Policy and practice advisors jobs in Edinburgh

Do you have experience managing end-to-end recruitment campaigns, using creative sourcing methods to identify and attract talented candidates? Would you like to recruit diverse people into an organisation that makes a life-changing difference to people affected by dementia?
We are recruiting for a Talent Acquisition Advisor to join on a full-time basis, working 35 hours per week on a permanent contract.

We’ve been on an exciting journey to transform the way we recruit at Alzheimer’s Society, and we’re now looking for a talented recruitment professional to help bring that transformation to life by embedding new ways of working and driving lasting impact.

As a trusted advisor, you’ll work closely with hiring managers across the organisation, coaching and guiding them to make confident, inclusive, and evidence-based hiring decisions. You’ll influence how recruitment is delivered at every stage, from designing fair attraction strategies to embedding best practice interview and selection methods.

Every day, you’ll be helping managers across the organisation recruit diverse people into the right roles, supporting services that make a life-changing difference to people affected by dementia.

About you
Joining us, you’ll have experience managing end-to-end recruitment campaigns across a variety of roles or sectors. You’ll be able to partner effectively with hiring managers, understand a vacancy brief and utilise creative sourcing methods to identify and attract talented candidates. As with every recruitment role, you’ll need to be organised and proactive with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks effectively.

Crucially, you’ll have the knowledge and interpersonal skills required to manage stakeholder relationships and expectations and you’ll be able to coach and guide hiring managers through the full recruitment lifecycle. You’ll also care about creating inclusive hiring experiences and reducing bias in recruitment, with the ability to positively challenge, advocate for change and identify how we can improve our processes.

We are looking for someone who shares our values of Determination, Compassion, Trusted Expertise, and Better Together.

What you’ll focus on:

- Delivering end-to-end recruitment campaigns for a variety of non-managerial and high-volume roles.
- Partnering with hiring managers to shape fair, effective, and creative attraction strategies.
- Advising on inclusive selection methods, interview best practice, and safer recruitment compliance.
- Using data and insights to continuously improve recruitment outcomes and candidate experience.
- Collaborating with the wider Talent Acquisition team on transformation initiatives, including ATS (Eploy) optimisation.

About Alzheimer's Society - who are we and what’s our mission?  

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.  

At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re the UK’s leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding ground-breaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.  

Together with our supporters, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for. 

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging  

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as part of a minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.     

Our hiring process 

We want you to bring your whole self to the process. Applications are anonymised until interview stage, and we’re happy to support any adjustments. Share your feedback via our candidate survey when applying to help us improve. We may close early if we receive high interest (with 48 hours’ notice). Some roles may require a DBS check as part of our safer recruitment commitment. Thinking about using AI during the recruitment process? We know this can be helpful in many ways but remember to include your personal and authentic self too. Your voice and experience are what really set you apart. 

Giving back to you  

At Alzheimer’s Society, we value our people and take a total reward approach to pay and benefits. You’ll enjoy a generous double-matched pension scheme, 27 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays and wellbeing days), and access to a free Health Shield Cash Plan, 24/7 EAP, Thrive mental wellbeing support, and virtual GP services.

Our Society Plus platform offers exclusive discounts, wellbeing resources, and recognition schemes, while our flexible working, family-friendly policies, and life assurance provide peace of mind and work/life balance. We also offer a free Will-writing service and long service awards to recognise your ongoing commitment.

Harris Hill is delighted to be partnering with a well-established London charity that supports families facing financial hardship. We are seeking a People Advisor to join their collaborative and values-driven People team, playing a key role in supporting colleagues and managers across the organisation.

This is a flexible opportunity that can be offered on either a part-time or full-time basis (28–35 hours per week), and the organisation is open to discussing working patterns that suit the successful candidate. The role is predominantly home-based, with monthly team meetings in Central London and occasional travel to the charity’s centres across Central London to support colleagues and operational needs.

