Policy and advocacy officer jobs

Join the leading national charity dedicated to supporting babies, families and NHS staff. This is an excellent opportunity for a creative and proactive person to join a dynamic Policy, Research and Campaigns team and make a real difference to the lives of families and babies in neonatal care.

Role Summary

One in seven babies is born premature or sick and needing care on a neonatal unit – this isn’t what most parents expect for their baby.

Bliss is the UK’s leading national charity for babies born premature or sick, and we are looking for a Policy and Research Officer to join our enthusiastic and passionate and high-achieving team. While small, we punch above our weight having recently changed the law to secure parents of premature and sick babies' extra parental leave.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to help support our Research, Policy and Campaigns team and to create real impact along the way.  
 

• Location: Hybrid (a minimum of three of your days over two weeks will be worked in the Bliss Head Office, London SE1)
• Salary: £30,560 FTE, Permanent
• Terms: 30-35 hours a week 

Role Details

This is an excellent opportunity for someone to gain experience in a wide-ranging role which will make a real difference to babies born premature or sick, and their families. You will support the team to support clinical research, spearhead campaigns and make impactful changes to policy across the UK. 

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience: 

•At least one-year experience working in a research, campaigning or policy environment (in a paid role or in a voluntary capacity)
•Have excellent written communication and interpersonal skills
•Can build strong, influential relationships 
•An understanding of the importance of service user voice in research
•Research skills and the ability to analyse and interpret complex data and issues
•Excellent organisational, project management and prioritisation skills.
 

Don’t meet every single requirement?
Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Bliss we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every aspect of the job description, we encourage you to apply to tell us what you can offer our organisation. You could be just the right candidate for this or other roles
 

For more details, please view the job description attached to this advert.

How to Apply

Interested applicants are requested to submit the following documents

• Your CV (please ensure this does not include your age, gender or any other personal characteristics)
• Supporting statement explaining how you meet the criteria in the person specification. This should address the essential points of the person specification and is expected to be no more than 1000-1500 words long

This information is used when shortlisting candidates for interview.

Recruitment Timeline 

The deadline for applications is 9am on Wednesday 28 May. First round interviews will be held virtually (via zoom) w/b 9 June, with second interviews in person at our London Bridge office in w/b 16 June.

It is Bliss’ policy not to contact applicants who have not been invited for an interview so if you have not heard from us three weeks after the closing deadline, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

Spotlight on Corruption has an exciting opportunity for a passionate and talented individual to lead our strategic engagement with Westminster and external stakeholders.

Deadline for applications is 23.30 on Sunday 25th May

About Spotlight

Spotlight on Corruption is a small team with outsized impact that shines a light on the UK’s role in corruption at home and abroad. 

We build the evidence base for reform through investigative research and extensive engagement with experts and frontline staff, and act as policy entrepreneurs, developing innovative and pragmatic solutions. We disseminate our work through hard-hitting reports and briefings for decision-makers and the general public and follow through with dogged advocacy to shape the narrative, as well as working in a highly collaborative manner to build consensus for reform.

About the role

We are looking for a passionate and talented individual to lead our strategic engagement with Westminster and external stakeholders. You will be an energetic and creative individual with a flair for building common ground, making connections as well as identifying and maximising political opportunities. You will be able to grasp complex details quickly and communicate them to a wide range of audiences. And you will have strong strategic nous, excellent networking skills, and an ability to keep your ear to the ground.

This role will work across our two thematic areas of ending impunity for corruption and defending democracy, liaising closely with the policy leads for those areas. You will be Spotlight’s organisational lead on developing our networks in Parliament, maintaining our relationships with Coalitions, and creating opportunities to get Spotlight messages across to policy and decision makers. 

Spotlight on Corruption is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all staff feel respected and valued. We conduct anonymous long-listing to help promote fairness and diversity, and encourage candidates from different backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Key responsibilities:

• Growing and maintaining Spotlight’s relationships and networks with parliamentarians, policy makers and external partners, including by attending events, receptions and proactively setting up meetings with key stakeholders and decision makers. 

• Developing strategies to enhance Spotlight’s profile and influence with policy makers including organising policy briefings and events in person and online.

• Monitoring developments related to Spotlight’s priorities in political, policy and legislative processes and identifying opportunities to highlight and promote Spotlight’s work and reform agenda.

• Developing and writing compelling briefings, statements and other communications including social media posts tailored to diverse audiences.

• Supporting research and helping brief staff members ahead of public appearances where appropriate.

• Representing Spotlight in NGO coalitions where appropriate and building our relationships with other NGO stakeholders.

• Supporting fundraising initiatives for Spotlight.

Person specification - Essential:

• Experience of engaging with UK parliamentary procedures, and legislative processes and influencing parliamentarians in support of advocacy objectives.

• An interest in strategic influence and policy development and the ability to navigate complex political environments.

