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Our client, Parkinson's UK, is looking for an enthusiastic and well organised public affairs professional, with a good knowledge of how policy change works in Westminster and Whitehall. You’ll support their work to raise the profile of Parkinson’s UK, increase awareness of Parkinson’s and build strong relationships with Parliamentarians and civil servants. Supporting the policy advisers, you’ll keep a close eye on developments in Parliament and support colleagues in the devolved nations in their Parliamentary work.
Role (What you'll do)
- Monitor activity in Parliament that relates to Parkinson’s and share information with colleagues
- Draft briefings and materials to support their work to build effective relationships with key parliamentarians, influencers and civil servants
- Provide support to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Parkinson’s
- Support colleagues in devolved nations to ensure their public affairs work is aligned and supportive across the UK
- Support work to involve people with lived experience in the charity’s public affairs activities
- Produce inspiring communications about the organisation’s parliamentary activities that encourage their audiences to continue supporting their work
- Build a strong network with allies and partners in other charities and external groups.
Candidate (What you'll bring)
- Experience of working in Westminster or Whitehall or in the devolved nations’ assemblies
- Good interpersonal skills and the ability to provide administrative support
- Experience in political analysis and of working in a political environment and a good understanding of policy issues in health and care, welfare, work, transport or the disability arena
- Ability to network and build supportive relationships at all levels, including with volunteers
- Experience of using creative ways of communicating messages to Parliamentarians and civil servants
- Research, analytical and information gathering skills
- Ability to maintain political impartiality
- Ability to prioritise own workload effectively and support others in meeting challenging deadlines.
How to apply
To be considered, please send a copy of your CV, together with a supporting statement (max 2 sides of A4) fully demonstrating how you meet all the criteria of the role, as stated in the "What you'll bring" section of the job description, via the Redirect button.
Please note that this is not an entry-level role. We can only consider candidates who clearly demonstrate experience working within a public affairs/political environment. For example, you might be working for an MP, or within a charity/NGO policy/influencing team or within a public affairs agency.
Due to timing, we are ideally looking for candidates with no longer than one month's notice.
Please note that you must already have the right to work in UK to apply for this role.
Closing: 12pm, Tuesday 28 July
Interviews: Wednesday 5 and Friday 7 August (online)
Start date: As soon as possible
Registered Charity
101 - 500
We exist to make every day better, for everybody living with Parkinson’s. Right now.
Thank you!
The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking 2 x Public Affairs Officers to join our Media and Public Affairs team in the Communications and Engagement Directorate, providing key support in the delivery of our public affairs function.
The role
The post-holder(s) will play a central role in the work of the Public Affairs team, at an exciting time for the British Academy as we seek to extend and deepen our reach and influence with parliamentarians, Government, policymakers and other key stakeholders.
You will own and deliver influencing activities - independently and in collaboration with colleagues - that will build the Academy’s profile and increase awareness of the value and importance of the Social Sciences, Humanities and the Arts (SHAPE) amongst our audience. You will work with Public Affairs colleagues to monitor external developments, horizon-scanning and pursuing opportunities for the Academy to be bold and proactive in engaging stakeholders.
An experienced public affairs professional, you will have a good level of UK political knowledge, including of the Devolved Nations and local and regional structures. You understand the range of tactics that can be used to influence Parliament and Government and will apply this knowledge to develop and deliver public affairs strategies that engage parliamentarians and key stakeholders with the Academy’s work.
You will be able to communicate and work effectively with colleagues across the Academy and a range of external stakeholders, including parliamentarians and their staff. You will help to build and strengthen stakeholder relationships and deliver an effective public affairs function for the Academy.
You will be highly organised and able to plan and manage a varied workload. You will use your editorial and political judgement to produce high-quality outputs - from communications materials to events - that will showcase the Academy’s evidence base and policy insights to stakeholders, helping to turn engagement into influence.
About the Academy
The British Academy is the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, established by Royal Charter in 1902. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. Today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, culture, and societies. With a Fellowship of around 1,700 leading national and international academics, the Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas; engages the public with fresh thinking and debates; and brings together scholars, government, business, and civil society to influence policy.
