Policy Advocacy Officer Jobs
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for a Policy Officer within our Service Delivery Team. You will have demonstrable understanding of health and social care policy and related public policy developments in the UK, as well as an understanding of how policy decisions are influenced and made. You will have knowledge and experience of research and analysis relevant to health policy, as well as familiarity with and understanding of the core principles of both quantitative and qualitative research.
Salary: £40,708 - £43,615 per annum
Contract period: Permanent
Reporting to: Group Chief Executive
Team: Service Delivery
Location: Oxford / hybrid working (up to full time from home, in line with Picker's remote and home working policy - must be based in the UK)
In this role, you will support the development and implementation of Picker's policy influencing strategy to make person centred health and social care a reality for everyone. You will be responsible for monitoring policy and political developments, promoting evidence-based policies to advanced person centred care and building and maintaining relationships within the health policy world. You will leave on the development of policy outputs including briefings, position statements and white papers, working with colleagues to build evidence and articulate Picker's messages.
This role
In this role, you will:
- Develop and maintain a good understanding of key health and social care policy and political developments
- Lead on or assist with a range of high-profile policy projects, including the planning and development of projects, and contributing to analysis, writing and publication.
- Identifying opportunities to contribute to public policy debates in health and social care, using evidence from Picker’s work and from the public domain to provide insightful thought leadership.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to support policy analysis, responsive policy work, and to enhance Picker’s external profile across various audiences.
- Lead on and assist with written outputs, such as topic-specific briefing papers, website copy, presentations and blog posts to communicate the findings of our work.
- Carry out literature reviews and rapid scans of data and evidence to scope public policy positions on a range of key issues.
- Present evidence and findings (both in writing and orally) about highly complex and sometimes contentious subjects to a wide range of audiences, ensuring an understanding of the subject and issues arising and enabling informed decision making
- Support the drafting of responses to consultations, policy briefings, and other public policy initiatives, including relevant third party publications.
- Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, partners, and collaborators relevant to our policy portfolio, including academic and health and social care policy communities.
- Work collaboratively with other teams, creating strong links between other programmes and projects, to promote the use of services, products and survey findings that improve the quality of healthcare.
About You
You will have:
- Understanding of health and social care policy and related public policy developments in the UK
- Understanding of how policy decisions are influenced and made
- Knowledge and experience of research and analysis relevant to health policy. This might include synthesising different kinds of evidence, carrying out interviews, or analysing data
- Familiarity with and understanding of the core principles of both quantitative and qualitative research including strengths and limitations of different approaches and their use in different contexts
- Evidence of being able to produce high quality written work for a range of audiences
- Experience of developing and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders, collaborators or partners
- An interest in healthcare quality and person centred care
- Ability to analyse complex policy issues, assess their implications for Picker and our beneficiaries, and provide evidence-based recommendations
- Excellent project management skills with a track record in undertaking and managing policy and/or research projects
- Ability to present data and information to a wide range of audiences through formal and informal presentations, both written and oral
- Ability to work independently under managerial direction, seeking advice on company policy or resource issues as required, and gain required approval at predetermined stages of projects
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant discipline (or equivalent experience)
This is a summary of the job description. Please review the full job description below.
About Picker Institute Europe
Picker is an Oxford-based charity with an international reputation as a key authority in the measurement and improvement of patient experience. Our mission is to make person-centred health and social care a reality for everyone.
We evaluate the areas of health and social care that matter most to people, producing actionable and insightful results to drive advances in standards. If you are passionate about putting people at the forefront of healthcare services, then Picker could be the place for you.
Working with us
Here at Picker, we believe in treating our people well; from excellent career opportunities to a positive, collaborative culture. We all work with a shared set of values that inspire us to achieve the biggest impact.
Working alongside colleagues who are experts in their field, you will be part of a team contributing to our vision ‘the highest quality person centred care for all, always’. You will contribute to our research with NHS Trusts and many high profile charities, such as The British Heart Foundation, Pancreatic Cancer UK and Mind.
