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Purpose of the Role
As the Policy and Campaigns Officer for Scotland, you will be the driving force behind our policy development, political monitoring, and strategic advocacy in Scotland. Your work will champion the strategic interests of dietitians as both a professional membership body and a registered trade union. Alongside core policy work, you will take direct ownership of designing and delivering a high-profile national campaign which is delivered across the UK. This allocated campaign will focus on a critical theme impacting both public health and our workforce.
The role sits within the BDA’s policy and public affairs function, and you will be part of a small team of policy officers and a public affairs officer who work across the other home countries and the UK. You will have access to an established Scotland board, a colleague who covers trade union representation in Scotland and a supportive professional practice, communications and leadership team based at our Birmingham head office.
Key Areas of Responsibility
The post holder will deliver on the following key responsibilities:
Policy development and advocacy (55%)
- Monitoring the political environment in Scotland in our key areas of interest, providing briefs and advice to the Scotland board and BDA senior leadership team on developments within Holyrood, NHS Scotland, STUC and local government.
- Policy development including work with relevant committees and BDA staff in the development of key policy documents and position statements with particular responsibility for policy positions in Scotland which balance clinical standards with social impact, workforce and employment rights.
- Co-ordinate and draft robust, evidence-based responses to consultations from Scottish government, public bodies and parliamentary committees. May also respond to UK consultations where appropriate for a campaign theme.
- In conjunction with the BDA public affairs officer, advocacy for the dietetic profession and the BDA in Scotland by maintaining a network of contacts across the Scottish political spectrum including MSPs, government officials, health board executives, and policy influencers.
- Translate political updates and complex policy changes into clear accessible updates and guidance for BDA members via newsletters, webinars and the website.
- Represent the BDA with internal and external stakeholders including BDA Specialist Groups, AHP policy officer and working groups/networks and other alliances.
- Represent the BDA at Allied Health Professions Federation Scotland (AHPFS) working groups and events, building relationships, contributing dietetic priorities and ensuring the profession’s interests are reflected in shared policy discussions and collaborative activity.
Campaign co-ordination (30%)
- Completion of campaign workplan/s template with the campaign working group/s.
- Co-ordinate campaigns in conjunction with working group/s.
- Monitoring the landscape with regards to allocated campaigns. Provide advice when relevant issues are trending or becoming topical.
- Build appropriate alliances with third-sector organisations, networks and charities, food policy alliances and other health unions to amplify the campaign’s impact.
- Working with colleagues in communications, design and public affairs to create compelling campaigning materials, digital content, and toolkits to mobilise members, the public, and parliamentarians to lobby for legislative and budgetary changes that support dietetic services and interests.
- Establish clear KPIs for the campaign/s, monitoring progress, media coverage, member engagement, and policy shifts, and reporting these to senior leadership.
Cross BDA engagement and communications (15%)
- Help and deliver the BDA’s participation in profile raising events in Scotland, such as NHS Confederation.
- Regular engagement with the Chair of the Scotland Board on policy, political and government matters, resulting in input to Board agendas and support for political engagement.
- Provide expert advice and briefings to senior leadership ahead of high-level meetings or media appearances in Scotland.
- Be a valuable member of the BDA policy and public affairs function, contributing to the evolution of the policy function and contributing to the wider work and objectives of the Trade Union team
Person Specification
Knowledge
- Degree educated.
- Campaign/project management.
- Health policy development.
- Equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Public policy making process, particularly within Scotland.
- Knowledge of the Health and Social Care policy landscape in Scotland and the devolved nature of public services.
- It is also desirable if you have an understanding of the trade union movement in Scotland.
Experience
- Experience of working in a policy, public affairs or research role in healthcare, membership, charity, public sector, or trade union.
- Experience of lone working and being part of a small field-based team.
- Working within a health professional body or trust/board.
- Working in a political environment.
It is also desirable if you have worked as a dietitian or dietetic support worker.
Ideally you should be confident working independently in a small field-based team, able to build relationships and translate complex policy into clear advice, with desirable experience in a professional body, trade union, or dietetic setting.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About the Role
We are looking for a motivated and capable individual to join our dynamic Policy and Public Affairs Team, supporting the development of credible, evidence‑based policy proposals and helping to influence UK governments and NHS organisations to adopt them.
Key tasks and responsibilities include (but are not limited to):
· Monitoring the political and policy environment to keep track of things like Government / NHS initiatives and influencing opportunities.
· Collating and helping to analyse existing quantitative and qualitative research to produce briefings, help generate policy proposals and facilitate their implementation.
· Assisting the Head of Policy and Public Affairs and Policy and Public Affairs Officer to devise and implement influencing plans directed towards politicians, the NHS or relevant stakeholders.
· Preparing and drafting responses to consultations and reports relevant to the work of CPOC and the College, ensuring responses are evidence-based and in line with on-going policy work and strategy.
· Assisting with designing and conducting new research, such as survey work or interviews, in support of policy and influencing work.
· Becoming the team’s main expert on policy work in one of the UK devolved nations – likely Northern Ireland – and represent the Policy and Public Affairs Team on RCoA’s board for that nation.
· Providing general administrative support to the Team, including producing agendas for meetings and keeping track of our contacts with stakeholders.
About You
To succeed in this role, you will need to deliver high‑quality work at pace, be well organised, eager to learn and able to build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. You should have a sound understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, what makes impactful policy proposals and how research can be used to influence policymakers. Insight into the UK health policy landscape, including government and NHS priorities, is also important.
This role is well‑suited to someone starting their policy career, and while previous policy experience is beneficial, it is not essential as full support and development will be provided.
What We Want to Achieve
We want to see an NHS that delivers good outcomes for patients and makes the best use of available resources. Our role in this relates to the anaesthetic workforce, and we have two specific priorities:
1) Boosting the anaesthetic workforce. Most operations require an anaesthetist in order to take place, but each of the four UK nations faces a chronic shortage of anaesthetists. Unfortunately, at present, no UK government is funding enough anaesthetic training places. We are determined to see this changed.
