Policy communications manager jobs in waltham cross, hertfordshire

Job TitleHead of Communications

LocationHome based (Home working with regular meetings in London)

Salary£45,000 - £55,000

HoursFull Time, permanent 

Reports to                   Chief Policy Officer 

About Parentkind

As one of the largest federated charities in the UK, with arguably greater reach into the lives of families and educational settings than any other non-Government organisation, Parentkind is on a bold and urgent mission: to support, champion, and empower parents to be partners in their children’s education and wellbeing. 

Although best known for our support of almost 24,000 Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), Parent Councils, and Schools, helping them build strong school communities whilst they raise approaching £140 million each year to enhance children’s education, our work stretches far beyond the school gates. Parentkind is building a powerful movement that recognises parental engagement not as a nicety, but a necessity.

Supporting parents beyond the school gate

In recent years, families have faced a series of compounding challenges: the cost-of-living crisis, rising child poverty, and deepening educational inequality. These pressures have left many parents struggling to meet basic needs—let alone feel confident engaging in their child’s learning journey.  Parentkind has responded to this moment with compassion, agility and purpose, through a series of transformative campaigns, resources, and partnerships. 

Our No Cold Child initiative with FatFace stepped in to address a stark statistic: over 150,000 children in the UK do not own a winter coat due to poverty. Through our trusted relationships with schools we distributed 10,000 warm, high-quality coats worth £600,000 to the children who needed them most. Winning the Business Charity Awards ‘Fashion & Retail’ Award, and shortlisted for two further awards, the campaign has been praised not just for providing warmth, but for restoring dignity, inclusion, and school readiness to thousands of children.

The All Dressed Up campaign—developed with World Book Day and Rubies Masquerade—confronted the often-overlooked issue of financial exclusion on key celebration days. More than 100,000 free dressing up costumes worth £1.34 million were delivered to children from low-income families. By enabling participation in events like World Book Day, we helped spark imagination, joy, and belonging for children who might otherwise feel left out—boosting self-esteem and supporting a positive connection to learning.Furthermore, helping attract children into school on a day which often sees struggling parents keep their children at home.

Alongside these national campaigns, Parentkind supports families year-round through a growing suite of programmes designed to inform, prepare and empower parents. Our Be School Ready programme offers crucial guidance and confidence to parents preparing their children for the leap into primary education. With a mix of practical advice, developmental tips, and reassurance, through the distribution of 150,000 copies of Be School Ready and an online campaign, it supports families at one of the most formative moments in their child’s life.

We also deliver a wide-ranging series of live expert webinars and parent-friendly resources, covering topics such as managing anxiety, supporting special educational needs, navigating school transitions, and building home-school partnerships. These resources, developed in consultation with experts and rooted in lived parent experience, equip families to feel informed and empowered, no matter what challenges arise.

Our direct support of schools

Our collaboration with Asda on Cashpot for Schools is another example of unlocking support at scale. This innovative community-led funding model allowed shoppers to nominate and fund their local schools simply through everyday spending. This campaign has generated £5.78 million for schools during the past twelve months, supporting everything from basic classroom supplies to vital extracurricular programmes and pupil wellbeing initiatives. Also shortlisted for a Business Charity Award, it is already a model for community-driven philanthropy.

In April, we launched our Parent-Friendly Schools Accreditation Programme, designed to formally recognise schools that go above and beyond in fostering positive, inclusive relationships with parents. The accreditation celebrates schools that actively listen to parent voices, make engagement easy and accessible, and embed family partnership in their culture. It is a practical and inspiring tool to drive long-term change in the sector and offers a roadmap for schools wanting to strengthen their community.

Our focus on Policy & Research

Our work is grounded in evidence. Since 2023, we have conducted the UK’s largest annual parent survey: the National Parent Survey. With approaching 6,000 participants providing 130,000 bits of data to provide invaluable insights into the struggles, concerns, hopes and fears of parents. The findings are fed directly into government consultations and have already informed national debates on school funding, attendance, mental health support, SEND provision, and curriculum reform.

In each of the past two years the number of policymakers, educators, parents and researchers accessing the National Parent Survey exceeded seven thousand, and the survey featured in more than two hundred media outlets each year.Excitingly, the Times & Sunday Times are partnering with Parentkind to raise the profile even further in September 2025 and the survey will be launched at a lighthouse event featuring the Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson), the Ofsted Chief Inspector of Schools (Sir Martyn Oliver), the CEO of Mumsnet (Justine Roberts), the Children’s Commissioner (Dame Rachel De Souza), and our own Chief Executive (Jason Elsom). 

In addition to the National Parent Survey, Parentkind undertakes representative polling of parents throughout the year on a variety of important topics, which increasingly find exposure in the media and policy discussion.

Parentkind provides the secretariat for the Westminster APPG for Parents and the Stormont APG for Parental Participation in Education. Two very successful parliamentary groups bringing together policymakers and a variety of stakeholders to consider the challenges faced by parents and act as a voice for them through a variety of policymakers.

Our Media Engagement

Since becoming recognised as the UK’s largest parent charity, with likely more groups and frontline volunteers than the Scouts or Girlguiding, Parentkind has gained increasing prominence in the media.Beyond the reach of the National Parent Survey and our regular polling, Parentkind receives frequent requests for quotes of reflection and input by media in relation to their journalism and from Government and non-Government entities in support of policy announcements.

Beyond this, the Parentkind community of volunteers and PTAs share local or regional media announcements of their own.Whether or not it celebrating the completion of large projects they have invested countless hours and thousands of pounds into realising, or the community event they have worked into the night to deliver for their school communities.

It will be your role to take this much further, gaining increasing exposure for the work of Parentkind, its community, and parents more broadly. 

If you believe, like we do, that when parents matter, children succeed, we’d love to hear from you.

The role will involve:

· Promoting our parent polling data and work across social media platforms with eye catching content. 

· Providing comment on topical issues for social media so that we are part of the conversation. 

