Public policy jobs
How's your job search on our site?
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Policy and Public Affairs Officer – Shape the Future of Science and Policy
Join the Society as a Policy and Public Affairs Officer and play a pivotal role in placing physiology at the heart of evidence-based policy. This is a unique opportunity to influence public policy on key issues such as health, healthy ageing, and climate change, while supporting physiologists to lead in shaping the research and funding landscape.
What You’ll Do
-
Develop and influence policy: Research, design, and advocate for evidence-based policies that advance physiology and its impact on society.
-
Engage stakeholders: Build and maintain strong relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, civil servants, and partner organisations.
-
Communicate and advocate: Produce policy briefings, statements, and publications, leveraging digital platforms and member networks to share your work widely.
-
Support the community: Work closely with committees, internal teams, and members to gather insights and ensure policies reflect the needs of the physiology community.
-
Deliver impact: Organise events, track policy developments, and coordinate proactive projects that drive the Society’s objectives forward.
About You
You are a proactive, strategic thinker with a passion for policy and public affairs, ideally within science, health, or climate sectors. You have excellent communication and analytical skills, experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, and the ability to manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines.
Essential Requirements – Summary
-
1–3 years’ experience in policy, public affairs, government, agency, or related roles.
-
Degree in life sciences, public policy, political science, or equivalent.
-
Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to translate complex information for different audiences.
-
Experience developing and advocating policy positions, ideally in science, health, or climate sectors.
-
Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
-
Strong organisational skills; able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
-
Experience engaging with government, parliamentarians, and other stakeholders to influence policy.
-
Able to work collaboratively across teams and independently when required
Why Join Us?
-
Influence public policy at a national and international level.
-
Collaborate with a passionate, expert team committed to advancing physiology.
-
Be part of an inclusive, diverse, and forward-thinking organisation that values your perspective.
What we offer
- Excellent benefits including Private Medical Insurance and a generous pension scheme.
- Hybrid working - 2 anchor days in the office.
- A friendly team and bright offices based in the heart of Farringdon.
Applications
To apply, please ensure you download and review the attached job description. Applications are by way of an up to date CV and cover letter detailing why you are suitable for the role.
We reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date and to hire if we are ready to before the closing date.
Please note: DO NOT APPLY if you do not have the legal right to work in the UK. We do not offer sponsorships.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Annual leave: 33 days (plus eight bank holidays)
Benefits:
- enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and shared parental pay
- family-friendly policies
- 8% employer pension contribution (Aviva)
- three x basic salary life assurance cover
- free health cashback plan (Medicash): employee cover plus up to four dependent children
- 24/7 virtual GP access (UK registered), plus access to Best Doctors
free, confidential employee assistance programme (Medicash) - access to a wellbeing app
- flexible working options including hybrid working, flexible working patterns such as part-time, compressed hours, and more*
- learning and development opportunities including bespoke training and access to LinkedIn Learning)
- commitment to employee health and wellbeing.
- we have a Menopause Friendly accreditation and are a Disability Confident employer
Join Dementia UK as Policy and Public Affairs Manager (Scotland) and play a pivotal role in shaping our influence as we deliver our 2025–30 strategy. This new role reflects a significant investment in expanding our Campaigns, Policy and Public Affairs function, strengthening our ability to drive change across all nations of the UK. You will lead our work to amplify Dementia UK’s voice in Scotland, ensuring that the experiences of people living with dementia, and the Admiral Nurses who support them, drive meaningful improvements in care and support.
You will spearhead our political and policy engagement in Scotland, building trusted relationships with MSPs, civil servants, political advisers and sector partners. Through sharp political insight and rigorous policy development, you will help shape our influencing priorities, identify strategic opportunities, and position Dementia UK as a credible and authoritative voice on dementia care within the Scottish policy landscape.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across policy, public affairs, campaigns, communications, clinical services and lived experience, you will develop and deliver a Scottish policy and public affairs strategy that aligns with our UK-wide approach. You will also represent Dementia UK externally as our primary political contact in Scotland, ensuring our perspectives are heard in key debates and decision‑making forums.
To thrive in this role, you will bring strong political instincts, deep knowledge of Scottish political institutions and policy processes, and a proven ability to build influential relationships with senior stakeholders. You will be a strategic thinker with the confidence to lead evidence-based policy development, assess risks and opportunities in a fast-moving environment, and drive forward activity that supports our long-term ambition to transform dementia care across the UK.
We would love to hear from you! If you would like to find out more about the role, or have any queries, please get in touch via the email on our website.
Our culture
In addition to a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, we truly value our people. It’s important for us to create a working environment that looks after our workforce to support them in achieving their full potential. You will become part of a diverse and dedicated team who are supported to use and develop their skills. We recognise and value the key role you will play in delivering our strategic plans for the benefit of those living with dementia.
Our staff have a voice. Representatives from different roles and levels across the organisation positively contribute to and lead on our working groups around health and wellbeing, menopause, and equity, diversity and inclusion.
Dementia UK is proud to welcome everyone. We aim for a truly inclusive culture with talented, diverse teams that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We celebrate difference and individuality and encourage everyone to join us and be their whole selves always.
Dementia UK is a Disability Confident Employer.
By applying to join Dementia UK, you acknowledge that in the event you are successful for the role, any offer and your ongoing employment will be conditional on you having or obtaining the right to work in the UK.
