Policy and advocacy officer jobs

Borders Forest Trust (BFT) are recruiting for a new Chief Executive .

BFT is a charity established to restore native woodland habitats to Southern Scotland, an area with the lowest percentage of native woodlands in mainland Scotland. Since 1996, we have been working towards planting trees, restoring peatlands and other natural habitats, enriching the biological diversity of around 31 sq km in the Southern Uplands. They demonstrate large scale ecological restoration in action, and inspire landowners, statutory bodies, local communities and policy makers to embrace this alternative model for land use and conservation.

The charity’s previous Director has led the organisation for five years, and BFT are in a strong position, ready to develop a new organisational strategy and grow. This is a role of great strategic importance to the charity and the role is varied, with a broad remit.  

The Chief Executive role has organisational responsibility for 12 members of staff, some office based but most out and about across the countryside in which BFT works.  

As Chief Executive, you’ll bring proven senior leadership experience and the ability to get the best from staff and volunteers. A natural communicator, you’ll engage confidently with a wide range of people – from volunteers and donors to policymakers and conservation experts. 

You’ll have experience generating significant income in the not-for-profit sector, alongside strengths in strategic planning and programme development. Passionate about conservation, you’ll be an inspiring ambassador for Borders Forest Trust, able to share our impact and build lasting partnerships that help us achieve our vision. 

This role is hybrid based, with candidates being in the Head Office in Jedburgh (Scottish Borders) once or twice weekly, with other time spent out and about across the geography BFT covers. Applications are welcomed from candidates based across Scotland and the North East. Please note, travel costs to the Jedburgh office for office working days will not be reimbursed. 

To find out more, discuss any reasonable adjustments you may require and to progress an application, please download the Candidate Pack and email us to arrange a chat with our Recruitment team. 

Timeframes: 

Role closing: midnight Monday 13th October – please ensure you have allowed time for a screening conversation with the THINK Recruitment team before the closing date 

1st Stage interviews: 22nd or 23rd October 2025 

2nd Stage interviews: 29th October 2025 

Executive Director

£60,000-£65,000

Full time and permanent
London N7 and flexible hybrid working

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) is an independent charity established in 1967. For over 57 years, we have promoted our vision of a society in which people can live safely and are treated with equal dignity and respect, regardless of where they are from or how they came to the UK.

To achieve this, we provide legal advice, representation and holistic support to migrants experiencing injustice, poverty, and discrimination; we undertake parliamentary advocacy and expert policy analysis; we speak out and challenge damaging and discriminatory media narratives about immigration; we use law as a tool of resistance;  we work in solidarity with migrants and grassroots groups, and we build campaigns that both build power and influence power; working towards radically transforming immigration and asylum law and policy.

JCWI has been through a period of transition over recent years, with pressures on the organisation, its staff, capacity, and resources increased by successive political attacks on migrant communities, the eroding of migrants’ rights through legal and policy change, the rise of the far-right in the UK and the widening gap between the rich and powerful and Britain’s multi-racial working class.

It is in this context that JCWI is seeking an empathetic and collaborative leader given we are in a time of immense political upheaval both in the UK and across borders. We need someone who can unite us towards a refreshed collective resistance to increasingly unfettered state and corporate power.

The successful candidate is likely to have a sound grasp of the key issues JCWI works on and the political climate in which the organisation operates, to provide confident leadership and strategic guidance to all teams, and to maintain and build relationships with key stakeholders.  This includes setting and reviewing the organisation's objectives within the framework of the five-year strategy, developing and reviewing the annual business plan and fundraising plan, maintaining JCWl's relationships with trusts, foundations, and other key partners, and acting as one of the lead spokespeople for the organisation in the media and elsewhere.

JCWI has a proud history of leadership from racialised people and people with lived experience of the immigration system, and therefore we strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of the immigration system and those who are representative of the communities we work with. We also welcome applications from anyone who has faced marginalisation or oppression, including people of colour, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, disabled people, and/or people who are working class or from working class backgrounds.

How to Apply

Application is by way of CV with a Supporting Statement of no more than two sides of A4, that should set out your motivations for applying and outlines your suitability for the role as set out in the job description as well as how you meet the person specification.

