Policy lead jobs

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

Contract: Permanent

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

We are seeking a talented and motivated Policy Fellow in Primary and Community Care to join our dynamic Policy Team. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact work focused on NHS policy and broader health system change in England

As a core member of the team, you will lead and support a range of policy projects - both short-term reactive work and longer-term strategic initiatives. Your primary focus will be on primary and community care policy.

We are looking for someone with, strong research and analytical skills, including experience with qualitative and quantitative methods; excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to tailor content for different audiences.; sound knowledge of UK health policy, particularly in primary and community care in England; a collaborative mindset and ability to work across teams and disciplines; and, confidence in presenting complex ideas clearly to senior stakeholders and the media.

The Policy Team aims to support evidence-informed health and social care policy in the UK. We analyse national policy developments, assess system performance, and explore strategies to improve population health and reduce inequalities. Our work spans public health, primary and community care, social care, and health system reform, and contributes to the Health Foundation’s strategic priority of improving health and care policy.

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 a total of 1000 answer the following application questions.

1. What motivates you to work in the Policy Team at Health Foundation, and specifically on Primary and Community care?
2. 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?
3. Describe your experience of working in a multi-disciplinary project team with people from different professional backgrounds, how did this collaboration achieve impact?
4. 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.

Help us work together to make the recruitment process and potential future employment more accessible and enjoyable for you.

Closing date: August 27, 2025, at 23:59

Interview date: Week commencing Sept 8, 2025

This role is based in Nairobi, Kenya. This role is open to the nationals of the country where the role is based.

You will be required to attend the office for a minimum of 2 days per week with the option to work remotely for the remaining 3 days.

About us

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

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

Learn about our vision, mission and values

About the role

Reporting in to the Global Influencing Lead, the Pan Africa Advocacy and Policy Lead is a key member of the Policy and Influencing division who will oversee the Pan Africa advocacy strategy and coordinate with other Advocacy colleagues to co-design thematic global advocacy strategies, responding to partner voices and priorities and local contexts, aligning with organisational values and goals.

The post-holder will horizon scan the agendas of African institutions to advise and provide policy and advocacy insight to Global Influencing Lead, African MCCs and partners, fostering a team mindset and support a culture of knowledge sharing of ideas and insights at a continental level.

Collaborating with the MCC Policy and Advocacy Leads, and Programme Portfolio Lead, you will build a cohort of national and regional partnerships, including faith partnerships, to ensure that there is an appropriate balance of partners working on short- and medium-term outcomes and systemic change to align with organisational values and goals.

The post-holder will act as a convenor of policy and advocacy spaces by supporting and accompanying national and regional partners to engage in regional and global coalitions and networks enabling collaboration on shared priorities, fostering a mindset of connection.

You will act as an ambassador by representing Christian Aid and engage in regional and global spaces jointly with partners, collaborating with the MCC Advocacy and Policy Leads, ensuring alignment with organisational values and goals.

About you

Essential:

-Degree level qualification in a relevant field (International development, economics or comparable field).

-Substantial experience in supporting national and regional organisations to develop an advocacy strategy, including integrating advocacy into programme work.

-Substantial experience of supporting and accompanying partners to navigate and influence on a global scale.

-Substantial experience of devising, leading and implementing advocacy strategies, preferably in another NGO or faith group.

-Substantial experience of networking, building alliances and coordinating initiatives in networks and faith groups.

-Substantial experience of peer-to-peer learning.

-Substantial experience of policy research and managing research projects.

-Substantial experience of public speaking to a variety of audiences, including the media.

-Substantial experience of budget management.

-Detailed understanding of the current policy debates, trends and analytical frameworks around key development issues.

-Detailed understanding of power and political analysis, and rights based approaches.

-Detailed understanding of national and regional Civil Society and faith networks - their policy positions and dynamics.

-Understanding of how theology influences policy.

