Policy advocacy officer jobs

Protect, the UK’s leading whistleblowing charity, is looking for an exceptional public-spirited Policy & Advocacy Officer, who will lead our anti-corruption work. The role is currently funded by the Joffe Charitable Trust. The role is 3 days (22.5hours) per week; can be spread over 3-5 days.  

The role is London based with hybrid and remote working options & occasional travel to Westminster. 

The role will entail proactively looking for advocacy opportunities and working with the Policy Team in Protect to progress important public policies, which further the protection of whistleblowers, support safe speaking up and tackle corruption in the UK. 

For 30 years we have provided legal advice to whistleblowers, campaigned for better legal protection for whistleblowing and supported organisations to create effective whistleblowing systems. With the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) turning their focus to whistleblowing, there could not be a more exciting time to join the anti-corruption fight.

We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, ambitious and a team player. The ideal candidate is a great communicator, with exceptional networking and stakeholder engagement skills. Those applying should have a degree in a relevant subject and work experience in a relevant field. Past or present experience working in Government, Parliament or for a regulator is highly desirable. 

Protect offers a range of benefits to those that work for the charity including 30 days (pro rata) annual leave, a sabbatical scheme after 5 years service, and enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental leave. 

Would you like to help create a brighter future for nature?

Wildlife and Countryside Link is a coalition of 90 environmental charities. We are looking for a Policy Officer to help develop, advocate and win policy improvements for nature.

The Government has promised to halt the decline of nature by 2030 and to net zero by 2050, committing to decarbonising our energy systems as a core government mission. Such commitments have been made within the backdrop of a challenging economic environment. The next few years will be critical in securing nature based solutions as part of the drive to reach net zero and in developing our understanding of and engagement with private investment for nature’s recovery as these fledging funding streams evolve.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Policy Officer to convene environmental policy experts to agree bold shared policy positions. This role will focus on economic systems change, including innovative work on ways to drive private investment in nature; and on the role that nature must play in helping us to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. There will be lots of thinking, lots of writing, and lots of opportunities to shape shared campaigns with excellent opportunities to engage with and work alongside some of the leading experts in these policy areas. You will also play a key role in delivering those messages to key influencers in Government and in Parliament.

So, we are looking for someone with a keen eye for detail, a good networker with the ability to listen and negotiate, and a reasoned and convincing style of written and verbal communication, with a passion for nature conservation.

Please find the full job description and how to apply here. To apply, please send your CV, with a short covering letter and a completed diversity monitoring form by 9am on Monday 15 September.

Thanks to funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, TransActual are recruiting a Policy Officer to join our growing team. You’ll both be working alongside our Policy Lead, Director of Policy and Director for Healthcare to advocate for trans people’s needs in a range of policy areas.

This is role is offered on the initial basis of a 3 year contract, with any extension of that subject to funding.

As a Policy Officer at TransActual you will:

• Engage with elected representatives and civil servants.
• Support with the research for, writing and distribution of TransActual’s Parliamentary briefings.
• Research and write responses to consultations, reviews and calls for evidence.
• Keep our policy database up to date.
• Support the Policy Lead in creating and coordinating a Trans Policy Network.
• Support the delivery of a programme of work to support activists to develop their develop skills and expertise in policy work.
• Work collaboratively with others in the LGBTQ+ sector and beyond on policy matters.
• Work with TransActual’s programmes officer to create information and training resources for trans people on rights and protections.
• Coordinate TransActual’s policy volunteers to ensure they’ve got what they need to be able to support our work.

An in depth understanding of trans people’s lived experiences and an ongoing commitment to bringing about positive change for all trans people in the UK is absolutely essential for this role. This understanding can come from your own lived experience. You will demonstrate a strong understanding of and commitment to equity, particularly in relation to race equity and disability equity.

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from trans people, Black People and People of Colour, neurodivergent people and disabled people.

The successful applicant will be required to attend regular meetings in Central London, but must be able to work from home as well.