Closing date: Midnight, Wednesday 1st October

First interview: Week commencing 13th October

Second interview: Week commencing 20th October

Final stage: Meet the team w/c 27 October (shortlisted candidates)

Domestic Abuse Officer

Location: Waltham Forest/London

Salary: £30,000 per annum

Full Time

1-year fixed term contract

Young Ladies Club aims to raise aspirations in disadvantaged young women to achieve their education and career potential by providing mentoring, confidence building activities and career workshops from positive role models.  We envision a world where young women’s socio-economic background does not impact educational and career outcomes.

We are now looking for an experience Domestic Abuse Officer to provide an effective, efficient, and supportive service to women who are victims of domestic abuse providing emotional, practical and welfare support. As our Domestic Abuse Officer, you will provide a high-quality pro-active service to victims of domestic abuse and other forms of VAWG in either 1:1 or group settings delivering a service to those at medium and low risk.

As a Domestic Abuse Officer, your responsibilities will be:

· To work within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership responses to domestic abuse.

· To ensure that women are enabled to access their rights and are informed about their options.

· To reach out to survivors of domestic abuse and raise awareness of domestic abuse and local services offered.

· To support and implement the aims and objectives of Young Ladies Club ensuring that all work is undertaken in accordance with Young Ladies Club policies and procedures.

· To facilitate or co-facilitate the support groups

· To facilitate the provision of culturally sensitive therapeutic interventions and counselling services.

Required Skills and Experience:

· Demonstrable qualifications and/or experience in the field of domestic violence accommodation and support.

· An excellent working knowledge of key issues faced by black and minoritised women who have experienced Domestic Abuse and VAWG. Able to apply this knowledge at a practical level.

· Experience of identifying and responding to the risks to and needs of survivors of domestic

violence

· Experience of working with vulnerable women at least some of which are women or girls affected by domestic abuse and other forms of gender-based violence.

· A sound working knowledge of the practical, emotional, social and economic issues facing black and minoritised women and girls affected by domestic, and intimate relationship abuse

· Experience of multi-agency partnership working

· Knowledge of relevant legislation relating to Immigration, Honour Based Violence, Forced Marriage and FGM.

· Experience in running support groups in the community

· Ability to work with interpreters and volunteers.

· Ability to work with voluntary organisations, local authorities and government agencies on behalf of women.

· Effective communication skills.

· Experience of managing basic administrative systems.

· Training and qualifications in the provision of advice and advocacy on issues such as housing, welfare benefits and domestic violence.

· Good working knowledge of IT system and databases.

· Ability to run groups virtually on Zoom/Teams etc

Due to the nature of the role and the needs of our service users, this post is restricted to female applicants. This is a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010. YLC is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

Due to the nature of the role and the needs of our service users, this post is restricted to Black and minoritised women. This is a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

This post is subject to Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. A criminal record will not

necessarily exclude you from this post but under the Act, we must have details. An Enhanced

Disclosure will be sought in the event of a successful application for this post and therefore

you will be required to give details of spent and unspent convictions disclosed above. YLC

operates under the Revised Code of Practice for Disclosure and Barring Service.

Help shape the future of youth gaming and gambling related harms prevention by becoming the new Chief Executive of Ygam, an evidence-led charity.

Location: Remote, with regular UK travel and occasional international travel
Contract: Permanent, full-time

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 13th October 2025.

About us

Ygam is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to preventing gaming and gambling harms among young people. Our work bridges the critical knowledge gap between young people’s digital lives and the adults who guide them. We believe in harm prevention through education, empowering the people who can make a real difference.

Through our award-winning portfolio of programmes and resources, we build awareness and resilience, helping young people thrive in the digital age. Inspired by lived experience and grounded in robust evidence, our City & Guilds-assured training is supported by a rich library of practical tools and insights. Our work has built a growing and passionate network of educators, parents, professionals and partners, including respected brands such as The Scouts, NSPCC, Barnados and The Children’s Society. Since launching in 2014, we’ve reached nearly 5 million children and young people and trained over 28,000 delegates. We are values-led, mission-driven and ambitious for change. As the landscape evolves and new risks emerge, we continue to lead the way in effective education, safeguarding and prevention.