To support you we offer a friendly, person centred working culture with many benefits including:
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities, including flexible start and finish times
- Convenient Oxford location with free parking
- 25 days holiday, increasing to 30 days, plus public holidays
- Option to buy or sell up to 5 days of annual leave
- Christmas office closure (currently an additional 3 1/2 days leave)
- Contributory company pension scheme (currently employer matching up to 8%)
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Free life assurance (currently 4 x salary)
- Tailored learning and development, including access to complete iHasco training library
- Health and wellbeing resources including an Employee Assistance Programme
- Season ticket loan scheme
- Regular calendar of social activities organised by a dedicated Social, Wellbeing and Employee Engagement team
Please include a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role (equivalent of 2 x A4 pages max)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
As CFG's Policy Officer you will make an impactful contribution to CFG's policy and advocacy work. Working with a wide range of stakeholders, including policy-makers, charity members and corporate partners, you will contribute to the smooth running of the Policy Team's work and effectiveness. You will be comfortable using your research and analytical skills to ensure CFG remains at the forefront of its advocacy work on behalf of its members and the wider sector. You will have a passion for getting to grips with complex policy issues and bringing people together to engage with them. As a member of the Policy and Communications Directorate, you'll work alongside the Communications Team and other colleagues to ensure our policy work is shared with a range of external audiences. If this sounds like a role for you, read on to apply!
How to Apply
If you would like to be considered for this position, please take a look at our recruitment pack on the next page, and apply with your CV. The deadline for applications is Monday 29 April at midday, and shortlisting will take place that week, with interviews to follow shortly after.
Please email us with any job enquiries, or if you require assistance or experience difficulties when applying. Please note that successful candidate(s) will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor licence therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.
Benefits of working at CFG
· 25 days' annual leave per year in addition to bank holidays, increasing to 28 days after three years of continuous service (pro-rata if part-time).
· An extra three days' leave for the office Christmas closure.
· Wellbeing week closures
· Time off for personal health appointments.
· Hybrid and remote flexible working options.
· Four paid volunteering days every year.
· A generous flexitime policy that allows employees to create a good work-life balance.
· Access to eye care vouchers and contribution to the cost of new glasses.
· Access to our mental wellbeing platform, Plumm.
· Enhanced sick pay, as well as enhanced parental and adoption leave policies
· Continuing personal development - learning and development opportunities both individually and organisation wide, such as a mentor/coach, training courses and conferences.
· Auto enrolment to the Personal Pension Plan where CFG will contribute twice your contribution to the scheme up to 10%.
· Access to interest-free employee loans or salary advances.
CFG promotes remote-first working, although we do have office space at our registered address in Southwark, SE London for those team members who prefer an office setting. We expect all of our team members to attend all staff, directorate, or team anchor days on a regular basis in London. All staff anchor days are currently quarterly, and directorate and smaller team anchor days are organised on an ad hoc basis. If you have any questions about this we'd be happy to chat about our in-person expectations with you.
Please note that attending our flagship events will be required for this role, as well as work outside core hours occasionally as part of our events programme.
CFG is a charity that supports all charities to make the biggest difference possible. We do this by supporting them to make the most of their money.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Pituitary Foundation are recruiting for a new CEO to lead us into the next phase of our journey.
The Pituitary Foundation is the UK’s leading charity providing support and information for people living with pituitary conditions, their families, friends and carers. We are based in an office in central Bristol, with some staff and volunteers working remotely throughout the UK. Pituitary conditions are uncommon, usually lifelong and can be life threatening. Conditions include acromegaly, Cushing's, prolactinoma, AVP-Deficiency and hypopituitarism.
It is an exciting time to join The Foundation. We are celebrating our 30th anniversary throughout 2024 and are working towards our ambitious strategy which we are excited to achieve. Our new website, and CRM, combined with robust processes and procedures offers a strong foundation, for a new CEO to build on.
About the Role
This role will combine the ambition of The Foundation without losing the core importance of being a person-centred patient support group, offering kindness and support at challenging times. You will bring excellent interpersonal skills, as well as financial acumen and an appetite for seeing the best possible service delivered to a wide demographic.
Location: Based in the Bristol office, with flexibility for hybrid working
Salary: £55,000 - £60,000
Reports to: Chair and Board of Trustees
Holiday: 30 days plus statutory bank holidays
Pension: 5% employer contribution
How to Apply
The recruitment pack and process for application can be found on our website or below.
Deadline for applications is 9am Tuesday 14 May 2024
The outgoing CEO and Chair, welcome informal phone conversations in advance of submitting an application.
The Pituitary Foundation believes in diversity and equality. We especially welcome applicants who are under-represented within the charity sector and want to build a team with a diverse range of perspectives, backgrounds and skills. You do not need to have lived experience, or direct knowledge of pituitary conditions – just empathy and an appetite to learn. We know that a diverse team is a strength, and we look forward to hearing from all interested applicants.
See attached application pack and please send a cv and cover letter (no more than 2 sides of A4), or film of an equivalent length which includes:
o Why you are interested in this role,
o How your experience or interest meets each point of the person specification.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Reporting to: Head of Finance and Resources
Responsible for: None
Hours: 36 hours per week (9am-5pm)
Location: The main place of work will be: Orchard House and other locations from time to time.
