Public affairs officers jobs

Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager

River Action UK

Remote

£45,000 - £55,000 per year

Full-time

Permanent

Environment

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Job description

Title: Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager

Salary: From £45,000 - £55,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37.5 per week (Monday to Friday)

Holiday: 25 days per year plus bank holidays

Location: Home based with regular travel within / to London and across the UK

Probationary Period: 3 months

Reports to: Head of Department

Benefits: An additional 3 days holiday between Christmas and New Year, Flexitime policy, 5% pension contribution

Title and salary to be commensurate with experience.

We are River Action

We are a small and agile campaigning organisation on a mission to rescue UK rivers from a toxic cocktail of agricultural, sewage and industrial pollution and water shortages. We support community action, galvanise and mobilise public opinion, influence government policy, take legal actions and call out destructive industrial practices to incentivise changes that end river pollution and secure freshwater.

We are building a talented team of positive disrupters and stakeholder mobilisers to deliver our strategy to urgently protect and restore our rivers for the benefit of communities, rivers and wildlife.

Britain’s rivers are our life support system and they are dying. We need urgent action to bring them back to life.

Who we are looking for

We are expanding our political influence by introducing this new position, which will work closely with our existing Policy and Advocacy Manager to bolster our strategic reach particularly in the areas of water scarcity, security and justice, sewage and chemical pollution, and water sector reform.

We are seeking a dynamic and self-motivated individual who shares our passion for protecting rivers and securing our nation’s water, food, health, jobs and economy to join our team to drive forward our policy and advocacy work. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong policy insights capable of blending analytical problem-solving with intelligent advocacy to drive meaningful change. This role requires someone to have excellent writing skills and the ability to draft complex policy documents as well as top line arguments for wider communication.

The ideal person will bring a combination of expertise, energy and ideas to amplify our impact, holding decision-makers and polluters accountable with a professional and diplomatic approach. They will engage with influential people across the sector, government, industry and media.

If you thrive in fast-paced environments and want to be at the forefront of environmental policy and advocacy across multiple campaigns, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing

As a Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, you will lead the development and drafting of River Action’s overall policy strategy as well as leading on specific policy areas. You will play a leading role in shaping and advancing River Action’s political and policy influence, working closely with the Senior Management Team, Chief Executive and wider organisation to develop and execute an impactful policy and advocacy strategy.

River Action is the Co-Secretariat for the APPG on Water Pollution, offering our Policy and Advocacy Manager a unique opportunity to shape the policy direction for River Action and also to influence policy development across Parliament.

You will also work closely with our public affairs agency who manage our daily Westminster activities.

You will:

Lead River Action’s development and delivery of our policy and advocacy strategy on sewage, industrial water pollution, and water scarcity
Collaborate with River Action’s team and external partners to ensure our collective work is underpinned by robust and forward-thinking policy analysis and evidence.
Develop policy analysis to support campaign, communications and policy strategies, based on a strong evidence base and a sound understanding of the relevant legal and policy frameworks.
Translate complex policy and evidence into concise documents with clear messages and compelling campaigns to engage political and policy stakeholders.
Monitor and analyse political and policy developments, interpreting their implications and opportunities for River Action and its supporters.
Generate analysis to enable participation in public consultation processes, including drafting high-quality and persuasive consultation responses and briefings for Westminster and Whitehall audiences.
Increase our political influence with exciting policy interventions, ensuring River Action’s voice is heard at the highest levels of decision-making.
Build and maintain relationships with key policymakers, civil servants, industry experts and partner organisations.
Support grassroots community groups and third-sector partners in engaging with their local representatives for effective advocacy.
Organise and attend key political meetings and events, including the Water Pollution APPG, stakeholder roundtables and parliamentary events.
Manage strategic policy partnerships, including our relationship with Wildlife and Countryside Link and other third-sector organisations.
Ensure River Action’s policy and advocacy efforts align with our creative campaigns, by making sure colleagues and spokespeople are well-briefed and communications content is well-informed to maximise reach and impact.

You will also:

Actively engage in professional development and training.
Adhere to health and safety policies while working in different locations.
Maintain confidentiality in all areas of work at River Action.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to an inclusive, equal and diverse workplace.
Work collaboratively with colleagues across River Action to collectively deliver our mission while being true to our values.