*Please note that any decision on flexible working is based on business needs
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Join us as a Public Affairs Officer to support the growth of our influencing and campaigning profile, helping to deliver high-impact content and campaigns that mobilise supporters, influence policy and raise awareness of issues that impact equine welfare in the UK and around the world.
About the role
As part of our Public Affairs team, you’ll lead on supporter content and digital communications, tailoring messages for different audiences to maximise reach and engagement. You’ll support research and report writing, monitor UK and EU policy developments, and track campaign performance to help shape future work. You’ll also play a key role in growing and engaging our supporter network—mobilising people to take action and strengthening our influence with decisionmakers.
This is a part-time role, working remotely for three days a week between 09:00 to 16:00. There is flexibility to discuss which days would suit you best, except for Wednesdays, which are required. You will be required to attend the charity’s head office located in Norfolk a minimum of 6 times per year and this will be at your own expense for travel and accommodation.
About you:
You’re a clear, confident communicator with experience writing for digital channels, using campaign technology and working collaboratively across teams. You build positive relationships with supporters and stakeholders and understand how campaigning can influence decision makers, supported by knowledge of UK and/or EU legislative frameworks. You’re organised and pro-active, able to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly in a fast-moving environment. Analytical and research skills, an understanding of equines and the ability to speak another language are desirable.
What we offer:
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contributions up to 8%, rising to 12% with length of service.
- Employee health cash plan to cover expenses such as dental, optical, physiotherapy, etc.
- Annual Leave entitlement of 20 days (increasing to 25 days with service), plus bank holidays, plus a Christmas allowance for mandatory shutdown.
- Paid employee sickness absence scheme and compassionate leave.
- Life assurance scheme of 4x annual salary.
World Horse Welfare is committed to championing equality and diversity in all aspects of employment and the services we provide. We actively encourage applications from under-represented groups, particularly ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities.
World Horse Welfare takes great pride in being realistic, compassionate and forward-thinking and the successful applicant for any of our vacancies will be expected to share these values.
World Horse Welfare’s vision is a world where every horse is treated with respect, compassion and understanding.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Senior Policy Adviser (Public Policy) | Full-time, Permanent
Location: St James’s Park, London SW1 | Hybrid
Salary: £40,926 per annum
The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Senior Policy Adviser to join our Public Policy Team. The role is crucial for the development and delivery of evidence-driven British Academy policy programmes on communities and social policy, using SHAPE research to impact policy outcomes that support the Academy’s and the Policy Directorate’s strategy.
The role
The British Academy’s public policy programmes explore domestic policy challenges that SHAPE research (Social sciences, Humanities and the Arts for People and the Economy/Environment), which can help policymakers to understand, reframe and find solutions. We work closely with our Fellows, alongside a diverse community of academics, experts, practitioners and importantly, policymakers. Our approach is focused on drawing together insights from SHAPE research and convening key figures to understand how these can be applied to policymaking. This gives us opportunities to bring fresh thinking to the most challenging issues, reframe debates, and develop new evidence-based solutions.
The Senior Policy Adviser will lead the delivery of evidence-driven policy programmes focused on communities and social infrastructure, with an opportunity at the outset to define the scope and strategy of these programmes. You will need understanding and knowledge of social policy, particularly areas of social policy relating to communities and civil society. You also need to be comfortable with bringing insights and analysis together and making new connections across policy themes to approach problems from a fresh perspective.
This is a varied role that requires ambition and confidence to engage with a wide variety of contributors to bring together the insights from our evidence base. You will have the ability to plan and deliver different types of activities: convening stakeholders, managing researchers, and collaborating with counterparts in academia and government.
You will be proactive and always looking for opportunities, using effective communication and developing or strengthening crucial relationships to extend the reach of our programme. You will often work independently, but won’t be on your own – we are a collaborative, supportive and friendly team of 12, working on the basis of mutual trust and responsibility, all working on different but connected areas, striving together to achieve our goals.
About the Academy
The British Academy is the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, established by Royal Charter in 1902. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. Today’s complex challenges require deep insight into people, culture and societies. With a Fellowship of around 1,700 leading national and international academics, the Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas; engages the public with fresh thinking and debate; and brings together scholars, government, business and civil society to influence policy.
The Academy comprises five directorates: Communications & Marketing; Development; Policy; Research; and Resources, plus a Governance & Fellowship Team.
Working at the Academy
Our senior management team have worked with staff to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empathy, in which all contributions are recognised as we work towards our common goals. Our people strategy and working practices focus on building strengths and sharing insights, with learning & development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion at the centre of how we operate as an organisation. Investing in our staff and encouraging a healthy work/life balance is central to our success, as we move forward and continue to grow. Find out more about the British Academy, including our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement.
Terms and conditions
The British Academy is based at 10-11, Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1 – a Grade 1 listed building. We offer a competitive benefits package including a 35-hour working week; 34 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays; a subsidised canteen and an excellent occupational pension.
How to apply
We use Applied for our recruitment. Applied aims to overcome unconscious bias in recruiting. Instead of using CVs, candidates are asked to answer questions that test skills needed for the role. The responses are then anonymised and reviewed in a random order by members of the hiring panel.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, in line with our commitment to create a diverse and inclusive working environment, promote equal opportunity, and address under-representation. We will make reasonable adjustments to support disabled job applicants and offer an interview to those meeting the minimum selection criteria.
To find out more and apply, please visit our website via the apply button.
