Public affairs officers jobs

Policy and Public Affairs Officer

We’re looking for a passionate and politically savvy Policy and Public Affairs Officer to help shape the future of foster care in Wales at a time of exciting political opportunity.

Position: Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Wales)
Location: Hybrid with weekly travel to the Cardiff office
Salary: £27,405 – £32,480 per annum
Contract: Permanent, full time – 35 hours per week
Closing Date: Sunday 27th July, 12am
Interview Date: Monday 4th August (Cardiff office)

What you’ll be doing:
This is a pivotal role within the UK-wide policy and campaigns team, influencing Welsh policy to improve the lives of children in foster care and the families who support them. With elections in the Senedd on the horizon, you’ll have a real opportunity to bring about change through political engagement, stakeholder influence and youth-led campaigning.

Key objectives include:

• Influencing parliamentary and policy-making processes in Wales
• Delivering high-impact campaigns and research projects
• Supporting the young people’s advisory board and amplifying lived experience
• Producing high-quality written materials for policy, campaigns and members
• Contributing to UK-wide projects and cross-team collaboration
   

Who we’re looking for:
This is a brilliant opportunity for someone with policy and campaigning experience who is passionate about improving outcomes for children in foster care. You’ll need to be confident building relationships with politicians, government figures and people with lived experience, and skilled at producing credible, evidence-based materials that influence decision-makers.

We’re especially keen to hear from people with:

• Knowledge of the Welsh policy landscape and children’s social care
• Experience supporting youth-led or lived experience campaigning
• A strong understanding of influencing and policy development
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

At this point, we hope you're feeling excited about the role – even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

In return:

• 38 days leave (including bank holidays)
• Flexible and hybrid working
• A range of family friendly and fostering friendly leave options
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and sick pay
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Helpline
• Pension and life assurance
• Contribution to eye tests and lenses
• Season ticket loans

Our commitment to diversity:
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly under-represented communities. If you are care experienced and meet the minimum criteria, you’ll be guaranteed an interview. Applicants with disabilities can request reasonable adjustments. We also consider job-share arrangements for all roles.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Policy Officer, Campaigns Officer, Public Affairs Adviser, Government Relations Officer, Children’s Social Care Policy Officer, Youth Engagement Lead, Advocacy Officer, External Affairs Officer.

Reports to: Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager 

Location: Hybrid – remote working allowed with regular office visits required to Black Bull Yard, 24-28 Hatton Wall, London EC1N 

PLEASE NOTE: **Applications without a Cover letter will not be considered**  

We are expecting a high volume of applications for this role and we will not be able to respond immediately to all applicants. We will contact candidates who we are considering for interview directly. 

Ukie is the trade association that represents and supports the UK’s thriving video game and interactive entertainment industry. Our small team supports a membership of nearly 700 leading businesses, helping them as they create some of the world’s most exciting games.  Our membership includes cutting-edge companies working across the interactive entertainment industry from Sony PlayStation, Electronic Arts and Microsoft to Jagex, Roblox, Ustwo games and many more.

With a challenging and varied political environment and a Government prioritising the growth of creative industries as part of its mission there are opportunities as well as challenges for the sector to navigate including online safety, consumer protection and the positive impact of play, the use of AI and long term skills and training challenges . We are offering an exciting opportunity for an ambitious, bright and determined policy and public affairs professional to join our team and shape how we engage Government and other external stakeholders on behalf of our members. 

Increasingly we are working beyond the games and interactive entertainment industry, working on a cross sectoral basis with partners in the creative and tech industries. We also work with other relevant trade associations on an international level to share best practice and ensure we are able to react to and shape policy on a global basis. 

About you 

This role his is an ideal role for an ambitious, self-motivated individual who thrives in a small but dedicated team environment. With a passion for video games, this role is suited for an individual and who wants to build their career through developing their knowledge of policy making, engagement and campaigns at a trade body with a national profile. Through this role you will be able to take on new discrete projects within the Ukie team, which will serve as a platform for your growth and development. 