2) Optimising the surgical pathway. Anaesthetists don’t just work in the operating theatres they are often involved with the care patients receive before and after their operations – known as ‘perioperative care’. Good perioperative care can prevent surgical cancellations, complications, and unnecessarily long hospital stays. To this end, we host the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC). CPOC advocates policies such as ‘prehabilitation’ to ensure that patients arrive in hospital on the day of their surgery in the healthiest state possible – so their operation can go ahead without problems, and they can recover quickly. We are doggedly pushing for such polices to be adopted.
The Package
This is a full-time, permanent position with a competitive employee benefits package, which includes (but is not limited to):
· 26 days of annual leave, plus bank holiday
· 1 additional paid day of leave for the purpose of celebrating your birthday
· Healthcare support through Benenden Health
· Up to 12% pension contribution
· Hybrid and flexible working
· Wellbeing hour once a week
· Cycle to work and employee discounts schemes
· Training and development opportunities
· Access to Mental Health First Aiders and Employee Assistance Programmes
About the College
The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) is the professional body responsible for the specialty throughout the UK. We are the third largest medical royal college in the UK by membership. With a combined membership of more than 24,000 Fellows and Members, we ensure the quality of patient care by safeguarding standards in the three specialties of anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine.
At RCoA equality, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our culture so it is important to us that this is reflected in everything that we do. We welcome applications from all individuals irrespective of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, marital status, or parental responsibilities to ensure we actively embrace an inclusive and representative culture that encourages, supports and celebrates our differences.
How to Apply
If you believe that you are the right person for this role, please submit your CV and cover letter by Tuesday 30th June. In your cover please address clearly how your experience meets the essential criteria in the job description in no more than 750 words.
Please note that the closing date is subject to change, depending on the success of the recruitment process.
Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we are unable to provide detailed feedback to candidates on their application. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted after the closing date. Please note that the closing date is subject to change.
Applicants must reside and have the right to work in the UK. No agencies please.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Location: Remote (the postholder must be based in Wales in order to regularly attend meetings in the Senedd and other stakeholder meetings)
Annual leave: 33 days (plus eight bank holidays)
Benefits:
- enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and shared parental pay
- family-friendly policies
- 8% employer pension contribution (Aviva)
- life assurance cover at 3 x annual salary
- health cashback plan (Medicash): employee cover plus up to four dependent children
- 24/7 virtual GP access (UK registered), plus access to Best Doctors
- confidential employee assistance programme (Medicash)
- access to a wellbeing app
- flexible working options including hybrid working, flexible working patterns such as part-time, compressed hours, and more*
- learning and development opportunities including bespoke training and access to LinkedIn Learning)
- commitment to employee health and wellbeing.
- we have a Menopause Friendly accreditation and are a Disability Confident employer
Join Dementia UK as Policy and Public Affairs Manager (Wales) and play a pivotal role in shaping our influence as we deliver our 2025–30 strategy. This new role reflects a significant investment in expanding our Campaigns, Policy and Public Affairs function, strengthening our ability to drive change across all nations of the UK. You will lead our work to amplify Dementia UK’s voice in Wales, ensuring that the experiences of people living with dementia, and the Admiral Nurses who support them, drive meaningful improvements in care and support.
You will lead our political and policy engagement in Wales, building trusted relationships with Senedd, civil servants, political advisers and sector partners. Through sharp political insight and rigorous policy development, you will help shape our influencing priorities, identify strategic opportunities, and position Dementia UK as a credible and authoritative voice on dementia care within the Welsh policy landscape.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across policy, public affairs, campaigns, communications, clinical services and lived experience, you will develop and deliver a Welsh policy and public affairs strategy that aligns with our UK-wide approach. You will also represent Dementia UK externally as our primary political contact in Wales, ensuring our perspectives are heard in key debates and decision‑making forums.
To thrive in this role, you will bring strong political instincts, deep knowledge of Welsh political institutions and policy processes, and a proven ability to build influential relationships with senior stakeholders. You will be a strategic thinker with the confidence to lead evidence-based policy development, assess risks and opportunities in a fast-moving environment, and drive forward activity that supports our long-term ambition to transform dementia care across the UK.
Whilst this role is home-based, the postholder must be based in Wales in order to regularly attend meetings in the Senedd and other stakeholder meetings.
We would love to hear from you!
Our culture
In addition to a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, we truly value our people. It’s important for us to create a working environment that looks after our workforce to support them in achieving their full potential. You will become part of a diverse and dedicated team who are supported to use and develop their skills. We recognise and value the key role you will play in delivering our strategic plans for the benefit of those living with dementia.
Our staff have a voice. Representatives from different roles and levels across the organisation positively contribute to and lead on our working groups around health and wellbeing, menopause, and equity, diversity and inclusion.
Dementia UK is proud to welcome everyone. We aim for a truly inclusive culture with talented, diverse teams that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We celebrate difference and individuality and encourage everyone to feel comfortable being themselves at work.
Dementia UK is a Disability Confident Employer.
By applying to join Dementia UK, you acknowledge that in the event you are successful for the role, any offer and your ongoing employment will be conditional on you having or obtaining the right to work in the UK.
*Please note that any decision on flexible working is based on business needs
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
ReachOut is a national youth development charity and a strategic partner for schools. Through collective mentoring and engaging activities, we build socio-emotional skills that transform outcomes for young people constrained by circumstance.
Our Youth Development Leads are the heart of our programme delivery and facilitate high quality and impactful sessions for our young people. Reporting to the Programmes and Impact Manager, you’ll work with autonomy to manage your school partners, develop your team of volunteer mentors and collaborate across our ambitious delivery team with a focus on evidence based continuous improvement.
Designed as a two-year experience for graduates and early-career professionals ready to take on real responsibility from day one. You’ll build the skills, confidence and experience to thrive in leadership roles across charities, education, social impact and beyond.
Contract: Permanent, part-time (0.8FTE) with a probationary period of 6 months
Salary: £26,227.50 pro rata (£20,982 for 0.8 FTE) in line with the real living wage
Location: Manchester
- In-school project delivery Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday with travel costs covered
- Hybrid working for the remainder of your time – choose to work from home or access co-working spaces across the city
- Manchester team co-working days – currently twice a month but some team members choose to meet up more regularly
Hours: 30 hours per week, Tuesday – Friday
- Standard hours 9:00-17:30with flexibility offered where possible
- Working hours to shift, approximately 11:00-19:30, where schools prefer sessions in our later timeslot. We do not currently have any later projects and would not allocate more than 2 in a week
Annual Leave: 29 days plus bank holidays pro rata (23 days for 0.8 FTE) with a maximum of 4 days to be taken in school term time
Application Deadline
- 9am Tuesday 7th July 2026
For the full description, person specification, and background information, please download the Recruitment Pack found below or on our website.