The position is a highly generalist HR role with broad exposure across the full employee lifecycle. The successful candidate will provide expert advice and guidance to managers and staff, support recruitment and onboarding, manage employee relations cases, oversee probation and contractual changes, maintain accurate HR records and reporting, contribute to learning and development initiatives, support payroll administration, and help ensure policies and procedures remain compliant and effective. Working closely with the Director of People, the postholder will also have the opportunity to contribute to wider People projects across areas such as engagement, wellbeing, inclusion, reward, and organisational development.

We are looking for an approachable and proactive HR professional with strong generalist HR experience and a good understanding of UK employment law, policies and procedures, and HR best practice. You will be confident managing a varied workload, handling employee relations matters, building positive relationships with managers and colleagues, and working both independently and collaboratively. Excellent organisational and communication skills are essential, as is a genuine commitment to supporting people and helping create an inclusive, positive workplace culture. Experience within the charity or wider not-for-profit sector would be welcomed, although candidates from other sectors with relevant HR advisory experience are also encouraged to apply.

For HR professionals looking for a varied role with flexibility, autonomy, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference within a purpose-driven organisation, this is an excellent opportunity.

To apply, please submit your up-to-date CV by 23:59 on 19 July 2026. A cover letter is not required at this stage. Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to complete a short application form before progressing to interview.

Please note, only successful applicants will be contacted with further information.

As a leading charity recruitment specialist and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Programme & Partnerships Lead

Permanent. Full Time

Location: This role could also be based in one of our UK offices which are: Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Warrington

Salary - £56,736 per year for Cardiff, Edinburgh, Warrington. £61,668 per year for London

If we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close the advert before the scheduled closing date. Therefore, we encourage interested applicants to apply at their earliest convenience. 

About us

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

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

About the role

Reporting in to the Global Head of Programme Policy and Practice, the Programme & Partnerships Lead is pivotal to the design, strategic oversight and impact success of signature programmes for the wider organization . It works closely with Multi Country Clusters (MCC) leadership to ensure coherence of the signature programme and ensure the programmes contribute to the wider organization's impact framework under the new strategy .

The role oversees key technical capacity for global programmes covering MEAL, Programme partnerships and Programme Portfolio Management . The role provides technical oversight on the core signature programme architectural processes and methodologies , and provides leadership to the wider organization in ensuring programme , partnership and MEAL frameworks are enhanced and organizational capacity is built on decolonized and locally-led approaches to programming and partnerships.

The role provides programmatic leadership to Impact department and sits on the leadership team of the Programme , Policy and Practice Division (PPPD). Across MCC programme portfolios this role will provide support to ensure a coherent application of our partnership principles and alignment with organizational values and goals.

The role provides leadership in managing the MEAL Advisor , a Programme Impact and Portfolio Management Advisor, and a Partnership & Civil Society and Faith specialist to help deliver high-impact programmes with an emphasis on decolonial approaches and methodologies. The role will provide specific support to the development of Christian Aid’s faith based partnerships. The role spearheads localisation and CSO approach as an underpinning ethos of the new organizational mode.

Some of the main responsibilities of the Programme & Partnerships Lead include:

• Inspire and motivate the team and colleagues in the Programme Policy and Practice division to support MCC’s, to drive meaningful impact across our programmes.
• Work across Departments to support the design of signature programmes, including building connections across the MCCs, developing an appropriate MEAL framework and ensuring effective reporting and links to Organisational Effectiveness.
• Guide the Global MEAL Advisor and collaborate with Organisational Effectiveness Department to commission internal and external impact evaluations and research for signature programmes and the wider organization impact framework ; this will include a focus on decolonial approaches to evaluation.
• With an emphasis on signature programmes work with IPE and MCCs to identify opportunities for the further development of signature programmes.
• Ensure financial processes and guardrails are in place to support the strategic allocation of programme resources to MCCs.
• Develop and maintains strong cross sector and internal relationships that fosters cross-functional consensus.
• Collaborate with MCC's to develop

