Public affairs officer jobs

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for a Policy Manager to join our External Affairs team.

You'll work closely with autistic young people, their families, and our specialist settings, to develop and influence policy on our priority areas. You will be accountable for achieving the wider policy aims in our new strategy, so that autistic young people can achieve at school, be healthy, and live and work as independently as possible.

You'll collaborate with autistic young people, their families, colleagues across Ambitious about Autism, and other stakeholders to develop and implement policies that influence practice in our priority policy areas. You'll plan and manage regular engagement activities with autistic young people, their families, and other key stakeholders, to ensure our policy influencing is beneficiary- led and reflects the needs of our settings.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Proven experience of developing and delivering policy positions to effect social change
• Proven track record of using social and traditional media to generate engagement in campaigns for change
• Knowledge and understanding of at least one priority policy area affecting autistic children, young people and their families (education or employment policy)
• Proven ability to develop and manage research and policy projects within agreed timescales and budgets.

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

The Organisation

The Difference is an education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030 and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, particularly those most vulnerable. We are a small, growing charity delivering many school leadership programmes, with a growing research and policy arm. We have had excellent early impact but there is work ahead to capture this, share learning with schools and policy-makers, and campaign to lower exclusions across England.

The Role
This is an exciting time to join The Difference as we increase our impact, reach more schools, and develop our influencing strategy. As Communications and Events Officer you will:

• play a crucial role in influencing change-makers

• work across the whole organisation to deliver high-impact content

• support the delivery of our annual inclusion conference

• support the delivery of smaller events including publication launches and symposiums

• lead our social media content to drive sales of our programme and influence change-makers

• produce engaging graphics, posts, and persuasive story telling social media content, working across the team and with external partners to produce blogs and other content

Our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being highly autonomous, reactive and flexible. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role for you!
 

The Candidate
We are seeking a combination of the following skills, aptitude and experience:

• Experience of producing and monitoring a broad range of communication and marketing functions

• Skilled written communicator with a creative flair for storytelling

• Experience in planning and executing successful events

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team

• Passion for The Difference's mission and improving the lives of vulnerable children

You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have either/both:

• Experience giving strategic and tactical political advice to senior leadership on how to create change in the educational sector

• Lived experience of the school experiences of marginalised young people, including those with experience of the care system, mental ill health, special educational needs, and racism

Position: Policy and Public Affairs Officer
Type: Full Time (35 hours a week) Permanent
Location: Office-based in Scotland with flexibility to work remotely  
Salary: £26,384* per annum plus excellent benefits
Salary Band and Job Family: Band 1, Charity

*you will start at our entry point salary of £26,384 per annum, increasing to £28,033 after 6 months service and satisfactory performance and to £29,682 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

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and talented policy and public affairs professional to join our team. You should have experience of working to develop policy and have the ability to communicate our position to a wide range of audiences across Scotland.

In this exciting role you will work with the MS community to influence change in public policy, continuing to make the case for improvements in the treatment, care and support of people affected by MS.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who understands the political and policy environment in Scotland, who has experience in external facing influencing roles,  who is outcome-focused and delivers tangible results. The successful candidate will work closely with the MS community, the Scottish Policy and Communications team as well as key external partners such as MSPs and their teams.

Closing date for applications: 9:00 on Friday 30 May 2025

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.

Salary: £35,850 per annum
Hours: Full time
Contract: Permanent
Benefits:

- 27 days’ annual leave + statutory holidays + three closures days over the Christmas period.
- Flexible working for all staff including working from home/hybrid working, and flexitime/TOIL scheme.
- Attractive family friendly policies.
- Private healthcare cover.
- Season ticket loans.
- Employee awards, and training and development opportunities.

For more information about our benefits please visit our website.
Office location: London
Please note, the successful candidate will be expected to carry out two days in-person working per week on average which will include attendance at the above office location.
Flexible working arrangements can be discussed and agreed with the line manager subject to role and business needs.