Thank you!
Policy and Public Affairs Manager
Location: Remote, with some travel to Cannock, London and other locations as required
Reports to: Charity Director
Team: Charitable Service
At Newlife, we’re entering an exciting new chapter - we’re on a mission to empower disabled children and their families, to live life to the fullest and champion the joy of childhood.
So we’re investing in our people and building the team we need to deliver our new strategic ambitions.
Newlife is looking for an experienced and values-driven Policy and Public Affairs Manager to lead our policy, influencing, public affairs and campaigning work. This is an exciting opportunity to shape national conversations and drive meaningful change for disabled children and their families across education, health and social care systems.
In this role, you will ensure that lived experience is at the heart of Newlife’s influencing work, developing evidence-based policy positions, building strategic relationships and delivering campaigns that challenge barriers, raise awareness and improve outcomes for families.
About the role
As Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across Newlife’s policy, campaigns, public affairs and lived experience activity. You will identify opportunities to influence policy and practice, develop compelling cases for change, and represent Newlife with decision-makers, sector partners and external stakeholders.
You will also oversee the delivery and development of the APPG for Access to Disability Equipment, working with parliamentarians, government departments and sector organisations to increase awareness of the issues affecting disabled children and families.
Key responsibilities
o Lead the development and delivery of Newlife’s policy, public affairs, campaigning and influencing strategy.
o Develop evidence-based policy positions informed by research, service insight and lived experience.
o Ensure the voices of disabled children and families shape Newlife’s policy, campaigning and influencing work.
o Oversee the APPG for Access to Disability Equipment and build relationships with parliamentarians, policymakers and sector partners.
o Lead campaigns and influencing activity that raise awareness, challenge barriers and support policy change.
o Build strategic partnerships and coalitions to strengthen Newlife’s influence and collective impact.
o Represent Newlife externally at parliamentary events, conferences, roundtables and sector forums.
o Provide effective leadership for policy, campaigns and lived experience activity, including line management of the Lived Experience Coordinator.
o Contribute to organisational strategy, planning and growth as a member of the Charity Leadership Team.
About you
We are looking for someone with significant experience in policy development, public affairs, campaigning or influencing, ideally within the charity, public or not-for-profit sector. You will bring strong knowledge of policy and influencing processes, excellent communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
You will be confident developing policy briefings, consultation responses, reports and position papers, and able to use evidence, research and lived experience to influence change. You will also be a collaborative leader with a strong commitment to inclusion, equity and the rights of disabled children and their families.
Essential experience and skills
o Experience of developing and delivering policy and influencing strategies.
o Experience of building relationships with parliamentarians, policymakers, government departments or national stakeholders.
o Experience of managing campaigns, consultations or public affairs activity.
o Experience of partnership and coalition working.
o Experience of using research, evidence and lived experience to influence change.
o Strong understanding of education, health, social care and disability policy.
o Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
o Strong leadership, people management, strategic thinking and analytical skills.
o Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
For the full person specification, please refer to the attachement below
Why join Newlife?
This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in strengthening Newlife’s voice and influence, helping to create systemic change for disabled children and their families. You will work with passionate colleagues, families, professionals and partners to shape policy, improve practice and ensure lived experience drives meaningful action.
If you are a strategic, compassionate and influential leader who wants to make a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you.
Benefits
In return, you will receive 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, a generous in-store discount, a cash health plan, discounts on restaurants, travel and insurance, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme through Retail Trust.
#Policy and Public Affairs Manager #Policy and Public Affairs #Policy Manager #Public Affairs Manager
Registered Charity
101 - 500
The UK’s largest charitable provider of specialist equipment for disabled children.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Salary: £35,159 to £36,935 (starting salary range)
Working pattern: Full-time, Permanent (35 hours per week)
Pension: USS
Annual leave: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays, 3 well-being days, and a Christmas office closure
Location: Hybrid, flexible working model with an office located in central London. Occasional UK-wide travel for GHE and relevant events.
Reports to: Policy Manager (Skills, Innovation, International)
Purpose
GuildHE is seeking an ambitious Policy Officer to play a pivotal role in the next phase of our organisation’s growth. Working directly with the Head of Research Policy and the Policy Manager (Skills, Innovation, International), you will help monitor, analyse, and respond to policy initiatives within the research and innovation space. You will support a range of member-focused events and activities to ensure staff in our member institutions are well-informed and supported. This includes supporting the management of the GuildHE Research Consortium and leading on the organising and delivery of our flagship annual PGR Doctoral Festival, helping our members develop, share best practices, and maximise their research impact.
Key Responsibilities
Policy Analysis & Communication
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Horizon Scanning: Monitor government departments (e.g., DSIT, DfE), funding and regulatory bodies (UKRI, Research England, OfS, Innovate UK), and other stakeholders for policy updates, funding calls, and consultation launches in relation to Research and Innovation policy.
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Briefings: Produce concise policy briefings, data summaries, and position papers for GuildHE members and leadership on key Research and Innovation issues (e.g., REF, knowledge exchange, KEF, commercialisation, research culture, open research). Develop high-quality external reports, consultations, blogs and other materials articulating member challenges and opportunities.
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Consultation Drafts: Assist senior policy colleagues in gathering evidence, analysing member feedback, collaborating with sector stakeholders, and drafting compelling arguments that articulate the unique perspectives of GuildHE institutions.
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Share Best Practice: Identify case studies across the GHE membership to share best practice internally and externally and drive national conversations about new ways of working and operating in the sector.
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Policy issues: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of national and institutional research and innovation policies indicated by the Head of Research Policy or Policy Manager (Research, Innovation, International).
