Campaigns and advocacy officer jobs in Birmingham

About Kidney Care UK

Around 3.5 million people in the UK live with chronic kidney disease, and one million of them don’t know that they do.

Since 1975, Kidney Care UK has been at the forefront of supporting people with kidney disease. From our early days when we campaigned to introduce donor cards in the UK, we have worked hard to support and represent the interests of everyone affected by kidney disease.

About the Patient Support Service

The Patient Support Service provides practical, emotional and financial support for anyone affected by chronic kidney disease. Whatever the need presented, we empower people living with CKD and their families and carers to understand their options and make informed choices to positively navigate their experience of CKD. We’ll walk alongside them for as long as they need us to.

About the Role

Our regional Patient Support Officers play a key role in establishing Kidney Care UK in their designated region and enabling patients, their families, carers and professionals to access independant support on social, financial, health advocacy and wellbeing.

You will proactively engage with kidney patients and their families as a source of advice,information, and support to improve care and wellbeing outcomes for kidney patients. You will seek to inform and empower individuals, providing the tools and knowledge to enable confident self-management and be the regional face of Kidney Care UK patient support services, raise awareness of the service and the Charity and build strong relationships with kidney patients, the renal units, Kidney Patient Associations (KPAs), health professionals and other kidney stakeholder groups in the region. 

You will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the Patient Support Service across the region and the effective management of a caseload. This involves regular attendance at renal clinics in the region, building relationships with health and care professionals and being available for patients in the renal unit, on the phone or online, or to meet at a mutually convenient public location.

Key Responsibilities:

•  Liaise with and support patients and their carers face to face and by telephone to provide information, advice and support on a range of personal, emotional and practical matters.
• Through regular visits to renal units in your designated area, establish and maintain a presence to enable patients' easy access to Kidney Care UK support services.
• Promote and attend local health information events to raise awareness of Kidney Care UK and the benefits of its Patient Support Service with kidney patients, their families and relevant health professionals. 
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with the regional kidney community through fully engaging with KPAs, health professionals and relevant health and community stakeholder groups.
• Maintain accurate records to allow effective reporting on key performance indicators such as number of patients supported, type of support provided, key needs etc.

About you

You will have an empathy with our patient group and an understanding of kidney disease and the needs of people with kidney disease, their families and carers. You will be able to work independantly and have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written and above all have the ability to deal professionally, calmly and sympathetically with people affected by kidney disease.

An understanding of the relevant UK benefits legislation and entitlements is essential as is having excellent IT skills, including Word, Powerpoint and Excel. You will hold an Advice and Guidance qualification or be willing to complete it within 6 months of service in the role.

The role is home based but you will need to live within the region that you are applying for and have the ability to travel independantly throughout the area on a regular basis and to attend national meetings/events as required. There will also be a requirement to undertake occasional evening and weekend work and some flexibility to be able to work some irregular hours to meet the needs of our patients.

The areas are as follows:

North East: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Sunderland and North Cumbria. This role is part funded by the North Gas Network through the vulnerability and carbon monoxide allowance fund.

South West: Cornwall, Devon, Exeter and Plymouth. This role is funded by Wales and West Utilities through the vulnerability and carbon monoxide allowance fund.

Please be aware that as they are funded positions they are fixed term posts until 31 May 2028. There is a possibility of extension but no guarantee.

Safeguarding statement

Kidney Care UK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and Adults at Risk and expect all staff and volunteers to actively support this commitment. An Enhanced DBS will be required for this role.

If you feel you are the right fit for the role, please press Apply, where you will be asked to upload a recent CV and cover letter. In your cover letter please demonstrate in no more than 2 sides of A4 how you meet the person specification and please state which area you are applying to.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Os ydych yn drefnydd sy’n canolbwyntio ar bobl ac yn mwynhau meithrin cysylltiadau a chreu effaith, byddem wrth ein bodd yn clywed gennych.

Volunteers are at the heart of our work. Each year, they support over 70,000 young people to build confidence, develop skills and explore their futures through insight talks, workshops and events. 

We’re looking for a Volunteer Coordinator to grow and support our network across Wales. This is a new role, created as we invest in strengthening how we recruit, prepare and engage our volunteers, with the opportunity to shape how this work develops. 

In this role, you’ll build relationships with employers, public sector organisations and community groups to recruit volunteers from a wide range of industries. You’ll manage onboarding, support volunteers to feel confident and well-prepared to work with young people, and work closely with our Volunteer Manager and Programme Team to match volunteers to opportunities across Wales. 

You’ll play a key part in ensuring volunteers have a positive, high-quality experience – providing ongoing support, responding to feedback, and helping us continuously improve how we engage and retain our network. Alongside this, you’ll track activity, maintain accurate records, and contribute to understanding our reach and impact. 

