Policy and public affairs manager jobs in belfast, northern ireland

Do you want to work with a vibrant, dynamic and youth driven organisation that is committed to creating healthy futures for British children by improving the food system?

Be part of the creative, agile and growing team behind Bite Back 2030’s exceptional teenage activists. Join us as our Senior Programmes & Policy Manager, Scotland and contribute to our journey to help make the food system healthier and fairer.

About the Role

This exciting and varied role will kick-start Bite Back's work in Scotland. Suiting a self-starter, this new role will lead our schools and local authority programme work in Scotland, whilst also seeking opportunities for young people to influence national food system policy in Scotland.

Responsibilities

The Senior Programmes & Policy Manager is responsible for:

Programme Development and Delivery

● Launching our two popular, fully funded, social action programmes in Scotland: Bite Back in Schools and Shape Your Streets; working with and visiting schools and local authorities across Scotland

● Supporting school pupils and communities to drive improvements to their local food environments and school food environments

● Helping facilitate youth-led events, workshops, and campaigns focused on food system change

● Working with our Scottish partners and building strong working relationships with participating schools, local authorities and other stakeholders

● Supporting with the monitoring, reporting and evaluation of these two programmes Youth Engagement and Voice

● Seeking out meaningful opportunities for young people to engage with and influence decision-makers in Scotland

● Ensuring youth voice is embedded across all programmes and policy work

Policy and Advocacy

● Actively seeking out opportunities to champion Scottish policy developments in health, education, and food systems

● Working closely with other organisations via established coalitions and more informal coordination around key issues, working collaboratively with values-aligned organisations to achieve our goals

● Developing briefings, consultation responses, and policy proposals, ensuring they are evidence-based and amplify youth perspectives

● Translating young people’s insights into campaign messaging for policymakers and distil policy detail into key points for young people to engage with and campaign on

● Working with the Senior Public Affairs Manager to conduct stakeholder mapping and build a network of supportive Scottish MPs and MSPs

● Ensuring the Bite Back staff team is kept up to date on the Scottish policy and public affairs context

Skills and Experience

We recognise that the list below is broad and we realise that the “ideal candidate” doesn’t really exist. What we will be looking for as we evaluate applications is demonstrable experience in at least some of these, and evidence of capacity to build skills in other areas. Please don’t be put off applying for one of our jobs because you can’t demonstrate every skill.

If you're passionate and excited about working for us, and possess the main skills and experience we are looking for, go ahead and apply. You could be just what we are looking for!

The ideal candidate would have the following:

Essential

● Proven experience in policy development or influencing, ideally within the Scottish context

● Track record of delivering youth voice, community or school-based programmes

● Experience working with schools or local authority settings in Scotland

● Facilitation and youth engagement skills, with experience in co-creating with young people

● Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to engage policymakers and partners with confidence

● Deep motivation to create a fairer food system and improve outcomes for children and young people

● Knowledge of Scotland’s political and public sector landscape, ideally in health or education

● A self-starter with the ability to work independently and drive new initiatives from the ground up

● A commitment to Bite Back’s values: Fresh, Resilient, Respectful, Energetic, Real

Desirable

● Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation, and impact reporting in programme or policy contexts

Approach to Work

You will be able to show the following qualities:

● A bold and open mind - you will be prepared to think differently about issues.

● A level head - you will be comfortable working both reactively and proactively.

● A sense of humour - we believe work should be fun and that we all perform at our very best when we enjoy what we do.

● Creativity - you will come at issues from new and surprising angles

Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) 

Location: Workplace Offer; Hybrid Working

The position is offered on a 0.6 FTE basis (21.75 hours per week). This role will be home-based but will require travel to Edinburgh and/or other parts of Scotland for in-person meetings as required.

Are you passionate about making a real difference in children's lives through impactful policy and public affairs engagement? Are eager to develop your skills working with Scottish Government, MSPs, and other key decision-makers in Scotland? If so, we want to hear from you. 

Barnardo's is looking for a Policy & Public Affairs Officer (Scotland) to help shape our influencing in Scotland. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone eager to build on their existing knowledge and experience with policy influencers in Scotland while playing a pivotal role in creating positive, lasting change for children, young people, and families. 

In this role, you'll work closely with our Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead (Scotland) to implement our influencing plan. You'll help raise Barnardo's Scotland's profile among key stakeholders and policy influencers. You'll be involved in: 

• Monitoring key developments within the Scottish policy landscape 

• Managing relationships and liaising with stakeholders at all levels 

• Conducting research and producing reports to support our policy objectives 

• Supporting reactive policy work to respond to emerging issues 

• Organising events to showcase Barnardo's vital work and engage decision-makers 

Your efforts will ensure that the voices of children, young people, families, and our services are central to our influencing activities in Scotland.