Member Support & Consortium Coordination
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Member Engagement: Maintain regular, positive communication with research and innovation leads across member institutions, fostering a collaborative network. Support relevant GuildHE member networks, including the Knowledge Exchange, Innovation and Place network, promoting communication, collaboration, and best practice exchange to inform evidence-based policy development.
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Member development: Provide support for timely implementation of good practice guidelines and associated resources, within agreed budgets. This includes assisting with members' business development initiatives, such as Research Degree Awarding Powers.
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Event Delivery: Develop and deliver content for events including the GuildHE Research Consortium meetings, the Research and Knowledge Exchange Symposium, PGR Doctoral Festival, the PGR Network for global majority students and sandpits/match events, workshops and roundtables.
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Shared Services: Collaborate with other GHE teammates to maintain and deliver our shared services (i.e. research outputs repository, shared postgraduate online training, research impact tracking and researcher development tools) and explore new services in response to members’ needs
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PGR Students: Develop and deliver initiatives for postgraduate students and early career researchers (e.g., our PGR Support Programme and associated student networks), working closely with the Policy Manager (Student Experience) to ensure postgraduate students are reflected in broader student support policies.
The postholder will also be expected to:
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Actively support the delivery of the GuildHE strategy.
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To contribute positively to a small, professional team focused on delivering excellence in their members’ interests.
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Support GuildHE events and communication activities as appropriate - including campaigns, writing articles, blogs and press releases.
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Build strong relationships with key stakeholders at HE institutions and sector agencies, including senior leaders, academics, and policy staff.
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Gather feedback from HE institutions and use this to inform the continuous improvement of our services.
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Demonstrate a proactive approach to embedding EDI principles within all policy development and advocacy efforts.
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Represent GuildHE externally on a range of HE sector groups and projects and deputise for the Head of Research Policy or the Policy Manager (Skills, Innovation and International) as appropriate.
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Undertake any other reasonable duties as may be required.
Person Specification
Core Skills
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships
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Clear, concise writing skills for drafting policy responses, reports, and emails to senior stakeholders with excellent attention to detail.
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Problem-solving, Influencing and advocacy skills
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Ability to digest complex, lengthy policy documents and extract key themes relevant to GuildHE members.
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Confident digital skills and highly proficient user of computer packages including MS Office and G Suite
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Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively, adhere deadlines, and maintain project momentum. This includes the capacity to monitor progress, identify and mitigate potential risks, and proactively address challenges.
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Experience in using data and evidence to enhance and impact assess activities.
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Facilitation and convening skills would be advantageous
Core Attributes
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Ability to build professional relationships quickly and sustainably with members and a wide range of stakeholders
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Able to meet deadlines, to prioritise work and to anticipate issues and problems with strong attention to detail
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A collaborative, communicative and flexible team player who is also comfortable working independently.
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An individual who shares our values of equity and inclusion and can translate these values into day to day work and impactful outcomes.
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An understanding of, or a keen interest in, the UK higher education sector, research funding landscape, or public policy.
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To be willing to travel across the UK for meetings with members, stakeholders and events and to work flexibly, when and where necessary.
Ideal Experience
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Knowledge and understanding of higher education policy, working in research and innovation and/or supporting a research environment.
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Experience of developing policy positions and responses
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Experience in synthesising complex data and/or ideas
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Experience in supporting training and development
Job Advert
GuildHE is a formal representative body, representing diversity in the higher education sector and the widest variety of institution types across the UK. We are undergoing an exciting period of transformation, evolving our policy approach and member-focused services to significantly increase our impact within the sector and ensure we’re providing timely, proactive support to our members as they address emerging 21st century challenges.
GuildHE is seeking an ambitious Policy Officer to play a pivotal role in the next phase of our organisation’s growth. Working directly with the Head of Research Policy and the Policy Manager (Skills, Innovation, International), you will help monitor, analyse, and respond to policy initiatives within the research and innovation space. You will support a range of member-focused events and activities to ensure staff in our member institutions are well-informed and supported. This includes supporting the management of the GuildHE Research Consortium and leading on the organising and delivery of our flagship annual PGR Doctoral Festival, helping our members develop, share best practices, and maximise their research impact.
If you think you can bring bold, creative and proactive energy to our small-and-mighty team to help take us to the next level, we want to hear from you!
Application closing date: Monday 12th July
Interviews: Tuesday 21st July
Curious about the role? Please contact DanaGamble, Policy Manager for more information
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.
Research and Policy Manager
Contract: Permanent
Work Pattern: Full Time, 35 hours per week (1.0 FTE) (We are open to flexible hours and working patterns, including accommodating part-time and compressed hours (0.8 FTE) where possible).
Salary: £44,167 per annum
Location: London Fields, E8. NCB promotes a hybrid, flexible way of working with 2 days working in the office.
The Vacancy
The Policy and Communications Manager will act as a driving force behind our visibility and impact across key policy areas, bringing lived and learned experiences to the heart of our influencing. This role will work to elevate our profile, transforming our evidence and expertise into impactful communications and influencing strategies to build a momentum for meaningful policy, legislative and social change.
This position will bridge the gap between NCB’s evidence-based policy development and national advocacy, translating complex policy issues into powerful narratives that resonate with decision-makers and galvanise wider support. The role will manage and deliver key elements of NCB’s core work across policy and communications, lead the delivery of funded projects and provide robust project management, and actively contribute to project proposals and income generation.
About NCB
For more than 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has championed the rights and amplified the voice of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence, blending in lived and learnt experience to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families.
Bringing people and organisations together is fundamental to how we improve the systems that babies, children, young people and their families rely on to thrive. We push boundaries, even looking beyond childhood itself to consider transitions into adulthood and the impact of childhood issues on an entire lifespan. We are united for better childhoods and brighter futures.
The Benefits
- 30 Days Annual Leave
- Generous Pension Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Flexible Working
- Winter Holiday Closure & Break
- Employee Assistance Programme
Closing date: 08:00am, Friday 10th July 2026
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.
No agencies please.
Thank you!
The postholder will play a vital role in advancing Southall Black Sisters’ (SBS) policy, communications and public affairs work. This includes shaping and delivering strategies that:
• Promote SBS’s mission to end violence against women and girls (VAWG), particularly for Black, minoritised and migrant (BMM) women and girls.