• Excellent and persuasive communication skills and messaging abilities to get across complex legal and technical issues in an engaging way for a wide range of audiences.

• Excellent networking and relationship-building skills, and the ability to forge and nurture constructive dialogues and working relationships across the political spectrum and within civil society.

• High levels of organisation, an ability to prioritise a busy workload and a willingness to chip in with administrative tasks where necessary as part of a small team. 

• A track record of using initiative and seeking opportunities to secure policy impact. 

• A track record of operating to high standards as a strong team player in a collaborative manner.

• Strong understanding of the UK political and anti-corruption landscape and a passion for fighting corruption.

• Eligibility to live and work in the UK.

Person specification - Desirable:

• Direct experience of working in Parliament.

• Ability to undertake research and data analysis, including using the FOI regime.

• Experience of working with campaigning organisations.

• Experience of stakeholder management and convening.

Working arrangements:

Full-time, 35 hours per week. 30 days of annual leave (plus public holidays). Remote working from home required, with one day a week in the office, and regular meetings - sometimes at short notice - in London. Flexible working, including nine-day fortnight.

Responsible to: Executive Director

Start date: As soon as possible 

Job Title: Health Advocate Educator

Location: Warwickshire
Salary: £25,857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full Time,Permament

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as an Health Advocate Educator supporting women and children who are impacted by domestic violence. 

The Health Advocate Educator will train and provide ongoing support to GP practices and other health professionals to enable primary and secondary care staff to be able to effectively talk to their patients about domestic violence and abuse (DVA), provide early identification and offer appropriate care pathways for female, male and non-binary survivors of domestic violence and abuse, aged 16 years and over and their children.

The post holder will work in partnership with the local ICB and the service manager to proactively develop and maintain links with health providers in the local area.The post-holder will work within a defined locality, either Stratford-upon-Avon District; North Warwickshire and Nuneaton and Bedworth, or Warwick District and Rugby borough; building links with health professionals and support agencies.  

Travel around Warwickshire for client appointments essential to role, therefore use of a car essential.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.

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: 09:00am 26 May 2025

Interview Date: 2 June 2025

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development. 

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.

As a values-driven leader, the CEO will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to ensure the charity delivers its mission with integrity, compassion, and impact. They will be responsible for leading a small team, managing resources, driving income generation, and ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. As the public face of the organisation, the CEO will represent the charity to stakeholders, funders, and the wider community, building strong relationships to secure support and drive sustainability.

Lead a small team of 10 to fulfil its mission of breaking the cycle of Modern Slavery in Derbyshire and beyond. The care and wellbeing of our staff team is vital to the success of the organisation, and we are looking for a leader who understands and embodies the value of centring care and wellbeing.

The Role

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO/Director will be responsible for the overall strategic, financial, and operational leadership of Chelsea Theatre. This is a hands-on role with a focus on balancing the day-to-day running of the operational activities of the venue, with essential components such as stakeholder management, community engagement and income generation. 

Key Responsibilities

The postholder will: 

• Provide leadership and responsibility for the charity’s purpose, administration and financial management plus ensure compliance with the law and regulations. 

• Generate significant earned income from one-off and repeat hirers, including local community organisations, commercial contracts, arts organisations and private hires, with a focus on high quality customer care.

• Increase income from grants, corporates and funds from individuals, with support from Trustees.

• Run the building as a community centre, making an ever-increasing positive impact in the local community and beyond. 

• Motivate and engage a small team of staff and volunteers, and broad range of stakeholders and prospective supporters.

• Where necessary, with the team, be capable of delivering a range of operational tasks, such as updating the website and managing the box office systems.

• Act as ambassador for the charity, building relationships with partners and stakeholders in the community, local government and with businesses. 

Strategic & Commercial Leadership

• Work with the Board to develop and implement a clear vision and business strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the Chelsea Theatre.

• Identify and maximise commercial opportunities, including venue hire, sponsorship, and partnerships. Support the Board with fundraising.

• Lead on business development and marketing initiatives to increase revenue while maintaining the venue’s community-focused ethos.

• Ensure the organisation’s mixed team of staff and volunteers are focused on supporting the business’s mission and objectives.

Venue & Operational Management

• Oversee all aspects of venue operations, ensuring the highest standards of efficiency, customer experience, and compliance with health and safety regulations.

• Develop and manage budgets effectively, ensuring quality financial reporting, financial stability, and responsible stewardship of resources.

• Ability to optimise rental income and diversify income streams, while serving community needs. 

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including funders, local authorities, businesses, and community groups.

• Operate within the annual budget. Monitor key indicators of the organisation’s impact and financial health. 

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and nurture partnerships with the local community, ensuring the theatre remains a welcoming and accessible space for all.

• Work closely with the Board of Trustees to align organisational commercial goals with community needs and expectations.

