Parliamentary and campaigns manager jobs in belfast
Title:Policy and Advocacy Manager
Salary:From £40,000 per annum
Contract:Permanent
Hours:37.5 per week (Monday to Friday)
Holiday:25 days per year plus bank holidays
Location:Home based with travel within / to London and across the UK
Probationary Period:3 months
Reports to:Head of Legal and Policy
Benefits:An additional 3 days holiday between Christmas and New Year, Flexitime policy, 5% pension contribution
Start date:As soon as possible / flexible
We are River Action
We are a small and agile campaigning organisation on a mission to rescue Britain's rivers from a toxic cocktail of agricultural, sewage and industrial pollution. We support community action, galvanise and mobilise public opinion, influence government policy, and call out destructive industrial practices to incentivise changes that end pollution.
We are building a talented team of positive disrupters and community mobilisers to deliver our strategy to urgently protect and restore our rivers for the benefit of community and wildlife.
Britain’s rivers are our life support system and they are dying. We need urgent action to bring them back to life.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking a dynamic and self-motivated individual who shares our passion for protecting rivers to join our team to drive forward our policy and advocacy work. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong policy insights capable of blending analytical problem-solving with intelligent advocacy to drive meaningful change. This role requires someone to have excellent writing skills and the ability to draft complex policy documents as well as top line arguments for wider communication. .
The ideal person will bring a combination of expertise, energy and ideas to amplify our impact, holding decision-makers and polluters accountable with a professional and diplomatic approach. They will engage with influential people across the sector, government, industry and media.
If you thrive in fast-paced environments and want to be at the forefront of environmental policy and advocacy across multiple campaigns, we’d love to hear from you.
What you’ll be doing
As our Policy and Advocacy Manager, you will play a leading role in shaping and advancing River Action’s political and policy influence, working closely with the Head of Legal and Policy, Chief Executive and wider team to develop and execute an impactful policy and advocacy strategy.
River Action is the Co-Secretariat for the APPG on Water Pollution, offering our Policy and Advocacy Manager a unique opportunity to shape the policy direction for River Action and also to influence policy development across Parliament.
You will also work closely with our public affairs agency who manage our daily Westminster activities.
You will:
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Lead River Action’s policy and advocacy work on agricultural, sewage and industrial water pollution, with a focus on regulation, funding and legal frameworks.
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Collaborate with River Action’s team and external partners to ensure our collective work is underpinned by robust and forward-thinking policy analysis and evidence.
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Develop policy analysis to support campaign, communications and policy strategies, based on a strong evidence base and a sound understanding of the relevant legal and policy frameworks.
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Translate complex policy and evidence into concise documents with clear messages and compelling campaigns to engage political and policy stakeholders.
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Monitor and analyse political and policy developments, interpreting their implications and opportunities for River Action and its supporters.
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Generate analysis to enable participation in public consultation processes, including drafting high-quality and persuasive consultation responses and briefings for Westminster and Whitehall audiences.
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Increase our political influence with exciting policy interventions, ensuring River Action’s voice is heard at the highest levels of decision-making.
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Build and maintain relationships with key policymakers, civil servants, industry experts and partner organisations.
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Support grassroots community groups and third-sector partners in engaging with their local representatives for effective advocacy.
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Organise and attend key political meetings and events, including the Water Pollution APPG, stakeholder roundtables and parliamentary events.
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Manage strategic policy partnerships, including our relationship with Wildlife and Countryside Link and other third-sector organisations.
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Ensure River Action’s policy and advocacy efforts align with our creative campaigns, by making sure colleagues and spokespeople are well-briefed and communications content is well-informed to maximise reach and impact.
You will also:
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Actively engage in professional development and training.
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Adhere to health and safety policies while working in different locations.
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Maintain confidentiality in all areas of work at River Action.
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Demonstrate a strong commitment to an inclusive, equal and diverse workplace.
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Work collaboratively with colleagues across River Action to collectively deliver our mission while being true to our values.
