Policy manager jobs

Job Title: Policy and Advocacy Manager

Position Type: Maternity Cover

Reports to: Founder/Chief Executive

Based at: School Food Matters, Blackfriars Settlement 9 Rushworth Street SE1 0RB

Salary: £40,500

Working Hours: 9am-5pm (flexible)

Pension: School Food Matters pays pension contributions at 7% of pensionable earnings

Holiday: 31 days including bank holidays

School Food Matters is closed between Christmas and New Year

Job Purpose

· To lead and shape School Food Matters’ policy and advocacy strategy, ensuring our voice influences national and local decision-making on school food and food education

· To design and deliver campaigns that support and advance SFM’s mission

· To line manage the Policy and Communications Assistant and Press and Communications Officer

Key Tasks

· Lead and provide strategic input to campaigns, convene groups and partnerships

· Represent SFM at external meetings and coalitions such as the School Food Review

· Monitor, analyse and interpret relevant research, policy developments and news, identifying implications or opportunities for SFM

· Oversee the strategic direction of SFM’s external affairs and communications, ensuring all policy, campaigns, and public messaging align with the charity’s mission and priorities

· Provide policy research and analysis to support the activities of the School Food Review

· Oversee meetings and governance for the School Food Alliance

· Provide policy and communications expertise for the Food Education Network workstreams

· Represent SFM at relevant policy consultations, meetings and conferences to influence and inform policy discussions, and deliver presentations as required

· Lead drafting of responses to government consultations

· Working closely with the Press and Communications Officer, provide insights to inform timely media responses to policy developments

· Ensure colleagues are regularly briefed on policy activities, priorities and messages, and run internal workshops to keep them up to date with the school food sector

· Provide strategic input to meeting content for the School Food Review, and support the Policy and Communications Assistant to organise meetings for workstreams

· Oversee the development web content, articles, blogs and newsletter content by the Press and Communications Officer and the Policy and Communications Assistant

· Keep up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures

· Maintain the ethos of the charity and positively promote our work at all times

· The Policy and Advocacy Manager will also undertake any other tasks relevant to the affairs of SFM that may arise from time to time.  Therefore, being flexible and approaching the job with an open and positive mindset is essential!

Person Specification

Essential

· Experience of research and analysis, ideally in a policy environment

· General knowledge of issues around school food, children’s health and food education

· Comprehensive understanding of the UK’s political system

· Experience of coordinating policy/research-based projects

· Experience designing, coordinating and delivering campaigns

· Experience of working in coalitions

· Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain relationships with a range of individuals and organisations

· Confident and competent IT skills across Office suite of programmes

· Exceptional oral and written communication skills in fluent spoken and written English, with strong attention to detail and the ability to translate complex data and policies into accessible language and engaging stories and communication materials

· Strong understanding media landscape and social media platforms to oversee the communications activity of the organisation

· Ability to work independently, with high levels of self-motivation

· Good project management, time management and organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines

· Energy, enthusiasm, creativity and tenacity

Desirable

· Strong knowledge of the public health, food and education policy landscape

· Experience managing others

· Experience managing projects

· Experience managing meetings

· Experience of working with Drupal CMS

· Experience of working within a network or coalition of campaigning organisations

· Established contacts with media outlets/journalists/bloggers

· Digital campaigning and social networking skills

· Experience writing news articles and blog posts with clear structure, purpose and an engaging narrative

· Experience managing or supervising team members to deliver communications projects effectively

As Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will help ensure London Youth is a credible, influential voice on issues affecting young people and the organisations that support them. Sitting within the Fundraising and Communications Directorate, you will work closely with the CEO, senior leadership, and youth participation, communciations, fundraising and delivery colleagues to deliver demonstrable external influence and impact. 

You will craft clear, evidence-based policy positions that shape debate and influence decision-making at London and national level, ensuring the policymakers understand and respond to the realities facing young people in London. Through effective internal engagement, you will also ensure colelagues and our members are well-informed and equipped to respond to key policy developments. 