• Further develop a balanced and funded community programme, which currently include a flagship youth theatre scheme, to reflect community needs and interests. 

• Represent Chelsea Theatre externally, acting as an advocate for its work and impact.

Help shape science policy that tackles the biggest challenges of our time.
From tackling the health impacts of climate change and supporting healthy ageing to advancing medical innovation, physiology – the science of how the body works – underpins some of the most urgent and exciting frontiers in research and policy today. At The Physiological Society, we bring together scientists from around the world to champion evidence-based policy and support a thriving research ecosystem. We’re looking for a Policy and Public Affairs Officer to join our team and help ensure science plays a central role in shaping policy for healthier, longer lives. Whether your background is in health, biomedical research, the environment or science policy more broadly, this role offers a unique opportunity to make an impact across a wide range of issues. You will join us at an exciting time, as we host the Global Climate & Health Summit.

About the role
You’ll play a vital role in delivering an ambitious programme of policy and public affairs activity, influencing government, engaging key stakeholders and championing evidence-based policy informed by physiology. Working closely with the Policy and Public Affairs Manager, internal teams, Society members and global experts, your work will span issues such as precision medicine, climate change and health, and research funding. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the broader R&D and policy landscape while supporting a dynamic scientific community.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing policy positions and crafting impactful responses to government consultations
• Monitoring political developments and advising internal stakeholders
• Building strong relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians and external partners
• Organising events such as policy briefings and parliamentary receptions
• Supporting funding proposals for policy-related initiatives
• Writing engaging briefings, statements and communications tailored to diverse audiences

About you
You’ll be passionate about policy and science, with a strong understanding of how public affairs can influence change. You’ll also bring:

• A degree in life sciences, public policy, political science, or a related field
• Proven experience developing and advocating for policy positions
• Excellent communication and writing skills, including the ability to translate complex ideas clearly
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects
• Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders and representing the organisation externally

Desirable:

• Familiarity with the UK and Ireland’s research and science policy landscape
• Experience using digital tools for public engagement and stakeholder management
• Event planning experience
• Understanding of climate, health or biomedical research policy

Why join us?
At The Physiological Society, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented communities.

You’ll be part of a supportive, mission-driven team making a real difference in how science shapes society.

We offer excellent benefits, including private medical insurance and a generous pension scheme.

How to apply
To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter outlining how your experience aligns with the role.

PLEASE DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK. We do not offer sponsorships.

About you

Do you want to use your skills to make it possible for people with myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, to live longer and better lives?

Myeloma UK is looking for a motivated and pro-active Policy Officer to join our Patient Advocacy team within the wider Research and Advocacy directorate.  You will have experience of analysing, developing, and communicating policy issues, excellent communication and influencing skills and the ability to present findings and recommendations to a range of audiences.  The post holder will have excellent attention to detail and the ability to prioritise and work under pressure.

The successful candidate will be a highly regarded ambassador for Myeloma UK with a desire to continuously improve and to make a difference while working flexibility and using their own initiative.

Experience of public/patient engagement work, participating in government policy consultations and patient advocacy campaign work would be beneficial but not essential.

About the role

As the Policy Officer you will be part of the Patient Advocacy team who work to ensure that the patient voice is heard and acted upon by UK and devolved nations healthcare policy decision makers. You will support Myeloma UK’s ambition to deliver personalised medicine, such that every person living with and affected by myeloma and associated conditions has access to the best diagnostics, treatment and care services and quality of life experience.

Your role is vital to developing strategic approaches to UK health policy legislation and consultations to ensure that UK government and devolved nations healthcare policy supports the needs of people living with and affected by myeloma and associated conditions. 

You will support the Policy Manager to assess existing healthcare policies, regulations and legislation to understand their implications for myeloma-specific healthcare systems, providers and patients

About us

Myeloma UK is the only UK charity focused on myeloma and its related conditions.  We provide support and influence access to treatments, while researching a cure.  Thanks to life-extending treatments and support, today many people affected by myeloma are able to live longer and to live well.  Together, we support, so no one faces myeloma alone. 

We are committed to bringing together the best and brightest people to help us ensure that every patient has an empowered present and a hopeful future.

Our ultimate goal is to find a cure and make myeloma history. Until then, our mission is to help every patient live well with myeloma for as long as possible. We are committed to diagnosing myeloma earlier, discovering and sharing knowledge, transforming the patient experience and influencing positive change in care.

Our culture

Wellbeing and staff engagement are at the heart of our culture.  We offer our employees a range of benefits including a pension salary exchange scheme, flexitime, flexible working from home with hub-based office working, health plan, employee assistance plan and holiday purchase scheme and we are committed to providing learning and development opportunities for all our employees.

How to apply

If you think you would be a great fit for this role, get in touch and tell us more about yourself by sending the following:

1. A cover letter telling us more about you and what you think makes you a good fit for this role

2. A CV that sets out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements

Applications close on 12 May 2025 and interviews will be held w/c 19 May 2025.