· Build the right relationships to dramatically increase the number of of media organisations seeking input and thought leadership from Parentkind.

· Build relationships with broadcast media so we get asked to appear on broadcast media more often. There’s a chance for you to be a talking head too.

· Help to draft parent polls and reports with a focus on compelling questions that will hit the front page. We need a brilliant writer, able to turn facts and figures into engaging narratives with bold headlines and strong messages that catch the eye. Boring writers need not apply…

· Draft eye catching press releases with bold headlines and a compelling narrative to promote the work we do across the charity. You’ll also place the press releases with national journalists leading to high profile coverage.

· Support the authoring of articles, op-eds and blog posts by members of the Executive Leadership Team.

· Be responsible for media monitoring, measuring our media hits, and reporting on coverage and interesting themes for the Executive Leadership.

Your mission is to massively increase our online, in print and social media presence to make us the highest profile parent charity in the UK. We don’t need you to be an education expert, we need someone to get us on the front page.

We have a huge amount of data on what parents think and we need you to get it seen. This is a great job for someone who wants to grab hold of a “comms” function and make it their own.

Parentkind is a UK wide charity, you will be expected to support our work in other parts of the UK where necessary.

For 'Person Specification' please see the job description

The Difference is an education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030 and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, particularly those most vulnerable.

We are a small, growing charity delivering many school leadership programmes, with a growing research and policy arm. We have had excellent early impact but there is work ahead to capture this, share learning with schools and policy-makers, and campaign to lower exclusions across England.

The Role
This is an exciting time to join The Difference as we increase our impact, reach more schools, and develop our influencing strategy. As Data and Evaluation Manager you will:

Manage research and evaluation activities

• Evaluation project design

• Data collection

• Data analysis 

Collaborate on building and applying evidence 

• Embed learning - Work closely with colleagues to interpret and understand evaluation findings to inform programme development, fundraising bids, practice reports and policy work. 

• Sector awareness - keep up to date with developments in education, inclusion, attendance and exclusions, as well as research and evaluation methods relevant to our work

• Internal collaboration - support teams with ad hoc data queries, whether related to our own programmes or data from external sources, such as schools, 

Communicating insights

• Insight reporting

• Knowledge sharing 

• External representation

Our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being highly autonomous, reactive and flexible. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role for you!

The Candidate
We are seeking a combination of the following skills, aptitude and experience:

Essential – We are looking for someone with the following knowledge, experience and skills, though you may be stronger in some areas than others:

• Track record of using research and evaluation methods

• Confidence analysing and presenting data clearly 

• project management skills

• Ability to report and communicate findings 

• Knowledge of the ethical and legal aspects of social research 

• Proven ability to work independently and take initiative

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Strong time management skills

• Passion for The Difference's mission 

You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have either/both:

• Familiarity with the education sector and/or school data systems, example MIS

• Ability to conduct desk research and literature reviews

• Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Programme Development Manager represents an evolution from our Programme Manager role, focusing on shaping the future direction of The Avenues Youth Project's programmes whilst maintaining oversight of current delivery. This isn't just about managing what we do now, it's about looking ahead and designing what comes next.

Working closely with the Programme Director, you will be responsible for researching innovative approaches to youth work, developing funding proposals, and creating programmes that respond to the changing needs of young people aged 8-19. We need someone who can think creatively about engagement whilst keeping an eye on emerging trends and opportunities in the sector.

As a member of the senior team, you'll help embed our values throughout the organisation and ensure our programmes remain at the cutting edge of youth work practice.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Programme Innovation and Strategic Development

Programme Design and Innovation

● Research and develop innovative programme concepts that address emerging needs of young people within the community, utilising best practice from across the youth work sector.

● Lead comprehensive design processes for new initiatives, collaborating with lead youth workers, young people, families and community partners to ensure programmes are relevant and effective.

● Create detailed programme frameworks incorporating learning outcomes, delivery models, resource requirements and sustainability strategies.

● Plan, develop and deliver allocated youth work projects that meet organisational aims, taking responsibility for budgeting, planning, delivery, monitoring and evaluation.

Current Programme Oversight

● Collaborate in overseeing the recruitment, retention and progress of young people across assigned programmes, working to ensure consistent engagement and positive outcomes.

● Participate in necessary working groups and initiatives on behalf of the team, liaising with a wide range of youth service providers to ensure AYP is represented in appropriate forums and relevant partnerships.

● Have proactive contact and engagement within the community, maintaining visibility and building relationships that support programme delivery.

● Work with the Programme Operations Manager to report and respond to the Programme Director and senior team on the planning, development, delivery and progress of youth work programmes.

● Ensure all data collection, documents and record keeping is up-to-date and meets the requirements of the Impact and Evaluation Manager.

● Monitor programme attendance patterns and young people's progression, identifying opportunities for enhanced engagement or additional support.

● Coordinate with the Programme Operations Manager and Lead Youth Workers to ensure consistency of approach and share effective practices across different programme areas.

Community Partnerships and External Relations

Strategic Relationship Building

● Establish and maintain strategic relationships with schools, colleges, community organisations, local authorities and other youth providers to develop collaborative networks.

● Represent AYP at community forums, working groups and sector events, maintaining awareness of local priorities and identifying partnership opportunities.

● Develop collaborative programmes with partner organisations, combining resources and expertise to maximise impact.

● Engage with families and community members to understand their aspirations for young people.

Programme Partnerships

· Support the Programme Director in developing and maintaining key relationships and partnerships.

· Establish positive working relationships with external agencies delivering youth work with us and those supporting organisational development.

· Work with the Engagement, Communities and Culture Manager, to develop and maintain effective long-term community partnerships to boost membership at AYP.

Research, Evaluation and Quality Assurance

Evidence-Based Development

● Maintain current knowledge of research and best practice in youth work, particularly relating to our target demographics.

● Commission or conduct research projects to inform programme development decisions and enhance service delivery.

● Collaborate with the Impact and Evaluation Manager, to analyse data from existing programmes to identify effective practices and areas requiring improvement.