Mind in Croydon is a charity concerned with the welfare of people with mental health problems living in the London Borough of Croydon and the surrounding areas. It provides a range of
support services in Advocacy, Welfare Benefits, Social Networks, Therapeutic Services, Health and Wellbeing, Social Inclusion, Activities and Information.
Purpose of the role:
The Facilities Officer role is pivotal in overseeing and managing property operations within the UK market. This position is designed to ensure the efficient utilization of properties, adherence to Health and Safety (H&S) regulations, and optimization of net income generated by investment properties. The key objectives of the role align with UK-specific property management and compliance standards.
Mind in Croydon is an equal opportunities employer. No job applicant or employee will be discriminated against on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
We encourage applications from those with Lived Experience.
To apply please send your CV and a Covering Letter explaining:
- Why would you like to apply for this role?
- How your skills and experience relate to the competencies in the Person Specification of the job description?
- What value you can add to the service?
To apply please send your CV and a Covering Letter explaining:
• Why would you like to apply for this role?
• How your skills and experience relate to the competencies in the Person Specification of the job description?
• What value you can add to the service?
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Role Summary
As the Director of Research and Public Affairs you lead a team working across the full range of research work (including commissioning, grant-making and in-house research) and public affairs work (including policy analysis, advocacy work and mobilising our activists). You also contribute to the charity’s strategies, leadership and governance as a member of the Executive Team. Ultimately, your role is to generate new knowledge; and communicate knowledge, ideas and emotions to change hearts and minds, creating tangible reductions in alcohol harm across the UK.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Leadership, strategy & planning
1. Lead the research and public affairs functions at Alcohol Change UK.
2. Produce and deliver plans across our research and public affairs work programmes that are ambitious for change (impact), realistic given our resources, and consistent with our strategy, our other work programmes, and our values.
3. Set budgets, tightly control costs and identify opportunities for making savings, growing income and making the case for investment.
4. Appropriately monitor and evaluate our research and public affairs work with a view to knowing, growing and showing the impact we make.
Research
5. Work closely with the CEO, Policy and Research Manager, R&P sub-committee and Wales Office to determine and oversee the charity’s programme of commissioned research, research grants, and in-house research.
6. Ensure that all research is designed with impact-in-mind and, once complete, that it delivers on that impact through active and ongoing communication of the findings to the right audiences with the right messages through the right channels.
7. Lead the research function to be the central hub for the charity on the topic of alcohol harm and its solutions, staying on top of new research.
8. Influence the research spending of other agencies (e.g. NIHR) with a view to maximising funding into alcohol research in general.
Public Affairs
9. Lead and manage the charity’s public affairs activity, deploying the CEO, Research & Policy Officer and other staff as a team.
10. Lead our work with external alliances, such as the Alcohol Health Alliance and the Alcohol and Families Alliance, and on the APPG on Alcohol Harm.
11. Develop excellent relationships with Parliamentarians, civil servants, charities and other important institutional actors in our field.
12. Build Campaigner journeys for our engagement audience to best mobilise them to help us with our influencing work.
13. Lead on the commissioning and management of any external public affairs agencies, parliamentary monitoring services and similar suppliers.
14. Ensure our policy positions are kept up-to-date, based on emerging evidence and contemporary thinking, and consistent with our principles.
15. Work closely with the Director of Engagement and Fundraising to effectively mobilise and deploy our activists, Community Champions and other supporters so they (i) make a difference, (ii) become better informed over time, and (iii) remain motivated to campaign for our cause.
16. Work closely with the Director of Marketing and Communications to influence all forms of media to better support our desired outcomes.
Team Leadership and Management
17. Lead and manage the research and public affairs team(s), ensuring excellent line management.
18. Lead the process of recruiting and inducting new team members, as appropriate.
19. Proactively develop your own skills and experience as well as those of staff within your team.
Cross-organisational Role
20. Act as a spokesperson for the charity at high profile events and across media, including radio and TV.
21. Be an active and positive member of the charity’s Executive Team.
22. Work with colleagues across the charity to support their work and to act as ‘one team’.
23. Work particularly closely with colleagues in the Wales office, optimising opportunities for joint working.
24. Contribute actively and positively to the development of charity-wide strategies and activity.
Other Duties
25. Continually develop your knowledge of alcohol harm and solutions to it.
26. Act as a positive ambassador for Alcohol Change UK at all times.
27. Know, embrace and actively uphold the values of Alcohol Change UK at all times.
Other reasonable duties at the request of the CEO.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
England’s National Parks represent our finest landscapes, famed for their spectacular beauty, varied wildlife and rich cultural heritage. National Parks are critical to supporting local communities, providing access to green spaces for the nation, and helping to tackle the dual challenges of climate change and declining biodiversity.