An exciting opportunity has arisen at the National Housing Federation (NHF) for a Public Affairs Officer. The NHF is the voice of housing associations in England. We are the trade body to almost 600 housing associations, who have grown from philanthropic roots to provide 2.6 million homes to around six million people. You can find further information about the NHF here: https://www.housing.org.uk/about-us/
Our vision is for a country where everyone can live in a good quality home they can afford. We work with our members to make this vision a reality – delivering ambitious programmes that lead to lasting, positive change.
We work at the forefront of the political debate – not only on housing, but also on a wide range of other policy issues including welfare, homelessness and climate change. Our work affects the lives of millions of people and diverse communities across the country.
Our dynamic Public Affairs team has built close working relationships at the most senior level of politics. We have a proven track record influencing policy, shaping legislation and building trusted relationships with key decision makers.
Our Public Affairs Officers independently lead on their own policy areas, creating influencing strategies designed to achieve impactful results for our members. Following a period of significant political change in Westminster, we need you to play a crucial role to ensure social housing maintains its political salience, and that housing associations are understood as an integral part of the solution to the housing emergency.
Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to download the full job profile and person specification for this role.

Key elements of the role:

- Developing and leading public affairs strategies to influence the main political parties on topics that matter to our members.
- Building effective relationships with parliamentarians, ministers and shadow ministers, researchers and political advisers.
- Collaborating with colleagues through project groups and providing expert public affairs advice on a range of policy issues.
- Monitoring Parliament and key political development to ensure NHF staff and our members are informed on key issues.
- Drafting high-quality briefings, letters and other documents for national politicians.
- Making the case for the NHF’s influencing asks in face-to-face meetings with key political stakeholders and presenting to internal and member groups.

The successful candidate:
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

- A proven ability to develop and implement effective influencing strategies.
- Experience of building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders.
- Commitment to working collaboratively with colleagues across the organization.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
- A good understanding of the political environment and climate in the UK.

Equality, diversity and inclusion
The NHF has published its equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, which was co-created with staff – https://www.housing.org.uk/about-us/transparency/who-we-are/. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and we value the contribution each individual makes to our work.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and are working to increase the diversity profile of our workforce. We are currently under-represented by ethnic minorities, people with a disability or disabilities and LGBTQ+, and would particularly welcome applications from people in these groups.

Disability confident employer
We are a disability confident employer and if you are a disabled person who demonstrates you meet the skills and experience we consider essential for the role, we will offer you an interview.
Please note: there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job. In certain recruitment situations such as high-volume of applications, we may be required to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.
In these circumstances the NHF will select the disabled candidates who best meet the minimum criteria for the job rather than all of those that meet the minimum criteria, as we would do for non-disabled applicants. This is in line with the Disability Confident guidelines.
We are happy to consider reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process if you have a disability or have a condition that you feel may affect your performance during the recruitment process. Please email Stephanie Green, People Manager at [email protected] with your request or to arrange a time to discuss in more detail.
Our role profile and job advert can also be requested in large print or in accessible format via this email address.

Uploading your CV and cover letter
If you decide to apply for this role, when requested, please upload a version of your CV that does not include any personal details, such as name, gender, age etc. You should also ensure that you do not add your name at the end of the cover letter. This will help us to shortlist candidates for interview based solely on their knowledge, skills and experience.

Right to work in the UK/UK VISA sponsorship
You must have the right to work in the UK and it is important to note that the NHF does not sponsor individuals to work in the UK.

Closing date for applications: 2 June 2025
Interview date: 12 and 13 June 2025

We have an exciting opportunity for someone with relevant experience to take on a new role at the centre of our public affairs work. At a time when housing is at the forefront of the Government’s agenda, it’s vital that the North’s housing sector can effectively make its voice heard with ministers, MPs, and civil servants.

We’re looking for a politically astute public affairs professional to help bring our Public Affairs Strategy to life. You’ll be experienced in working in public affairs and will be working closely with our senior leadership team to develop and implement our public affairs strategy and plan. You’ll be working with stakeholders at the heart of government and UK politics, developing and delivering our influencing work with politicians, senior civil servants, stakeholders and our members.

Knowledge of housing, regeneration and the wider work of NHC members is desirable but not essential. 

The right candidate will be able to:

• Manage and implement the NHC’s public affairs strategy and plan.
• Manage and arrange a programme of events, visits and tours for parliamentarians, civil servants, and stakeholders – in Westminster and the North of England.
• Lead on producing briefings for the Chief Executive and members of the Executive Management team, to prepare them for meetings with politicians, senior civil servants, and stakeholders.
• Work with our policy, communications and member engagement teams on campaigns, reports, and project launches, ensuring politicians and stakeholders are engaged and informed.
• Arrange and manage our Policy and Public Affairs Network, ensuring meetings are engaging for NHC members and help support us to move the dial on northern policy.

Reporting to the Head of Policy and Public Affairs, you’ll manage and deliver our public affairs work – from events in Parliament, to visits and tours across the North of England.