Myeloma UK is an equal opportunities employer and always welcomes applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of:

· sex

· race

· disability

· age

· sexual orientation

· gender reassignment

· religion or belief

· marital status

· pregnancy and maternity

Please note, you will be asked to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK prior to interview selection.

The role is a key part of the Doctors of the World (DOTW) UK Policy and Advocacy team, contributing to the implementation of our three-year strategy and maximising the impact of our policy and advocacy function. The team focuses on influencing UK health and migration policy, improving access to NHS services for minoritised communities and populations and strengthening the right to health in the UK.

The post holder will play a critical role in ensuring DOTW UK’s advocacy and influencing work is informed by our service users’ experiences and seeks to bring about the changes they want to see. To this end, the role will lead work with DOTWs expert by experience group, liaising and coordinating different engagement activities, identifying co-production opportunities and supporting members of the group to meaningfully participate in the organisation’s advocacy work and drive change.

Those with lived experience of migration, the asylum system, homelessness, or exclusion from health services are encouraged to apply. 

We are recruiting for this role on a rolling basis; we will review all applications on receipt and invite applicants that meet the minimum requirements to interview. 

About you

Do you want to use your skills to make it possible for people with myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, to live longer and better lives?

Myeloma UK is looking for a motivated and highly proactive Senior Policy Officer to join our Patient Advocacy team within the wider Research and Advocacy directorate. 

You will have experience in analysing, developing, and communicating complex policy issues, strong communication skills, and the ability to prioritise a fast-moving and wide-ranging workload.

You will also have experience working collaboratively and building relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders. 

You will have the ability to present findings and recommendations to a range of audiences and produce high-quality succinct briefings in a timely fashion, underpinned by evidence.

Empathy and sensitivity are required to work closely with patients and their families and friends.

Experience in the health charity sector, public/patient engagement work, and working on the National Institute of Health Care Excellence (NICE) and Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) consultation processes would be beneficial but not essential.

About the role

As Senior Policy Officer you will be part of the Patient Advocacy team who work to ensure that the patient voice is heard and acted upon by UK and devolved nations healthcare policy decision makers. You will represent the charity externally including national meetings with senior healthcare decision makers.

Your role is vital to developing strategic approaches to health technology appraisals (HTA), regulatory pathways (MHRA), clinical development programmes (academic and industry clinical trials) and commissioning routes to broaden access to new myeloma drug therapies and diagnostic technologies.

You will apply your skills flexibly across key policy areas including access to treatment, patient voice, stakeholder engagement and general healthcare policy and work with colleagues in communications and fundraising to make sure our supporters and the wider myeloma community understand the positive impact we make.

About us

Myeloma UK is the only UK charity focused on myeloma and its related conditions.  We provide support and influence access to treatments, while researching a cure.  Thanks to life-extending treatments and support, today many people affected by myeloma are able to live longer and to live well.  Together, we support, so no one faces myeloma alone. 

We are committed to bringing together the best and brightest people to help us ensure that every patient has an empowered present and a hopeful future.

Our ultimate goal is to find a cure and make myeloma history. Until then, our mission is to help every patient live well with myeloma for as long as possible. We are committed to diagnosing myeloma earlier, discovering and sharing knowledge, transforming the patient experience and influencing positive change in care.

Our culture

Wellbeing and staff engagement are at the heart of our culture.  We offer our employees a range of benefits including a pension salary exchange scheme, flexitime, flexible working from home with hub-based office working, health plan, employee assistance plan and holiday purchase scheme and we are committed to providing learning and development opportunities for all our employees.

How to apply

If you think you would be a great fit for this role, get in touch and tell us more about yourself by sending the following:

1. A cover letter telling us more about you and what you think makes you a good fit for this role

2. A CV that sets out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements

Applications close on 12 May 2025 and interviews will be held w/c 19 May 2025.

Myeloma UK is an equal opportunities employer and always welcomes applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of:

· sex

· race

· disability

· age

· sexual orientation

· gender reassignment

· religion or belief

· marital status

· pregnancy and maternity

Please note, you will be asked to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK prior to interview selection.

Location: London - Hybrid
Job Type: Full time
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Circa £33,000

Our client are looking for a Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer - Renewable Energy to join their Heat & Biomass team, supporting their work on renewable heat technologies, like biomass heat, deep geothermal, and heat networks. Where appropriate, the successful candidate will also support wider work within the heat and biomass pillar, which might include biomass power, energy from waste, and green gas. This role involves developing policy initiatives, engaging with stakeholders, and representing the them in industry forums and government discussions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading policy and advocacy strategies to advance the heat and biomass sectors.

• Supporting member forums and acting as Secretariat for the Deep Geothermal APPG.

• Engaging with government, regulators, and industry stakeholders to drive sector growth.