When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification and Job Description. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Pay & Reward Framework

We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values.  We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people. 

For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay. 

Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours.  More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application. 

Employer Policy Specialist

Working Hours: 0.6FTE (full-time equivalent 37.5 hours). There is a degree of flexibility surrounding the working hours which will be determined by the demands of the role.

Salary: 0.6FTE: £40,658 (the full-time equivalent salary is: £67,763).

Start Date: 1st September 2025.

Reporting to: Director of Public Affairs & Policy

Deadline for applications: Friday 18th July 2025, 5pm

Interviews: Interviews will be conducted online on Thursday 24th July

Overview

The DfE has nominated CST as the employer representative for academy trusts for specific purposes (for example, the school support staff negotiating body).  The postholder will be required to work directly with the Department for Education at a senior level to undertake the duties associated with this employer representative role.  CST also wishes to strengthen its support to members on wider matters of employer policy. There is significant scope to shape and develop this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Have a detailed understanding of the terms and conditions of employment of teaching and support staff and the workforce issues affecting the education sector, particularly those influencing recruitment and retention of staff.

• The ability to build relationships with key stakeholders (members, senior DfE officials and ministers) and work closely with other employer representative organisations.

• Working closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO, build relationships at senior level with trade unions (leadership, teacher and support staff unions).

• Lead on developing CST’s employer policy and guidance, working with our members and commanding their support and respect, and working closely with the policy team.

• Support the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Public Affairs and Policy to influence and respond to government policy in respect of employer policy, including drafting responses to government consultations and being our representative on the DfE’s formally constituted groups.

• Provide professional support and guidance to members on matters relating to employer policy, within the restrictions of what we are insured to do as a professional body.

• Support our HR professional community.

• Speak with authority at events and conferences as CST’s nominated representative on employer policy.

• Offer support to the wider CST policy team in other areas that fall within the postholder’s experience or expertise. This may include occasionally deputising for other team members for example covering for annual leave or sickness absence.

• Any other duties and responsibilities that may be delegated by the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive or Director of Public Affairs and Policy from time to time.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Likely educated to degree level (or holding a similar professional qualification or experience) with significant knowledge and experience of employment matters within the education sector and employer policy.

• The ideal candidate will have experience working at senior level likely within an educational, policy or consultancy setting. Knowledge of schools and the trust sector is essential as is the ability to respond to issues in a way which conveys the practical realities of working in schools.

• A sound understanding of the differences between academy trusts and the maintained sector.

• Secure knowledge of legislation, regulations and policy that affect school trusts.

• Authority and gravitas with the ability to speak up at meetings with senior officials with the required diplomacy and at all times with the members’ interests in mind.

• People-centred, with excellent relational skills, adept at forming and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, members and senior external stakeholders (including policy makers, employer representative organisations and trade unions).

• Output focused, able to execute a range of communications across channels efficiently.

• Fluent and precise, an excellent communicator who writes well.

• The ability to analyse detail and distil key points, identifying matters of concern or interest to school trusts.

• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines, including turning around high-quality responses to members and DfE in short timescales.

• Someone who embodies the Nolan Principles and acts with integrity and discretion.

• Aligned with CST’s aims to promote education for public benefit.

• Skilled at working remotely as part of a close-knit team. Whilst this position is remote (home-based) there will be the requirement to attend in person meetings from time to time.

The National Lottery Community Fund is recruiting for a Communications Manager, Northern Ireland to play a vital role in the newly restructured communications and engagement function to deliver on our strategy, It Starts With Community.  

The role is part of our ambitious transformation as we implement a significant pivot in our communications approach – building on our support for grant-making to demonstrate the powerful impact communities have in strengthening society and improving lives.

In this role, you’ll deliver integrated communications that bring our missions and the story of National Lottery funding to life. You’ll be the strategic voice behind the campaigns that highlight how communities are creating lasting social change.

You will focus on two key areas - your country, and one of the four core missions - creating powerful alignment between them and helping to showcase the impact of community-led projects across the UK.

You’ll work closely with Strategic Communications Leads and colleagues across the organisation to deliver communications plans that align with our corporate strategy and customer journey. Your work will help shape public understanding of the Fund, build trust with stakeholders, and inspire communities to engage with our funding.