We’re looking for a self-starter who can demonstrate confidence and excellent people and project management skills. You’ll have the ability to communicate well with a wide range of people and operate at all levels.  

You’ll have strong written and verbal skills and be able to react quickly to new situations. You’ll be a team player and confident at managing multiple projects. You’ll be comfortable both managing/supervising colleagues and working hands-on to deliver our public affairs work.

The successful candidate will:  

•  Work in a friendly and flexible environment with excellent benefits.   
• Expand your profile across the whole of the housing sector and within Government, meet influential people and build your networks.
• Develop your public affairs experience and management skills.   
• Build knowledge on areas from devolution and regeneration to climate resilience and net zero, along with wider issues around housing in the North.

We want our people to work in a way that lets them be at their best, whether that's in our hub office in Sunderland or remotely anywhere in the UK. We meet regularly in person to collaborate as a team at various locations across the North, including in Newcastle, York, Manchester and more.  We are flexible around working patterns and will consider applications for the role on a part-time basis between 30 to 37 hours per week, flexible across Monday – Friday

JOB TITLE: Public Affairs Manager

REPORTS TO: Head of Social Impact

RESPONSIBLE FOR: n/a

TYPE OF CONTRACT: Permanent

HOURS OF WORK: Such hours as are necessary to fulfil the duties. This will involve a minimum of 35 hours per week and include work in evenings and weekends as required.

LOCATION: Hybrid of London office and home based.  ParalympicsGB Office: 101 New Cavendish Street, W1W 6XH. Travel may also be required in the UK and abroad as necessary.

JOB PURPOSE: The Public Affairs Manager will manage the implementation of ParalympicsGB’s policy & public affairs strategy, including managing a targeted contact programme with politicians, civil servants and stakeholder organisations. The role will also play a key role in supporting the organisation’s approach to influencing public policy in sport, disability and education and deliver Games’ time guest programmes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Public Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage the implementation of the public affairs strategy, with support from the Head of Social Impact and Director of Communications & Social Impact, reporting back to the Senior Leadership Group on the outcomes achieved.
• Work with the CEO, Director of Communications & Social Impact and Head of Social Impact to implement a stakeholder engagement plan building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholder such as politicians, Government departments, ParalympicsGB’s members, sport and disability organisations, and the education sector.
• Coordinate ParalympicsGB colleagues to execute a contact programme with relevant stakeholders including Government Ministers, MPs and Peers, Civil Servants and Stakeholder organisations from ParalympicsGB’s membership and the wider sport, education and disability sectors.
• Monitor and analyse upcoming relevant policy and legislative developments and activities and identify opportunities for influence including drafting responses to parliamentary, government and other consultations.
• Represent ParalympicsGB externally to raise awareness and strengthen our reputation with key policy makers, decision-makers, and relevant public affairs networks. Reporting back to colleagues on the content of meetings and arranging follow-ups as appropriate.
• Prepare high-quality briefing materials for political audiences and senior internal stakeholders to support influencing priorities.
• Organise and support delivery of a series of Westminster based events and activations to support our Public Affairs strategy, including events to raise awareness of ParalympicsGB’s relevant social impact programmes e.g. Equal Play and Community Sport initiatives.
• Contribute to stakeholder engagement around the promotion of Stoke Mandeville as the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement.
• Administer the Paralympic Games guest programme for Government Ministers, Royal Patron and key stakeholders linked to social impact and international relations.

Policy

• Lead the coordination of ParalympicsGB responses to relevant Government consultations and other stakeholder responses.
• Lead the research, manage consultation with key stakeholders, and draft policy papers with regards development of ParalympicsGB’s policy papers in line with the social impact strategy, particularly around education (Equal Play), community sport, and disability.

Social Impact

• Work with the Social Impact team on communicating public affairs opportunities to our athletes (as part of the ParalympicsGB Athlete Community) and connecting social impact programmes to political opportunities.

Correspondence, Planning and Databases

• Draft correspondence with key contacts on behalf of the organisation.
• Develop and manage parliamentary and stakeholder contact management database.
• Provide administrative support to the Communications team as required.

This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and may be amended from time to time in the light of the changing needs of the organisation through appropriate processes of consultation and the mutual agreement of both parties.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

QUALIFICATIONS

• A degree or similar-level qualification, or equivalent working experience

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Essential

· Experience influencing policy at a domestic or international level with Government, Parliament, and decision-makers.