Terms and salary: 30 hours a week, a total salary of £21,840 per year (the full time equivalent salary would be £27,300).

The closing date for the position is Friday 5th September 2025 at 5pm. 

The job pack and application form are available via our website.

We are recruiting for a Senior Policy and Research Officer to join our team in London; the scope on this job involves….

Job Title: Senior Policy and Research Officer

Location: Homeworking with the requirement to occasionally attend our Head Office (Vauxhall)
Salary: £34,093.64 per annum (this is inclusive of a London Weighting allowance of £3,000 which may be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement).
Contract type: Fixed term (12 months), Full-time

Hours: 37.5

Refuge is recruitment for a Senior Policy and Research Officer to join it's successful Policy and Public Affairs Team.

The Senior Policy and Research Officer will be responsible for conducting qualitative and quantitative research on issues affecting survivors of domestic abuse and propose robust, evidence-based policy recommendations as well as analysing policy developments and producing briefings, reports, and consultation responses to influence public policy. The successful candidate will bring excellent policy analysis, data analysis and research skills as well as strong communication and project management skills.

This is an exciting opportunity to work with survivors of domestic abuse to shape Refuge's policy programme to drive system change to end Violence Against Women and Girls. 

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing date: 9.00am on 1 September 2025

Interview date: 10 & 11 September 2025

Benefits

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

Executive Director (4 Day Work Week)

For over 30 years, The Women's Budget Group (WBG) has influenced UK policy through rigorous gendered economic analysis. Our work is cited in Parliament, the media, and by campaigners across civil society. We’re proud of our collaborative culture, our commitment to intersectional feminism, and our track record of impact—from budget assessments to grassroots training.

We are now seeking a visionary Executive Director to lead our nationally respected feminist economics organisation into its next chapter. If you're passionate about social justice, thrive at the intersection of research, policy and activism, and want to reshape how the economy works—and for whom, we would love to hear from you.

As Executive Director, you will:

• Lead strategy and organisational development with integrity and care
• Interpret macro-economic concepts to develop, articulate and defend advocacy positions. (Independently and alongside subject matter experts.)
• Represent WBG to senior stakeholders across government, media, and civil society
• Oversee research, communications, training, and impact measurement
• Drive fundraising and ensure financial sustainability
• Foster a high-performing, inclusive team culture

We are seeking a strategic thinker with vision and drive who holds a collaborative, inclusive and empowering leadership style. You will be able to demonstrate high integrity, resilience and adaptability, and perform comfortably in ambiguity and complexity. Seeing beyond immediate outputs towards longer-term systems change.

You will:

• Be committed to women’s rights and equality, understanding how intersecting inequalities affect different women
• Hold recent, demonstrable experience engaging with macroeconomic issues
• Possess either some qualification in Economics, or clear evidence of equivalent professional expertise.
• Hold experience in a senior leadership policy, research, advocacy, or campaigning role
• Thrive in communicating an organisation's mission across all mediums, including public speaking and live media interviews
• Excel in building trusted relationships with the likes of government, civil society, academia and grassroots movements
• Possess robust financial acumen, with experience overseeing budgets, ensuring sustainability, and cultivating and stewarding funding relationships

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, especially those whose lived experience reflects the structural inequalities we seek to address. Job shares and flexible working arrangements are strongly encouraged.

How to apply

WBG is partnering with Doing Good Recruitment on this appointment. The full job pack can be found attached and also on their jobs page.

If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please do let them know; we’re committed to making this process inclusive and accessible.

To help us monitor how we’re doing and identify any barriers in our recruitment process, we invite all applicants to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form found on Doing Good Recruitment’s application page.

Interviews commence late September/early October

Drive the policy agenda for a high-profile, mission-led charity representing over 1,150 schools in the North East and a futher 400 specialist schools nationally. Influence education strategy and shape national debate from the heart of the North East.