UK travel will be required. Training and operational activities may require overnight stays away from home, in which case costs will be covered and standard River Action procedures will apply.
What you’ll bring
The position will suit a self-motivated, strategic and determined person. You will be an excellent communicator, with exceptional writing skills and comfortable representing River Action and engaging with diverse stakeholders. You will have a passion to protect and restore our waterways and to hold decision-makers and polluters to account.
Essential knowledge, skills and experience:
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Experience in a similar policy and advocacy role, ideally within the environmental sector.
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Policy and/or legislative experience, with a good understanding of the workings of the UK government and Parliamentary procedure.
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A good understanding of the UK water industry, the key UK water-related policies and the issues that are impacting our rivers, land and wildlife.
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Excellent communication and writing skills with close attention to detail and the ability to produce concise and persuasive briefings, reports and consultation responses.
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Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to working creatively and at a fast pace with colleagues, stakeholders and partners.
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Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to proactively plan and prioritise work and to report your progress and impact.
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Ability to work flexible hours and travel as necessary.
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A good and supportive team player with a willingness to muck in as and when required.
Why join us?
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Be part of a mission-driven organisation working to restore and protect the UK’s rivers.
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Work at the heart of political and environmental change, influencing decision-makers at the highest levels.
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Work in an agile, supportive and happy work environment where your ideas and expertise will have real impact.
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Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organisation.
Diversity and inclusion
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies show that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single criteria. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. So if you like the look of this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description, we’d still love to hear from you. You may be just the right person for this role.
How to apply
To apply, please submit to jobs at riveractionuk dot com with the subject ‘Policy and Advocacy Manager’:
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your CV (2 pages),
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a cover letter (2 pages) explaining why you want to work for River Action and how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role, and
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a written submission (2 pages) as described below.
Only applications including all three documents will be accepted. Please provide your documents in pdf format.
Written submission
Please prepare a 2 page policy briefing for MPs on a current issue affecting the health of UK rivers. Your briefing should be written in a clear, persuasive style suitable for a Parliamentary and government audience and:
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Identify a water-related issue (e.g. agricultural pollution, sewage discharges or water management).
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Provide a concise analysis of the impact on rivers and biodiversity.
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Summarise relevant UK Government policies and legislation.
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Propose two or three practical policy recommendations for decision-makers.
Application process
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 23:59 on Monday 15 September 2025.
Should your application be selected during sift, the next stage will involve an initial 15-minute interview. You may then be invited to attend a second interview with a panel.
Initial interviews will be held on 17 and 18 September 2025 and panel interviews will be held in w/c 22 September 2025, all via video conference. For panel interviews, some questions will be provided in advance for equity and to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and experience most effectively.
Please indicate in your covering letter or in a covering email your availability for interviews.
If you have any questions about the role or your application, please contact us on jobs at riveractionuk dot com.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
WHO WE ARE
Animal Equality is an international animal protection organisation working with society, governments and companies to end cruelty to farmed animals. Animal Equality has offices in the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and India.
Animal Equality releases investigative materials captured from inside factory farms and slaughterhouses, exposing the conditions that farmed animals face around the world. We publish our findings on television, in newspapers and online. We routinely secure mainstream media coverage, including on the BBC, ITV, Sky News, The Times, The Guardian, The New York Times and many more.
Animal Equality also advocates for political change. Our current campaigns include a UK ban on foie gras imports, increased enforcement of existing animal protection laws, legal protections for farmed fish, and Government subsidies for transitioning towards a plant-based food system.
We focus on farmed animals because of the scale and severity of the issue. More than a billion animals are confined and killed for human consumption every year in the UK. Farmed animals also often suffer in some of the worst ways: pigs typically endure painful mutilations, many chickens die of heart attacks, fish are confined in underwater cages, and some farmed animals are victims of deliberate abuse and neglect. But the problem is solvable! By utilising effective campaigning strategies, Animal Equality is having an impact for animals around the world and building a future where all animals are respected and protected and are no longer exploited for human consumption.
