Street fundraising jobs

Head of Policy and Public Affairs

Bring your energy, creativity and expertise - and help us impact young people positively.

Location: Sherborne House, London (hybrid)

Salary: £52,535 per annum

Closing Date: 29 March, 2026

Employment Type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5

About the Role

Step into a role where your policy expertise drives real change. As Head of Policy and Public Affairs, you’ll lead an ambitious strategy to influence national decision‑makers, shape legislation and ensure the voices of people affected by homelessness are impossible to ignore. You’ll turn insight into impact, championing our values while strengthening our political presence and public profile

You’ll build powerful relationships across Westminster, Whitehall and the wider sector, producing sharp briefings, commissioning research and delivering high‑profile events that elevate Depaul’s influence. Confident in the media and skilled at simplifying complex issues, you’ll work across teams to anticipate policy change, spark innovation and help drive forward our mission to end homelessness. If you’re driven, strategic and ready to make national change happen, this is your platform.

Key deliverables:

• Develop organisational policy positions on key strategic issues for Depaul UK, focusing on policy areas that matter for our client group including homelessness, housing, welfare, health and care leavers.

• Working with the Director of Development and External Affairs to deliver a multi-year policy and public affairs strategy, you will own its delivery, having demonstrable impact on policy through influencing legislation, as well as securing funding and commitments from the government .

• Work with the Executive Director of Fundraising and Communications and their team to improve Depaul’s public profile by giving us a louder political voice.

• Work with the Executive Director of Operations and their team to ensure Depaul is well positioned to respond to changes in policy and regulation.

• Work in partnership with Depaul UK’s Head of Data and Insights on research projects designed to influence policy.

• Monitor, analyse and report on policy developments which may impact on the work of Depaul UK.

• Provide high quality written and verbal briefings, reports and submissions to consultations.

• Work with senior colleagues to develop positive relationships for Depaul UK with ministers, senior officials, elected Mayors, Parliamentarians and with other policy influencers including our peers in the homeless sector.

• Ensure that the voices and experiences of clients are heard and understood to improve and change services delivered by Depaul, commissioners and policy makers.

• Give interviews to the media.

• Organise and coordinate events and meetings.

• Strengthen Depaul’s links with other voluntary sector organisations in the homelessness, youth and faith sectors.

• Contribute to Depaul International’s global influencing work.

What we are looking for from you (Person Specification)

When completing your application form please address all the areas below. Try to provide clear examples in your supporting statement that clarify how and when you gained the experience or knowledge as well as your level of capability.

To carry out this role we are looking for the following from you in terms of qualifications, experience, skills and competencies:

Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of the homelessness sector and policy context is desirable but not essential, it is essential that you have developed strong, specialist knowledge of a UK policy area or areas.

Experience and skills

• Having had demonstrable impact on government policy.

• Developing and maintaining positive relationships with Parliamentarians and officials

• Organising or helping to organise events, it is desirable but not essential that you have organised events in Parliament

• Leading projects with colleagues from different internal or external teams

• Delivering high quality verbal and written policy briefings and presentations to senior stakeholders

• Working with colleagues to secure media coverage

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work on own initiative and with low levels of supervision

• Ability to prioritise key tasks and manage conflicting priorities

• Ability to deliver to deadlines, sometimes at short notice

• Desirable - drafting and delivering policy and/or public affairs plans/strategies

• Desirable - representing organisations in the media and at events

You will need to be able to travel throughout the UK and on occasions work out of hours.

You believe in people — their strengths, their rights and their potential. You bring empathy, energy and a solution‑focused mindset to your work. You communicate clearly, stay organised and adapt well in a fast‑moving environment. You’re committed to inclusion, fairness and continuous learning, and you turn values into meaningful action, whatever your role.

What You’ll Receive

• Tailored training and development
• Flexible working options where suitable
• 26 days annual leave, rising with service
• Family‑friendly leave policies
• Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access
• Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more
• Cash health plan for you and your family
• Death‑in‑service benefit
• Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.

