Public policy jobs

Lead a growing portfolio of support services making a real difference to people affected by gambling harm.

At Betknowmore UK, we work to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm through support, education, training and community engagement, embracing the insight and knowledge of 'Experts by Experience' alongside evidence-based approaches. As our Head of Support Services, you'll provide strategic and operational leadership across our Triage, Peer Aid, New Beginnings and Affected Other teams, and lead the development of a strong, sustainable London-based service offer that establishes our presence and reach across the capital.

Reporting to the Director of Services and leading a team of service managers, you'll ensure our services are safe, effective, person-centred and delivered to a consistently high standard, while strengthening pathways into and through support and ensuring services meet their contractual, quality and impact objectives.

What you'll be doing

• Providing operational oversight and leadership across our peer support services, with effective line management of service managers and direct reports
• Maintaining oversight of service demand, capacity, waiting times and service user pathways, and addressing operational risks and barriers to delivery
• Monitoring service performance, quality and outcomes, using data and feedback to drive continuous improvement
• Ensuring safeguarding and risk management procedures are understood and consistently applied, and that trauma-informed, person-centred principles are embedded in practice
• Ensuring staff and volunteers receive effective induction, supervision, training and development, and promoting a psychologically informed culture that supports the wellbeing of a lived-experience workforce
• Building and maintaining relationships with commissioners, treatment providers and referral partners, and representing Betknowmore UK at external meetings and partnership forums
• Managing delegated service budgets and resources, and contributing to service planning, forecasting and funding bids
• Championing lived experience and co-production, and promoting equality, diversity, inclusion and equitable access to support

What we're looking for

• We're interested in hearing from candidates who have:
• Lived experience of addiction-related harms, either directly or as an affected other
• Significant management experience within mental health, social care, addiction, recovery, peer support or a related field
• Experience leading complex support services and managing service managers or multidisciplinary teams
• Strong experience of performance management, service improvement and workforce leadership
• A good understanding of safeguarding, risk management and safe service delivery
• Experience working within commissioned or contract-funded services
• The ability to use data and evidence to improve performance and outcomes
• Strong communication, leadership and partnership-working skills, with a commitment to lived experience-led and person-centred practice

A degree-level qualification (or equivalent professional qualification) and substantial senior leadership experience in a relevant field such as mental health, public health or social care is essential. Lived experience of gambling harms, management experience within gambling harms services, experience within NHS or statutory commissioning, and knowledge of NICE guidance, CQC standards or comparable quality frameworks would all be advantageous.

Why join us?

You'll be joining a growing charity making a real difference to people's lives. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of our support services, build our presence across London, and lead a talented, lived-experience-informed team delivering life-changing support to people affected by gambling harm.

How to apply

Please submit an up-to-date CV and covering letter explaining how your skills and experience meet the Person Specification.

Closing date: 5pm Thursday 27th August 2026

Job Title: Parliamentary and Public Affairs Manager

Reporting to: Director of Campaigns

Line reports: None

Salary: £44,350 per annum pro-rata (£ 35,480 per annum for 4 days per week)

Hours: 4 days (30 hours) or 5 days (37.5 hours) per week, with flexibility over working hours (core hours are 10.00-16.00).

Duration: 1-year contract renewable subject to funding

Start Date: As soon as possible

Location: London/Hybrid – minimum 2 days in the office (core days in the office are Tues & Weds) further office attendance is encouraged

Anti-oppressive statement

Foodrise is actively seeking to move through an anti-racist and anti-oppressive journey in every aspect of its work. We acknowledge that the environmental sector is less open to people from under-represented backgrounds, and we are strongly committed to identifying and correcting where we may be perpetuating patriarchal, white supremacist values and other forms of oppression in our organisational culture, partnerships, and community work. We especially want to hear from you if you feel that you have lived experience of power structures preventing you from accessing opportunities like this.

Read our full Equity, Justice and Anti-oppression statement.

Inclusive Recruitment

We have an opt-in Enhanced Chance Interview Scheme for candidates who declare a disability and/or are a person of colour and meet the essential criteria of the role profile. The scheme aims to provide a first-stage interview for candidates who meet the essential criteria of the role and opt in to the scheme.

