvesting if deemed appropriate.

Skills and Experience 

The evaluation will be contracted to an external independent consultant or consultancy company. It would be beneficial if the consultant or team is at least partly located in Ghana. The evaluation team members should have the following core competencies and experience: 

• Extensive experience in monitoring and evaluation for international development project/programmes, with strong skills in both qualitative and quantitative approaches.

• Thematic expertise in disability inclusion, Climate Action, advocacy, and/or capacity development of women’s organisations is essential. Comprehensive understanding of preferred practices/policy issues at global and national level is desirable. 

• Prior experience working in Ghana is essential, including data collection experience. A consultant or team with members located in Ghana is preferred. 

• Must have experience of carrying out evaluations of an appropriate scope and scale. 

• Ability to travel within Ghana is required. 

• Proven ability to produce concise, readable and analytical reports. 

• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken, in English. Fluency in other relevant local languages is highly desirable. 

• Proven ability to work independently, manage resources, and deliver work within agreed timeframes. 

In particular, the Team Leader (to be identified in the offer) is expected to possess a demonstrable senior evaluation expertise coherent with the requirements of this assignment and not provide less than 20 working days. 

This is a highly varied and involved consultancy position, and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties, required professional skills, project information, or expected scope of work. Please ensure you read the full Terms of Reference (ToR) for all details.  

Next Steps 

To apply for this exciting new opportunity, please complete an application via our recruitment portal. 

All applications must include: 

Budget Template (link here) – Please complete and upload this as part of your application 

CVs of all proposed consultants 

Completion of our online Expression of Interest from (EOI): Please ensure that Section 3 (Addressing the requirements) of the EoI form covers the following two points : 

1. Please describe your proposed design for the evaluation/learning exercise with particular reference to the key questions from the ToRs (Max 500 words). 

• Task conceptualisation

• Approach, framework 

• Methods, tools

• Etc.

1. Please describe your approach to addressing equity and inclusion, including gender, disability, marginalised communities etc. (Max 300 words) 

We anticipate that remote interviews will take place during the weeks of 6 October or 13 October 2025 and the evaluation process will include a 1 stage oral interview to be completed by shortlisted candidates.

Closing date: 28 September 2025 

As a global equal opportunities employer, Sightsavers is committed to embracing diversity throughout our workforce by creating an inclusive environment that reflects the many cultures and locations where we work. Our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society and we will actively promote the inclusion of individuals with a disability. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

Sightsavers is an employer that does not tolerate any form of harassment and has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All potential candidates will be subjected to rigorous background checks and controls. 

Fundraising Manager – 17.5 to 21 hours per week 

Age UK Camden is seeking to recruit a dedicated Fundraising Manager to this vital role. 

Age UK Camden is a local, independent and innovative charity which has provided services to older people in Camden for more than 50 years through diverse and inclusive services.  We are looking for a results-driven Fundraising Manager who will be responsible for the fundraising, income generation and marketing/communications functions within Age UK Camden (AUC). The post holder will report to the CEO and work in close liaison with the Senior Management Team and the external bid writing consultant to support the charity to expand our income streams and help us build a strong external profile. 

The successful candidate will: 

• Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising and income generation strategy that supports AUC’s Business Plan and maximizes both unrestricted and restricted funding. 

• Develop and deliver an ongoing marketing and communications strategy to support. AUC’s strategic aims and increase our visibility and engagement. 

• Establish and nurture innovative funding streams to support long-term growth. 

• Identify opportunities to generate new income and establish sustainable new income streams. 

• Support the delivery of a comprehensive programme of community engagement with stakeholders from across the communities that we serve. 

• Lead and manage specific strategic projects as required, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with organizational goals. 

Salary:  P02 SCP30-33 Starting at £40,104.80 pa for a 35 hour week (FTE) 

Which for a 21 hour week is £24,062.88 pa and for 17.5 hours is £20,052.40 pa  

Hours: 17.5 to 21

Contract Type: Permanent 

Closing date:   Thursday 9th October 9am Interview dates: TBC 

To Apply:

As part of the application process please submit an application form demonstrating how you meet the shortlisting criteria in the Person Specification. Please also complete and return the equality and diversity monitoring form and the criminal convictions declaration form. 

Age UK Camden is an Equal Opportunities and London Living Wage Employer.  Registered Charity No. 293446 

About Topos Research UK and Topos Institute

Topos Research UK is an entrepreneurial, dynamic charity start-up in the UK (inc. 2024) with a parent charity start-up, Topos Institute in the US (inc. 2019). We are a non-profit research institute dedicated to realising a world where the systems that surround us benefit us all, so that society can better cooperate on critical issues — the climate crisis, pandemic responses, agricultural modelling, global access to education, and more — through interconnected systems that consider holistic impacts. We develop new tools for collective inquiry and modelling, enabled by a combination of novel foundational mathematics, open-source software engineering, and meaningful collaboration with domain specialists.

The Opportunity

We seek a strategic Operations Director to lead the successful scaling of our rapidly growing UK operation. This is a pivotal, creative leadership role reporting directly to our Board of Trustees, with day-to-day collaboration with board representative Brendan Fong (Topos UK Trustee and Topos USA CEO).