We’re looking for someone who is highly organised, proactive and great with people, confident building relationships, managing multiple priorities and communicating clearly. You’ll bring experience of working with volunteers, or in a coordination or partnership-focused role, and have a genuine motivation to support young people to achieve their potential. And, we'd love someone who is confident communicating in the medium of Welsh.

This role would suit someone who enjoys working collaboratively, is comfortable working across a wide geography, and is motivated by creating opportunities and delivering impact. 

If you’re motivated by purpose, confident bringing people together, and want to play a key role in expanding our impact across Wales, we’d love to hear from you. 

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We carry out social media checks on shortlisted candidates as part of our recruitment process, using only publicly available information and in line with our data protection responsibilities.

While we don’t specify this in our person specification, we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who have experienced some of the challenges that young people across Wales face today.

We believe that change for people affected by ME won't just happen; it must be made. That's why action and impact are at the heart of everything we do. Whether that's helping people today with support, information, or care. Or working towards securing future change through our research and campaigning work. The intent of everything we do is to pursue positive impact for the lives, rights, and futures of people affected by ME.

As Communications Manager you will play a pivotal role in delivering strategic, impactful communications that advance Action for ME’s work, improve understanding and recognition of ME and support fundraising efforts

The Communications Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the communications strategy, leading a team of two other communications staff. You will work closely with colleagues across the fundraising, policy, research and services departments, delivering clear and compelling storytelling, and maximising visibility across media, digital platforms and key stakeholder networks.

Key duties

Leadership and Management

• Work to ensure that people with ME are at the heart of everything we do through meaningful engagement and participation to influence all aspects of communications and marketing.

• Contribute to the development of, and then lead implementation of, the Communications Strategy, ensuring the appropriate involvement of key stakeholders, scoping, evaluating, and improving our practice.

• Maintain a data-insight led approach to the communications work providing regular management information and key performance indicator reports.

• Work as a member of the Extended Leadership Team.

• Line manage Communications Team members, supporting them to set and achieve performance objectives through regular one-to-ones and 12-monthly appraisals.

• Be responsible for Communications budget and the relationship with services providers required for the production of the charity’s digital and printed information and support resources.

Communications and Marketing

• Raise the profile of the impact of ME, and of Action for ME and its work, to enable the organisation to reach more people and better support need, by establishing a regular cadence of appropriate but innovative product across all main social media channels.

• Ensure fundraising is supported by embedding clear calls to action around donations and membership growth as a matter of course.

• Under the direction of the Director of Fundraising, develop all website, press and social media content for charity appeals.

• Market the charity’s Support and Healthcare services, including key digital and printed information and support resources, to the ME community and the professionals working with them, working closely with respective service leads.

• Contribute to income generation by working closely with the Director of Fundraising to develop the communication and marketing materials needed to implement the organisation’s Fundraising Strategy.

• Coordinate the charity’s response to any crisis communications, including developing appropriate crisis management plans and working outside of office hours as required.

• Establish effective systems/processes for gathering, supporting, maintaining, and managing case studies for a range of purposes (including press and media opportunities, public affairs and policy work, and fundraising).

• Draft and issue press releases and media statements and ensure appropriate follow-up by telephoning journalists, contacting picture desks etc. as appropriate.

• Alongside the CEO and any commissioned agency, develop relationships with key press, media and communications stakeholders to enhance the charity’s work.

• Oversee the production of the annual report, on budget, to schedule, taking overall editorial responsibility for content.

• Oversee the ongoing development of our digital engagement including our website and social media and being the point of contact on website issues.

• Fulfil the role of brand gateway keeper, ensuring all digital and printed communications, including information and support resources, adhere to brand guidelines, house style and organisational tone.

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and oversight of how ME and related key issues (e.g. Long Covid) are discussed in the media and wider ME community.

• Build networks to enhance the charity’s strategic communications and marketing work.

• Build and maintain an effective social media monitoring regime, ensuring fit for purpose rules of engagement are in place and applied consistently.

Other Key Accountabilities 

• Ensure that all relevant service standards are met including compliance with best practice, legal and regulatory frameworks and internal standards.

• Ensure best value in all our work.

• Undertake any other duty within your ability and within reason, as may be required, from time-to-time, at the discretion of your line manager.

• On occasions, provide management support and cover within the organisation, as needed.

• Act as an advocate for the charity and its work.

Person specification

Experience, Knowledge and Understanding 

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a communications management role

• Experience of developing integrated, insight and audience-led communications plans including social media

• Experience of website and brand management

• Experience of delivering successful campaigns

• Experience of engaging with press and/or media including writing press releases and media briefings

• Experience of working collaboratively with different teams/departments

• Experience of working in charity communications (desirable)

• An understanding of ME and the impact on people affected by it (desirable)

• Experience of integrating fundraising with communications (desirable)

Skills, Behaviours and Values

• Adaptable and highly organised with an ability to work methodically, managing and prioritising a varied workload, use your own initiative, work independently, and work well in a team.