Make a Difference with Schools North East

Schools North East is a dynamic, purpose-driven charity that champions the education sector across the North East. Representing a collaborative community of over 1,150 member schools, we are recognised nationally as the Voice advocating for North East schools, the Glue fostering collaboration, and the Bridge connecting education with the wider world. Now approaching our 20th year, we are entering an exciting new phase of development, strengthening our influence, expanding our reach, and enhancing the value we deliver to our members.

As Policy Manager, you will be a senior leader responsible for working with Directors to deliver our strategic policy and public affairs agenda. You will ensure alignment between policy, research, stakeholder engagement, and events, using evidence and insight to influence decision-makers at the highest levels. This is a pivotal, high-profile role requiring a dynamic, politically astute, and highly experienced strategic thinker with a deep understanding of how policy is shaped and implemented.

We are looking for a values-led leader who can anticipate long-term trends and align strategies with the organisation’s vision, taking account of the political, economic, and educational policy landscape. You will make bold yet considered decisions, taking calculated risks where appropriate, and responding promptly and effectively to critical events. You will lead by example, actively promoting SNE’s values and vision both internally and externally, and influencing our strategy, direction, and culture to increase organisational effectiveness.

You will bring a collaborative, resilient, and adaptable approach, fostering a culture of learning and development that helps your team grow and succeed, while sharing your own expertise to support others. With exceptional communication skills, you will engage stakeholders with purpose and conviction, and ensure that policy work is evidence-led, impactful, and aligned with member needs. This is an opportunity to join a respected and ambitious organisation at a key point in its journey – and to play a personal role in shaping its next chapter of success.

Salary:            Senior Leader Band 5 – £40,775–£52,196, depending on experience
Location:         Central Newcastle (with flexibility to work from home on Fridays)
Hours:             Full-time, 36 hours per week
Holidays:         30 days plus Bank Holidays
Travel:             Some regional and national travel, as required

Closing Date: 5pm Wednesday 27 August 2025
Interview Date: Tuesday 16 September 2025

Key Responsibilities

Organisational Leadership

• Contribute to the strategic leadership of Schools North East as a senior manager, ensuring policy work supports the organisation’s long-term mission and values.

Strategic Policy Leadership

• Lead the development and delivery of Schools North East’s policy agenda, ensuring it reflects member needs and is grounded in robust evidence.
• Anticipate and respond to emerging political and policy developments, both regionally and nationally.

Public Affairs & Influence

• Build and maintain high-level relationships between the organisation and government, political stakeholders, and sector influencers to maximise SNE’s influence.
• Represent Schools North East at external events, inquiries, and meetings, speaking with authority on behalf of our members.

Research & Intelligence

• Undertake research where appropriate to inform strategic priorities.
• Interpret and communicate external research to help support strategic priorities and inform policy work.
• Oversee the production of high-quality policy briefings, consultation responses, and position papers.

Campaign Leadership

• Design impactful campaigns that raise the profile of key education issues and strengthen SNE’s role as a thought leader.
• Ensure alignment between policy priorities and marketing/communications activity.

Stakeholder Engagement & Networks

• Develop stakeholder networks, forums, and roundtables to inform policy positions and enhance influence.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and mentor direct reports, setting clear KPIs and fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
• Work closely with the Directors, Business, Events and Marketing teams to ensure policy activity supports and enhances core functions.

Organisational Leadership

• Contribute to the strategic leadership of Schools North East as a senior manager, ensuring policy work supports the organisation’s long-term mission and values.

This role is based in Nairobi, Kenya. This role is open to the nationals of the country where the role is based.

You will be required to attend the office for a minimum of 2 days per week with the option to work remotely for the remaining 3 days.

About us

Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who passionately champion dignity, equality and justice worldwide. We are the changemakers, the peacemakers, the mighty of heart.

We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and recognise the value this brings in forming strong, creative and high performing teams. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, and from those with experience from outside of the voluntary sector. And no, you don't have to be Christian to work here - we encourage people of all faiths and none to apply. We just ask that everyone lives out our values of dignity, equality, justice and love. We value a good work-life balance, so we're open to part-time and flexible working. We also offer hybrid working for our office-based colleagues and the option of being a homeworker for most of our roles too.