· Experience of building effective relationships with senior stakeholders and representing the organisation in meetings and networking events.

· Experience managing stakeholder and political engagement programmes,

· Strong communication skills with the ability to write key messages and documents to a high level and tight timescale.

· Experience of research and policy development including developing policy recommendations.

· Experience of organising events.

· Experience of researching and undertaking consultation to develop policy papers.

Desirable

· An understanding of the national and international sport landscape.

· An understanding of the education sector.

· A knowledge of, and passion for, sport.

· An understanding of ParalympicsGB, its function and role and the environment in which it operates.

· Charity communications.

· General knowledge of disability sport and the disability sector.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND QUALITIES

Communication: Excellent communication skills with the ability to express message and impart information clearly, concisely, and convincingly to a wide variety of audiences and through a variety of mechanisms, including both verbal and written communication.

Creativity: The ability to understand a problem or issue, and the factors that influence it, and consider constructive inventive ways in which a solution can be found, and a positive work outcome achieved. The desire constantly to consider ways in which existing practices could be done better and more efficiently.

Organisational Skills: The ability to plan, organise and execute work programmes, working to tight deadlines and often in a reactive environment.

VALUES

ParalympicsGB is an organisation with a unique role and key responsibilities within the UK high performance system. Delivery of our ambitions very much relies on both working with, and through others, and by focussing on our two strategic priorities: taking the best prepared team to each summer and winter Games; and inspiring social change.

As an organisation we are committed to three values: excellence, respect, and integrity. Every ParalympicsGB employee is expected to adhere to: 

Excellence

Everything we do at ParalympicsGB reflects our ambition to be world leading. We care deeply about what we do and bring a flexible, positive, and progressive approach to our interactions with others. Like the athletes that we support, we will always challenge ourselves and others to do better. 

Respect

Our relationships with each other, our partners and the wider community are based on respect, trust, and a deep-seated belief in diversity, inclusion, and the value of our differences.

Integrity 

We demand the highest standards from ourselves and others, seeking always to do the right thing and to engage with openness and transparency in all that we do. 

As Chief Executive, you will lead the staff team, be responsible for providing overall strategic direction, coordination and management of all CAP programmes. Partnership building is a key role to maximise our impact.

Church Action on Poverty is a medium sized social justice charity, with a vision for the UK to become a country where everyone can flourish free from poverty. We are an ecumenical organisation with a Christian ethos and roots in the churches who remain key partners for us. We support programmes across the UK improving the lives of people in poverty and create opportunities for those with lived experience to voice their concerns with the aim of educating the public to raise awareness and understanding in line with our charitable objectives.

Currently, our programmes are structured on the principles of dignity, agency and power. They comprise: supporting a network of 130 food pantries with a membership of over 50,000; enabling people with lived experience of poverty to speak truth to power and supporting churches to explore what it means to be a ‘church on the margins’ as well as playing a leading role in high profile national campaigns.

It is anticipated that the role will be varied and flexible, but will include:

• Assisting the CAP Council of Management in the development and implementation of the organisation's programmes, campaigns, partnership building and public affairs work. 

• Managing CAP's staff and resources in line with the organisation's agreed policies and priorities, and core values of collaboration, participation and empowerment. 

• Fundraising and organisational strategy to achieve our aims.

• Ensuring that people with lived experience of poverty are actively involved in all aspects of CAP's work. 

• Leading and line managing the Senior Leadership and Management Team.

• Working with the whole staff team to develop and implement strategies that build dignity, agency and power to end poverty.

Key responsibilities 

1. Supporting CAP's Council of Management in its governance function

• Maintaining regular contact with the CAP Chairperson and Officer Group. 

• Providing regular written reports to CAP's Council of Management and attending all meetings of the CAP Council of Management and Officers Group. 

• Agreeing and implementing an annual planning cycle with the Council of Management, in line with CAP’s strategic values and vision.

• Working with the chair and officers to ensure good governance of the organisation. 

2. Ensuring the effective management of CAP's staff team by: 

• Providing day-to-day management and support for the Senior Management and Leadership Team. 

• Holding oversight of the policies and procedures of the organisation and ensuring that they are up to date and fit for purpose 

• Setting the culture of the organisation, with a focus on promoting collaborative working, learning and staff wellbeing. 

3. Finance and fundraising

• Setting a clear, viable organisational and financial strategy and implement through

• Fundraising and relationship building to secure the resources needed for the programme work and campaigning.