Animal Equality UK’s current key campaigns include:
- Strengthening enforcement of animal protection laws.
- Halting the expansion of Scotland’s salmon farming industry.
- Achieving a ban on foie gras imports.
- Securing species-specific slaughter legislation for fish.
- Inspiring the public to eat plants, not animals.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Animal Equality’s campaigns have driven Parliamentary debates, legal victories, policy shifts, corporate commitments, mainstream media coverage, and inspired thousands of individuals to change their diets.
We are seeking a creative, driven, and strategic Campaigns Coordinator to deliver our current high-impact campaigns with a view to exposing the cruel animal agriculture industries, influencing decision-makers, and mobilising the public to create lasting change for farmed animals.
Working closely with team members, the Campaigns Coordinator will design and deliver imaginative campaigns while working in alignment with the organisation’s wider mission: to end factory farming. The role requires initiative, creativity, tenacity, and a solutions-focused mindset, as well as the discipline to execute projects effectively and professionally.
The Campaigns Coordinator will report to the Campaigns and Public Affairs Manager and work closely with others across our UK and international teams. You will play a key role in coordinating and inspiring volunteers and external stakeholders.
JOB DESCRIPTION
- Campaign delivery: Drive Animal Equality’s high-impact campaigns, bringing the plight of farmed animals into the public consciousness. Plan, coordinate, and implement imaginative and effective campaign actions that influence policy-makers, businesses, philanthropists, and the public. Produce clear, compelling, and engaging campaign resources.
- Stakeholder management: Build and maintain strong relationships with decision-makers, experts, regulators, allied organisations, and members of the public to strengthen campaign outcomes.
- Volunteer mobilisation: Grow and energise our Animal Protectors network through training, regular newsletter communication, and opportunities for online and in-person action.
- Peaceful protest coordination: Organise creative, non-violent demonstrations and direct actions that advance campaign objectives and attract media coverage.
- Research and uncovering malpractice: Conduct desk-based research, including FOI requests and collaboration with academics, to uncover questionable industry and regulatory practices, and inform evidence-based campaigns.
- Uncover scandals through desk-based research: Using Freedom of Information requests, conducting research, working with academics, and liaising with concerned members of the public, support the release of exposés that demonstrate the reality of animal agriculture.
- Media generation: Work with Animal Equality’s Marketing and Communications teams to design noteworthy content, ensure strong campaign narratives, and maximise media exposure.
- Support our digital campaigning work: Work alongside colleagues in our international Marketing and Communication Departments to engage the public through our multi-channel communication strategy. Assist with the development of content for our website, social media, YouTube and other platforms to successfully share plans and updates in relation to Animal Equality’s campaign priorities.
- Project management: Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines, budgets, and objectives are met.
- Campaign evaluation: Monitor, measure, and report on campaign impact, adapting tactics as needed to ensure effectiveness.
- Policy oversight: Stay informed about relevant political and legislative developments to identify opportunities and risks for our campaigns.
- Represent Animal Equality’s culture: Support Animal Equality’s life-saving work by producing high-quality output, embracing and representing the organisation’s culture principles proudly at all times, and supporting our philanthropic efforts.
- Support with other ad hoc duties, as requested by your line manager.
ABOUT YOU
You are a professional, confident, and resilient campaigner who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to Animal Equality’s objectives. You are adaptable, with excellent interpersonal skills, and a positive outlook. You are curious, creative, and agile, able to think outside the box and solve problems. You can move seamlessly between big-picture strategy and on-the-ground delivery, bringing fresh ideas and relentless energy to every project.
You actively seek constructive feedback and use it to continuously improve your work. You show ownership and a growth mindset that is focused on improving the world for farmed animals. Knowledge of farmed animal issues and alignment with Animal Equality’s mission is a must, as is professionalism, adaptability, and discretion.
You must have a minimum of three years’ experience in campaigning, advocacy, or directly related fields, with a proven ability to design and deliver successful campaigns.