• Strong MS Office skills including the ability to use Word, Excel, databases and web-related programmes and software.

The Sands Insights Network is an online community of bereaved parents who want to use their experience and knowledge to shape Sands work to make maternity and neonatal care safer.

The Network sits within the Saving Babies Lives team which focusses on using evidence, including from parents, to drive improvements in maternity and neonatal safety. The Network also facilitates parents’ involvement in Sands policy and campaigning work, as well as external projects seeking to include people with experience of baby loss.

Main Purpose of Job 

1. Undertake the day-to-day management of a successful network, building diverse membership and ensuring a safe environment for bereaved parents 

2. Ensure the diverse experiences and perspectives of bereaved parents are included in research, learning and improvement initiatives in a way that works for them 

3. Ensure the involvement activities are monitored, evaluated and impact is captured and shared

4. Help to build Sands’ reputation as a leader in partnership working, advocating for the inclusion of bereaved parents in research and decision making

Principle Tasks and Responsibilities 

1. Undertake the day-to-day management of a successful network, building diverse membership and ensuring a safe environment for bereaved parents 

• Grow the network. Engage potential new members and oversee screening and onboarding processes.

• Create a welcoming space with signposting to enable new and existing network members to navigate and make best use of the platform. 

• Maintain the network as a safe space for bereaved parents. 

• Promote the platform and its impact to Sands audiences. 

• Create and embed Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI) principles throughout the network and proactively ensure the membership is diverse in experience and background as the network grows.

• Work with Research Manager to ensure appropriate risk management and safeguarding protocols are in place and followed. 

• Work with the Research Manager to co-create governance policies/agreements with the network members.Moderate user activities and take actions where needed if policies are breached. 

2. Ensure the diverse experiences and perspectives of bereaved parents are included in research, learning and improvement initiatives in a way that works for them 

• Working with Sands teams and with external groups, identify opportunities for PPIE involvement, to provide a continuous range of options for parents to engage with. 

• Engage with network members to develop the community, and create activity based on their needs. 

• Share opportunities with the Network, encouraging and supporting involvement from members. 

• Create a dynamic and interactive atmosphere on the platform, building and maintain relationships with network members, and generating enthusiasm and a sense of purpose. 

• Encourage and facilitate activity within project groups on the network to ensure activities proceed and are constructive and inclusive. 

• Develop and share tools and resources to support parents with the skills and information they may need to be positively involved in research and improvement projects.

• Lead some involvement activities, including discussion groups, interviews and collaborative working. 

• Work with the Research Manager and the membership of the network to develop and implement a policy for reward and recognition for both internal and external opportunities. 

3. Ensure the involvement activities are monitored, evaluated and impact is captured

• In partnership with the Research Manager develop and embed a framework for monitoring and evaluating activities. 

• Summarise and share findings and outcomes of network projects, feeding into research, service and policy development. 

• Provide regular reports on impact and share those across Sands.

4. Help to build Sands’ reputation as a leader in partnership working, advocating for the inclusion of bereaved parents in research and decision making

• Build relationships with external stakeholders; support network members to influence people and organisations outside Sand directly, including decisionmakers, influencers, research groups or research funders.

• Represent network members externally and advocate for their involvement and inclusion in research and improvement programmes. 

• Represent Sands at external events, meetings and activities, helping to build Sands’ reputation as a leader in the field of working in partnership with bereaved parents.

General 

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role as required by the Research Manager, Head of Saving Babies Lives team and the CEO.

• Work flexibly and collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to achieve shared goals. 

• Always maintain strict confidentiality. 

• Adhere to all Sands policies and procedures. 

• Undertake all mandatory training as required. 

• Participate actively in annual appraisals and personal development

About the role

Are you ready to use your marketing expertise to back Indigenous people and protect the world’s rainforests? 

As our Digital Marketing Manager, you won’t just be managing channels; you’ll be the voice for Indigenous and local communities on the front lines of the climate crisis. 

We are looking for a creative powerhouse to lead our digital and press presence, turning complex climate issues into compelling stories that inspire action. This is your chance to shape how the world sees rainforest conservation and drive the engagement we need to meet our most ambitious goals yet.

About Cool Earth 

Cool Earth is a climate charity that protects the rainforest by supporting the people who live there. We have been working alongside local and Indigenous rainforest communities for over 15 years in the three largest and most important rainforests in the world, the Amazon, The Congo Rainforest and the Papua New Guinea Rainforest. Indigenous and local communities have been protecting the rainforest for thousands of years, but unfortunately are now facing a humanitarian crisis, lacking necessities like safe drinking water, infrastructure, healthcare, and stable incomes.

