Policy officer jobs in London, greater london

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

• Produce briefings and speaking notes for UK Youth leadership and trustees relating to important policy issues and external events.

• 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.

• 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.

• Develop written content, including blogs, and support colleagues in our Communications team to respond to breaking news relating to UK Youth’s policy priorities.

• 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

• 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.

• Work with colleagues across the Impact Function to understand trends and innovations in the youth and outdoor learning sectors that have implications for policy.

• Ensure that there is a clear record of UK Youth’s policy positions on key issues, along with rationale and suggested messaging.

• Contribute to external-facing policy reports and briefings on topics relating to UK Youth’s work.

Stakeholder engagement and event management

• Build strong working relationships with policy professionals across the youth sector and identify opportunities to work in partnership, where appropriate.

• Develop relationships with key external stakeholders including other policy and public affairs teams in the youth sector and civil servants.

• Work closely with young people and youth workers to help refine UK Youth’s policy positions and influencing plans.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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)

• Experience of project management

• Experience of understanding and communicating with different audiences

• 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:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave (24 days + 3 days winter closure) plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• 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.

We are looking for a Temporary Policy Advice and Support Officer to provide support to the committees, line managers and senior policy advisers for high profile member body. You will need extensive experience working with and supporting committees with drafting agendas, briefings, and minute taking.

Hybrid role , min 1 day in the London Office

The Role
Support line managers and senior policy advisers within the team, by undertaking research, analysis and draft written reports on policy issues specific to committee, as required
Contribute to the development of guidance and other materials to support members to comply with policy, regulations, legislation etc, as required
Produce drafts of committee updates
Contribute to the development of committee newsletters or other communications with members
Provide support to smooth running of committees within area of responsibility (including arranging meetings, collating/despatching agenda and papers, attending meetings, developing draft minutes for review, recording and following up completion to report back to committee) as required
Contribute to the development and delivery of the directorates business plan, performance indicators and risk management plan

The Candidate
Ability to grasp new policy concepts quickly to undertake research and analysis of policy issues
Ability to draft minutes, policy reports and briefings for review by line manager and/or relevant committee lead
Ability to provide support to ensure smooth running of committees
Ability to work flexibly, picking up new areas of work and responding to areas of need in a positive manner
Quick thinker ability to respond decisively to issues on the day of committee meetings (eg. IT failure, catering issues etc)
Experience of providing project support
Understanding of the associations dual roles as trade union and professional body
Personal resilience occasionally comes into contact with challenging member

IMPORTANT NOTE

Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you havent been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful and your details will not be held further but we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.

We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.

Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.

Position: Senior Policy Officer (Health and Social Care)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours a week)
Contract: Permanent
Location: Office-based in London, N4 with flexibility to work remotely
Salary: Starting from £35,020 per annum, plus excellent benefits
Salary Band and Job Family: Band 2, Professional / Technical
You will start at our entry point salary of £35,825 per annum, increasing to £38,065 after 6 months service and satisfactory performance and to £40,304 after a further 6 months.

About us

We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.

Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus. 

Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information. 

Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.

About this job

This is an exciting opportunity to join our friendly and supportive Policy and Evidence team, with a role focused on shaping and delivering the MS Society’s public policy work.

The MS Society’s core goal is to improve the lives of people affected by MS, and this lies at the heart of all we do.

This role is about ensuring our policy work is built on strong evidence and is informed by, and developed in partnership with, people affected by MS, healthcare clinicians and professionals, and key stakeholders.

We have strong relationships across the sector, so you’ll have the opportunity to work closely with coalition partners to influence national policy and amplify the voices of people living with MS.

This role specialises in community based care, including primary care, community services, rehabilitation, care pathways, care and support planning, social care and personalisation.

Closing date for applications: 9:00 am on Wednesday 17th June 2026

Interested?

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Equal Opportunities 
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application. 

Disability Confident Employer 
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.

If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.