You will be based remotely in the UK. In addition to monthly meet-ups, some travel within the UK may be required for demonstrations, meetings, and events. While not common, occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary to support campaigning activities. Any additional hours worked and agreed with your Manager can be reclaimed as TOIL.
BENEFITS
- Holiday entitlement equal to 33 days per year (including standard public holidays).
- Personalised employee assistance programme (EAP): An Animal Equality-funded benefit that offers employees confidential counselling and advice on a wide range of work and personal issues. The programme offers several services, such as a 24/7 confidential helpline and expert cognitive behavioural therapy.
- Flexible hours, with the option to start between 8am and 10am and finish between 4pm and 6pm.
- Able Futures Support: The service is a nine-month, practical and confidential support service for employees whose circumstances or mental health may impact their wellbeing or work. Employees can work with a mental health professional to deepen their understanding of how their mental health may impact them and build coping skills and resilience to thrive at work.
- Yearly stipend to access learning and development resources to help employees further grow their personal and professional skills.
- A free vegan lunch every month at the Animal Equality monthly meetups.
APPLY NOW
For more information and to apply, please visit our vacancies page.
Closing date: 5.00pm on Friday 19th September 2025.
Animal Equality’s vision is a world in which all animals are respected and protected.


Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £37,000 - £42,000 per annum, depending on experience
Remote: This role is homebased with travel for meetings, events and conferences and staff residentials.
What we do
As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.
We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work
About the Role
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of youth work in England. As Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the National Youth Agency (NYA), you’ll play a central role in influencing national policy and driving change that impacts young people’s lives.
We’re looking for a dynamic and strategic individual to join our Policy, Insights and External Affairs Directorate. You’ll work closely with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs, line manage the Policy and Public Affairs Officer, and collaborate with colleagues and sector partners to deliver a bold and proactive policy agenda that champions youth work in policy making. Your work will ensure the voice of the NYA and the youth sector is placed at the heart of national policy and funding decisions.
This role is central to driving NYA’s policy impact: you will lead high-profile policy projects, build strong relationships with political and policy stakeholders, produce influential written outputs, curate strategic events, and represent the organisation at key external engagements. You’ll also be at the forefront of monitoring and interpreting developments across Westminster - from government consultations to parliamentary debates - using these insights to shape our influencing and advocacy efforts.
This is an exciting time to join the NYA. Your work will directly contribute to meaningful change for young people, helping to secure the recognition, investment and support that youth work deserves.
Key responsibilities for this role will include:
- Work with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Policy and Public Affairs Officer, and key internal and external stakeholders to help design, manage and deliver a cutting-edge policy agenda and stakeholder outreach programme
- Line manage the Policy and Public Affairs Officer, delegating work effectively and supporting their professional development
- Identify and build positive relationships with key political and policy stakeholders who are critical to advancing our mission and amplifying the voice of the youth work.
- Manage policy projects, including drafting project plans, timelines and budgets, in collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders
- Monitor the shifting national policy and political landscape, including parliamentary inquiries, consultations, political briefings and government announcements, and advise internal and external stakeholders on opportunities and risks
- Provide the secretariat for the National Youth Sector Advisory Board (NYSAB), convening the youth sector with government departments
- Build strong relationships with peer organisations and stakeholders and identify opportunities for collaborative working to further NYA’s mission
- Organise high-quality events and policy seminars to raise the profile of the organisation
- Manage the creation of a range of high-quality written outputs for various audiences, including policy briefings, blogs and consultation responses
- Work closely with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs and Local Policy and Partnerships Manager to connect and align our national and local policy influencing and work
- Represent the NYA at external meetings and events
- Please refer to our Candidate Pack for more information on the role and the requirements.
Why Work for NYA?
- NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
- NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
- A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
- NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
- We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Sunday 14th September 2025:
- A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section.
- A covering letter (maximum two sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the About You section.
- We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.
Please note: the covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 30% AI generated content with be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.
The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.
At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.
We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.
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