About you

Who we are looking for:

Essential:

• Degree or equivalent qualification in business, economics, international development, or a related discipline.
• Significant senior management/ leadership experience.
• Experience in problem solving to unblock obstacles for programme delivery success.
• Experience of developing innovative multi-country programmes.
• Experience of developing budget recommendations linked to multi-country programmes.
• Experience of team design and recruitment of programme delivery roles
• Substantial experience of partnership management.
• Substantial experience of project design, monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Openness to understanding and working with decolonised approaches to project design, monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Understanding of financial controls and procedures including due-diligence processes - highly numerate.
• Highly developed communication skill written and verbal.

Desirable:

• Developed understanding of operating with a total economy approach.
• Highly developed relationship building and facilitation and senior stakeholder engagement.
• Developed ability to devise and implement strategies.
• Highly developed negotiation skills.

Further information

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

We are actively encouraging racialised minorities, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people with caring responsibilities, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, women, and older workers to apply. This is because these groups are under-represented within our teams, especially at senior level, and we recognise and value the contributions members of these groups make to strong, creative and high performing teams. 

We have a strong Christian ethos and we encourage applications from all faiths. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of and sympathy with Christian Aid’s faith identity. 

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

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

The Stuart Hall Foundation is seeking an experienced Operations and Finance Manager to support the effective financial, operational, and governance management of the Foundation. Working closely with the Executive Director, team and Trustees, the role plays a key part in ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the organisation and its long-term sustainability.

About the Stuart Hall Foundation

Inspired by the life and work of the eminent scholar and intellectual Professor Stuart Hall, the Stuart Hall Foundation (SHF) was launched in 2015 by his family, friends and colleagues to continue his life’s work and build on his unique and distinct legacy by attending to the urgent political, social, and cultural questions of our time. Our mission is to popularise critical thought by supporting the creative and intellectual development of a new generation of artists, academics and activists who are dedicated to challenging issues of inequality through their work. We pursue this mission by equipping underrepresented practitioners with the learning resources and research opportunities necessary to shape and expand public debates on politics, history and culture. We fulfil our mission by:

• Creating Opportunities - offering artist residencies, commissions, scholarships, fellowships, and other opportunities to underrepresented people from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines, and geographic locations.
• Convening Spaces - creating digital and physical spaces for the public, our network of artists, researchers, activists and other stakeholders to exchange and generate ideas together.
• Developing Digital Resources - creating free-to-access digital learning resources that encourage critical thinking and interdisciplinary approaches to address contemporary political and cultural issues (across arts, academia and cultural activism).

Role Description

The Operations and Finance Manager will play a central role in ensuring the effective day-to-day running of the Foundation. The postholder will lead on governance, administration, finance, compliance and organisational systems, ensuring the charity operates efficiently, meets its regulatory obligations and has the infrastructure required to deliver its strategic objectives.

Working closely with the Executive Director, team, Treasurer, and Trustees, the Operations and Finance Manager will oversee financial management, governance processes, organisational administration and operational planning, while also supporting fundraising activities to ensure the Foundation’s long-term sustainability and effectiveness.

Required Experience and Skills

Operations, Finance and Governance

• Proven experience in an operations or administrative management role within a charity, arts, or non-profit organisation.
• Understanding of charity governance and experience supporting Boards, Committees, or Trustees.
• Strong financial management experience, including budgeting and cash flow monitoring, invoice processing, payroll administration, project budget reconciliation, preparation of management accounts and financial reports, and coordination of year-end accounts preparation.
• Excellent attention to detail, with a track record of maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with organisational policies and procedures.

