Policy and briefings officer jobs

Independent Age is the national charity focused on improving the lives of people facing financial hardship in later life. We believe no one should face financial hardship in later life.

Our Helpline and expert advisers offer free, practical support to older people without enough money to live on. Through our grants programme, we support hundreds of local organisations working with older people across the UK. 

We use the knowledge and insight gained from our support services and partnerships to highlight the issues experienced by older people in poverty and campaign for change.

We would love to find individuals from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds to join us on this journey.

Responsibilities and Person Specification: 

This role is an exciting opportunity to play a key role providing expert analysis and conducting research on the high essential costs facing older people in financial hardship and advocating for policy change in this area.  As part of the Policy and Influencing directorate, you will contribute to strategic thinking, lead research and policy development projects using a range of methods and work across the directorate to build relationships and secure change. 

You should have experience of driving forward a policy theme, including identifying policy problems, developing credible  and evidence based solutions and working towards securing change.  Strong research and analysis skills are essential, with excellent communication and project management skills.  We are looking for experience of working independently as well as collaborating effectively across a high performing influencing function.  Most importantly, a passion to change things for older people experiencing financial hardship, and the confidence to hear and incorporate their perspectives and insights into your work mean that this role could be for you.

For full details on the role and requirements, please review the job description and person specification.  If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all of the criteria in the person specification but you do meet most of them and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

This is a full-time role, 35 hours per week, which you can choose to work over five days or a 9 day fortnight. 

What it’s like to work at Independent Age:

We celebrate diversity at Independent Age and champion the differences that make each of us unique. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and skill sets to join us and help shape what we do. We aim to attract and retain a wide range of talent and create an environment where everyone can feel safe, protected, welcome and included.

We offer great benefits including 28 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme with life assurance, and fantastic learning and development opportunities. We also offer a number of enhanced leave provisions and benefits. 

We know that a good work life balance helps us perform at our best and supports wellbeing. Flexible working hours and hybrid working is standard for all (those contracted to work in the office usually attend 1 day per week). But if you need a different form of flexibility, we are always happy to talk flexible working. 

You can find out more about what it’s like to work at Independent Age on the careers page of our website.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit a CV and a Supporting Statement, detailing how your skills and experience meet the criteria within the Job Description and Person Specification, by visiting our jobs website (please do not hesitate to contact us if you have specific requirements and need support to apply in an alternative format).

To support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion our hiring managers use anonymous shortlisting. Therefore, please do not include your name, photo, or information to indicate your gender or age in your CV and supporting statement. Please do not omit dates of employment. Please ensure the title of any uploads does not contain your name. 

Independent Age is committed to safeguarding and follows Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding those we work with. We therefore ask that you supply your full work history with explanations for any gaps in the application documents you submit and, if offered the post, we will require two employment references including your current or most recent employer.  The role also requires a basic DBS certificate.

Closing Date: Sunday 5 October at 11:59pm

Interview Dates: Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th October via Microsoft Teams

Location (UK): Office Hybrid* - Cardiff  
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week 
Benefits: Read more about the excellent benefits we offer on our profile page
Travel: Travel in and around Wales, with a willingness to travel to Versus Arthritis offices on occasions (London, Belfast, Glasgow.)
 

Join us and use your skills, knowledge, passion and energy to help us achieve a future free from arthritis.

We are the leading influencer for change in Wales and are seeking an experienced Senior Policy Officer to join our dynamic Partnerships and Influencing team in Wales. You will be part of a passionate team dedicated to bringing about lasting change for people with arthritis and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, identifying creative policy solutions, influencing decision-makers and campaigning alongside people with arthritis. 

With the establishment of the MSK Strategic Clinical Network in Wales, along with a policy framework setting MSK as a government priority, this is an exciting time to join Cymru Versus Arthritis. We are optimistic about the future but there is still more to do. 

About the role

As part of our influencing team, you will play a critical role in shaping and influence policy thinking, managing time-sensitive projects across our policy priority areas, and building relationships with stakeholders and decision-makers across Wales. 

You will gather, analyse, and share information about external policy developments and their implications for people with arthritis, developing policy positions, producing evidence-based briefings and reports and contributing to consultation responses. 

As well as working closely with nation influencing colleagues and teams across the Services & Devolved Nations Directorate, you will work closely with the UK Advocacy & Health Intelligence team, Research Directorate and strategic communications teams, including representing us on cross-sector policy groups and participating in events and conferences. 