• Drafting policy statements, consultation responses, and member communications.

They’re seeking candidates with policy experience, strong advocacy and communication skills, and a passion for sustainability and clean energy.

What They offer

• 25 days holiday plus days between Christmas and New Years treated as holiday
• Westfield Health insurance EAP
• Discounts and perks
• Birthday voucher
• Cycle to work scheme
• Pension scheme

How to apply

If you feel this role could be the right fit for you, please click the “apply now” button

*Please note they reserve the right to close this vacancy ahead of the advertised closing date if sufficient applications are received, therefore they encourage early applications.

If you’re ready to drive impactful policy change, click the apply now button.

About them

They are a not-for-profit trade association, established in 2001. While the world has changed dramatically since then, their mission remains the same: to champion our members and promote a future built on renewable energy and clean technology.

Their Vision: A future built on renewable energy and clean technology

Their Mission: To decarbonise the economy whilst helping our members build commercially and environmentally sustainable businesses

Their Approach: They do this by;

CHAMPIONING the role and benefits of renewable energy and clean technologies

INFLUENCING governments, industry and individuals

EMPOWERING renewable energy and clean technology businesses to achieve sustainable growth

You may also have experience in the following: Policy Analyst, Policy Advisor, Policy Consultant, Policy Researcher, Policy Coordinator, Policy Officer, Policy Manager, Policy Planner, Policy Advocate, Advocacy, Advocacy Officer

REF-221 140

Job Title: Advocacy and Mobility Services Manager

Reporting To: Executive Director of Services 

Salary: £46,335 pro rata

Hours: 21 or 28 hours per week

Location: Hybrid with one day in the office in Kings Cross N1 9LG

DBS: This post is subject to an enhanced criminal record check under the arrangements established by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Context of Job

AFK is a national charity helping young disabled people develop their independence and find employment. Our vision is a world where all people living with a disability get to lead the life they choose. As part of this we provide bespoke employment skills training and organise work placements across North London.

At a national level, we provide mobility equipment not available on the NHS for disabled children and young people up to the age of 25. The Advocacy and Mobility Services Manager leads this service.

Overall Job Purpose

To develop and manage AFK’s Mobility Service including overseeing the progress of funding applications for mobility equipment, managing the waiting list and ensuring a quality service to our beneficiaries. The Advocacy and Mobility Services Manager will be responsible for providing advocacy support, enabling applicants to secure equipment from statutory services, where appropriate. They will also manage the maintenance and reallocation of AFK-owned powerchairs.

Working Conditions

The post is 21 or 28 hours a week, normally between 9am and 5pm. (We are Hybrid working organisation with 1 core day in the office and 2-3 days working from home, with core hours between 10am and 4pm).

The post holder may be expected to work some evenings and weekends as required by the job.

AFK operates a No Smoking policy.

Working Relationships

Line Manager to the Fundraising and Mobility Officer

Close working relationships with mobility equipment suppliers

On a day-to-day basis there will be regular contact with beneficiaries and their families, mobility equipment suppliers and health professionals, as well as Service Delivery and Fundraising Managers.

On-going contact with grant giving organisations and associated bodies.

Principal Responsibilities

1. To develop policies to support the direction of AFK’s Mobility Services, in relation to criteria for funding equipment, guidance on managing the waiting lists and the provision of loaned/ beneficiary owned equipment etc.

2. To identify applicants for mobility funding who could access statutory funds. To provide advocacy support to those families including submitting formal letters of complaint to NHS Trusts and/or taking legal advice. To monitor savings to the Mobility budget, as a direct result of advocacy intervention.

3. To ensure the mobility equipment budget is spent appropriately by developing and implementing funding criteria, negotiating competitive rates with suppliers, encouraging families to consider a range of options for high end equipment and ensuring statutory services support funding where appropriate.

4. To line manage the Fundraising and Mobility Officer to enable her/him to progress applications for mobility grants, from initial enquiry to order and delivery of equipment.

 5. To provide AFK’s Fundraising and Communications teams with data and feedback from families and to identify potential case studies.

6. To support selected applicants with individual fundraising, including applying to Trusts and charities and writing to businesses.

7. To monitor the funds raised by AFK’s individual fundraising activity.

8. To keep abreast of changes in the field for example: developments among competitors and pricing in the market; progress of the NHS England wheelchair campaign; and changes to Clinical Commissioning Groups’ criteria.

9. To provide families with information to enable them to make a decision about whether to apply for funding.

10. To liaise with other grant giving charities to keep up-to-date with changes in the field and to ensure part funding is provided effectively.

11. To ensure AFK’s equipment grant application form is clear and up-to-date and that the process is managed in a timely and efficient way.

12. To oversee the development and maintenance of systems for recording the grant application process.

13. To manage the maintenance and repair of loaned powerchairs, developing procedures for reallocating chairs and/or passing ownership on to beneficiaries.

