Media and public affairs officer jobs

The Organisation

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 Communications and Events Officer you will:

• play a crucial role in influencing change-makers

• work across the whole organisation to deliver high-impact content

• support the delivery of our annual inclusion conference

• support the delivery of smaller events including publication launches and symposiums

• lead our social media content to drive sales of our programme and influence change-makers

• produce engaging graphics, posts, and persuasive story telling social media content, working across the team and with external partners to produce blogs and other content

Our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being highly autonomous, reactive and flexible. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role for you!
 

The Candidate
We are seeking a combination of the following skills, aptitude and experience:

• Experience of producing and monitoring a broad range of communication and marketing functions

• Skilled written communicator with a creative flair for storytelling

• Experience in planning and executing successful events

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team

• Passion for The Difference's mission and improving the lives of vulnerable children

You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have either/both:

• Experience giving strategic and tactical political advice to senior leadership on how to create change in the educational sector

• Lived experience of the school experiences of marginalised young people, including those with experience of the care system, mental ill health, special educational needs, and racism

Department: Communications and Public Affairs 
Contract type: Permanent  
Hours: Full time
Salary: £36,000 – £38,000 per annum
Location: Home Based with UK wide travel as required
Reports To: Media and External Affairs Manager

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is seeking a proactive and skilled Media Officer to join our Communications and Public Affairs team. This is a newly created role, offering the opportunity to help shape and strengthen NFCC’s voice in the national conversation around fire and rescue services.

Reporting into the Media and External Affairs Manager, you will play a central role in growing our media presence and positioning NFCC as the go-to source for journalists covering national fire and rescue issues. You will help to ensure our messages are clear, timely, and authoritative across all platforms.

Join us and help ensure that fire and rescue services have a strong, consistent voice on the national stage.

Key responsibilities:

Serve as a point of contact for incoming media enquiries.

Draft high-quality, publication-ready communications content – including press releases, news articles, opinion pieces and other engaging content. 

Support NFCC’s campaigns and policy initiatives by securing media coverage and developing strong relationships with journalists and editors.

Take ownership of key communications tools and systems, including media monitoring and audit of coverage. 

Act as the lead Comms officer on at least one area of NFCC’s work in partnership with the relevant NFCC teams and lead officers (but will also work on a wide range of our issues and areas).

Participate in an out-of-hours communications rota as part of NFCC’s communication support function (with some out of hours support – see job description for more information). 

What we are looking for:

Experience in a media, journalism or communications role. 

Excellent writing skills with the ability to produce accurate, compelling content under pressure. 

Confidence in handling media enquiries and building positive relationships with the press. 

Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. 

A collaborative approach, with experience working across teams and engaging with senior stakeholders. 

A good understanding of the UK media landscape and wider external environment. 

If this sounds like the kind of opportunity that you would be interested in, please have a look at the Job Description on the NFCC website and apply.

Working with us:

NFCC is a fully remote organisation, and all staff work from home. This role will involve some travel for stakeholder meetings, events, conferences, training sessions and team away days, for which travel expenses are paid.

How to apply:

Please complete the application form linked from the ‘apply now’ button on the NFCC Website. CVs will NOT be accepted for this position. 

Closing Date – Sunday 1 June with interviews being conducted on Teams on Tuesday 17 June. If you are not available for interview on this date, we will try to provide an alternative date, though we advise that we may not be able to do this.

NFCC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and will require a DBS check to be completed prior to commencing in post. 

NFCC is committed to being an inclusive employer. We comply with the Equality Act 2010, and we believe that everyone deserves to work in safe environments that are free from bullying, harassment and discrimination, abuse, and harm, where they feel supported, welcome, and able to thrive. 

NFCC acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice, all staff are expected to share this commitment. 

Job Title: Senior Media and Communications Officer

Location: Hybrid (two days per week in our Camden office)

Salary: £26,707.20 - £28,860 per annum (pro-rata)

Hours: 30 (can be worked over 4 or 5 days)

Contract: permanent

Closing Date: 20 May 2025

Virtual Interview Date: 2 or 3 June 2025

Are you looking for a rewarding role working for an intersectional feminist organisation? If so, we have an incredible opportunity for you to join our team as Senior Media and Communications Officer at Solace Women's Aid.

A London charity, we exist to end the harm done through gender-based violence. Our aim is to work to prevent violence and abuse, as well as providing services to meet the individual needs of survivors, particularly women and children. Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives, free from abuse.