Closing date: Midday on 23 March 2026.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, reflecting our commitment to a diverse and inclusive working environment, equal opportunity and addressing under-representation. We will make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants and offer an interview to those meeting the minimum selection criteria
This is an exciting opportunity to engage in parliamentary, policy and civil society engagement work. We are looking for a Public Affairs Officer to support the implementation of the Trust's Public Affair's strategy. Working closely with the Public Affairs Manager, the role helps to build understanding and commitment among policy-makers ensuring that the Holocaust remains a central part of the UK's national consciousness. The successful candidate will provide meaningful support to activity that influences decision and policy makers; develop strong relationships with stakeholders; and provide ongoing political support for Holocaust education and antisemitism education across the UK.
Over the course of our history, the Trust has created and delivered innovative and meaningful learning experiences and educational programmes which reach over 100,000 young people each year, teaching them about what the Holocaust was, and its relevance today. The school programmes we deliver include our Outreach Programme, our Lessons from Auschwitz Project; The Youth Advocacy Programme; Testimony 360: People and Places of the Holocaust; and Teacher Training.
The successful candidate will provide meaningful support to activity that influences decsion and policy makers; develop strong relationships with stakeholders; and provide ongoing political support for Holocaust education and antisemitism education across the UK.
The Officer contributes essential research, coordination, written and logistical support to the Public Affairs Manager.
Key Responsibilities:
- Parliamentary and Public Affairs Support
- Political and Policy Monitoring
- Events and Engagement
- Team and Organisational Support
To find out more, and for details on how to apply, interested candidates should read the full application pack and head to our website to apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Internship opportunities for 2026-27
Are you a young *Christian who is passionate about issues of justice and peace? Do you want to explore the intersection of faith, policy, and politics, and potentially pursue a career in one of these fields? The Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) is recruiting to two full time paid internship positions to start in September 2026.
Interns work as part of a small ecumenical team on a diverse range of tasks and initiatives including communications, policy, campaigning and supporter engagement, contributing to the public advocacy and political engagement work of the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches.
JPIT is a partnership between the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church, and the Church of Scotland is an associate partner. Its purpose is to help the Churches to work together for peace and justice through listening, learning, praying, speaking and acting on public policy issues. It is a team which brings together around ten staff working across the denominations. In recent years it has focused on issues around poverty, the economy, refugees and migration, the environment, peace and conflict, and politics.
These internships provide opportunities to develop skills in campaigning, communications, research, and policy within a dynamic team environment. There will be opportunities for professional and personal learning and development to equip the intern for further employment after their time on the internship. Whilst we are looking for some evidence of certain skills and experience, candidates will have the opportunity to develop relevant skills during their time in the role.
They are full time paid roles with fixed-term contracts to the end of August 2027, and a salary of £26,936.00 per year (we are committed to paying at least the London Living Wage). The roles are based in the Methodist Connexional Team which offers hybrid working arrangements, with an expectation of spending at least two days a week at an office base in central London.
We welcome and encourage applications from a diverse range of people. You should be aged 21-30, have excellent communication skills, be enthusiastic and willing to take on new challenges, be interested in political engagement and be a practicing Christian. An Enhanced DBS Check will be required.
Our Culture, Values and Benefits
Thank you for considering joining our inclusive and welcoming team that strives for excellence and values employee wellbeing.
We value and support all those who join our team through a positive work-life balance augmented by generous annual leave (plus an extra 3 days over Christmas/New Year), TOIL, flexi-leave and an on-site Well-being Adviser service. We offer a generous occupational pension scheme, where the Methodist Church will pay double the employee contribution up to a maximum of 16% employer contribution.
The Methodist Church is an inclusive and supportive employer. We are actively committed to encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. We welcome applications from people of Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic groups.
We are a Disability Confident employer and welcome applications from people living with disabilities. If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please contact the HR team (details on our website).
Application Details
- Visit the JPIT site for further details of the role.
- The closing date for completed application forms is Friday, 10 April 2026
- Interviews will be held in London on Wednesday 6th May 2026. Candidates called to interview will be notified at least a week in advance.
*This post is restricted to Christians due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement section under Schedule 9 (Part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.
The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About us
We’re Breast Cancer Now, the research and support charity. We’re the place to turn to for anything and everything to do with breast cancer. However you’re experiencing breast cancer, we’re here.
The brightest minds in breast cancer research are here. Making life-saving research happen in labs across the UK and Ireland. Support services, trustworthy breast cancer information and specialist nurses are here. Ready to support you whenever you need it. Dedicated campaigners are here. Fighting for the best possible treatment, services and care for anyone affected by breast cancer.
About the role
We’re looking for a motivated and committed public affairs manager to join the policy, evidence and influencing team. In this role, you’ll help deliver change for people affected by breast cancer by leading our public affairs work in the UK Parliament and across England.
You’ll be responsible for developing and delivering a public affairs strategy to raise awareness of the critical issues for people affected by breast cancer. You’ll work with colleagues across the team and organisation to design influencing activities and events that deliver change. You’ll build strong relationships with parliamentarians and other public affairs stakeholders.
This role manages a public affairs officer. You’ll work closely with them to provide the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer.
About you
With experience of working in relevant public affairs roles to deliver significant change, you’ll be an excellent communicator, well-organised and able to work under pressure to tight deadlines. You’ll be confident working with a wide range of people and have experience of supervising or managing people. You’ll also have an excellent understanding of the policy and influencing landscape that Breast Cancer Now works in.