We’ll give you autonomy, variety and challenge with opportunities to lead projects, to work together with inspirational campaigners and people with arthritis, as well as collaborate with senior Welsh Government and NHS Wales stakeholders. We’re a supportive team who will value your well-being and professional development. 

About you

If your knowledge, skills and experience include the following then we’d love to hear from you: 

You will have ready-made resourcefulness, be a creative thinker, with strong analytical, written and verbal communications skills. An enthusiastic, adaptive and flexible approach is important, together with an ability to work with autonomy and across teams as well as: 

• Experience of influencing and external policy and decision making within Wales. 
• Understanding of current healthcare policy issues relevant to people with long-term conditions or disability. 
• Experience of drafting policy papers and briefings, and the ability to understand and articulate academic research and policy papers. 
• We value the importance of the Welsh language in our work and the ability to speak Welsh or the commitment to learn Welsh is encouraged. 

*As a hybrid worker the expectation is that you will spend around 40% of your working time in our office spaces or working in community settings. As an inclusive employer we will consider home-based working for anyone where office-based hybrid working would be a barrier to being able to work for us, for example for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability.

You must be based, and hold the right to work, in the UK to apply for this position.

We do not wish to receive contact from agencies or media sales. 

Please note that we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) during our recruitment and selection processes, and we would respectfully ask that you also refrain from using AI during the selection process. Whilst we do recognise that AI may be a beneficial tool for some when aiding research and preparation for an application or interview, we want to maintain a fair, inclusive and positive recruitment experience at Versus Arthritis where candidates can feel supported to demonstrate their experience, knowledge, and skills without the use of AI generated answers. 

Interview

Interviews expected: Thursday 23 October 2025 at Cymru Versus Arthritis Office, Cardiff. 

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee you will be offered an interview if you disclose a disability and demonstrate sufficient evidence within your application that you meet the essential criteria for this role. We will also make any reasonable adjustments you may require for your interview.

United For Global Mental Health is seeking a Consultant to deliver the following project:

Project: Policy brief - Integration of mental health into heat action policy 

Objective: Research and author a policy briefing on how mental health can be best integrated into heat action policy

Location: Global remote (based anywhere with preference for +-8h GMT)

Scope This policy brief will: 

(i) outline how mental health considerations currently feature in heat policies (operationalization of what will be considered a “heat policy” in terms of geographical remit (e.g., national vs municipal) and in terms of policy (e.g., Heat Action Plan, Heat Health Action Plan etc) to be decided together with consultant)

(ii) describe at least 6 case studies (one case study per WHO region) of the successful integration of mental health considerations into heat adaptation and responses;

(iii) provide concrete recommendations for policymakers (with a focus on policymakers working on heat policies, e.g., municipal policymakers working on heat or on relevant topics (e.g., urban development or housing), stakeholders in the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, heat officers in cities, civil protection agencies, meteorological agencies, etc.) 

Proposed budget cap

10,000 GBP (inclusive of VAT/sales tax)

Services

The services provided by the consultant will include: 

• Conduct a narrative review (max. 10 pages) of how mental health features in heat policies [expected time: approximately 10 working days]
• Liaise with the team at Columbia University to consider how to translate the academic paper: A Critical Gap in Addressing Mental Health in Heat-Health Action Plans Worldwide into the policy brief [expected time: approximately 2 working days]
• Coordinate a call for case studies (e.g., on UnitedGMH social media such as LinkedIn, the Global Mental Health Action Network Circle platform, and via targeted outreach to specific climate and health or heat and health communities) looking at the integration of mental health considerations into heat policies. This would also include lived experience accounts. This would entail coordinating the collection, selection, and write-up of the case studies. [expected time: approximately 5 working days]
• In conjunction with the activity above, conduct a scoping exercise/desk review to identify examples of case studies on the integration of mental health considerations into heat policies to identify other possible case studies. If possible this should also include the collection of financial data to make a financial case for the integration of mental health into heat policies [expected time: approximately 5 working days]
• Coordinate the process of developing recommendations from experts (expert identification to be supported by UnitedGMH) on the integration of mental health into heat policies via (i) a virtual roundtable; (ii) a written feedback process on the recommendations.
• Write-up policy brief (max. 20 pages) which should at a minimum include: (i) a snapshot of how mental health currently features in heat policies; (ii) at least 5 case studies of ways in which mental health has been integrated in heat policies; (iii) recommendations (including specific language recommendations) for the integration of mental health into heat policies (these should be aligned with existing guidance, e.g., WHO guidance on Heat Health Action Plans) [expected time: approximately 10 days]
• The consultant will be supervised by Alessandro Massazza (United for Global Mental Health), Robbie Parks (Columbia University), and Emma Lawrance (Climate Cares Centre). In additional, the project team will collaborate closely with the authors of this paper: A Critical Gap in Addressing Mental Health in Heat-Health Action Plans Worldwide

The consultant will be appropriately referenced in all outputs (e.g., authorship on the report etc.).