• Influence public policy and legislation to secure justice, safety and rights for Black, minoritised and migrant women and girls.
• Strengthening the public voice and visibility of SBS through impactful communications and campaigning.
They will work closely with senior staff, partner organisations and stakeholders to ensure that SBS’s policy positions, campaigns and services are effectively communicated, and that the lived experiences of the women and girls SBS supports are at the forefront of public and political discourse.
Why work with Southall Black Sisters?
Southall Black Sisters is committed to providing a supportive working environment, where team members feel valued, empowered and safe. To that end, we provide an excellent package of employee benefits including:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Hybrid working
- Enhanced pension contribution
- Enhanced sick pay
- Subsidised public transport season ticket
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, including access to confidential support from MBACP therapists
- Clinical supervision with an MBACP therapist to explore issues arising from casework
- A focus on continued learning and development through accredited training delivered by experts in their field
- Organisation-wide away days
- Career development pathways and support
- The opportunity to learn and grow within an organisation renowned for inspiring political activism and campaigning successes
- Employer eye care scheme
To Apply
Submit a completed application form along with the optional equal opportunities monitoring form by the application deadline. Please do not send us your CV as this will not be considered.
Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Devolved Nations)
£34,839 pa plus excellent benefits
Home-based
35 hours per week, full-time
Permanent
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking a talented and motivated Policy and Public Affairs Officer to join our Devolved Nations team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to policy development, advocacy and communications activity that helps improve child health outcomes across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Working as part of the Policy and Public Affairs (Devolved Nations) team, you will play an important role in supporting the College’s policy and public affairs priorities. You will help build relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, support advocacy campaigns, develop policy positions and create engaging communications content that raises the profile of child health issues across the devolved nations.
This varied and rewarding role offers the opportunity to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including paediatricians, senior College Officers, politicians, government officials, charities and healthcare organisations.
Key responsibilities include:
• Supporting the development of policy positions specific to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ensuring they reflect the needs of RCPCH members and have influence across the wider UK policy landscape
• Drafting consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and stakeholder communications on child health and paediatric issues
• Providing expertise and advice on the political, governmental and health service landscape within the devolved nations
• Supporting the delivery of public affairs and stakeholder engagement activity, helping to build productive relationships with governments, policymakers and health sector organisations
• Producing content for websites, social media, newsletters and other digital communications channels to support advocacy and engagement objectives
• Drafting media content, including quotes, press releases and briefing materials, in collaboration with colleagues across the College
• Supporting senior College Officers and staff during meetings and engagement with policymakers and external stakeholders
• Coordinating and supporting the work of Executive Committees across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Assisting with administrative and financial processes, including invoice processing and supplier registration
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the College to maximise the impact of policy, communications and public affairs activity
Essential skills and experience include:
• Demonstrable experience in policy, public affairs, communications or a related field
• Strong knowledge and understanding of policy and legislative processes in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
• Experience producing high-quality policy and communications outputs, including consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and media content
• Experience creating engaging content for digital channels, including websites, social media and email communications
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment
Desirable:
• Experience working within healthcare, government, a membership organisation or the third sector
• Knowledge of public health, health inequalities or wider health service issues
• Experience working on issues relating to children and young people
The RCPCH has more than 25,000 members and fellows worldwide and employs around 200 staff across the UK. Our devolved nations teams play a vital role in ensuring that the needs of children and young people are represented at every level of government and policy-making.
Our values – Include, Influence, Innovate and Inspire – are central to everything we do. We are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are under-represented at this level of the organisation.
We operate a flexible and modern hybrid working policy. While this role is home-based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, travel across the devolved nations and occasional travel elsewhere in the UK will be required.
Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Devolved Nations)
£34,839 pa plus excellent benefits
Home-based
35 hours per week, full-time
Permanent
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking a talented and motivated Policy and Public Affairs Officer to join our Devolved Nations team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to policy development, advocacy and communications activity that helps improve child health outcomes across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Working as part of the Policy and Public Affairs (Devolved Nations) team, you will play an important role in supporting the College’s policy and public affairs priorities. You will help build relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, support advocacy campaigns, develop policy positions and create engaging communications content that raises the profile of child health issues across the devolved nations.
This varied and rewarding role offers the opportunity to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including paediatricians, senior College Officers, politicians, government officials, charities and healthcare organisations.
Key responsibilities include:
• Supporting the development of policy positions specific to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ensuring they reflect the needs of RCPCH members and have influence across the wider UK policy landscape
• Drafting consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and stakeholder communications on child health and paediatric issues
• Providing expertise and advice on the political, governmental and health service landscape within the devolved nations
• Supporting the delivery of public affairs and stakeholder engagement activity, helping to build productive relationships with governments, policymakers and health sector organisations
• Producing content for websites, social media, newsletters and other digital communications channels to support advocacy and engagement objectives
• Drafting media content, including quotes, press releases and briefing materials, in collaboration with colleagues across the College
• Supporting senior College Officers and staff during meetings and engagement with policymakers and external stakeholders
• Coordinating and supporting the work of Executive Committees across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Assisting with administrative and financial processes, including invoice processing and supplier registration
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the College to maximise the impact of policy, communications and public affairs activity
Essential skills and experience include:
• Demonstrable experience in policy, public affairs, communications or a related field
• Strong knowledge and understanding of policy and legislative processes in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
• Experience producing high-quality policy and communications outputs, including consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and media content
• Experience creating engaging content for digital channels, including websites, social media and email communications
• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment
Desirable:
• Experience working within healthcare, government, a membership organisation or the third sector
• Knowledge of public health, health inequalities or wider health service issues
• Experience working on issues relating to children and young people
The RCPCH has more than 25,000 members and fellows worldwide and employs around 200 staff across the UK. Our devolved nations teams play a vital role in ensuring that the needs of children and young people are represented at every level of government and policy-making.
Our values – Include, Influence, Innovate and Inspire – are central to everything we do. We are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are under-represented at this level of the organisation.
We operate a flexible and modern hybrid working policy. While this role is home-based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, travel across the devolved nations and occasional travel elsewhere in the UK will be required.
Closing date: 6 July 2026
Registered Charity
101 - 500
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health advocates on child health issues at home and internationally.
Thank you!