Current State:

• 1-year-old entity with £500k annual revenue
• 6 talented staff (research scientists, software engineers, postdocs)
• 3 planned new staff members within the next 6 months
• Two major grants: £600k (1-year) and £1.2M (2.25-year)
• Projected FY26 revenue: £1M

The Challenge: You’ll be our first senior operations hire, responsible for establishing the systems and culture that will enable Topos UK (and Topos as a whole) to thrive as we scale from startup to established institution, collaborating between the UK and US offices, and pioneering a new style of technology-oriented research organisation keenly focussed on improving lives.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Finance Leadership

• Lead operations and finance for a projected £1M+ annual budget from research grants
• Support grant solicitation, budgeting, procurement, monitoring, and reporting
• Collaborate with financial consultants on organizational strategies, budgets, treasury, and tax affairs
• Coordinate with US-based Topos Institute on governance, consolidated reporting, and shared contracts

Strategic Planning & Culture Building

• Partner with the Board of Trustees and Topos Institute USA to develop and implement strategic plans aligned with our institutional mission
• Champion the critical role of operations and administration in achieving our research mission
• Establish and nurture an organizational culture that:
  • Integrates diverse perspectives and lived experiences
  • Views uncertainty as opportunity for innovation
  • Balances operational efficiency with academic freedom
  • Embodies public purpose, intellectual rigor, and collaboration

Team Leadership & Development

• Nurture and mentor our growing team of 6+ researchers and engineers
• Support individual career aspirations while building collective capacity
• Work with HR consultants to develop talent management systems and support organizational human resources needs
• Foster an environment where exceptional people can do their best work

Systems & Infrastructure

• Design and implement policies, internal controls, and procedures for sustainable growth
• Oversee operational functions including inventory management and facilities
• Oversee compliance, risk management, and organizational governance
• Manage physical space requirements, including future lease negotiations
• Coordinate legal affairs with Board of Trustees, sourcing expertise as needed

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as operational interface with funders, partners, and collaborators
• Represent Topos UK’s capabilities and needs to external stakeholders
• Support business development for future grant and contract opportunities
• Assume additional responsibilities as organizational needs evolve

What We’re Looking For

Essential Experience

• 5+ years in senior operations/finance roles at mission-driven organizations
• Proven ability to build systems and culture from the ground up
• Experience with research institutions, nonprofits, or technology startups
• Track record managing complex budgets and grant funding
• Track record of successfully impacting both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives

Leadership Qualities

• Collaborative, supportive management style with focus on team development
• Skilled at building consensus in a complex organisation and able to achieve results through influence and partnership
• Ability to foster inclusive environments where diverse perspectives thrive
• Experience mediating differences and supporting individual team member success
• Ability to communicate clearly and collaboratively, both internally and externally
• Creative problem-solving approach with strong analytical skills

Cultural Fit

• Intellectually curious with appreciation for technical research
• Mission-first orientation with commitment to public benefit
• Comfortable with complexity, ambiguity, and rapid change; sees challenges as opportunities for growth
• Committed to building inclusive, supportive team environments
• Values-driven leader who can balance efficiency with academic freedom
• Motivated by meaningful work that contributes to helping solve global-scale challenges
• Values continuous learning, diverse perspectives, and collaborative problem-solving
• Ability to periodically travel to the head office in Berkeley, California, or other locations as needed
• Flexibility with working hours, to accommodate for collaboration across global time zones
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in relevant field (business, nonprofit management, etc.)
• Experience with international organizations or multi-entity coordination
• Familiarity with academic research environments
• Technical literacy sufficient to engage with mathematical/computational work

Why Topos UK

Exceptional Team: Collaborate with world-leading researchers and high calibre funding agencies.

Inclusive Environment: Be part of building a diverse team where different perspectives are valued and everyone can contribute their best work.

Meaningful Impact: Your operational excellence directly enables breakthrough research on humanity’s most pressing challenges—from climate change to public health to collaborative open science.

Technical Innovation: Support the development of genuinely novel technologies that could transform how humanity approaches complex, collaborative decision-making.

Supportive Culture: Join a caring, inquiry-driven community that values both intellectual rigor and personal well-being, with a strong focus on in-person office culture but flexibility to support work-life balance.

Growth Opportunity: Shape the foundational systems of an organization poised for significant expansion and impact.

Apply

Topos Research UK is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. There is evidence to suggest that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. No matter who you are, if this role speaks to you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you tick all the boxes. We’d especially like to encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

If you require any adjustments to the application process, such as accessibility accommodations, additional preparation time, or other, please let us know in your application. We’re happy to support your needs and adjust the application process.

Next Steps: This role offers the rare opportunity to be the operational backbone behind important research that contributes to how humanity tackles global challenges. If you’re energized by building meaningful institutions and enabling exceptional people to do transformative work, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We expect the process to include initial screening, work assessments, team interviews, and references.

Having adopted a new and ambitious strategy, and embarked on a period of transformational change, Two Saints are now looking to ensure they are in the strongest position to deliver their vision in what are difficult times. This vision is ‘to be a safety net for people in tough times and the springboard to a brighter future.’ The organisation delivers a full range of services to clients across Hampshire, Dorset, Berkshire and the Isle of Wight, and the role of the Two Saints Board is to guide, direct and challenge the plans and strategic decisions relating to these services.

So we’re looking for people who can help Two Saints deliver their vision, with  a background and experience in either:

• Asset management, perhaps with experience of the net-zero agenda
• Supported housing services or social care

We’re interested in hearing from talented people who may be looking for their first governance role, and you may have had lived experience.

If you’re interested in what Two Saints do and feel you can make a contribution, we’d like to hear from you so take a look at the candidate pack here https://bit.ly/45U1yDX.