• Formulating appropriate applications for programme funding.

• Providing resources for donors and churches to organise fundraising.

4. Programme Development

Leading the process of programme development within CAP in order to: 

• Promote new approaches to combating poverty, which build the dignity, agency and power of people and communities struggling against poverty. 

• Ensure that programmes have clearly identified aims, objectives and methods and that projects are monitored and evaluated. 

5. Partnership Building
Building partnerships and contribute to the shared leadership and development of a movement based on dignity, agency and power with people and struggling communities against poverty, by

• Working with a wide range of partners and people with lived experience, to connect and build networks of people and groups who are committed to challenging poverty.

• Ensuring that CAP works collaboratively, leading CAP's involvement in strategic coalitions, alliances and other movement building opportunities.

• Ensuring CAP’s work is informed by the insights of people with lived experience of poverty, as well as wider public policy, debate and research. 

• Ensuring that CAP’s views are shared with government, politicians, churches and others, where possible, led by people with lived experience of poverty.

6. Membership and supporters
Working with CAP’s Communications and Supporter Relations manager to ensure the recruitment and retention of members, donors and supporters by ensuring that: 

• CAP members are provided with regular mailings and appropriate support for local/national activity. 

• Ensuring that requests from CAP members and others for information and support are dealt with appropriately. 

• Overseeing resources for Challenge Poverty Week and Poverty Sunday

7. Public Profile
In collaboration with CAP's Council of Management and staff, ensuring that CAP maintains a high profile within both the church and secular media, including: 

• Ensuring CAP contributes effectively to public and media debate, including mainstream secular and church media, TV, radio and new/social media etc.

• Prioritising opportunities for people with lived experience to act as spokespeople and the public face for CAP.

• Attending and speaking at appropriate conferences and events making sure that CAP is represented at key events.

• Representing CAP views to national, regional and local government.

8. Theological Development
Facilitating the development of theological and other resources which reflect 

• the lived experience of people and communities struggling against poverty, biblical sources, personal faith and other theological writing.

• wider analysis of social, political and economic issues.

Accountability and relationships 

The Chief Executive is accountable to the elected Council of Management. Regular contact is maintained with the Officers Group, and in particular the Chair.

The Chief Executive provides line management to the other members of the Senior Leadership and Management Team, and works closely with other members of the CAP staff team, and external partners. 

Other details about employment

Duration: Permanent contract with six month probationary period.

Hours: 35 hours per week including occasional 'unsocial' hours, weekend working and overnight travelling for which Time Off in Lieu is provided.

Salary: Church Action on Poverty Salary Band L, starting at scale point 43 on the NJC scales (currently £52,805 pay award pending).  Rising by increments after 3 years and every 2 years thereafter to point 46 (currently £56,073), paid monthly on the 14th day of each month.

Pension: Church Action on Poverty operates the Nest auto-enrolment pension scheme, and contributes a 10% employer contribution provided the staff member commits to making a 5% employee contribution. 

Benefits: Simply Health Cash Plan, Working from Home allowance, Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, Staff Expenses Debits Cards, National Gym and Partner Discounts.

Holidays: 25 days’ annual leave pro rata (30 after five years’ service) plus statutory holidays. Office closure over New Year period on top of annual leave.

Location:  Hybrid working on a flexible basis from home with some time each week in the Manchester office. 

No CVs or other attachments please, only applications using our standard application form (available to download above) will be considered.

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for an Interim Deputy Director of External Affairs to join our team on a 9 month FTC.

While this role covers all our External Affairs functions, you'll be particularly expected to have knowledge and expertise in providing leadership in policy-influencing and campaigns. You'll provide leadership of AaA's External Affairs strategy to ensure the needs of autistic children and their families are high on the political and media agenda.

You'll have an externally-facing role in policy influencing, representing AaA in coalitions with relevant government departments among parliamentarians, as well as increasing AaA's profile through an effective communications strategy.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Substantial experience, knowledge and understanding of the policy landscape, including political and legislative processes, and local government structures and processes
• Extensive experience of developing and delivering strategic, integrated communications programmes
• Demonstrable leadership of successful policy-influencing activity, including stakeholder engagement and above/below the line influencing strategies
• Proven experience in strategy development

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

Back on Track is a Greater Manchester charity that enables people to make lasting positive changes in their lives. This could be managing problematic drug and/or alcohol use, living a crime-free life, improving mental health and wellbeing, or finding and maintaining a stable home.