14. To supervise the Fundraising and Mobility Officer to develop systems for monitoring and reporting on maintenance expenditure.

15. To undertake other relevant responsibilities as required by the Executive Director of Services.

First Interviews: Friday 23rd May (also Thursday 22nd May, if necessary) online

Second Interviews: Tuesday 3rd June in person

About Respect  

Respect is a pioneering UK membership organisation in the domestic abuse sector.  Founded in 2000, we have built our expertise over the last 23 years in what was then a fledgling sector and recently have seen significant and rapid growth.     

Respect supports frontline organisations across the UK, so that together we can end domestic abuse.  Our work is wide ranging: we offer accreditation of specialist services; we provide training for individuals and organisations working in the sector; we work in partnership with others to innovate and develop practice;  we provide two helplines to enable service users to get the help and advice they need; we lobby influencers to improve policy and practice; we support up-to-date research undertaken by specialists in the field; and we fundraise to ensure important work continues to happen. 

Respect has seen rapid growth over the last few years, and we now have 60+ staff running a range of projects and core activities and have ambitious plans for further growth and influence. 

Our vision   

We want a world where everyone is free from domestic abuse. Where it is never ok to control, harm or cause fear. Where those who perpetrate domestic abuse are stopped, held to account and given the chance to change.    

Our mission   

We work with our members, partners and allies to stop the harms done by those who perpetrate domestic abuse.  With innovative practice, robust research and quality data, we build evidence of what works, promote safe, effective practice and drive high standards.  We use our voice, in collaboration with others, to call for a response to domestic abuse that matches the scale of the problem.  We will not stop, until domestic abuse stops.    

Our Focus   

Respect was founded to focus on perpetrators of domestic abuse and this, including our vital work with young people who cause harm, will remain our key priority.  Our work with male victims will continue as an important, distinct, project.    

Our Values   

• Pioneering - We explore innovative ideas and develop new approaches with curiosity and rigour.   
   

• Collaborative - We work in partnership with our members, partners and allies to bring about individual, societal and systems change.   
   

• Accountable- We listen to survivors and centre their needs in our work.  We hold perpetrators to account for their behaviour and hold ourselves and our members accountable for ours.   
   

• Respectful - We live up to our name.  We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do.  We are honest, compassionate and boldly challenge injustice.    

Make a Change 

Make a Change is a community-wide, early response approach to people using abusive behaviours (or who are concerned that they might be) towards a current or ex-partner. The model has been developed by Respect in partnership with Women’s Aid Federation England, drawing inspiration from their Change that Lasts approach. It includes three strands: expert support programme for perpetrators with parallel support for survivors, workforce development and community outreach.

Improving the safety, freedom and wellbeing of adult and child survivors of domestic abuse is a key outcome for our work with perpetrators.  The Make a Change model is a multi-partner project offering local areas a framework for delivering perpetrator work. Where feasible, we aim to establish partnerships with local survivor domestic abuse service to deliver parallel support for survivors (referred to as Integrated Support Service) as part the expert support strand.

Purpose of the role: 

The Senior Communications and Policy Officer will work with the Make a Change team at Respect to advance the development of communication and policy activities for the Make a Change model in project sites and nationally to encourage uptake in new areas. They will also work with Respect’s Communications and Influence leads to ensure alignment with the organisation's broader messaging and advocacy efforts, maximising the impact of Make a Change initiatives. The postholder will lead on developing and implementing communication strategies and plans in partnership with our delivery partners across the sites.

We would particularly welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and across all protected characteristics1, particularly from people from the following under-represented groups: 

• Black and minoritised people 

• Disabled people 

We always welcome and support applications from those who have personal experience of domestic abuse. 

Please follow the link to find out more. 

About Equally Ours:

We’re the 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. Our vision is a just and compassionate society, where we are free from harm and can all contribute and flourish, whoever we are, whatever we believe in, and whatever we do and don’t have. A society that is equally ours.

About the role:

We’re on the lookout for a new Director of Policy and Public Affairs, to protect and advance equality and human rights in the UK, by increasing our policy impact and working collaboratively to harness the power of our network.

The Director of Policy and Public Affairs will play an important role in protecting and advancing equality and human rights in the UK. This role will focus on growing our policy and public affairs capacity so that we can achieve the goals set out in Together for Social Justice, our 10-year strategy. 

You’ll develop and deliver high-impact policy influencing strategies on our three big issues of law, climate and investment. This will mean working on vital public policy issues such as embedding equality and human rights in the government’s mission-driven approach, ensuring a strong legal framework of rights protections, improving public awareness of the value of human rights, and creating a work programme to ensure that people’s whose rights are most at risk can lead policy development on climate breakdown.