About the role

This is a pivotal moment for Ygam. With significant policy changes underway, including the Online Safety Act, Ofcom’s Children’s Code and reforms to gambling legislation introducing a new statutory levy, we have a vital role to play in shaping this new era. As we enter the fourth year of our “Safeguarding our Digital Generation” strategy, we are seeking a visionary and collaborative Chief Executive to lead us through our next phase of growth and impact. This is an opportunity to build on strong foundations and guide a nationally respected charity through a changing, dynamic environment.

You’ll be responsible for shaping and delivering our long-term vision, ensuring that everything we do is aligned with our charitable mission. You’ll represent Ygam externally at the highest levels, developing meaningful partnerships across government, education, health and the third sector. You’ll also support a skilled and committed senior leadership team, creating a culture where people feel valued, trusted and motivated to do their best work. This role calls for confident public leadership alongside sound operational and financial oversight. You will be the visible face of Ygam, advocating for change while keeping us grounded in good governance, clear priorities and strong delivery. With your guidance, we’ll deepen our impact, evolve our programmes and continue to grow a resilient, inclusive and evidence-informed organisation.

What we are seeking

We are looking for a strategic and people-centred leader who can inspire trust, unlock potential and help shape a safer digital future for young people. You will bring experience of leading purpose-led organisations or initiatives, ideally with a national footprint. You’ll have a track record of translating strategic vision into meaningful impact, supported by strong operational judgement and a confident approach to financial oversight. You’ll know how to work effectively with a Board of Trustees, and how to build positive, long-term relationships with funders, partners and policymakers.

We’re especially interested in those who bring fresh thinking, clarity, and emotional intelligence to their leadership—people who aren’t afraid to challenge assumptions and push boundaries. Someone who can hold a steady line through complexity, communicate with authenticity and bring out the best in others. You don’t need to come from the gaming or gambling harms sector, but you will need to demonstrate a genuine commitment to our mission and a clear understanding of the social context we work in.

This is a unique opportunity to join a bold and forward-looking organisation at a time of significant opportunity. If you are driven by social purpose and ready to lead a values-led organisation making real impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Please click 'redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the job description and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 13th October 2025.

We’re looking for an experienced content officer to create and share our charity’s impact, stories and campaigns in new and compelling ways to help raise awareness, grow our audience and drive engagement. 

This is a hands-on role and requires someone with proven experience of creating high-quality, creative and engaging content across print and digital platforms, including video, email, web and social media.

If you’re excited by the opportunity to create and deliver a wide variety of content which makes a difference to women, sick kids and their families, we’d love to hear from you. 

Please see our job information pack for further details on this role and what we as a Charity have to offer!

Interviews will be held at our office at 5 Rowchester Court, Whittall Street, Birmingham, B4 6DH on Wednesday 22 October.

Overall purpose

We are looking for a talented and ambitious individual to join our team to help us deliver partnership management to our corporate partners. Having expanded our services into Birmingham and Greater Manchester for the first time, fundraising and charitable activities with our corporate partners are a key area for growth to ensure that our organisational development is sustainable and permanent. Building on our success to date, working with over 50 active partners, our focus is on developing long-lasting and growing relationships that deliver both increased income and outcomes for our refugee clients. You will play your part in supporting and delivering external relationships working across multiple opportunities from staff engagement, hiring initiatives and volunteering projects, that maximise the value for Breaking Barriers, our clients, and our partners.

We concentrate on getting things done in a flexible and friendly environment where everyone is encouraged to take ownership and contribute. We are a team of around 70 staff who are all and committed to helping the UK’s refugee communities. Colleagues who thrive are passionate about our cause, confident working autonomously, collaborative team players, and not afraid to take the initiative and think creatively.

The main purpose of the Partnerships Officer role is to support the Partnership Management team on the delivery of first-class account management to our portfolio of corporate partners. Each partnership at Breaking Barriers is bespoke, comprising fundraising, skilled volunteering, awareness raising and, crucially, placement and job opportunities for our refugee clients. This diverse role is perfect for someone looking to make a difference and gain experience working within a corporate partnerships team. The successful candidate will provide crucial administrative, internal/external comms and wider support to the partnership management team. You will work closely with the Breaking Barriers delivery teams to help ensure our shared value partnerships have the maximum impact for our refugee clients.