Job description and benefits
Please download the job description and our attractive benefits package.
Primary location of role and hybrid working
This role is primarily based in our London office. Our hybrid working model allows you to work up to 3 days per week at home.
When applying
We hope you choose to apply for this role. To support your application, you’ll be asked to submit your anonymised CV and a supporting statement online. Please refer to the essential criteria on the person specification and clearly provide as much information as you can with examples, to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
We’re committed to promoting equity, valuing diversity and creating an inclusive environment – for everyone who works for us, works with us, supports us and who we support.
Closing date Monday 16 March 2026 9am
Interview date week commencing 23 March 2026
We reserve the right to close this advert early. Therefore, to avoid disappointment please submit your application as soon as possible, if you’re interested in this opportunity.
Fixed term contract until 30th April 2027.
Happy to talk about flexible working such as part-time working or flexible working hours.
ABOUT US
Somebody goes missing in the UK every 90 seconds. Missing People exists to ease the heartache experienced by those missing someone, and to help people who are away from home find their way back to safety. Our vision is for every missing child, adult and family left behind to find help, hope and a safe way to reconnect. We are a non-judgemental, highly skilled team of staff and volunteers working for everyone who needs us. We provide free, confidential support, help and advice by phone, email, text and live chat.
Missing People’s Policy and Research Team is a small team with a big impact, both within the charity and externally. We aim to create local, regional and national change to improve the response to missing people. We work in an evidence-based way, centring the experiences of those who have been or are affected by missing. As the Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will lead work to influence improvement in the response for missing children, adults and their families at a national and local level.
THE IMPACT YOU WILL HAVE
Make a national impact on the lives of missing children, adults and their families.
Joining our Policy and Research Team, you will help influence local and national policy, ensuring that the voices and experiences of missing people and their families are heard at the highest levels. Your work will directly shape how the UK understands and responds to missing people — and will help protect those at greatest risk of harm. You will learn from and work with people who have been missing, and people who have reported a loved one missing, to shape workplans and to call for change.
You will act as Co-Secretariat for the APPG for Missing Children and Adults, and build relationships with key stakeholders in government, parliament, the police and safeguarding agencies, finding ways to engage and motivate policy makers to better understand the issues affecting missing people and their families, and to make positive changes.
You will become expert in the issue of missing, including the risks that cause people to go and the harm they experience while away. This will also involve monitoring the policy landscape for opportunities to influence changes in the response to missing people, and provide expert insight and guidance to help shape improvement.
You will represent issues facing some of the most marginalised and vulnerable communities. This might include people who face sexual or criminal exploitation, people experiencing mental health problems or people who face discrimination in the response they receive from statutory services when they seek help in relation to the issue of missing, amongst others. This will sometimes include engaging with and challenging professionals in organisations and systems that exist with embedded discrimination.
ABOUT YOU
You will have:
• Right to work in the UK.
• Previous experience of working in a policy or public affairs role;
• Experience of successfully influencing change at a local and/or national level;
• Experience of building and maintaining relationships with politicians and other policymakers, including quickly building rapport and establishing trust;
• Experience of working with Parliamentarians in All Party Parliamentary Group/s
• Experience of sensitively representing complex issues in communications with professionals or the public, particularly issues which impact on marginalised people;
• An understanding of political systems across the UK and how to influence policy within those systems;
• Knowledge of missing or linked issues, for example mental health, care experience, exploitation, homelessness, or adult social care;
• Understanding of the experiences of marginalised communities and how to ensure that those who are marginalised are included and given the opportunity to influence change;
• Proven ability to communicate complex information in a clear manner to different audiences, including some information that might challenge existing perceptions and perspectives;
• Able to work autonomously, with proven ability to move projects forward when working independently.
WHAT WE OFFER
Working for Missing People means living our values. It’s a place where people are encouraged to ‘let fly’ so you can ‘make things happen’. We know you’re more than just a job title, and ‘be human’ is an important value here. Missing People is an independent charity that relies on donations.
For further details, please see attached job description/person specification and letter to applicants.
HOW TO APPLY
Please include your CV and a brief supporting statement that demonstrates how you are a good fit for this role. We look forward to receiving your application. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert early if we receive sufficient applications, so please apply promptly.
Closing date: 23:59 on 22 March 2026
Interviews: 30/31 March 2026
Start date: 28th April 2026
You may have experience of the following: Public Affairs Lead, Policy Manager, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Government Relations Manager, External Affairs Manager, Policy and Campaigns Manager, Political Engagement Manager, Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Public Policy Advisor.
REF-227 168
Missing People is the only UK charity dedicated to reconnecting missing people and their loved ones.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Salary: £45000-£49000 p.a DOE
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Reports to: Senior Insight Manager
Direct reports: There is potential for line management responsibility for an Insight Officer to support their development, oversee elements of their work, and help to ensure high standards of research quality and delivery.
Location: Harlow, Essex. Easily commutable from London Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale Station. We offer a free minibus service to/from Harlow Town Train Station as well as free parking and EV charging on site.
Extra Information: Open to conversation on hybrid, flexible and compressed working arrangements. The team works a minimum of two days a week from the office.