You’ll have a strong track record of creating innovative policy solutions that influence public policy and secure social change; the ability to forge and nurture constructive dialogue and working relationships across the political spectrum and within civil society, and a deep understanding of how to increase racial justice at systemic level. You’ll be confident communicating complex legal and technical issues in an engaging way that brings their practical impacts to life for a wide range of audiences, including the media. You’ll be skilled at bringing people together and working collaboratively. 

We’re a small team whose strength comes from combining our own lived and professional expertise with that of the leading thinkers and organisations who make up our network. We offer flexible working and lots of autonomy within a collaborative and supportive environment where it’s your job to make things happen. 

Why Equally Ours?

• Generous benefits including enhanced pension, 26 days of annual leave, health and wellbeing support, and more. 

• Flexible working arrangements to help you balance your professional and personal life. 

• A collaborative culture that values lived experience alongside professional expertise. 

If you are looking for an opportunity to use your skills to drive meaningful social change, we would love to hear from you. 

How to Apply: 

Please read through the full job pack and then submit your CV and cover letter (max 2 pages) outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the criteria. Please ensure that you address all the criteria, providing sufficient relevant evidence, including examples, to show how your skills and experience match those required in the person specification. Applications without cover letters will not be accepted.

Closing date for applications: 6th May, 12 noon

Reporting to: Director of Policy and Engagement 

Direct reports: 1 x Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager and Legislative Lead, 2 x Policy and Public Affairs Officers, 1 x England Policy and Public Affairs Manager 

Location of work: Home-based. The post holder must be easily and quickly commutable to London and will require frequent meetings in London. The role may involve some irregular travel throughout England and Scotland to attend events and meetings.

Contract type: Full-time, 35 hours per week,  flexible hours may be considered. The role may require occasional evening and weekend work 

Contract Length: Permanent 

Salary: £54,500 - £56,500 

BACKGROUND

Our work has never been more needed. The latest research suggesting that the number of children and young people at risk of hunger has rocketed to 2.6 million* means that one in five children don't have enough to eat.When a child is too hungry to learn, when they’re aching for something to eat, they can’t concentrate. They can’t absorb information. Big feelings and worries can be impossible to control. They fall behind in their studies.

Magic Breakfast provide a nutritious and filling breakfast to over 300,000 children and young people every school day. We work with schools in areas of high disadvantage, helping staff target the children most in need without barrier or stigma.  Magic Breakfast are ambitious to grow our impact to remove hunger as a barrier to learning for all children and young people in the UK.

 This is an exciting time to join Magic Breakfast if you wish to make a difference to the lives of children as we work to influence both policy implementation, with the national rollout of primary-aged universal school breakfast, and legislative change, through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. There has also been commitment from the Scottish Government for a national breakfast scheme and we are seeking to expand our advocacy work into Wales. Magic Breakfast’s influence will be instrumental to ensuring school breakfasts are implemented in a way that is hunger-focused and barrier free.

In addition, thousands of secondary school children are at risk of losing their free school breakfasts from September next year. For many of these students, this is their only opportunity to have a nutritious meal before facing a demanding school day, including taking exams.  And for the very youngest, we know that the disadvantage gap begins before they even reach reception. With the Government commitment to another 100,000 places in school-based nurseries, early years is also a critical part of our advocacy work.

 Being part of the work of Magic Breakfast is your chance, together with parents, teachers and people across the UK, to demonstrate the power of school breakfasts and to shape the way forward to end morning hunger for good.

*Food Foundation Insecurity Tracker Jan 2025

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Policy & Public Affairs will review, develop and implement our advocacy strategy and lead a team to influence the devolved legislatures across the UK to address child morning hunger, with a view to the underlying systemic causes of child poverty and hunger, by driving change through policy and legislation. The role operates at our ‘Head of level’ which is the most senior operational specialist level and provides both operational and strategic leadership.

This role will also provide wider leadership across the charity and input into organisational strategy development and planning as part of the Core Management Group. This role will ensure that the Policy and Public Affairs function is aligned to the wider strategic aims and outcomes of Magic Breakfast as well as the internal operational systems and delivery.

The strategic leadership will ensure an external and long term view, with an outward looking and forward thinking approach that builds thought leadership, relationships and partnerships, with positioning to anticipate and build on new opportunities to end child morning hunger for good.

It will require an experienced Policy and Public Affairs professional, with significant experience of high impact and demonstrable outcomes at a senior level in the field. The postholder will lead the policy and public affairs team to influence the Early Adopters Scheme, the national rollout of primary school breakfast provision in England and breakfast legislation in the Children’s Wellbeing Bill (CWB).

They will also develop, guide and lead plans to influence the Scottish government, particularly in the run up to the election in May 2026 and the influencing of manifestos; and will lead Magic Breakfast’s upcoming influencing work in Wales. 

In the external leadership that the role provides they will build relationships with politicians, political influencers, special advisors and civil servants to establish long-term, sustainable solutions to child morning hunger in the UK.