People and Organisational Management

• Knowledge of HR processes, including recruitment, payroll, and fostering positive work culture.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential staff and organisational information.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Communications and Digital Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly IT literate, with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (including Word and Excel) and the ability to quickly learn and use a range of digital collaboration and organisational tools, such as Zoom, Dropbox, Notion, and similar software.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and adaptable, with the ability to take initiative, prioritise tasks, and respond effectively to changing circumstances.
• Collaborative and personable, with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with colleagues, Trustees, stakeholders, suppliers, and partners.
• Passionate about organisational planning and supporting teams to operate effectively and efficiently.  

Desirable Experience

• Experience supporting grant management, fundraising administration, or donor reporting.
• Experience using cloud-based accounting software, such as Xero, to support financial management and reporting.
• Experience working remotely and managing priorities effectively within a distributed team environment.
• Interest in the work, legacy and impact of Professor Stuart Hall

 Application Process

To apply, please complete the online application form, available on the Stuart Hall Foundation's website.

As part of the application form you will be required to submit a CV (maximum two pages), a one-page A4 cover letter, and contact details for two professional referees.

We also encourage applicants to complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. This is optional and will not form part of the selection process.

The deadline for applications is 2nd August 2026 at 23:59pm. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept late applications.

Interviews will take place via Zoom on w/c 24th August 2026.

The appointment is subject to satisfactory previous employment references.

Diversity, social justice and access were central to Stuart Hall’s work in education and the arts, and are embedded in the Foundation’s values, programme and approach. The Stuart Hall Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

Lead the launch of the UK's first Refugee Employment Marketplace and help transform how displaced people connect with jobs, employers and employment support.​ This is a remote, home-based role for candidates currently based in Wales. 

The Refugee Employment Network (REN) is the UK's national network dedicated exclusively to refugee employment. We bring together employers, charities, local authorities, government and refugee-led organisations to improve employment outcomes and create a more inclusive labour market.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Digital Product Lead to lead the implementation, rollout and continuous improvement of the Refugee Employment Marketplace and wider digital systems across the Refugee Employment Network.

The Refugee Employment Marketplace is a digital platform connecting displaced people in the UK with jobs, employers and employment support.

Working closely with developers, partners and users, you will help ensure the Marketplace is successfully implemented, accessible, adopted and scaled across Wales and the wider REN network. We're looking for someone who enjoys turning ideas into practical solutions, building partnerships and using digital to create social impact.

Purpose of the Role and Key Responsibilities

1. Digital Product Development & Delivery

· Lead the implementation, customisation and continuous improvement of the Refugee Employment Marketplace to meet REN’s organisational goals and user needs.

· Work with external platform providers and developers to coordinate product delivery, customisation, timelines and ongoing improvements.

· Build and maintain project plans, documentation and delivery processes to support successful implementation and rollout.

· Coordinate platform testing, user feedback and troubleshooting to improve functionality, accessibility and user experience.

· Support the integration of REN’s wider digital systems, including website and CRM.

2. Co-design & Partnerships

· Convene and coordinate REN’s Digital Advisory Group to inform the design and continuous improvement of the Refugee Employment Marketplace.

· Facilitate focus groups, user testing and feedback sessions with refugees, employers, charities, local authorities and employment advisers to improve platform design, accessibility and user experience.

· Ensure experts by experience are meaningfully involved in shaping and testing the platform.

3. Platform Rollout, Training & User Support

· Lead the rollout and adoption of the Refugee Employment Marketplace across Wales and the wider REN network.

· Develop onboarding processes, training and guidance materials  to support effective use of the platform.

· Act as the first point of contact for user support, including account setup, login support, troubleshooting and user journey guidance.

4. CRM, Website & Digital Infrastructure Management

· Lead the scoping, procurement and implementation of a new CRM system

· Oversee the integration and continuous improvement of REN’s website and wider digital systems to ensure they are integrated and accessible. 

5. Data, Reporting & Digital Compliance

· Lead on data protection, GDPR compliance and digital security across REN’s digital platforms and systems.

· Maintain accurate, secure and effective data management practices, including user records, permissions and data quality.