National Parks England’s purpose is to be the collective voice for English National Park Authorities, helping us to achieve our purposes through influencing policy.
The Policy and Public Affairs Manager will be an experienced public affairs professional with a passion for nature and understanding of National Parks.
The successful applicant will join our senior management team, managing the Policy and Public Affairs team and work with the Executive Director to help develop and drive the NPE policy and public affairs strategy, working closely with stakeholders in our member National Parks and the wider Protected Landscapes family.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Assistance Dogs UK acts as an umbrella body for accredited assistance dog organisations. The Charity seeks to advance the education of the public and service providers about assistance dogs, and the rights of people who rely on them.
ADUK is a small but growing charity hoping to make a big impact for our already highly engaged members. Members work with us collaboratively to share their experience and knowledge, and this enables us to meet our charitable objectives and advance the industry.
ADUK is looking for an experienced and dedicated professional to be part of our ambitious team at a key time for the charity. In this new role, our Policy and Campaigns Manager will develop our policy positions and further our campaigning aims to promote standards-based approaches to the training and welfare of assistance dogs, and to facilitate better access for all those who rely on these highly trained dogs.
This is a new role so we are seeking someone who will be inspired by our work and be excited about making it a success.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
We’re looking for a Senior Policy Advisor to join our policy and campaigns team to help drive our position as an influential, informed and powerful voice for change. The post holder will join a high performing team to help develop and implement policy and influencing strategies that drive change, ensuring a strong voice for people experiencing poverty. You will work closely with the Director of Policy & Campaigns, developing our policy work on Social Security, housing and poverty and influencing decision-makers and other stakeholders including MPs, political advisors, councillors and civil society.
About You
We are looking for someone committed and proactive with demonstrable knowledge and experience of policy development and making the case for social policy change. You will be committed to social justice and will have experience of policy analysis and public affairs work in relevant social policy areas, particularly social security. We are looking for an analytical thinker with excellent verbal and written communications skills. You will have an aptitude for using evidence to make persuasive and credible policy arguments, strong interpersonal skills, and a track record of establishing and maintaining effective relationships with external stakeholders. You will be a self-starter and have a collaborative approach to working. In turn we are committed to supporting all our staff to develop their skills and experiences to make a significant difference to the lives and treatment of people on low incomes.
About Zacchaeus 2000 Trust (Z2K)
Z2K’s vision is that no individual in the UK should be living in poverty. We believe that adequate income and secure housing are key to creating a more equal society where everyone has the chance to lead a stable and dignified life. We work with people in London to solve their social welfare legal issues, with a focus on social security and housing matters, and we use the evidence from our casework to campaign to change policy and practice that drives injustice. Embedded at the heart of Z2K is our ambition to work in partnership with experts by experience, ensuring the voices and views of people with lived experience are heard by decision-makers.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you passionate about ensuring everyone can engage effectively with the digital world? Are you a brilliant influencer who relishes harnessing great policy and research to realise social change? Do you want to work in a pioneering initiative with impact at its core?
Then this could be the role for you. At the Digital Poverty Alliance, we are looking for our new Policy & Insights Manager. You must be able to inspire us and our partners and spearhead our public affairs work, including through our National Delivery Plan to unite action to end digital poverty by 2030.
We bring together charities, corporates and government to address the underlying issues stopping families gaining full access to digital services such as education, healthcare and employment. We seek social change through our National Delivery Plan, whilst also delivering solutions in local areas that help real people and provide evidence for change.
This is an exciting, high profile and fast-paced role, joining our small team and working alongside partners, National Delivery Committee members and our wider stakeholders to effect real change for people. You will report directly to the Chief Executive, working alongside our Head of External Affairs.
A big part of our social change ambition is delivered through our public affairs work; influencing policy makers so that our ambitions are shared with government, companies and with everyone able to deliver to our vision of a world where everyone is able to connect successfully with the digital world where and when they want to. You will also be responsible for drafting white papers, analysing trends and data, and identifying new insights. You will support our Industry Forum, working with existing and new members to broaden the group.
The DPA aims to work through partners in delivering to our core mission and, as such, we retain only a small core team with support from our PR agency. As such, you’ll lead on delivering our policy and public affairs work, from briefing MPs to developing our policy positions.
Whilst the role is remote based, you will regularly need to attend in-person meetings and events in central London (daytime and evening), as well as undertaking travel across the UK. Given the need to attend meetings in Westminster and Whitehall, you will need to live within commuting distance of London.