Learn about our vision, mission and values

About the role

Reporting in to the Global Influencing Lead, the Pan Africa Advocacy and Policy Lead is a key member of the Policy and Influencing division who will oversee the Pan Africa advocacy strategy and coordinate with other Advocacy colleagues to co-design thematic global advocacy strategies, responding to partner voices and priorities and local contexts, aligning with organisational values and goals.

The post-holder will horizon scan the agendas of African institutions to advise and provide policy and advocacy insight to Global Influencing Lead, African MCCs and partners, fostering a team mindset and support a culture of knowledge sharing of ideas and insights at a continental level.

Collaborating with the MCC Policy and Advocacy Leads, and Programme Portfolio Lead, you will build a cohort of national and regional partnerships, including faith partnerships, to ensure that there is an appropriate balance of partners working on short- and medium-term outcomes and systemic change to align with organisational values and goals.

The post-holder will act as a convenor of policy and advocacy spaces by supporting and accompanying national and regional partners to engage in regional and global coalitions and networks enabling collaboration on shared priorities, fostering a mindset of connection.

You will act as an ambassador by representing Christian Aid and engage in regional and global spaces jointly with partners, collaborating with the MCC Advocacy and Policy Leads, ensuring alignment with organisational values and goals.

About you

Essential:

-Degree level qualification in a relevant field (International development, economics or comparable field).

-Substantial experience in supporting national and regional organisations to develop an advocacy strategy, including integrating advocacy into programme work.

-Substantial experience of supporting and accompanying partners to navigate and influence on a global scale.

-Substantial experience of devising, leading and implementing advocacy strategies, preferably in another NGO or faith group.

-Substantial experience of networking, building alliances and coordinating initiatives in networks and faith groups.

-Substantial experience of peer-to-peer learning.

-Substantial experience of policy research and managing research projects.

-Substantial experience of public speaking to a variety of audiences, including the media.

-Substantial experience of budget management.

-Detailed understanding of the current policy debates, trends and analytical frameworks around key development issues.

-Detailed understanding of power and political analysis, and rights based approaches.

-Detailed understanding of national and regional Civil Society and faith networks - their policy positions and dynamics.

-Understanding of how theology influences policy.

Further information

At Christian Aid we strive to be an inclusive and diverse employer and recognise the value that this brings in helping to build strong, creative and high performing teams.

We are actively encouraging racialised minorities, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people with caring responsibilities, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, women, and older workers to apply. This is because these groups are under-represented within our teams, especially at senior level, and we recognise and value the contributions members of these groups make to strong, creative and high performing teams. We have a strong Christian ethos and we encourage applications from all faiths. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of and sympathy with Christian Aid's faith identity.

All successful candidates will require a DBS/police check appropriate to the role and location and a Counter Terrorism Sanction check as part of your clearance for commencing your role with us. We also participate in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information as part of the referencing process from job applicants' previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

This role requires applicants to have the right to live and work in the country where this position is based and undertake the role that you have been offered. If you are successful and we make you an offer for the role, we will be required to conduct a right to work check on your immigration status in the UK. We will contact you regarding the documentation you will need to provide to evidence this.

You can expect a wide range of rewards and benefits, please refer to the benefits booklet for your location to see our full list of employee benefits.

For Salary details for this role, please refer to the Salary band by location.

Director of Policy, Influencing and Change 
Location: London, hybrid working 
Contract: Permanent, full time 
Salary: £82,000 to £90,000 per annum plus benefits 
Reports to: Executive Director, Impact on Urban Health 

Impact on Urban Health works to tackle the deep-rooted health inequalities that affect people living in cities. As part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation, the organisation focuses on a small number of complex health challenges that disproportionately affect urban communities. These include air pollution, access to healthy and affordable food, financial security, and children’s mental health. 