6. Marketplace Growth, Sustainability & Impact

· Build relationships with employers, industry bodies and strategic partners to grow platform adoption, secure opportunities and strengthen the value proposition of the Marketplace.

· Support the matching of displaced talent to jobs, opportunities and employment support, including manual interventions where needed to improve outcomes and user experience.

· Track and report on employment outcomes, employer engagement and platform impact to inform growth, improvement and sustainability.

Person Specification

We recognise that no candidate is likely to meet every criteria listed below. We encourage applications from people who can demonstrate the skills, knowledge and potential to succeed in this role, even if they have gained their experience in different sectors, countries or through voluntary, community or lived experience.

We welcome transferable skills and experience gained through paid work, voluntary roles, community leadership or lived experience, in the UK or internationally.

Essential

Digital Product & Project Management

· Experience managing or supporting the development, implementation, rollout and continuous improvement of digital products, platforms or technology-enabled projects.

· Experience managing external developers, contractors or digital suppliers to deliver digital products or systems.

· Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to work independently, use initiative and manage competing priorities.

·Ability to support the implementation and adoption of new digital products, platforms or systems.

Partnerships & Training

·Currently based in Wales, with the ability to build relationships and engage with employers, partners and stakeholders across the country.

·    Strong relationship-building skills, with experience developing partnerships and growing engagement with employers, charities, government or sector organisations to support the adoption and growth of a digital product, platform, project or service.

·Ability to facilitate workshops, focus groups or training sessions to support the adoption of digital tools or systems, or equivalent transferable experience.

·Ability to communicate digital information clearly to non-technical audiences through training, onboarding and user support.

Digital Systems & User Support

· Experience developing, managing or supporting digital platforms, CRM systems, websites or other online tools.

· Ability to provide day-to-day user support, including onboarding, troubleshooting and helping users engage confidently with digital platforms.

· Understanding of user-centred design, accessibility and digital inclusion.

Data and Compliance

· Experience using data, analytics or reporting to inform digital improvements and decision-making.

· Understanding of GDPR, data protection and digital security best practice.

Values & Commitment

· Commitment to REN’s mission and passion for improving refugee employment outcomes, equity and inclusion.=

Desirable

· Lived experience as a refugee, asylum seeker, displaced person or migrant, or direct experience of the UK immigration or asylum system.

· Experience of CRM procurement, implementation or data migration.

· Knowledge of refugee employment barriers and the wider migration or asylum landscape in the UK.

Equity and inclusion at the Refugee Employment Network

The Refugee Employment Network values equity, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and we encourage 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 status, or socio-economic background.

We are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we work with. We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as experts by experience and recognise the valuable insight that lived experience of forced displacement, migration and the UK asylum and immigration system brings to our work. Please note that candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

We respect that people’s identity is not defined by their past experiences and do not expect candidates to describe their lived experience during the application or interview process unless they wish to do so.

How to apply

Application, CV and Cover Letter

To apply, please complete the application Type form by 5pm on Sunday, 9 August. You will be asked to upload your CV and a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) when completing the Typeform application. Link in the JD. 

In your cover letter, please outline how you meet the criteria listed above and how your experience is relevant to the role. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all the requirements listed in the person specification. We value experience from both paid and voluntary roles, in the UK or overseas, and encourage you to demonstrate your passion for the role, as well as the unique perspectives and skills you bring.

Lead the operations, governance and compliance that enable Solving Kids' Cancer UK to deliver its mission and impact for children and families affected by neuroblastoma. Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will play a critical role in ensuring the charity operates effectively, compliantly and sustainably.

This broad and varied leadership role spans governance, risk, HR, IT, data protection and organisational operations, supporting delivery of the charity's strategy through robust systems, policies and processes. Acting as Company Secretary, you will work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees, providing advice on governance, regulatory requirements and best practice. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will oversee key operational functions, lead cross-organisational projects and deputise for the CEO where required.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a strategic, highly organised and values-driven leader with strong experience in charity operations, governance and compliance. You will have a track record of ensuring organisations are well run, compliant and effectively managed, with the ability to oversee multiple operational areas and support strong governance and decision-making at Board level.