About the role:
At the Motability Foundation we fund, support, research and innovate so that all disabled people can make the journeys they choose. We oversee the Motability Scheme and provide grants to help people use it, providing access to transport to hundreds of thousands of people a year. We award grants to other charities and organisations who provide different types of transport, or work towards making transport accessible. We also carry out ongoing research, in partnership with disabled people and key stakeholders in the industry, to inspire innovations that continue to champion accessible transport for all.
This role will support the Senior Insight Manager in delivering policy research and insight as part of the new insight function. This role sits at the intersection of research and policy, ensuring that evidence is not only generated, but interpreted and mobilised effectively to inform forward-looking organisational positioning.
What you will be doing:
As Policy Research Manager, you’ll play a central role in building and mobilising the evidence needed to influence policy and public debate on mobility, disability and welfare reform. Working closely with colleagues across Insight, Policy and Public Affairs, you’ll help to ensure that the Foundation has a robust, timely and compelling evidence base to support advocacy, engagement with decision-makers, and external partnerships.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Developing clear and persuasive evidence narratives that demonstrate the social value and impact of the Foundation’s work, drawing on research, evaluation findings and wider policy evidence
- Scoping, developing and oversight of rapid evidence reviews and insight summaries to inform policy positions, responses to consultations and support external engagement
- Delivering forward-looking policy analyses using futures and foresight approaches (including horizon scanning and trend synthesis), assessing potential implications for disabled people and organisational positioning.
- Acting as the lead for policy-relevant research on welfare reform and related priority areas, synthesising internal and external evidence to inform organisational responses
- Supporting coordination with Motability Operations on shared policy and research priorities
- Supporting relationships with external partners including Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), think tanks and public research bodies, including representing the Foundation to contribute an evidence-informed perspective
- Supporting dissemination and engagement activity, including roundtables, briefings, thought pieces and events that help shape debate and explore innovative policy solutions
- Working collaboratively across the organisation to move our evidence and insight from reactive to proactive, strengthening our influence over time
Your experience:
You’re curious, motivated and motivated by public impact. You enjoy turning complex evidence into clear messages that resonate with different audiences, and you’re keen to see research used to influence real-world decisions. You understand what makes for good enough evidence to influence policy making.
You’re comfortable working across organisational boundaries and with external partners, and you bring energy, judgement and confidence to conversations about policy, evidence and social value.
You’re likely to thrive in this role if you:
- Enjoy synthesising research and data into compelling, accessible insight
- Are motivated by social purpose and improving outcomes for disabled people
- Have a strong interest in public policy
- Have a strong understanding of how evidence can be used to influence decision-making
- Are proactive, organised and able to respond quickly to emerging issues
- Are confident representing an organisation externally and contributing to policy discussions
- Like working collaboratively and building trusted relationships across teams and sectors
If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience, we'd still encourage you to apply.
Requirements
We recognise that candidates may come from a range of backgrounds. We’re particularly interested in people with strong potential who are keen to develop their skills in a purpose-driven environment.
Must haves:
- Experience conducting or coordinating research, evidence reviews or analysis in a policy, public affairs, research or related setting
- Familiarity with government policy-making processes, consultations and/or parliamentary engagement
- Ability to synthesise complex information into clear, concise written outputs
- Understanding of how research and evidence can be packaged and used effectively to inform or influence public policy
- Experience working with or alongside external organisations such as think tanks, charities, DPOs, academic or public research bodies
- Strong written communication skills and confidence contributing to external briefings, reports or events
- A relevant degree or postgraduate qualification in a social science, public policy or related discipline, or equivalent work experience
Nice to haves:
- Experience working on disability, welfare, transport or social policy issues
- Experience supporting advocacy or public affairs activity using evidence
- Experience designing or managing rapid evidence reviews or insight products
- A recognised professional research qualification such as the MRS Advanced Certificate, or equivalent professional research training.
Benefits
Who are we?
We are building a future where all disabled people have the transport options to make the journeys they choose.
We fund, support, research and innovate so that all disabled people can make the journeys they choose. We oversee the Motability Scheme and provide grants to help people use it, providing access to transport to hundreds of thousands of people a year. We award grants to charities and organisations who provide different types of transport, or work towards making transport accessible. We also carry out ongoing research, in partnership with disabled people and key stakeholders in the industry, to inspire innovations that continue to champion accessible transport for all.
Why choose us?
We want working for the Motability Foundation to be the best career move you’ve ever made. When you join the Motability Foundation you will join a group of people who are supportive, innovative and motivated to improve the lives of our beneficiaries.
We value everyone’s unique qualities and celebrate having a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves. This is embedded into our values, Collaborative, Respectful and Evolving.
We bring our people together through our People Forum, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Forum, Social Squad and our Wellbeing Champions and our employee Spotlight Awards help us recognise the excellence and dedication of our staff.
We are proud to be recognised as Disability Confident Leader, have attained Platinum Level Award for Investors in People and are members of the Business Disability Forum.
A career with Motability Foundation can offer you so much more than earning potential, we pride ourselves in offering some fantastic benefits. Some of these include:
- 26 days annual leave, plus the option to buy/ sell up to five days.
- One wellbeing day for extra flexibility.
- Pension scheme - Up to 20%, including a 10% non-contributory contribution and matched contributions up to 5%.
- Life Assurance of four times your salary.
- Private healthcare through BUPA for you and your family, along with a Medicash Health Plan.
- Employee assistance programme: GP appointments, eye tests, flu vaccinations, sick pay and free gym and yoga sessions.
- Enhanced Parental Leave, including Adoption Pay.
