Policy and influencing officer jobs in holborn, greater london

JUSTICE is looking for a motivated and organised Communications Officer to help us build a fairer UK justice system. The postholder will translate complex legal issues into compelling, clear writing, and believe in the power of communication to change minds and build broad support for policy change.

The postholder will communicate JUSTICE’s work to our key audiences using press, digital media, and printed publications, and will report to the Head of Communications. Responsibilities include working with journalists to gain coverage, managing our website and social media accounts, and producing printed materials. You will play a key role in communicating our work and improving engagement with our members and supporters.

We want someone who can learn and grow in this role so if you are a strong writer who is organised and passionate about our work but don’t have every skill listed, we’d still like to hear from you.

JUSTICE works across the whole justice system – from prisons and family law to Windrush and more. Over our 67-year history we have transformed the legal landscape for the better, led by evidence, expertise, and a focus on practical solutions.

It is a fantastic charity to work for, in terms of cause and culture. Our friendly and supportive team currently work in a hybrid manner with access to office space in London. Our staff enjoy flexible working conditions, 27 days annual leave plus a wellbeing day, a birthday day, and the days between Christmas and the New Year off. JUSTICE provides an 8% employer pension contribution, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.

The candidate pack can be found on our website.

To be considered for this role, please complete the application form, which can be found on our website.

Please note you cannot save your progress on the application form and return to it later. To see the questions in advance please download them by clicking on the link on our website.

Please do not submit answers to the questions by email, they will not be considered.   

Deadline for applications: 11pm, Sunday 22 June 2025. Interviews will be held during the week commencing Monday 7 July 2025. Candidates will be required to complete a test as part of the interview process.

Youth Engagement Officer  

Location: Hybrid. Expected to be in our London office in Victoria at least one day per week. You can be remote every other day or come into the office. Your office days are flexible and can be agreed with your manager, other than for monthly team days where you must be in person. Some nationwide travel expected for Youth Steering Group training days, events and conferences. After passing probation, up to six weeks ‘super remote’ working per year, where you can work anywhere in the world as long as you’re online for four hours of the UK workday.

Contract: Fixed Term Contract until 31 August 2026 with the possibility to extend. 

Holidays: 38 days per year, including our 3-day winter shut down and eight flexible bank holidays.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full time) Please note as this role works with young people there will be occasions where your working hours will be outside the standard 9-5:30pm. This will typically be a few meetings per month that can last until 7pm and about four weekend days over the year. This is to ensure our activities fit around the young people’s education and work commitments. 

About the Fair Education Alliance  

The Fair Education Alliance (FEA) unites 300 member organisations under a shared vision that no child’s success is limited by their socioeconomic background.

Our members (charities and social enterprises, think tanks, businesses and foundations, youth organisations, unions, universities and schools) are working collectively to create an inclusive system. We exist to close the gap in educational outcomes between children from low-income households and their wealthier peers. 

This autumn, we’re kicking off our next strategic phase, which will take our work from neighbourhood to national, building a movement for systems change towards a fairer future for children and young people. 

Why we need you 

Education is not fair. The gaps in educational outcomes between children from low-income households and their wealthier peers are staggering at every stage of education. Our Alliance exists to tackle this inequity, and we believe this will only be possible by empowering young people who have faced barriers in education, to colead systemic change as part of diverse cross-sector coalition.  This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the movement to ensure all young people are respected and heard in decisions affecting their education. You would be joining the organisation at a very exciting time as our youth engagement work is growing and building momentum across the sector. In the last year we have seen a 25% increase in youth engagement across our membership, have supported Ofsted and Department for Education to their youth participation in policy making and our Youth Steering Group hosted our biggest ever Fair Education Youth Summit. This role will play a critical part in the success of taking this work forward. As the Youth Engagement Officer, you will work with our Head of Youth Engagement to ensure our Youth Steering Group can lead their own campaign activities, engage directly with decision makers, and collaborate with other young people to bring about the change they want to see. You will also support and manage the logistics of our Youth Summit, Youth Engagement Working Group and other youth engagement events. 

What we’re asking of you  

Support our Youth Steering Group to feel safe and confident as they co-lead our Alliance and create change

Our Youth Steering Group is made up of 25 brilliant young people, aged 14-24, who draw on their lived experience of the different barriers to accessing a fair education, to campaign for change. You will support the young people to lead their own campaign activity, write their monthly Youth Bulletin and engage directly with policy makers. You will also help the group to participate in FEA decision making, support the design and facilitation of their monthly meetings and training days, help them make progress against their personal development plans. This role will include working directly with young people, session planning and facilitation, policy research and managing logistics.

Ensure the Fair Education Youth Summit is a success and remains truly youth-led  

Our Youth Steering Group design and run the annual Fair Education Youth Summit. The event is led by young people for young people and brings together young changemakers from across our membership and the wider education and youth sectors to develop their youth leadership skills, collaborate on campaigns, and engage directly with decision makers. You will support the young people to design sessions, secure speakers, embed past feedback and plan the event structure. You will also support with the event logistics, guestlist management, participant communications and collecting attendee feedback.

Support our members to improve their youth engagement practice  

Our Youth Engagement Working Group supports FEA members and other sector organsiations to increase and improve their own youth engagement practice. You will support the management of logistics, promote the workshops, and communicate with working group members. You will also support the facilitation of the workshops and ensure the attendee data and feedback is correctly logged and actioned. The critical responsibilities of this role are described above. They may be subject to reasonable changes from time to time in line with business need and the decisions of the youth leaders we support. 

See the job description attached for a full job specification and application instructions.  

Head of Policy Insights

Hours: 0.8 FTE (four days a week) 

Location: Hybrid, with a focus on London. You’ll need to be in London to work from our office (near Victoria) one day a week and have about two other days per week to attend meetings with policy makers and our members. On other days you can work remotely or come into our office. Some nationwide travel expected for meetings and events. 

After passing probation, you’ll have up to six weeks ‘super remote’ working per year, where you can work anywhere in the world as long as you’re online for four hours of the UK workday.  

Holidays: 38 days per year, including our 3-day winter shut down and eight flexible bank holidays pro rata.

About the Fair Education Alliance

The Fair Education Alliance (FEA) unites 300 member organisations under a shared vision that no child’s success is limited by their socioeconomic background.  

Our members (charities and social enterprises, think tanks, businesses and foundations, youth organisations, unions, universities and schools) are working collectively to create an inclusive system. We exist to close the gap in educational outcomes between children from low-income households and their wealthier peers. 