Our core values reflect our history and were developed in consultation with staff and service users. Feminism and intersectionality are key to our work and we are committed to the principles of being survivor-led, trauma-informed, empowering, diverse, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory.

About the Service

This role sits within Solace’s Business Development directorate, which includes Partnerships and Public Affairs and Fundraising, as well as Communications.

About the Role

We are recruiting a Senior Media and Communications Officer to join us and play a pivotal role in promoting Solace’s services and campaigning work to external audiences via the media and social media. The post holder will also support with internal communications, and hold oversight of communications volunteers. This role will ensure domestic abuse survivors, decision makers, supporters and future supporters understand the life-saving services we offer, our hard-hitting campaigns, Solace’s impact on women’s lives and our contribution to bringing about lasting change.

In the year of our 50th anniversary, we are celebrating how much we’ve achieved, but also reflecting on the fact that there is so much more to be done. Join our passionate, committed team of women helping to bring about the day when everyone is able to live safe and independent lives which are

free from gender-based violence, abuse and exploitation. 

About You

We are seeking a hard-working individual with a strong news sense, experience working in press/media offices and across social media. You will be creative while maintaining Solace style and tone, and able to work across a number of priorities at the same time. A team player, you will establish, develop and maintain relationships with journalists/producers, women with lived experience, volunteers, charity and corporate partners and Solace colleagues, up to and including the CEO.

What we can offer you

We provide a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees, including:

· Flexible working based on core hours of 10am-4pm

· Focus on learning and development (internal career progression and training)

· Generous holiday entitlement

· Employer pension contribution

· Family-friendly leave and enhanced maternity pay

· Access to Inclusion Networks

· Daily clinical debriefing

· Employee Assistance Programme providing free 24/7 support and advice

· Employee Benefits Platform offering staff discounts, benefits and savings

· Flow & Restore yoga classes

· Meditation sessions

· Cycle to Work Scheme

How to apply

Please submit your CV and Supporting Statement through the recruitment portal. When applying for this role, kindly highlight in your Supporting Statement how your values, knowledge, skills, and experience align with each point within the following sections of the Job Profile Document:

· Values, Behaviours & Competencies

· Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Solace Women's Aid values diversity, promotes equity, and challenges discrimination. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, abilities, perspectives, and lived experiences. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay, and benefits. Our Inclusion Networks support staff with protected characteristics and offer inclusive spaces to connect.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. We anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as needed and support employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work.

This service is run by women for women and is therefore restricted to female applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, and Part 1. Section 7(2) e of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 apply. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act.

As part of safer recruitment practices, we carry out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and right to work in the UK checks.

No agencies.

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for an Interim Deputy Director of External Affairs to join our team on a 9 month FTC.

While this role covers all our External Affairs functions, you'll be particularly expected to have knowledge and expertise in providing leadership in policy-influencing and campaigns. You'll provide leadership of AaA's External Affairs strategy to ensure the needs of autistic children and their families are high on the political and media agenda.

You'll have an externally-facing role in policy influencing, representing AaA in coalitions with relevant government departments among parliamentarians, as well as increasing AaA's profile through an effective communications strategy.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Substantial experience, knowledge and understanding of the policy landscape, including political and legislative processes, and local government structures and processes
• Extensive experience of developing and delivering strategic, integrated communications programmes
• Demonstrable leadership of successful policy-influencing activity, including stakeholder engagement and above/below the line influencing strategies
• Proven experience in strategy development

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), a registered charity, is an international forum where science meets business. Established in 1881 SCI’s main charitable objective is to accelerate science out of the laboratory to address the key societal challenges facing society today. SCI does this by facilitating open innovation, identifying and promoting emerging technologies in the areas of climate and planet and health and wellness, and by providing support for the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Core to delivery of the Society’s mission is a growing portfolio of research journals that publish applied research across a broad range of sciences: from Agriculture to Energy and Material Science to Biotechnology.

The Role:

SCI is looking for a highly motivated and experienced Senior Press Officer to lead on its external and social media engagement strategy. 

You will lead SCI’s engagement with media outlets – including national papers, trade publications and broadcast – to increase our public profile, promote our work and build support for our campaign to accelerate the commercialisation of the UK’s science base. 