You will successfully represent the voice of London Youth's members and the young people they support, helping to secure greater recognition, investment, and support for youth services. By building strong relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, and sector partners working to address the issues affecting young people inthe capital, you will help position London Youth as a trusted and respected contributor to relevant policy discussions. 

At a time of significant change across the youth sector, you will play a central role in campaigning for systematic change and in building the profile of London Youth and the wider voluntary sector as the Government's 10-year National Youth Strategy, Youth Matters, is implemented. You will help ensure commitments translate into meaningful outcomes for young people, particularly in relation to youth services, enrichment opportunities, and support for young people not in education, employment, or training, and strengthen long-term investment in youth provision. 

What you will be doing 

You will lead the development and delivery of London Youth's policy and public affairs work, building a clear and consistent understanding of the London and national context for young people and youth organisations. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, including communications, fundraising, delivery, and MEL, you will help develop a clear and compelling case for support and influence. 

You will work in close partnership with the CEO and CEO's office, acting as a trusted policy adviser, supporting the CEO's external policy engagements, positioning, and relationships with senior policymakers and influencers. 

You will monitor emerging political and policy developments and relevant funding announcements, providing insight and analysis to identify opportunities for engagement. You will draft swift organisational responses to key policy announcements, in collaboration with the CEO and communications team, and ensure relevant intelligence and opportunties inform the work of the fundraising team. 

You will develop, maintain, and communicate evidence-based policy positions, insights, and priorities, convening our members regularly to inform clear policy asks and advocacy. You will shape briefings and consultation responses that reflect the needs of London Youth's members and the young people they support. You will shape policy positions and provide high-quality briefings ahead of key senior-level engagements. 

You will oversee and track our policy influencing activity, identifying emerging policy developments, coordinating internal input, engaging stakeholders and representing London Youth in external policy and public affairs forums, and reporting on the impact of our policy work. 

You will strengthen policy work through insight and engagement, analysig relevant data and research from our membership and working with the Learning and Impact Lead to ensure insights from London Youth's network inform policy development. You will also identify opportunities for members and young people from our Youth Board to engage in policy work, including through consultations, networks, and events. 

You will build and maintain strong relationships with key London and national stakeholders, identifying opportunities for partnership working with other organisations and ensuring London Youth has a visible, credible voice in debates affecting young people. 

You will contribute to London Youth's communications, campaigns, and profile, working with colleagues to shape policy activity across digital channels, produce engaging written content including articles and speeches, craft organisational messaging, support youth-led engagement, and contribute to London Youth's thematic networks, influencing events and media opportunities. 

What you bring to the role 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Strong understanding of how policy is developed in the London and national context, and experience of engaging with political agendas on behalf of a charitable or membership organisation. 
• Experience in developing robust policy positions, responses, and solutions, and influencing politicians and decision-makers. 
• Up-to-date, proven experience in public affairs, parliamentary engagement or a related policy-influencing role, with a clear track record of driving meaningful change. 
• Good understanding of UK parliamentary and government processes, and of current policy areas impacting young people in London and across the UK. 
• Experience of producing a range of briefings and written materials, including research findings, public statements, consultation responses, and briefings for senior colelagues. 
• Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with opinion-formers and other key stakeholders. 

Attributes and Behaviours: 

• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, especially when it comes to policy partners. 
• Demonstrate confidence to engage and build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including those at senior level. 
• A confidence verbal communicator and presenter able to represent London Youth within policy forums, consortia, and networking events. 
• Demonstrate ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team, with proven ability to innovate and deliver change. 
• Demonstrate ability to analyse, summarise, and present evidence to different audiences. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to ensuring young people have prominent platforms to voice their views directly on the issues that affect them. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to strengthening London's Youth sector. 
• Be willing to work some evenings and the occasional weekend. 
• Understanding and supporting the vision, mission, and aims of London Youth. 