This autumn, we’re kicking off our next strategic phase, which will take our work from neighbourhood to national, building a movement for systems change towards a fairer future for children and young people. 

Why we need you 

The gaps in educational outcomes between children from low-income households and their wealthier peers are staggering at every stage of education. This goes on to increase the likelihood that young people from low-income households will be out of employment, education, or training. We take a systems change approach to shifting the conditions that hold these inequities in place. With the next phase of our strategy underway—building a movement from neighbourhood to national—we need someone who can help us influence policy and practice with insight, evidence and urgency.  

We aim to bring insights from our diverse and expert membership to policymakers, ensuring that local, regional and national policies best serve children and young people from low-income backgrounds. We support members to organise around themes through our collective action working groups, which have advised Government on topics such as Family Hubs, the Curriculum and Assessment Review, and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, and will continue to contribute expertise to upcoming policy moments related to SEND, Skills England and Ofsted. We also support youth voice in policymaking through our Youth Steering Group, which has contributed independently to major policy developments, bringing valuable lived experience to decision-making. From September, we’ll also support members, young people and government bodies to craft regional policy and practice that benefits children and young people from low-income backgrounds.  

Our Digital Membership Tools (Member Directory and interactive Ecosystem Map) have the potential to play a crucial role in our policy work. These tools help members, funders, and policymakers target their work to where it is most needed. There is a wealth of data in these tools: the Ecosystem Map is the only place that marries up publicly available information about pupil demographics and outcomes with information about all 22,000 schools where our members are working. It shows where there is strong or weak provision related to different types of support, at a school, local authority, constituency, MAT or regional level, together with the outcomes pupils are achieving.  

We now need someone who can harness these assets to produce compelling insights and engage policymakers—from local authorities and combined authorities to central government and funders. This role will turn data into impact: creating clear, targeted reports that support decision-making, identifying gaps and opportunities, and helping us tell the story of how education can—and must—be fairer. 

What we’re asking of you

Develop a strategy to influence policy from neighbourhood to national  

You’ll lead our approach to turning insights into influence—connecting our data, member knowledge and youth voice to shape policy that improves outcomes for children and young people. That means designing a strategy that engages decision-makers at all levels, from civil servants and funders to combined authorities and Parliament. You’ll identify the right stakeholders and entry points, use our Ecosystem Map and Member Directory to generate targeted insights, and align our regional and national work for maximum impact.  

Translate data into insight—and insight into action  

You’ll be responsible for developing reports and briefings that tell powerful stories with data. Working closely with our Data Officer, you’ll design templates and processes to produce timely, high-quality outputs that are tailored to different audiences, and that enable the wider team to do so. You’ll complement our datasets with wider research and trends, and ensure our insights are used by both internal colleagues and external stakeholders to inform programmes, policy and funding decisions.  

Engage senior stakeholders and building meaningful relationships  

You’ll represent the Alliance in meetings, roundtables, and events—sharing evidence and building trusted relationships with policymakers, civil servants, and funders. You’ll understand their priorities, and tailor our insights accordingly. This is a two-way relationship: you’ll also feed what you learn, ensuring that our influencing work is responsive and grounded in both national priorities and lived experience.  

Manage projects and continuously improve our tools  

You’ll oversee the systems and processes that make our insights work possible—ensuring reporting cycles are efficient, quality is consistent, and new datasets are brought into our tools where they add value. You’ll help embed insights across the FEA team, supporting colleagues to use data from the Tools in their work and helping to identify emerging opportunities. You will evaluate the impact of your approaches and strategise for the future of the Tools and our influencing work. You’ll also work with our funders to report on the impact of the tools and shape their future development.  

Commitment to equity and systems change  

We’re looking for someone who cares deeply about improving the lives of children and young people from low-income backgrounds. You’ll understand how education intersects with wider social systems—and bring a clear-eyed view of what needs to change. While direct policy or public affairs experience is a bonus, what matters most is that you’re motivated by impact, passionate about equity, and excited by the opportunity to work collaboratively to shift the system. 

See the job description attached for a full job specification and application instructions.  

Policy and Public Affairs Officer - National Youth Agency

The National Youth Agency is looking for a new Policy & Public Affairs Officer to join our Policy, Insights and External Affairs Team.

Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week 
Salary: £29,000 - £33,000 per annum (depending on experience and qualifications)

Remote: NYA is a remote working organisation. However, its home is in Leicester which is available for staff to work or host meetings. There is also the option of a workspace in London up to 2 days per week. This role will require regular travel to meetings, events and conferences in London and throughout England.

What we do

As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.

We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work

About the Role

As Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the National Youth Agency, this is a unique opportunity to shape the future of youth work in England. You’ll be part of influencing national policy and driving change that directly impacts young people’s lives. Working within a dynamic and supportive team, you’ll be at the forefront of monitoring and interpreting developments across Westminster - from government consultations to parliamentary debates. Your work will ensure NYA stays ahead of the curve, responding swiftly to emerging policy trends and helping to shape national conversations. You’ll work with the team to use these policy insights to develop our influencing and advocacy efforts. If you’re keen to develop your career in policy and public affairs and want to contribute to meaningful change for young people, this role offers the opportunity to do just that.

Key responsibilities for this role will include:

Policy and public affairs support

• Research and track policy developments, political landscape changes, and other relevant areas to identify opportunities to further NYA’s policy calls.
• Monitor and report on parliamentary activities, government announcements, and consultations relevant to youth work.
• Compile and analyse data from various sources to support policy briefs, reports, and other written materials.
• Draft policy briefings, research summaries, consultation responses, letters, reports, newsletters and stakeholder communications.
• Maintain and develop stakeholder relationships and record engagement on the CRM system.
• Work with the team with the preparation and delivery of youth participation activities to support our policy influencing objectives.

Event support

• Support the organisation, coordination and note-taking for meetings and events, including webinars, roundtables and political party conference activity. 
• Support with planning and executing of large events including attendee registration, youth participation, materials preparation and using the CRM system.

Other

• Represent the Policy Team at external and internal meetings, policy forums and events.
• Work collaboratively with other teams and directorates to help build an understanding of the work of the Policy and Public Affairs team and effective working relationships across the organisation.

Please refer to our Candidate Pack for more information on the role and the requirements.

Why Work for NYA?

NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.

NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.

A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.

NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.

We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.

How to Apply:

Please download our applicant pack to find out more about the role and requirements

To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Sunday 29th June 2025:

A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section. 

