Policy and public affairs officer jobs in manchester, greater manchester

The role

As Partner Engagement Manager you will promote the work of Family Fund and maintain a positive profile within the disability sector in Northern Ireland and with key Government/political stakeholders.

You will undertake a range of public affairs and policy activities that help sustain and grow our government funding and that secure positive outcomes for disabled children and their families. You will be acknowledged as a senior Family Fund representative across the disability sector, deputising for the Group CEO, or Directors on committees and at events as required.

You will also identify growth/income opportunities and feed through to relevant internal teams, providing follow up support, as required.

If you join us, you’ll be:

• Ensuring that Family Fund’s profile remains high amongst key organisations.
• Engaging with Ministers and MLAs to building awareness and support for Family Fund’s work.
• Family Fund’s key point of contact for all partners and stakeholders in Northern Ireland.
• Engaging in sector working groups and consortia to help secure improved support for families raising disabled children.
• Inputting to government policy development via consultations and direct work with government departments.
• Promoting the support offered by Family Fund to support demand generation, including targeted work in relation to our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion objectives.
• Supporting our Fundraising Team in identifying and securing funding opportunities that allow Family Fund to provide improved grants/information and support services to families.

About you 

For this role you will need to have experience of presenting to external stakeholders and representing an organisation in a professional capacity. Ideally you will have some knowledge/experience of public affairs or policy development work.

To be successful in this role you will need to be self-motivated and be able to engage positively with different teams. You must be flexible, adaptable and resilient to work demands and change. This post is home based with regular travel.

About us

Family Fund is a great place to work for great people. We provide a challenging and rewarding working environment where every staff member can make their mark.

We are a values based organisation and we aim to show our values in all that we do. Read our staff stories here, and see how our staff display our values every day.

We commit to inclusion, equality and diversity and we welcome applications from all parts of the community. Family Fund is a Disability Confident Employer. We will invite to interview all disabled applicants who meet the requirements for the role. If you have a disability, and are happy to let us know, please highlight this in your covering letter.

How to apply

When you’re ready to apply, complete the online application form and submit a CV and a covering letter. Your letter will need to explain what skills and qualities you would bring to the team.

For more information, please read the job description on our website.

The successful candidate must complete pre-employment checks that meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard. This includes a right to work check and employment history verification.

Information:

Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday 3 June 2025
Interview date: Friday 13 June 2025

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

One of our fantastic clients is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of External Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive external affairs strategy. This pivotal role will be instrumental in strengthening societies and changing lives, working closely with senior leadership to lead government relations across the UK and cultivate relationships with elected representatives, the Civil Service, and key partners within the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sectors.

The successful candidate will lead a team of public affairs, policy, and influencing professionals, contributing to the wider communications strategy. They will leverage an extensive network of stakeholders and a deep understanding of policy and public affairs to stay abreast of significant developments, ensuring the organisation remains proactive in its positioning and sensitive areas.

This role requires a leader who can inspire and develop a team of External Affairs professionals, devising and executing projects in a fast-paced environment while ensuring alignment with strategic goals. The External Affairs mandate is exceptionally diverse, spanning devolved governments across the UK and increasing regional devolution within England. Regular travel to attend meetings and spend time with colleagues across the UK will be required.

The Head of External Affairs will provide a professional, consistent, and expert service, supporting strategic activity across the organisation. They will oversee tailoring outputs to effectively reach key external affairs stakeholders and play a senior role in assessing areas of reputational risk.

Key responsibilities

• As a member of the communications leadership team, take ownership of, create, and implement a comprehensive external affairs strategy to deliver the organisation's missions and strategic objectives, including significant activity in the national portfolios, integrated and aligned to its communications strategy.

• Provide strategic oversight of government relations, public affairs, and strategic engagement across the UK, including relationships with sponsor bodies, working closely with the CEO Office and Portfolio Directors. Offer strategic guidance, sound judgement, and advice to senior leadership and other teams, driving a consistent organisational approach to relationship management.

• Take responsibility for strategic horizon scanning for external affairs activity across the mission areas, ensuring information and advice is shared directly with the CEO and senior colleagues, and opportunities for stakeholder engagement and influencing are maximised.