The work begins in the London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark, among the most diverse areas in the country. Here, Impact on Urban Health supports and tests new ideas in real-world settings. The insights gathered locally are used to shape national and international conversations and influence lasting change. The organisation works in partnership with communities, local authorities, government, the NHS, other funders, and civil society to build healthier urban environments. 

Impact on Urban Health is now recruiting a Director of Policy, Influencing and Change. This senior leadership role is responsible for shaping and delivering the organisation’s policy and influencing agenda, ensuring that its programmes lead to broader systems change. The Director will lead a skilled and committed team, strengthen strategic partnerships, and play a central role in scaling proven approaches to health equity. 

The ideal candidate will bring: 

• A strong track record of influencing decision-makers and shaping public policy at both local and national levels, with demonstrable experience driving change through engagement with a broad range of stakeholders 

• Experience of strategic leadership in complex settings, including securing large-scale partnerships to scale and sustain what we know works 

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence working across government, local authorities, and the voluntary and community sector 

• A clear and long-standing commitment to advancing health equity, racial justice, and inclusive leadership 

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of urban health and to play a meaningful part in building a fairer, healthier society. 

To find out more about the role and how to apply, please view the dedicated microsite.

Recruitment Timetable

Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 8th September

Interviews with IoUH: w/c 22nd & 29th September

The National Youth Agency is looking for a new Policy and Public Affairs Manager to join our Policy, Insights and External Affairs Team.
 
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.
 
REF-223415

Job Title:  Head of Policy and Engagement

Location:  London, (The Foundry, Vauxhall) 

Type: Permanent, hybrid

Hours: 4 days/28 hours a week 

Salary: £50k pa (FTE) 

About Equally Ours 

Equally Ours (previously the Equality and Diversity Forum) is a UK charity that brings together people and organisations working across equality, human rights and social justice to make a reality of these in everyone’s lives.

Through our members and networks, Equally Ours joins up research, policy and communications to shift public opinion and policy in positive and powerful ways. This is an exciting and pivotal time for us. At the end of 2022, we launched a 10-year strategy, 'Together for social justice', which sets out our bold agenda to increase equality and strengthen rights at scale.  

We are a voluntary membership organisation dedicated to supporting networks, communities and grassroots groups across the UK to influence public policy and decision-making processes.

This important new role aims to support London-based members and our wider networks in shaping meaningful, structural public policy changes that address climate action, social justice, and economic opportunity. This role will work at the intersection of national and London government agendas, ensuring that the diverse experiences of Londoners shape a more socially just London and the UK that protect and advances people's equality and human rights. 

Role Overview 

We are seeking a Head of Policy and Community Engagement to lead our policy advocacy and community engagement initiatives. This role is crucial in helping our members develop a collective voice, influence policy at both local and national levels, and drive long-lasting, systemic change. The successful candidate will work closely with London-based members and grassroots organisations, convening and facilitating opportunities to develop a unified and impactful voice and advocate for systemic change on key issues such as climate justice and resilience, employment inequality and economic inclusion, particularly in the context of public sector investment and the green economy. They will have a passion for human rights, equality and social justice, and strong policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement experience. 

Key Responsibilities 

Policy Advocacy & Engagement 

• Support Member Voice: Facilitate opportunities for our members (and their networks) to develop a unified and impactful voice on key policy issues.

• Drive structural change: Advocate for systemic, rather than piecemeal, policy reform on issues relating to climate action, law and economic opportunity.

• Policy research & analysis: synthesize research data, commission research, and stay informed on the priorities of national government, Greater London Authority and local borough councils, as well as those of funders, to provide members with strategic analysis and support in developing and influencing policy. 

• Focus on intersectionality: Promote the adoption of an intersectional, pan-equality, and human rights-based framework in policy areas such as the equality and human rights legal framework, climate justice and social investment. 

Community & Network Development 

• Develop and strengthen membership model: Lead efforts to develop and adapt our membership and engagement model, ensuring it remains responsive to the evolving needs of our London network and the wider movement.