This role is ideal for someone who is looking for an opportunity to lead an organisation while maintaining a strong and direct connection to the people we work with. As CEO you will translate vision into action, shaping services, systems, and policy at both local and national levels with empathy, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity.

Essential knowledge and experience

• Strategic leadership experience in the charity, public or other relevant sector
• Experience of building relationships and productive partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrable experience of leading change within a dynamic, complex environment
• Successful experience of leading and managing teams and developing people
• Good understanding of strategic financial planning, maximising existing and potential revenue streams and budget management
• Good understanding of national and regional strategies and policy relating to our work
• Good understanding of the role of a Board of Trustees, or similar, enabling the Board to function effectively and in accordance with relevant governance and compliance

How to apply: click on the 'Redirect to recruiter' button below to apply through our website. The closing date for applications is Friday 6th June 2025.

JRF works to speed up and support the transition to a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, in which people and planet can flourish. We are a UK-wide foundation, with a focus on all four nations.

From 2025, we are embarking on an exciting new strategy aimed at securing bold, stretching policy goals across six key areas: housing, energy/climate, social security, communities & place, work and families & care.

We are looking for two talented, energetic and passionate campaigners to lead our influencing work in support of these goals, playing an instrumental role in JRF’s success.

About the role

Our Senior Campaigns and Public Affairs Managers play three important roles. Firstly, they collaborate closely with their equivalents in our policy and analytical teams to ensure that our major policy ideas are designed from the outset to attract the highest possible levels of public and political support.

Second, they are responsible for identifying the best fit influencing strategies and tactics (ranging from insider approaches to more overt campaigning) for securing tangible progress towards these policy objectives and developing powerful narratives to build support from key stakeholders.

Thirdly, they are responsible for securing (on an ongoing basis) the resources the strategies need, mobilising colleagues, partner organisations and external contractors to put them into effect, growing a powerful network of influential external supporters and ensuring that plans respond effectively to the ever-evolving external context.

About you

As our Senior Campaigns & Public Affairs Manager, we’d like you to have an in-depth understanding of the ways in which UK public policies are formed and reformed, of the challenges associated with delivering policy in the real world and of how civil society organisations like JRF can successfully influence policy change.

You will have an understanding of the structural nature of poverty and how policy may alleviate structural harms and substantial experience of working at progressively senior levels at the intersection of policy development, politics and strategic communications/ campaigns. 

You’ll have substantial experience of working in multidisciplinary teams using a range of insider and outsider tactics and compelling examples of developing and implementing influencing strategies that have demonstrably affected the climate of opinion around an issue and ideally, achieved concrete change.

With a proven track record of successfully building relationships with decision makers and influencing their thinking, you’ll have clear examples of writing effectively for a wide range of audiences and of commissioning, understanding and using public attitudinal insights to inform your influencing strategies and/or narrative development.

How to apply

If you share our passion and this role sounds like you, then we’re looking forward to hearing from you.

Please submit your CV and supporting information via our online application platform.

The closing date for applications is 29th May 2025.

Interviews will take place week commencing 16th June 2025.

Additional Information

Applications are welcome from all, regardless of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, race, sex, sexual orientation, trans status or socioeconomic background.

We positively encourage applications from people from marginalised backgrounds, including but not limited to those with experience of living in poverty.

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and operate an anonymised recruitment process so that bias is eliminated from the shortlisting process.

In support of our approach to flexible working, we are happy to receive applications from those seeking full-time employment, as well as those who may want to share the role on a part-time basis. When making your application, please state whether you want to be considered for either full or part-time work and, if part-time, the number of hours per week you would be looking for.

At JRF we’re at our best when we’re continually building on trust, showing we care and making a difference – and hope others will do the same. So, for those roles which allow it, we’re developing a more blended approach to how and where you work. This means you can expect to work flexibly between the office and home (with an expectation of two days a week in your home office).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. This means that we are committed to the recruitment, progression and retention of disabled individuals. We shall also offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the job. If you have a disability, please tell us if you would like to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

If you have any additional needs and need reasonable adjustments to be made to the interview process, please let us know.

The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), a registered charity, is an international forum where science meets business. Established in 1881 SCI’s main charitable objective is to accelerate science out of the laboratory to address the key societal challenges facing society today. SCI does this by facilitating open innovation, identifying and promoting emerging technologies in the areas of climate and planet and health and wellness, and by providing support for the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Core to delivery of the Society’s mission is a growing portfolio of research journals that publish applied research across a broad range of sciences: from Agriculture to Energy and Material Science to Biotechnology.