Ideally you will bring: 

• The ability to work accurately with a good eye for detail 

• The ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines and competing priorities 

• The ability to work with a range of internal and external stakeholders with varied priorities 

• A willingness to learn and develop specialist policy knowledge and an understanding of how public policy changes and regulation affect the video games sector 

• Excellent writing skills and the ability to condense complex policy areas into understandable briefings for stakeholders 

• Good political acumen and the ability to spot trends and opportunities for engagement for Ukie and its members 

• A proactive and flexible attitude with the ability and drive to work independently and take the initiative 

• An ambition to work in a small team and progressively take on responsibility with engagements and tasks as part of managed development. 

What you can expect from us 

• A supportive team environment 

• A structured development plan with training and professional opportunities 

• A collaborative working environment with exposure to innovative businesses and professionals 

• Generous annual leave with additional long service entitlements 

• A flexible working environment with paid time off for volunteering 

• Pension and Private Healthcare upon completion of probation 

• Early finish on Friday’s and lots of opportunities to play video games! 

What you’ll be doing 

The post holder will help advance Ukie’s policy work on aspects of UK and international policy impacting the games and interactive entertainment industry through: 

• Monitoring policy changes and providing in-depth analysis, research, and reports for internal stakeholders. 

• Relationship building and engagement with Ukie members and wider sector stakeholders, including attendance at internal and external stakeholder meetings and coalition industry groups. 

• Support the Senior Policy Manager in research and drafting for Ukie’s external consultation responses, co-ordinating with members and facilitating internal forums for discussions on particular issues. 

• Support in organising events and engagement with policy makers within Whitehall, Westminster, the Devolved Governments and with regional, combined and local authorities as well as with our global partners in the EU, US and further afield.

• Assisting the policy and research teams with major public affairs projects and campaigns according to the Ukie’s internal strategy and drawing on Ukie’s internal data and external partners where appropriate. 

• Supporting and promoting Ukie at external political meetings, including our bi-annual Westminster Games Week. 

• Support in raising the profile of Ukie and its significant policy priorities through external communications in partnership with the Ukie campaigns team, and through public scrutiny such as the use of written parliamentary questions. 

• Acting as the lead point of contact for the APPG on Video Games and Esports to which Ukie acts as the secretariat and taking joint responsibility for liaising with its members. 

• Draft external policy communications such as the Ukie Policy Byte, the bi-weekly political newsletter, with support from Senior Policy Manager and Head of Policy where necessary. 

• Be responsible for the team administration of internal stakeholder meetings, including sending out invites, taking minutes and preparing relevant material as well as maintaining up to date email lists of all stakeholders. 

Relationship Management 

• Develop and maintain relationships with games industry member businesses and a wide range of external bodies; including partner organisations, government officials and other trade bodies. 

• Support the Senior Policy Manager and Head of Policy in the management of Ukie’s internal stakeholder groups – including Ukie’s policy group and its various working sub groups. 

• Maintain stakeholder engagement trackers and act as a point of contact for external engagement with Parliamentarians, regional politicians and their offices. 

• Support the Head of Policy and Chief Executive in any external engagements. 

• Support the policy team and wider Senior Management team with other reasonable tasks as required. 

Qualifications and experience required for this role: Qualified by experience. You don’t need to hold a degree to apply for this role, but experience of working in a policy or government affairs facing role, public affairs agency or regulatory environment would be advantageous. On-the-job training will be provided via Ukie or external providers where appropriate and will be part of a structured development plan.  

  Hours of Work:  

• Monday to Friday – 9.00am to 5.30pm 

• Expectation that some evening and weekend work may be required to attend or run Ukie events as the business requires.

This role profile is not exhaustive; working as part of a small and dynamic team, there will be an opportunity to tailor the role to your interests and ambitions in agreement with the Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager and Head of Policy and Public Affairs. 

There is also the expectation that you will be flexible and willing to help the wider organisation and its other teams in accordance with its strategic priorities where necessary, as directed by the Head of Policy or Chief Executive where appropriate. 

Are you passionate about shaping health policy and influencing decision-makers? Join The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) as our Public Affairs Adviser and play a pivotal role in amplifying the voices of our Fellows and members. This is a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on the future of clinical radiology and oncology.

As the Public Affairs Adviser, you will be instrumental in establishing the RCR as a key player in the health agenda. You will lead on the planning and delivery of public affairs activity, provide strategic advice to senior leadership, and work collaboratively across teams to influence policy and stakeholder engagement. You will also support the development of integrated campaigns and ensure our voice is heard across the UK and devolved nations.