UK travel will be required and regular trips to London. Training and operational activities may require overnight stays away from home, in which case costs will be covered and standard River Action procedures will apply.

What you’ll bring

The position will suit a self-motivated, strategic and determined person. You will be an excellent communicator, with exceptional writing skills and comfortable representing River Action and engaging with diverse stakeholders in positions of responsibility. You will have a passion to protect and restore our waterways and to hold decision-makers and polluters to account.

Essential knowledge, skills and experience:

Experience in a senior policy and advocacy role, ideally within the environmental sector and including experience of water policy.
Policy and/or legislative experience, with a good understanding of the workings of the UK government and Parliamentary procedure.
A good understanding of the UK water industry, the key UK water-related policies and the issues that are impacting our rivers, land and wildlife.
Knowledge of the challenge of water scarcity.
Excellent communication and writing skills with close attention to detail and the ability to produce concise and persuasive briefings, reports and consultation responses.
Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to working creatively and at a fast pace with colleagues, stakeholders and partners.
Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to proactively plan and prioritise work and to report your progress and impact.
Ability to work flexible hours and travel as necessary.
A good and supportive team player with a willingness to muck in as and when required.

Why join us?

Be part of a mission-driven organisation working to restore and protect the UK’s rivers.
Work at the heart of political and environmental change, influencing decision-makers at the highest levels.
Work in an agile, supportive and happy work environment where your ideas and expertise will have real impact.
Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organisation.

Diversity and inclusion

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies show that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single criteria. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. So if you like the look of this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description, we’d still love to hear from you. You may be just the right person for this role.

How to apply

To apply, please submit to jobs at riveractionuk dot com with the subject Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager’:

your CV (2 pages),
a cover letter (2 pages) explaining why you want to work for River Action and how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role, and
a written submission (2 pages) as described below.

Only applications including all three documents will be accepted. Please provide your documents in pdf format.

Written submission

Please prepare a 2 page policy briefing for Parliamentarians on the issue of water scarcity and water justice and how it affects UK rivers and our security. Your briefing should be written in a clear, persuasive style suitable for a Parliamentary and government audience and:

Identify causes of water scarcity and injustice.
Provide a concise analysis of the impact on rivers, biodiversity and our economy.
Summarise and assess gaps in relevant UK Government policies, legislation and plans.
Propose two or three practical policy recommendations for decision-makers.

Application process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 5pm on Wednesday 15th July.

Should your application be selected during sift, the next stage will involve an initial 15-minute interview. You may then be invited to attend a second interview with a panel.

Interviews will be held in the weeks commencing 19th July and 26th July via video conference.

Please indicate in your covering letter or in a covering email your availability for interviews.

If you have any questions about the role or your application, please contact us on jobs at riveractionuk dot com.

Organisation

River Action UK View profile

Registered Charity

1 - 5

View profile

Posted on: 30 June 2026

Closing date: 15 July 2026 at 17:00

Job ref: Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager

Tags: Policy, Advocacy, Water and Sanitation

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Head of External Relations

Rainforest Foundation UK

London, Greater London (Hybrid)

£65,817 per year

Full-time

Permanent

Environment ∙ Human Rights

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Job description

About us

Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) is a values-driven organisation working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities to protect the world’s rainforests and uphold their human rights. Since 1989, RFUK has partnered with forest peoples and grassroots organisations to secure land rights, challenge destructive industries, and influence laws and policies that safeguard forests and the people who depend on them.

Our mission is clear: to combine human rights and environmental protection to tackle deforestation. From the Congo Basin to the Amazon, our work has helped communities protect millions of hectares of rainforest. With a growing team of passionate advocates for social and environmental justice, we are committed to scaling up our impact to confront the accelerating climate and biodiversity crises.

About the role

The Head of External Relations is a key senior leadership role at Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) responsible for overseeing effective fundraising and communications strategies to support the organisation's work protecting rainforests and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this role is responsible for building RFUK’s external profile and support for its ambitious 2033 vision to scale up community-led protection of tropical forests. The position combines strategic communications, outreach, targeted campaigns, and media engagement to connect RFUK’s impactful programmes to its growing audience, supporters and funders.

