Location(s)
This position is open to candidates currently based in Scotland, in line with the role’s operational requirements. The role is home-based with in person attendance to our ‘All Staff Days’ in London (5 per year), team meetings (roughly 6 meetings per year) and occasional travel to other meetings and Westminster as required. Where possible, these are combined with an overnight stay.
London office: AdviceUK, 83 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0HW
Job Title: Policy and External Affairs Manager (Scotland)
Employment Type: Part-time
Reporting to: Head of Policy, Programmes and Media
Pay scale: £40,000 - £42,500 Full time equivalent (Actual salary £32,000-34,000)
Interview: In person interviews will take place on Friday 29th May at our London office
Working hours: 28 hours per week (4 days/0.8) within normal operating hours. Flexible working arrangements will be considered. (Normal operating hours are 8.00am - 6.30pm, Monday – Friday.) Lunch & other breaks are unpaid.
Special conditions: Some evening and weekend work may be required for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be granted. Some travel will be required which may entail some overnight stays.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly encouraging those from underrepresented groups.
CHARITY OVERVIEW
Since 1979, AdviceUK has been supporting advice organisations by helping them to be efficient, competent and effective, and by campaigning for a policy environment that supports advice agencies and people needing advice.
We are both a membership body and charity. We support our 700+ members (109 of which are located in Scotland) to provide advice to around 2 million people every year. We are working towards a world in which every individual, regardless of means, is able to access the advice they need to exercise their rights and deal with any legal and social welfare challenges they may face.
JOB PURPOSE
To set up and manage our policy and public affairs activities in Scotland ensuring AdviceUK has a strong voice, so we can secure policy change to benefit organisations delivering advice and the communities they serve. The post holder will be responsible for establishing AdviceUK’s first policy and influencing strategy for Scotland, including through developing policy solutions informed by strong evidence and rooted in member experience, and leading effective political and stakeholder engagement which will influence change. They will work closely with colleagues across the UK to join up policy, influencing and communications work.
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1.Strategy
1.1 Develop AdviceUK’s first policy and influencing strategy for Scotland, through consultation with members and stakeholders and analysis of the landscape and opportunities in Scottish policy making.
1.2 Put plans in place to roll out a specific programme of proactive and reactive policy work to further AdviceUK’s strategic aims in Scotland and represent the voices of Scottish members.
1.3 Devise measures to monitor the impact of our policy and influencing work in Scotland and report back to staff, trustees, members and stakeholders about the difference we are making.
2.Policy development
2.1 Collaborate with AdviceUK members, partners, sector stakeholders and
beneficiaries to develop clear, concise and authoritative policy positions on key issues.
2.2 Produce high-quality, well-argued policy materials based on data and evidence, including reports, select committee responses, evidence statements, briefings and responses to Scottish Government consultations.
2.3 Provide policy input for media statements, press releases and social media posts relating to Scotland, which are managed by the Press Officer and Digital Marketing Officer.
2.4 Develop an expert knowledge of policy issues affecting Advice UK members, keep up to date on the political and legislative environment and identify opportunities to use these to further Advice UK’s strategic objectives.
2.5 Represent AdviceUK at policy and/or sector meetings and events.
3. Public affairs
3.1 Roll out a programme of public affairs work including Scottish parliamentary engagement to promote AdviceUK’s strategic priorities.
3.2 Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders across the Scottish Government and parliament, local and decision makers, non-governmental bodies and other relevant stakeholders.
3.3 Champion an evidence based approach to all Advice UK’s advocacy and external relations work, drawing on research and member insight to inform our campaign messages.
3.4 Ensure regular opportunities for Advice UK members in Scotland to feed into our public affairs and advocacy work, and regular communications on our impact, to demonstrate how we amplify their voice.
3.5 Monitor and evaluate public affairs work, including collecting relevant metrics, to report back on our success and inform future campaigns.
4. Research and data
4.1 Work with Policy, Programme and Media (PPM) colleagues as well as the wider AdviceUK team to develop the evidence base needed to inform our policy and campaigns work in Scotland.
4.2 Work with the Research and Policy Analyst to carry out analysis that identifies emerging trends in the Scottish advice world and use this to provide evidence-based policy briefings and specific policy solutions.