Demonstrate living our values of being: 

• Ambitious
• Collaborative 
• Inclusive 
• Accountable 

Why work at London Youth 

• Generous holiday allowance - 39 days paid holiday each year (including bank holidays and closure days). Pro-rata if you work part time. 
• Employer 4% pension contribution
• Additional leave granted to support voluntary activity 
• Free Health Care Cash Plan 
• Free access for you and your family to the Employee Assistance Programme 
• Free access to the 'Headspace' app for you and your family
• Flexible working opportunities considered 
• You'll be working with a fantastic team of passionate colleagues across London Youth 
• You will be making a difference to the lives of young people

Location: Hybrid working between the Aldgate, London office and home.

A great opportunity has risen for a Policy Manager to support our ambitious external affairs team in influencing national and regional policy to drive improvements in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions.  

Asthma + Lung UK is the only charity in the UK fighting for everyone with a lung condition, aiming for a world where everyone can breathe with healthy lungs. We fund cutting-edge research, provide advice and support for the 12 million people who will get a lung condition during their lifetime. We also campaign for clean air and for better NHS diagnosis and treatment.

You will lead a programme of proactive policy and influencing work covering a range of areas depending on organisational strategy and business planning, but likely to include: health inequalities, tobacco control and smoking cessation, the implementation of the NHS England 10 Year Plan, local health systems influencing, and support for the Taskforce for Lung Health working groups.

You will have excellent analytical skills, an understanding of the opportunities and challenges in the health policy landscape, and an understanding of how to effectively communicate and translate the challenges people living with lung conditions face into policy solutions. You will be organised, a good communicator and a team player. You will interact with colleagues at all levels across the organisation and have a great opportunity to develop your leadership skillset.

As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits including 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), membership of a health cash plan, employee assistance programme, cycle-to-work scheme, interest-free annual season Travelcard loan and pension scheme. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an organisation committed to being the driving force behind the transformation of lung health.

About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats.

The Role:
• This is an exciting opportunity as we are looking for a Policy and Advocacy Manager who will be responsible for developing and directing the delivery of Coed Cadw programme of advocacy and campaigning work in Wales.
• You will be responsible for developing relationships across broad policy-influencing audiences to achieve key policy outcomes in line with the Woodland Trust’s goals and objectives.
• Responsible for ensuring the Trust have and are following integrated and focused influencing strategies to achieve our public policy goals.
• Lead the Wales Policy and Advocacy team whilst integrating our policy and campaigning work across the wider Wales team, providing clarity of direction, inspiring our employees and building capabilities and skills, upholding and actively promoting the values and behaviours of the Trust.
• Actively monitor, gather intelligence, understand and analyse relevant areas of Welsh policy and politics, acting on key opportunities. Collaborate with UK colleagues to ensure our policy and advocacy work is supported and aligned across the four nations and ensure consistent campaigning messages with the Trust’s wider communications and influencing strategies and plans.
• This is a hybrid role with travel to the Cardiff office and around the UK as required.

The Candidate:
• This is a key role in our Wales team and for candidates to stand out, we are looking for experience of working within a policy & advocacy or political context.
• Experience in shaping and implementing policy and advocacy or political strategies preferably in the environmental/voluntary sector, providing technical policy input and advice.
• Knowledge of the Welsh Government and Senedd with a strong understanding of current environmental policy, conservation and land management issues. You’ll have awareness of current affairs and processes through legislation, policy and grants in the Welsh context.
• Confident in building and developing partnerships with external and internal stakeholders, able to influence different audiences, to successfully change attitudes, behaviours and/or policy of key stakeholders.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to collaborate with a diverse range of teams and stakeholders to ensure the best development of strategies and policies.
• Ability to analyse complex information and be able to communicate in effective ways for diverse audiences.
• Understanding of different levers and approaches that can be used effectively to influence decision-makers.
• This role is based in Wales and will require the successful candidate to undertake travel across Wales and the UK. 