What you will do: 

• Devise and deliver public affairs strategies aligned with RCR’s objectives.
• Build and maintain relationships with parliamentarians, civil servants, and key stakeholders.
• Provide strategic advice and briefings for senior leadership.
• Coordinate public affairs activities across the UK and devolved nations.
• Collaborate with media and digital teams to create impactful campaigns.
• Monitor political developments and identify influencing opportunities.
• Support member engagement and promote public affairs initiatives.

What you need:

• Sound knowledge of political and parliamentary processes.
• Proven experience in public affairs and stakeholder influencing and engagement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to the values and objectives of the RCR.

If you’re ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role that supports doctors delivering medical imaging and cancer care, we’d love to hear from you. Learn more about the role and the RCR in the candidate pack.

Why join us?

• Make a difference to the lives of Doctors and the specialities they work in every day!
• Hybrid working (60% working week can be done remotely)
• Modern working environment
• Equipment provided to work from home
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Excellent pension scheme
• Interest free season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

The National Lottery Community Fund is recruiting for two External Affairs Officers, key roles in our External Affairs Team within our newly restructured communications function.

The External Affairs Officer role is part of our ambitious transformation as we implement a significant pivot in our communications approach – building on our support for grant-making to demonstrate the powerful impact communities have in strengthening society and improving lives.

You will help position the Fund as a convening force in civil society, supporting our sectoral and political engagement during a time of exciting change.

Working across the External Affairs team, you will research and analyse policy, political and sectoral developments that affect our work, helping create clear briefings for meetings and events and arranging visits as appropriate. By horizon scanning and monitoring the external landscape, you will help the Fund respond proactively and effectively to emerging issues.

You will build and maintain relationships with parliamentary staff, officials and sector peers. By gathering intelligence, managing and supporting internal and external events, you will contribute to the Fund's engagement with decision-makers and opinion leaders. Your research and analysis will strengthen our policy positions and advocacy work.

Our External Affairs Officers play an important role in supporting the External Affairs team to deliver an effective, insight-driven strategy that articulates the Fund's missions (nationally and regionally) to critical stakeholders across the UK.

Key responsibilities :

• Responsible for providing public affairs, policy and stakeholder engagement support across the External Affairs team, working on the development and delivery of our External Affairs plan, including management and delivery of events.
• Lead the development of briefings and other assets to support the delivery of external affairs work through high quality research and analysis
• Monitor the external political and policy landscape for developments that are relevant to the Fund and advise colleagues on these as appropriate
• Represent the Fund at networking and stakeholder events
• Develop a network of key internal and external contacts in the public affairs and policy space to further the Fund's aims
• Work collaboratively with the other External Affairs Officers to share skills and intelligence
• Cross-collaboration with the Communications Strategy and External Affairs teams to ensure our engagement strategy across the full communications function (media, corporate communications, brand, campaigns and public affairs) is impactful and cohesive
• Support the effective use of the Stakeholder Relationship Management (SRM) system

Location: Hybrid working

We have a hybrid approach to working, work pattern and location will be agreed with the successful candidate. The role can be based at any of our UK offices, these are Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Newcastle and Newtown.

Interview date: Week commencing 11th August

On application, please align your supporting statement to the criteria below

Essential criteria

• Excellent persuasive communication skills, oral and written
• Confident in writing briefings, positioning papers and other materials to support political and non-political stakeholder engagement
• Strong skills in political analysis and advising senior stakeholders
• Strong project management skills; the ability to produce high-quality work against competing priorities in a complex environment
• Experience in managing events and other stakeholder engagement activities

Desirable criteria

• An understanding of, or background in the VSCE sector
• Understanding of public affairs at a national and regional level and/or in civil society
• Experience in using and developing customer relationship management (CRM) systems

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.) 

We are looking for a dynamic and skilled professional to take on this new senior leadership role at BABCP. We are a growing organisation, driven by social purpose. We aim improve the mental health of people across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, through furthering research and good practice in CBT and related professions.

The British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) is the lead organisation for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in the UK and Ireland.