As a compassionate, people centric and inspiring leader they will work to enable their team to grow and develop in their skills ensuring they can step away from the detail whilst retaining accountability, build effective resource management and progression pathways. This role may manage external consultants where necessary, and work collaboratively with external organisations to amplify our voice and asks and strengthen our position as a thought leader. 

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Review and define the advocacy strategy for 25/26 in line both with moving political environment and Magic Breakfast’s influencing agenda, considering the systemic barriers to ending child morning hunger for good.

· Develop and maintain close relationships with the Department for Education and other key departments including Department for Health and Social Care and Treasury, to secure hunger and child focus as key priorities for breakfast provision.

· Develop, monitor and evaluate influencing plans for each devolved nation

· Support the development of influencing plans with coalition groups and organisations to influence school breakfast policy, commitments and implementation

· Review policy positions in Wales and Northern Ireland and define our advocacy approach, gaining external insights and analysing available research and data to shape the plan

· Develop a vision for advocacy beyond current demands, considering political appetite and gaining insight from lived experience communities and relevant sectors, to ensure that we are clear on future asks, and can build the foundation towards them.

· Work with Impact and Insights team to define future research needs to meet our longer-term advocacy plans

· Enhance and establish internal processes and ensure good internal information dissemination 

· Work closely with key internal stakeholders to shape advocacy work and support broader organisational objectives

· Embed learnings and develop a fail fast, learn fast culture in the team

· Coach, support and lead direct reports enabling increased professional development, strategic decision making, proactive project management and robust political influencing

· Contribute to and help shape the work of the Core Management Group to ensure ongoing alignment for in year implementation of the strategic plan and create integrated future year plans which meet organisational goals

· Monitor and review KPIs to monitor and measure both team and cross organisational performance, using the results to guide teams and surface learnings

· Assess areas of risk and escalate where necessary and according to policy

· Develop and monitor annual team budgets

General

• Work collaboratively across the organisation, building good working relations and providing ad-hoc support to other teams and members of staff

• Passion and commitment to Magic Breakfast’s aim of alleviating morning hunger as a barrier to learning for children in the UK.

• Help to maintain a positive working environment; keeping the vision of Magic Breakfast at the heart of everything we do. 

• Share Magic Breakfast’s commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

• Establish and ensure existing Ways of Working are adhered to across team

• Adhere to all Magic Breakfast policies and procedures and ensure that all activity is compliant with current legislation, GDPR, data protection and child safeguarding requirements

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role

 PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

· Strategy development, demonstrating a deep understanding of how to craft, implement, and evolve strategies that align to operational outcomes for the Policy and Advocacy function as well as enabling our organisation strategy in our aim to end child morning for good.

· Stakeholder management and partnership building with extensive experience of engaging, influencing, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including senior political figures, policymakers, funders and sector leaders.

· Ability to confidently and flexibly deal with volatile political environment, anticipating potential developments and adapting to emerging situations to meet aims

· Highly experienced in developing and shaping policy positions, using insights, research and data sets to inform and guide decision-making

· Understanding and experience of the role of the broader external environment to shape policy asks and political influencing, including the implications of a policy ask in one sector on another.

· Experience of influencing key political events such as budgets, national elections and the legislative process.

· Significant experience of coaching, supporting and managing the development of a team, with the ability to make difficult decisions and challenge where needed to deliver the organisational strategy.

Desirable

· Experience of education, food insecurity, child poverty or childcare sectors

Skills and Abilities

• Effective leadership mentality with confidence to step away from the detail and delegate responsibility, enabling others to use judgements, make decisions, learn from failures and continuously improve.

• Analytical and evidence based decision making, with the ability to turn data and analysis into policy and advocacy related recommendations or outcomes for action.

• Effective planning, prioritisation and project management skills. Able to organise self and team to meet planned objectives and strategic direction with the ability to pivot and manage the unexpected.

• Strong, influential and impactful interpersonal and communication skills and to advocate for own specialism, department and Magic Breakfast's mission, effectively conveying the organisation's impact and needs to a wide range of audiences.

• Operational and financial acumen and analysis: understanding and practical application of knowledge as required around funding considerations, budget development and management, risk management, and ensuring systems in place for efficiency by setting and maintaining policy and procedural frameworks.

• An outward looking and forward thinking approach that drives a sense of curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement. Always thinking what can we learn from others, what new developments can be explored and what are the opportunities for the function to improve and grow with others too.

WHAT WE OFFER

At Magic Breakfast we value our employees and work hard to develop offer a supportive, respectful culture which enables everyone to bring their whole self to work.

Please find attached our job pack

APPLICATION PROCCESS

Should you wish to discuss the role before applying please email our People and Culture Team, recruitment @ magicbreakfast. com

Shortlisting - w/c 5th May

Interview 1 - 15th and 16th May

Interview 2 - w/c 21st May

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.