• Equip grassroots groups: Work closely with grassroots organisations to build their capacity and influence on key issues, supporting them to engage directly with policymakers and participate meaningfully in policy debates.

• Promote collaboration and capacity building: Promote collaboration among members, encouraging the sharing of best practice, strengthening their collective voice, and enhancing their effectiveness in advocating for their communities. 

Strategic Initiatives & emerging trends 

• Horizon scanning and trend analysis: Monitor emerging trends in the climate, social justice, and community development sectors, ensuring strategies are adapted to address these developments.

• Network expansion: Identify opportunities to grow our network and extend our reach, ensuring more grassroots organisations are empowered to engage with policy agendas and drive systemic change. 

What skills and experiences we’re looking for: 

• Strong policy expertise: demonstrable experience of analysing evidence from a range of sources (lived experience, think tank and academic reports,) and working collaboratively with communities to identify the root causes of inequality and create policy solutions. Ideally in one or more of the areas of climate justice, economic opportunity, and social inclusion. 

• Community Engagement: Experience of working with grassroots organisations and local communities, with a focus on building capacity and amplifying their voices at local borough, London and UK government levels. 

• Advocacy Skills:

• Strong understanding and demonstrable experience of public policy change processes at the intersection of UK and London government agendas

• Proven ability to develop, lead, implement and monitor influencing strategies that drive systemic change 

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think creatively and strategically about developing engagement models and responding to emerging trends in social and environmental justice movements. 

• Commitment: commitment to and a sound understanding of how to apply equality, intersectionality and human rights principles to public policy development, and the credibility to build trust with communities. 

• Network Building: Demonstrable experience in growing and supporting membership networks or coalitions, ideally in the voluntary or charity sector. 

• Emotional intelligence: High levels of emotional intelligence and resilience, including the understanding and ability to manage how lived experience of our privilege and inequality can impact in the workplace for yourself, colleagues and external stakeholders. 

• Managing staff: Experience managing at least one staff member, providing both task centered and pastoral support. The ability to hold and manage difficult feelings and conversations with tact and sensitivity. 

• Anti-racism: Commitment to embed anti-racism across all aspects of our work.

Desirable: 

• Experience of commissioning different types of research 

• Experience of working with impact monitoring and evaluation frameworks, for example theory of change methodology. 

Coventry Women’s Partnership (CWP) is looking for a Policy, Voice, and Influence Lead to support our 2-year place-based systems change programme, funded by the Smallwood Trust. The programme aims to reduce gendered poverty in Coventry by tackling the systemic barriers faced in securing a safe home. This work will focus on understanding and transforming housing systems. Seeking to and improve outcomes for women experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, and multiple disadvantage.

CWP is partnership made up of Central England Law Centre, Coventry Haven Women’s Aid, CRASAC, FWT and Kairos. The contract will be with Kairos, but you will provide support across all partners.

· The Policy, Voice and Influence Lead (PVIL) will play a pivotal role in driving forward the Coventry Women’s Partnership’s (CWP) systems change agenda to improve housing and homelessness options for women to reduce gendered poverty.

· You will be confident in taking the lead in this work while remaining in regular communication and collaboration with the partnership.

· You will help us analyse the systems, policies, practices and strategy around housing for women and their impact on poverty and create a delivery programme to influence and collaborate with stakeholders for change.

· Your attitude will be pragmatic and ‘can do’ as you carve a realistic path between confidence and caution when planning projects and delivery.

· Integral to this work will be drawing on members’ experience and expertise and the voices of women with lived experience (supported by a Women’s Engagement & Participation Coordinator) to ensure the partnership’s activities are delivered on time and to budget.

Plumstead Community Law Centre is a free specialist legal advice charity located in central Woolwich in South East London. We provide specialist legal advice and advocacy in the areas of immigration, welfare benefits and employment People can access our services via telephone or email, and through the Advice Hub outreach services we attend in local community centres. In 2024 over 1,400 local people accessed our advice and representation services, resulting in a range of financial and non-financial benefits.