If you would like to be considered under this scheme you must meet the essential minimum criteria for the role as outlined on the job description. You should take time to provide examples that you meet each of the essential criteria in your cover letter. Please ensure you select the relevant tick box on the application page ‘Enhanced Chance Interview Scheme’.

We are always happy to speak to candidates informally about the role before applying and encourage you to do so by contacting us.

About Us

Foodrise is a charity transforming the food system for climate, nature and justice. 

We take bold action to uncover the root causes of injustice in our food system and expose how corporate power exploits people and the planet, while building truly just and resilient alternatives from the ground-up.

We speak truth to power. We take risks. We act where and when others won’t.

From launching legal action and producing hard-hitting research to working directly with local communities, we drive systemic change across food and farming, powered by grassroots energy and backed by the facts.

We exist to say what others won’t, do what others don’t, and never settle for “it can’t be done”. Change is possible, and we are rising to make it happen.

We are based in the UK and the Netherlands. See more about us on our website.

About the Role

The Parliamentary and Public Affairs Manager is a brand-new role for Foodrise. The successful candidate will lead on developing our first public and parliamentary affairs strategy to engage with political representatives and policymakers to advance our campaigning objectives and ensure progress towards our new strategic goals:

• Dismantling the animal industrial complex and supporting the transition to plant-rich food
• Eroding the social licence of large supermarkets and building alternative food economies

Ultimately, this role is about securing wins to meet our vision of a greener, fairer food system, where food is a commons, not a commodity.

This role is key to shaping public policy and legislative outcomes by building relationships, influencing decision-makers, and positioning Foodrise as an ambitious yet trusted voice in Westminster, Holyrood and amongst civil society across the UK. This role will work collaboratively with colleagues across campaigns, so would suit an adaptive candidate with strong communication skills, keen to advocate for Foodrise.

Job Description

Parliamentary and Public Affairs Strategy

• Develop and deliver a public affairs strategy aligned with organisational priorities and campaigns
• Identify and maximise opportunities to influence legislation, policy development, and public debate
• Monitor the UK political landscape, including Parliament, Government departments, and devolved administrations

Political Engagement & Influencing

• Build and maintain strong relationships with MPs, Peers, civil servants, special advisers, and political stakeholders
• Lead engagement with All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs), select committees, and public consultations
• Draft and coordinate parliamentary briefings, speeches, amendments, parliamentary questions and responses
• Work with lawyers to draft proposed legislation and legislative changes in support of our objectives
• Register for the UK lobbying register and keep our account up to date
• Lead high-impact advocacy moments such as parliamentary events, receptions, and policy launches

 Integration of Parliamentary/Advocacy Asks into Foodrise’s Wider Work

• Work closely with campaigns and communications teams to integrate parliamentary and public affairs into campaigns
• Work closely with fundraisers and senior leadership to integrate parliamentary and policy asks in our fundraising and business development
• Ensure consistent and compelling advocacy messaging across all channels
• Provide regular updates and analysis on political developments relevant to the organisation’s work
• Track and evaluate the impact of public affairs activities
• Maintain accurate stakeholder records and engagement logs
• Work closely with our colleagues at Foodrise in the EU to support EU level advocacy where relevant to our campaigns
• Any other relevant tasks as requested by senior colleagues to support the organisation and further our objectives

Ways of Working

• Collaborative by default; independent work is balanced with regular coordination.
• Contribute to the development and embedding of anti-oppressive work across the organisation
• Flexible and adaptable in response to changing priorities.
• Present and available for colleagues, including regular in‑office presence.
• Proactive in communication, planning, and follow‑through.

Person Specification

Essential Knowledge, Experience and Network

• Extensive experience in public affairs, government relations, or political advocacy (at least 7 years’ working experience)
• Strong understanding of the UK political system, legislative processes, and policy-making
• Networks within the UK political and policy systems
• Knowledge of the key issues in food systems, environment and/or climate in the UK

Essential Skills

• Demonstrable experience of influencing political representatives, policymakers and delivering policy or campaign wins
• Excellent writing, analytical and research skills.
• Excellent organisational skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively; build, maintain and develop flexible working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

What You Will Bring to Foodrise

• A can-do attitude, flexibility and adaptability, alongside a willingness to pitch in on delivery and help colleagues across the team, recognising that Foodrise is a small, nimble organisation with fast-changing priorities.
• An understanding of anti-oppressive practice and how it applies to Foodrise’s work and the role, and the ability to represent diverse perspectives through the work of the organisation.
• Sharing Foodrise’s values: audacity, collaboration, impact, celebration, solidarity.
• Willingness to undertake some limited travel domestically and abroad.