Further information

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

We are actively encouraging racialised minorities, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people with caring responsibilities, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, women, and older workers to apply. This is because these groups are under-represented within our teams, especially at senior level, and we recognise and value the contributions members of these groups make to strong, creative and high performing teams. We have a strong Christian ethos and we encourage applications from all faiths. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of and sympathy with Christian Aid's faith identity.

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

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

You can expect a wide range of rewards and benefits, please refer to the benefits booklet for your location to see our full list of employee benefits.

For Salary details for this role, please refer to the Salary band by location.

Thanks to funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, TransActual are recruiting a Policy Officer to join our growing team. You’ll both be working alongside our Policy Lead, Director of Policy and Director for Healthcare to advocate for trans people’s needs in a range of policy areas.

This is role is offered on the initial basis of a 3 year contract, with any extension of that subject to funding.

As a Policy Officer at TransActual you will:

• Engage with elected representatives and civil servants.
• Support with the research for, writing and distribution of TransActual’s Parliamentary briefings.
• Research and write responses to consultations, reviews and calls for evidence.
• Keep our policy database up to date.
• Support the Policy Lead in creating and coordinating a Trans Policy Network.
• Support the delivery of a programme of work to support activists to develop their develop skills and expertise in policy work.
• Work collaboratively with others in the LGBTQ+ sector and beyond on policy matters.
• Work with TransActual’s programmes officer to create information and training resources for trans people on rights and protections.
• Coordinate TransActual’s policy volunteers to ensure they’ve got what they need to be able to support our work.

An in depth understanding of trans people’s lived experiences and an ongoing commitment to bringing about positive change for all trans people in the UK is absolutely essential for this role. This understanding can come from your own lived experience. You will demonstrate a strong understanding of and commitment to equity, particularly in relation to race equity and disability equity.

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from trans people, Black People and People of Colour, neurodivergent people and disabled people.

The successful applicant will be required to attend regular meetings in Central London, but must be able to work from home as well.

Terms and salary: 30 hours a week, a total salary of £21,840 per year (the full time equivalent salary would be £27,300).

The closing date for the position is Friday 5th September 2025 at 5pm. 

The job pack and application form are available via our website.

WE ARE SEEKING A POLICY OFFICER

About the Department/Role

The Church of England is continually striving to improve its safeguarding practices. The 2020 report by IICSA on the Church highlighted failures in respect of child sexual abuse and, more broadly, the challenges facing the Church to get safeguarding right.

The Church's aspiration is that safeguarding is not experienced and approached as a matter of administrative compliance. Rather, it should be what the Church is - something that flows from its core beliefs and values, part of its DNA.

The Church has made important and positive strides over recent years. There is, however, still much to be done to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, and to promote their well-being. The Church is a complex collection of different bodies. Most of the safeguarding work is carried out locally within the 42 dioceses and cathedrals in England. This work is supported centrally by a National Safeguarding Team (NST).

What you'll be doing

The Church of England seeks a committed and collaborative Safeguarding Policy Officer to join the National Safeguarding Team. This role is central to developing, revising, and implementing national safeguarding policies that protect and support all members of the Church community.

Working closely with Safeguarding Policy and Development Leads, you'll ensure policies are grounded in academic research, aligned with legislation and canon law, and informed by survivor experiences and Church-wide learning.

In this role, you will:

• Co-manage the development and roll-out of safeguarding policies, codes of practice and guidance
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including survivors, bishops, Diocesan Safeguarding Officers, and Church bodies
• Ensure policy relevance across dioceses, parishes, cathedrals, religious communities, and theological institutions
• Lead the coordination and improvement of the safeguarding e-manual
• Engage with NCIs departments to embed safeguarding policy into wider initiatives
• Support the NST's learning and review cycle to refine policies over time
• Represent survivor perspectives within policy, training, and quality assurance activities
• Provide briefings and respond to safeguarding queries from Church bodies
• Take ownership of non-legislative content creation related to safeguarding