Key responsibilities 

• Supporting the Partnerships Managers and wider Partnerships team to help deliver bespoke partner activities across our portfolio of 50+ partners.
• Support the Partnerships team with administrative support, financial tracking, and monitoring and evaluation reporting.
• Work closely with the Partnership Managers and Employment teams to support the delivery of workshops, placements, hiring pathways, and volunteering activity with each corporate partner, as well as any additional programmes which are developed to support our refugee clients.
• Manage a portfolio of small partnerships, including fundraising, comms and delivery requirements.
• Create compelling proposals, reports and correspondence in relation to partnership objectives.
• Maintain regular monitoring and updating of our CRM database, ensuring data is updated regularly and timely for reporting requirements.
• Support on logistics and creation of key external events or projects.
• Champion the value of refugees and work collaboratively with colleagues across the UK to drive our mission forward.

Peatland Restoration Project Officer
Reference: SEP20250388
Location: RSPB Forsinard Flows, KW13
Contract: Fixed-term contract until 31st March 2028
Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £27,123.00 - £28,957.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Holiday, Pension, Life Assurance

Job Description:

We are looking for a highly organised and motivated individual to deliver peatland restoration projects at RSPB Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve. Our work programme consists of delivering both future open hill and forest-to-bog peatland restoration projects, as well as assuring that we meet our monitoring and maintenance commitments of previous Peatland Action and Peatland Code projects.

Based at the RSPB Forsinard Flows Field Centre, you will plan and deliver, peatland restoration projects, helping the Project Manager and Forsinard peatland restoration team, achieve the outputs and objectives of the wider RSPB Scotland Peatland Programme.

The successful candidate will be someone who can adapt to a complex work programme, thrive with a mix of desk and field-based activities, and who will relish the challenge of delivering truly landscape scale habitat restoration.

Essentials skills, knowledge & experience:

• Qualification in a relevant subject or ability to show equivalent work experience.
• Knowledge of peatland habitat and function sufficient to enable identification of suitable restoration/management techniques.
• Proven time management and organisational skills, with the ability to work to deadlines and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to work effectively as a team player both internally and externally.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to be able to justify and report on peatland restoration projects.
• High level of IT skills for project and data management, including mapping software e.g., ArcGIS.
• Experience of health and safety compliance.
• A full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK is required due to the remote nature of the sites (4x4 training will be provided).
• A drive to work outdoors in a remote and challenging environment.

Desirable skills, knowledge & experience:

• Knowledge of delivering peatland restoration projects and restoration toolkits.
• Knowledge of funding mechanisms for peatland restoration.
• Specialist conservation knowledge and experience in upland conservation.
• Experience of contractor management, including quality checking of works, and assuring Health & Safety and regulatory compliance.
• Experience of managing volunteers/work parties and setting clear work priorities.

Closing date: 23:59, Wednesday, 1st October 2025
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position in person on Monday 27th October 2025 at the Forsinard Flows Field Centre.

To Apply and for more information:

If you would like to find out more about this position and to apply, please click the button to be directed to our website.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.

In order to apply you will be required to upload a CV and complete an application form. In the cover letter section of the application form please explain how you meet the criteria set above. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

No agencies please.

Executive Director of Brand, Marketing & Fundraising

Location: Any Crisis office across Great Britain, hybrid working with weekly meetings in London
Salary: £120,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent

At Crisis, we believe that homelessness should not exist, and together we can end it. Our bold 10-year strategy is already driving change but with homelessness rising and funding challenges increasing, we know we must think differently, act courageously, and inspire more people to join us.

We’re looking for an exceptional leader to shape the future of our brand, marketing and fundraising. This is a chance to combine creativity, strategy and purpose, ensuring that our voice is heard, our supporters feel deeply connected, and our income grows to meet the scale of our ambition.