● Collaborate with the Impact and Evaluation Manager to establish robust evaluation frameworks for new programmes.

● Work with the Impact and Evaluation Manager to understand and articulate funder objectives throughout programme design and delivery.

Quality Standards and Continuous Improvement

● Develop quality standards and frameworks for all programmes, ensuring alignment with organisational values.

● Collaborate with the HR Manager to create comprehensive training materials and guidance documentation for staff delivering new programmes.

● Monitor programme quality through systematic observation, feed \back collection and data analysis.

● Lead programme effectiveness reviews and provide recommendations for improvement.

● Liaise with external quality assurance bodies, inspectors, and regulatory authorities as required.

Staff Leadership and Development

● Line Management of Programme Operations Manager and Lead Youth Workers - including regular observations, formal supervisions, annual appraisals, and investing in their professional development.

● Attend Line Managers training and regular sessions with HR Manager.

● Deliver reflective practice sessions to the youth work team to support continuous professional development as part of our Learning and Development plan, in collaboration with HR Manager.

● Assist in recruiting or contracting new workers, tutors or teachers as required.

Funding and Financial

Strategic Funding Development

● Collaborate with the Fundraising Manager to identify funding opportunities that support programme development priorities and organisational objectives.

● Contribute to funding applications for new programme areas, ensuring proposals demonstrate clear impact potential and realistic delivery plans.

● Develop comprehensive business cases for programme expansion, including cost-benefit analysis and risk assessment.

● Monitor funding environments and policy developments that may influence programme design.

Financial Administration

● Work with the Finance Controller to ensure high-level financial administration and record keeping, with accountability for project expenditure.

● Maintain clear understanding of AYP's programme budgets and finances, with responsibility for budgeting, monitoring and reporting of assigned budgets.

● Participate in regular budget meetings with the Programme Director and work with the Finance Controller to ensure costs remain within budget.

● Check and approve Lead Youth Workers timesheets for allocated budgets and resolve discrepancies.

Safeguarding and Compliance

● Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead and carry out responsibilities in strict accordance with AYP's Safeguarding Policy,

● Work with TACs, PRUs, Police, Early Help Teams, MARFS, LADO etc. where required to ensure safety of all young people, staff and volunteers,

● Act as main point of contact for safeguarding referrals, working in partnership with other agencies to ensure safety and wellbeing,

● Maintain comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding practices and current legislation.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

· In conjunction with your Line Manager to continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of The Avenues. 

· Participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences, and other functions as necessary. 

· Participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal and help in identifying your own job-related development and training needs. 

· Adhere to all The Avenues’ policies and procedures. 

· Stay abreast of policy and developments in youth work locally and nationally.

· Always undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high-quality standard of work and in accordance with our values and role model our Behaviours Framework.

· Undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required within the scope of the role. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Programme Operations Manager is responsible for the operational delivery of our programmes being delivered to young people aged 8-19. This role ensures consistent, high-quality service provision through effective team leadership and comprehensive oversight of programme activities.

Key responsibilities include direct management of the youth work team and supervision of programme implementation to maintain service standards aligned with organisational values. The postholder ensures operational effectiveness through resource allocation, staff support, and robust quality assurance processes.

Working alongside the Programme Development Manager, this position translates organisational objectives into practical programme delivery through systematic implementation and monitoring. The role involves providing youth workers with appropriate resources and professional support to achieve optimal outcomes for young people.

The Programme Operations Manager contributes to organisational decision-making whilst maintaining hands-on programme management. This balance ensures service delivery meets established standards and regulatory requirements.

The position demands proven leadership capabilities, operational expertise, and commitment to youth development principles within our structured framework.

You will help embed our values throughout the organisation and ensure our programmes remain at the cutting edge of youth work practice.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Quality Assurance and Standards Management

· Support the Programme Development Manager to develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive quality assurance frameworks for all youth programmes, ensuring consistent delivery of high standards across all activities.

· Establish quality indicators and performance metrics for programme delivery, conducting regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure continuous improvement.

· Design and implement quality audit procedures, conducting systematic reviews of programme delivery, facilities, and resource utilisation.

· Create and maintain quality documentation, including standard operating procedures, best practice guidelines, and compliance frameworks.

· Ensure all programmes meet regulatory requirements, funding obligations, and sector best practice standards.

· Implement corrective action procedures when quality standards are not met, working with teams to identify solutions and prevent recurrence.

· Liaise with external quality assurance bodies, inspectors, and regulatory authorities as required.

Youth Worker Team Management and Development

● Provide direct line management to youth workers and volunteers, ensuring clear role expectations and performance standards.

● Attend Line Managers training and regular sessions with HR Manager.

● Implement robust induction programmes for all new team members, ensuring thorough understanding of organisational values, procedures, and quality expectations.

● Conduct quarterly supervisions and annual appraisal with line reports, providing professional support, guidance, and performance management.

● Conduct systematic observation of youth work sessions, providing constructive feedback and identifying development opportunities.

● Foster a culture of continuous professional development, identifying training needs and supporting career progression opportunities.

● Ensure adequate staffing levels for all programmes, managing rotas, cover arrangements, and resource allocation effectively.

Programme Operations and Delivery Oversight

● Oversee day-to-day operational delivery of all youth programmes, ensuring smooth running of activities and services.

● Collaborate with the Engagement, Communities and Culture Manager to monitor programme attendance, engagement levels, and participant outcomes, implementing strategies to maximise positive impact.

● Collaborate with the Programme Development Manager to ensure all programmes operate within approved budgets, monitoring expenditure and resource utilisation.

● Coordinate programme scheduling, space allocation, and resource distribution to maximise efficiency and participant experience.

● Implement risk management procedures for all programme activities, always ensuring health and safety compliance.

● Collaborate with the Programme Development Manager to oversee marketing and recruitment activities for programmes, working with relevant teams to ensure optimal participation levels.

Safeguarding and Compliance

● Ensure that full compliance with safeguarding policies and procedures are adhered to.