A covering letter (maximum two sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the About You section. 

We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.

Please note: the covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 30% AI generated content with be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.

The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer. 

At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission. 

We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.

Youth Work changes lives

Which is why we’re committed to ensuring that as many young people as possible get to benefit from it.As the national body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency (NYA) exists to champion its transformative power.  We believe all young people should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing impact of extraordinary youth workers and trained volunteers.

We help to grow youth work provision in ways that keep it effective, relevant, safe and engaging, to help millions of young people reach their potential and thrive. We do this by providing guidance, support, advice, training and staff development opportunities for youth workers and youth work organisations. At the heart of everything we do are young people themselves. We work hard to ensure their voices are integrated into all our work, to develop provision that truly meets their needs.

REF-221910

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for a Policy Manager to join our External Affairs team.

You'll work closely with autistic young people, their families, and our specialist settings, to develop and influence policy on our priority areas. You will be accountable for achieving the wider policy aims in our new strategy, so that autistic young people can achieve at school, be healthy, and live and work as independently as possible.

You'll collaborate with autistic young people, their families, colleagues across Ambitious about Autism, and other stakeholders to develop and implement policies that influence practice in our priority policy areas. You'll plan and manage regular engagement activities with autistic young people, their families, and other key stakeholders, to ensure our policy influencing is beneficiary- led and reflects the needs of our settings.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Proven experience of developing and delivering policy positions to effect social change
• Proven track record of using social and traditional media to generate engagement in campaigns for change
• Knowledge and understanding of at least one priority policy area affecting autistic children, young people and their families (education or employment policy)
• Proven ability to develop and manage research and policy projects within agreed timescales and budgets.

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

Chief Executive Officer

Location: Flexible (with regular travel to London)
Salary: £65,000–£70,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Alexandra Rose Charity is transforming access to fresh, healthy food for families on low incomes. Through innovative programs like Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg and Fruit & Veg on Prescription, we are pioneering financial incentives that improve nutrition, tackle food insecurity, and support local markets. As we enter our next phase of growth, we are seeking a bold, values-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead us forward; scaling our impact while staying true to our mission of ensuring everyone has access to affordable, healthy food.

This is not a typical CEO role. Alexandra Rose Charity is dynamic, purpose-driven, and committed to systemic change. The new CEO will drive a bold organizational strategy, foster a strong and inclusive culture, champion food equity, and ensure that our programs continue to empower communities across the UK.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Proven strategic leadership experience within a mission-driven organization.
• Experience of successful fundraising and stewardship of major funders
• A track record of scaling impact, income, and influence while maintaining a strong commitment to social change.
• Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders across government, healthcare, and community sectors to drive policy and programmatic innovation.
• A deep commitment to inclusion, equity, and ensuring that healthy food is accessible to all.

If you believe in a future where everyone, regardless of income, can access fresh, nutritious food and are ready to lead a movement for change, we’d love to hear from you. For more infomation please refer to the recruitment pack attched as a PDF.

• Lead a nationally recognised organisation with a powerful mission.
• Be part of a future where sight loss is no barrier to opportunity

About Our Client

About RNIB

At RNIB, we're here to create a world without barriers for blind and partially people. With around two million people in the UK currently living with sight loss, and that number expected to rise significantly, we believe the time for change is now.

We're looking for a visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead RNIB into its next chapter. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on society and improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people across the UK.

Our Strategy: Seeing Differently

We're asking society to see sight loss differently. Our goals include:

• Changing public perceptions and behaviours to expect full participation from blind and partially sighted people.
• Making accessibility the default in design, services, and environments.
• Campaigning for better services, inclusive education, and employment opportunities.
• Providing high quality and innovative services to support blind and partially sighted people.
• Growing public support through advocacy, volunteering, and fundraising.

By 2050, 500 people a day could begin to lose their sight. The need for action has never been greater.

Job Description

As CEO, you'll work closely with the Board of Trustees and develop and lead a high-performing Executive Leadership Team. You'll be responsible for:

• Championing RNIB's 10-year strategy to ensure every person with sight loss can live the life they want to lead.
• Driving innovation, organisational resilience and long-term stability.
• Grow income through commercial ventures, partnerships, philanthropy and maximising customer experience.
• Be a powerful advocate for the sight loss community, influencing public policy and public perception.
• Fostering a high-performing, inclusive, and values-driven culture, embedding lived experience at the heart of RNIB.
• Ensuring robust governance, risk management, and financial stewardship.
• Leading cultural transformation and organisational change.

The Successful Applicant

We're seeking a dynamic, values-led leader who brings:

• Proven executive leadership experience in complex, high-profile environments.
• A track record of delivering strategic change and organisational growth.
• Strong advocacy and stakeholder engagement capability.
• Experience working with non-executive boards and leading transformation.
• Commercial acumen and proven capability in growing income through diverse streams.
• A deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and lived experience.

What's on Offer

Why Join RNIB?

• Lead a nationally recognised organisation with a powerful mission.
• Work with passionate teams and dedicated volunteers.
• Influence real change in public policy, accessibility, and inclusion.
• Be part of a future where sight loss is no barrier to opportunity.

Apply Now

If you're ready to lead change and shape a more inclusive future, we want to hear from you.

Contact
Jonathan Wiles
Quote job ref
JN-052025-6753463Z

Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.

Sightsavers is looking for an experienced international development, policy or education professional to help us influence the development of inclusive education and international development policy.

Salary: £29,123.00 - £34,262.00

Location: UK, remote

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time (35 hours) or part time (28 hours) with some flexibility around hours worked

About the role

We are looking for an experienced international development, policy or education professional to help influence the development of inclusive education and international development policy.

We believe quality, inclusive education is a human right and should be available to all children, irrespective of gender, disability, learning requirements, socio-economic background, geographical location, ethnicity and any other distinguishing characteristics.

As Policy Officer- Inclusive Education, you will Conduct Sightsavers' policy analysis and work with the Senior Policy Adviser on global influencing on education, with a particular focus on the inclusion of people with disabilities in line with Sightsavers thematic strategies. You will support engagement with key external stakeholders and influence the development of inclusive education and international development policy.