Key role requirements

• A basic DBS check will be required as part of our pre-employment checks.
• This is a hybrid role, and working arrangements can be discussed with the hiring manager.
• Please note: This is a fixed-term opportunity, and we are seeking to appoint three candidates across the following contracts:
  • 1 position: 2-year fixed-term contract
  • 2 positions: 15-month fixed-term contracts

About You

The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to recruiting disabled people. We offer interviews to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

You will need to be/have:

To thrive in this role, you'll bring a unique blend of analytical skill, emotional intelligence, and commitment to safeguarding excellence. Below are the essential and desirable qualities we're looking for:

• A degree is not required for this role; however, the candidate will need to evidence at least 5 years of relevant experience in a similar field
• Strong written communication, able to tailor content for diverse audiences
• Skilled in analysing complex and conflicting information and distilling it into clear policy or guidance
• Confident working collaboratively across internal and external partnerships
• Able to lead and facilitate stakeholder groups to achieve outcomes
• Able to build trusted relationships with varied stakeholders, including survivors and Church colleagues
• Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with individuals from all backgrounds, both written and verbal
• Experience in producing clear, effective policy and guidance for a range of audiences.
• Knowledge of national safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance and policy (e.g. Children Acts, Care Act, Working Together, criminal justice legislation), both current and historical, as relevant to non-recent abuse.

Please refer to the Job Description for more information about the role and person specification.

What we offer

Your Salary

• A salary of £48,557 per annum, plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of your salary.

Your Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days within 5 years) plus eight bank holidays and three additional days (pro-rated if working part-time).
• We welcome all flexible working arrangement requests. This is looked at in a case-by-case scenario, and if this fits within the department's needs. We try to be as flexible as we can in your work pattern to support you with other commitments, and to give a good work-life balance.
• We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, some of these include enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships.

• Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash (one of the UK's leading health cash plan providers), providing you with many services including reimbursements of routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines.

• Access to Occupational Health and an Employee Assistance Programme 
• Access to the Department of Education Restaurant and Westminster Abbey with a plus-one guest.
• Apply for eligibility for an Eyecare voucher.
• Opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies.

ABOUT NATIONAL CHURCH INSTITUTIONS

The National Church Institutions comprises a wide variety of teams, professions and functions that support the mission and ministries of the Church of England in its vision to be a church, centred on Jesus Christ, for the whole nation - a church that is simpler, humbler, bolder.

We Include. You Belong.

Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.

Living out our values in all that we do, we:

• Strive for Excellence
• Show Compassion
• Respect others
• Collaborate
• Act with Integrity

We believe our commitment to belonging and inclusion fuels our progress and drives us forward. The NCIs are a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome applications from people of all faiths and of no faith. We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people who share our values. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we're looking for then we would like to hear from you.

Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for the role.

External Interviews will take place on 15 & 16 September 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.

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

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

In this role, you'll work closely with our Senior Policy and Public Affairs Lead (Wales) to implement our influencing plan. You'll help raise Barnardo's Cymru's profile among key stakeholders, including Welsh Government officials, Senedd Members, and other policy influencers. You'll be involved in:

• Monitoring key developments within the Welsh policy landscape
• Managing relationships and liaising with stakeholders at all levels
• Conducting research and producing reports to support our policy objectives
• Supporting reactive policy work to respond to emerging issues
• Organising events to showcase Barnardo's vital work and engage decision-makers

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

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

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

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

•  

We are recruiting for a Public Affairs Lead to join our team in London; the scope on this job involves….

Job Title: Public Affairs Lead

Location: Hybrid with the requirement to occasionally work at our Head Office (Vauxhall). This work will also require regular travel to Westminster to attend stakeholder meetings and events.
Salary: £38,674.05 per annum (this is inclusive of a London Weighting allowance of £3,000 which may be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement).
Contract type: Full time, Fixed term (12 months)

Hours: 37.5

Refuge is recruiting for a Public Affairs Lead to join it's successful Policy and Public Affairs Team.