● Implement comprehensive safeguarding training for all team members, maintaining records and ensuring regular updates.

● Manage safeguarding incidents and concerns.  In the absence of the Designated Safeguarding Leads liaise with external agencies including social services, police, and other statutory bodies.

● Monitor and maintain health and safety standards across all programme areas, conducting regular risk assessments and safety audits.

● Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including data protection, health and safety, and equality requirements.

Data Management and Reporting

● Oversee collection, analysis, and reporting of programme data, ensuring accuracy and compliance with funder requirements.

● Contribute to the preparation of regular reports for leadership team, funders, and external stakeholders on programme performance and quality indicators.

● Maintain comprehensive records of all programme activities, participant outcomes, and quality assurance measures.

● Implement feedback mechanisms for participants, parents, and stakeholders, using insights to drive continuous improvement.

Partnership and Stakeholder Management

● Develop and maintain relationships with local schools, community organisations, and partner agencies.

● Represent the organisation at multi-agency meetings and sector networks, promoting collaborative approaches to youth work, as required.

● Coordinate with external providers delivering services within AYP premises, ensuring quality standards are maintained.

● Build positive relationships with parents and carers, maintaining regular communication about programme delivery and young people's progress.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

· In conjunction with your Line Manager to continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of The Avenues. 

· Participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences, and other functions as necessary. 

· Participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal and help in identifying your own job-related development and training needs. 

· Adhere to all The Avenues’ policies and procedures. 

· Stay abreast of policy and developments in youth work locally and nationally

· Always undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high-quality standard of work and in accordance with our values and role model our Behaviours Framework.

· Undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required within the scope of the role. 

Note: The details contained in this Job Description summarise the main expectations of the role at the date it was prepared.  It should be understood that the nature of individual roles will evolve and change as service, service members and funders needs change.  Consequently, The Avenues will revise this Job Description as required in consultation with post holders. 

ABOUT YOU 

● A Level 3 or above Youth Work Qualification is desirable, or experience equivalent. 

● Minimum 3 years frontline youth work experience with 8-19 year olds

● Demonstrate significant project management experience. 

● Strong people management skills

● Proven ability to design, oversee and implement a youth programme, and experience in leading and managing youth work activities. 

● Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills, with a structured approach and ability to be flexibility.

● Experience managing budgets and members expectations.

● Proven track record in creating and building relationships with local partners to enhance a youth programme.

● Understanding and empathy of current issues young people face.

● Strong understanding and knowledge of safeguarding procedures and commitment to safeguarding

Personal qualities:

● Passion for youth work and belief in young people's potential

● Creative thinking balanced with evidence-based practice

● Resilience and flexibility in a dynamic environment

● Ability to work collaboratively and thrive as part of a team.

● A proactive approach, self-motivated and enthusiastic with high levels of initiative. 

● A genuine passion for working with young people, with a strong empathy to the vision, mission and values of The Avenues. 

Salary: £50,999 pro rata, per annum. Plus excellent benefits. 

Contract: 12-month fixed term contract, family leave cover.

Hours Per week: 37.5 hours per week. You will be required to work in - person a minimum of two days per week, in line with our hybrid working model,

Our Foundation

We are an independent charitable organisation working to build a healthier UK. Health is our most precious asset. Good health enables us to live happy, fulfilling lives, fuels our prosperity, and helps build a stronger society.Yet good health remains out of reach for too many people in the UK and services are struggling to provide access to timely, high-quality care.It doesn't have to be like this. Our mission is to help build a healthier UK by:

1.Improving people's health and reducing inequalities

2.Supporting radical innovation and improvement in health and care services

3.Providing evidence and analysis to improve health and care policy.

We aim for excellence across our work and will achieve this by producing research and analysis, shaping policy and practice, building skills, knowledge, and capacity, and acting as a catalyst for change. Everyone has a stake and a part to play in improving our health. By working together, we can build a healthier UK.

About the role

As a policy fellow, you will be a key member of our dynamic policy team, contributing to a wide range of projects that influence the national health and care policy in England. Your primary Focus will be on NHS reform, exploring how the organisation of the NHS, regulation, payment systems, and other policy leaders can drive change, improve services, and reduce inequalities in health. Projects include the development of integrated care systems and tracking broader systems change in the NHS.

You’ll also contribute to our broader programme of work including responsive analysis of new NHS initiatives and performance statistics contributing to projects related to longer term policy challenges such as reforming social care preventing ill-health and boosting primary and community care.

• Lead and contribute to high impact research analysis to influence policy

• Conduct robust research using a range of qualitative methods and collaborate with analysts using quantitative methods

• Engage your stakeholders across the NHS academia and policy communities

•  Draft compelling outputs for diverse audiences’ blogs briefings reports and support the communication of our work through meetings events and the media

We are seeking a versatile an energetic person with strong research and analytical skills with experience in synthesising evidence conducting interviews and analysing policy documents

How to apply

Our priority is to find the right individual for each opportunity. We are dedicated to building an inclusive workplace that values diversity and invite you to find out more. If you would like to apply, please submit your CV, and using no more than 1200 words in total to answer the following application questions:

1. In addition to the policy fellow - NHS reform opportunity - we are also recruiting for  Policy fellow - Strategy would you like to be considered for both roles? 

2. What motivates you to work at the Health Foundation, and specifically within the Policy Team? 

3. Describe a recent project or piece of work where you conducted policy analysis or research to influence policy. What was your approach, what methods did you use and what impact did your work have? 

4. Describe your experience of working in a multi-disciplinary project team, with people from different professional backgrounds (e.g., analysis, researchers, communications, partners etc.) how did this collaboration achieve a greater impact? 