You will support Sightsavers work to ensure children with disabilities can access equitable and inclusive, quality education by:

• Conducting high quality policy analysis and generating evidence to support Sightsavers' policy objectives in education
• Contributing to the delivery of Sightsavers' education policy objectives, including through engagement with relevant national and international policies and processes
• Engaging with different networks and representing Sightsavers at relevant external forums to disseminate evidenced based analysis that influence target audiences

Whilst prior experience of education policy is not essential for this role, an understanding or background in International Development and an awareness of inclusion for marginalised groups is needed, as well as the ability to represent Sightsavers to external bodies.

This is an ideal opportunity to utilise your knowledge of education, international development, advocacy and / or policy to influence education and international development policy and champion every child's right to an inclusive and quality education.

There may be some travel required for this role but there is flexibility around this.

Requirements

To succeed in this role you will have:

Essential

• Experience of conducting policy analysis
• Working experience or educational understanding and awareness of the international development sector, including issues relating to education, inclusion and human rights
• Experience of supporting policy and influencing work at national or international levels
• Understanding of issues relating to education, inclusion, human rights, or social development
• Ability to represent the organisation to external bodies
• Strong analytical skills and ability to think strategically
• Effective English language communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to deal with complex ideas and concepts
• Relationship building skills with internal and external stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience of conducting education policy analysis would be highly beneficial.
• Awareness of the challenges faced by learners with disabilities

This is a varied role, please read the full for further details.

Benefits

Sightsavers offers some fantastic benefits. Our comprehensive benefits package includes generous annual leave allowance, pension, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym memberships and wellness discounts. If you choose to work in or are visiting our collaborative, modern office space, you will find it an easy 20-minute train journey from Brighton or 45 minutes from London.

To apply for this exciting opportunity, please complete an application via our recruitment portal. We are particularly interested in learning of your motivations for applying.

We anticipate that the evaluation process will include a two-stage verbal interview and a written task

As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from all sections of the community. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

Sightsavers is an employer that does not tolerate any form of harassment and has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All potential candidates will be subjected to rigorous background checks and controls.

In line with its commitment to safe programming and recruitment, Sightsavers participates in the inter-agency (MDS) administered by the . Through collaboration with other MDS members, Sightsavers aims to ensure that there are no sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment issues relating to potential new hires and that we can respond systematically to checks from fellow MDS members. This ensures our work is accountable, delivered to a high standard and supports safeguarding across the development and humanitarian fields.

Job Title: Policy & Research Officer
Location: Remote (with UK and international travel, candidate must be UK-based)
Hours: Full-time  
Salary: £30,000 - £33,000 
Reports to: Head of Insight & Advocacy 

About Us 

Metabolic Support UK is the leading organisation for people living with inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) and their families. We provide expert support and advocacy, champion research, and work with health services and policy-makers to ensure people with IMDs and their families get the care they need and deserve. 

The Role 

We are looking for a curious and committed Research & Policy Officer to help us build the evidence base to improve the lives of people affected by IMDs. Reporting to the Head of Insight & Advocacy, you will play a key role in delivering our research projects, keeping tabs on relevant policy developments, and helping shape our responses to consultations. 

Key Responsibilities 

Research (under supervision of the Head of Insight & Advocacy): 

• Support the design, planning, and delivery of qualitative and quantitative research projects 

• Conduct literature reviews, stakeholder mapping, and data analysis 

• Contribute to survey development, focus groups, and interviews with people living with IMDs, families, clinicians and other stakeholders 

• Assist with analyses and write up findings in accessible and engaging ways for different audiences 

• Ensure all research is ethical, inclusive, and relevant to the needs of the IMD community 

Policy Monitoring and Response: 

• Track developments in policy relevant to rare diseases and inherited metabolic conditions 

• Summarise key policy updates for internal and external audiences 

• Support the drafting of consultation responses, position statements, and policy briefings 

• Contribute to campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and policy influencing activities 

• Help ensure the voice of the IMD community is reflected in national and local policy discussions 

About You 

We are looking for someone who is: 

• Organised, analytical, and enthusiastic about improving lives through research and policy 

• A strong communicator – able to write clearly and concisely for different audiences 

• Comfortable working with data, both qualitative and quantitative 

• Keen to learn, with some experience in research or policy (academic, charity, health, or public sector settings) 

• A team player who enjoys collaborating and supporting others 

Desirable experience: 

• Background in public health, health policy, social research, or similar 

• Experience working with or for people living with a disorder, carers, or people with rare or long-term conditions 

• Familiarity with the NHS, health inequalities, or rare disease policy 

What We Offer 

• A chance to make a meaningful difference in a growing, agile charity 

• A friendly and supportive team culture 

• Flexible working arrangements 

• Opportunities for learning and professional development 

Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance is seeking a strategic and creative Communications, Engagement and Policy Manager to lead our outreach, advocacy, and communications efforts. This part-time leadership role is ideal for someone passionate about empowering disabled communities, building influence, and shaping impactful campaigns in a flexible, supportive work environment.
 

Job Title: Communications, Engagement and Policy Manager

Location: Flexible (with occasional travel required)

Reports to: CEO

Salary: £17,280-18,720 gross per annum (£36,000-£39,000 FTE)

Hours: Part-time, 18 hours per week 

About Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance

Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance is a charity dedicated to empowering, supporting, and advocating for individuals living with neuromuscular conditions. Our mission is to ensure that those affected by these conditions have access to the resources, representation, and information they need to live fulfilling and independent lives. 

Job Summary

We are looking for a creative, driven, and collaborative Communications, Engagement and Policy Manager to lead on internal and external communications and to deepen engagement with our members, stakeholders, and the wider community. This is a key role in growing our influence, raising awareness of our work, and supporting our mission to empower people with neuromuscular conditions. Your work will ensure that our user base remains actively engaged, well-informed, and central to our projects and campaign planning. You will oversee an Engagement Officer, Social Media Officer, and Campaigns and Advocacy Officer, working collaboratively to amplify our impact, strengthen user connections, and further our mission.

Key Responsibilities

1. User Engagement and Relationship Management

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance engagement with our users across projects, events, and online platforms, ensuring their voices are integral to our work.

• Work with the Engagement Officer to design and coordinate events, workshops, and other engagement activities, both in-person and online, that support community connection and provide valuable resources to users.

• Gather and analyse feedback from users to ensure our services, content, and campaigns remain relevant and responsive to their needs.

• Manage the CRM and membership of the charity in line with the membership policy.

 2. Content Creation and Communications

• Develop and implement a communication strategy for the organisation to set our key messages, approach and KPIs for engaging with individual, community and professional audiences as well as for internal communications.