The Public Affairs Lead will be responsible for designing the public affairs plan, drafting briefings for stakeholders and leading a programme of impactful parliamentary events to drive meaningful change to law and policy for the benefit of survivors of domestic abuse. The successful candidate will bring experience of public affairs and stakeholder engagement, excellent communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills and political judgement.

This an exciting opportunity to influence government at the highest levels and play a key role in driving systemic change to end Violence Against Women and Girls. 

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing date: 9.00am on 1 September 2025

Interview date: 10 & 11 September 2025

Benefits

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

Salary: £67,752 per annum, plus excellent benefits

Contract: Permanent

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

Are you passionate about shaping policy to improve workforce health and reduce inequalities? We are seeking a Policy and Research Manager to join our Healthy Lives directorate and contribute to advancing the recommendations of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives.

In this pivotal role, you will lead the delivery of policy development and research projects, including externally commissioned work, ensuring outputs are delivered on time and with impact. You will support the implementation of a programme testing preventative workplace interventions, synthesise emerging evidence, and develop credible policy recommendations to influence decision-makers.

You will also play a key role in building and maintaining stakeholder relationships, representing the Health Foundation externally, and communicating insights to a wide range of audiences across policy, practice, and research communities.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated individual with strong analytical capabilities, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to improving health through action on the wider determinants. We are looking for someone who can work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-profile environment.

The Healthy Lives directorate leads the Health Foundation’s strategic work on the wider determinants of health, focusing on areas such as employment, education, housing, and community. Within this, the Economic Determinants of Health team builds evidence and policy analysis to influence government and employer action. Our independence, supported by our endowment, enables us to innovate and test practical solutions that drive long-term change.

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 1000 words answer the following application questions:

1. Describe your experience of designing a policy research programme. How did you select the questions and research methods? How did you ensure the research was delivered to high quality and had an impact?

2. Give an example where you have collaborated effectively with stakeholders to deliver a piece of work. How did you engage key influencers and ensure that diverse voices were heard? What impact did this engagement have?

3. Share your achievements in developing ideas that have had an influence on national or local employment or health policy. How did you make the case for change and gain traction for the idea, e.g. media coverage or direct influencing?

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 31, 2025, at 23:00

Interview date: September 11 or 12. 2025

Would you like to help create a brighter future for nature?

Wildlife and Countryside Link is a coalition of 90 environmental charities. We are looking for a Policy Officer to help develop, advocate and win policy improvements for nature.

The Government has promised to halt the decline of nature by 2030 and to net zero by 2050, committing to decarbonising our energy systems as a core government mission. Such commitments have been made within the backdrop of a challenging economic environment. The next few years will be critical in securing nature based solutions as part of the drive to reach net zero and in developing our understanding of and engagement with private investment for nature’s recovery as these fledging funding streams evolve.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Policy Officer to convene environmental policy experts to agree bold shared policy positions. This role will focus on economic systems change, including innovative work on ways to drive private investment in nature; and on the role that nature must play in helping us to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. There will be lots of thinking, lots of writing, and lots of opportunities to shape shared campaigns with excellent opportunities to engage with and work alongside some of the leading experts in these policy areas. You will also play a key role in delivering those messages to key influencers in Government and in Parliament.

So, we are looking for someone with a keen eye for detail, a good networker with the ability to listen and negotiate, and a reasoned and convincing style of written and verbal communication, with a passion for nature conservation.

Please find the full job description and how to apply here. To apply, please send your CV, with a short covering letter and a completed diversity monitoring form by 9am on Monday 15 September.

Drive the policy agenda for a high-profile, mission-led charity representing over 1,150 schools in the North East and a futher 400 specialist schools nationally. Influence education strategy and shape national debate from the heart of the North East.