You will manage SCI’s press office on a day-to-day basis – scanning the media and political landscape to find opportunities for SCI to leverage its unique expertise and perspective as an organisation at the intersection of science and business.  Part of the role will include public affairs (20%) where you will also support SCI’s Head of External Affairs with political engagement as required – coordinating and facilitating SCI’s engagement with key politicians and political contacts. 

This role is suited to someone with at least 3 years of professional experience in communications, with an excellent news sense and a solid contact book of journalist contacts. 

Responsibilities:

• Closely monitor the news agenda, seeking out opportunities for SCI to comment on fast-moving events and raise the profile of our policy positions and significant research into the potential of the UK’s science base.

• Develop and build national, trade and regional media contacts, hosting journalists at SCI offices in Belgravia.

• Establish KPIs for SCI’s media engagement and monitor and demonstrate progress in meeting them.

• Work with the Social Media team to develop and draft content related to our policy priorities for our social media channels.

• Support the wider team on other ad hoc tasks such as political monitoring and public affairs support.

Knowledge, skills and experience required for this position

• A demonstrable passion for and understanding of science, its purpose for the economy and society, and communicating that to public and political audiences.

• Minimum of 3-5 years in a press office or media-related environment.

• Confident in working in a fast-paced environment and ability to be quick and agile in responding to news opportunities as they arise. 

• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills. Able to quickly establish rapport and build strong collaborative relationships. 

• Excellent time management skills: ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise workload.

• A strong team player who is also a self-starter who can work independently and confidently. An attitude that actively seeks continuous self-development and ways of doing things better.

• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to condense complicated subject matter into succinct, accessible copy. 

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £45-50,000 pa (FTE), 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays.

• Market leading pension plan.

• Opportunities for career growth and advancement.

• Dynamic and collaborative hybrid work environment (office days Tues-Thursday).

We're looking for a talented and versatile communications officer to help grow our communications and supporter base and increase our impact for the children with complex disabilities and their families who we support.

This is an exciting time for our charity as we are developing ambitious growth plans and we want to increase our social media and digital presence to engage with a wider audience.

You will be expected to lead on our social media strategy, planning, producing and delivering content for all our audiences, and engaging with social media connections to grow our community. You will also be responsible for increasing engagement via our website, e-news and direct digital and offline communications. 

We're looking for a natural storyteller with attention to detail, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to turn their hand to a wide range of tasks, striving for excellence while building relationships and working collaboratively with staff from across our small charity.

Key responsibilities include:

• Create a social media strategy that builds our community and engagement across our current active platforms of Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and considers the use of other platforms
• Develop and maintain our website to provide and easy and rewarding experience that seamlessly transitions users to the next stage of their journey
• Develop and manage our communications calendar to ensure coordinated planning and communications activity
• Build and manage our range of audience groups, including monthly e-news, email marketing, hardcopy reports and newsletters, and assist with donor stewardship communication
• Support our engagement with external media organisations, using all opportunities to gain positive media coverage
• Support the development of data and reporting processes to help build an insight-led understanding of our audience groups and to inform our marketing and engagement plans
• Assist with the production of our digital assets and communications using digital design software where appropriate

The successful candidate will have strong social media knowledge and experience, as well as experience of building reach and engagement across digitial, printed or in-person communications. They need to be a collaborative team player, willing to learn from and work with staff from across the organisation, and the ability to multitask and juggle different projects and deadlines simultaneously. They will also have a passion for our cause - helping the families of children with complex disabilities get the support they need with the aim of preventing them from going into crisis.

As Chief Executive, you will lead the staff team, be responsible for providing overall strategic direction, coordination and management of all CAP programmes. Partnership building is a key role to maximise our impact.

Church Action on Poverty is a medium sized social justice charity, with a vision for the UK to become a country where everyone can flourish free from poverty. We are an ecumenical organisation with a Christian ethos and roots in the churches who remain key partners for us. We support programmes across the UK improving the lives of people in poverty and create opportunities for those with lived experience to voice their concerns with the aim of educating the public to raise awareness and understanding in line with our charitable objectives.

Currently, our programmes are structured on the principles of dignity, agency and power. They comprise: supporting a network of 130 food pantries with a membership of over 50,000; enabling people with lived experience of poverty to speak truth to power and supporting churches to explore what it means to be a ‘church on the margins’ as well as playing a leading role in high profile national campaigns.