• Devise and lead a programme of external engagement with key policy, political, and mission-related stakeholders for the Chair, CEO, Board Members, and other senior leaders. This includes owning and coordinating key messages and briefings, attending meetings as appropriate, and ensuring actions are followed up.

• Oversee the design and delivery of engagement programmes that measurably increase engagement with key political and other audiences. Identify and manage risks, trends, or opportunities to protect and enhance the organisation's reputation and ensure successful influencing among key stakeholders.

• Plan and deliver a continuous review and evaluation of activities, including external benchmarking, measurement of engagement levels, and performance standards to ensure effective delivery of the External Affairs strategy across the four nations.

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, delegating work effectively, ensuring appropriate use of resource across the team, and providing and commissioning external suppliers and internal stakeholders to deliver high-quality plans.

Person Specifications

• Substantial experience leading government relations, public affairs, policy, and advocacy in a large, matrix organisation, ideally interacting with devolved administrations (national and mayoral).

• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with senior political and other stakeholders, fostering collaboration across diverse communities and perspectives.

• Experience of planning and executing strategic engagement across a range of high-profile audiences and activities, including responsibility for Chair/CEO/Board-level engagement.

• Experience of strategic planning and decision-making at a local, regional, and national level, including with peer organisations and local governments.

• Excellent interpersonal, networking, and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences with clarity and inclusivity.

• Experience of briefing and working with senior leaders in support of organisational and engagement objectives, often at short notice, including providing counsel in times of reputational risk and navigating complex organisational dynamics.

• Demonstrable leadership and project-management ability, with experience developing high-performing teams, resource management, and working in a matrix-management and collaborative environment.

• Experience commissioning agencies and third-party suppliers to work with internal stakeholders to deliver high-quality plans.

• Experience of continued professional, managerial, and personal development within the relevant discipline.

• If this role is based in Wales, or supports customers or colleagues in Wales, an understanding of Welsh language legislation and the Welsh Language Standards of the organisation is required.

What’s on Offer:

• Salary of £54,277-£60,000 outside London or £59,000-£66,500 inside London 

• Full time role 

• 12 month contract

• Immediate start 

How to Apply: To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the “apply now” button via our website.

The process: If your experience aligns with what we're looking for, a member of our team will be in contact to discuss the role with you in more detail before presenting your profile to the client. We will also ensure that all applicants receive an email to inform them of the outcome of their application.

To avoid any potential delays or your application being missed, please apply solely via the 'Apply Now' button.

Commitment to Diversity: The Talent Set and our partner organisation are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, sexual orientation, disability, age, or gender. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

We are looking for a passionate, skilled individual to join our diverse and talented team as Policy and Communications Manager.

We are a unique organisation that supports and champions London’s charities and community groups to contribute to a united, thriving and resilient London.

London Plus is a trusted partner of organisations across all London’s 32 boroughs, as well as key London-level organisations including the Greater London Authority and London Councils. We are looking to the future and planning to grow our strategic impact and effectiveness on behalf of the sector.

We are now looking to fill this brand new role, which will build on the solid foundations in place within the organisation to help us tell the story of London’s charity sector, effect positive change and connect with stakeholders to build our influence.

As Chief Executive, you will lead the staff team, be responsible for providing overall strategic direction, coordination and management of all CAP programmes. Partnership building is a key role to maximise our impact.

Church Action on Poverty is a medium sized social justice charity, with a vision for the UK to become a country where everyone can flourish free from poverty. We are an ecumenical organisation with a Christian ethos and roots in the churches who remain key partners for us. We support programmes across the UK improving the lives of people in poverty and create opportunities for those with lived experience to voice their concerns with the aim of educating the public to raise awareness and understanding in line with our charitable objectives.

Currently, our programmes are structured on the principles of dignity, agency and power. They comprise: supporting a network of 130 food pantries with a membership of over 50,000; enabling people with lived experience of poverty to speak truth to power and supporting churches to explore what it means to be a ‘church on the margins’ as well as playing a leading role in high profile national campaigns.

It is anticipated that the role will be varied and flexible, but will include:

• Assisting the CAP Council of Management in the development and implementation of the organisation's programmes, campaigns, partnership building and public affairs work. 