5. Describe your experience of communicating the findings from policy analysis/ research to non-expert audiences from a range of backgrounds, how did you approach this and what did you learn about what works, 

Our Commitment to inclusion and diversity

We are committed to an inclusive hiring process, where every candidate has the chance to showcase their unique skills and experience in an accessible, and supported environment, to ensure that we can make the best appointment for each job on merit. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage those from underrepresented groups in this field to apply to us.   We have identified three diverse groups, in particular, we want to achieve a better balance across our organisation between men and women, increase representation of people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds and recruit more people with disabilities. As part of this commitment, we particularly welcome applications from these groups.

Apply to join our team and let's work towards building a diverse and inclusive workplace together. Help us work together to make the recruitment process and potential future employment more accessible and enjoyable for you.

Closing date: August 20, 2025, at 23:00

Interview date: From September 2, 2025

The Vacancy

Job Title: Policy Manager

Location: London/Hybrid

Salary: £43,294.95 per annum

Weekly Hours: 35

Reference: YMC1130049

There’s a new opportunity for a strategic thinker with a passion for influencing public policy and making a real difference in young people’s lives.  YMCA England & Wales is looking for a Policy Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping the future for communities across the country.

As the largest and oldest youth charity in the world, YMCA is a dynamic federation committed to supporting young people in mind, body, and spirit. In this exciting and influential role, you’ll lead our policy function – ensuring YMCA's voice is heard across Westminster, Whitehall, and beyond.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Policy, Campaigns & Research, the Policy Manager will drive our engagement with government, policymakers, and stakeholders by crafting evidence-based positions that reflect the needs of the YMCA movement and the young people we serve.

You will be responsible for monitoring emerging policy developments, preparing responses to government announcements, and producing high-quality briefings and reports for internal and external stakeholders. You’ll work closely with local YMCAs to ensure our positions are grounded in lived experience and reflect the realities faced by communities across England and Wales.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape public discourse, build influential relationships, and help us champion the issues that matter most – from youth homelessness and mental health to employment and education.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of YMCA’s public policy positions using robust research and insights.
• Monitor, analyse, and respond to government announcements, select committee work, and policy shifts.
• Produce briefings and reports for the Chief Executive, Board of Trustees, and senior leaders.
• Develop strong relationships with government departments, civil servants, and coalition partners.
• Collaborate with local YMCAs to ensure grassroots experiences inform national policy.
• Amplify the voice of young people in all areas of policy development.
• Support and work closely with colleagues across the Policy, Communications & International (PCI) team.

About You

You are a confident communicator with a deep understanding of the UK policy landscape and experience influencing public policy at a senior level. You bring strategic insight, exceptional analytical skills, and the ability to turn complex information into clear, impactful messages.

You’ll have:

• Proven experience in a policy role, ideally in the charity or public sector.
• Strong political awareness and understanding of policy-making processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience producing briefings and reports for senior audiences.
• The ability to build collaborative relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
• A passion for social justice and a commitment to YMCA’s mission and values.

Why Join Us?

At YMCA England & Wales, you’ll be part of a supportive, inclusive organisation making a tangible impact. You’ll help drive real change for young people and communities, working in a role that offers purpose, flexibility, and professional development.  If you're interested please do not delay, due to recent high volume of applications we may have to close the application window earlier than 24th August.

Our recruitment process is anonymised and candidates' names are hidden. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration, safeguarding training and undertake a DBS check.

Making The Leap is an innovative societal change charity that aims to make a big difference. From direct delivery, to advocacy and leadership, we refuse to stay in our lane and believe passionately that those we exist to serve have the right to be anything they want to be. To say that this is an exciting time for the organisation would be an understatement, as our incredible funders, donors, partners and supporters have given us the chance to move to the next level, and have further influence and delivery nationally.

The ethos of the organisation is to be passionate about helping young people from less-advantaged backgrounds; build up other charities and community groups and want to partner with them or support them; want to work with businesses and organisations to get things done; and care deeply about addressing racial inequity.

The organisation has a number of strands: core Making The Leap; the UK Social Mobility Awards; the Social Mobility Podcast; The Social Mobility List and Black Charity Leaders.

Job Title:  Head of Policy and Engagement

Location:  London, (The Foundry, Vauxhall) 

Type: Permanent, hybrid

Hours: 4 days/28 hours a week 

Salary: £50k pa (FTE) 

About Equally Ours 

Equally Ours (previously the Equality and Diversity Forum) is a UK charity that brings together people and organisations working across equality, human rights and social justice to make a reality of these in everyone’s lives.

Through our members and networks, Equally Ours joins up research, policy and communications to shift public opinion and policy in positive and powerful ways. This is an exciting and pivotal time for us. At the end of 2022, we launched a 10-year strategy, 'Together for social justice', which sets out our bold agenda to increase equality and strengthen rights at scale.  

We are a voluntary membership organisation dedicated to supporting networks, communities and grassroots groups across the UK to influence public policy and decision-making processes.

This important new role aims to support London-based members and our wider networks in shaping meaningful, structural public policy changes that address climate action, social justice, and economic opportunity. This role will work at the intersection of national and London government agendas, ensuring that the diverse experiences of Londoners shape a more socially just London and the UK that protect and advances people's equality and human rights. 

Role Overview 

We are seeking a Head of Policy and Community Engagement to lead our policy advocacy and community engagement initiatives. This role is crucial in helping our members develop a collective voice, influence policy at both local and national levels, and drive long-lasting, systemic change. The successful candidate will work closely with London-based members and grassroots organisations, convening and facilitating opportunities to develop a unified and impactful voice and advocate for systemic change on key issues such as climate justice and resilience, employment inequality and economic inclusion, particularly in the context of public sector investment and the green economy. They will have a passion for human rights, equality and social justice, and strong policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement experience. 

Key Responsibilities 

Policy Advocacy & Engagement 

• Support Member Voice: Facilitate opportunities for our members (and their networks) to develop a unified and impactful voice on key policy issues.

• Drive structural change: Advocate for systemic, rather than piecemeal, policy reform on issues relating to climate action, law and economic opportunity.

• Policy research & analysis: synthesize research data, commission research, and stay informed on the priorities of national government, Greater London Authority and local borough councils, as well as those of funders, to provide members with strategic analysis and support in developing and influencing policy. 