It is anticipated that the role will be varied and flexible, but will include:

• Assisting the CAP Council of Management in the development and implementation of the organisation's programmes, campaigns, partnership building and public affairs work. 

• Managing CAP's staff and resources in line with the organisation's agreed policies and priorities, and core values of collaboration, participation and empowerment. 

• Fundraising and organisational strategy to achieve our aims.

• Ensuring that people with lived experience of poverty are actively involved in all aspects of CAP's work. 

• Leading and line managing the Senior Leadership and Management Team.

• Working with the whole staff team to develop and implement strategies that build dignity, agency and power to end poverty.

Key responsibilities 

1. Supporting CAP's Council of Management in its governance function

• Maintaining regular contact with the CAP Chairperson and Officer Group. 

• Providing regular written reports to CAP's Council of Management and attending all meetings of the CAP Council of Management and Officers Group. 

• Agreeing and implementing an annual planning cycle with the Council of Management, in line with CAP’s strategic values and vision.

• Working with the chair and officers to ensure good governance of the organisation. 

2. Ensuring the effective management of CAP's staff team by: 

• Providing day-to-day management and support for the Senior Management and Leadership Team. 

• Holding oversight of the policies and procedures of the organisation and ensuring that they are up to date and fit for purpose 

• Setting the culture of the organisation, with a focus on promoting collaborative working, learning and staff wellbeing. 

3. Finance and fundraising

• Setting a clear, viable organisational and financial strategy and implement through

• Fundraising and relationship building to secure the resources needed for the programme work and campaigning.

• Formulating appropriate applications for programme funding.

• Providing resources for donors and churches to organise fundraising.

4. Programme Development

Leading the process of programme development within CAP in order to: 

• Promote new approaches to combating poverty, which build the dignity, agency and power of people and communities struggling against poverty. 

• Ensure that programmes have clearly identified aims, objectives and methods and that projects are monitored and evaluated. 

5. Partnership Building
Building partnerships and contribute to the shared leadership and development of a movement based on dignity, agency and power with people and struggling communities against poverty, by

• Working with a wide range of partners and people with lived experience, to connect and build networks of people and groups who are committed to challenging poverty.

• Ensuring that CAP works collaboratively, leading CAP's involvement in strategic coalitions, alliances and other movement building opportunities.

• Ensuring CAP’s work is informed by the insights of people with lived experience of poverty, as well as wider public policy, debate and research. 

• Ensuring that CAP’s views are shared with government, politicians, churches and others, where possible, led by people with lived experience of poverty.

6. Membership and supporters
Working with CAP’s Communications and Supporter Relations manager to ensure the recruitment and retention of members, donors and supporters by ensuring that: 

• CAP members are provided with regular mailings and appropriate support for local/national activity. 

• Ensuring that requests from CAP members and others for information and support are dealt with appropriately. 

• Overseeing resources for Challenge Poverty Week and Poverty Sunday

7. Public Profile
In collaboration with CAP's Council of Management and staff, ensuring that CAP maintains a high profile within both the church and secular media, including: 

• Ensuring CAP contributes effectively to public and media debate, including mainstream secular and church media, TV, radio and new/social media etc.

• Prioritising opportunities for people with lived experience to act as spokespeople and the public face for CAP.

• Attending and speaking at appropriate conferences and events making sure that CAP is represented at key events.

• Representing CAP views to national, regional and local government.

8. Theological Development
Facilitating the development of theological and other resources which reflect 

• the lived experience of people and communities struggling against poverty, biblical sources, personal faith and other theological writing.

• wider analysis of social, political and economic issues.

Accountability and relationships 

The Chief Executive is accountable to the elected Council of Management. Regular contact is maintained with the Officers Group, and in particular the Chair.

The Chief Executive provides line management to the other members of the Senior Leadership and Management Team, and works closely with other members of the CAP staff team, and external partners. 

Other details about employment

Duration: Permanent contract with six month probationary period.

Hours: 35 hours per week including occasional 'unsocial' hours, weekend working and overnight travelling for which Time Off in Lieu is provided.

Salary: Church Action on Poverty Salary Band L, starting at scale point 43 on the NJC scales (currently £52,805 pay award pending).  Rising by increments after 3 years and every 2 years thereafter to point 46 (currently £56,073), paid monthly on the 14th day of each month.