This makes rainforest communities vulnerable to exploitation by illegal loggers and extractive industries, who pressure them to sell their land. Once these industries take over, Indigenous peoples are displaced, losing their ancestral homes, culture, and traditional ways of life, and the rainforest is destroyed. Without these forests to regulate the earth’s temperature the climate crisis will only worsen. So what do we do to help?

By working in collaboration with these communities we help support their livelihoods, improve health, sanitation and education and provide tech to help monitor their rainforest. Our main programme involves giving direct unconditional cash to rainforest communities so that they can decide how best to use it in order to improve their quality of life. Rainforest communities can only defend their land from illegal loggers and greedy land grabbers when they themselves are resilient and strong. We help them get to that point.

What you’ll be doing

Strategic leadership and impact: we have the digital strategy, now we need someone exceptional to deliver it and keep us on our upwards trajectory.

You’ll lead the charge across our website, social media and email to skyrocket our visibility and engagement. By managing our talented Digital Officer, you’ll ensure every campaign isn't just seen, but drives action. Helping to deliver the KPIs that will define our success through 2026 and 2027. 

Social Media and storytelling: in collaboration with our in-country coordinators, you’ll turn raw, frontline stories from people who live in the rainforest, and experts across the team into compelling, high-quality content. You’ll also help us develop key individuals to become the face of Cool Earth’s social. You’ll oversee our organic and paid social strategies (awareness and lead gen), working with our agency partners to ensure every post and every ad isn't just noise, but a meaningful step toward increased engagement and donor conversion. 

Digital innovation and website excellence: you will champion our digital home, working with our web agency to deliver a seamless, high-performing website experience. From SEO housekeeping to major content overhauls for AEO and GEO visibility, you’ll ensure our site is more than just a resource, it’s an accessible, optimised journey that captures the imagination of every visitor and converts visitors into supporters and/or donors. 

PR and influence: You’ll amplify our press work to help break through the noise. By nurturing relationships with our ambassadors and seeking out global influencers, you will secure the kind of content that puts Cool Earth at the center of the climate conversation.

Movement building via email: you’ll lead our email marketing strategy, working with our fundraising team to email supporters weekly with impact, stories from the forest, quizzes and more. You’ll use DotDigital and Salesforce to build deep, automated journeys for new supporters. By working with our CRM lead, you’ll ensure our donors receive the right message at the right time, turning one-time supporters into lifelong advocates for the rainforest.

Data-Driven Growth: You’ll constantly monitor performance and review the data,  providing the Head of Marketing and Communications with the insights needed so we can keep pivoting and growing. 

You’ll be proactive, testing, optimising, and implementing agency recommendations to ensure our supporter base is constantly expanding and our conversion rates are always climbing.

Who you are

You’re a strategic storyteller: You have a proven track record of building high-impact PR and marketing strategies that don't just reach people, they move them.

A digital native: You live and breathe social trends and AI capabilities, knowing exactly how to optimise content for engagement and conversion across every platform.

A natural leader: You thrive on coaching and inspiring teams, whether they are Digital Officers in the UK or content coordinators across the globe.

Data-driven and creative: You can dive into Google Analytics or CRM data to find insights, then use your imagination to turn those numbers and our exceptional content into a winning campaign.

Relationship builder: You’re as comfortable negotiating with a national journalist as you are collaborating with our advocacy and programmes teams.

Mission-aligned: You have a genuine, deep-rooted commitment to environmental justice and the humanitarian principles that define Cool Earth.

Desirable skills & abilities 

• AEO/GEO understanding 

• Experience in the environmental or social justice sector 

• Experience in international fundraising and marketing 

• Fluent in written and spoken Spanish 

Equal Opportunities

At Cool Earth we are committed to equal opportunity and celebrate the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences of all applicants and employees.

We don't discriminate based on factors like gender, race, age, physical abilities, religion, or sexual orientation. 

Our application process is designed to be accessible and inclusive, and we value your contributions regardless of these characteristics.

Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups are more likely to only apply to jobs if they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We encourage you to apply even if you feel that you do not meet all of the above requirements.

Safeguarding

Cool Earth is dedicated to strengthening the rights and resilience of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) living in rainforests. Cool Earth believes that a child, young person, or adult should never experience abuse of any kind. Protecting their safety and their freedom is integral to our work and our values.

Cool Earth is committed to keeping the IPLCs we work and engage with safe from any harm that could be caused by coming into contact with our organisation. This includes potential harm arising from the conduct and behaviour of staff, partners, or affiliates of Cool Earth, or the design and implementation of our programmes and activities.

We maintain a strict zero-tolerance approach towards any attitudes, behaviours or actions that put others at risk of harm.

Therefore, all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks as per the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. For more information see our Job Applicant Privacy Notice.