• Focus on intersectionality: Promote the adoption of an intersectional, pan-equality, and human rights-based framework in policy areas such as the equality and human rights legal framework, climate justice and social investment. 

Community & Network Development 

• Develop and strengthen membership model: Lead efforts to develop and adapt our membership and engagement model, ensuring it remains responsive to the evolving needs of our London network and the wider movement.

• Equip grassroots groups: Work closely with grassroots organisations to build their capacity and influence on key issues, supporting them to engage directly with policymakers and participate meaningfully in policy debates.

• Promote collaboration and capacity building: Promote collaboration among members, encouraging the sharing of best practice, strengthening their collective voice, and enhancing their effectiveness in advocating for their communities. 

Strategic Initiatives & emerging trends 

• Horizon scanning and trend analysis: Monitor emerging trends in the climate, social justice, and community development sectors, ensuring strategies are adapted to address these developments.

• Network expansion: Identify opportunities to grow our network and extend our reach, ensuring more grassroots organisations are empowered to engage with policy agendas and drive systemic change. 

What skills and experiences we’re looking for: 

• Strong policy expertise: demonstrable experience of analysing evidence from a range of sources (lived experience, think tank and academic reports,) and working collaboratively with communities to identify the root causes of inequality and create policy solutions. Ideally in one or more of the areas of climate justice, economic opportunity, and social inclusion. 

• Community Engagement: Experience of working with grassroots organisations and local communities, with a focus on building capacity and amplifying their voices at local borough, London and UK government levels. 

• Advocacy Skills:

• Strong understanding and demonstrable experience of public policy change processes at the intersection of UK and London government agendas

• Proven ability to develop, lead, implement and monitor influencing strategies that drive systemic change 

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think creatively and strategically about developing engagement models and responding to emerging trends in social and environmental justice movements. 

• Commitment: commitment to and a sound understanding of how to apply equality, intersectionality and human rights principles to public policy development, and the credibility to build trust with communities. 

• Network Building: Demonstrable experience in growing and supporting membership networks or coalitions, ideally in the voluntary or charity sector. 

• Emotional intelligence: High levels of emotional intelligence and resilience, including the understanding and ability to manage how lived experience of our privilege and inequality can impact in the workplace for yourself, colleagues and external stakeholders. 

• Managing staff: Experience managing at least one staff member, providing both task centered and pastoral support. The ability to hold and manage difficult feelings and conversations with tact and sensitivity. 

• Anti-racism: Commitment to embed anti-racism across all aspects of our work.

Desirable: 

• Experience of commissioning different types of research 

• Experience of working with impact monitoring and evaluation frameworks, for example theory of change methodology. 

Salary: £37,280 starting salary (salary range will increase to a max £39,862 via the length of service) per annum plus £4,324 Inner London Weighting if based in the London office per annum

Contract: Fixed Term contract until 30 June 2026

Hours: Full-time. 35 hours per week (excluding lunch breaks). Some evening and weekend work may be required for which time off in lieu should be claimed.

Location: Any Refugee Action Office: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford.  We will consider a UK-based hybrid working option. 

Closing date to apply for the role: 23.59pm on 17th August*

*Please read carefully, the information below on how to apply for this role

*This is a readvertisement – previous applicants need not apply

Please read carefully – how to apply for this role:

Applications for this role are only* open to people who identify as having lived experience of forced displacement due to war, invasion, persecution or human rights abuses

(This also includes British nationals living/working overseas who have been forced to leave due to war, invasion, persecution or human rights abuses)

*Current Refugee Action employees with and without lived experience, are eligible to apply.

About Refugee Action

Refugee Action exists to work with refugees and people seeking asylum who’ve survived some of the world’s worst regimes. We are a national charity with more than 40 years’ experience of empowering people who’ve survived some of the world’s worst regimes to secure the protection and support that they need to live with dignity and respect and build a new life in the UK. We do this by providing expert advice and casework, building the capacity of partner organisations and campaigning on the policies that affect them. 

About the post 

This exciting role would mean joining Refugee Action at a crucial point in the charity’s 40-year history, full of opportunity and potential. You will use your creative skills to support the creation of innovative digital content to engage and mobilise existing supporters and add to Refugee Action’s rapidly growing audience. Working between the fundraising and campaigns team, this role will support the Digital Communications Manager to deliver our ambitious digital strategy, focusing on the development of engaging digital content, the management of one of our key supporter databases, and will lead on the engagement and retention work which supports Refugee Action’s fundraising and campaigning. 

We are looking for candidates that can demonstrate: 

• Commitment to removing barriers to power for people with lived experience, and commitment to anti-racist practices. 

• Understanding of how the UK’s hostile refugee protection and asylum system impacts those affected by it.

• Strong understanding of the role of digital tactics in the development and execution of campaign strategies.

• Strong writing, editing and proof-reading skills, with experience of using these within a fast-paced environment and adapting content for difference audiences.

• Experience of maintaining and nurturing social media communities and creating impactful digital content.

• Knowledge of Facebook advertising, including the set-up, management and analysis of ad performance.

• Experience using Canva, or Adobe creative software – particularly Photoshop, InDesign and Premiere.

• Experience of using Engaging Networks or similar system or proven ability to learn new systems quickly.

• Thorough understanding of website optimisation with experience working with website content management systems. 

• Experience of using Google AdWords, and of using reporting and analytics tools, such as Google Analytics.

• Understanding of the digital landscape, and emerging trends in web and social technology and digital fundraising.

Closing date:  23.59pm, Sunday 17 August

Interviews:  Tuesday 26 August

Refugee Action only operates in the UK, so all roles are UK-based, and you must have the right to work in the UK.

This role is not on the Shortage Occupation List.  If you have permission to work that is restricted to the Shortage Occupation List, we will be unable to appoint you to this role.