The Academy currently has five directorates: Communications & Marketing; Development; Policy; Research; and Resources, plus a small Governance & Fellowship Team.
Working at the Academy
Our senior management team have worked with staff to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empathy, in which all contributions are recognised as we work towards our common goals. Our people strategy and working practices focus on building strengths and sharing insights, with learning & development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion at the centre of how we operate as an organisation. Investing in our staff and encouraging a healthy work/life balance is central to our success, as we move forward and continue to grow.
Terms and conditions
The British Academy is based at 10-11, Carlton House Terrace, London SW1, a Grade 1 listed building. We offer a competitive benefits package including a 35-hour working week, with hours and location worked flexibly under our hybrid-working policy; 34 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays; a subsidised canteen and an excellent occupational pension.
How to apply
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, in line with our commitment to create a diverse and inclusive working environment, promote equal opportunity, and address under-representation. We will make reasonable adjustments to support disabled job applicants and offer an interview to those meeting the minimum selection criteria.
To apply, and to see the full job description and our workplace values, please follow the apply link to visit our recruitment platform.
Closing date: Midday on 24 July 2026.
Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 17/18 August 2026, but this may be subject to change.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications. In such circumstances, we will provide 24 hours' notice of the revised closing date to those who have registered their interest.
Thank you!
Job purpose:
The postholder will provide public affairs and policy support for the Association’s Advocacy and Campaigns programme as key elements in the Association’s strategic plan.
This role is based at our head office in 21 Portland Place, London. We offer a hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of 2 days in the office per week.
Key responsibilities:
- Assist the organisation with developing its external voice by responding to policy developments and parliamentary opportunities, bringing together members’ views, evidence and information.
- Monitor relevant parliamentary business and produce short summaries of events where appropriate.
- Track the progress of relevant legislation, committee inquiries and consultations.
- Develop briefings and position statements setting out the Association’s views on issues relevant to membership, that support the advocacy and campaigns work and topical issues.
- Prepare briefings in advance of, and attend, where appropriate, meetings with key stakeholders and organise meetings when required.
- Assist with the developing and updating of stakeholder maps and spreadsheets.
- Assist with the development of campaigns by carrying out research and producing supporting briefings.
- Support the Head of Public Affairs and Policy with producing responses to consultations and policy developments, following up on finalised responses and taking forward related actions.
- Produce statements, latest news updates and contributions to the Association’s publications that promote the policy, advocacy and campaigns work.
- Encourage member engagement on relevant policy issues and campaigns via the Association’s website and other online and offline communication tools.
- Build strategic relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external, to facilitate collaborative working on priority campaign areas.
- Work with the Digital Content Team to make sure the website and social media are kept up to date with current policy developments and announcements
Operational management
- To work on individual projects, reports, events and publications within the Association as directed by the Head of Public Affairs and Policy.
- Maintain and improve your own competencies through continuous professional development.
- Abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practice as described in the Staff Handbook.
- Support and promote the Association’s commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace.
This job description is intended to reflect the main duties and responsibilities of the post and is not an exhaustive list of duties. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties which are commensurate with the role.
Person specification
Skills, knowledge and experience
Essential
Educated to degree level or equivalent (e.g. relevant professional qualifications and/or vocational training).
Excellent oral communication skills and written communications skills, with particular emphasis on attention to detail (spelling and grammar).
Experience of writing policy statements and briefings and articulating these clearly to decision-makers and stakeholders.
Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of people including staff, Board, Council, members, stakeholders from other organisations.
Strong time management skills including an ability to manage competing requests and an ability to prioritise.
Well-developed IT skills, including the Microsoft Office suite of products.
Demonstrable experience in parliamentary affairs and an excellent knowledge of the UK political landscape.
Desirable
An understanding of current policy issues affecting the health sector.
Experience of working in a membership organisation.
Experience of working in a political environment.
Strategic thinking and interest in contributing to innovation and change.
Experience of engaging with political monitoring organisations and database management.
Digital copywriting skills and experience of writing for web or social media, and content management systems.
Applications close on 31 July and interviews will take place on 11 August.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We represent the life-changing, life-saving profession of anaesthesia – by supporting, informing and inspiring a worldwide community of over 10,000