You will be comfortable working across a broad remit, including governance, risk, HR, IT and data protection, and confident providing clear, practical advice to senior leaders and trustees.

Person specification

Key requirements include:

• Significant senior-level experience in operations, governance or compliance within a charity or similar environment. 
• Strong understanding of charity governance and regulation, with experience supporting boards and senior leadership. 
• Experience overseeing organisational functions such as HR, IT, data protection or risk. 
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-organisational work effectively. 
• Strong judgement, integrity and the ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion. 

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for information about Solving Kids' Cancer UK. 

This is an opportunity to make a significant contribution at the heart of a small, ambitious charity where strong operations are a vital enabler of impact for children and families.

Location: Home-based, within easy reach of London, with regular travel to the London office and occasional UK-wide travel.

First-stage interview: Thursday 6 August 

Second-stage interview: Thursday 13 August

We are looking for a Community Support Coordinator for Kent, who will lead and develop a team of Volunteers, helping to deliver safe, inclusive and person-centred support.

You will work closely with health and social care professionals, MDT’s, local partners and volunteers to connect people affected by MND with the information, services and support they need.

At the Motor Neurone Disease Association, we work to improve care, support and quality of life for people affected by MND. As a Community Support Coordinator, you will play a key role in ensuring our support reaches people when they need it most.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, recruit, develop and support a team of Community Support Volunteers.
• Respond to enquiries and referrals, providing information and connecting people with appropriate support.
• Build effective relationships with health and social care professionals, hospices and local partners.
• Support volunteer groups and branches to understand and respond to local needs.
• Facilitate collaboration between volunteers, staff and external stakeholders.
• Promote safe and inclusive services, ensuring compliance with safeguarding and organisational policies.
• Work with regional colleagues to support awareness, fundraising and campaigning activities.
• Monitor activity, maintain accurate records and contribute to service development.
• Identify gaps in local support and contribute to improvements in services.
• Encourage effective communication and engagement across the volunteer network

About You

• Experience leading, managing or coordinating volunteers or volunteer-led services.
• Understanding of care and support services within the statutory, voluntary or private sectors.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and supporting people at risk of harm.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and presentation skills.
• Full driving licence and willingness to travel within the region
• Experience supporting people and assessing needs using a person-centred approach.
• Ability to build partnerships and influence a wide range of stakeholders.
• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise and make decisions independently.
• Good IT skills and confidence using a range of digital systems.

This is a home-based role with frequent travel across Kent

Further information about MND Association and full job description is available in the attached Candidate Pack.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

What We Offer

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave)
• Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Opportunities for training and personal development

About Us

Motor Neurone Disease moves fast. It takes away time, it takes away independence and it has no cure. Every day we support people affected by MND. We fund ground-breaking research. We campaign for better care. We’re here for everyone who needs us. Because with MND, every day matters.

Title:     Engagement Manager

Salary:     £42,000–£52,000 (depending on experience)

Contract:     Permanent

Hours:     37.5 per week (Monday to Friday) 

Holiday:     25 days per year plus bank holidays 

Location:     Home based with regular travel within / to London and across the UK

Probationary Period:     3 months

Reports to:     Head of Department 

Benefits:     An additional 3 days holiday between Christmas and New Year, Flexitime policy, 5% pension contribution

Line Management:     Depending on experience, may line-manage the Senior Engagement Coordinator. 

We are River Action

We are a small and agile campaigning organisation on a mission to rescue Britain's rivers from a toxic cocktail of agricultural, sewage and industrial pollution and water shortages. We support community action, galvanise and mobilise public opinion, influence government policy, take legal actions and call out destructive industrial practices to incentivise changes that end river pollution and secure freshwater. 

We are building a talented team of positive disrupters and stakeholder mobilisers to deliver our strategy to urgently protect and restore our rivers for the benefit of communities, rivers and wildlife.