Towards the end of 2024, we moved away from a collective model towards a functional management structure. We appointed an Interim CEO from the staff group and expanded our trustee board's size and expertise.

This Managing Director and Senior Solicitor role involves assuming the charity’s management from our interim CEO, who has established strong systems and secured new funding for the further strengthening of the charity. Our strategic plan includes improving our legal practice management with a view to obtaining a quality mark and securing an immigration legal aid contract. We anticipate securing further funding to expand our services, to support more people in need in our community.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, experienced solicitor who has a track record in supervision and management. Although the job description is wide ranging, support will be given through further recruitment of administrative support. 

​The Law Centre Managing Director and Senior Solicitor (“MD/SS”) is responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the Law Centre. Working within appropriate delegations from the Board, the post holder ensures that the Law Centre provides quality assured services that meet its charitable purposes. The MD/SS ensures that issues of risk and compliance are properly managed and that the Centre is an exciting, innovative and enjoyable place to work. The MD/SS ensures that the Centre operates within budgets set by the Board and 2 that it offers value for money. The MD/SS must ensure that legal, regulatory, grant, contractual and other relevant requirements are met and that the Centre continues to be relevant to its community. 

Do you believe that it is possible to change the rules of the economy so that it works better for people and planet? Are you driven by a commitment to make the UK more equitable, sustainable and democratic? Are you an expert in social policy? If so, we have the job for you.

For 40 years NEF has turned bold ideas, robust research and community power into real-world change to build a new economy that works for people and planet. At this critical moment in global and domestic politics, we are looking for someone to head up our social policy team, leading visionary flagship programmes on public service reform, housing and social security. NEF has always been a pioneer of cutting-edge research, big ideas and effective campaigning. We work at the interface between economic, social and environmental policy and we are looking for a Head of Social Policy that can help us push this frontier. 

Working with a talented team of researchers and economists, directors and other heads, you will develop a strategy to steer NEF’s social policy work, lead the development of and fundraising for programmes of research, policy and influencing and help ensure new and existing work delivers clear, high quality and rigorous outputs and outcomes.

You will need a strong track record of leading research, policy development, a keen sense of how change happens and strong relationships with partners across politics, civil society, trade unions and business. And you will need a passion for economic, social and environmental justice and a belief that we can make change happen.

Role: Head of Social Policy

Hours of work: Full Time

NEF operates a Shorter Working Week, with a full-time equivalent of 32 hours per week. As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant, which can be discussed at interview stage.

Salary range: £56,477 to £68,268, depending on qualifications and experience

Location: London (in-office min two days per week)

Contract type: permanent

Responsible to: Deputy Chief Executive

The Head of Social Policy leads the development of our thinking across public service reform, social security and housing.  This role develops - and is responsible for the effective delivery of a NEF-wide social policy strategy and of projects that are delivering on this strategy.  The Head of Social Policy acts as a key spokesperson for NEF and promotes our work at a local, regional and national level.

As NEF has a particular strategic focus on transforming the way policy is made so that it better reflects the lived experience of the people, communities and movements that most need change, we look to heads across our different themes to help develop and test new approaches to policy and advocacy.

The Head of Social Policy generates project ideas, oversees the development of quantitative and qualitative research, leads funding bids and manages day-to-day funder relationships.  This role leads a team which both develops our thinking on social policy and provides expertise to other teams at NEF.

 Deadline for applications: midnight on 14th September 2025

Interviews: 23rd and 25th September 2025

Start date: ASAP

To apply, please send your CV and Covering letter (no longer than 2 pages) outlining how you meet the person specification in Word format.

Please also complete the Equality and Diversity monitoring from.

You must be eligible to work in the UK, we are unable to sponsor visas.