We may consider transforming the report into an academic publication which the consultant would be welcome to contribute to (based on their capacity). This would however not be part of the deliverables. 

Timeline

• 1st November 2025: Project start
• 1st January 2026: Conclusion of narrative review and coordination with Columbia (steps 1&2) and launch of call for case studies
• 1st March 2026: Call for case studies closing and end of desk review work on collection of case studies (steps 3&4)
• 1st April 2026: Conclusion of recommendation development process via expert consensus (step 5)
• 1st May 2026: Conclusion of write-up of policy brief
• Mid-June (ideally during SB64): Launch of report

The role will lead training for Lifelites 25, our exciting expansion programme, which will take Lifelites’ services to the wider children’s palliative care sector.

You will also be the key point of contact for all Lifelites’ Service Partners, including Children’s Hospices, specialist education and other community services, helping to build strong relationships and maximise the use of assistive technology across children’s palliative care.

The role will design, develop and deliver the multi-channel Lifelites Learning programme by providing training for staff across children’s palliative care in person, online and through e-learning. 

In this role, you will:
✨ Design, develop and deliver engaging training in collaboration with our training team – in person, online and via e-learning – to children’s hospices, specialist schools, and other community partners.
✨ Act as the key point of engagement for our partners, supporting them to use Lifelites’ assistive technology to enrich the lives of children.
✨ Travel across the UK and Ireland, building strong relationships and ensuring partners have the skills and confidence to make the most of our services.

We’re looking for someone who is:
✔ Experienced in delivering training and engaging adult learners.
✔ Skilled at designing clear, accessible resources and training content.
✔ Passionate about children’s services, ideally with experience in disability or palliative care settings.
✔ Organised, self-motivated, personable, and a strong communicator.

Before applying, please sign into your CharityJob candidate account to access and review the Recruitment Pack for the full Job Description and Person Specification.

At Guide Dogs, we help people with sight loss live the life they choose—and we’re looking for a passionate Retention Marketing Officer to help us do just that. In this role, you’ll be at the heart of our Committed Giving programme, managing a variety of direct marketing campaigns that inspire loyalty and deliver real value to our supporters.

You’ll lead the end-to-end delivery of campaigns across channels including direct mail, digital, email, social media and telemarketing. Working closely with our Marketing team, you’ll shape creative briefs, collaborate on compelling content, and ensure every campaign is delivered on time, within budget, and with measurable impact.

This is a role for someone who thrives on variety and innovation. You’ll take ownership of campaign budgets, reporting and forecasting, while also supporting post-campaign analysis to drive continuous improvement. You’ll be encouraged to explore new ways to enhance supporter experience and introduce fresh ideas that elevate our fundraising potential.

Collaboration is key, you’ll work with internal teams and external suppliers to ensure seamless delivery and compliance across all touchpoints. You’ll also play a vital role in coaching and supporting our Retention Executive, sharing your expertise and fostering best practice across the team.

If you’re a creative thinker with strong project management skills and a passion for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

No two people with sight loss are the same, and none of our people are either. So, we are proud to offer a range of person-centred benefits that can support each member of staff in ways that really mean something to them – and show them how much they mean to us. We offer a flexible benefits package, discounts and cashback scheme, a generous holiday allowance and matched contributory pension scheme to care for our people.

This role will be based on site at our Reading office, we support hybrid working arrangements, so you have flexibility to work in a way that’s best for you. You’ll be working 35 hours per week, worked 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with a minimum of 2 days per week in office.

Smart Works is looking for a dynamic, hands-on and inspirational professional to join our outstanding staff team and lead the marketing and communications function.

 The successful candidate will be collaborative and lead by example, working closely with the CEO and the Senior Leadership Team to achieve the charity’s ambitious strategic aims. It will be crucial to have the seniority, credibility and experience to steward all aspects of the Smart Works brand, building on strong existing foundations to drive awareness across the UK. The ability to thrive in a fast-paced and changing environment is also crucial.