What We Offer

• Personal training and wellbeing funds
• Regular team socials
• Workplace pension
• Enhanced parental leave
• Enhanced sick leave
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Home & Tech scheme
• Flexible working hours (core hours 10am-4pm)

How to Apply

Please apply via Charity Jobs with:

• Your CV (no longer than 2 A4 pages total) 
• A cover letter (no longer than 1 A4 page) explaining how you meet the criteria in the person specification with examples, and why you would like to work at Foodrise. 

Deadline to apply: 10am, Tuesday 22nd September

Successful candidates for interview will be notified by Thursday 24th September.

Shortlisted candidates will be sent our new strategy ahead of the interview, along with details of an hour-long written task to be completed at home – this will be sent prior to the interview at a time convenient for you.

First round interviews will be held on Thursday 1st October.

Second round interviews will be held on Thursday 8th October.

Sign up to join our Recruitment Q&A Zoom session on Wednesday 2nd September, 12-1pm. Our HR & Operations Manager will talk through the recruitment process and answer any questions you may have. Please note that this session is focussed on the recruitment process. If you have any questions specific to the role, please contact us.

For any questions, access requirements, or if you require the job description in a different format, please contact us.

AI policy – We understand that you may use AI to help with your application, however we want to hear your authentic voice throughout your application.

Oriau: 0.8CALl (28 awr yr wythnos) | Cyfnod penodol: Blwyddyn o’r penodiad

Cyflog: Gradd D: £33,662 – £39,559 (pro rata)

Dyddiad cau ar gyfer gwneud cais: hanner nos ddydd Sul 23 Awst

Rydym yn chwilio am Uwch Swyddog Polisi Cyhoeddus profiadol i gydlynu ein gwaith cyngor polisi a materion cyhoeddus – gan gyfrannu at gyflawni un o’n pedair prif flaenoriaeth strategol: “Cyfrannu at ddatrysiadau polisi mawr drwy gynnig cyngor annibynnol a galluogi cyfnewid gwybodaeth”. Rydym yn chwilio am rywun sydd â’r brwdfrydedd i ysgogi ein Cymrodyr anhygoel a’n rhanddeiliaid eraill i sicrhau bod ein gwaith yn effeithiol.

Bydd deiliad y rôl hefyd yn gyfrifol am ddarpariaeth Gymraeg a gwaith dwyieithog y Gymdeithas. 

Dyma gyfle cyffrous i rywun sydd eisiau cyfuno gwaith hyblyg â rôl ddiddorol ac amrywiol mewn tîm deinamig. Rydym yn bwriadu cyflogi ar sail cyfnod penodol o flwyddyn (i ddechrau), ac ar sail 0.8CALl, ond yn barod i ystyried rhannu’r swydd.

Mae rhuglder yn y Gymraeg yn ofynnol ar gyfer y swydd hon.

*********************************

Hours: 0.8FTE (28hrs per week) | Fixed term: 1 year from appointment

Salary: Grade D: £33,662 – £39,559 (pro-rata) 

Application deadline: midnight on Sunday 23 August

We are seeking an experienced Senior Public Policy Officer to coordinate our policy advice and public affairs work – contributing to the delivery of one of our four key strategic priorities: “Contribute to major policy solutions by providing independent advice and facilitating knowledge exchange”. We are looking for someone to with the enthusiasm to mobilise our amazing Fellows and other stakeholders to ensure our work delivers impact. 

The role holder will also have responsibility for the Society’s Welsh Language offer and bilingual working.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to combine flexible working with an interesting and varied role in a dynamic team. We are looking to employ on a fixed-term basis for one year (in the first instance), and on a 0.8FTE basis, but will consider job-shares.

Fluency in Welsh is a requirement of this post.