The Role:

SCI is looking for a highly motivated and experienced Senior Press Officer to lead on its external and social media engagement strategy. 

You will lead SCI’s engagement with media outlets – including national papers, trade publications and broadcast – to increase our public profile, promote our work and build support for our campaign to accelerate the commercialisation of the UK’s science base. 

You will manage SCI’s press office on a day-to-day basis – scanning the media and political landscape to find opportunities for SCI to leverage its unique expertise and perspective as an organisation at the intersection of science and business.  Part of the role will include public affairs (20%) where you will also support SCI’s Head of External Affairs with political engagement as required – coordinating and facilitating SCI’s engagement with key politicians and political contacts. 

This role is suited to someone with at least 3 years of professional experience in communications, with an excellent news sense and a solid contact book of journalist contacts. 

Responsibilities:

• Closely monitor the news agenda, seeking out opportunities for SCI to comment on fast-moving events and raise the profile of our policy positions and significant research into the potential of the UK’s science base.

• Develop and build national, trade and regional media contacts, hosting journalists at SCI offices in Belgravia.

• Establish KPIs for SCI’s media engagement and monitor and demonstrate progress in meeting them.

• Work with the Social Media team to develop and draft content related to our policy priorities for our social media channels.

• Support the wider team on other ad hoc tasks such as political monitoring and public affairs support.

Knowledge, skills and experience required for this position

• A demonstrable passion for and understanding of science, its purpose for the economy and society, and communicating that to public and political audiences.

• Minimum of 3-5 years in a press office or media-related environment.

• Confident in working in a fast-paced environment and ability to be quick and agile in responding to news opportunities as they arise. 

• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills. Able to quickly establish rapport and build strong collaborative relationships. 

• Excellent time management skills: ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise workload.

• A strong team player who is also a self-starter who can work independently and confidently. An attitude that actively seeks continuous self-development and ways of doing things better.

• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to condense complicated subject matter into succinct, accessible copy. 

Benefits

• Competitive salary of £45-50,000 pa (FTE), 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays.

• Market leading pension plan.

• Opportunities for career growth and advancement.

• Dynamic and collaborative hybrid work environment (office days Tues-Thursday).

Join us on this exciting journey and help shape the future of allergy care! As a Policy and Influencing Officer. You will work closely with internal and external partners to increase the charity's profile, influence key opinion leaders, and drive policy changes that improve the lives of those with allergies. Your responsibilities will include:

• Contributing to the planning and delivery of influencing, engagement, and campaigning activities.
• Monitoring and horizon-scanning the external policy and public affairs environment.
• Supporting the National Allergy Strategy Group (NASG) by providing secretariat services.
• Engaging with politicians, government departments, and external agencies to galvanise support for allergy-related initiatives.
• Drafting accessible communications on policy issues for various audiences.
• Representing Allergy UK at external meetings and events.
• Coordinating engagement with the allergic community and volunteers to ensure advocacy activities are informed by their priorities and experiences.

About Us:
Allergy UK is the leading national charity dedicated to supporting the millions of people in the UK living with allergic conditions. We are passionate about raising awareness, providing trusted advice, and advocating for better healthcare and support. As we embark on our 2025-2030 strategy, we are looking for a dynamic and dedicated Policy and Influencing Officer to join our team and help drive meaningful change.

What We Are Looking For:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar role with a proven track record of influencing public affairs and policy change.
• Strong understanding of local, regional, and national government policy-making processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage a varied workload.
• Passionate about making a difference for people living with allergies.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and annual leave entitlement.
• Pension contributions.
• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program and wellbeing resources.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Do you have a good understanding of social and/or economic policy issues and a proven ability to undertake policy development or campaigning work on specific issues in a wider context? Then join Shelter Scotland as a Senior Advocacy Officer and you could soon be playing a vital role in helping us to deliver positive change for those affected by the housing emergency in Scotland.

About the role

Your main focus will be to lead Shelter Scotland in effectively advocating for the structural policy changes required to end the housing emergency, driving forward our strategic goals to secure more social homes, strengthen housing rights, and build a lasting movement for change. You’ll develop and communicate clear, evidence-based policy recommendations – drawing on research, lived experience, and sector insight – to influence key stakeholders across government, parliament, and beyond. You’ll commission and manage external research, lead stakeholder events, and work collaboratively across teams to ensure our policy work supports public affairs, media, and operational activity. You’ll also line manage an Advocacy Officer, supporting their development and overseeing their performance. 