We have more than 24,000 members across the UK, Ireland and overseas, and with a growing staff team who work remotely. As we have grown, so has our need to communicate more effectively and to wider stakeholder groups. Ideally we need someone who is comfortable delivering a range of different communications functions, such as leading strategy; working with politicians and policy influencers; understanding the needs of our members; and communicating directly with the wider public about issues that matter to them.

We are looking for someone who shares our passion for mental health and wellbeing, to take responsibility for the delivery of an effective and efficient External Affairs function, which meets the needs of our growing business.

The successful candidate will have the ability to influence government and health systems; manage a team to deliver planned and responsive communications; network with other professionals including journalists; and be comfortable in setting, monitoring and reporting performance measures, including reporting to CEO and board.

The role will be home-based, with occasional requirements to travel to our Head Office in Greater Manchester and to meetings in London, as well as less frequent meetings across the UK and Republic of Ireland.

To find out more, please access the attached job description.

How to apply

Send an up to date CV and covering letter of no more than two pages no later than 21st July 2025 (interviews will be held 1st August 2025).

The covering letter should set out how you would meet each of the criteria from the person specification that are marked “Application”.

Youth Futures Foundation is looking for a senior External Affairs professional to lead a busy multi-disciplinary team to drive our reputational, influencing and engagement work as the What Works Centre for Youth Employment.

About the role

• This is a newly created role where you will have responsibility for driving an integrated approach to our audience influencing to deliver our strategic objectives, through collective oversight across our public affairs, stakeholder relations, communications and marketing work.
• The post holder will report to the Director of Policy and External Affairs and work closely with the CEO, wider Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the Deputy Director of Strategic Development to enable purposeful reputational growth, enhanced brand recognition and the delivery of external impact.
• The post holder will need to be an experienced leader and manager; a people person able to inspire, nurture and support a team of motivated engagement and communications professionals as well as deputising for the Director more widely when required.
• To be successful, the post holder will need to be able to balance big picture thinking with driving practical implementation and outcomes across the team and thriving in ambiguity when needed. The skills and experience to drive and support internal change to foster an optimal operating environment and ability to design and embed future focused ways of working will be important to the success of the role

This role can be based at any of our hubs located in Birmingham, Leeds or London. We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.

For more information, please download our recruitment pack.

Turn2us is a national charity tackling poverty and the structural causes of financial insecurity. We work with co-producers and partners to provide people in financial crisis with the means and agency to get back on their feet, build resilience, move forward with their lives and thrive.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to equity, inclusion and diversity and the value people from different backgrounds bring to a team. If, like us, you believe everyone has the right to have enough to live on, and you are ambitious about eradicating poverty, join us and build your career with a charity dedicated to ensuring dignity and equity for all.

We're now looking for an exceptional Senior PR and Press Officer to help us amplify voices, challenge persistent, negative narratives around the social security system, and shift public attitudes about financial insecurity. Ideally, you’ll already have solid PR and press experience within a charity or comparable organisation’s press office, excellent media contacts, and the strategic mindset to put people’s real lives and complex challenges front and centre in your storytelling.

You’ll be someone who writes clearly and persuasively, handles sensitive topics with genuine care, and who’s excited by the challenge of finding creative ways to engage diverse audiences. Your strong relationships with journalists will help us ensure the voices of people facing financial insecurity are represented accurately, widely, and compassionately in the media.

We offer flexible working patterns, both in terms of hours and remote working. All team members come into our welcoming Farringdon office at least once a week, and you'll be joining a warm, supportive team that believes in each other, celebrates great work, and loves what we do.

Please note that all employees are required to work from the office a minimum of 1 day a week.

Some roles may be required to be in the office more often than others and this will be agreed with the hiring manager upon starting at Turn2us.

Please note that all job offers are subject to 2 – 3 satisfactory references and a disclosure satisfactory to Turn2us from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). 

We’re genuinely excited to hear from you.

Closing date: 20th July, 23:59

Interview date: 11 Aug for first interviews, 18 Aug for second interviews

The ILC is looking for an organised Events and Communications Officer to help engage the right people to deliver its mission of addressing the challenges and opportunities of longevity and ageing. You’ll lead the coordination of ILC’s events programme, including our flagship annual Future of Ageing conference, while supporting external affairs and stakeholder engagement across the UK and internationally.