About Depaul UK

In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 Depaul UK was born.

What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, Depaul UK provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

As our name suggests, the work of Depaul UK has been inspired by St. Vincent de Paul – a man who devoted his life to helping vast numbers of people throughout the 17th century. St. Vincent de Paul’s belief in the intrinsic worth of all people and his commitment to taking bold action remain central to our values today. Depaul UK now forms part of a family of Depaul charities around the world. We each focus on the specific challenges in our own countries, but we’re united by our shared values and mission to end homelessness.

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

We are recruiting for two roles, one in Avon Wildlife Trust and one in Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. The job description and person specification are the same for each role. You can elect a preference for one or either Wildlife Trust in your application form.

�� Help Create the Western Forest

The Western Forest is a bold new initiative forming part of England’s National Forest Network—connecting landscapes across Avon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. Together with a wide network of partners, we’re working to restore nature, improve wellbeing and generate green growth.

As a Farm & Tree Advisor, you will play a pivotal role in planning and delivering woodland creation, supporting our ambition to establish 2,500 hectares of new woodland by 2030. You’ll be working directly with farmers and landowners to bring tree‑planting projects to life—ensuring the right trees are planted in the right places, supported by the right grants and funding.

You’ll be joining a friendly, supportive team in Avon or Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, supported by the Western Forest team expertise and embedded in a region‑wide nature recovery network.

�� What You’ll Be Doing

• Acting as an on‑the‑ground representative of Avon / Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the Western Forest
• Identifying new tree and woodland creation opportunities with existing and new farmer and landowner contacts
• Building and developing strong, trusted relationships with farmers and landowners in your area
• Delivering a one‑stop shop advisory service for tree planting, including site visits, planting design support and grant guidance
• Producing tree creation plans that deliver benefits to the farming system and wider land use
• Managing multiple landowner projects simultaneously—mapping, costing, planning and reporting
• Preparing and submitting grant applications and navigating regulatory requirements
• Working collaboratively with forestry agents, farmers, partners, and other environmental NGOs

�� About You

We're looking for someone who combines farm and tree expertise with strong project management and communication and engagement skills. You’ll thrive when working with people to deliver meaningful change on the ground that works for them and the environment.

�� Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Avon / Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Western Forest are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We believe that nature is for everyone, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences.

We operate a blind shortlisting process to ensure fairness and focus on your skills and experience. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Would you like to be Gods heart, hands and feet to the children of inner city Leeds?

Do you love Jesus and want to play your part in impacting the lives of 1000 children connected to Kidz Klub? If you love logistics and decision making, and would love to pray, coordinate, serve, project manage and encourage a dedicated team then get in touch. The Children of Leeds need you.

We have an exciting Vacancy here at Kidz Klub!

We are looking for an enthusiastic, committed, compassionate individual who is passionate about reaching children at scale through our large Central Klub and Schools Work. The role involves Coordinating a large team of committed Volunteers and Line Managing Staff members and organising our large Central Klub, as well as assemblies in Schools. In all these areas you will be cheering your team and the children on, injecting a lot of fun along the way. 

Our vision is to work together with congregations and partners to see lasting transformation, through the love of God, for the most marginalised, unreached children, their families and communities of Leeds. 

37.5 hours per week (we would consider term time only-please state on your application). 

Salary £28,000-£29,000 gross dependent upon experience and qualifications. A Pension is offered in line with the Trusts policy. 

Annual Leave 6 weeks/year plus Bank Holidays to be taken in school holidays.  

Other benefits: Employee health support plan. Flexible working options. Termly prayer day, training day and retreat day. Ongoing personal development and training.  Employee discounts scheme. Join a Kings Award recognised organisation and a team who love and care for each other well.

Due to the nature of our work, this position is subject to a successful Disclosure and Barring Service check and references. 

Deadline for applications: 9am 11th March

Interview: Stage 1 Monday March 23rd 3-8:30pm at Central Klub. Stage 2 sit down interview Tues 24th  or  Weds 25th March 26 daytime.

Position to commence:ASAP following above