Key focus areas
- Building relationships with public, private and third sector organisations, including the wider DPA community.
- Working to convene and collaborate with organisations and individuals committed to ending digital poverty.
- Work with colleagues across local, regional and national governments and across political parties to advocate for policies to promote digital inclusion.
- Undertaking research and analysis to understand digital poverty and the impact of policies to address it.
- Managing policy and research projects including the ongoing development of the national delivery plan and supporting ‘proof of concept’ projects.
- Developing commercial and research partnerships with organisations and supporting the development of the industry forum.
- Communicating the DPA vision and perspective through verbal and written communication.
First interviews will be held w/b 6th May 2024 via Microsoft Teams. Second interviews will be held soon after. The role is to start as soon as possible. Please note this role will be subject to a DBS check.
Unfortunately, due to the expected volume of applications and our small team, we will not be able to acknowledge every application. If you have not heard from us by 6th May you have not been successful on this occasion.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Biochemical Society and its wholly owned publishing subsidiary Portland Press Ltd (PPL) are seeking an experienced and influential leader to join us as our new Chief Executive, from January 2025 on the retirement of the current postholder Kate Baillie. You will play a crucial role in shaping and delivering a new strategy to increase our income, partnership, and growth potential.
The Biochemical Society was founded in 1911 and currently has around 5,000 members. It is a learned society that is at the forefront of advancing molecular bioscience, promoting its importance as a discipline, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and expertise, and supporting molecular bioscientists across all career stages.
We are looking for a Chief Executive who can continue to grow our profile and positive reputation. To us, this means continuing our excellent work with our trustees, staff, community and stakeholders, enhancing our growth and building new partnerships.
As our new Chief Executive, you will lead us to empower individuals by developing and diversifying our income, providing inspiring leadership to our committed, expert and established team, and acting as an effective advocate and ambassador for the Society.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Our programme supporting Higher Technical Education has big ambitions. Known as the ‘missing middle’ of higher education in England, we want to see the declines in level 4 and 5 technical education reversed and more providers emerge who can offer high-quality education and training to help people access highskilled occupations. Key to this transformation is the role of Institutes of Technology (IoTs) – collaborations between further education colleges, universities and employers – and we have been working closely with the National Network of Institutes of Technology to support their success. We are looking for a Project Officer to play an integral part in the successful delivery of this programme, as well as becoming an advocate for Higher Technical Qualifications more broadly.
This role sits within the small Higher Education Team at Gatsby, and you will work closely with the Project Manager and Director of Programmes to: develop and deliver a range of projects to support our programme objectives; represent Gatsby at external meetings; organise meetings and events; and develop strong working relationships with key partners.
Key Role Responsibilities:
- Deliver projects to support Gatsby’s Higher Technical Education programme, with clear objectives and planning, delivering outputs on time and within budget.
- Research, create and write compelling communications that support programme objectives.
- Co-ordinate regular meetings and external events, including drafting agendas, writing minutes, liaising with and organising contributions from external stakeholders.
- Work effectively with other Gatsby programme teams to ensure higher technical education is appropriately represented within their areas of focus.
- Commission consultants/researchers to undertake pieces of work that will inform programme direction.
- Undertake project evaluations to measure success, analysing outputs/feedback and making informed recommendations to improve activity.
- Manage the National Network of Institutes of Technology website and LinkedIn pages, ensuring they remain a compelling national presence with engaging and relevant content.
- Provide administrative and budget support for beneficiary grants and contracts.
- Create and maintain data and contact information relevant to the Institutes of Technology and other key stakeholders in higher technical education.
- Maintain a secure understanding of all high-level Gatsby policy positions and able to communicate them effectively in written form and verbally.
About You:
Experience
- Managed projects to successful outcomes, including some budget responsibility.
- Organised meetings and external events.
- Managed external contracts or grants to deliver agreed objectives on time and within budget.
- Developed and maintained a network of external contacts.
- Have produced effective communication materials for different audiences.
Knowledge & Expertise
- Some knowledge and understanding of the UK post-18 education and skills landscape.
- Basic understanding of the ways in which policy decisions are influenced and enacted in England.
Skills & Abilities
- Comfortable working with partners in education and industry, able to initiate and develop positive relationships with a diverse range of people and organisations.
- Able to persuade, engage and build rapport quickly with new contacts, and maintain important working partnerships.
- Oral and written fluency in English and able to prepare and present accurate and readable briefings and reports from complex information.
- Constantly striving to improve own projects and processes. Open to new ideas and ways of doing things, enabling constructive contributions to organisational progress and innovation.