• Support the Social Media Officer in developing and implementing a communications plan in particular focused on our social media based activities and content creation.

• Oversee and produce high-quality content for digital platforms, newsletters, reports, and publications that engage and inform our audience.

• Lead on creating and placing feature articles, policy briefings and press releases, and serve as the main media contact to ensure consistent, clear messaging. 

3. Policy, Campaigning, and Advocacy

• Work with the CEO to develop and implement, through the Policy and Campaigns Team, a campaigns strategy that responds to the needs of the neuromuscular community and creates positive, meaningful change for our community.

• Collaborate with the Campaigns and Advocacy Officer to formulate and promote evidence-based policy positions, engaging key stakeholders in government, healthcare, and related sectors.

• Support the Campaigns and Advocacy Officer to expand the Pathfinders advocacy service and drive referrals to the service.

• Represent the organisation at events, sector meetings, and forums to build our profile and increase our influence on policy issues relevant to our community.

 4. Team Leadership and Development

• Manage, support, and foster the professional growth of the Engagement Officer, Social Media Officer, and Campaigns and Advocacy Officer, building a collaborative and empowered team.

• Set team objectives and KPIs, monitor progress, and provide regular feedback to ensure alignment with organisational goals and impact.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development

• Cultivate relationships with relevant stakeholders, including influencers, partner organisations, funders, policymakers, and the neuromuscular community.

• Work closely with the CEO to manage community partnerships, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and expanding opportunities for user engagement.

  6. Organisational management

• Support the CEO with the overall running of the organisation by attending meetings of the management committee as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, taking on additional tasks as agreed.

• Provide contingency support to the  Senior Leadership Team to cover essential tasks such as reporting hours to our payroll team in the event of staff absence.

• Maintain an overview of projects and teams across the organisation to provide short-term management and HR support in the event of staff shortages or incapacity.

• Review, approve and document payments in the charity using our software and finance process.

• Support the development of funding bids and project plans for introducing new projects.

• Represent the Senior Leadership Team at external events and in meetings with Trustees and Members.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public policy, engagement, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• 3-years experience in a communications, policy, or engagement role, ideally within a charity or non-profit setting.

• Experience engaging directly with user communities and developing outreach initiatives.

• Strong writing and editing skills with experience producing content for a variety of platforms including Youtube.

• Experience managing a small team to achieve strategic objectives.

• Knowledge of or strong interest in the healthcare, disability, or neuromuscular sector is desirable.

• Lived experience of a neuromuscular condition is desirable but not essential.

Skills and Attributes

• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance advocacy, engagement, and communication initiatives effectively.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to build relationships across diverse audiences.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritise, and maintain high standards under tight timelines.

• Proficient in social media management, content creation, and analytics.

• A commitment to advocating for and advancing the rights of individuals with neuromuscular conditions.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a purpose-driven, supportive organisation.

• Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance.

• Ongoing professional development opportunities and the chance to lead impactful campaigns and user engagement efforts.

This is an exciting opportunity to steer Asylum Aid at an important time in its 30-year existence. As Executive Director you will be responsible for delivering on our strategy for impact. You will oversee our work to increase access to expert, trauma-informed legal representation to those in the asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems and lead our policy and strategic legal work to achieve systemic change that contributes towards our vision.

You will line manage the Director of Legal Casework to oversee the provision of supportive and enabling leadership to Asylum Aid caseworkers so that they can continue to deliver high quality expert advice in complex cases, while being supported in their professional development and wellbeing. You will also manage and develop the work of our welfare advice team within the Westminster Advice Services Partnership and beyond, and work collaboratively with colleagues in the sector to build capacity and increase our impact. 

The ideal candidate, who may be legally qualified, will have experience of leadership in the charity/NGO sector and a sound understanding of the asylum, human rights and trafficking processes in the UK and the legal frameworks which govern the protection of refugees, survivors of trafficking and stateless people, and of the role of law in achieving system change.

We are looking for someone who is strategically minded and passionate about providing supportive and inclusive leadership to our expert team. You will be committed to our objectives and to the role which expert legal representation plays in enabling people in need of protection in the UK to obtain it.

As is the nature of this sector, the role may be exposed to a high volume of traumatic and distressing material and, whilst they will be supported by the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and surrounding team, the candidate should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of good self-care principles in an intense work environment and dissemination of those principles to junior members of the team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and strategy

·Be responsible, with the support of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO, for the development, implementation and monitoring of Asylum Aid’s organisational strategy

·Provide leadership and strategic direction at Asylum Aid in accordance with its aims and objectives, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework

·Act as external spokesperson for Asylum Aid, maintaining and strengthening Asylum Aid’s position as a leader in the refugee rights, statelessness and legal aid sectors;

·Work collaboratively with others in the sector to promote and strengthen Asylum Aid’s work, identify and establish potential partnerships, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework;

·Work collaboratively with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and Executive Leadership team to drive the implementation of the Group strategic framework;

·Ensure that all reporting and monitoring requirements are met to support fundraising, contract compliance and monitoring strategic impact;

·Support the cross collaboration of the Asylum Aid team with the Helen Bamber Foundation team and play an active part in the management of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group.

Governance  

·Act as the Data Protection Supervisor with responsibility for data protection and cyber security within Asylum Aid

·Together with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and designated safeguarding leads, be responsible for child and adult safeguarding within Asylum Aid

·In collaboration with the Director of Legal Casework, ensure compliance by Asylum Aid with all legal and regulatory obligations, including the Legal Aid Agency contract, the Immigration Advice Authority and Solicitors Regulation Authority;

·Lead on the preparation and presentation of quarterly reports on Asylum Aid’s activities, strategy and risks to the Asylum Aid Board, the Finance and Fundraising Committee and the People and Governance Committee;

·Lead on the preparation of the Trustees’ annual report and ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are adequate to enable reporting on Asylum Aid’s activities and impact.

Management and Supervision 

·Responsible for line management of the Director of Legal Casework and Welfare Advice service coordinator, and other team supervisors as required;

·Together with the Group Director of People, responsible for Human Resources and implementation of the People Strategy within Asylum Aid, including development and implementation of HR policies and procedures;

·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors, drive the effective management and supervision of the Asylum Aid team and ensure that they comply with relevant professional standards and accreditation;

·Foster a supportive and inclusive team culture at Asylum Aid in which each member feels valued and supported to develop professionally and to perform to the best of their ability;

·Ensure the team’s well-being and that self-care practices are established and work in tandem with the Director of Legal Casework and supervisors to ensure trauma-informed ways of working.