 A passion for our service and mission is a prerequisite. In practice, this means being as comfortable briefing the highest profile stakeholders as making tea for our clients.

To apply, please submit your cover letter and CV via our portal by Monday 6th October.

About Us

The Seafarers’ Charity has been improving the lives of those who work at sea, and their families, for over 100 years. Established in 1917 as The King George’s Fund for Sailors, to support the families of seafarers lost at sea during World War One, we support seafarers throughout their seafaring careers and beyond. We are the largest independent grant funder of maritime welfare charities – with at least £2 million in funding injected into supporting the safety and welfare of seafarers each and every year

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Office Manager to join our team. You will be a highly organised, practical and friendly person to manage our office operations, the role is diverse and will suite an all-rounder who is proficient in multi-tasking and problem solving.

You will run a welcoming office for staff and guests and be encouraged to identify and work on new operational projects that will enhance the organisation. You will be central point of contact for H&S and Facilities management, proactively overseeing all aspects of facilities maintenance and managing contractor relationships.

We encourage applications from all regardless of age, sexuality, socio-economic background, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, or beliefs. We are committed to building a culture of belonging and inclusion and this is reflected in our policies, practices, and diversity in maritime networks and supported by our inclusion as a Maritime UK Diversity Charter organisation. We are a family friendly organisation, and we encourage flexible working as we want our employees to achieve a healthy work-life balance. Currently our employees are working flexibly with 3 days per week in the office.

Help shape national debates on justice and champion the voice of magistrates.

We’re looking for a Policy and Research Officer to join the Magistrates’ Association and turn evidence into influence.

The MA is the only independent membership body for magistrates in England and Wales. With around 12,000 members, we speak truth to power, support our members, and advocate for a fairer and more effective justice system.

This is a varied, fast-paced role where no two days are the same. One day you might be writing a briefing for a parliamentary inquiry or drafting a consultation response; the next you could be analysing survey data, supporting one of our national policy committees, or working with colleagues to launch a new advocacy report in the media.

You’ll be joining a small, supportive team where your ideas can have real impact. Recent projects have tackled judicial diversity, recognition for magistrates, reform of the Single Justice Procedure, and access to justice for disabled magistrates. Your work will help shape the future of the magistracy — and through it, the wider justice system.

We’re looking for someone with strong research and analytical skills, excellent writing and communication, and the ability to grasp complex issues quickly. If you’re passionate about justice and want to see your work influence real-world change, this role is for you.

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 9am on 6 October 2025 and interviews will be held w/c 27 October 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, or pregnancy and maternity

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

Would you like to make a difference?

We are looking for a highly organised and motivated individual to join our team as Executive and Policy Assistant. This is a varied and rewarding role, working directly with the CEO and closely with our Communications and Impact team.

You will provide vital support to the CEO by managing diaries, coordinating meetings and events, preparing briefings and presentations, and acting as a key contact for staff, funders, supporters and the Board. You will also play a hands-on role in our policy and campaigning work — carrying out research, drafting communications and helping to ensure the voices of children, young people and adults with dyslexia are heard at every level.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a busy, purpose-driven environment, can balance multiple priorities, and wants to use their skills to make a meaningful difference for the dyslexia community.

Please carefully review the job description (attached below) for full responsibiliites of the role and essential skills required.

Location - Hybrid - this role is primarily home-based (UK), with the requirement to work from our office in Bracknell once a month, and to travel to London at least once a week, or as needed. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Interview schedule - first stage will take place on Monday 13 October 2025, with second stage taking place on Thursday 16 October 2025.

Senior Policy Research Manager

Permanent

Salary: £45,000 - £47,000 per annum, plus benefits

London N1

Full time – 37.5 hours a week 

We're a hybrid working employer, meaning you're required to come into the office at least 2 days per week currently Tuesday, and Wednesday or Thursday.

Closing date: 5pm, 5th October 2025

First Interviews: w/c 13th October 2025

Second Interviews: 21st and 22nd October 2025 

It’s an exciting time to join World Cancer Research Fund International’s policy team as we develop the next phase of our policy tools and resources. WCRF International leads and unites a global network of cancer prevention charities based in Europe and the Americas, providing the science, policy, and strategic direction that guides their work to prevent cancer worldwide.