We are looking for a creative and strategic communicator with a passion for storytelling. You’ll be experienced in developing integrated campaigns and working across teams to deliver high-impact communications.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop deep insight into at least one portfolio and mission, to enable you to implement effective communications plans for your mission and portfolio, aligned to the corporate plan, and the Fund’s customer journey, including supporting Strategic Communications Leads to build and manage matrix teams
• Provide communications support to portfolio and mission leads, including creating messaging, narrative and content, social and brand assets, working closely with colleagues in the wider team to deliver effective and impactful communications activities
• Build relationships with journalists and lead on devolved media relations activities in your country, working closely with colleagues in the media team to deliver integrated activities, monitoring media and advising on opportunities and risks. Ensure rapid response to emerging issues with processes and protocol on lines to take and spokespeople, including participating in the out of hours on call rota.
• Liaise with colleagues in funding teams to identify opportunities for storytelling, working with the content manager to bring these to life
• Liaise with internal communications colleagues to ensure external communications generate engagement within the Fund
• Project manage and deliver corporate communications assets, including the annual report and corporate strategy updates.

Interview Date: Monday 28th July - virtual

Location: Belfast, Hybrid

On application, please align your supporting statement to the criteria below

Essential criteria

• Track record in planning and delivering integrated communications campaigns, with experience managing matrix teams
• Excellent content and copywriting skills, used to producing assets to tight deadlines. Able to adapt tone and style for different audiences and channels
• Experience in complex institutions, involving colleagues and stakeholders up to leadership level
• A sound understanding of devolution and the impact that has on communications and public affairs requirements.
• Project management skills; confident working in a matrixed organisation with competing deadlines
• Experience of strategic communications counsel and advising senior leaders and stakeholders, particularly in times of reputational risk and crisis management

Desirable criteria

• Relevant qualification
• Experience in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.) 

Are you passionate about the wellbeing of people and the planet?

Can you engage people through effective communications and events?

If so, we’d love to hear to hear from you.

We believe in people and the planet thriving together. We want to see a world where thriving is possible - because society is structured to support people's wellbeing rather than to undermine it. We're building a network of wellbeing changemakers who share our vision.

We're now recruiting for a Network Development Manager to oversee our relationships with our followers, including by rolling out a new Ambassador programme. Working from home, somewhere in the UK, flexibly for three days a week, the successful candidate will play a major role at the heart of a growing movement to embed wellbeing in our economy and our society.

They will be a good team player with experience of engaging networks of passionate people. They will have excellent spoken and written communications skills and a track record in organising exciting online and in-person events. Some fundraising experience would be an advantage, but above all, they will have a passion for wellbeing - of people and of the planet.  

Note

• We are looking to ensure the diversity of the staff group reflects the diversity of people in the UK and would welcome applications from people in all social groups.
• We offer 28 days paid leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays and membership of our pension scheme.
• All appointments to the Network of Wellbeing are subject to a six-month probation period.

Come and join us and be part of a mission to save lives and end economic abuse forever!

In 2024, a staggering 4.1 million UK women experienced economic abuse at the hands of their current or former partner. The rising cost of living has only exacerbated the devastated impact of this form of domestic abuse. 

Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) is the only UK charity dedicated to raising awareness of economic abuse and transforming responses to it.

Since our founding in 2017, we’ve proudly campaigned successfully for the recognition of economic abuse in UK law and influenced wide-ranging systemic change to transform responses to it. We're now entering an ambitious new phase, and we’re seeking a dynamic, strategic and values-led Head of Income as part of the Senior Leadership Teamto help drive it forward.

This is a critical time for SEA. With a bold three-year strategy now in place, we’re looking for an experienced income-generation leader to oversee and diversify our income streams — across high-net-worth giving, corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, and earned income through consultancy and training. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Income will play a vital role in shaping the future of the organisation and enabling us to scale our impact.

The Head of Income will lead a talented team, including our Senior Fundraising Manager (trusts and foundations) and Corporate Development Manager (strategic multi-stakeholder partnerships), and collaborate closely with our CEO, Trustees and earned income delivery teams (consultancy and training) whilst also being hands on in relationship development. Your approach will be collaborative, survivor-centred and driven by SEA’s values. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with strong experience in high-value fundraising and/or commercial income generation.

What we’re looking for in the Head of Income

• Proven success in income generation from high-net-worth individuals and/or corporate partners
• Strategic mindset with the ability to lead and grow multi-stream income
• Experience of working in a small, agile organisation and line-managing high-performing teams
• Experience of working at Senior Leadership Team level, or readiness to step into the role
• A confident communicator with strong relationship-building skills
• A commitment to SEA’s feminist ethos, values and mission
•  

What we offer the Head of Income

• 25 days annual leave + 5 wellbeing days + bank holidays
• Home-based and flexible working options
• Reflective practice and wellbeing support
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Enhanced family leave, carers leave, sick pay
• A dynamic, purpose-led team where your impact is tangible

How to apply for the SEA Head of Income

Charlotte Wilmot at Eardley Wilmot is managing this appointment on our behalf and will support you with your application. Please send your CV to her directly in the first instance or here to her via Charityjob. You will then also be asked to complete a short anonymised application form via the Surviving Economic Abuse website. Charlotte will guide you through that step and a link to the form will be provided. 