- Free parking, EV charge points and a minibus service to/from the town centre and train station.
- Fresh fruit, breakfast snacks, and a Dress for Your Day dress code.
- Learning and development opportunities to help you grow.
Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, and we aim to be an employer of choice for candidates with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we have committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential. We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to perform their best when interviewing and when working with us, so if you require any reasonable adjustments that would make you more comfortable, please let us know so that we can do our best to support you.
To help us create an inclusive workplace we are committed to offering to interview every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job. Some of our roles attract a high volume of applications and in some circumstances, we may need to limit the number of interviews offered to disabled and non-disabled candidates. re
We are building a future where all disabled people have the transport options to make the journeys they choose.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Woodland Trust is looking for a Public Affairs Manager to take lead responsibility for managing the Woodland Northern Ireland’s (WTNI) relationship with the NI Executive, Government, relevant statutory agencies and key NI , ROI and UK political audiences. To advocate and campaign for changes in legislation, policies, incentives, strategies and plans which reflect the Trust’s priorities in NI and the Island of Ireland . To take responsibility for leading on local development plan consultations and the Trust’s relationship with local councils and the wider eNGO sector.
The Role:
- In the context of our Corporate Strategy, UK policies and position statements and Northern Ireland Plan, to define our Northern Ireland Public Affairs and campaigning goals and to develop and manage a prioritised programme of policy and advocacy work to achieve them.
- Collaborate with colleagues across Northern Ireland and the UK to maximise the Trust’s policy and advocacy impact, enabling colleagues to be effective policy advocates.
- Provide technical and expert support, advice and briefings to the Northern Ireland Director, and other colleagues where relevant, on policy and advocacy matters.
- Lead Public Affairs in the Northern Ireland team, and any consultants as appropriate, providing clarity of direction, inspiring our staff and building capabilities and skills, upholding and actively promoting the values and behaviours of the Trust.
- Oversee, and where relevant lead, the development and management of relationships with NI Government, including Ministers, MLAs, researchers, advisors and civil servants, as well as local government, statutory bodies and other influential organisations across farming, forestry and business in line with the NI public Affairs plan.
- Represent the Trust and our policy and advocacy priorities externally, including negotiating consensus positions within external coalitions including NI Environment Link, with key stakeholders and potential partners.
- Actively monitor, gather intelligence, understand and analyse relevant areas of NI policy and politics, acting on key opportunities. Evaluate future threats and opportunities facing the Trust’s cause in NI, brief colleagues and steer our advocacy messaging accordingly.
- Work closely with other teams and departments, especially Comms & Engagement, UK Campaigns and Conservation and External Affairs, to coordinate and integrate political advocacy and campaigning messages with the Trust’s wider communications and influencing strategies and plans.
- Contribute to ensuring appropriate and efficient use Woodland Trust funds, including setting and managing the NI Public Affairs budget.
- Monitor and report on progress against KPIs, and the team’s contribution to the Trust’s strategic aims.
The Candidate:
- You’ll be experienced in building strong relationships and proven record in delivery in partnership with local councils
- You’ll be experienced influencing legislation and working directly with government depts.
- You’ll have a proven track record in public affairs and policy delivery and experience of working with the environmental/voluntary sector.
- You’ll be experienced with relationship management - a developer of relationships with exceptional networking ability; able to spot opportunities and connections, evaluate them and act on them, both internally and externally.
- You’ll be experienced setting clear goals and priorities and take responsibility for their delivery,
- You’ll be experienced demonstrating tenacity and enthusiasm in achieving them.
- You’ll need a working knowledge of current affairs, and the processes through which legislation and policy are developed and delivered.
- You’ll need to know of current environmental policy, conservation and land management issues.
- You’ll need to know of the NI Executive and Government and the ability to use that knowledge to achieve results.
- You’ll need to know how to communicate effectively through both written and oral, research and analytical skills.
- You’ll need to know current affairs, and the processes through which legislation and policy are developed and delivered.
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in relevant subject or extensive experience
- Full UK driving licence would be an advantage.
- The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic Background Check, as part of our pre-employment screening.
Benefits and Wellbeing:
Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
- Enhanced Employer Pension
- Life Assurance
- Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
- Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time)
- Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
- Enhanced Parental Pay
- Employee Assistance Programme
About Us:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.
Application Advice:
For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and CVs are redacted until after shortlisting is complete.
Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply.
Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools.
Apply Now:
If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.
Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Future Commissioning Policy and Public Affairs Lead
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £60,000 per annum plus pension
Location: Hybrid – home-based, with regular travel to meetings and team days in London and Sheffield
About the Role
Funded by ten prime providers, this is a senior policy and public affairs role leading a high-profile campaign on behalf of the employment support sector. The postholder will ensure that decision makers, policy makers, and commissioners clearly understand:
- The value and contribution of large employment support organisations as prime contract holders
- The strengths and impact of the prime provider model
- What is required to deliver effective future employment support programmes
The role will be managed by the CEO of ERSA, with the CEO reporting into a dedicated campaign working group.