Pension: Church Action on Poverty operates the Nest auto-enrolment pension scheme, and contributes a 10% employer contribution provided the staff member commits to making a 5% employee contribution. 

Benefits: Simply Health Cash Plan, Working from Home allowance, Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, Staff Expenses Debits Cards, National Gym and Partner Discounts.

Holidays: 25 days’ annual leave pro rata (30 after five years’ service) plus statutory holidays. Office closure over New Year period on top of annual leave.

Location:  Hybrid working on a flexible basis from home with some time each week in the Manchester office. 

No CVs or other attachments please, only applications using our standard application form (available to download above) will be considered.

A new opportunity has arisen to join the PR & Comms team as London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s in-house Videographer.  This role will have plenty of freedom to create innovative, creative video content for teams across the charity and frontline service, from storyboarding to filming and through to editing.  They will need to respond to briefs to produce films that are in line with our brand personality but also will be empowered to bring their own content ideas to help us deepen our connection with London, inspire people to support our cause, and help our clinical teams communicate the importance of the pioneering work they do. 

JRF works to speed up and support the transition to a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, in which people and planet can flourish. We are a UK-wide foundation, with a focus on all four nations.

From 2025, we are embarking on an exciting new strategy aimed at securing bold, stretching policy goals across six key areas: housing, energy/climate, social security, communities & place, work and families & care.

We are looking for two talented, energetic and passionate campaigners to lead our influencing work in support of these goals, playing an instrumental role in JRF’s success.

About the role

Our Senior Campaigns and Public Affairs Managers play three important roles. Firstly, they collaborate closely with their equivalents in our policy and analytical teams to ensure that our major policy ideas are designed from the outset to attract the highest possible levels of public and political support.

Second, they are responsible for identifying the best fit influencing strategies and tactics (ranging from insider approaches to more overt campaigning) for securing tangible progress towards these policy objectives and developing powerful narratives to build support from key stakeholders.

Thirdly, they are responsible for securing (on an ongoing basis) the resources the strategies need, mobilising colleagues, partner organisations and external contractors to put them into effect, growing a powerful network of influential external supporters and ensuring that plans respond effectively to the ever-evolving external context.

About you

As our Senior Campaigns & Public Affairs Manager, we’d like you to have an in-depth understanding of the ways in which UK public policies are formed and reformed, of the challenges associated with delivering policy in the real world and of how civil society organisations like JRF can successfully influence policy change.

You will have an understanding of the structural nature of poverty and how policy may alleviate structural harms and substantial experience of working at progressively senior levels at the intersection of policy development, politics and strategic communications/ campaigns. 

You’ll have substantial experience of working in multidisciplinary teams using a range of insider and outsider tactics and compelling examples of developing and implementing influencing strategies that have demonstrably affected the climate of opinion around an issue and ideally, achieved concrete change.

With a proven track record of successfully building relationships with decision makers and influencing their thinking, you’ll have clear examples of writing effectively for a wide range of audiences and of commissioning, understanding and using public attitudinal insights to inform your influencing strategies and/or narrative development.

How to apply

If you share our passion and this role sounds like you, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Please submit your CV and supporting information via our online application platform.

The closing date for applications is 29th May 2025.

Interviews will take place week commencing 16th June 2025.

Additional Information

Applications are welcome from all, regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socioeconomic background.

We positively encourage applications from people from marginalised backgrounds, including but not limited to those with experience of living in poverty.

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and operate an anonymised recruitment process so that bias is eliminated from the shortlisting process.

In support of our approach to flexible working, we are happy to receive applications from those seeking full-time employment, as well as those who may want to share the role on a part-time basis. When making your application, please state whether you want to be considered for either full or part-time work and, if part-time, the number of hours per week you would be looking for.

At JRF we’re at our best when we’re continually building on trust, showing we care and making a difference – and hope others will do the same. So, for those roles which allow it, we’re developing a more blended approach to how and where you work. This means you can expect to work flexibly between the office and home (with an expectation of two days a week in your home office).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. This means that we are committed to the recruitment, progression and retention of disabled individuals. We shall also offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the job. If you have a disability, please tell us if you would like to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

If you have any additional needs and need reasonable adjustments to be made to the interview process, please let us know.

Do you have a good understanding of social and/or economic policy issues and a proven ability to undertake policy development or campaigning work on specific issues in a wider context? Then join Shelter Scotland as a Senior Advocacy Officer and you could soon be playing a vital role in helping us to deliver positive change for those affected by the housing emergency in Scotland.