What you’ll do

As Executive Director of Brand, Marketing & Fundraising, you will:

• Provide inspirational leadership to a talented directorate and play a vital role as part of our Senior Leadership Team, reporting directly to the CEO.
• Lead the development of a multi-year fundraising plan that drives sustainable, diverse income and enables Crisis to scale its life-changing work — including our new ambition of direct housing delivery.
• Refresh and strengthen the Crisis brand, building awareness, trust and influence across Great Britain.
• Grow a thriving community of supporters, partners and advocates who stand with us to end homelessness.
• Personally steward high-value relationships and inspire others across the organisation to embrace fundraising and engagement as a shared responsibility.

Who you are

We’re looking for someone who combines vision with action — a leader who brings both strategic insight and personal passion. You will have:

• A strong track record of leading fundraising and supporter engagement at scale, with experience delivering significant income growth.
• Proven success in enhancing a brand to deliver organisational priorities.
• Expertise in strategic marketing, audience engagement, digital innovation and integrated campaigns.
• Experience as part of a senior leadership team, working collaboratively and influencing at Board level.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion and co-production, ensuring that the voices of people with lived experience of homelessness inform our work.
• An inspirational leadership style that motivates, empowers and unlocks potential across teams.

Above all you want to be part of a movement of change-makers determined to end homelessness in our time.

Ready to Learn More?

Click below to view our full Candidate Pack for everything you need to know – including how to apply.

Closing date: Wednesday 15th October, 9am

We’re recruiting a new Director to lead us into our 35th year and beyond.

The successful candidate will build on the organisation’s rich history and legacy of exposing and opposing state secrecy, surveillance, repression and violence; and supporting and resourcing struggles for rights, liberties, transparency, and democracy.

They will be strategic, cooperative and adaptable, and have strong organisational, coordination and communication skills.

Find out more in the full role description and application information, attached below.

On 19 September we hosted an information session for interested applicants via Zoom. If you would like access to the recording, please contact our Head of Communications (details on our website).

Please note: This is role is only open to applicants with the right to work in the UK. If you do not already have the right to work in the UK, we regret that we are unable to assist with obtaining a visa.

The Centre for Progressive Change is looking for a Safe Sick Pay Campaign Director that will be part of the newly formed Executive Team. This is an exciting time to be joining the campaign, as we capitalise on our successes so far and plan for our next big policy gain - increasing the rate of Statutory Sick Pay.

The Centre for Progressive Change (CPC) is an organisation that builds campaigns for national policy change in the UK. Our focus is on making progressive gains that improve the lives of low- and middle-income communities. We want the UK to be a place where everyone has the financial resources they need, where people are treated as equals and are free to be who they are without persecution, and where we look after our environment.

To achieve this vision, our mission is to build proactive campaigns for progressive legislative change, do research on what works when campaigning for national policy change and offer training and consultancy to support other organisations to build effective campaigns. Our campaigns use an inter-disciplinary approach including community organising, mobilising, advocacy, business engagement, campaign research and press work.

The Campaign Director will be in charge of our campaign for Safe Sick Pay, so that everyone has the Statutory Sick Pay they need. The Campaign Director will form the campaign strategy to see an increase in the rate of Statutory Sick Pay, fundraise to implement the strategy, hire campaign team members, support the team to implement the strategy, hold the key stakeholder relationships, drive the campaign, and deliver parts of the campaign where needed.

As a member of the Executive Team, the Campaign Director will be part of the team responsible for the strategy, structure, team, culture and finances of the organisation.

About Action for Stammering Children

Action for Stammering Children is the national charity for children and young people who stammer, their families and the communities who support them.

We exist to ensure that every child who stammers has the support, respect and confidence to live the life they want to lead.

Founded in 1989, we provide support and information to young people, families and professionals; champion research into childhood stammering; and campaign for policy and societal change. 

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced community manager enthusiastic about engaging our supporters, volunteers and fundraisers. In this role, you will be responsible for community outreach; effectively communicating our brand identity to help us  build and cultivate our supporter base. Adapting the charity’s message for a range of internal and external audiences will be second nature to you. You will be passionate about working closely with volunteers to inform our strategic direction and advocacy efforts. You will bring with you experience of implementing strategic communications,  with knowledge of email marketing, paid-for advertising and social media.  