This workstream will strengthen and add capacity to existing work being led by the ERSA CEO on future commissioning. It will enable ERSA to further and more effectively represent the interests of the employment support sector and the prime provider model across future national and devolved commissioning activity.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and delivery of a coordinated policy and public affairs campaign
- Research, analyse, and interpret policy and commissioning developments relevant to employment support
- Produce high-quality reports, briefings, consultation responses, and policy submissions
- Build and maintain credibility with senior stakeholders, including policy makers, commissioners, and sector leaders
- Represent ERSA externally with confidence, authority, and credibility
- Work collaboratively with the ERSA CEO, campaign working group, and wider sector stakeholders
Person Specification
The successful candidate will be:
- An experienced policy professional
- Knowledgeable about the employment support sector and commissioning landscape
- Highly skilled in policy research and analysis
- An excellent writer, able to produce clear, persuasive, and evidence-based policy documents
- A confident and authoritative communicator, able to represent ERSA with gravitas
Reporting Line
The postholder will be part of the ERSA team and will report directly to the ERSA CEO.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The British Dyslexia Association is a national charity representing the voice of people with dyslexia. We work to influence government, shift public understanding and drive change in education, employment, health and wider society.
We’re looking for a part‑time Public Affairs & Policy Manager to lead our policy and parliamentary engagement work. This is a varied and rewarding role where you’ll help shape our influencing strategy, strengthen our relationships across Westminster and Whitehall, and ensure lived experience sits at the heart of our policy positions.
Although the role is broad and varied, you won’t be expected to manage everything all at the same time. A clear set of priorities will be agreed with the senior leadership team.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead our parliamentary engagement strategy and political influencing.
- Build relationships with MPs, Peers, Ministers, advisers and key civil servants.
- Monitor parliamentary activity, policy developments and emerging issues.
- Prepare policy briefings, consultation responses and evidence‑based reports.
- Support our presence at political events, conferences and roundtables.
- Represent the BDA in meetings and sector forums.
- Work with colleagues, researchers and people with lived experience to shape strong, accessible policy positions.
What we’re looking for:
- Experience in public affairs, parliamentary engagement or policy influencing.
- Good understanding of UK Parliamentary and government processes.
- Proven ability to shape policy or achieve change within public bodies.
- Excellent communication skills and confidence building relationships at senior levels.
- Strong organisation, political awareness and a collaborative approach.
- Passion for improving outcomes for dyslexic people.
Flexible & family‑friendly working
We are a family‑friendly employer and welcome different working patterns, including the option to spread hours across the week. We encourage candidates to tell us what works for them.
Why join us?
This is your chance to make a real difference by shaping policy, influencing decision-makers, and helping create a society where dyslexic people can thrive. You’ll work in a collaborative, supportive environment with colleagues who share your passion for positive change.
Please view the job description for full details about the role, responsibilities, and person specification before applying.
Closing date: 23 March 2026. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received, so we encourage you to apply early.
Use of AI in applications
We value the unique experience and perspective each candidate brings. While we understand that AI tools can be helpful in drafting applications, they can sometimes result in responses that feel generic or impersonal. This makes it harder for us to get a true sense of you.
To help your application stand out, we encourage you to write your responses in your own words. If you do use AI tools to support your writing, please treat the generated content as a starting point rather than a final answer. Make sure your application genuinely reflects your experience and voice.
To change society by removing barriers so that everyone with dyslexia can reach their full potential in education, in employment and in life.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
ImpactEd Consulting is acting as recruitment advisor to FEA on this appointment.
Thank you for your interest in the role of Director of Policy, Public Affairs and Influence at the Fair Education Alliance
We are proud to be a coalition of 300 organisations united behind a simple but powerful belief: that no child’s success should be limited by their socioeconomic background. We exist to shift the conditions that hold inequity in place through collaboration across schools, colleges, higher education institutions, charities, youth organisations, researchers, funders, and young people themselves.
Our 2025-30 strategy, From Neighbourhood to National: A Strategy to ensure every child and young person thrives, is rooted in systems change—tackling not just policies and practices, but also the resources, relationships, power and mental models that hold inequity in place. Our work targets root causes, deepens collective impact, and embraces the complexity—and opportunity—of true transformation.
We are now recruiting a Director of Policy, Public Affairs and Influence to strengthen the FEA’s external leadership at a critical point in our development. As we implement our strategy, we are placing greater emphasis on how we represent the collective insight of our members, and how we use our convening role to shape agendas at local, regional and national levels.
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and working closely with the Co-Chief Executive Officers, this role will lead FEA’s policy positioning and public affairs activity and play a central role in representing the Alliance externally. The Director will be trusted to shape where and how FEA engages in public debate and decision-making, ensuring that our collective voice is credible and influential, and grounded in the experience of our members and partners across the system. This includes working closely with young people, recognising them as critical contributors and often the most powerful spokespeople for our work, and creating meaningful opportunities for their voices to shape our policy and public affairs activity.
This is a senior leadership role for someone who is comfortable operating through influence rather than formal authority, and who brings confidence in navigating complex policy environments. It offers the opportunity to shape how a large, diverse coalition contributes to public debate and policy thinking at a moment when joined-up, system-level approaches to educational equity are increasingly needed.
We hope you will consider applying.