More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to): 

Encouraging work life balance

• 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us) 
• Flexible working options 

Caring for you and your family 

• Generous sick pay entitlement
• More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment 
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year 
• Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis 
• Enhanced leave for new parents 
• Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
• 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Death in service scheme
• New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
  • In the event of miscarriage or still birth 
  • To support fertility treatments
  • For antenatal appointments for both parents

Thinking about your finances 

• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing

Enriching your life at work

• Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely 
• Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups) 
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community) 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal

Safeguarding 
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.

This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.

We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.

We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.

Your right to work in the UK 
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.

You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.

No agencies please.

Who we are: Transform Justice is a national charity working for a fair, open and compassionate justice system. We believe that evidence about what works to reduce crime and prevent reoffending should be at the heart of policy decisions and embedded into practice. 

We work to promote change by generating research and evidence to show how the system works and how it could be improved, and by influencing practitioners and politicians to make changes to the justice system. Current projects include our #FairChecks campaign for criminal records reform, our mass court observations programme CourtWatch London, and our work to reduce the use of pre-trial imprisonment for chidlren.

About the role: Transform Justice is seeking a research and policy officer to play a vital role supporting its work for a better justice system. Working closely with the charity’s director and deputy director (and alongside our communications officer), you will conduct high quality research, draft policy briefings, and organise and participate in meetings and events. This role will support a range of projects including the next round of our innovative courtwatching project, and our work to reduce the pre-trial imprisonment of children. 

We are looking for someone inquisitive, flexible, and organised. The role is home-based using your own equipment, so you will need to be able to work on your own with minimal day-to-day supervision. There is the option to work at an office in Old Street, London up to two days a week with other Transform Justice team members. The team also meets regularly online and for in-person meetings in London.

Main responsibilities and duties:

• Undertaking qualitative and quantitative research including phone interviews, survey design, submitting FOI requests and analysing published data

• Reviewing relevant academic evidence and policy documents and identifying what’s important for our advocacy work 

• Writing, editing and proofreading reports, briefings and submissions

• Liaising with policy makers and stakeholders including organising and attending meetings and drafting correspondence

• Organising online and in person events to support Transform Justice’s advocacy work 

• Supporting the CourtWatch London project including engaging with volunteers, organising and supporting the delivery of training, reviewing data collection 

• Support the drafting of funding applications

• Other reasonable duties as required including administrative tasks such as generating invoices 

Skills and experience:

• Essential: At least two years of work experience in a research or policy-related role

• Essential: Demonstrable qualitative and quantitative research skills, for example using interviews, surveys, or published statistics to produce insights and recommendations 

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing 

• Ability to take ownership of tasks when working remotely with little supervision, seeking advice and support when needed

• Ability to prioritise your workload when working on a range of different projects and tasks 

• Excellent computer skills, with knowledge and practice of Word, Excel and PowerPoint 

• Interest in criminal justice policy issues, and a commitment to help achieve Transform Justice’s vision

Location: Remote working with regular in-person meetings in London and the option to hot-desk in an office in Old Street, London up to two days per week. 

Contract: One year term with the potential to be renewable

Salary: £29,000 - £32,000 pa full time (pro rata if part time). 

Hours: Full time (also open to part-time 3 or 4 days a week)

Reporting to: Deputy director

Holiday/pension: 25 days FTE (pro rata if part time)

Probationary period: three months

How to apply: Please submit a CV and answer the screening questions through the CharityJob website by 9am Friday 26 June. Interviews will take place between Wednesday 15 July and Friday 17 July and will be conducted in person in London.

Candidates for interview will be notified by email. We are sorry that due to limited staff capacity we are not able to reply to all applicants.

Transform Justice is committed to fair recruitment and the inclusion of applicants with criminal records. This position is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. For this role, the disclosure of a criminal record is not required. 

To reduce bias in the hiring process, Transform Justice uses CharityJob’s anonymous recruitment process. This automatically replaces personal information (i.e. name and email address) with pseudonyms on CVs until we invite a candidate to interview.