Prospectus are delighted to be partnering with a leading professional membership organisation to recruit a Head of Policy and Public Affairs into a high profile, strategically critical role. At a time when the UK is rethinking regulation and governance, this is a rare opportunity to shape national debate, ensuring expert insight cuts through with government, regulators, parliament and the media. Sitting at the heart of the organisation’s external voice, you’ll drive influence, raise profile and position the organisation as a trusted authority on risk, governance and organisational resilience.
In this role, you will develop and deliver an insight-led advocacy strategy, setting clear policy priorities and shaping positions on complex regulatory issues. You’ll provide senior leadership with high quality briefings and strategic advice, translating emerging policy developments into clear organisational responses and opportunities to influence.
A core focus will be external engagement. Building strong relationships with parliamentarians, government departments, regulators and industry bodies, while acting as a visible and credible spokesperson. You’ll also lead media engagement, identifying opportunities to secure national and trade coverage, and ensuring the organisation has a strong, consistent voice across public, policy and media debates. Alongside this, you will lead and develop a small team and oversee the delivery of impactful advocacy campaigns.
We’re looking for a confident and credible policy and public affairs professional with experience influencing government, regulators and the media. You’ll bring strong policy development skills, excellent communication and the ability to navigate complex, high-profile environments. Comfortable operating both strategically and hands on, you may come from a professional body, regulator, government, consultancy or think tank background, and will be motivated by the opportunity to take on a visible role with real influence.
Please apply in the first instance and we will contact suitable candidates for further conversations.
At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process, then please contact Steven Fraser at Prospectus.
Thank you!
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Location: London, UK (Hybrid – 50% office attendance)
Summary Purpose - what you will be achieving:
The Policy Directorate brings together the Academy’s policy, analysis and external affairs functions to address major science and health policy issues in the UK and internationally. The Directorate works as a single, coordinated team, focusing resources on priority areas, applying strategic approaches, generating high‑quality evidence and insights, and engaging effectively with government, stakeholders and partners to inform decision‑making and influence policy.
You will work in the Academy’s new Analysis Function, which ensures that policy development, external engagement, and rapid response work are consistently underpinned by high‑quality analytical insight. Reporting to the Head of Policy Analysis, you will lead activities in a team that spans qualitative and quantitative methods, evidence synthesis, horizon scanning, policy modelling and evaluation.
You will work within the Policy Directorate (including the Policy Development and External Affairs functions) to improve the quality and impact of policy recommendations, and ensure decision-makers can rely on timely, trusted analysis.
About the role - what you will be doing:
1. Provide expert advice and guidance in support of policy analysis
- Work with the Head of Policy Analysis to develop the Analysis Function’s strategy, operating model, standards, governance and ways of working.
- Work with Policy Managers to agree strategies for evidence gathering in support of policy priorities.
- Advise on risks, uncertainties, and the implications of emerging scientific and technological trends as they pertain to the conduct of medical sciences and the health service.
2. Lead the Policy Directorate’s ‘rapid response’ function
- Lead the process of developing rapid responses to emerging policy opportunities.
- Oversee horizon scanning activities to ensure opportunities for rapid response are identified and planned for at early stages.
- Work with the Policy Directorate to agree, manage and quality assure rapid response projects.
- Where rapid response work has been commissioned by external organisations (e.g. government, arm’s length bodies), ensure their project needs are defined and addressed.
- Ensure rapid response outputs are underpinned by high‑quality analysis.
3. Project manage analytical activities
- Lead the Academy’s policy analysis projects, determining the best methodological approaches to gathering evidence that will inform policy development and external affairs.
- Manage the design and delivery of evidence syntheses, horizon scanning, modelling, impact assessments, stakeholder insight analysis, and evaluation.
- Lead colleagues in the Analysis Function to coordinate project planning and evidence-gathering activities.
- Support the Analysis Function with commissioning external analysis where appropriate.
- Regularly report on project progress, risks and issues to the Head of Policy Analysis.
4. Build analytical partnerships and external credibility
- Engage with analytical teams across government (e.g., DHSC, NHS England, UKRI, ONS), the charity sector, research funders and national academies.
- Engage with academic experts, methodologists, research networks and data holders to strengthen analytical depth.
- Represent the Academy in analytical or evidence‑focused fora.
- Work with the External Affairs team to support external activities.
Requirements
Essential
- Extensive experience working in analytical or evidence functions.
- Expertise in a range of analytical methods, such as: evidence synthesis, horizon scanning, behavioural insights, data analysis, evaluation, modelling, or forecasting.
- Experience in ensuring analytical quality assurance and establishing or applying analytical standards.
- Proven ability to engage with and communicate complex analytical findings clearly for non‑technical system partners, including government and sector representatives.
- Experience with working at pace and managing a range of projects.
- Good understanding of the UK science, research and health policy landscape and how evidence informs decision-making.
Desirable
- Previous work in a science, health, research or public policy environment (e.g., government, national academy, think tank, research funder).
- Experience with managing budgets and commissioning research.
Benefits
We provide our staff with a comprehensive benefits package outlined as follows:
Competitive rewards
- Generous pension scheme with flexible contributions – we contribute between 8% - 13% of your gross salary (with employee contributions of 3% - 8%).
- Life assurance at three times your salary.
Work-life Balance
- Hybrid and agile working. 50% office attendance.
- 26 days annual leave, plus Christmas closure days and bank holidays.
- Buying and selling leave.
- Family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to a qualifying period).
Wellbeing and Development
- Complimentary subscriptions to Headspace and Classpass to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
- Support through tailored learning and development.
Additional Benefits
- A range of enhanced benefits become available once you’ve completed your probation period.
For more information and to apply, please visit our careers portal.
Closing date: 9:00am on Monday 6 July 2026.
Interviews will likely be held w/c 20 July 2026.
Thank you!
Purpose of the job
UK Youth exists to widen the reach and deepen the impact of youth work and outdoor learning.
As we enter an exciting new phase of our five-year strategic period, we are looking for a Policy and Public Affairs Officer to help us build on political momentum around young people and youth work to inspire lasting change.