5. General duties
5.1 Ensure you effectively communicate Advice UK’s vision, mission and objectives to staff, members and external stakeholders.
5.2 Ensure you demonstrate Advice UK’s values and behaviours in all aspects of your work
5.3 Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders including staff trustees; members, partners and suppliers
5.4 With support from your manager, deliver your agreed personal objectives and undertake any agreed development or training
5.5 Maintain a strong understanding of our members and the advice sector more generally, by reading internal reports; accessing relevant data reports; following our social media channels and, where possible, attending member and other relevant events. With the agreement of you line manager, ensure you make time to speak to members and visit their services.
5.6 Adhere at all times to Advice UK’s policies and procedures
5.7 Carry out any reasonable duties compatible with the post assigned by your line manager
Our purpose is to improve the lives of people in need of advice. We do this by supporting our members, so it is easier for them to help their clients.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At Samaritans, our vision is that fewer people die by suicide. Every day, our volunteers and staff provide life-saving emotional support to people in distress, and behind that work is a culture built on compassion, inclusion, learning and human connection.
We are looking for an experienced and values-led leader to join us as our new Assistant Director of Organisational Development & Learning within our People and Culture Directorate.
This is a rare opportunity to shape how learning, leadership and organisational capability enable one of the UK and Ireland’s most respected charities to deliver its mission.
You will lead the development of an ambitious organisation-wide learning and organisational development strategy, ensuring our 23,000 volunteers and 300 staff members, have the skills, confidence and support needed to deliver safe, effective and compassionate services.
About the role
Reporting to the Executive Director of People & Culture, you will lead a talented team responsible for organisational development, leadership capability, learning and development, delivery of training through our training school and external learning provision through STEP, our commercial training offer.
Samaritans is on an ambitious journey of change, we are evolving how we work, strengthening collaboration across the organisation to meet growing need for our life-saving listening services.
You could not be joining us at a more pivotal time and the capability of our people has never been more important. Working closely with senior leaders across the organisation, you will:
- Lead the development and delivery of innovative, inclusive and high-quality learning solutions
- Shape and embed leadership capability frameworks that support a positive, accountable and compassionate culture
- Support organisational transformation and change through strong organisational development expertise
- Drive strategic approaches to learning, talent and succession planning
- Partner with leaders to build a high-performing and psychologically safe learning culture
- Ensure our learning approaches reflect best practice, accessibility and equity, diversity and inclusion principles
- Support the development of our geographically dispersed volunteer and staff teams
- Bring external insight, thought leadership and innovation into the organisation
You will also play an active role as part of our Senior Leadership Group and People and Culture Senior Leadership Team, contributing beyond your specialist area to help deliver our wider organisational strategy and mission.
About you
You are an experienced organisational development, learning or people capability leader with a strong track record of delivering strategic cultural and organisational change.
Importantly, you are someone who leads with empathy, curiosity and integrity. You understand that high performance and compassion go hand in hand, and you are passionate about creating environments where people feel supported, empowered and able to grow.
You will bring:
- Significant experience leading organisational development and learning strategy at a senior level
- Expertise in leadership development, capability building and organisational change
- Experience of identifying future capability needs through workforce planning’
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including experience working with senior leadership teams
- Experience developing inclusive learning cultures and blended learning solutions
- Knowledge of talent and succession planning approaches
- The ability to inspire and lead geographically dispersed teams, including volunteers
- A collaborative and values-driven leadership style
Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector would be welcomed, though we also encourage applications from candidates outside the sector who share our values and mission.
Why Samaritans?
At Samaritans, people matter deeply. We know that meaningful impact starts with how we support each other.
We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and flexible workplace where everyone can thrive. We value diversity of thought, background and lived experience, and we actively encourage applications from people from all communities.
In return, we offer:
- Competitive Salary and Rewards; £73,000 - £75,000 per annum plus Benefits.
- Flexible and hybrid working; Our full time hours are 35 hours per week, but we are committed to flexible working and offer a hybrid approach to working. Due to the nature of our work, some evening and weekend working is required with time off in lieu given.
- Hybrid working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. This role is linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office with a blend of home working and option to work out of our London office as required.