Make a Difference with Schools North East

Schools North East is a dynamic, purpose-driven charity that champions the education sector across the North East. Representing a collaborative community of over 1,150 member schools, we are recognised nationally as the Voice advocating for North East schools, the Glue fostering collaboration, and the Bridge connecting education with the wider world. Now approaching our 20th year, we are entering an exciting new phase of development, strengthening our influence, expanding our reach, and enhancing the value we deliver to our members.

As Policy Manager, you will be a senior leader responsible for working with Directors to deliver our strategic policy and public affairs agenda. You will ensure alignment between policy, research, stakeholder engagement, and events, using evidence and insight to influence decision-makers at the highest levels. This is a pivotal, high-profile role requiring a dynamic, politically astute, and highly experienced strategic thinker with a deep understanding of how policy is shaped and implemented.

We are looking for a values-led leader who can anticipate long-term trends and align strategies with the organisation’s vision, taking account of the political, economic, and educational policy landscape. You will make bold yet considered decisions, taking calculated risks where appropriate, and responding promptly and effectively to critical events. You will lead by example, actively promoting SNE’s values and vision both internally and externally, and influencing our strategy, direction, and culture to increase organisational effectiveness.

You will bring a collaborative, resilient, and adaptable approach, fostering a culture of learning and development that helps your team grow and succeed, while sharing your own expertise to support others. With exceptional communication skills, you will engage stakeholders with purpose and conviction, and ensure that policy work is evidence-led, impactful, and aligned with member needs. This is an opportunity to join a respected and ambitious organisation at a key point in its journey – and to play a personal role in shaping its next chapter of success.

Salary:            Senior Leader Band 5 – £40,775–£52,196, depending on experience
Location:         Central Newcastle (with flexibility to work from home on Fridays)
Hours:             Full-time, 36 hours per week
Holidays:         30 days plus Bank Holidays
Travel:             Some regional and national travel, as required

Closing Date: 5pm Wednesday 27 August 2025
Interview Date: Tuesday 16 September 2025

Key Responsibilities

Organisational Leadership

• Contribute to the strategic leadership of Schools North East as a senior manager, ensuring policy work supports the organisation’s long-term mission and values.

Strategic Policy Leadership

• Lead the development and delivery of Schools North East’s policy agenda, ensuring it reflects member needs and is grounded in robust evidence.
• Anticipate and respond to emerging political and policy developments, both regionally and nationally.

Public Affairs & Influence

• Build and maintain high-level relationships between the organisation and government, political stakeholders, and sector influencers to maximise SNE’s influence.
• Represent Schools North East at external events, inquiries, and meetings, speaking with authority on behalf of our members.

Research & Intelligence

• Undertake research where appropriate to inform strategic priorities.
• Interpret and communicate external research to help support strategic priorities and inform policy work.
• Oversee the production of high-quality policy briefings, consultation responses, and position papers.

Campaign Leadership

• Design impactful campaigns that raise the profile of key education issues and strengthen SNE’s role as a thought leader.
• Ensure alignment between policy priorities and marketing/communications activity.

Stakeholder Engagement & Networks

• Develop stakeholder networks, forums, and roundtables to inform policy positions and enhance influence.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and mentor direct reports, setting clear KPIs and fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
• Work closely with the Directors, Business, Events and Marketing teams to ensure policy activity supports and enhances core functions.

Organisational Leadership

• Contribute to the strategic leadership of Schools North East as a senior manager, ensuring policy work supports the organisation’s long-term mission and values.

Coventry Women’s Partnership (CWP) is looking for a Policy, Voice, and Influence Lead to support our 2-year place-based systems change programme, funded by the Smallwood Trust. The programme aims to reduce gendered poverty in Coventry by tackling the systemic barriers faced in securing a safe home. This work will focus on understanding and transforming housing systems. Seeking to and improve outcomes for women experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, and multiple disadvantage.