Our Organisational Nature enables us to better understand what it means to be part of the Woodland Trust, empowering us to make an impact, every day. We want you to be able to role model our values; ‘Grow Together’, ‘Focus’, ‘Explore’ and ‘Make it Count’ to ensure each of us plays our part in helping to protect, restore and create our woods and trees.

Benefits & Wellbeing: Joining our team means you'll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our employees, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees. 
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application. 

Application Advice: For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, we do not ask for your CV at application stage OR so they do not see your CV until shortlisting is completed. [Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. 

Acceptable Use Policy - Artificial Intelligence (AI)
We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools.

First Stage Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams

Ynglyn â Ni: Coed Cadw (y Woodland Trust) yw elusen cadwraeth coetiroedd fwyaf y DU sydd wedi ymroi i greu byd lle mae coed a choedwigoedd yn ffynnu ymhlith pobl a natur. Mae ein cenhadaeth yn cynnwys ysbrydoli ac ymgysylltu ag unigolion i gyfrannu at fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng natur a hinsawdd drwy warchod, adfer a chreu cynefinoedd o goetiroedd hollbwysig.

Y RÔL
• Dyma gyfle cyffrous wrth i ni chwilio am Reolwr Polisi ac Eiriolaeth a fydd yn gyfrifol am ddatblygu ac arwain y gwaith o gyflawni rhaglen eiriolaeth ac ymgyrchu Coed Cadw yng Nghymru.
• Byddwch yn gyfrifol am ddatblygu perthnasoedd ar draws cynulleidfaoedd polisi eang i sicrhau canlyniadau polisi allweddol yn unol â nodau ac amcanion Coed Cadw.
• Yn gyfrifol am sicrhau bod yr Ymddiriedolaeth yn dilyn ac wedi dilyn strategaethau dylanwadu integredig â ffocws i gyflawni ein nodau polisi cyhoeddus.
• Arwain y tîm Polisi ac Eiriolaeth yng Nghymru tra'n integreiddio ein gwaith polisi ac ymgyrchu ar draws y tîm ehangach yng Nghymru, gan roi arweiniad clir, ysbrydoli ein gweithwyr a meithrin galluoedd a sgiliau, cynnal a hyrwyddo gwerthoedd ac ymddygiadau'r Ymddiriedolaeth.
• Ymroi i fonitro, casglu gwybodaeth, deall a dadansoddi meysydd perthnasol o bolisi a gwleidyddiaeth Cymru, gan weithredu ar gyfleoedd allweddol. Cydweithio â chydweithwyr yn y DU i sicrhau bod ein gwaith polisi ac eiriolaeth yn cael ei gefnogi ac yn gyson ar draws y pedair gwlad a sicrhau bod y negeseuon ymgyrchu yn gyson â strategaethau a chynlluniau cyfathrebu a dylanwadu ehangach yr Ymddiriedolaeth.
• Mae hon yn rôl hybrid gyda theithio i'r swyddfa yng Nghaerdydd a ledled y DU yn ôl yr angen.