• Managing CAP's staff and resources in line with the organisation's agreed policies and priorities, and core values of collaboration, participation and empowerment. 

• Fundraising and organisational strategy to achieve our aims.

• Ensuring that people with lived experience of poverty are actively involved in all aspects of CAP's work. 

• Leading and line managing the Senior Leadership and Management Team.

• Working with the whole staff team to develop and implement strategies that build dignity, agency and power to end poverty.

Key responsibilities 

1. Supporting CAP's Council of Management in its governance function

• Maintaining regular contact with the CAP Chairperson and Officer Group. 

• Providing regular written reports to CAP's Council of Management and attending all meetings of the CAP Council of Management and Officers Group. 

• Agreeing and implementing an annual planning cycle with the Council of Management, in line with CAP’s strategic values and vision.

• Working with the chair and officers to ensure good governance of the organisation. 

2. Ensuring the effective management of CAP's staff team by: 

• Providing day-to-day management and support for the Senior Management and Leadership Team. 

• Holding oversight of the policies and procedures of the organisation and ensuring that they are up to date and fit for purpose 

• Setting the culture of the organisation, with a focus on promoting collaborative working, learning and staff wellbeing. 

3. Finance and fundraising

• Setting a clear, viable organisational and financial strategy and implement through

• Fundraising and relationship building to secure the resources needed for the programme work and campaigning.

• Formulating appropriate applications for programme funding.

• Providing resources for donors and churches to organise fundraising.

4. Programme Development

Leading the process of programme development within CAP in order to: 

• Promote new approaches to combating poverty, which build the dignity, agency and power of people and communities struggling against poverty. 

• Ensure that programmes have clearly identified aims, objectives and methods and that projects are monitored and evaluated. 

5. Partnership Building
Building partnerships and contribute to the shared leadership and development of a movement based on dignity, agency and power with people and struggling communities against poverty, by

• Working with a wide range of partners and people with lived experience, to connect and build networks of people and groups who are committed to challenging poverty.

• Ensuring that CAP works collaboratively, leading CAP's involvement in strategic coalitions, alliances and other movement building opportunities.

• Ensuring CAP’s work is informed by the insights of people with lived experience of poverty, as well as wider public policy, debate and research. 

• Ensuring that CAP’s views are shared with government, politicians, churches and others, where possible, led by people with lived experience of poverty.

6. Membership and supporters
Working with CAP’s Communications and Supporter Relations manager to ensure the recruitment and retention of members, donors and supporters by ensuring that: 

• CAP members are provided with regular mailings and appropriate support for local/national activity. 

• Ensuring that requests from CAP members and others for information and support are dealt with appropriately. 

• Overseeing resources for Challenge Poverty Week and Poverty Sunday

7. Public Profile
In collaboration with CAP's Council of Management and staff, ensuring that CAP maintains a high profile within both the church and secular media, including: 

• Ensuring CAP contributes effectively to public and media debate, including mainstream secular and church media, TV, radio and new/social media etc.

• Prioritising opportunities for people with lived experience to act as spokespeople and the public face for CAP.

• Attending and speaking at appropriate conferences and events making sure that CAP is represented at key events.

• Representing CAP views to national, regional and local government.

8. Theological Development
Facilitating the development of theological and other resources which reflect 

• the lived experience of people and communities struggling against poverty, biblical sources, personal faith and other theological writing.

• wider analysis of social, political and economic issues.

Accountability and relationships 

The Chief Executive is accountable to the elected Council of Management. Regular contact is maintained with the Officers Group, and in particular the Chair.

The Chief Executive provides line management to the other members of the Senior Leadership and Management Team, and works closely with other members of the CAP staff team, and external partners. 

Other details about employment

Duration: Permanent contract with six month probationary period.

Hours: 35 hours per week including occasional 'unsocial' hours, weekend working and overnight travelling for which Time Off in Lieu is provided.

Salary: Church Action on Poverty Salary Band L, starting at scale point 43 on the NJC scales (currently £52,805 pay award pending).  Rising by increments after 3 years and every 2 years thereafter to point 46 (currently £56,073), paid monthly on the 14th day of each month.

Pension: Church Action on Poverty operates the Nest auto-enrolment pension scheme, and contributes a 10% employer contribution provided the staff member commits to making a 5% employee contribution. 