You will support the Head of Policy and Public Affairs, within the Impact department (covering research, evaluation, service design, policy and public affairs, and communications), working closely with colleagues across the organisation to build and develop UK Youth’s relationships with a broad range of external stakeholders, including: Westminster government (e.g. ministers, officials and special advisers), parliamentarians, the devolved administrations, NGOs and third-party organisations, while shaping and responding to a wide range of public policy issues.
The role will require a strong understanding of complex policy issues and an interest in the political landscape and how it interacts with third sector organisations. You will have a can-do attitude, excellent written and oral communication skills, strong time management and organisational skills and an ability to develop positive relationships with colleagues internally and externally to support our goals.
Why work at UK Youth?
Every young person deserves a youth worker. UK Youth exists to make that a reality. Our vision is a society that backs every young person - through each spark, struggle and success.
As the UK’s national infrastructure body for youth work, we strengthen and champion a diverse network of youth organisations, unlock investment, shape policy and build the evidence base for what works. At a time of growing need and inequality of access, our work has never been more important.
We are entering an exciting new phase of our strategy - focused on long-term resilience, income diversification and a transformational Capital Appeal to develop Avon Tyrrell as a national centre of excellence for outdoor learning. Joining UK Youth means being part of an ambitious, impact-driven organisation committed to strengthening youth work for generations to come.
Key responsibilities
Public Affairs support
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Produce briefings and speaking notes for UK Youth leadership and trustees relating to important policy issues and external events.
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Manage relationships with politicians, civil servants, and staff in local authorities and regulatory bodies to brief them on matters relating to UK Youth’s policy objectives.
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Identify opportunities for UK Youth to publicly intervene on key policy priorities – including responses to government consultations, speaking at events, meeting with key influencers, etc.
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Develop written content, including blogs, and support colleagues in our Communications team to respond to breaking news relating to UK Youth’s policy priorities.
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Work closely with the Communications team to support the development of influencing plans that promote our policy messages on public channels.
Political monitoring and policy development support
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Coordinate with monitoring services to ensure proactive monitoring of relevant announcements and developments in Parliament and the devolved nations that relate to youth work and young people.
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Work with colleagues across the Impact Function to understand trends and innovations in the youth and outdoor learning sectors that have implications for policy.
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Ensure that there is a clear record of UK Youth’s policy positions on key issues, along with rationale and suggested messaging.
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Contribute to external-facing policy reports and briefings on topics relating to UK Youth’s work.
Stakeholder engagement and event management
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Build strong working relationships with policy professionals across the youth sector and identify opportunities to work in partnership, where appropriate.
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Develop relationships with key external stakeholders including other policy and public affairs teams in the youth sector and civil servants.
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Work closely with young people and youth workers to help refine UK Youth’s policy positions and influencing plans.
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Lead on day-to-day management of UK Youth’s secretariat role for the Back Youth Alliance, with oversight and support from the Head of Policy and Public Affairs.
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Project manage UK Youth’s involvement in key influencing events, such as party conferences, with oversight and support from the Head of Policy and Public Affairs.
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Represent UK Youth at meetings and events – helping to disseminate insights from our work, tell the story of youth work’s impact to inspire lasting change.
Experience we're after
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Experience working in the area of policy and public affairs or equivalent experience in other areas (such as through an apprenticeship, volunteering role, or university)
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Experience of project management
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Experience of understanding and communicating with different audiences
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Strong relational and stakeholder engagement skills
What we can offer you
We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:
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Flexible/Agile Working
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27 days annual leave (24 days + 3 days winter closure) plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)
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Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity
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Other training available in support of your personal and professional development
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Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)
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Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary
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Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally
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20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.
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IT equipment provided for the duration of contract
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CycleScheme and TechScheme
How to apply
If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.
Closing date: 29th June 2026 at 23:59 (midnight)
Provisional Interview Dates: w/c 6th July 2026
As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
For over 60 years the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has been building a better childhood for all.
Policy and Public Affairs Manager
Contract: Permanent
Work Pattern: Full Time, 35 hours per week (1.0 FTE) (We are open to flexible hours and working patterns, including accommodating part-time and compressed hours (0.8 FTE) where possible).
Salary: £44,167 per annum
Location: London Fields, E8. NCB promotes a hybrid, flexible way of working with 2 days working in the office.
The Vacancy
The Policy and Public Affairs Manager will act as a driving force behind our credibility and impact across key policy areas, working to influence national policy development and decision making and help enshrine good practice in law. It will also grow our presence in the sector as thought leaders, drawing on a range of evidence to take richer and deeper positions on the solutions needed to bring improvements.
This position will ensure that robust policy development is translated into effective public affairs and influencing strategies, ensuring that solutions to complex policy issues are understood and acted upon by decision-makers. The role will manage and deliver key elements of NCB’s core work across policy and public affairs, lead the delivery of funded projects and provide robust project management, and actively contribute to project proposals and income generation.
About NCB
For more than 60 years, the National Children’s Bureau has championed the rights and amplified the voice of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence, blending in lived and learnt experience to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families.
Bringing people and organisations together is fundamental to how we improve the systems that babies, children, young people and their families rely on to thrive. We push boundaries, even looking beyond childhood itself to consider transitions into adulthood and the impact of childhood issues on an entire lifespan. We are united for better childhoods and brighter futures.
The Benefits
- 30 Days Annual Leave
- Generous Pension Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Flexible Working
- Winter Holiday Closure & Break
- Employee Assistance Programme
Closing date: 08:00am, Monday 6th July 2026
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
We are actively seeking to broaden the diversity of our staff group and warmly welcome applications from candidates underrepresented in the charity sector, including those from Black and Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with lived experience of the issues NCB works on.
No agencies please.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
This is a hands-on role that moves between two registers: structured qualitative research with proper analytical underpinning, and fast-turnaround reactive policy work. You will need to be genuinely comfortable in both able to run a multi-month thematic publication and turn around a tight briefing or consultation response within 48-72 hours when a policy window opens.