NEF is committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in research and policy making and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this. We are particularly keen to receive applications from black, asian and minority ethnic people; people with disabilities; people who identify as being LGTBQIA; people who have a mental health condition; and people who identify as working class or have done so in the past. We are also aware that many highly capable prospective candidates nonetheless rule themselves out of work in research and policy because they underestimate their own ability to do the role. With this in mind, we strongly encourage applications from anyone who is prepared to learn and grow on the job and would like to stress that past experience of working in think tanks is not required.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.  We make use of positive action to select between candidates of equal merit as a way to address under-representation in our workforce.

NEF believes in diversity

Registered charity number 1055254

Advocacy Officer

Cumbernauld, Glasgow

£25,750 - £27,295

Full time (35 hours) 

Fixed term until 29th March 2030

Closing date: 5pm, Friday 22nd August 2025

Interview Date: Wednesday 12th September 2025

Our client is looking for a passionate and driven person to champion species and habitats with particular focus on new building developments / demolitions occurring in Cumbernauld, specifically the Town Centre, Community Growth Areas and their partners Sanctuary Scotland. Building on the success of previous projects, this project continues to realise the Cumbernauld Living Landscape long-term vision to improve Cumbernauld’s green spaces for both people and wildlife, helping everyone in the community connect with the nature on their doorstep. 

The candidate:  

The successful candidate will be educated to at least degree level in one of the following: conservation, ecology or related discipline - or equivalent with a minimum of three years previous experience in working in a nature policy environment, ideally in Scotland. 

Main Objectives 

The main objectives of the role are: 

• Delivery of NNC Advocacy Strategy, created during the Development Phase, championing green infra-structure and nature-positivity, with regards to reactive works for the Community Growth Areas (CGA) and proactive for the Town Centre development 

• Building on the existing work of the Trust, create relationships with the Local Planning Authority Planners; developers and businesses. 

• Develop detailed positions to enable the NNC partnership to contribute to and influence the implementation of Green Infrastructure to urban design and construct. 

• Gather evidence and develop a detailed proposal to improve biodiversity, including provision for bats, swift and sparrows, in developments, as well as retaining and enhancing well connected greenspaces, and prioritising native planting regimes to support wildlife across Cumbernauld. 

• Utilise current evidence from Wild Ways Well evaluations to demonstrate the positive links between increased biodiversity and improved health and wellbeing, helping to reinforce the need for good quality Green Infrastructure from a social perspective. 

• Represent the Trust and Cumbernauld Living Landscape. 

• Help keep the NNC team and partners up to date with significant developments in land management policy or legislation which significantly impact on species and habitats. 

• Facilitate the sharing of research and learning between key stakeholders internally/externally and help identify opportunities for aligning policy and conservation work. 

Wider project work 

• Support the team’s wider communications plan. 

• Support project team with events and other project-wide opportunities. 

• Contribute to project reporting, including Monitoring & Evaluation findings across the life of the project. 

• Knowledge sharing with the wider Trust, including recommendations to find centralised funding to potentially expand and continue the role. 

The successful candidate will ideally have: 

• Knowledge of legislative and policy making process in Scotland and Scottish Government priorities.

• Knowledge of environmental governance structures in Scotland and UK.

• Experience of working with senior civil servants, parliamentarians, landowners and managers, NGOs and other key stakeholders regarding species management.

• Excellent written and communication skills.

• Experience of writing briefings, consultation responses and written evidence.

What they offer:  

• Salary sacrifice schemes including Cycle to Work & Pension schemes.  

• We have always been hugely flexible in our approach to how you wish to work and continue to offer a flexible approach.  

• One Wellness Hour per week  

• Enhanced Pension rate upon completion of probation  

• Sick Pay Allowance  

• Enhanced Maternity/ Paternity Leave  

• Training and Development  

Our client is a proud equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all candidates irrespective of their background.  They are committed to helping to make the world of nature conservation as inclusive as possible, as they believe there should be no barriers to being involved, and that champions and role models from every part of society will be vital in helping to reverse the loss of biodiversity.