This a key role in the organisation, managing a small team, working closely with the Programmes team to craft compelling narratives that drive engagement and action, with the Operations team to ensure financial sustainability, and with the Executive Director to create and implement targeted fundraising strategies.

About you

This role requires a strong commitment to social and environmental justice, the ability to form and cultivate relationships with a range of different groups, and the ability to communicate complex issues persuasively.

You’re an experienced leader with a proven track record in both strategic communications and fundraising. You’re a creative communicator who can turn complex issues into persuasive, accessible messages that drive change and support for our mission. You know how to secure significant income from foundations, corporates, individuals and major donors, and you’re confident in building long-term relationships with diverse stakeholders. You thrive on collaboration, motivate teams to achieve ambitious goals, and bring resilience and cultural sensitivity to everything you do.

Job description and benefits

Please download the full job description from our website. We offer 30 days annual leave, 4% pension contributions, Employee Assistance Programme, learning and development allowance, and four weeks of work-from-anywhere flexibility.

Location

This role is offered as a hybrid role based in our Bethnal Green, London office. The postholder will be required to work in the office 2 days per week during their 6-month probation period. This can be reviewed with their Line Manager thereafter.

Application Process

To submit your application, kindly complete the online application form by 9AM, Friday 10 July. Please be aware that the form will be anonymised for review by the panel.

Please note that CVs will not be considered.

We strongly encourage all candidates to read the Recruitment FAQs page on our website before submitting their application.

Regrettably, due to the large number of applications we usually receive, it is not possible to write to you should you not be shortlisted for an interview. If you have not heard from us within 10 working days of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Initial interviews with shortlisted candidates will be held online on Thursday 16 July. Please let us know in your application if you are available to attend an interview.

Application resources

RFUK_Head-of-External-Relations_JD_June-26

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Organisation

Rainforest Foundation UK View profile

Registered Charity

View profile

Refreshed on: 30 June 2026

Closing date: 10 July 2026 at 09:00

Tags: Campaigns, Communications, Fundraising, International Development, Advocacy, Climate Change, CRM, Environment / Animal, Human Rights, Partnerships, Public Affairs, Public Relations, Strategy, Sustainability, Corporate Fundraising, Major Donor, Trusts / Foundations, Digital Fundraising, Grants

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.

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Policy Manager

Martingale Foundation

London, Greater London (Hybrid)

£49,885 - £55,221 per year

Full-time

Contract (Fixed-term 12 month contract)

Education

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Job description

In the four years since Martingale launched, we have now supported over 200 Scholars to undertake postgraduate degrees across our thirteen partner universities.

As Martingale grows, we are building our policy and advocacy function to shape the future of postgraduate access, affordability and outcomes. We are seeking a rigorous, proactive and collaborative Policy Manager to drive the monitoring, insight and evaluation that underpin our influence, and to support the development and implementation of our policy positions and stakeholder engagement.

Reporting to the Head of Communications and External Engagement, you will lead Martingale’s policy tracking, political intelligence, evidence generation, and evaluation and learning. You will turn a fast-moving external landscape into clear, actionable insight, and produce the evidence, analysis and draft materials that enable the Head and CEO to position Martingale credibly with funders, universities, the sector and government.

This is a hands-on, delivery-focused role with significant autonomy. You will own workstreams end-to-end, build systems and processes where they do not yet exist, and influence more senior colleagues and stakeholders. You will sit at the centre of a landmark research and policy programme and help deliver a campaign to implement the recommendations from Martingale’s major HESA-based research partnership, making the case that talent, not background, should determine who progresses to and thrives in postgraduate study.

We welcome applicants from a range of career paths who are excited to be part of a growing, fast-paced charity delivering meaningful impact.

Application resources

Martingale Foundation - Policy Manager Job Description

0.10 MB

Organisation

Martingale Foundation View profile

Registered Charity

6 - 10

Our mission is to enable and nurture talented individuals from low-socioeconomic backgrounds to become a new generation of STEM leaders.

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Posted on: 01 July 2026

Closing date: 15 July 2026 at 23:30

Tags: Policy, Advocacy, Data Analysis, Education, Engagement / Outreach, Monitoring and Evaluation

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.