About the role

Your main focus will be to lead Shelter Scotland in effectively advocating for the structural policy changes required to end the housing emergency, driving forward our strategic goals to secure more social homes, strengthen housing rights, and build a lasting movement for change. You’ll develop and communicate clear, evidence-based policy recommendations – drawing on research, lived experience, and sector insight – to influence key stakeholders across government, parliament, and beyond. You’ll commission and manage external research, lead stakeholder events, and work collaboratively across teams to ensure our policy work supports public affairs, media, and operational activity. You’ll also line manage an Advocacy Officer, supporting their development and overseeing their performance. 

Role specifics

You’ll bring strong experience in crafting high-impact communications that influence decision-makers and persuade key stakeholders. With a solid understanding of Scotland’s political landscape and public policy processes – particularly within the Scottish Government and Parliament – you’ll have a proven track record of driving change through effective advocacy and relationship-building at a senior level. You’ll be proactive in spotting opportunities to influence policy, responding strategically to external developments. Alongside this, you’ll have experience managing externally funded projects, including budgeting and reporting, and will be confident leading and motivating a team to achieve shared goals.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society. 

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme. 

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

The Advocacy Team is part of Shelter Scotland’s Communications and Advocacy Department and is responsible for developing the charity’s policy positions, research plan, and public affairs and professional stakeholder engagement.

The Advocacy team works closely with colleagues in Community Advice and our Telephone and Online Advice services to capture evidence of how Scotland’s broken and biased housing system is impacting communities, and colleagues in Communications and Engagement to translate this evidence into compelling public campaigns and fundraising appeals. The team have led the organisation on developing an anti-racism evidence base, the economic and social benefits of social housing investment and the case for a human rights-based approach to meeting housing need.

About Shelter Scotland 

Shelter Scotland is Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity. Our vision is of a home for everyone in Scotland. For over 50 years, the way we drive change has remained the same. We advise and support people in housing need today and use the insight we gain to inform our campaigns to change tomorrow. We also raise professional standards for those working in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector by offering a broad range of training courses. 

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday thousands of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter Scotland. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement 

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter Scotland is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. 

Shelter Scotland does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them. 

Join us on this exciting journey and help shape the future of allergy care! As a Policy and Influencing Officer. You will work closely with internal and external partners to increase the charity's profile, influence key opinion leaders, and drive policy changes that improve the lives of those with allergies. Your responsibilities will include:

• Contributing to the planning and delivery of influencing, engagement, and campaigning activities.
• Monitoring and horizon-scanning the external policy and public affairs environment.
• Supporting the National Allergy Strategy Group (NASG) by providing secretariat services.
• Engaging with politicians, government departments, and external agencies to galvanise support for allergy-related initiatives.
• Drafting accessible communications on policy issues for various audiences.
• Representing Allergy UK at external meetings and events.
• Coordinating engagement with the allergic community and volunteers to ensure advocacy activities are informed by their priorities and experiences.

About Us:
Allergy UK is the leading national charity dedicated to supporting the millions of people in the UK living with allergic conditions. We are passionate about raising awareness, providing trusted advice, and advocating for better healthcare and support. As we embark on our 2025-2030 strategy, we are looking for a dynamic and dedicated Policy and Influencing Officer to join our team and help drive meaningful change.

What We Are Looking For:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar role with a proven track record of influencing public affairs and policy change.
• Strong understanding of local, regional, and national government policy-making processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a varied workload.
• Passionate about making a difference for people living with allergies.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and annual leave entitlement.
• Pension contributions.
• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program and wellbeing resources.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Since 1979, Advice UK 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. They are a small but mighty charity who support their members to provide advice to 2.8 million people in 2024 alone. They are working towards a world in which every individual, regardless of means, is able to access the advice they need in order to exercise their rights and deal with any legal and social welfare challenges they may face.

Charity People are partnering with AdviceUK to help in their search for a passionate Press Officer to help them achieve their vision.