Role specifics

You’ll bring strong experience in crafting high-impact communications that influence decision-makers and persuade key stakeholders. With a solid understanding of Scotland’s political landscape and public policy processes – particularly within the Scottish Government and Parliament – you’ll have a proven track record of driving change through effective advocacy and relationship-building at a senior level. You’ll be proactive in spotting opportunities to influence policy, responding strategically to external developments. Alongside this, you’ll have experience managing externally funded projects, including budgeting and reporting, and will be confident leading and motivating a team to achieve shared goals.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society. 

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme. 

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

The Advocacy Team is part of Shelter Scotland’s Communications and Advocacy Department and is responsible for developing the charity’s policy positions, research plan, and public affairs and professional stakeholder engagement.

The Advocacy team works closely with colleagues in Community Advice and our Telephone and Online Advice services to capture evidence of how Scotland’s broken and biased housing system is impacting communities, and colleagues in Communications and Engagement to translate this evidence into compelling public campaigns and fundraising appeals. The team have led the organisation on developing an anti-racism evidence base, the economic and social benefits of social housing investment and the case for a human rights-based approach to meeting housing need.

About Shelter Scotland 

Shelter Scotland is Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity. Our vision is of a home for everyone in Scotland. For over 50 years, the way we drive change has remained the same. We advise and support people in housing need today and use the insight we gain to inform our campaigns to change tomorrow. We also raise professional standards for those working in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector by offering a broad range of training courses. 

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday thousands of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter Scotland. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement 

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter Scotland is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. 

Shelter Scotland does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them. 

Department: Communications and Public Affairs 
Contract type: Permanent  
Hours: Full time
Salary: £36,000 – £38,000 per annum
Location: Home Based with UK wide travel as required
Reports To: Media and External Affairs Manager

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is seeking a proactive and skilled Media Officer to join our Communications and Public Affairs team. This is a newly created role, offering the opportunity to help shape and strengthen NFCC’s voice in the national conversation around fire and rescue services.

Reporting into the Media and External Affairs Manager, you will play a central role in growing our media presence and positioning NFCC as the go-to source for journalists covering national fire and rescue issues. You will help to ensure our messages are clear, timely, and authoritative across all platforms.

Join us and help ensure that fire and rescue services have a strong, consistent voice on the national stage.

Key responsibilities:

Serve as a point of contact for incoming media enquiries.

Draft high-quality, publication-ready communications content – including press releases, news articles, opinion pieces and other engaging content. 

Support NFCC’s campaigns and policy initiatives by securing media coverage and developing strong relationships with journalists and editors.

Take ownership of key communications tools and systems, including media monitoring and audit of coverage. 

Act as the lead Comms officer on at least one area of NFCC’s work in partnership with the relevant NFCC teams and lead officers (but will also work on a wide range of our issues and areas).

Participate in an out-of-hours communications rota as part of NFCC’s communication support function (with some out of hours support – see job description for more information). 

What we are looking for:

Experience in a media, journalism or communications role. 

Excellent writing skills with the ability to produce accurate, compelling content under pressure. 

Confidence in handling media enquiries and building positive relationships with the press. 

Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. 

A collaborative approach, with experience working across teams and engaging with senior stakeholders. 

A good understanding of the UK media landscape and wider external environment. 

If this sounds like the kind of opportunity that you would be interested in, please have a look at the Job Description on the NFCC website and apply.

Working with us:

NFCC is a fully remote organisation, and all staff work from home. This role will involve some travel for stakeholder meetings, events, conferences, training sessions and team away days, for which travel expenses are paid.

How to apply:

Please complete the application form linked from the ‘apply now’ button on the NFCC Website. CVs will NOT be accepted for this position. 

Closing Date – Sunday 1 June with interviews being conducted on Teams on Tuesday 17 June. If you are not available for interview on this date, we will try to provide an alternative date, though we advise that we may not be able to do this.

NFCC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and will require a DBS check to be completed prior to commencing in post. 

NFCC is committed to being an inclusive employer. We comply with the Equality Act 2010, and we believe that everyone deserves to work in safe environments that are free from bullying, harassment and discrimination, abuse, and harm, where they feel supported, welcome, and able to thrive. 

NFCC acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice, all staff are expected to share this commitment.