Press and external affairs officer jobs
This is a senior communications and public affairs role at The British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) at a pivotal moment for human rights in the UK. You will help shape public and political narratives about the Human Rights Act, amplify lived experience, and ensure BIHR’s expertise cuts through in national debates.
You will lead BIHR’s external communications - including media, digital content, and website oversight – and support evidence‑informed policy positioning and parliamentary engagement. Working closely with colleagues across the charity, you’ll transform insights from our programmes into powerful, accessible messaging and high‑impact advocacy.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a small but mighty team known for its expertise, credibility, and influence on human rights in everyday systems.
Please note this is not an entry‑level role.
Key Responsibilities
Please refer to the Application Pack for the full details, but below is a summary.
Communications
- Lead BIHR’s external communications strategy to ensure consistent, accessible, rights‑based messaging.
- Draft proactive and reactive press releases and media statements.
- Secure media opportunities highlighting BIHR’s work and the role of the HRA/ECHR.
- Manage the consistency and quality of website content.
- Create engaging digital content that translates complex human rights issues into clear, plain language.
- Maintain a content calendar aligned with key parliamentary, policy, and public affairs milestones.
- Track and analyse engagement data to inform strategy.
Policy Evidence, Analysis & Positioning
- Conduct policy research grounded in the HRA/ECHR framework.
- Translate lived and practitioner experience into evidence‑informed policy positions and recommendations.
- Draft high‑quality briefings, consultation responses, reports, and messaging documents.
- Horizon‑scan for risks and opportunities to protect and advance human rights.
- Maintain BIHR’s internal knowledge base on HRA/ECHR and priority policy areas.
Government & Parliamentary Engagement
- Monitor UK parliamentary activity and analyse implications for the HRA/ECHR and BIHR’s work.
- Build relationships with parliamentarians, government officials, and parliamentary offices.
- Support targeted advocacy to defend the HRA/ECHR and promote rights‑respecting law and policy.
- Represent BIHR at political and policy meetings and events.
- Ensure monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of public affairs activity.
Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
- Build and sustain partnerships with NGOs, academics, policymakers, legal professionals, civil servants, and parliamentarians.
- Represent BIHR externally and engage in sector networks.
- Communicate BIHR’s policy positions and resources clearly and effectively.
- Identify opportunities for collaboration and influence.
Other organisational requirements
- Work collaboratively as part of a small team.
- Support organisational processes and continuous improvement.
- Undertake other duties as required.
Who the Role Is Suitable For
This role is ideal for someone who brings strong communications skills, policy and advocacy experience, and a commitment to human rights as practical tools for change.
You’ll thrive if you:
- Can translate complex law and policy into accessible, compelling communications.
- Have experience engaging with parliamentarians, officials, and senior stakeholders.
- Are confident in human rights frameworks, particularly the HRA.
- Enjoy working in a small, collaborative team.
- Can manage competing priorities in a fast‑moving, politically sensitive environment.
- Live within approximately one hour of London, as regular Westminster/Whitehall meetings are expected.
Please refer to the Application Pack for a detailed Person Specification.
Applying for the role
Please click on the 'Redirect to recruiter' button (above or below) to:
- Get more information about the role, how to apply, and the selection and interview process/timing.
- Download an Application Pack and Application form (and an optional Equality & Diversity Form).
Please also note that:
- Completed application forms must be received by 10am on Wednesday 11 March 2026; we regret that late applications will not be considered.
- You should not submit a CV and cover letter instead of using the application form; such applications will also not be considered.
Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to receiving your application form.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
BIHR's mission is to champion the Human Rights Act as a practical tool for everyday justice.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Policy and Public Affairs Manager (Northern Ireland)
£41,278 pa plus excellent benefits
Home-based with regular meetings in Belfast
35 hours per week, full-time
Fixed-term, 12 months
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking an experienced and influential Policy and Public Affairs Manager to lead our work in Northern Ireland. This is an exciting opportunity to shape policy, influence decision-makers, and ensure the voices of paediatricians and child health professionals are heard at the highest levels.
Reporting to the Associate Director of Policy and External Affairs / Head of Policy and Public Affairs (Devolved Nations), you will lead the College’s policy and public affairs activity in Northern Ireland. You will develop and communicate policy positions that reflect the national context, engage senior stakeholders across government and the health sector, and maximise the College’s influence to improve child health outcomes.
You will work closely with colleagues across the UK to ensure our four-nation advocacy is aligned, while remaining responsive to the specific needs of our members in Northern Ireland. You will also line manage a Policy and Public Affairs Officer, supporting their development and overseeing external-facing outputs.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the development of policy positions and public affairs outputs specific to Northern Ireland
- Engaging with Ministers, MLAs, government officials, statutory services, and third sector stakeholders to influence policy and practice
- Producing and overseeing consultation responses and policy briefings
- Acting as a source of expertise on the Northern Ireland political and health landscape
- Supporting College Officers with high-level stakeholder engagement through briefings and policy advice
- Drafting media content including quotes, press releases and opinion pieces in collaboration with communications colleagues
- Managing the College’s presence at the Northern Ireland Assembly and party conferences
- Line managing and developing the Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Northern Ireland)
Essential skills and experience include:
- A primary degree and/or extensive relevant experience in policy and public affairs or a related field
- Proven experience of developing and delivering a measurable and successful public affairs strategy
- Experience of preparing high-quality briefings for political stakeholders and senior leaders
- Strong understanding of the political and health policy landscape in Northern Ireland
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively
- Demonstrable stakeholder management skills, including engagement at senior level
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a wider UK team
The RCPCH has more than 25,000 members and fellows and employs around 200 staff, most of whom work in our London office in Holborn. We have a Devolved Nations team operating from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Our College values: Include, Influence, Innovate and Inspire, are important to us. These values ensure we bring out the best in each other, strive forward together to make the College a positive and dynamic place to work.