Head of Communications & Public Affairs 

Salary: Up to £62k depending on experience
Location: Remote, with regular planned travel nationwide, particularly to London and the South, plus attendance at monthly and quarterly team meetings
Hours: Full Time, 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

We're looking for an exceptional communications leader to join Help for Heroes as our Head of Communications & Public Affairs. This is a rare opportunity to shape how one of the UK's most recognised charities engages with the media, policymakers, supporters and the wider public, ensuring the voices of veterans and their families are heard where it matters most.

Leading our integrated communications, public affairs, policy and PR activity, you'll develop influential campaigns that continue to strengthen our reputation, support fundraising and drive meaningful change for the Armed Forces community. Working closely with senior leaders across the charity, you'll act as a trusted adviser, bringing insight into the political, media and stakeholder landscape while helping to navigate the opportunities and risks that affect our mission.

This is a high-profile leadership role for someone who combines strategic thinking with outstanding delivery, thrives on building influential relationships and wants to use their expertise to create lasting impact for those who have served our country.

Please see below for more information on what just might be your future role.

About the Role

As Head of Communications & Public Affairs, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping how the charity is seen, heard and understood by the public, media, policymakers and supporters. Ensuring the experiences of veterans and their families remain at the heart of national conversations and decision-making.

• Developing and delivering an integrated communications, public affairs and policy strategy that advances the charity's mission and influence.
• Leading high-profile campaigns that raise awareness, support fundraising objectives and drive systemic change for the Armed Forces community.
• Building influential relationships with media, government, political stakeholders, partner organisations and sector leaders.
• Acting as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, providing strategic counsel on reputation, stakeholder engagement, public policy and emerging issues
• Leading the charity's press office, crisis communications activity, ambassador programme and external reputation management
• Developing, inspiring and coaching a high-performing team, fostering innovation, collaboration and measurable impact.

About You

Are you a strategic communications leader who knows how to turn insight into action and ambition into results?

Do you have a strong track record of leading integrated communications, public affairs, policy or campaigning activity that has built reputation, influenced decision-makers and delivered measurable impact?

Can you confidently navigate complex issues, build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and provide clear, credible counsel?

Are you equally comfortable shaping long-term strategy, responding to fast-moving external events and spotting opportunities to raise the profile and influence of an organisation?

If you're passionate about telling powerful stories, understand the UK media and political landscape, and enjoy leading talented teams to achieve ambitious goals, we'd love to hear from you.

You'll bring significant senior-level experience across communications, public affairs or policy, alongside expertise in media relations, stakeholder engagement and reputation management.

Most importantly, you'll be motivated by the opportunity to use your skills, networks and leadership to improve outcomes for veterans and their families.

About the Team

You’ll join our ambitious Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs directorate, a team dedicated to amplifying the voices of veterans and their families and ensuring their experiences influence public understanding and decision-making.

We are a collaborative, creative, and purpose-driven team that works across the charity to tell powerful stories, build meaningful relationships and create lasting impact. Together, we’re passionate about helping the Armed Forces community get the support they deserve.

In return we can offer you:

• Belonging to a team who make a difference to our community and value equality, diversity and inclusion.
• 29 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, regardless of service — plus your birthday off to celebrate!
• Opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days annual leave per year.
• Added to our free health scheme from day one, including discounts on dental, opticians, massages, and more - with the option to upgrade.
• 3 volunteer days per year to support the Help for Heroes community.
• A generous salary sacrifice pension scheme with an 8% employer contribution and a minimum 3% employee contribution, plus life insurance up to 4× salary as an active member.

Closing date: 23rd August 2026

Interview Process: Two stage process with an initial competency based interview and second round stage involving a task.

First round interviews to be held in person or via Teams 4th/7th/8th or 9th September.

Second Round in person 16th or 22nd September.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high number of strong applications.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Policy Engagement Manager - 12-month Fixed Term Contract

At The National Lottery Community Fund we are passionate about strengthening communities and improving lives.  We are driven by our strategy, ‘It starts with community’ and its four community-led missions, as well as our equity-based approach to tackling poverty, discrimination and disadvantage.