Working closely with colleagues and project leads, you’ll ensure the smooth running of our events from planning to evaluation, deliver impactful content and communications, and help strengthen our influence through targeted engagement with policymakers, industry leaders and funders. You’ll also play a key role in improving our internal processes and digital presence, including overseeing website content and supporting ILC’s place in global policy influence and convenorship.

This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional with experience in event delivery, stakeholder engagement and content creation to make a real impact.

We want you to help us provoke conversations and discussions about the impact of longevity on society, and what happens next.

This vacancy is restricted to Black and minoritised women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

We reserve the right to close these adverts early if we have sufficient interest, so early applications are encouraged.

Are you driven by a commitment to social justice and equality? Do you want to utilise your expertise to support vulnerable women and children in their fight against inequality and discrimination? Southall Black Sisters has the perfect opportunity for you. We are seeking a dedicated Immigration Solicitor to provide specialised, personalised advice to our clients, empowering them to make informed decisions about their future.

In this crucial role within our Immigration Team, you will collaborate closely with colleagues to deliver confidential OISC Level 2 advice and representation. Additionally, you will support and train colleagues working at Level 1, ensuring the highest standards of service and advocacy.

The postholder will play a vital role in advancing Southall Black Sisters’ (SBS) policy, communications and public affairs work. This includes shaping and delivering strategies that:

· Promote SBS’s mission to end violence against women and girls (VAWG), particularly for Black, minoritised and migrant (BMM) women and girls.

· Influence public policy and legislation to secure justice, safety and rights for Black, minoritised and migrant women and girls.

· Strengthening the public voice and visibility of SBS through impactful communications and campaigning.

They will work closely with senior staff, partner organisations and stakeholders to ensure that SBS’s policy positions, campaigns and services are effectively communicated, and that the lived experiences of the women and girls SBS supports are at the forefront of public and political discourse.

By joining our team, you will be at the forefront of the fight for equality and justice, making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Why work with Southall Black Sisters?

Southall Black Sisters is committed to providing a supportive working environment, where team members feel valued, empowered and safe. To that end, we provide an excellent package of employee benefits including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement 
• Hybrid working 
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Enhanced sick pay
• Subsidised public transport season ticket
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, including access to confidential support from MBACP therapists 
• Clinical supervision with an MBACP therapist to explore issues arising from casework
• A focus on continued learning and development through accredited training delivered by experts in their field
• Organisation-wide away days
• Career development pathways and support
• The opportunity to learn and grow within an organisation renowned for inspiring political activism and campaigning successes
• Employer eye care scheme

To Apply

Submit a completed application form along with the optional equal opportunities monitoring form by the application deadline. Please do not send us your CV as this will not be considered.

Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered.

Interview date: 23 & 24 July 2025

Pause works to improve the lives of women who have had more than one child removed from their care, and the services and systems that affect them.

As Communications and Policy Officer, your role will be to raise awareness and increase understanding of Pause and the experiences of the women we work with in order to achieve positive change at both a national and local level.

This is a new role, sitting within the Partnerships and Engagement team, although you will work with colleagues across the whole organisation.

You will work with the team to influence change by delivering creative communications activity and maintaining excellent working relationships with key stakeholders. This will involve working closely with our Impact and Influencing Lead as well as our colleagues in practice, participation and engagement, so that you can learn from those with lived experience and ensure their voices are at the forefront.

The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator with the ability to deliver creative communications to influence change. You also should have a real desire to create positive change in the services and systems that affect the lives of women who have had children removed from their care. 

We are using Charity Job's anonymous applicant tracker system. Your cover letter should be no more than 2 sides of A4, and so you’ll need to use your creative skills to be sure that you fully address the person specification and show us why you’re the absolute best person for this job.

Are you a passionate and strategic policy professional ready to play a key role in shaping the future of social housing? Join Shelter’s Policy Team as a Policy Manager, where you’ll lead innovative, evidence-based policy development focused on boosting social rented homes across England.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity join Shelter’s Policy Team as the Policy Manager responsible for Social Housing – at a pivotal time after the funding settlement for social housing is announced at the June Spending Review.

The successful candidate will lead policy work and be responsible for managing one Policy Officer. This challenging role means understanding the problems faced by people who come to Shelter every day for help, to enable us to respond to and influence national and local policy. It includes developing innovative and workable proactive policy solutions to fix the nation’s long-term housing problems. Shelter’s Policy Team prides itself on creating well-grounded but creative policy that can challenge any think tank – and winning real world change.