The deadline for receipt of completed application forms is midnight on 28 July 2025.

SEA is proudly survivor-centred and committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We particularly welcome applications from minoritised and marginalised communities, and we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. We also welcome job share applications as a joint application. 

First nterviews will be held week beginning 4 August 2025 (held online – questions will be shared in advance). 

We really look forward to hearing from you.

Senior Communications Officer

We are looking for a creative and strategic communicator to shape the voice of the UK’s National Trails.

Position: Senior Communications Officer
Salary: £32,000 FTE (4 days/week)
Location: Remote, with occasional UK travel
Contract: Part-time (4 days/week), 1-year fixed term
Benefits: 25 days holiday pro rata, plus office closure between Christmas and New Year

Closing Date: Midnight, Saturday 13th July 2025
Interviews: Online 29th July

About the Role

As Senior Communications Officer, you will lead on delivering a bold, inclusive communications strategy, raising the profile of the UK’s National Trails and building awareness of their value for people, places and nature.

You’ll create and manage inspiring, accessible campaigns across digital, social and press channels; support National Trail teams across the UK with comms advice; and help shape public and stakeholder engagement. This is an exciting opportunity to be the voice of a small, national organisation making a big impact.

Key Responsibilities Include:

· Deliver creative, multi-channel communications

· Manage digital channels including the website, LinkedIn and Instagram

· Write and distribute newsletters and member communications

· Develop press relationships, draft media content and secure coverage

· Lead a Communications Special Interest Group across National Trail teams

· Provide accessible comms advice to member organisations

· Support campaigns and events that influence public policy and stakeholder awareness

· Promote representation and inclusion across all content

About You

You’ll be a passionate storyteller with a flair for strategic communications and a commitment to inclusion and representation. Comfortable juggling day-to-day delivery with long-term planning, you’ll be just as happy drafting a press release as coordinating a campaign or advising trail partners.

You will bring:

· Experience of communications delivery across social and press

· Excellent writing, editing and content creation skills

· Knowledge of inclusive and accessible communication practices

· Strong media relations and public engagement experience

· Confidence working independently and with multiple stakeholders

· A passion for the outdoors and increasing access for all

Desirable:

· Experience with membership organisations

· Knowledge of outdoor recreation, heritage or protected landscapes

· Familiarity with policy communications or stakeholder engagement

About the Organisation

The charity is the independent champion of the UK’s National Trails – iconic long-distance walking, cycling and riding routes. Connecting people to nature and the outdoors while advocating for accessible, sustainable trail experiences. Since their formation in 2021, they’ve grown quickly with an ambitious vision for a high quality, nature-rich National Trail network used and valued by all.

To Apply

You will be redirected to the organisation's website where you will be asked to submit a CV and a Covering Letter, please note that applications submitted without a covering letter will not be considered. 

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Communications Manager, Campaigns Officer, Press Officer, Media and PR Officer, Digital Content Officer, Public Affairs Officer, or Marketing and Communications Executive.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

About the role

Northern Ireland has an amazingly rich heritage of church and chapel buildings that we want to see well maintained, valued and in use. We’re looking for a Support Officer – based in Northern Ireland – who can help us to complete the delivery of our pioneering The National Lottery Heritage Fund project. This role will support churches of all denominations with maintenance and tourism advice, training and events and be a key contact for churches looking for heritage support in Northern Ireland.

This is a fixed-term role until the end of April 2026, with the possibility of an extension. The role is full-time (35 hours per week); part-time will be considered for the right candidate. You will be home-based in Northern Ireland, with occasional travel to London.

About the National Churches Trust

As an integral part of the UK’s heritage, we want to keep the UK’s wonderful collection of church buildings well maintained, valued and in use. Working on the ground in all four nations, we support churches of all denominations with the challenges and opportunities they face. Our vision is to see open churches thriving at the heart of their communities.

Our mission

• We Speak Up: churches are valued and supported
• We Build Up: churches are well maintained, adaptable and in good repair
• We Open Up: churches are sustainable, open and welcoming support

Our values

• Being straightforward in responding to others’ needs
• Providing support that makes a difference
• Joining forces to achieve greater impact
• Driving change that brings our vision closer

You can find out more about our pioneering Treasure Ireland project on our website.

To find out more about the role and apply, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday, 15 July 2025.
Interview dates: Monday, 11 / Tuesday, 12 / Wednesday, 13 August 2025, in person in Northern Ireland (date and venue TBC).