To help us in supporting our communities in Wales, we are now looking for a motivated Policy Engagement Manager with a strong understanding of the social policy context, and the environment in which our grantholders operate.  You will play a key role in shaping and strengthening our engagement with government, voluntary and community sector organisations, and funding partners. Working closely with the Head of Policy and Engagement in Wales, you will help build influential relationships, provide strategic policy insight, and ensure that the experiences of communities inform our funding and development priorities. You will play a key role in enabling the Fund to use our insight, position and influence in Wales to celebrate and promote the power and expertise of communities.

Key Responsibilities

As Policy Engagement Manager, you will be an excellent relationship-builder with a strong understanding of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. You will be comfortable working across complex stakeholder environments and translating policy developments into practical insight, including providing insight and policy context to inform medium and long-term funding initiatives across the UK.

You will develop a thorough understanding of the policy environment relating to our four community-led missions and our commitment to addressing poverty, discrimination and disadvantage through an equity-based approach. 

You will maintain a broad understanding of the political and social context in which our grantholders operate, convening grantholders and stakeholders to explore shared challenges and opportunities. We’re looking for someone who is values-driven, passionate about the Fund’s purpose and deeply committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We invite you to join our team and contribute your skills and experience to creating lasting change for communities and society.

Regular travel around Wales is expected, as well as some travel to other parts of the UK to connect with colleagues.  We offer a flexible and supportive working environment and an excellent all-round benefits package.

The successful candidate must have an understanding of Welsh language legislation and the Welsh Language Standards of the Fund. Ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable.

Interview Details:

Date: 21 September 2026

Format: In Person

Location: Cardiff, Wales

Our office is in Cardiff, but we are flexible about location within Wales. We have a hybrid approach to working.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the recruitment team.

For any questions about the recruitment process, please email the recruitment team.

How to apply:

Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement (1000 words) with the following criteria, we will use this to score your application.

Essential criteria

• Experience of engaging with government, public sector, VCSE or funding stakeholders.
• A strong grasp and knowledge of the policy environment and the developing issues and themes relevant to our Missions and grantholders in Wales.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting policy and political developments.
• Demonstrable strategic influencing skills
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and contribute to strategic planning and development.
• Understanding of the use of digital tools and systems to manage relationships, share information and support policy development.
• Experience of project management

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 policy adviser to work primarily in our resource stewardship theme to help deliver ambitious leadership for the environment. You will also have opportunities to work on projects in our Legislation & Governance unit.

Using your strong research and strong communication skills, you will contribute to work that shapes the future of circular economy policy and environmental legislation in the UK. Collaborating with colleagues across the organization, including in comms and politics, you will help identify compelling evidence, stories, and projects to drive better use of resources in the UK and will secure support for projects and policy proposals by building relationships with politicians and policymakers, environmental NGOs and community groups, business partners and other stakeholders.

This is a varied role that will also include project management to ensure effective delivery, including ensuring outputs and events are effectively planned and executed to deadline and to a high quality.

You will need to understand, or be willing to learn about, the political and environmental policy contexts we work in and the state of resources policy and wider environmental legislation in the UK.

Would you like to help create a brighter future for nature? 

Wildlife and Countryside Link is a coalition of 97 environmental charities. We are looking for a Policy and Public Affairs Officer to help develop, advocate and win policy improvements for nature, with a particular focus on the marine environment. 

The Government has promised to halt the decline of wildlife and protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. The marine environment is on the frontline of action – how can we restore habitats at the same time as huge investment in renewable energy? How can we restore fish stocks in a way that supports the future of coastal communities? How can we lead the way on reducing the pollution that is blighting our seas?

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Policy and Public Affairs Officer to help environmental organisations agree bold answers to key questions like these. This role will manage our marine, bycatch and marine mammal working groups to secure ambitious progress of protection and recovery of the marine environment. This is an exciting opportunity to be to work alongside some of the leading experts in marine policy to deliver joint policy that will transform nature at sea.

You will also play a key role in delivering environmental priorities to key influencers in Government and in Parliament. 

So, we are looking for someone with a keen eye for detail, a good networker with the ability to listen and negotiate, and a reasoned and convincing style of written and verbal communication, with a passion for nature conservation.

Policy Engagement Manager - 12-month Fixed Term Contract

At The National Lottery Community Fund we are passionate about strengthening communities and improving lives.  We are driven by our strategy, ‘It starts with community’ and its four community-led missions, as well as our equity-based approach to tackling poverty, discrimination and disadvantage.