Role specifics

As Policy Officer for Shelter, you’ll drive our strategic campaigning on social housing, working closely with teams across research, campaigns, public affairs, and media to develop impactful, evidence-based policy and campaigns. You’ll identify emerging issues, lead policy development, and produce high-quality analysis and responses to influence government and public debate. You’ll build strong relationships with key stakeholders, represent Shelter externally, and line manage 1-2 Policy Officers, supporting their development and workload. You’ll also deputise for senior leaders when needed and play a key role in embedding our Anti-Racism Strategy and equalities across the team and campaigns.

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 team is 7 people strong and sits in the Advocacy and Activism branch of the Communications, Policy, and Campaigns division.  The Activism and Advocacy branch includes the Research, Public Affairs, Digital Campaigns and Community Organising teams. Using the latest data, research and intelligence from our services, we analyse the problems in our housing system and identify effective and creative solutions. We are campaigners focused on winning change for people, and we work in multidisciplinary teams like media, public affairs, campaigns and research to develop creative and hard-hitting campaigns. We support our services to identify and campaign for local solutions and lend expertise to our Community Organisers who support communities to fight for change in their area. Our work is grounded in the experience of the people who use Shelter’s services every day and is based on expert research. The Team combines works at a national and local level to tackle the root causes of the housing emergency and fight for home.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions 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. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter 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 does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Assistant Communications Officer

Do you have experience working in a fast paced press office or communications team and are looking to take your next step? Are you skilled in juggling tasks and enjoy the buzz of a busy comms office? Mencap is recruiting for an Assistant Communications Officer - a vital role across our PR and social media teams, helping bring together our day to day work - this position is hugely varied with bags of opportunity to learn and grow in the role.

The role is full time (37.5 hours per week) with hybrid working at home and in the London Office. We know that work is something you do not just a place you go.  At Mencap we give office-based colleagues and teams more flexibility about where the work is done. 

About the role of Assistant Communications Officer:

•  You will be supporting both the media team and wider communications team to help us reach as wide an audience as possible.
•  Supporting the media team with day-to-day tasks such as writing and issuing the daily news summary, managing rotas, assisting with compiling monthly reports, take part in the team rota to be the first point of contact for media requests coming into the organisation - via press phone and media inbox.
•  Supporting the media team with campaign press - writing press releases and creating social media content, pitching stories to journalists, setting up media interviews and writing briefing documents and work with the social media team to monitor our social channels and interact with followers where required.

You will be a crucial cog in ensuring the smooth running of the press office with:

·  Strong organisation and time management skills to keep the team running efficiently and manage your varied workload.

· At least 1 years experience within communications.

· Have good initiative.

*This is not an exhaustive list of the role, please see the attached job description for more information.

This role closes on Wednesday 23rd July 2025 and first interviews will be Wednesday 30th July via Microsoft Teams.

At Mencap, we value a diverse and inclusive workplace and we intentionally plan for the success of our colleagues in everything we do. We welcome applications from everyone, so come as you are and join us. Together we are Mencap! 

Benefits

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.

· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes

· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.

We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.

Employer Policy Specialist

Working Hours: 0.6FTE (full-time equivalent 37.5 hours). There is a degree of flexibility surrounding the working hours which will be determined by the demands of the role.

Salary: 0.6FTE: £40,658 (the full-time equivalent salary is: £67,763).

Start Date: 1st September 2025.

Reporting to: Director of Public Affairs & Policy

Deadline for applications: Friday 18th July 2025, 5pm

Interviews: Interviews will be conducted online on Thursday 24th July

Overview

The DfE has nominated CST as the employer representative for academy trusts for specific purposes (for example, the school support staff negotiating body).  The postholder will be required to work directly with the Department for Education at a senior level to undertake the duties associated with this employer representative role.  CST also wishes to strengthen its support to members on wider matters of employer policy. There is significant scope to shape and develop this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Have a detailed understanding of the terms and conditions of employment of teaching and support staff and the workforce issues affecting the education sector, particularly those influencing recruitment and retention of staff.

• The ability to build relationships with key stakeholders (members, senior DfE officials and ministers) and work closely with other employer representative organisations.