- Able to set and meet own deadlines under pressure, often balancing conflicting priorities, and dealing calmly with unforeseen issues.
- Diplomatic and politically sensitive, using good judgement and evidence to form opinions.
- An ability to apply an awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.
Personal Attributes & Other Requirements
- Strong interest in the role of technical education and careers guidance in improving life chances.
- Highly self-motivated, setting high standards for themselves and those they work with.
- Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.
- Enjoys working as part of a small team.
- Able to be flexible about working hours and locations, including working remotely and travelling to meetings around the UK and potentially overseas (may include overnight stays).
For the full job pack and details of the application process, please click the How to Apply button.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Salary: £52,000 per annum + generous benefits
Contract: Full time, permanent
Location: Victoria, London (hybrid working with one to three days in the office each week)
Closing date: at 12 noon, Friday 26 April 2024
Interviews: w/c 13 May 2024
NHS Providers is the membership organisation for the NHS hospital, mental health, community, and ambulance services that treat patients and service users in the NHS. We help those NHS foundation trusts and trusts to deliver high-quality, patient-focused care by enabling them to learn from each other, acting as their public voice and helping shape the system in which they operate.
NHS Providers has all trusts in England in voluntary membership, collectively accounting for £115bn of annual expenditure and employing 1.4 million people.
We are recruiting for a policy advisor to join our busy, supportive and high performing team. The current focus of this role is to analyse and influence the national policy agenda on NHS funding levels, financial performance, payments systems and contracting. This portfolio is one of the most high profile and reactive areas of work in our organisation and carries with it the opportunity to develop and lead projects, working closely with directors of NHS trusts and foundation trusts, and with the senior management of NHS Providers, including working closely with our media and public affairs teams.
The postholder will also support our policy work on other priority areas, such as ‘operational performance’ by which we mean access standards, progress against national targets, planning and prioritisation.
The NHS is in a significant period of reform, due to the legislative change establishing integrated care systems (ICSs) as statutory organisations in 2022. It is also in a uniquely challenging period due to ongoing operational and financial pressures, rising demand, workforce challenges, and the need to recover care backlogs. The reform agenda and operational context both mean trusts need to find new ways to work in their local systems and deliver for patients.
This role is an exciting opportunity to support trust leaders as they respond to this challenging and changing environment. This role will require the postholder to be flexible, adapt to a rapidly changing external landscape, responsively manage parts of a wide-ranging portfolio, and contribute to media, public affairs and board development work. The focus of the role may change over time, dependent on the needs of our members.
We actively support equality of opportunity for all our staff and welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, any disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, or belief. We particularly encourage applications from those from underrepresented communities.
To apply, please send a CV and cover letter setting out why you are interested in the role and how you meet the person specification to HR Team.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Description
The Head of Advocacy and Policy will be responsible for developing an excellent Advice Service and Retention Team to support and advise students effectively to enable excellent student experience and satisfaction.
This role will lead on the development of effective insights, representation and support initiatives/campaigns for students, across our three campuses at Greenwich, Avery Hill and Medway.
This role will enhance work with the diverse student population of the University of Greenwich and lead a dynamic team to ensure students have consistent and accessible services that contribute to positive student experience.
This role sits within the wider Membership Services department, together with other key areas consisting of; Activities, Sport, Academic Communities, Representation and Democracy, we provide a high-quality service for students, that they can shape, steer and be at the heart of.
This postholder will be part of the GSU Senior Leadership Team and will be expected to contribute to department and organisation wide strategic development.
The post holder will:
- Have expert knowledge in areas of in relation to Advice and Retention and policies and legislation relating to such activity
- Support and develop strong student-led communities and campaigns in areas of: Advice, wellbeing and retention so that members can thrive
- Provide line management support to staff so that the team have up to date, specialist advice skills, knowledge and understanding of University regulations, policies and procedures that may affect the work of the Advice service and oversee engagement across Greenwich’s 3 campuses
- Undertake casework and provide expert advice for the team on all aspects of Advice
- Lead on the project management of wellbeing/health promotion campaigns and initiatives throughout the year, as well as any external bids through bodies such as OfS
- Oversee the Retention and Wellbeing Project work, and other relevant projects with external partners
- Lead on insights work relating to retention, wellbeing and support
- Lead on responses to external consultation and enquiry responses, including but not limited to OfS, Department for Education, OIA and Universities UK
- Support elected officers to deliver on campaigning priorities
- Ensure the Advice service has the skills and is equipped to support the diverse needs of students at Greenwich and Kent at Medway.