Britain’s rivers are our life support system and they are dying. We need urgent action to bring them back to life.

Who we are looking for

As River Action’s profile, influence and policy impact continue to grow, we are expanding our Public Affairs function to strengthen engagement with decision-makers, regulators, businesses, NGOs, strategic partners and local communities.

The Engagement Manager will play a critical role in helping River Action influence change by developing high-level relationships, building strategic partnerships and providing strategic leadership across River Action’s engagement programmes to advance our policy, legal and campaigning objectives.

This is a senior engagement leadership role responsible for providing strategic oversight of both stakeholder engagement and community engagement activity, ensuring River Action’s grassroots campaigning and external influence work are mutually reinforcing

What you’ll be doing

The Engagement Manager will lead River Action’s overall engagement strategy, providing strategic oversight of both stakeholder engagement and community engagement activity across the organisation.

Building and managing relationships with senior leaders across government, regulators, NGOs, businesses, financiers, academia and civil society, the postholder will identify opportunities to increase River Action’s influence, support policy and advocacy objectives, and help position the organisation as a leading voice on river protection and environmental reform.

The role will provide strategic direction and oversight to River Action’s community engagement work, including the River Rescue Kit, Community Toolkit and catchment-based campaigning activities, working closely with the Senior Engagement Coordinator who will lead day-to-day delivery, community support and programme implementation.

Working closely with colleagues across Public Affairs, Campaigns, Communications, Legal and Development, the Engagement Manager will ensure engagement activities contribute directly to organisational priorities and campaigns and that community insights help shape River Action’s policy, legal and campaigning work.

Main Responsibilities:

Strategic Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and deliver River Action’s stakeholder engagement strategy.

• Manage relationships with senior stakeholders and decision-makers.

• Develop and implement engagement or public affairs strategies.

• Identify, map and prioritise key stakeholders across government, regulators, business, NGOs, academia and civil society.

• Build and maintain productive relationships with senior external stakeholders.

• Create opportunities for strategic collaboration that advance River Action’s mission and objectives.

• Monitor stakeholder developments and identify opportunities and risks.

Managing Stakeholder and Community Engagement

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of River Action’s stakeholder and community engagement programme.

• Ensure effective delivery and continuous development of the River Rescue Kit and Community Toolkit as key resources supporting grassroots campaigners and community groups.

• Oversee catchment-based engagement strategies that strengthen community-led action, advocacy and campaigning.

• Work closely with the Senior Engagement Coordinator to identify opportunities to expand and strengthen River Action’s network of stakeholder and community groups, campaigners and partners.

• Ensure insights, evidence and priorities emerging from stakeholders and local communities to inform River Action’s public affairs, policy, legal and campaigning work.

• Monitor the effectiveness and impact of community engagement activities and ensure learning is shared across the organisation.

• Support the development of engagement frameworks, systems and processes that enable effective community mobilisation at scale.

Public Affairs and External Influence

• Support the delivery of River Action’s Public Affairs strategy.

• Build relationships with parliamentarians, political advisers, local authority leaders and relevant government officials.

• Support engagement with regulators including the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Ofwat and other relevant bodies.

• Represent River Action in external forums, roundtables, conferences and stakeholder meetings.

• Coordinate stakeholder engagement around key campaigns, policy initiatives and legal actions.

Strategic Partnerships

• Develop partnerships with environmental NGOs, think tanks, academic institutions, financiers and businesses.

• Identify opportunities for joint initiatives, campaigns and advocacy activity.

• Strengthen River Action’s position within the wider environmental and public policy landscape.

• Convene strategic partnerships to support policy and campaigning objectives.

Organisational Leadership

• Work closely with the Head of Public Affairs to support delivery of organisational objectives.

• Provide strategic direction, support and oversight to the Senior Engagement Coordinator, ensuring community engagement activity aligns with organisational priorities and objectives.