We are recruiting a Senior Policy Research Manager to lead WCRF’s flagship policy tools, including NOURISHING, MOVING and the Blueprint for Cancer Prevention. You will translate the latest science into actionable policy recommendations, deliver high-quality research projects, and represent WCRF externally to maximise our national and international impact.

We are looking for a candidate with strong policy research expertise, experience in evidence-based advocacy, and the ability to turn complex science into clear policy solutions. You will bring an innovative approach, including exploring new methods such as AI, and be skilled at working across teams and with external stakeholders.

You will have a proven track record in managing policy tools or research projects, building collaborations and engaging senior decision-makers. Strong communication, leadership and stakeholder skills are essential to support WCRF’s strategy and enhance the influence of the Policy & Public Affairs team.

Application Details:
If you are interested in this role and feel you possess the necessary requirements, please submit a current CV and covering letter (maximum 2 pages) by the closing date. You must have current right to work in the UK.

Please note: Your cover letter should highlight how your skills and experience will benefit WCRF International and equip you for the role.Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are only able to provide feedback to shortlisted candidates. If you do not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. 

Job Title: Policy and Impact Officer

Location: Home working with some travel 

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week

Salary: £24,000pa 

DBS/PVG: Not required

Job Family: 3

Line Manager: Head of Policy and Impact

Closing Date:  30th September 2025 We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications

Start Date: asap

Interview Dates: 23 October 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications

Who we are

At Volunteering Matters, we believe people have the power to create change. Whether through volunteering by helping others and giving time, or through social action such as speaking up, campaigning, or leading change, everyone can make a difference. We bring people together to build stronger communities across England, Scotland and Wales, making sure everyone has the chance to get involved and create real change.

What we do

We help people of all ages and backgrounds get involved in volunteering and social action. We focus on making sure that everyone, no matter their situation, has the chance to take part. 

How we do this

We support people to share their time and skills to help others and tackle big challenges in their communities.

• We remove barriers to volunteering and social action, making it easier for people who don’t always get the chance to take part.

• We listen to and amplify voices that aren’t always heard, helping volunteers and communities influence change.

• We help volunteers beyond their first experience, offering training, support, and pathways to new opportunities.

• We connect businesses with communities, creating meaningful employee volunteering projects.

• We show the impact of volunteering and social action, proving how it changes lives for the better.

Our promise to volunteers

We are always looking for new ways for volunteers to make a difference. We bring people together across generations and backgrounds to learn from each other and create change. At the same time, we make sure that all our volunteers are trained, supported, and valued, so they feel confident in what they do.

Role Purpose

The Policy and Impact Team sits at the heart of Volunteering Matters. We play a vital role in demonstrating the impact of our work connecting data, qualitative insight, and lived experience to the policy agendas shaping communities across the UK. Through storytelling, analysis, and evidence, we make sure volunteering is recognised as a driving force for social change.

We are a small, hands-on team. You will be involved in every aspect of our work from desk-based research and writing briefings to organising external meetings and working directly in communities alongside our volunteers. This variety allows you to connect national policy with local realities and help volunteers share their voices where it matters most.

 You will help bring our five-year strategy to life by linking project outcomes to broader societal developments and showcasing the impact of volunteers and communities.

Key Duties Responsibilities

· Support the Head of Policy and Impact to coordinate Volunteering Matters’ policy and public affairs work.

· Support people involved with our volunteering projects to engage with local politicians, e.g. by organising visits to projects or meetings with volunteers. 

· Monitor and respond to opportunities (e.g. relevant government consultations, All-Party Parliamentary Group inquiries or Select Committee inquiries) that are relevant to Volunteering Matters’ priorities.

· Support mapping and research exercises to inform our policy positioning. Writing summary reports as needed.

· Collaborate with the National Volunteer Engagement Manager to support the inclusion of volunteer and community voices in our policy and public affairs work.

· Assist with collecting impact and activity data from across the charity and work with the Data Analyst to undertake analysis.

· Support with routine collection of quarterly data from projects - ensuring responses are timely and accurate, providing guidance to project managers as needed.

· Work with project staff to help create impactful and engaging reports.

· Represent Volunteering Matters at charity and volunteering policy-related groups. 

 Essential Skills

· Understanding of UK political systems and policy-making processes across national, devolved, and local levels.

· Understanding of policy, public affairs, or influencing, ideally within the voluntary or community sector.

· Confident communicator, able to engage with policymakers, sector partners, and community representatives.

· Familiarity with both qualitative and quantitative data analysis to inform narrative reporting and strategic insight.