In a typical week, you might be working with a member of our Youth Panel or Stambassador Network to create content for an upcoming outreach campaign or preparing them for a media appearance. You may be liaising with some of our community fundraisers as they prepare for their upcoming challenge event, and working with the CEO on communicating the impact of our various projects.  

But regardless of the channel or the message, your attention to detail, writing and presentation skills will be flawless, and you’ll bring a creativity and enthusiasm that helps to cultivate our existing supporters and connect with new ones.

It’s an exciting time at Action for Stammering Children, with a refreshed strategy which will see us increase the charity’s reach, impact and engagement with the stammering community more than ever before. This role will be vital to enabling us to deliver that.

Join Beacon to drive projects that place patients at the heart of translational research, shaping progress and improving outcomes with and for rare disease communities.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE

Beacon, now in its second decade of operation, has experienced substantial growth over the last three years, including an organisational rebrand and expansion into international projects. We are now recruiting a Senior Patient and Scientific Engagement Officer to play a central role in delivering ambitious projects that put patients at the heart of translational research.

This role sits at the crossroads of patient involvement and scientific communication, building meaningful collaborations between patients, researchers, and other stakeholders. You’ll provide essential operational support and subject expertise to ensure projects run smoothly and reflect the real-world needs of the rare disease community.

You will contribute primarily to two of Beacon’s major collaborative initiatives: REMEDi4ALL, a European-wide drug repurposing platform with over 25 partner organisations, and the LifeArc Translational Research Centres for Rare Disease (LifeArc TrC4RD), a UK-wide partnership. In this role, you will work directly and regularly with partners across these consortia, encompassing patient group leaders, patient representatives, academic researchers, clinical trialists, and beyond. You will act as a vital interface between patients and researchers in both projects, coordinating activities, facilitating collaboration, and embedding patient perspectives throughout the work. While these will be your main focus, you will also support other initiatives across the charity, particularly those aimed at advancing scientific understanding of rare diseases and strengthening patient involvement in research.

This is a varied position offering the chance to apply and further develop your expertise across areas such as patient and public involvement, scientific content development, training, and stakeholder engagement. We are looking for someone with a strong grasp of both the scientific and patient landscapes, who can balance attention to detail with big-picture awareness and work confidently in highly collaborative settings with multiple partner organisations. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible contribution to advancing rare disease research and ensuring patients’ voices drive progress across the UK and Europe.

See our full job description for more information on REMEDi4ALL and The LifeArc TrC4RD

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Your main responsibilities will span aspects of project delivery, stakeholder engagement, and patient-centred scientific support. In this role, you will:

• Support the delivery of Beacon’s work within REMEDi4ALL and the LifeArc TrC4RD, collaborating directly with partners across these consortia to coordinate activities and ensure timely delivery of shared goals.
• Assist in the preparation of project materials, reports, and updates for consortium meetings and communications.
• Write, review, and refine accessible, patient-facing materials that explain complex scientific concepts and research projects clearly.
• Help design and deliver patient engagement strategies for major collaborative projects, ensuring patient perspectives are embedded throughout.
• Support and liaise with REMEDi4ALL Patient Champions and the LifeArc Patient Engagement Group, including coordinating mentorship, facilitating input into project teams, and managing communications.
•  Build and maintain strong working relationships with patient advocates, researchers, funders, and partner organisations, ensuring clear communication and effective collaboration.
• Contribute to the planning and delivery of multi-stakeholder meetings, workshops, and webinars that bring together patients, researchers, and other partners to discuss research priorities and approaches.
• Support the creation and delivery of training materials, sessions, and talks for patient groups, researchers, and other stakeholders on topics such as patient and public involvement (PPIE) and rare disease research.
• Participate in project discussions to understand current patient engagement and provide input or signposting to improve engagement and support.
• Represent Beacon and its work at consortium meetings, external conferences, and events – both as a delegate and, where appropriate, as a speaker.
• Support other Beacon-led projects as required, particularly those focused on advancing patient knowledge, engagement, and scientific understanding.
• Provide hands-on support for the on-the-day delivery of Beacon events, training programmes, and other charity activities.

 PERSON SPECIFICATION

This is a mid-to-senior level role. Candidates should have professional experience in scientific engagement, patient involvement, or research coordination, and be ready to contribute confidently to collaborative consortium projects with external partners.