Policy & Strategic Legal Work

·Together with the Group Director of Policy, identify policy priorities and coordinate the preparation of evidence and briefings drawing on Asylum Aid’s experience and expertise to influence system change;

·Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with sector colleagues to support joint strategic engagement including policy advocacy and strategic legal work;

·Work closely with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors to drive changes in the UK asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems through strategic legal work.

Finance & Fundraising

·Work closely with the CEO and the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Finance Team to set and manage budget(s) and general financial matters for Asylum Aid

·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and the Group Finance Team, establish systems for monitoring legal aid Work In Progress and billing, and securing casework income including legal aid, and inter partes income from judicial review cases;

·Work closely with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Fundraising and Communications Team to secure funding for Asylum Aid from a range of sources including trusts and foundations, corporate philanthropy and major donors;

·Ensure that Legal Aid and other income is maximised, and targets are achieved.

Other duties

·Manage the recruitment and supervision of volunteers where necessary in collaboration with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Volunteers Coordinator;

·Support the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Facilities team to ensure the smooth running of the office and that the facilities meet the needs of Asylum Aid;

·Work outside normal office hours as required and travel in order to carry out the responsibilities of the post.

·To undertake any task that may be requested from time to time that may be consistent with the nature and scope of this post.

Essential Experience, Skills and Knowledge

•Experience of running a small to medium sized charity/legal NGO and/or legal department within the NGO sector (or other equivalent senior management role);

•Demonstrable experience of managing and leading a successful team and the ability to manage a growing team with mixed roles from team supervisors to administrative support staff, working co-operatively with colleagues to maintain transparency and effective working relationships within the team;

•Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds

•Strong understanding of good governance including legal, regulatory and financial responsibilities;

•Ability to work with a range of stakeholders from trustees to external partners;

•Experience of leading and/or participating in organisational strategic planning;

·Experience of legal policy work within the human rights field and /or of strategic litigation, whether as an NGO claimant or legal representative;

•Experience of managing diverse funding sources and setting and implementing budgets;

•Experience of working in a service delivery partnership with other organisations;

•Experience of fundraising, especially grants from trusts and foundations;

•Sound working knowledge of the law and policy as it relates to immigration,  asylum, human rights and modern slavery/trafficking;

•Demonstrable understanding of the asylum and human rights sector in the UK;

•An understanding of the barriers migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers face regarding access to legal advice, reasons why they may become destitute and why this makes it more difficult to access advice and support; and

•The passion for working empathetically and supportively with migrants, refugees, stateless people and asylum seekers.

Desirable Experience

·Experience of managing the delivery of frontline casework with people in the asylum or trafficking systems

·Experience of tendering for and delivering publicly funded contracts e.g. LAA or local authority funding;

·Working knowledge of Legal Aid Agency contracts, including the delivery of casework and billing under a legal aid contract in the immigration and asylum category and/or the public law category;

How to apply 

The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 9am on 23 June 2025.

The website form will ask you to:

1.Upload a short covering letter. Please tell us why the position appeals to you, and how your relevant skills and experience, including any voluntary experience and lived experience, matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please also state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role.

2.Upload your current CV

3.Complete an online Equal Opportunities monitoring form – completion of this form will help us ensure that our recruitment procedures operate in such a way as to provide genuine equality of opportunity. The questions are entirely optional, and this information will not be available to members of the selection panel.

For an informal conversation about the post before applying, please contact Alison Pickup, the current Executive Director.

Selection Process

We anticipate that we will invite candidates to an initial online interview on Wednesday 3rd July 2025, followed by shortlisted candidates attending in-person interviews at our office in Old Street on Wednesday 9 July 2025.

We regret that we can only respond to applicants who make it to the interview stage.

We offer a guaranteed initial interview for refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration, provided that they meet at least 50% of the essential criteria.

Eligibility

Please note that the successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK (as a small charity we do not have the capacity to sponsor work visas).

Successful candidates will also be subject to a basic DBS check. If appointed, you will also be required to give your consent to the charity to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment and to disclose any relevant convictions incurred during your time with us.

Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. If you require a different format of the application form, such as large print or Word format, or if you would like to discuss any specific requirements, please get in touch with us.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our commitment to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our approach to our clients, our volunteers and our staff, and we are an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer.

We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates because we are keen to make sure that our staff, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in.

We genuinely welcome and encourage applications from candidates from a range of backgrounds, especially people of colour, people with disabilities, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration or trauma and of the housing and welfare system, who are under-represented in our organisation.

We recognise and value the role of lived experience in meeting the needs of our clients and acknowledge the under-representation of people with lived experience of forced migration and statelessness in the advice sector. We value experience gained overseas as well as in the UK.

We are also proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector.

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network and access other information and resources which may help in preparing your job application.

Please complete the form on their website to request support and they will confirm if they can match you with a mentor to support your application.

Global Policy and Campaigns Planning and Performance Lead

Contract: Permanent, Fulltime, 35 hours per week

Location: London, UK, subject to the right to work (other locations can be considered)

UK Hybrid Working: A minimum of 40% of working time is spent face to face, either in London office, or as a result of external engagement or travel for WaterAid. WaterAid is located at Canary Wharf, London and this will be your location and contract base.

*60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid is currently defined as: 60% of an employee’s time in a location of their choice, 40% face to face, defined as in the London office, at conferences or at stakeholder meetings or other location as relevant for the proper performance of the duties of the role. 

Salary: £57,415 - £60,436 with excellent benefits

About WaterAid:

Want to use your skills in planning, M&E and project management to play a vital role in making clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene for everyone everywhere?

We need passionate, creative and dedicated people. In return, you will be encouraged and empowered to be yourself at your very best. Together, we will make a bigger difference.

Join WaterAid as Global Policy and Campaigns Planning and Performance Lead to change normal for millions of people so they can unlock their potential, break free from poverty and change their lives for good.

About the Team:

This role reports directly to the Executive Director of WaterAid’s Global Policy and Campaigns (GPAC) team and is a member of GPAC’s Senior Management Team (SMT). GPAC sets WaterAid’s 10-year policy agenda and positions, supporting colleagues across all levels to advocate on this agenda and bring WaterAid together to advocate for change on a set of global priorities. We also directly influence decision-makers at global and regional levels on these priorities as well as bringing in external political insights into the organisation to increase our collective effectiveness.