The role will lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, including research workstreams tied to the Difference Schools Partnership's annual thematic priorities, and our Harmful and Abusive Behaviours (HaB) workstream convening a sector council to build a shared framework for how schools understand and respond to peer-on-peer harm. You will produce briefings, evidence submissions and publications, manage external research partners, and work with the CEO, Head of Policy and Communications team to launch research with real impact. The role reports to the Head of Policy and works closely with colleagues across Strategy, Research and Programmes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, running research workstreams tied to annual DSP thematic priorities and emerging strands on MAT inclusion and LA working
- Design and deliver qualitative research with schools, MATs and local authorities interviews, focus groups, school visits and thematic analysis translating findings into evidence and policy recommendations
- Lead the Harmful and Abusive Behaviours research workstream, convening a sector council, producing briefing material and managing the route from convening to publication
- Produce timely, citable evidence for policy influence including drafting briefings, consultation responses and evidence submissions on fast turnaround
- Project manage publication cycles from scoping through to launch, working with coalition and media partners to maximise reach and tracking policy traction post-launch
- Brief, manage and integrate the outputs of external research partners where commissioned (e.g. FFT Datalab, Pro Bono Economics)
- Capture and develop case studies from DSP schools and the wider Difference network
About The Difference
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Every day, the equivalent of 5,500 children are suspended from England's schools, doubling their likelihood of being NEET by 24. The Difference is a young education charity founded to change this story through whole school inclusion. We train school leaders, carry out our own research, and turn frontline insights into policy recommendations lobbying Ofsted and the Department for Education to improve funding and support for inclusion. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030.
About You
Essential
- Dual capability across reactive and structured research : comfortable producing tight briefings on a 48–72 hour turnaround and running multi-month qualitative publications
- Experience in education research, policy research or applied social research, with examples of published, commissioned or internally-influential work
- Strong qualitative research skills : interview and focus group design, thematic coding, framework development, synthesis across multiple sources
- Persuasive writing for mixed audiences : able to write clearly and concisely for policymakers, school leaders, the press and the sector, and comfortable ghost-writing for senior colleagues
- Project management discipline : able to run multiple workstreams in parallel, manage your own deadlines, and keep colleagues and external partners on track
- Comfortable working at pace in a fast-moving environment where priorities shift as policy windows open and close : self-directed, flexible and able to make good judgement calls under pressure
- Shared values with The Difference and personal commitment to improving life outcomes for young people
Desired
- Strong working understanding of UK education policy, particularly around inclusion, exclusion, SEND, accountability and school improvement
- Confident data literacy and basic quantitative analysis : comfortable interrogating population-level datasets and translating findings into accessible policy language
- Understanding of why language matters when writing about behaviour, exclusion and vulnerability, and the ability to frame behaviour as a signal of unmet need consistently across all work
- Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people
- Experience of working in or with schools, multi-academy trusts or local authorities
- Existing relationships in education research, policy or sector organisations
Please see the attached Job Description for full role details and person specification.
We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector. As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and protected characteristics redacted.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
The Difference exists to improve the life-outcomes of the most vulnerable children by raising the status and expertise of those who educate them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Reporting to: Associate Director, Policy and Impact
Location: Central London / Hybrid working (twice a week in the office)
Salary Range: £56,500 - £58,500
Length of Contract: 12 Months
We are the national body for careers education in England, delivering support to schools and colleges to deliver modern, 21st century careers education.
The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) is a great place to work. We operate within a fast-paced and collaborative environment. We are brought together by one thing: our passion to ensure young people get the best possible start in life and are supported to find their best next step.
Do you want to be part of a mission-driven team focused on transforming young people’s lives? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
Role Summary
The relationship between careers education and broader education, skills and socio-economic policy remains vitally important. The Senior Policy Manager will report to the Associate Director, Policy and Impact and play a key role in:
- Leading and contributing to policy and strategy that support CEC’s strategic objective to influence on behalf of careers education to help every young person find their best next step.
- Influencing CEC’s policy response to government priorities related CEC’s agenda including in education reform, NEET prevention, raising awareness and supporting take-up of vocational and technical options, and supporting young people with additional needs.
The post holder will:
- Bring together evidence from a range of sources and turn complex information into clear, structured advice and options to create evidence-based policy positions.
- Offer knowledge and experience of areas related to CEC’s work, including intersection with education, skills and youth employment.
- Be a highly effective writer with experience of leading on high impact reports and responses to inquiries and consultations.
- Confidently develop strong, supportive relationships with Whitehall policy makers and peers across the sector.
- Help connect policy development to corporate affairs and strategic communications to ensure that CEC can amplify great practice and insight to drive impact for young people.
The post sits within the Policy & Impact team as part of CEC’s Strategy & Communications directorate.
Key Responsibilities:
Support CEC representation at senior levels externally.
Develop CEC’s policy and impact positions, ensuring accuracy and fair representation of progress and opportunities within the careers system, with a focus on:
- Evidence – Filling evidence gaps and understanding of what works, working closely with impact and insight colleagues to analyse and present evidence.
- Influence – Shaping coherent, innovative, high quality and connected solutions to government priorities which amplify and embed the infrastructure and role of CEC.
- Proactive coordination – Leading internal and external efforts to identify opportunities and connect programmes and projects to amplify CEC’s mission, for example on NEET prevention or skills pipelines.
Essential Criteria (see job description):
- Demonstrable skills at converting policy to impact including proven experience of working on strategic implementation of skills policy and good practice in education engagement.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including building effective relationships and excellent writing skills.
- Sound programme and project management skills: proactive, organised and able to run effective policy development processes, with clear outcomes.
TO APPLY: Please complete the online application form, on our website, including a copy of your most recent CV, removing any personal details (i.e. name, DOB, address) and a report or publication you have led on, highlighting how you used evidence to inform policy.
For more information and to apply, visit our website via the ‘apply’ button.
Closing date: 28th June 2026
*PLEASE NOTE THAT WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE THIS ADVERT EARLY SHOULD WE RECEIVE SUITABLE APPLICATIONS*
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
At the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) we are committed to fostering a culture of belonging. We know that engagement at work relies on feeling included and valued. Inclusion is both a choice and a practice, for us as an organisation and for individuals within our team. We aim to drive inclusion through every aspect of our work and we understand that diverse teams are essential for innovative careers education and are central to our mission and impact. CEC values the visible and invisible qualities that makes each member of our team who they are. We are a disability confident employer and if you need any help or support through the application process, please contact the HR team and details can be found on our website.