To help us in supporting communities in Scotland, we are now looking for a motivated Policy Engagement Manager with a strong understanding of the social policy context in Scotland, and the environment in which our grantholders operate. You will play a key role in shaping and strengthening our engagement with government, voluntary and community sector organisations, and funding partners. Working closely with the Head of Policy Engagement in Scotland, you will help build influential relationships, provide strategic policy insight, and ensure that the experiences of communities inform our funding and development priorities. You will play a key role in enabling the Fund to use our insight, position and influence in Scotland to celebrate and promote the power and expertise of communities.

Key Responsibilities

As Policy Engagement Manager, you will be an excellent relationship-builder with a strong understanding of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. You will be comfortable working across complex stakeholder environments and translating policy developments into practical insight, including providing insight and policy context to inform medium and long-term funding initiatives across the UK.

You will develop a thorough understanding of the policy environment relating to our four community-led missions and our commitment to addressing poverty, discrimination and disadvantage through an equity-based approach. 

You will maintain a broad understanding of the policy and social context in which our grantholders operate, convening grantholders and stakeholders to explore shared challenges and opportunities. We’re looking for someone who is values-driven, passionate about the Fund’s purpose and deeply committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We invite you to join our team and contribute your skills and experience to creating lasting change for communities and society.

Regular travel around Scotland is expected, as well as some travel to other parts of the UK to connect with colleagues.  We offer a flexible and supportive working environment and an excellent all-round benefits package.

Interview Details

Date: 17th September 2026

Format: In Person

Location: Glasgow -  We have a hybrid approach to working.

We will be hosting a briefing session  on Wednesday 26th August at 1 pm. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the role, gain insight into the team and key responsibilities, and ask any questions you may have. To register or ask any questions please email the recruitment team.

How to apply:

Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement (1000 words) with the following criteria, we will use this to score your application.

Essential Criteria

• Experience of engaging with government, public sector, VCSE or funding stakeholders.
• A strong grasp and knowledge of the policy environment and the developing issues and themes relevant to our Missions and grantholders in Scotland.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting policy and political developments.
• Demonstrable strategic influencing skills.
• Strong communication including written communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and contribute to strategic planning and development.
• Understanding of the use of digital tools and systems to manage relationships, share information and support policy development.
• Experience of project management

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.) 

Policy Engagement Manager - 12-month Fixed Term Contract

At The National Lottery Community Fund we are passionate about strengthening communities and improving lives.We are driven by our strategy, ‘It starts with community’ and its four community-led missions, as well as our equity-based approach to tackling poverty, discrimination and disadvantage.

To help us in supporting communities in Northern Ireland, we are now looking for a motivated Policy Engagement Manager with a strong understanding of the social policy context in Northern Ireland, and the environment in which our grantholders operate. You will play a key role in shaping and strengthening our engagement with government, voluntary and community sector organisations, and funding partners. Working closely with the Head of Policy Engagement in Northern Ireland, you will help build influential relationships, provide strategic policy insight, and ensure that the experiences of communities inform our funding and development priorities. You will play a key role in enabling the Fund to use our insight, position and influence in Northern Ireland to celebrate and promote the power and expertise of communities.

Key Responsibilities

As Policy Engagement Manager, you will be an excellent relationship-builder with a strong understanding of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. You will be comfortable working across complex stakeholder environments and translating policy developments into practical insight, including providing insight and policy context to inform medium and long-term funding initiatives across the UK.

You will develop a thorough understanding of the policy environment relating to our four community-led missions and our commitment to addressing poverty, discrimination and disadvantage through an equity-based approach. 

You will maintain a broad understanding of the policy and social context in which our grantholders operate, convening grantholders and stakeholders to explore shared challenges and opportunities. We’re looking for someone who is values-driven, passionate about the Fund’s purpose and deeply committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We invite you to join our team and contribute your skills and experience to creating lasting change for communities and society.

Regular travel around Northern Ireland is expected, as well as some travel to other parts of the UK to connect with colleagues. We offer a flexible and supportive working environment and an excellent all-round benefits package.

Interview Details:

Date: 1 October 2026

Format: In Person

Location: Belfast - We have a hybrid approach to working

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the recruitment team.