· Excellent writing skills, with the ability to craft clear, persuasive documents based on data and lived experience.

· Alignment with Volunteering Matters’ values and a commitment to amplifying community voice.

· Must adhere to the organisation’s Code of Conduct and uphold its values at all times.

· Proficient in Microsoft 365, particularly Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel, with the ability to manage email communications and collaborate digitally.

· Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, managing time and priorities in a busy environment.

· For remote roles, candidates must be self-starters who can work with minimal supervision, stay organised, and remain motivated to meet deadlines and deliver quality outcomes.

· Attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving and information sharing.

Experience Required

No specific experience is required.

Qualifications

Relevant skills and values alignment is more important for this role than specific qualifications.

Our Values & Way of Working

In all that we do we are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward.

Disability Confident & Reasonable Adjustments

We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role. Please provide evidence in your application, which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required in the Job Description under skill and experience. To be considered for a guaranteed interview or to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the process, please state this in your cover letter.

GDPR Statement

If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to six months.  We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.

Policy on AI-Generated Applications 

Applications are accepted on trust, and we expect all submissions to reflect the applicant’s own words, experiences, and motivations. While tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) may support the application process, applications should not be generated wholly by AI. 

To Apply

Please send an updated, complete CV and cover letter via the Charity Job Apply button above. In your application clearly state which role you are applying for. In the cover letter please demonstrate how you would fulfil the role requirements, what previous relevant achievements you have (both in life and at work), what skills & experience you can offer, and what you believe you can contribute to Volunteering Matters.

Please note that all applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to progress applications that don’t meet this requirement. 

If you have any questions about current vacancies, the recruitment process, or need support, our team is here to help. Whether you're a candidate looking for more information or with an HR query, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Are you eager to make a difference in health and care but don’t know how to get started? Do you want to learn how policy is made, how senior leaders are influenced, and how research drives change?

We’re looking for a Policy and Research Intern to join our Policy and Influence team for nine months. This is a unique chance to take your first step on the policy career ladder – no prior policy experience required.

In this role, you’ll be right at the centre of our work with senior nursing and midwifery leaders. Yes, you’ll support the team with essential admin and communications, but this internship is about so much more than that. You’ll help deliver high-profile events like webinars and roundtables, track and report on member benefits, and contribute to live policy and research projects that shape the future of the NHS and wider system.

We don’t expect you to arrive knowing it all. What matters is your enthusiasm for FNF’s mission, your willingness to learn, and your drive to get stuck in. In return, you’ll gain hands-on experience, work alongside senior stakeholders, and build the skills and confidence to take the next step in your career.

What we’re looking for:

• A genuine interest in health policy and influencing
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• Someone proactive, flexible, and ready to muck in
• A team player who wants to learn and grow
• Demonstrable evidence of how you have lived FNF’s values

This is a nine-month paid internship (at the National Living Wage), with plenty of flexibility and hybrid working. You can join us part-time (three days a week) or full-time — whichever works best for you.

If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, learn by doing, and kick start your career in health policy and influencing, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll be part of a dynamic, ambitious team that’s making a real difference — and excited to have you on the journey with us.

Together, the charities Sands and Tommy’s have formed a Joint Policy Unit (JPU) focussed on achieving policy change that will save more babies’ lives during pregnancy and the neonatal period and on tackling inequalities in loss, so that everyone can benefit from the best possible outcomes.

The JPU’s mission is to secure policy change that will reduce rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term birth and neonatal death, and to work to eliminate inequalities in these outcomes.

While there is widespread agreement on the need for change to improve the safety of maternity and neonatal services, what that change looks like is not clear.  To save more babies’ lives we believe that a continued focus is required, and that governments should set new commitments to reduce perinatal mortality and preterm births, focused on matching the best-performing countries in Europe.

This role will be crucial to the continued success of the JPU unit; leading, shaping and coordinating all the unit’s work. 

We are looking for an independent and assertive problem-solver, a policy expert who can manage multiple priorities, take the initiative, lead the national conversation and is as excited as we are about taking the helm of this venture for both of our organisations.

The successful candidate will need to have a substantial track record of effectively leading and implementing national policy and influencing programmes, driving change and achieving the desired impact.

You will have considerable experience across research, data analysis, policy development, public affairs and communications.  Additionally, you will be well-versed in research and data management, including analysing complex data and evaluating policy developments.

Experience of being a member of a senior management team with successful, significant and relevant management and leadership experience is also essential.