YR YMGEISYDD
• Mae hon yn rôl allweddol yn ein tîm yng Nghymru, ac er mwyn i ymgeiswyr sefyll allan, rydyn ni’n chwilio am brofiad o weithio o fewn cyd-destun polisi ac eiriolaeth neu wleidyddol.
• Profiad o lunio a gweithredu polisïau ac eiriolaeth neu strategaethau gwleidyddol yn ddelfrydol yn y sector amgylcheddol/gwirfoddol, gan ddarparu mewnbwn a chyngor polisi technegol.
• Gwybodaeth am Lywodraeth Cymru a’r Senedd gyda dealltwriaeth gref o bolisïau amgylcheddol, cadwraeth a materion rheoli tir ar hyn o bryd. Bydd gennych ymwybyddiaeth o faterion cyfoes a phrosesau drwy ddeddfwriaeth, polisïau a grantiau yn y cyd-destun Cymreig.
• Hyderus wrth feithrin a datblygu partneriaethau gyda rhanddeiliaid allanol a mewnol, sy'n gallu dylanwadu ar wahanol gynulleidfaoedd, i newid agweddau, ymddygiadau a/neu bolisïau rhanddeiliaid allweddol yn llwyddiannus.
• Sgiliau arwain cryf gyda'r gallu i gydweithio ag ystod amrywiol o dimau a rhanddeiliaid i sicrhau'r datblygiad gorau o ran strategaethau a pholisïau.
• Y gallu i ddadansoddi gwybodaeth gymhleth a'r gallu i gyfathrebu mewn ffyrdd effeithiol ar gyfer cynulleidfaoedd amrywiol. 
• Dealltwriaeth o wahanol ysgogiadau a dulliau gweithredu y gellir eu defnyddio'n effeithiol i ddylanwadu ar y rhai sy'n gwneud penderfyniadau.
• Mae'r rôl hon wedi'i lleoli yng Nghymru a bydd angen i'r ymgeisydd llwyddiannus deithio ledled Cymru a'r DU.

Mae ein Natur Sefydliadol yn ein galluogi i ddeall yn well beth mae’n ei olygu i fod yn rhan o Coed Cadw, a’n grymuso i wneud argraff, bob dydd. Rydyn ni eisiau i chi fod yn fodel rôl ar gyfer ein gwerthoedd; ‘Tyfu Gyda’n Gilydd’, ‘Ffocws’, ‘Archwilio’ a ‘Gwneud iddo Gyfrif’ i sicrhau bod pob un ohonom yn chwarae ein rhan wrth helpu i warchod, adfer a chreu ein coedwigoedd a’n coed.
Buddion a Llesiant: Mae ymuno â'n tîm yn golygu y byddwch yn rhan fawr o fynd i'r afael â materion amgylcheddol a hinsawdd. Rydyn ni’n cymryd gofal da o'n gweithwyr, gan gynnig cymorth a chyfleoedd hyfforddi. Rydyn ni hefyd yn cynnig:

• Pensiwn Uwch i Gyflogwyr
• Yswiriant Bywyd
• Opsiynau Gweithio Hyblyg a Hybrid
• Gwyliau Blynyddol hael
• Tâl Rhiant Uwch
• Rhaglen Cymorth i Weithwyr

Ymrwymiad i Amrywiaeth a Chynhwysiant: Mae Coed Cadw yn cofleidio amrywiaeth a chynhwysiant. Rydyn ni eisiau i'n tîm adlewyrchu cymuned amrywiol y DU. Rydyn ni’n cefnogi pobl o bob cefndir i wneud cais, yn enwedig y rhai sydd heb gynrychiolaeth ddigonol.
 
Cyngor wrth Wneud Cais: Hyd yn oed os nad ydych yn bodloni holl ofynion y rôl, byddem yn eich annog i wneud cais. Eich brwdfrydedd dros yr amgylchedd a'n gwerthoedd craidd - Tyfu Gyda’n Gilydd, Archwilio, Ffocws a Gwneud iddo Gyfrif - sydd bwysicaf. Rydyn ni hefyd yn cadw manylion personol ein hymgeiswyr wrth y rheolwyr sy’n cyflogi, fel nad ydynt yn gweld eich CV nes bod y rhestr fer wedi'i chwblhau. Gwnewch yn siwr bod eich Datganiad Personol yn dangos yn glir eich profiad a’ch angerdd am y rôl.

Gwnewch gais nawr: Os ydych chi'n barod i wneud gwahaniaeth a thyfu gyda ni, anfonwch eich cais heddiw. Efallai y byddwn yn cau'r swydd yn gynnar os cawn lawer o geisiadau, felly mae'n syniad da gwneud cais yn fuan. Edrychwn ymlaen at glywed wrthych a chydweithio i gael effaith bositif ar ein planed.