About the Role:

As GPAC’s Planning and Performance Lead you will help us understand how the department is contributing towards WaterAid’s global strategy and maximise our global impact. The role will support GPAC’s work by leading the planning and performance assessment work, focussing on ensuring that the advocacy activity delivered across the department is aligned and working towards the same outcomes.

The role will work closely with the Directors in GPAC’s SMT and with members of the International Programmes Department (IPD) SMT to ensure that both departments’ plans are aligned. It will also engage with key Federation members involved in global policy, advocacy and campaigns work, with the WaterAid International Secretariat, and with the Global and UK performance, strategy and planning teams.

In this role, you will lead the design of the planning process for the department to deliver annual plans, ensuring alignment with similar processes in key Federation members and other departments, as well as being integrated with the wider organisation’s planning cycles.

You’ll also: 

• Project manage the implementation of the planning process, working in close coordination with GPAC SMT directors as well as and as relevant with other WaterAid, Member and WaterAid International directors.
• Lead the process to deliver an M&E framework for GPAC (including new metrics as relevant), that balances the effort required with the need to drive data informed decisions and actions.
• Run the quarterly and annual reporting cycle, working with senior leaders in GPAC to deliver high quality data, run learning sessions to reflect on the data to enable data driven and effective decision making.
• Manage the regular collation of data across the department and shared to the wider organisation, including to the Executive and Board reporting processes
• Represent GPAC in wider WaterAid UK and global groups around performance and planning.
• Support GPAC to partner closely with IPD to track Country Programme support requests, and use insights to inform strategic planning of the department.
• Be the internal communications lead for the department on matters related to planning and performance, working with the central internal communications function as appropriate.

Requirements

To be successful, you’ll need: 

• Experience of leading performance and planning cycles within complex organisations.
• Background in M&E within NGO or comparable contexts. Understands the complexity around assessing performance.
• Excellent project management skills to optimise the use of resources; manage multiple projects and conflicting priorities using insightful interpretation and resourceful solutions.
• Ability to think strategically across complex and fast-moving environments; able to concentrate on the big picture and respond to trends and shifts in the wider world.
• Collaborative: able to work with teams from a variety of backgrounds and build credibility and trust with key stakeholders.
• Able to facilitate group discussions to develop and drive forward strategic plans and work.
• Organised, efficient, with a high level of attention to detail.
• Comfortable with working with incomplete data and high levels of ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Working style that reflects WaterAid’s values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation.

Although not essential, we also prefer you to have:

• Background in Policy or Advocacy or knowledge of global advocacy M&E.

View full job description here

Closing Date: Applications will close 12:00 PM UK Time on Monday, 16 June 2025. 

Availability for the first round virtual interview is required week commencing Monday 23 June 2025. Availability for the final round virtual interview is required week commencing Monday 30 June 2025.

How to Apply: Click ‘Apply’ to complete the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and an essential cover letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application? At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre-employment screening: To apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to the applicable laws in the respective countries to comply with our Safer Recruitment policy. All our UK-based vacancies require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

• 36 days' holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days’ annual leave
• We offer a generous pension plan with employer contribution of up to 10%
• Wide range of flexible and agile-working arrangement
• Season Ticket Loan
• Free annual eye tests
• Pay as You Give charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced Maternity and Adoption/Surrogacy pay, Shared Parental Leave and Paternity Leave
• Sabbaticals
• Volunteer Day

Our Global Commitment:

Our People Promise:

We will work with passion and focus to ensure safe and sustainable water, toilets and hygiene are available to everyone, everywhere. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have.  We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to put the wellbeing of our people first, to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal opportunities:

We are an equal opportunity, disability-confident employer and are dedicated to achieving the highest standards of diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions and ways of life. This includes, but is not limited to, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, national or social origin, health status, and economic or social situation.

Safeguarding:

We are also committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. As a safeguarding measure, WaterAid carries out background checks on all potential employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.

Role: Senior Officer, Policy & Advocacy (Climate Change & Environment)

Reporting To: Policy & Advocacy Adviser (Climate Change & Environment)

Salary: £47,333

Location: Remote working (preference for GMT +/- 8h). 

For non-UK candidates: Please note that you would be hired via Deel either as a contractor or as an employee with local national benefits.

Contract duration: 3 year fixed-term contract, renewable

Probation period: 6 months

Contract type: Full-time or part-time (minimum 4 days a week), compressed hours and flexible working arrangements available

Closing date: 13 June 2025 at 23:30 UK time

What does United for Global Mental Health do?

At United for Global Mental Health, we work with trusted partners to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and increase support for mental health worldwide.

The United for Global Mental Health team is made up of diverse, passionate and knowledgeable individuals based in the UK and in countries around the world. By combining our extensive in-house expertise in advocacy, financing and campaigning with the unique insights of our many partners, we’re making progress on ensuring that everyone, everywhere has someone to turn to in support of their mental health. You can read about our three-year strategy and our 2024 impact report here.

What will I be doing? 

This role will support the delivery of several activities within our portfolio of activities on climate change, the environment, and mental health. The four main areas of work that the Senior Officer will be responsible for include:

• Leading work with national partners (50% of post)

• Integration of people with lived experience (hereafter referred to as PWLE) across the portfolio (25% of post)

• Developing our advocacy on the intersection of air pollution and mental health (15% of post)

• Developing our advocacy on the intersection of biodiversity loss and mental health (10% of post)

National level work (50% of post)

A key component of the current project will be to support national partners in a subset of countries globally (approximately 6 countries) to advocate for action on climate change and mental health. The final set of countries is yet to be defined but will likely include one country per WHO region and one country from the Small Islands Developing States. The specific responsibilities of this component will include:

• Lead in the selection of national partners in each country. This will include supporting the running of a competitive process to select one civil-society organisation based in each country to conduct the work

• Strengthen the capacity of national partners to work on climate change and mental health (e.g., via training to national partners to be delivered by the Senior Officer), if required

• Support national partners in advocating for the integration of mental health into climate policies, including but not limited to Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plans, Heat Health Action Plans etc.

• Lead in cohort-building activities for this subset of countries (e.g., organising regular meetings, ensuring shared learnings etc.)