You can find out which roles are on the shortage occupation list via these two links:

• Skilled Worker visa: shortage occupations 

• Skilled Worker visa: shortage occupations for healthcare and education

We are currently campaigning for people seeking asylum to have the right to work in the UK, see our Lift the Ban campaign here.

About Equally Ours: 

We’re the UK charity that brings together people and organisations working across equality, human rights and social justice to make a reality of these in everyone’s lives. Our vision is a just and compassionate society, where we are free from harm and can all contribute and flourish, whoever we are, whatever we believe in, and whatever we do and don’t have. A society that is equally ours.

About the role: 

We are seeking a Membership and Communications Officer to support our Policy and Public Affairs team and lead on engaging our members.  

You will be the main point of contact for our members and support our Policy team in building relationships within and mobilising the collective voice of our membership to influence public policy and drive long-lasting, systemic change.  

The successful candidate will have a passion for human rights, equality and social justice, and strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.   

Why Equally Ours? 

• Generous benefits including enhanced pension, 26 days of annual leave, health and wellbeing support, and more.

• Flexible working arrangements to help you balance your professional and personal life.

• A collaborative culture that values lived experience alongside professional expertise.

If you are looking for an opportunity to use your skills to drive meaningful social change, we would love to hear from you.

How to Apply:

Please read through the full job pack and then submit your CV and cover letter (max 2 pages) outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the criteria. Please ensure that you address all the criteria, providing sufficient relevant evidence, including examples, to show how your skills and experience match those required in the person specification. Applications without cover letters will not be accepted. 

Closing date for applications: 7 Sept 2025, midnight 

Job Title: Policy and Influencing Manager
Organisation: Kids
Location: Remote (with travel to London up to once a week for meetings)
Salary: £33,000–£35,000
Contract: Full-time or 4 days/week (Flexible working available)

Make change happen – for every child.

At Kids, we believe every child should have the opportunity to thrive – regardless of disability or circumstance. As our Policy and Influencing Manager, you’ll play a vital role in making this a reality. You’ll help shape policies that amplify the voices and experiences of disabled children and young people, turning insight into influence and ideas into action.

This is a unique opportunity to lead bold, evidence-based policy work that reflects the lived experiences of the families we support. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation and sector, you’ll inform decision-makers, respond to developments in the SEND landscape, and ensure that young people’s voices are at the heart of the change we seek.

We’re looking for a passionate and proactive policy professional who’s ready to help build something powerful – and lasting – at a critical time for SEND reform in the UK.

What you'll do

Policy & Influencing

• Develop accessible and compelling policy briefings, consultation responses, reports, speeches, and presentations for a range of stakeholders, including MPs, government officials, and sector partners.
• Translate complex ideas into clear, persuasive communications that support positive change.
• Collaborate with our Youth Voice Manager to ensure our policy positions reflect the real experiences of the young people and families we support.
• Help deliver and monitor our policy and influencing strategy in collaboration with the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing.

Research & Evidence

• Carry out high-quality research and analysis from both internal and external sources.
•  Centre the experiences and insights of disabled children, young people, and their families in policy solutions
• Monitor policy developments across the SEND landscape and lead on timely, evidence-led responses.
• Track progress against our influencing goals and ensure our actions remain targeted and impactful.

Engagement & Relationship Building

• Build strong relationships with decision-makers across government and the public sector.
• Support the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing to plan and deliver our strategic external engagement plan in order to focus and drive our wider influencing work
• Represent Kids at meetings and events, including engaging MPs, civil servants, and other key influencers.
• Work closely with internal teams and front-line colleagues to ensure our influencing work is grounded in practice and informed by those delivering services.

Collaboration & Strategic Partnerships

• Work alongside the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing and Youth Voice Manager to deliver our external engagement strategy including deputising at meetings when required.
• Support collaboration across teams to bring in parent, carer, and young person voices.
• Contribute to external coalitions and alliances – attending meetings, aligning with others’ work, and championing Kids' policy priorities.

What you'll bring

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a policy role and demonstrable experience of using policy and evidence to influence outcomes– ideally within the disability sector.
• Strong understanding of the SEND system and related policies and legislation (through lived or professional experience).
• Excellent writing skills – able to craft persuasive policy briefings, consultation responses, and reports with clarity and purpose.
• Confident communicator, able to engage a range of audiences in person and in writing.
• Strong research and analytical skills – able to sift through evidence and develop insight-driven policy recommendations.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Passionate about inclusion, equity, and social justice – with a strong motivation to elevate the voices of disabled children and young people.

Why work at Kids?

We’re a mission-driven organisation, building a fairer world where all children have the opportunity to flourish. You’ll join a growing team in a pivotal role, helping to shape the future of policy and advocacy at Kids.

We’re committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We’re especially keen to hear from people with lived experience of disability or SEND, either personally or within your family or community.

Ready to create change that counts?
Apply now and help us influence a better, more inclusive future for disabled children and young people.

Note: We may close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Please apply promptly

Job Title: Services Manager

Hours: 21 hours per week

Salary:

• £23,380 per annum (£38,966 full time equivalent) 

Work Location: Balham (London) 

Are you passionate about supporting and empowering unpaid Carers? 

Do you have experience of managing frontline services and staff? 

If so, this could be the job for you! 

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic team that provides a range of support services to unpaid Carers in Wandsworth. We require an experienced, motivated and proactive manager for this post.  

About The Role: 

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will share collective responsibility for managing Wandsworth Carers’ Centre (WCC) services and delivering its strategic goals. 

You will be directly responsible for the management of frontline support staff (currently 3 in number) and for the volunteers aligned to those staff members/services. You will provide advocacy, referral and ongoing practical and emotional support to Carers through individual and group work as required, facilitating the monthly Male Carers peer support group and overseeing the volunteer led Male Carers Social group.

You will work collaboratively with other local agencies delivering training and undertaking outreach and in developing and maintaining partnerships and referral pathways that support Carers’ health and wellbeing.

You will share responsibility for improving, developing and growing the services to ensure that they continue to effectively meet changing needs. This will include generating new ideas for services and projects and writing fundraising applications. 