- Provide regular insights and reports on the GSU Membership to inform our strategy and service provision
- Work with other Heads to develop relevant and modern Front of House services for each GSU campus ensuring ease of access and consistency for all members.
Key Areas
- Be an engaged and active member of the Senior Leadership team, contributing regularly and working collaboratively with peers
- Provide leadership, strategic direction and day to day operational management to the Advocacy and Policy: recruiting and inducting members of staff, motivating, supporting and developing team members to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge for their roles as well as manage performance
- Develop a proactive results driven culture within the team, ensuring agreed objectives and targets are delivered, whilst promoting a collaborative approach to working with internal departments
- Develop succession plans and identify training and development opportunities within the team
- Be accountable for the quality of outputs of the team
- Provide support to the Officer team helping and equipping them, particularly in their roles as representatives and providing pastoral support and guidance.
- Ensure the whole organisation is aware of and understands the work of the Advocacy and Policy Team and its contribution to our strategic objectives
- To maintain expert and up-to-date knowledge on sector policies and regulations relating to advice, retention and student success, providing relevant guidance to officers and staff as required.
- Develop and promote a culture of continuous improvement across the team to ensure we can adapt to changing students’ needs and priorities, as well as building on successes and preparing for the future.
Strategic Development
- Contribute to the strategic objectives of GSU, with a particular focus on advice, support and wellbeing in relation to the student experience
- Develop and oversee a new and innovative approach to proactive health and wellbeing campaigns that empower students to look after themselves and each other, as well as seeking support
- Lead on Access and Participation Plan Engagement, acting as the key contact on this area with the University.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with relevant senior UoG staff and departments including Student Academic Services, Faculties and our partners at Kent Unio
- Develop and oversee the Advice service to support advocacy initiatives at multiple levels within the University, ensuring both students and University stakeholders view GSU as a credible and reliable source of information on the needs of students.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Develop and oversee a structured approach to gathering, analysing and reporting on data relating to engagement of students with our services and to student views on key issues relating to retention and success
- Develop and oversee processes of collecting quantitative and qualitative data from casework to analyse trends and inform feedback for the SU and university
- Ensure evaluation mechanism are embedded in the teams working practises and that findings are shared and used to implement learnings with the goal of improving services
- Support Officers by preparing information, statistics and trends about key services to be shared within the University committee cycle
- Be responsible for the implementation of service standards for the Advocacy and Policy Team and to monitor and report on adherence to these standards
- Prepare materials to apply for any relevant quality mark accreditations for the service.
Budget and Financial Management
- Manage a budget relating to Advocacy and Policy including any restricted funds.
- Be responsible for the teams resources, ensuring these are effectively allocated, managed and controlled
- Review and establish processes, systems, polices and where appropriate standard procedures to maximise efficiency ensure deadlines are met and a positive return on investment
- Review and provide narrative for scrutiny at monthly management meetings with the Finance Team
Stakeholder management
- Collaborate with GSU colleagues, particularly the Student Voice and Engagement Teams to ensure we have a consistent approach to how we work with and support students
- Work with students through our representative structures and forums to ensure we shape services students want and need, taking into consideration the varying campus priorities
- Maintain strong relationships with key university staff to develop, deliver and evaluate collaborative projects and interventions supporting advice and retention
- Attend meetings relating to Advocacy and Policy as well as associated areas at both GSU, the University and externally, included, but not limited to regional networks
- Identify opportunities to share best practice and represent the work of GSU and your team to the wider HE community, through conferences and publication.
Personal Specification
Essential Experience
- Line management experience
- Relevant experience working in the youth, education, students’ union or other membership or advisory organisation
- Experience of leading a multi-functional team
- Experience of mentoring coaching staff/elected officers
- Experience of developing operational policies and procedures
- Experience of budget management, project management, and operational management
- Experience of working with a range of stakeholders and partnership working or strategic networking
Essential Skills and Abilities
- Ability to work with and lead a high performing team
- Ability to troubleshoot difficult situations, and deal with them calmly, efficiently and effectively
- Ability to produce confident, clear written reports and be able to write succinct documents on complex areas
- IT skills at a level that supports membership CRM systems, Advice Pro and other platforms
- Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to manage others to reach deadlines, within agreed budgets and to a consistently high standard
- Ability to write strategies and be able to effectively communicate vision and mission
- Ability to stay focused and efficient in the face on changing priorities
- Track record of successfully developing and implementing projects and operational change
- Able to draft policies and procures with an eye for detail and accuracy
Essential Knowledge
- Awareness of current issues within the higher education sector
- Knowledge of relevant external bodies and organisations including Advice UK, NUS, Citizens Advice, OIA, Ofs, Student Minds
- Knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation
- Knowledge of Safeguarding, advice legislation, risk assessments and GDPR
- Knowledge of providing 121 support
Education/Training
- No one specific qualification is required, but evidence of recent continuing professional development in a professional area relevant to the post is required. For example: ILM, City &Guilds etc.