• With the support of our Operations team, support in the logistics of sub-contracting national partners and monitoring deliverables

Involvement of people with lived experience (25% of post)

The meaningful engagement of PWLE of mental health challenges is central to all work at United for Global Mental Health. The specific responsibilities of this component will include:

• Leading on setting up and coordinating a Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG), which will meet every two months to provide guidance to UnitedGMH and national partners on their work on climate and health. The Senior Officer will be responsible for recruiting approximately 12 PWLE (2 x WHO region), organising regular meetings, and ensuring that the feedback of PWLE is integrated across different projects

• Support the attendance of PWLE to key global advocacy moments in a meaningful, safe, and impactful way

• Support national partners on the integration of lived experience considerations in their work on climate change and mental health 

Work on air pollution and mental health (15% of post)

The evidence on air pollution and mental health is a nascent, but rapidly growing, area of interest. The specific responsibilities of this component will include:

• Scope what concrete opportunities exist for integrating mental health considerations into air pollution policies at the global, regional, and national levels 

• Build connections with organisations working on air pollution and clean air policies

• Refine our messaging on air pollution and mental health

• Lead on the production of one advocacy brief on air pollution and mental health

Work on biodiversity loss and mental health (10% of post)

There is emerging evidence on the association between biodiversity loss and mental health, but very little work has yet been done in the policy space. The specific responsibilities of this component will include:

• Scoping what concrete opportunities exist for integrating mental health considerations into biodiversity policies at the global, regional, and national levels 

• Build connections with organisations working on biodiversity, conservation, and nature

• Refine our messaging on biodiversity and mental health

• Lead the production of one advocacy brief on pesticide use and suicide

• Lead on our engagement with the Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (biodiversity COP)

Is this job for me?

Requirements

• A minimum of 3 years of experience working on global mental health policy, advocacy, research, or practice

• Expertise in managing and engaging with multiple different types of stakeholders (e.g., civil society, UN agencies, governments etc.) 

• Experience working on co-creation, patient and public involvement (PPI), or working with people with lived experience of mental health problems

• Excellent project management skills and strong planning skills including attention to detail, critical thinking, multi-tasking and problem-solving

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team

• Expertise in the development of funding proposals and ability to track and report on grant deliverables

• Expertise in organising meetings, events, and small gatherings of partners and other stakeholders

• Ability to travel 2-3 times a year internationally

Desirable

• Expertise in climate change and mental health is desirable but not required

• Experience of working in low- and middle-income countries on mental health is desirable but not required

• Experience of working on influencing policy within a government is desirable but not required

• Fluency in English is essential, the ability to work in a second UN language would be an advantage (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian)

Diversity and inclusion

Equity, diversity and inclusion are central to UnitedGMH’s core mission and values, and the organisation is dedicated to promoting this across our work and also within the workplace. We will ensure that this commitment is embedded in all operational aspects of the organisation and also implemented within our day-to-day working practices.

Reasonable adjustments statement

We aim to ensure that all applicants are provided with the same opportunities during the recruitment process. Should you have a disability and require a particular adjustment to be made to allow you to fully participate in the recruitment process, please ensure that this is made known to the person arranging your interview.

How can I apply?

To apply please submit your CV and a cover letter (800 words maximum) via Charity Job. 

Selection process

• A subset of candidates will be invited to:

  • Submit a short written assignment

  • Participate in at least 2 online interviews between the 1st of July and the 18th of July

Benefits

• 28 days of holiday a year plus national holidays in your country of residency 

• Possibility of being hired by Deel as a local employee (with local pension and social security benefits) or as a contractor (decision up to the employee based on personal preference)

• Up to 1000£ a year of allowance for office space

• Up to 500£ a year in personal development training allowance

• A minimum of 1 in-person team retreat a year

• Possibility to work from anywhere in the world (where you have the legal right to work from)

• Possibility to work compressed hours 

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme via HealthAssured

• [For UK-based staff] You contribute 5% of your salary and we pay for 3% (8% total)

This role will play a leadership role in delivering our ambitious policy influencing programme, helping to shape and implement influencing plans to bring about the changes needed to reduce, prevent and eventually end the need for food banks in the UK.  It will provide management and oversight to some of our strategic projects.

Role responsibilities

· Developing and implementing Trussell’s influencing strategy

Working with teams across the organisation to ensure key groups, including our community of food banks, corporate partners, churches and church-related organisations have a clear role in our policy influencing approach.

· Planning and delivering impactful public affairs activity

Ensuring systems are in place to help plan, monitor and evaluate public affairs activity and maximise opportunities to engage with key audiences, including Parliamentarians, advisers, and UK Government Ministers; and support close working with colleagues in all UK nations and regions.  Managing the development and delivery of public affairs activity to support high profile influencing campaigns.

· Building and managing strong relationships with key external stakeholders

Developing relationships, partnerships and networks to help raise the profile, credibility and influence of Trussell and our policy positions, particularly in the UK Parliament.  Representing Trussell and promoting the organisation’s policy position to key audiences, including in meetings and events with Parliamentarians.

· Developing public affairs support to the food bank community

Working closely with a small team of Network Policy and Research Officers and the Organising and Local Mobilisation team to support our community of food banks to build and maintain strong relationships with their local MPs.  Ensuring public affairs activity is well aligned to campaign strategies involving the food bank network.

· Embedding participatory approaches across our public affairs and wider influencing activity

Supporting further development of a participatory approach to policy influencing to ensure it is rooted in the lived experience of individuals affected by poverty.  This includes ensuring an ethical approach in line with our values.

· Providing advice and line management

Have line management responsibility for individuals within the team, providing pastoral and development guidance along with task management on key projects.  This includes regular 1:1s, objective setting and collaborative monitoring, and support with development needs.

Person Specification

Technical skills and minimum knowledge:

· Track record of successfully influencing politicians and key decision-makers to achieve strategic goals at different levels of government.

· Track record of delivering strategic public affairs activity based on robust evidence, from development to evaluation.

· Can explain components of effective policy influencing, including knowledge of the machinery and structure of government (UK, devolved, local) and experience of informing campaigns activity to mobilise support for policy change.

· Demonstrates a good understanding of policies that affect UK poverty and hunger.  Can explain policy motivations of main political parties and can advise on how to influence them most effectively.

· Excellent written and oral communication skills, particularly in demonstrating enthusiasm and experience when communicating complex topics to non-specialist audiences.

· Experience of line managing, including dealing with performance issues and supporting team development.

Behaviours and competencies:

· Works collaboratively, managing challenges in a constructive manner

· Balances competing priorities and work to tight deadlines

· Demonstrates a dedication to the values of Trussell

· Demonstrates empathy for people from disadvantages, marginalised or socially excluded backgrounds

· Role models inclusive behaviour, values and leadership