For any questions about the recruitment process, please email the recruitment team

How to apply:

Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement (1000 words) with the following criteria, we will use this to score your application.

Essential criteria

• Experience of engaging with government, public sector, VCSE or funding stakeholders.
• A strong grasp and knowledge of the policy environment and the developing issues and themes relevant to our Missions and grantholders in Northern Ireland.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting policy and political developments.
• Demonstrable strategic influencing skills
• Strong communication including written communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and contribute to strategic planning and development.
• Understanding of the use of digital tools and systems to manage relationships, share information and support policy development.
• Experience of project management

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.) 

About the role: AMRC is looking for a policy officer to join our small but highly influential policy and public affairs team, working at the heart of the medical research community. You will support our influencing and advocacy work, helping build a thriving research environment that facilitates innovation. We work with government and policy makers to ensure that our charities can invest in a healthy and sustainable research system across universities and the NHS. You will undertake analysis and horizon scanning to enable us to keep our members up-to-date, and you will support the development of AMRC’s policy activity. You will support activities in many areas of work including improving the sustainability of charity-university research; enhancing research careers, translation and infrastructure; maintaining a facilitative legislative and regulatory environment; and enhancing charity-industry partnerships, helping research findings to be translated into treatments, policy and practice more quickly. There will also be a public affairs dimension to the role that includes work with the APPG for Life Sciences, for which AMRC is part of the secretariat. 

Please see our website for the job description and application instructions. 

ABOUT CHEFS IN SCHOOLS

Chefs in Schools exists to improve children’s health and futures through better school food and meaningful food education.

We work alongside schools and catering teams to transform what children eat every day, particularly in communities facing the greatest barriers to good health. We combine practical support, training, operational expertise and sector influence to help schools serve fresh, nutritious food that children want to eat.

We’re backed by some of the biggest names in food and are ambitious about both impact and scale. We want every child to have access to excellent school food and a real food education, regardless of background.

We are a values-led organisation - bold, honest, collaborative, innovative and focused on solutions.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

You will lead the delivery of Chefs in Schools External Affairs function, ultimately ensuring there is widespread recognition that poor quality school food is unacceptable. Through integrated media, digital and advocacy work, you’ll ensure quality school food is viewed as a vital tool for healthy development and food literacy. 

You will turn strategic direction into coordinated delivery, leading a multidisciplinary team that increases our influence, strengthens our reputation and helps achieve meaningful improvements in school food.

Working closely with External Affairs colleagues and Chief Executive, you will ensure our public profile, policy influence and media work reinforce one another, while creating the management capacity required for a growing organisation. This builds on the new functional structure where media and content, policy and campaigns, and the School Food Review programme all sit within External Affairs.

We want Chefs in Schools to become the most trusted and recognisable voice in the conversation around school food and food literacy. This role will play a central part in building that influence and recognition.

We are looking for somebody who understands that influence is built through consistency, credibility, creativity and cultural relevance as much as through formal communications activity alone. 

WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR

Leadership

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the External Affairs team.

• Translate organisational strategy into clear plans and objectives.

• Ensure media, content creation, campaigns, policy and coalition activity reinforce one another.

• Set priorities and allocate resources across competing work.

• Develop team capability through coaching, support and performance management.

• Contribute to organisational strategy and annual planning.

• Advise on reputational opportunities and risks.

• Ensure innovation is embedded at the heart of our work and approach.

• Deputise at SLT level where appropriate.

• Represent the organisation externally.

• Build a collaborative, ambitious, solutions-focused culture.

Operational planning

• Develop and oversee the annual External Affairs plan in line with strategy.

• Coordinate campaign calendars, policy priorities, publications and media moments.

• Ensure external activity supports fundraising, programmes and partnerships.

• Monitor delivery against KPIs and adjust plans where required.

Campaigns and public engagement

• Provide strategic oversight of policy development and campaigning.

• Challenge and refine policy recommendations before publication.

• Ensure campaigns are evidence-led and aligned with organisational strategy.

• Support relationships with government, sector leaders and coalition partners.

• Build strong relationships with media, MPs, councillors and key stakeholders.

Media & communications

• Oversee media strategy and organisational messaging.

• Ensure consistency across press, social media, website, publications and events.

