Public affairs administrator jobs in Edinburgh
How's your job search on our site?
Team: Advocacy
Location: Remote with travel to Westminster approx. twice a month
Work pattern: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Salary: Up to £31,918.98 per year
Contract: Permanent
We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.
Will you join us and make life better for cats?
Responsibilities of our Assistant Advocacy & Government Relations Officer:
- providing day-to-day support for the whole advocacy team
- undertaking core advocacy tasks such as leading on daily political and media monitoring
- conducting online research to add value and support overall work of the team
- providing meeting and event support
- assisting with preparation of briefings for parliamentary debates
- reporting on the outcome of campaigns to the advocacy team
- content creation for the advocacy web pages
- general administrative duties
About the Advocacy team:
The Advocacy & Government Relations team leads the charity in influencing decision-makers and those whose policies, practices and decisions affect cat welfare across the UK. The small, highly motivated team works to influence legislators (national and devolved governments), professional organisations and corporates. The team has successfully influenced the law on microchipping, pet theft and commercial kitten sales in England and worked with the Scottish Government to regulate cat breeding and rehoming activities. The team also runs digital campaigns as part of its strategy.
What we’re looking for in our Assistant Advocacy & Government Relations Officer:
- lives within a commutable (within one hour) distance of Westminster
- experience working in advocacy, public affairs or influencing work (which may include campaigns) and knowledge of UK political systems
- proven experience extracting relevant information from political monitoring sources
- strong administration skills, including project and spreadsheet management
- experience, or an understanding, of dealing with high profile/ VIP individuals e.g Ministers, MSPs, MLAs, MPs, etc
- experience completing online and desk research
- experience or understanding of event organisation
- experience preparing PowerPoint presentations
- proven ability to multi-task and work independently on own initiative, accurately and under pressure
- agile, happy to be hands-on and help in all areas of the advocacy team
- confident using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Zoom and MS Teams)
- knowledge of our work and campaigns and an understanding of the charity sector
What we can offer you:
- range of health benefits
- 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service
- Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing
- and much more, which you can learn about
Application closing date: 20th April 2026
Virtual interview date: 11th & 12th May 2026
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.
If successful, your recruitment journey will include:
1. anonymised application form
2. video screening
3. Virtual interview with task
Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.
Please email [email protected] if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey.
Registered Charity
501 - 1000
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats
Thank you!
We are seeking an exceptional leader who can act as a credible spokesperson and ambassador for the Catholic Union, building trusted relationships across the Church, parliament and wider society and helping to grow the Catholic Union’s influence and engagement in the years ahead.
Founded in 1870, the Catholic Union of Great Britain brings Catholic laity and Catholic social teaching to the public square across England, Wales and Scotland. Working in partnership with dioceses, parishes, MPs, MSPs, MSs, peers and Catholic organisations, our vision is of a society in which Catholic laity are informed, equipped and encouraged to engage in public life.
Our work is shaped by three key themes: engagement, education and encouragement. Through these we foster informed participation in public debate, help Catholics and the wider public understand contemporary social and political issues through a Catholic lens, and inspire greater confidence for Catholics to contribute to civic and community life.
In recent years the Catholic Union has developed from being largely volunteer-led into a more professional and strategically focused organisation, strengthening relationships across the Church and wider society. Our Weekly Briefing, now read by around 6,500 people each week, has become a key channel for parliamentary reporting, Catholic news and reflection.
As Director, you will lead the Catholic Union at an exciting moment in its development. You will represent the Catholic Union publicly, strengthening relationships with bishops, diocesan leaders, parliamentarians and Catholic organisations. You will act as a trusted ambassador for the Union, grow our channels of influence and engagement, and work with Trustees, Council and a small experienced team to support the organisation’s continued development.
If you are inspired by the opportunity to serve as a public voice for a respected Catholic organisation and help foster thoughtful dialogue and engagement in public life, we would love to hear from you.
For more information, please see the job pack attached. Closing date 10th April.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
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!
Monitoring and developing our Covid-19 Inquiry Recommendations Tracker, you will be an essential conduit for influencing policy and campaigns, part of a small but highly effective team.
Job description
- Take overall responsibility for the Inquiry Recommendations Tracker, including its development, structure, accuracy and upkeep.
- Ensure the tracker is kept fully up to date, with progress on each recommendation accurately recorded and supported by relevant evidence.
- Monitor developments relating to Inquiry recommendations, including government responses, implementation activity and public statements, and provide colleagues with clear analysis to inform campaigning and parliamentary engagement.
- Gather and assess information from a range of sources to inform the tracker, including official publications, parliamentary material, stakeholder engagement and direct correspondence.
- Draft policy reports following module report publications, including analysis of recommendations and supplementary recommendations where appropriate, and provide briefing material to support campaign and parliamentary activity.
- Engage with members to ensure their feedback and lived experience inform reports, supplementary recommendations and the Recommendations Tracker.
- Work with colleagues to ensure policy outputs support wider campaigning, parliamentary engagement and communications activity.
- Help identify gaps, weaknesses or areas of concern in implementation, and support the development of evidence-based proposals for further action.
- Maintain clear internal records and documentation relating to recommendations, progress updates and evidence gathered.
- Contribute to team meetings, planning discussions and wider organisational work as required.
- Undertake other duties reasonably consistent with the role, recognising that this is a small team and flexibility is important.
Person specification
Essential
- Experience of policy research, policy analysis, public affairs, or related work.
- Strong drafting skills, with the ability to write clearly, accurately and persuasively for different audiences.
- Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage complex information carefully and systematically.
- Experience of maintaining records, trackers or monitoring systems to a high standard.
- Ability to analyse complex material and present it in a way that is accessible and useful.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to deadlines.
- Confidence in engaging professionally with external stakeholders, including parliamentarians, officials or partner organisations.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a small team.
- Commitment to working in a member-led way and ensuring lived experience informs policy work.
- Personal belief in and support for the aims of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK
Desirable
- Experience of working in Parliament, government, the charity sector, campaigning, or a policy-focused organisation.
- Experience of producing briefings, reports or recommendations for senior stakeholders.
- Experience of engaging with members or people with lived experience in shaping policy or campaigns.
- Familiarity with spreadsheet-based trackers or similar monitoring tools.
- Knowledge of public inquiries, accountability processes, or pandemic preparedness policy.
Covid-19 has affected us all, but some communities were disproportionately impacted, including Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities and disabled people, so we particularly welcome and encourage applications from candidates from those backgrounds.
Please submit your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the essential criteria for this role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.