- The opportunity to shape learning and organisational capability in a nationally recognised charity
- A supportive and inclusive culture
- Professional development opportunities
- The chance to contribute directly to work that saves lives
Every person at Samaritans plays a role in helping fewer people die by suicide. If you are motivated by purpose, compassion and the opportunity to make a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you.
Full outline in the Job description file here. You can also read more about our change programme (future proofing) here - Our need for change
For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure available here. You can also visit our careers website to access this.
We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.
To Apply
Please complete the application questions including those outlined below, and submit your CV, with a brief supporting statement. Please note the following questions have a 300word limit for answers.
- Please outline your most relevant experience/role that gives you confidence you
could broadly deliver all that’s outlined in the job description?
- Tell us about a learning and development strategy you have designed and implemented across an organisation or large workforce.
- Describe a time when you influenced senior leaders or stakeholders to adopt a new approach to leadership, culture, learning or organisational capability.
- Please describe a significant organisational development, culture change or transformation programme you have led.
We kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, or to generate interview answers. We want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths.
Applications close at Midnight Sunday 17th May
Interviews
All applicants will receive notification of the outcome of their application, at the appropriate time.
The interview process will be in two stages, allowing enough time to connect with leaders and explore this great opportunity with candidates.
Interviews will be taking place as outlined;
First stage Interviews: 28th May and 1st June
Second stage interviews to be held at our Ewell Office (Epsom, Surrey) on 3rd and 4th June.
Please hold these dates in diaries if applying.
We prevent suicide through the power of human connection. Connecting people in crisis with trained volunteers who will always listen.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Director of Fundraising - Back Up : London office / hybrid (2 days per week)
Salary: £72,000 - £80,000 per annum : Full time, permanent
Closing Date: Wednesday 13th May
Charity People is delighted to be partnering with Back Up, a national charity supporting people affected by spinal cord injury, to recruit their new Director of Fundraising.
This is a pivotal, senior leadership role at an exciting point in Back Up's journey. With income at £3.6m and plans to reach £5m by 2030, the Director of Fundraising will play a critical role in shaping strategy, driving sustainable growth and further developing Back Up's high-performing, values-led fundraising function.
About Back Up
Founded in 1986, Back Up exists to ensure that no one faces spinal cord injury alone. Every two hours, someone in the UK sustains a spinal cord injury. Back Up provides life-changing services including mentoring, wheelchair skills training, family support, residential courses and return to work. Their Limitless Ambition strategy (2025-2030) sets out bold plans to expand reach, deepen impact and strengthen the organisation for the future.
The role
- Salary: £72,000 - £80,000 per annum
- Full-time, permanent role
- Generous annual leave and pension
- Strong commitment to flexible working and inclusion
- Disability Confident Leader (Level 3) employer
- Hybrid working, 2 office days per week (Wandsworth, South London)
As Director of Fundraising, you will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the CEO and leading income growth across a broad and diversified fundraising portfolio. You will:
- Lead delivery of Back Up's 2025-2030 fundraising strategy, growing income from £3.6m to £5m+
- Provide inspiring leadership to senior fundraising leaders and teams
- Strengthen fundraising systems, performance frameworks and governance
- Build strong relationships with trustees, the Fundraising Development Board, major donors, corporates, trusts and foundations
- Champion ethical, values-led and inclusive fundraising practice
- Use insight, data and innovation (including responsible use of new technologies) to improve performance and decision-making
This is a role for a strategic, credible leader who enjoys translating ambition into income and impact.
About you
You will bring a strong track record of leading and delivering significant fundraising growth, alongside:
- Senior leadership experience within fundraising
- Expertise across high-value income streams (corporate partnerships, major gifts, trusts/foundations,)
- Experience working with boards, senior volunteers and high-level stakeholders
- Strong strategic thinking, commercial acumen, financial awareness and communication skills
- A leadership style that is collaborative, values-driven and inclusive
- Alignment with Back Up's values and mission
Experience in health, disability or adjacent sectors is welcome, but not essential.
Location
Hybrid working, with offices based in Wandsworth, South London.
How to apply
To request a full application pack, please submit an application with your updated CV.
Key dates
- Closing date: Wednesday 13th May
- Invitations to interview: 18th May
- First stage interviews (online): 26th May
- Second stage interviews (in person): 2nd June
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