Personal Attributes and other requirements
- Able to travel within the Borough and Region.
- Able to work some evenings and weekends and stay overnight where necessary.
- Works well in a team with a flexible approach to work
- Be eligible for a DBS check if needed
- A commitment to the principles and practices of equality and diversity
- An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.
- Commitment to the values and ethos of GSU.
Desirable other requirements
- Visionary, creative, and innovative strategist
- A positive, solution focused leader – able to make ‘tough’ decisions; determined and resilient in order to cope with the demands of the role
- Empowering, authentic leader with high levels of emotional intelligence
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
For more than 50 years, the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) has been the voice of people living with dyslexia. We aim to influence government and other institutions to promote a dyslexia friendly society that enables dyslexic people of all ages to reach their full potential. The BDA is established as the leading dyslexia charity in the UK.
Unfortunately, the need for our support and services is high. Although awareness of dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties has grown, there are ongoing and widening gaps in access to the identification of dyslexia and the provision of expert learning support. Our national Helpline is busier than ever, supporting almost 5,500 people each year, reminding us on a daily basis why we must keep fighting for the rights of our beneficiaries.
Against a challenging backdrop for so many organisations, last financial year we saw continued growth in income from fundraising and training. We invested in growing our team and identified five strategic objectives for the period 2023-2026, and activities are currently underway to deliver these priorities. Our next CEO will continue to oversee these whilst laying the foundations for our next strategy cycle which we intend to publish in 2026. As such, the timing of this appointment allows the successful candidate the opportunity to work with the Board and other key stakeholders to articulate the long-term vision for our charity, establishing a plan that enables us to expand our reach and deepen our programmes.
The role of CEO at the BDA is one of both challenge and immense reward, offering the chance to lead a passionate and skilled team dedicated to making a tangible difference in society. The ideal candidate will bring strategic thinking, leadership experience and a commitment to promoting inclusion for our beneficiaries in education, in work and in life. The successful candidate will also need to demonstrate their financial acumen and business development and delivery skills, as achieving our mission will depend on financial security and sustainability.
We are excited about the next stage in our development as a charity and the opportunity to support even more people with dyslexia to reach their full potential. If you would like to be part of that journey, then we would love to hear from you.
To download a full copy of the candidate brief and learn more about the role, please click the ‘Apply’ button, where you will be redirected to the website of our recruitment partner, Tall Roots. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please email Mark Crowley or Natalie Sanders at Tall Roots.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
This is an exciting opportunity to join CSW, a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights in the pursuit of justice. CSW is an incredible team of people dedicated to bringing about freedom and justice all over the world. We are confident in our identity as a Christian human rights organisation that works for freedom of religion or belief for all people, no matter what religion, belief, faith or no-faith they might hold.
We are seeking a Finance Officer with a keen eye for detail, and an aptitude for learning new skills, to take on purchase ledger and payroll administration duties in our Finance Department. You will have either begun on the path of attaining a financial qualification or had some experience in a similar role. The successful candidate will be responsible for the accurate and timely processing of all purchases, payments and returns, including supplier invoices, staff payments (salaries, expenses and advances), project and contractor payments and credit card transactions. Responsible for project reporting against budget.
Key responsibilities (full responsibilities listed in the application pack):
- Ownership of the purchase ledger system, administering the entire process of invoice receiving, checking, coding, distributing for approval, posting to the accounts software (currently Sage), setting up domestic and international payments for authorisation, and electronic filing of documents.
- Administering all credit card returns including distribution of statements to colleagues, checking and coding returns, collating documents, submitting for line-manager approval, posting to Sage and following up on outstanding items.
- Administering staff and contractors expense claims, advances, returns and funds transfer requests, including checking and coding, submitting for budget-holder approval, arranging payment both domestic and international, and electronic filing of documents.
- Recording project expenditure against budget and drafting project financial returns to meet funder deadlines.
Essential criteria (full criteria listed in the application pack):
- Either started on a financial qualification or have had experience in a similar role
- Exposure to SAGE Line50 or other accounting package.
- Confident using Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word.
- Previous experience of using accounting software.
- Good team working and relationship-building skills.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- Must have the right to reside and work in the United Kingdom.
CSW Benefits
We offer flexible working, your birthday off, pension with 6% employer contribution.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.