The RCPCH champions Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Our workplace is inclusive, offering a supportive environment where staff can thrive. The College is keen to accept applications from people with protected characteristics. We believe that our staff should represent all of the diverse communities we serve. Join us to help realise our vision of a world where every child is healthy and well.
The RCPCH is committed to safeguarding the children, young people and adults it has contact with in the exercise of its functions and responsibilities. The RCPCH expects all staff to share this commitment – we place a high priority on ensuring only those who do so are recruited to work for us.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records.
Closing date: 4 March 2026
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health advocates on child health issues at home and internationally.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Are you passionate about driving meaningful change in suicide prevention policy? We are looking for a Policy Officer to join our Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns team at Samaritans. Join our team and help influence public policy to achieve our vision: fewer lives lost to suicide.
This is a meaningful, high impact role where your work will directly contribute to safer, more compassionate public policy.
Samaritans is the UK and Ireland’s leading suicide prevention charity. While we are best known for listening to those who need us, we also work to influence change in legislation and policy.
About the Role
As Policy Officer, you will lead the development and influencing of policy positions on suicide prevention, using research and evidence to produce high-quality briefings, consultation responses and reports. You will build strong internal and external relationships, monitor the policy environment, and work collaboratively across the charity to communicate and advance our policy work.
Contract
- £30,000-£33,000 per annum plus benefits
- Full Time (35hrs per week)
- Permanent
- Hybrid working with link to Ewell office
- In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. We work in person around 2 days or more per month.
- We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences
What You’ll Do
- Support the development of Samaritans’ policy positions on suicide prevention.
- Produce clear briefings, consultation responses and policy reports.
- Analyse complex evidence to inform policy development.
- Spot emerging policy issues and support research needs.
- Keep teams updated on policy changes across the UK and Ireland.
- Represent Samaritans at policy events and support external communications.
- Work closely with colleagues across nations to ensure cohesive policy approaches.
What You’ll Bring
- Experience in policy or public affairs and understanding of influencing national/local change.
- Strong ability to turn complex info into clear policy insights.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong project management and stakeholder engagement experience.
- Understanding of mental health or suicide prevention issues.
- Knowledge of mental health/suicide prevention policy, charity sector experience, familiarity with Samaritans, or experience in research processes (desirable).
Why Samaritans?
At Samaritans, you’ll be part of a people-first organisation deeply committed to inclusion, compassion and learning. You’ll contribute to a team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.
We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage those from underrepresented communities to apply. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel seen, heard and supported.
You’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.
For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure available below. You can also visit our careers website to access this.
We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.
Apply now
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply. You will be asked to answer short application questions (please keep your answers to max 300 words) and to upload your CV (please avoid special characters in the file name).
We kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, or to generate interview answers. We want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths.
Applications close: Tuesday 3rd March
Interviews: w/c Monday 9th March
Registered Charity
101 - 500
We prevent suicide through the power of human connection. Connecting people in crisis with trained volunteers who will always listen.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Role Overview:
The Talent Set are delighted to partner with the UK’s leading breast cancer charity, on an exciting PR Officer opportunity.
The successful candidate will play a key role in leading media relations, creating impactful content and elevating the charity's profile across the UK media. This role is central to raising awareness of breast cancer, strengthening public understanding and ensuring the charity is seen as a trusted and authoritative voice on breast cancer research, care and support.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and nurture trusted relationships with national, regional and specialist journalists to increase media engagement and understanding of their work.
- Identify and activate media opportunities that position the charity as a leading and trusted authority in breast cancer awareness, research and support.
- Create compelling media content including press releases, statements, blogs and case studies, ensuring timely internal approval and distribution.
- Support media interviews and prepare spokespeople, ensuring messaging is clear, accurate and impactful.
- Monitor, evaluate and report on media coverage, producing regular impact reports for senior stakeholders and insights to inform future PR activity.
- Manage relationships with media monitoring agencies and external partners to optimise coverage tracking and evaluation.
- Integrate PR activity with digital communication channels to ensure consistent messaging and maximise reach.
- Assist with out-of-hours media support and organisational events when required, ensuring the charity’s voice remains professional and responsive.
- Collaborate with internal teams including campaigns, research, policy, fundraising and support services to align messaging and amplify key initiatives.
Person Specification:
- Significant experience working within a fast-paced press office, PR agency or media environment, with a proven track record of securing positive media coverage.
- Exceptional relationship-building skills with journalists, stakeholders and internal teams.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines effectively.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a strong eye for storytelling, accuracy and clarity.
- A creative approach to identifying media angles and bringing stories to life for diverse audiences.
- Resourceful, adaptable and confident using digital tools and the Microsoft Office Suite.
- Thorough understanding of the UK media landscape and what makes a story newsworthy.
What’s on Offer
- Salary: £31,000 - £33,500
- Location: Hybrid with 2 days per week in the Central London office
- Contract: Permanent
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the Apply Now button (please do not apply via email). We aim to respond to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.
Commitment to Diversity:
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.