CWP is partnership made up of Central England Law Centre, Coventry Haven Women’s Aid, CRASAC, FWT and Kairos. The contract will be with Kairos, but you will provide support across all partners.

· The Policy, Voice and Influence Lead (PVIL) will play a pivotal role in driving forward the Coventry Women’s Partnership’s (CWP) systems change agenda to improve housing and homelessness options for women to reduce gendered poverty.

· You will be confident in taking the lead in this work while remaining in regular communication and collaboration with the partnership.

· You will help us analyse the systems, policies, practices and strategy around housing for women and their impact on poverty and create a delivery programme to influence and collaborate with stakeholders for change.

· Your attitude will be pragmatic and ‘can do’ as you carve a realistic path between confidence and caution when planning projects and delivery.

· Integral to this work will be drawing on members’ experience and expertise and the voices of women with lived experience (supported by a Women’s Engagement & Participation Coordinator) to ensure the partnership’s activities are delivered on time and to budget.

Are you a skilled policy professional ready to take the lead on major policy initiatives and influence change at the highest levels? Do you combine policy expertise with the ability to inspire, motivate, and deliver results?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Policy Manager to lead a portfolio of work that shapes our influencing agenda across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In this pivotal role, you will drive forward high-profile projects, developing policy that makes a tangible difference to the lives of people living with and affected by motor neurone disease (MND).

Working closely with colleagues in Campaigns and Public Affairs, you will ensure our voice and the voice of the MND Community is heard. You will identify and develop strong policy positions, engage with key decision-makers, and navigate health and social policy structures to achieve meaningful change. Your proactive, solutions-focused approach will help turn ideas into impact.

We're looking for someone confident in taking a position, inspiring a team, and influencing policy from concept through to delivery. This is an excellent opportunity for you to shape policy, build influential relationships, and deliver improvements that matter most to those living with and affected by MND.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of policy, research and analysis to strengthen the Association's position in key debates.
• Analyse public policy to identify barriers and develop practical solutions for campaigns, briefings and submissions.
• Write and oversee the production of high-quality policy papers, reports and speeches.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers, government, academics and other sector stakeholders.
• Co-ordinate updates on policy developments for internal teams and share information in accessible formats.
• Represent the Association at meetings, seminars and conferences.
• Line manage a team of three Policy Advisers, providing effective supervision and clear objectives.
• Organise policy-related consultations and events.

About You:

• Strong knowledge of UK political systems, including government departments, Westminster and devolved nations.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Skilled in planning and managing multiple projects to tight deadlines.
• Proven track record in outcome-focused policy development and analysis.
• Confident in interpreting complex issues and presenting them clearly.
• Collaborative team player who can also work independently.
• Experience of managing staff or external consultants.
• Willingness to travel within the UK, with occasional evening or weekend work.

About Us:

Our vision is a world free from MND. Our mission is to improve care and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments and brings us closer to a cure for MND. The Association also campaigns and raises awareness so the needs of people with MND, and everyone who cares for them, are recognised, and addressed by wider society.

What We Offer:

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

The full job description is available in the candidate pack.

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

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

Hybrid Working and Flexibility: This role offers hybrid working, with the expectation to attend the office at least 1 day per week. We are open to part-time applications or job shares - please indicate your preferred working arrangement in your application.

How to apply:

Please submit a CV and supporting statement. Your supporting statement should be no longer than one side of A4 and demonstrate how you meet the following areas

• Strong understanding of UK political systems, including government departments, Westminster and the devolved nations, with the ability to influence and engage effectively at all levels.
• Proven track record in outcome-focused research, policy analysis and policy development, supported by strong analytical and communication skills.
• Commitment to the vision and mission of the MND Association, with the ability to work collaboratively to deliver the Public Affairs and Campaigns Strategy.