Key Requirements Include: 

• Experience of delivering front line services and managing staff 

• Experience of developing service plans and project development 

• Outstanding organisational and communication skills, excellent IT skills and experience of report writing. 

• The successful applicant will be able to manage conflicting demands with tight deadlines and be a key team player. 

About Wandsworth Carers’ Centre: 

We are a busy, ambitious charity operating at the heart of the Wandsworth community since 1995, helping thousands of people across the borough in unpaid Caring roles. We give information and advice, organise respite, offer complementary therapies, deliver training, provide peer support, arrange fun events and much more.  In short, we are the Carer's friend and advocate, often helping Carers through difficult times. 

Wandsworth Carers’ Centre is an inclusive employer. We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring equity and inclusion in everything we do.

Benefits of working for Wandsworth Carers’ Centre:   

Friendly team and working environment, some remote and office-based work, annual leave starts at 26 days increasing to 31 days plus bank and public holidays, contributory company pension, ongoing training and development opportunities and an employee assistance program.  

Interviews are scheduled to take place on the 02nd and 03rd September.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised close date. 

Who we are:

Muslim Aid is a UK faith-based international development organisation that provides support to communities around the world affected by disasters, conflict, or endemic poverty without regard to their social, religious, or ethnic background. 

Established in 1985, Muslim Aid has facilitated the engagement of the British Muslim and non-Muslim community in support of its work in a variety of ways. Over the years, its humanitarian work has included responses to major crises around the world including, famine in East Africa, earthquakes and flooding in Pakistan and Bangladesh as well as conflicts in Syria and Yemen. 

We place strong emphasis on long-term development projects that build the capacity of local people to help themselves. In addition to the 5 country offices worldwide we also work with multiple partner offices focusing on sustainable Development Programmes and providing humanitarian relief during times of crisis.

Summary of the role:

The Global Programmes Manager provides supervision and management support to Muslim Aid Country Offices and implementing partners ensuring the efficient and effective implementation of high-quality delivery of projects and programmes in line with organizational strategy, in compliance with donor expectations, governmental and international standards.

The role is responsible for technical and management advice and support to ensure Muslim Aid Country Offices and partners are implementing, monitoring and evaluating programme activities in compliance with Muslim Aid’s strategy and budget as well as recognised international standards.

In addition, other key responsibilities include building and expanding strategic partnerships, with donors and other development partners to increase the size, scope and quality of programmes implemented by the Country Offices to reach the poorest, marginalised and underserved populations. Regular travel will be required.

About the Role:

1. Implement our strategy by supporting Country Offices and partner organisations in programme development and delivery, and in impact measurement.
2. Support Country Offices (including affiliates) to reinforce our mission, vision, values and direction through clear and articulate communications.
3. Provide technical support in organisational development for the Country Offices, ensuring appropriate technical and management skills exist to effectively implement programmes and showing improvements over time in our organisational health checks.
4. Work closely with Country Offices and partners to strengthen our due diligence and compliance procedures and ensure their effective use in practice.
5. Ensure efficient use of allocated funds; agree budgets and plans for the Country Offices. Ensure financial management and Value for Money is central to the management and accountability of work undertaken by Country Offices and partners.
6. Ensure that the quality of our programmes and partnerships at all levels are of a high standard in delivering our promises and commitments.

About You:

To be successful in this role, you will need:

1. Educated to degree level standard in international development or similar related field
2. Demonstrated experience in international development management including senior management and distance management.
3. Experience of building strong relationships at the highest levels with development partners.
4. Knowledge of SPHERE, CHS and DEC Accountability Framework priorities and other humanitarian/development
5. Excellent project management and facilitation skills.
6. Strong and well-developed analytical skills coupled with experience of writing quality proposals and reports

Why you should apply:

Join Muslim Aid as a Global Programmes Manager and take a leading role in driving the delivery of high-quality humanitarian and development programmes around the world. This is a dynamic opportunity to support and oversee our Country Offices and partners, ensuring effective implementation of impactful projects that align with our global strategy and meet international standards. You’ll provide critical technical and management support, help strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems, and foster strategic partnerships with donors and key stakeholders. If you're ready to make a global impact and support communities in need through sustainable, scalable programmes, apply now to be part of our mission.

Benefits you will enjoy working for us: 

• 25 days annual leave + 4 Privilege days
• Hybrid working
• Paid time off for medical appointments 
• 2 hours lunch break on Fridays 
• Time off in Lieu (TOIL) 
• Pension Scheme

How to apply:

To apply please submit your cover letter (no more than 1 page) and CV.

Friends of Moorfields

The Friends of Moorfields is a registered charity supporting the patients and staff at Moorfields Eye Hospital, a world centre of excellence for the specialist treatment of eye diseases.

The Friends provide a range of services to support the work of the hospital – including the purchase of clinical equipment – and manage a team of volunteers.

The Position

We have an exciting opportunity for a self-starting individual looking to develop a career across the breadth of communications, media and PR in the digital age. Based at Moorfields Eye Hospital, the post holder will be inspired by the difference Friends staff and volunteers make to patients and staff at Moorfields. They will be passionate about seeking the most engaging ways to communicate across digital and social media platforms. They will work closely with the health hub, shop and volunteer team and will be committed to raising the profile and awareness of Friends of Moorfields.

The post-holder will be an all-rounder; someone who is comfortable working on their own initiative, is well organised, and who enjoys the challenges of supporting a small and friendly team. They will be supported to grow and develop in this role, through an active approach to training and development, and through a positive and empowering working environment.

Key Accountabilities

1. To promote Friends externally and manage our website content.
2. To provide regular communication with our existing membership and supporters
3. To contribute to, edit and produce our quarterly newsletter and information leaflets.
4. o collaborate with partner organisations (Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and Moorfields Eye Charity) to ensure joint messaging where appropriate.
5. To work with Moorfields Eye Hospital Communication Team to raise awareness of sight loss and eye conditions.
6. Other General Duties