We are looking for someone with a strong commitment to patient-centric approaches, who is willing to advocate for patients’ perspectives and priorities, while also navigating the need for compromise and collaboration across multiple organisations.

Essential

• Relevant professional experience (e.g., life sciences, medical communication, translational research, or patient engagement), ideally accompanied by a scientific qualification.
• Experience in patient and public involvement or patient engagement within research, ideally in health contexts.
• Strong understanding of scientific processes, translational research, or clinical research, with the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to work effectively within multi-partner or consortium projects, collaborating with external organisations.
• Confidence in liaising with a wide range of stakeholders, including patients, researchers, funders, and partner organisations.
• Experience developing accessible, patient-centred materials, training, or communications.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence in building relationships across diverse groups.
• Ability to work independently and proactively, while contributing effectively as part of a team.
• Commitment to patient-centred research and improving outcomes for the rare disease community.
• Flexibility to travel for in-person meetings, workshops, and events within the UK and internationally multiple times a year.

 Desirable

• Experience supporting or delivering training sessions, workshops, or webinars for patient or professional audiences.
• Familiarity with drug repurposing, translational research, or rare disease research environments.
• Experience managing or contributing to multi-stakeholder research projects.
• Experience working or volunteering in the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• An understanding of rare diseases, health charities, or small-organisation dynamics

WORKING AT BEACON

Beacon is a small, tight-knit team, with a friendly atmosphere and strong commitment to our beneficiaries. We aim to give all employees opportunities to pursue their interests, develop their skills, and shape their career path.

We offer flexible working practices to help our staff balance their personal and professional lives, including hybrid working (50% split between home and office working) and flexible hours. We also recognise the substantial benefits of in-person collaboration and communication for the organisation, team morale, and for individual staff development, and are committed to maintaining this as a core part of how we work.

After the initial in-person onboarding period, we’d like this role to be based in the office for around 2–3 days a week on average (though not necessarily every single week) to support effective teamwork, strong communication, and smooth daily operations.

BENEFITS

• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays and Christmas to New Year closure 
• Flexible working practices including hybrid working and flexitime
• Time off in lieu to support appropriate work/life balance
• 5% pension contribution 
• Annual training budget to support personal and professional development 
• A close knit and friendly small team environment 
• Frequent opportunities to meet with beneficiaries and expand your professional network
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) including access to mental health support, 24/7 GP service, discounted gym membership, shopping savings and more

Do you want to shape public thinking, influence national conversations, and help ensure people’s voices are heard at every level of decision-making?

Do you have experience in public affairs, policy engagement, or communications, and a passion for equity, voice, and inclusion?

Are you looking for a role where you can lead strategic engagement and influence change?

We’re recruiting for a new Public Affairs & External Engagement Lead, a role designed to shape our public profile, strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and decision-makers, and ensure our values are reflected in the systems that shape people’s lives.

You’ll be part of our growing External Influence team, working in close collaboration with the Media and PR Lead. The role is home-based with occasional travel to meet stakeholders or attend events.

About us 

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations. 

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website. 

About you

You’ll bring a strong track record in public affairs, stakeholder engagement and networking, or strategic communications, ideally within a public, policy, or values-led environment.

You’re confident navigating complex systems and building credibility with stakeholders such as local and national government, public sector leaders, charities, and think tanks.

You understand how influence works, and you’re excited by the opportunity to help shape conversations..

Experience in the health, social care, equalities, or advocacy sector would be valuable, but what matters most is your ability to listen, connect, and translate complexity into influence.

How will you make a difference?

You’ll lead VoiceAbility’s work to strengthen relationships and reputation with people who shape policy, services, and public discourse.

You’ll help position the organisation as a respected thought leader, using insight, data, and storytelling to drive awareness of the issues people face and how things can change.

Working closely with colleagues in Media, Marketing and Business Development, you’ll identify opportunities to contribute to debates, lead engagement with key public and sector stakeholders, and ensure VoiceAbility’s voice is present and consistent in the places that matter.