Key dates
-
Applications close: Monday 16 March (10 am)
-
First round interviews: 26th and 27th March (online)
-
Final interviews: 1st-2nd, 7-9th April (in person at the FEA office in London)
-
Start date: as soon as possible, to be agreed with the successful candidate
No child’s success should be limited by their socioeconomic background.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title: Policy and Advocacy Manager
Position Type: Maternity Cover
Reports to: Founder/Chief Executive
Based at: School Food Matters, Blackfriars Settlement 9 Rushworth Street SE1 0RB (At least three days per week in the office)
Salary: £40,500
Working Hours: 9am-5pm (flexible)
Pension: School Food Matters pays pension contributions at 7% of pensionable earnings
Holiday: 31 days including bank holidays
School Food Matters is closed between Christmas and New Year
Job Purpose
· To lead and shape School Food Matters’ policy and advocacy strategy, ensuring our voice influences national and local decision-making on school food and food education
· To design and deliver campaigns that support and advance SFM’s mission
· To line manage the Press and Communications Officer and Policy and Communications Assistant
Key Tasks
· Lead and provide strategic input to campaigns, convene groups and partnerships
· Represent SFM at external meetings and coalitions such as the School Food Review
· Monitor, analyse and interpret relevant research, policy developments and news, identifying implications or opportunities for SFM
· Oversee the strategic direction of SFM’s external affairs and communications, ensuring all policy, campaigns, and public messaging align with the charity’s mission and priorities
· Provide policy research and analysis to support the activities of the School Food Review
· Oversee meetings and governance for the School Food Alliance
· Provide policy and communications expertise for the Food Education Network workstreams
· Represent SFM at relevant policy consultations, meetings and conferences to influence and inform policy discussions, and deliver presentations as required
· Lead drafting of responses to government consultations
· Working closely with the Press and Communications Officer, provide insights to inform timely media responses to policy developments
· Ensure colleagues are regularly briefed on policy activities, priorities and messages, and run internal workshops to keep them up to date with the school food sector
· Provide strategic input to meeting content for the School Food Review, and support the Policy and Communications Assistant to organise meetings for workstreams
· Oversee the development web content, articles, blogs and newsletter content by the Press and Communications Officer and the Policy and Communications Assistant
· Keep up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures
· Maintain the ethos of the charity and positively promote our work at all times
· The Policy and Advocacy Manager will also undertake any other tasks relevant to the affairs of SFM that may arise from time to time. Therefore, being flexible and approaching the job with an open and positive mindset is essential!
Person Specification
Essential
· At least two years post degree experience
· Experience of research and analysis, ideally in a policy environment
· General knowledge of issues around school food, children’s health and food education
· Comprehensive understanding of the UK’s political system
· Experience of coordinating policy/research-based projects
· Experience designing, coordinating and delivering campaigns
· Experience of working in coalitions
· Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain relationships with a range of individuals and organisations
· Confident and competent IT skills across Office suite of programmes
· Exceptional oral and written communication skills in fluent spoken and written English, with strong attention to detail and the ability to translate complex data and policies into accessible language and engaging stories and communication materials
· Strong understanding media landscape and social media platforms to oversee the communications activity of the organisation
· Ability to work independently, with high levels of self-motivation
· Good project management, time management and organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines
· Energy, enthusiasm, creativity and tenacity
Desirable
· Strong knowledge of the public health, food and education policy landscape
· Experience managing others
· Experience managing projects
· Experience managing meetings
· Experience of working with Drupal CMS
· Experience of working within a network or coalition of campaigning organisations
· Established contacts with media outlets/journalists/bloggers
· Digital campaigning and social networking skills
· Experience writing news articles and blog posts with clear structure, purpose and an engaging narrative
· Experience managing or supervising team members to deliver communications projects effectively
We campaign for a better school food system. We support schools, local authorities and MATs to improve food in schools.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you ready to shape public policy for lasting social change?
Do you want to influence decision-makers and champion the voice of those affected by problem debt?
Are you driven to turn insight into action that improves lives across Wales?
We’re looking for a Senior Policy and Public Affairs Advocate to join our External Affairs team. You’ll be at the forefront of our work in Wales—connecting StepChange with key stakeholders, driving policy change, and amplifying our mission to create a society free from problem debt. This is a high-impact role where your insight and influence will help shape the future of debt policy and support vulnerable communities.
Location: This is a remote role, with regular travel required to Cardiff and travel to London once a month for meetings/events.
What you’ll be doing
- You’ll lead targeted lobbying campaigns and produce compelling evidence-based reports, briefings, and articles to influence public policy and regulatory practices.
- You’ll build and manage relationships with the Welsh Government and Parliament, and other influential figures and organisations across Wales.
- You’ll monitor developments in legislation, policy, and research—providing strategic advice on emerging threats and opportunities.
- You’ll represent StepChange at high-profile meetings, conferences, and media engagements, acting as a trusted voice for the charity.
- You’ll organise thought leadership events and roundtables and support senior leaders with speeches and briefings that drive our advocacy forward.
- You’ll ensure our work remains politically impartial and compliant with all relevant regulations, including Charity Commission rules and the Lobbying Act.
About you
- Significant experience in public affairs or public policy within Wales.
- Deep understanding of the Welsh Senedd, Welsh Government, and the broader policy-making landscape.
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and deliver impactful policy change.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a flair for strategic thinking and political judgement.
- Skilled at building influential networks across government, charities, and civil society.
- Organised, proactive, and passionate about social justice and equality.
- Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Equality, diversity, and inclusion are incredibly important to us; we have a culture of belonging. We’re always looking to increase the diversity of our workforce to ensure we can provide the best service possible for everyone. It’s not just about the professional experience you bring – we’re interested in who you are and your potential. If there’s an adjustment to our recruitment process that would help you to be your best, speak to our team and they’ll be happy to help.
Working towards a society free from problem debt
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