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Communications Manager

Action for ME

Remote

£42,000 per year

Full-time

Permanent

Health

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Job description

We believe that change for people affected by ME won't just happen; it must be made. That's why action and impact are at the heart of everything we do. Whether that's helping people today with support, information, or care. Or working towards securing future change through our research and campaigning work. The intent of everything we do is to pursue positive impact for the lives, rights, and futures of people affected by ME.

As Communications Manager you will play a pivotal role in delivering strategic, impactful communications that advance Action for ME’s work, improve understanding and recognition of ME and support fundraising efforts

The Communications Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the communications strategy, leading a team of two other communications staff. You will work closely with colleagues across the fundraising, policy, research and services departments, delivering clear and compelling storytelling, and maximising visibility across media, digital platforms and key stakeholder networks.

Key duties

Leadership and Management

Work to ensure that people with ME are at the heart of everything we do through meaningful engagement and participation to influence all aspects of communications and marketing.
Contribute to the development of, and then lead implementation of, the Communications Strategy, ensuring the appropriate involvement of key stakeholders, scoping, evaluating, and improving our practice.
Maintain a data-insight led approach to the communications work providing regular management information and key performance indicator reports.
Work as a member of the Extended Leadership Team.
Line manage Communications Team members, supporting them to set and achieve performance objectives through regular one-to-ones and 12-monthly appraisals.
Be responsible for Communications budget and the relationship with services providers required for the production of the charity’s digital and printed information and support resources.

Communications and Marketing

Raise the profile of the impact of ME, and of Action for ME and its work, to enable the organisation to reach more people and better support need, by establishing a regular cadence of appropriate but innovative product across all main social media channels.
Ensure fundraising is supported by embedding clear calls to action around donations and membership growth as a matter of course.
Under the direction of the Director of Fundraising, develop all website, press and social media content for charity appeals.
Market the charity’s Support and Healthcare services, including key digital and printed information and support resources, to the ME community and the professionals working with them, working closely with respective service leads.
Contribute to income generation by working closely with the Director of Fundraising to develop the communication and marketing materials needed to implement the organisation’s Fundraising Strategy.
Coordinate the charity’s response to any crisis communications, including developing appropriate crisis management plans and working outside of office hours as required.
Establish effective systems/processes for gathering, supporting, maintaining, and managing case studies for a range of purposes (including press and media opportunities, public affairs and policy work, and fundraising).
Draft and issue press releases and media statements and ensure appropriate follow-up by telephoning journalists, contacting picture desks etc. as appropriate.
Alongside the CEO and any commissioned agency, develop relationships with key press, media and communications stakeholders to enhance the charity’s work.
Oversee the production of the annual report, on budget, to schedule, taking overall editorial responsibility for content.
Oversee the ongoing development of our digital engagement including our website and social media and being the point of contact on website issues.
Fulfil the role of brand gateway keeper, ensuring all digital and printed communications, including information and support resources, adhere to brand guidelines, house style and organisational tone.
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and oversight of how ME and related key issues (e.g. Long Covid) are discussed in the media and wider ME community.
Build networks to enhance the charity’s strategic communications and marketing work.
Build and maintain an effective social media monitoring regime, ensuring fit for purpose rules of engagement are in place and applied consistently.

Other Key Accountabilities

Ensure that all relevant service standards are met including compliance with best practice, legal and regulatory frameworks and internal standards.
Ensure best value in all our work.
Undertake any other duty within your ability and within reason, as may be required, from time-to-time, at the discretion of your line manager.
On occasions, provide management support and cover within the organisation, as needed.
Act as an advocate for the charity and its work.

Person specification

Experience, Knowledge and Understanding

A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a communications management role
Experience of developing integrated, insight and audience-led communications plans including social media
Experience of website and brand management
Experience of delivering successful campaigns
Experience of engaging with press and/or media including writing press releases and media briefings
Experience of working collaboratively with different teams/departments
Experience of working in charity communications (desirable)
An understanding of ME and the impact on people affected by it (desirable)
Experience of integrating fundraising with communications (desirable)

Skills, Behaviours and Values

Adaptable and highly organised with an ability to work methodically, managing and prioritising a varied workload, use your own initiative, work independently, and work well in a team.