Benefits: Simply Health Cash Plan, Working from Home allowance, Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, Staff Expenses Debits Cards, National Gym and Partner Discounts.

Holidays: 25 days’ annual leave pro rata (30 after five years’ service) plus statutory holidays. Office closure over New Year period on top of annual leave.

Location:  Hybrid working on a flexible basis from home with some time each week in the Manchester office. 

No CVs or other attachments please, only applications using our standard application form (available to download above) will be considered.

Department: Communications and Public Affairs 
Contract type: Permanent  
Hours: Full time
Salary: £36,000 – £38,000 per annum
Location: Home Based with UK wide travel as required
Reports To: Media and External Affairs Manager

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is seeking a proactive and skilled Media Officer to join our Communications and Public Affairs team. This is a newly created role, offering the opportunity to help shape and strengthen NFCC’s voice in the national conversation around fire and rescue services.

Reporting into the Media and External Affairs Manager, you will play a central role in growing our media presence and positioning NFCC as the go-to source for journalists covering national fire and rescue issues. You will help to ensure our messages are clear, timely, and authoritative across all platforms.

Join us and help ensure that fire and rescue services have a strong, consistent voice on the national stage.

Key responsibilities:

Serve as a point of contact for incoming media enquiries.

Draft high-quality, publication-ready communications content – including press releases, news articles, opinion pieces and other engaging content. 

Support NFCC’s campaigns and policy initiatives by securing media coverage and developing strong relationships with journalists and editors.

Take ownership of key communications tools and systems, including media monitoring and audit of coverage. 

Act as the lead Comms officer on at least one area of NFCC’s work in partnership with the relevant NFCC teams and lead officers (but will also work on a wide range of our issues and areas).

Participate in an out-of-hours communications rota as part of NFCC’s communication support function (with some out of hours support – see job description for more information). 

What we are looking for:

Experience in a media, journalism or communications role. 

Excellent writing skills with the ability to produce accurate, compelling content under pressure. 

Confidence in handling media enquiries and building positive relationships with the press. 

Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. 

A collaborative approach, with experience working across teams and engaging with senior stakeholders. 

A good understanding of the UK media landscape and wider external environment. 

If this sounds like the kind of opportunity that you would be interested in, please have a look at the Job Description on the NFCC website and apply.

Working with us:

NFCC is a fully remote organisation, and all staff work from home. This role will involve some travel for stakeholder meetings, events, conferences, training sessions and team away days, for which travel expenses are paid.

How to apply:

Please complete the application form linked from the ‘apply now’ button on the NFCC Website. CVs will NOT be accepted for this position. 

Closing Date – Sunday 1 June with interviews being conducted on Teams on Tuesday 17 June. If you are not available for interview on this date, we will try to provide an alternative date, though we advise that we may not be able to do this.

NFCC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and will require a DBS check to be completed prior to commencing in post. 

NFCC is committed to being an inclusive employer. We comply with the Equality Act 2010, and we believe that everyone deserves to work in safe environments that are free from bullying, harassment and discrimination, abuse, and harm, where they feel supported, welcome, and able to thrive. 

NFCC acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice, all staff are expected to share this commitment. 

Back on Track is a Greater Manchester charity that enables people to make lasting positive changes in their lives. This could be managing problematic drug and/or alcohol use, living a crime-free life, improving mental health and wellbeing, or finding and maintaining a stable home.

This role is ideal for someone who is looking for an opportunity to lead an organisation while maintaining a strong and direct connection to the people we work with. As CEO you will translate vision into action, shaping services, systems, and policy at both local and national levels with empathy, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity.

Essential knowledge and experience

• Strategic leadership experience in the charity, public or other relevant sector
• Experience of building relationships and productive partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience of leading change within a dynamic, complex environment
• Successful experience of leading and managing teams and developing people
• Good understanding of strategic financial planning, maximising existing and potential revenue streams and budget management
• Good understanding of national and regional strategies and policy relating to our work
• Good understanding of the role of a Board of Trustees, or similar, enabling the Board to function effectively and in accordance with relevant governance and compliance

How to apply: click on the 'Redirect to recruiter' button below to apply through our website. The closing date for applications is Friday 6th June 2025.