Important Information:

• We may close applications early if we receive a high volume, so early submissions are encouraged.
• If you require sponsorship for this role, please clearly indicate this in your application.
• Depending on the role, a DBS check may be required.
• If you need reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact us for support.
• We are happy to consider alternative application formats for those who find the online form challenging.

This is a rewarding opportunity for you to make a lasting impact and ensure the voices of those affected by MND are heard. If you are ready to take the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you.

Salary: £81,869 per annum

Contract: Permanent

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 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 practive, building skills, knowledge, and capacilty 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

Are you passionate about shaping policy to improve workforce health and reduce inequalities?  Do you bring deep expertise in the labour market and/or working-age welfare, and a proven ability to influence change at the highest levels?

The Health Foundation is seeking a Senior Fellow to lead a complex and high-impact programme of work focused on employment, welfare, and health. This is a unique opportunity to drive forward the recommendations of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives, shape national policy, and work directly with employers to test innovative workplace interventions that support better workforce health.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a strong grasp of employment and/or welfare policy and its impact on health.
• Brings experience in shaping and delivering complex programmes of work.
• Is confident representing an organisation externally, including with senior stakeholders and in the media.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with high levels of autonomy.
• Communicates with clarity and influence, producing high-quality policy outputs.

• Is proactive, strategic, and committed to reducing health inequalities.

You’ll join the Economic Determinants of Health team within the Healthy Lives directorate. Our work focuses on the wider determinants of health, such as employment, education, and housing—and how they shape people’s lives. We use our independence and endowment to innovate, influence, and test real-world solutions that can drive long-term change.

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 1000 words answer the following application questions:

1. Describe your experience of working in employment, welfare and/or health. Include the programmes of work you have delivered, where your policy and analysis skills are strongest and where you have expertise?

2.Share your achievements in developing ideas that have had an influence on national or local employment or health policy. How did you make the case for change and gain traction for the idea?

3.Give an example where you have led a programme with a number of different elements of varying levels of complexity and duration? How did you go about designing this programme, ensuring it ran to time and had the intended impact?

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 25, 2025, at 23:00

Interview date: September 4 or 5, 2025

Director of Policy, Influencing and Change 
Location: London, hybrid working 
Contract: Permanent, full time 
Salary: £82,000 to £90,000 per annum plus benefits 
Reports to: Executive Director, Impact on Urban Health 

Impact on Urban Health works to tackle the deep-rooted health inequalities that affect people living in cities. As part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation, the organisation focuses on a small number of complex health challenges that disproportionately affect urban communities. These include air pollution, access to healthy and affordable food, financial security, and children’s mental health. 

The work begins in the London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark, among the most diverse areas in the country. Here, Impact on Urban Health supports and tests new ideas in real-world settings. The insights gathered locally are used to shape national and international conversations and influence lasting change. The organisation works in partnership with communities, local authorities, government, the NHS, other funders, and civil society to build healthier urban environments. 

Impact on Urban Health is now recruiting a Director of Policy, Influencing and Change. This senior leadership role is responsible for shaping and delivering the organisation’s policy and influencing agenda, ensuring that its programmes lead to broader systems change. The Director will lead a skilled and committed team, strengthen strategic partnerships, and play a central role in scaling proven approaches to health equity. 

The ideal candidate will bring: 

• A strong track record of influencing decision-makers and shaping public policy at both local and national levels, with demonstrable experience driving change through engagement with a broad range of stakeholders 

• Experience of strategic leadership in complex settings, including securing large-scale partnerships to scale and sustain what we know works 

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence working across government, local authorities, and the voluntary and community sector 

• A clear and long-standing commitment to advancing health equity, racial justice, and inclusive leadership 

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of urban health and to play a meaningful part in building a fairer, healthier society. 

To find out more about the role and how to apply, please view the dedicated microsite.

Recruitment Timetable

Interviews with Prospectus: w/c 8th September

Interviews with IoUH: w/c 22nd & 29th September