• Provide stakeholder intelligence and strategic advice to senior leadership.

• Contribute to organisational planning and public affairs priorities.

• Support cross-team working between Public Affairs, Campaigns, Communications, Legal and Fundraising.

• Ensure strong integration between River Action’s community engagement, public affairs, campaigns, communications and legal work.

Communications and Representation

• Act as an ambassador for River Action externally.

• Support media opportunities through stakeholder engagement and relationship building.

• Prepare briefings, stakeholder reports and engagement plans.

• Help identify influential voices and advocates who can amplify River Action’s work.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Maintain stakeholder engagement plans and CRM records.

• Monitor engagement outcomes and report against agreed KPIs.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement activity and recommend improvements.

What you’ll bring

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in stakeholder engagement, public affairs, external affairs, partnerships or advocacy.

• Experience managing relationships with senior stakeholders and decision-makers.

• Experience developing and implementing engagement or public affairs strategies.

• Experience overseeing or managing community engagement, organising or grassroots campaigning programmes.

• Experience translating community priorities and local evidence into policy, advocacy or campaigning objectives.

• Experience working across complex stakeholder environments.

• Experience representing an organisation externally.

Essential Knowledge

• Understanding of UK water-related political, regulatory and policy-making processes.

• Understanding of stakeholder engagement and influence strategies.

• Understanding of community engagement, organising and mobilisation approaches.

• Knowledge of environmental, sustainability or public policy issues.

Essential Skills

• Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills.

• Strong influencing and negotiation abilities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong strategic thinking and political awareness.

• Ability to balance strategic stakeholder engagement with community-led campaigning and mobilisation.

• Strong understanding of how grassroots engagement can support policy, legal and public affairs objectives.

• Ability to develop engagement strategies that connect local action with national influence and impact.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex stakeholder relationships.

• Excellent project management and organisational skills.

Desirable

• Knowledge of water policy, environmental regulation or agricultural policy.

• Experience engaging with Westminster, Whitehall or devolved administrations.

• Experience developing partnerships with businesses and financiers.

• Experience supporting policy or advocacy campaigns.

• Experience working with community-led environmental campaigns or citizen science initiatives.

Why join us?

• Be part of a mission-driven organisation working to restore and protect the UK’s rivers.

• Work at the heart of political and environmental change, influencing decision-makers at the highest levels.

• Work in an agile, supportive and happy work environment where your ideas and expertise will have real impact.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organisation.

Diversity and inclusion

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies show that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single criteria. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. So if you like the look of this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description, we’d still love to hear from you. You may be just the right person for this role.

How to apply

To apply, please submit to jobs at riveractionuk dot com with the subject ‘Engagement Manager’:

• your CV (2 pages), 

• a cover letter (2 pages) explaining why you want to work for River Action and how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role, and 

• a written submission (2 pages) as described below. 

Only applications including all three documents will be accepted. Please provide your documents in pdf format. 

Written submission

The Government is expected to bring forward a Clean Water Bill in Parliament. River Action wants to influence the Bill to secure stronger protections for rivers, hold polluters to account, and deliver measurable improvements in river health.

In no more than 750 words, set out how you would approach this challenge. Your response should explain:

• Which stakeholders you would prioritise engaging with, and why.

• How you would use partnerships, community groups and grassroots evidence to support your objectives.

• How you would measure the success of your approach.

• One significant challenge or risk, and how you would address it.

We are interested in your ability to think strategically, prioritise effectively, and demonstrate how engagement can help deliver policy and environmental change.

Application process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 5pm on Wednesday 15th July.

Should your application be selected during sift, the next stage will involve an initial 15-minute interview. You may then be invited to attend a second interview with a panel. 

Interviews will be held in the weeks commencing 19th July and 26th July via video conference. 

Please indicate in your covering letter or in a covering email your availability for interviews.

If you have any questions about the role or your application, please contact us on jobs at riveractionuk dot com.

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