Benefits 

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service 

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution 

Salary sacrifices pension scheme 

Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary) 

Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc 

24/7 Employee Assistance programme 

Access to remote counselling service 

Paid Disability Leave 

Paid compassionate Leave 

Home Working Allowance  

Support with continuous professional development 

Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development  

Personal Development Plans 

How are staff supported to work remotely? 

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community. 

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach. 

Equality and Diversity

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact us for further options.

How to apply

To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on this page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form. 

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications; Midnight on 10 October 2025, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date. 

Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification. 

Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Public Affairs expert. 

The Public Affairs Lead at the Food Foundation provides expertise on building relationships with political stakeholders to deliver impact across all areas of our work aimed transforming food systems and shifting diets.

· Do you have knowledge of the UK’s political system and experience of how to influence policy-making?

· Do you care about what we eat and its impact on our health and planet?

· Do you want to work in a small, ambitious organisation and use your influencing skills to deliver real impact?

If the answers to these questions are yes, we would love to hear from you!

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week (willing to consider part time hours, no less than 4 days)

Starting Salary: £39,960 (pro rata and London weighting included)

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: This is a London based role (our office is in London, Brixton) and you will be expected to work at least 2 days per week from the office. Whilst there will be a need to regularly attend in-person meetings in parliament and officer, there is flexible working options.

Job requirements: An enhanced clean DBS check, obtained through The Food Foundation plus two references

Job Purpose

The Public Affairs Lead sits within our Policy and Advocacy Team, working to build support for The Food Foundation’s work amongst Parliamentarians and to influence the government to help deliver policies that will transform the food system.  This is an exciting opportunity to join a small organisation delivering big impact on the political agenda around food. 

The Public Affairs Manager reports to our Head of Policy and Advocacy and will be responsible for planning and delivering our public affairs activity. You will spend considerable time meeting MPs and Peers in parliament and building relationships with their teams with a view to identifying potential new supporters and ensuring that The Food Foundation has a range of contacts that we can call on to support and amplify our policy asks and to raise issues when required. 

While this role is focused on political engagement, you will work closely with policy and research colleagues and with our communications team to share perspectives on which priorities it may be tactical to pursue at any given time and to understand what evidence is available to inform engagement.

You will also work closely with public affairs professionals in other organisations to deliver joint programmes of engagement work which leverage respective organisational strengths.

You will have excellent political instincts and a strong interest in policy developments, monitoring closely what is going on in Parliament and in Government, and keeping abreast of the latest developments in order to identify opportune moments to maximise political attention on the issues we work on and to galvanise support for policy change. 

You will work with our communications team to build compelling narratives targeted at different political stakeholders about the impacts of the food system on our diets, our health and our planet, and the need for evidence-based solutions.   In the current parliamentary term we expect a major focus of activity to be on securing a White Paper and then A Bill on food system change.

You will lead on developing and commissioning a range of briefing materials and reports for policy audiences and formulate responses on behalf of the organisation to policy development processes and Parliamentary inquiries.

You will think creatively about methods and opportunities for engagement in order to ensure that The Food Foundation’s messages and priorities are noticed and heard by policy-makers in a very crowded policy space, including by working closely with our events manager to deliver impactful parliamentary events.

You will bring a learning mindset to the role, assessing the impact of our policy engagement approaches in order to make continuous improvements.

The role will be a fulfilling blend of planning engagement campaigns, developing the materials and monitoring tools to enable delivery, and the practical task of developing personal relationships with key stakeholders.

A week in the job will look like: meeting with a Peer that is new to our work to brief them on evidence we have published and our current political priorities, completing a political stakeholder mapping exercise for a new campaign on sustainable diets to identify a shortlist of MPs to engage with, spending an afternoon in parliament to engage informally with passing MPs, pitching a new idea for a parliamentary inquiry to parliamentary staff from the Health and Social Care Committee, drafting an MP briefing for an upcoming debate on the Government’s obesity prevention priorities, reviewing next week’s parliamentary calendar to spot opportunities for engagement, attending a roundtable to share intelligence and discuss priorities for political party manifestos with other NGOs working on food issues, ringing round parliamentary offices to confirm attendance for an upcoming parliamentary reception, meeting with an MP that is closely involved with The Food Foundation’s work to refine messaging for an upcoming campaign.