Contract: Permanent role
Salary: 28,733 plus Regional Weighting (up to £4,677 in London). All staff also receive £600 per year work from home allowance

Location: Hybrid role which will be predominantly home-based with some travel and meetings in London
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week with flexible working options fully supported
Closing date for applications: Tuesday 27th May
Interviews: Interviews will be held in person at the charity offices in London on the 10th and 12th June with travel costs reimbursed

Core responsibilities within your role will be to:

• Work with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs to set up a new press office function for AdviceUK.
• Shape proactive, impactful media plans as well as responding to reactive media inquiries.
• Manage relationships with journalists and craft attractive copy for press releases and a range of other communications purposes.
• Support team members to identify media and communications opportunities related to their work.
• Brief and thoroughly prepare senior staff and AdviceUK members for appearances in broadcast media.
• Liaise with the marketing team to identify opportunities to promote policy and public affairs work through social media and other owned channels.

The purpose of this role is to support the policy and public affairs team to raise awareness of AdviceUK, their campaigns and the work of their members through the media. You will be an excellent communicator who can draft engaging copy for press releases and other media. You will be a fast learner, who can pick up new topics and issues with ease, and you'll be data-focused, able to use robust evidence to support press comments.

We would love to hear from you if you have the following skills and experience:

• Previous experience working in a press office environment, working on proactive and reactive comments and campaigns.
• Experience building contacts and relationships with journalists from a wide range of media outlets.
• Experience preparing senior staff for media appearances
• The ability to draft press releases and web copy on a range of issues
• A track record of delivering successful high impact press campaigns.
• Experience working sensitively with case studies and vulnerable individuals

If you're interested in learning more about this opportunity, please send your CV to Alice at Charity People in the first instance. 

Charity People and actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. We match charity needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of 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 know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities we work with.

The eoa exists to grow and strengthen employee ownership as a force for powering fairer livelihoods, stronger businesses, and a more resilient economy. With 800+ member businesses and a community of thousands of employee owners, we are the national voice for employee ownership in the UK.

Our refreshed strategy is focused on accelerating impact through people powered growth. We’re here to make employee ownership a mainstream business model choice—by expanding the sector, setting the standard for excellence, and building a connected, values-led ecosystem. We do this through sharp insight, high-impact advocacy, and a thriving member experience.

For founders and business owners exploring employee ownership, or for leaders and managers building Great EO businesses, the eoa offers tools, knowledge, experience and connection. We facilitate powerful peer learning, codify what works, and champion the stories that inspire others to choose EO.

Together with our members, we’re creating the conditions for employee ownership to thrive—seizing the political, cultural, and digital opportunities ahead. and this is where you come in.

As Director of Partnerships and Growth, you’ll be the driving force behind the eoa’s external influence and reach. you’ll lead our advocacy and external affairs strategy, build meaningful partnerships, and deliver powerful events programmes that accelerate adoption of Great EO. You’ll also shape the narrative—ensuring our insights, policy recommendations and thought leadership land with impact.

This is a high-profile, senior leadership role at a pivotal time for the EO community. It calls for someone with a track record in advocacy or external affairs, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to lead high-performing teams. It also needs a big-picture thinker - someone who can champion EO, influence change, and help us build a more inclusive, resilient economy.

If you’re excited about the opportunity to grow an economy that puts people at the heart of business, we’d love to hear from you.

Role Details

At the heart of this Director of Parnterships & Growth role is the opportunity to shape the external environment for employee ownership, champion the voice of our members, and lead high-impact strategies that grow both our reach and the sector itself.

You’ll lead on policy, advocacy, external affairs and events—crafting compelling narratives, building powerful partnerships, and delivering programmes that drive commercial sustainability and sector-wide change.

From shaping relationships with key stakeholders and securing strategic sponsorships, to overseeing the delivery of thought leadership, content, and events, you’ll ensure that the eoa is not just part of the national conversation—but leading it.

Your ability to influence, convene, and inspire will be critical to removing barriers to employee ownership and unlocking the potential of our £1.7m organisation to deliver even greater impact.

Join us on this exciting journey where your leadership will shape policy, grow influence, and contribute to our mission of unlocking the potential of people, businesses, and the economy through employee ownership.

This role is remote, however regular travel to our HQ in Brough and across the UK is expected.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead external affairs, collaborating with stakeholders to shape policy, advocacy and best practice that removes barriers and expands EO.
• Establish relationships and secure commercial partnerships and sponsorships, generating revenue to support advocacy, events, and sector growth initiatives.
• Engage key stakeholders to co-produce content that positively influence EO practice and policy and amplify the eoa’s voice in public affairs.
• Oversee delivery of an effective content strategy that delivers our commercial objectives and positions the eoa as the leading EO authority.
• Oversee events programmes, ensuring they drive knowledge-sharing, sector development, and commercial sustainability.
• Represent the eoa at industry forums, policy roundtables, and public affairs events, championing the employee ownership model.
• Collaborate with the Director of Membership & Operations to align advocacy efforts with member needs and engagement.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering innovation and delivering measurable impact across advocacy, policy, event activities.

Success in this role

Success in this role means having a positive impact on the growth rate, influence and adoption of great EO across the employee ownership sector. Strengthening and expanding stakeholder relationships, driving advocacy impact and securing commercial sustainability through a diverse mix of sponsorships, partnerships will also be indicators of success.

Key outcomes for the role

• Growth of the employee ownership sector. Measured by increased number of EO businesses, heightened sector awareness
• Strengthened corporate engagement. Measured by growth in strategic partnerships, corporate and government engagement
• Strong Commercial Sustainability. Measured by increased sponsorship revenue, secured long-term commercial partnerships
• Increased policy influence. Measured by policy recommendations adopted, increased government engagement
• Enhanced sector insight and intelligence. Measured by utilisation of high-quality data and insights for regular sector related content outputs.
• Development and adoption of best practice. Measured by creation, adoption and promotion of best practice across the EO network.
• Successful events programmes. Measured by iIncreased participation, sponsorship growth, positive feedback.

About you

• Proven expertise in advocacy, public affairs, or policy leadership, ideally within a business, trade body, or membership association.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing government, media, and corporate partners.
• Demonstrated ability to drive sectoral or policy change, leading successful advocacy initiatives.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in sponsorship acquisition, revenue generation, and developing financially sustainable initiatives.
• Exceptional strategic communication and storytelling skills, able to engage and mobilise diverse audiences.
• Experience in event programme development, ensuring high engagement and sector impact.
• Passion for employee ownership and economic models that promote shared prosperity.
• Innovative, creative, and proactive in problem-solving and strategy execution.
• A confident and transparent leader who fosters collaboration and inclusivity through teamwork.
• Self-aware with emotional intelligence, resilience, and integrity.

Role Summary

• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
• Location: Remote, with regular travel to eoa offices and national events
• Salary & Benefits: £65,000 p/a + 7% Pensions. 30 Days leave + Bank Holidays.
• Reports to: CEO
• Management: TBC

Job role: Senior Press Officer

Salary: £48,175 plus generous benefits

Contract type: Fixed term contract 12 months (maternity cover)

35  hours; Flexible working considered

Key dates: Closes Monday 2 June 2025; interviews w/c 16 June 2025

About the Organisation

The charity is the national What Works Centre for Children and Families. We generate and champion high-quality evidence that aims to improve the outcomes of children experiencing vulnerabilities and their families. To do this, we work directly with government and national stakeholders, and with local leaders to embed evidence in policy and practice, and to drive change. We’re an organisation with ambitious aims and our people are essential to our success.

As a member of the What Works Network, we have a pivotal role as the ‘go-to’ source for evidence about services that makes a difference to children and families. We span the spectrum of support for children and families, from early intervention and targeted help to children’s social care.

The organisation strives to be a great place to work, where everyone is high performing and where together we achieve impact that makes a real difference for children and families.

We’re looking for a proactive, highly motivated and experienced Senior Press Office to join our small but impactful Communications and Public Affairs Team. You'll use your communications skills to create and deliver media strategies that cut through in a crowded landscape, raise our brand profile, and position us as the ‘go to’ organisation for evidence, comment and opinion in our space.

This is a pivotal moment in policy and practice for children and families. Reform is underway at national and local level, and a major Bill is passing through Parliament. The priority areas – supporting parenting, strengthening family networks, tackling domestic abuse and relationships for care-experienced children and young people - are media-friendly, topical and frequently high profile. If you want to join a committed and skilled team dedicated to making a difference to children and families, we would like to hear from you.

We value and celebrate diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive environment for all our employees. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We believe it’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of our stakeholders, and the wider society in the UK, and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship. Please ensure you have the right to work in the UK before applying.We offer excellent salaries, learning and development opportunities, and a great office location situated in the heart of St James’. We work in a hybrid and flexible way that recognises the importance of a good work-life balance.

Closing Date: 2 June 2025

Interviews (In-Person): w/c 16 June 2025