• Working closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO, build relationships at senior level with trade unions (leadership, teacher and support staff unions).

• Lead on developing CST’s employer policy and guidance, working with our members and commanding their support and respect, and working closely with the policy team.

• Support the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Public Affairs and Policy to influence and respond to government policy in respect of employer policy, including drafting responses to government consultations and being our representative on the DfE’s formally constituted groups.

• Provide professional support and guidance to members on matters relating to employer policy, within the restrictions of what we are insured to do as a professional body.

• Support our HR professional community.

• Speak with authority at events and conferences as CST’s nominated representative on employer policy.

• Offer support to the wider CST policy team in other areas that fall within the postholder’s experience or expertise. This may include occasionally deputising for other team members for example covering for annual leave or sickness absence.

• Any other duties and responsibilities that may be delegated by the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive or Director of Public Affairs and Policy from time to time.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Likely educated to degree level (or holding a similar professional qualification or experience) with significant knowledge and experience of employment matters within the education sector and employer policy.

• The ideal candidate will have experience working at senior level likely within an educational, policy or consultancy setting. Knowledge of schools and the trust sector is essential as is the ability to respond to issues in a way which conveys the practical realities of working in schools.

• A sound understanding of the differences between academy trusts and the maintained sector.

• Secure knowledge of legislation, regulations and policy that affect school trusts.

• Authority and gravitas with the ability to speak up at meetings with senior officials with the required diplomacy and at all times with the members’ interests in mind.

• People-centred, with excellent relational skills, adept at forming and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, members and senior external stakeholders (including policy makers, employer representative organisations and trade unions).

• Output focused, able to execute a range of communications across channels efficiently.

• Fluent and precise, an excellent communicator who writes well.

• The ability to analyse detail and distil key points, identifying matters of concern or interest to school trusts.

• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines, including turning around high-quality responses to members and DfE in short timescales.

• Someone who embodies the Nolan Principles and acts with integrity and discretion.

• Aligned with CST’s aims to promote education for public benefit.

• Skilled at working remotely as part of a close-knit team. Whilst this position is remote (home-based) there will be the requirement to attend in person meetings from time to time.

Location (UK): Office Hybrid* - London
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Benefits: Read more about the excellent benefits we offer
Travel: Occasional travel to Versus Arthritis offices (London, Chesterfield, Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow)

Join us and use your skills, knowledge, passion and energy to help us achieve a future free from arthritis.

We’re looking for a Policy Officer who will make a difference to health and social care policy for people with arthritis.  

Within the Chief Executive’s Office, the UK Advocacy and Health Intelligence Department are focused on creating lasting change. We identify creative policy solutions in response to the challenges people with arthritis face. We influence decision-makers through stakeholder engagement, public affairs activity and by campaigning alongside people with arthritis. We have expertise across health and care services, public health, and employment policy. We also work in collaboration to influence medical research and data policy and play an active role in several cross-sector groups. 

About the role

The purpose of this role is to drive policy development across our policy priority areas. The Policy Officer will lead on specific policy projects, commissioning research, developing policy positions, and producing reports and consultation responses.

This role will cover a broad range of issues across one of our strategic goals – prevention and diagnosis; access to treatment; and living well with arthritis. Our approach considers the needs of people of all ages who have arthritis.

The Policy Officer will also contribute to the wider work of the team, working closely with colleagues in the Nations Teams, the Research Directorate and the wider charity, including by representing us on cross-sector policy groups, drafting briefings, and participating in events and conferences.

We’ll give you autonomy, variety and challenge with opportunities to work with inspirational campaigners, attend events in Parliament and meet senior stakeholders in Government. We’re a supportive team who will value your well-being and professional development.

About you

If your knowledge, skills and experience include the following then we’d love to hear from you:

• Understanding of policy issues relevant to people with long-term conditions or disability.
• Experience of working in a policy team.
• Experience of developing and influencing health and social care policy.
• An ability to think creatively and communicate effectively.
• An enthusiastic, adaptive and flexible approach.

*As a hybrid worker the expectation is that you will spend around 40% of your working time in our office spaces or working in community settings. As an inclusive employer we will consider home-based working for anyone where office-based hybrid working would be a barrier to being able to work for us, for example for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability.