Media relation officer jobs in Cambridge, cambridgeshire

Salary: £27,180 – £33,580 per annum

Hours: 35 per week

Contract: FTC – 12 months Maternity Cover

Location: Home Based – some UK travel will be required

Job reference number: 1719

We are looking to recruit a Communications Officer to support and lead on Cranstoun’s communications output. The role is offered as a fixed-term until July 2027 as maternity cover, with immediate availability preferred.

The successful candidate will join a small team and work with the Head of Communications to coordinate internal and external communications, including media relations. They will be a key member of our team, working to promote high quality digital output via social media and the opportunity to work and manage projects.

You will have excellent writing and oral skills and be confident in communicating sensitive topics externally to press and the public.

Raising the profile of our services nationwide and locally is key to the way we continue to grow the work that we do. The Communications Officer will work closely with local partners, including commissioners to promote the work that happens in our services. They will also support our campaigning work.

This role is a great opportunity to grow and develop communications and PR skills across a wide range of areas in the social justice space that Cranstoun works in. Those areas are: Alcohol & Other Drugs, Children & Young People, Criminal Justice, Domestic Abuse and Housing & Homelessness.

This role will be remote with the opportunity to travel nationwide.

This post is subject to a Standard DBS check.

For more details and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button.

Closing date: 24 June 2026.

We are an inclusive employer, committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of our work. 

Registered Charity No: 1061582 

Northern Dog Volunteer Recruitment Officer

Location: Home based, supporting northern region’s (Including Scotland, Northern England and parts of the Midlands, with travel outside these areas occasionally)

Salary Band:  £26,000 to £27,000 FTE (pro rata for part-time hours)

Job Type: Part-time (3 to 4 days per week), with flexibility required for regular evening / overnight stays and weekend work

Reports To: Head of Dog Supply & Canine Support Services

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving alert assistance dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.

We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small but fast-growing charity that is a world leader in its specialist, innovative field.

We are looking for someone with the skills, experience and passion to join our Canine Services Department, and to be responsible for the recruitment, training and development of dog supply volunteers.

Responsibilities of the Role:

Recruitment of Volunteers (puppy socialisers, holiday cover, and fosterers)

• To liaise with volunteering team regarding current recruitment areas and support on the ground recruitment activities in the relevant regions, involving volunteers and dogs where appropriate
• To manage the process of dog volunteer recruitment
• To oversee that necessary checks have been completed to assess prospective new dog volunteers, including home, workplace, pet dog and children assessments, when required
• Inform stakeholders when a dog volunteer is signed off and ready to have an MDD living with them
• Achieve monthly targets as set by the Head of Dog Supply and Canine Services

Training of Volunteers:

• Deliver effective training by organising dog handling classes before volunteers receive their Medical Detection Dog
• Oversee the online training pathway for all dog volunteers
• Ensure all dog volunteers have received and read the training manual, addressing any questions they may have
• Be the first point of contact for all dog volunteers during the application and training process
• Link volunteers with appropriate buddies prior to placement of a puppy/dog

Other:

• To manage the Puppy Socialisers Facebook page, delivering key training messages via this platform.
• Update the Harlequin CRM and Assemble database promptly to maintain accurate and up to date records of all dog volunteers, e.g. what training they have received etc.
• Support the Dog Training and Partnership Instructor in matching and allocating dog volunteers with MDD puppies
• Support the charity’s fundraising, communications and volunteering teams as required, specifically in relation to your area
• Share best practice with colleagues across the charity
• Other tasks or ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager to ensure the successful running of the charity

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience in planning and coordinating volunteer recruitment events and recruiting volunteers
• Previous experience delivering training sessions
• Strong ability to communicate clearly and confidently with a range of audiences
• Confidence in using social media to promote volunteer recruitment
• Basic knowledge of GDPR
• Ability to deliver volunteer training, including assessing individual learning styles and adapting approaches while following structured programmes
• Strong teaching and instructional skills
• Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload effectively for self and others
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with a wide range of stakeholders, including clients and their families, volunteers, professional partners, members of the public, media, managers and colleagues
• High level of IT literacy and report writing skills, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Desirable

• Understanding of training assistance dogs
• Minimum 1-2 years’ experience in dog training
• Basic understanding of practical dog training theories
• Knowledge of laws related to dogs
• Understanding of dog and human psychology
• Awareness of health and safety implications in dog and volunteer handling
• Understanding of ADUK and ADI regulations

Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to:

• Hold a full UK Driving Licence
• Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK
• Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Work some evenings and weekends with the possibility of spending nights away

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Medical Detection Dogs, please do not hesitate to apply.

We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.