• Identify media moments and hard hitting stories that will hit the headlines. 

• Sign off major messaging and communications.

• Lead communications planning around major announcements or crises.

School Food Review 

• Provide strategic oversight of the School Food Review programme.

• Ensure coalition work complements Chefs in Schools wider influencing strategy.

• Support senior relationships with coalition partners and funders.

• Remove barriers to delivery for the Programme Manager.

Budget & governance

• Manage the External Affairs budget.

• Ensure safeguarding, risk management and governance requirements are met.

• Oversee procurement of agencies and consultants.

ABOUT YOU

Essential experience and skills

• Significant senior leadership experience across media relations, campaigns, policy or public affairs.

• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong operational planning skills.

• Excellent political judgement.

• Experience influencing senior stakeholders.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication.

• Strong project and budget management.

• Comfortable balancing long-term strategy with fast-paced reactive work.

• Strong understanding of the UK media landscape and digital channels. 

• Excellent communication skills – written, verbal and visual. 

• Experience of working with MPs and other key stakeholders.

• Strong alignment with the mission and values of Chefs in Schools.

Desirable

• Education, food systems or public health experience.

• Coalition leadership.

• Charity senior management.

• Experience working with ministers, journalists and on national campaigns.

OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION

We know that strong candidates may not meet every single requirement listed in this job description.

If this role excites you and you believe you could make a strong contribution to our mission, we would encourage you to apply.

We are committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation where people from different backgrounds, experiences and communities can thrive.

ALDER HEY CHILDRENS CHARITY

Job title: PR, Communications & VIP Engagement Manager

Salary: £39,428-£50,450

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Location: Mix of home working and office based (office is at Alder Hey, Liverpool). Hybrid working available.

About us

Alder Hey Children’s Charity raises vital funds to help make Alder Hey Children’s Hospital a truly world-class, patient-friendly hospital for the 450,000 patients and families we care for every year.

The charity helps to fund a range of activities and projects that are designed to enhance and improve the lives of our amazing young patients. This includes the funding of specialist medical equipment to ensure our brilliant surgeons and clinical staff have the most up to date and cutting edge technology available and funding hi-tech distraction equipment designed and proven to reduce pain and anxiety in our patients. We also fund a range of programmes and special projects such as our ward musicians, our on-site magician and the play specialists we have on every ward.

About this role

Are you passionate about using the power of storytelling, media and influential voices to create lasting change for children and young people?

This is an exciting opportunity to join Alder Hey Children's Charity as our Communications, PR & VIP Engagement Manager, helping us deliver our vision of a healthier, happier and fairer future for every child and young person.

Every day, Alder Hey Children's Charity works to create magical moments, fund pioneering research, invest in world-leading innovation and champion better health and wellbeing for children. As part of our ambitious team, you'll play a vital role in sharing these stories, inspiring support and helping more people understand the difference they can make.

You'll lead the Charity's public relations, media and VIP engagement programme, developing creative campaigns that raise awareness, strengthen our reputation and grow our impact. Working alongside colleagues across fundraising, marketing, advocacy and Trust communications, you'll secure high-profile media coverage and build meaningful relationships with celebrities, ambassadors, influencers and public figures who share our passion for improving children's lives.

This is a varied and rewarding role that combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. You'll help shape how the Charity is seen, ensure our incredible stories reach new audiences and harness the support of influential advocates to drive fundraising, awareness and policy change.

If you're an experienced communications professional with outstanding media instincts, exceptional relationship-building skills and a passion for making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities will include:

· Leading the Charity's PR and media programme, identifying and delivering proactive communications opportunities that raise awareness, strengthen our reputation and showcase the impact of our work.

· Developing engaging communications and storytelling across press, digital and campaign channels, ensuring consistent messaging that supports fundraising, advocacy and organisational priorities.

· Building and nurturing relationships with celebrities, ambassadors, VIP supporters and media contacts, creating meaningful partnerships that champion Alder Hey Children's Charity and inspire wider support.

· Planning and delivering high-profile visits, events and campaign moments, working collaboratively across the Charity and Trust to create memorable, safe and impactful experiences.

· Working closely with colleagues across fundraising, marketing, advocacy and Trust Communications to deliver integrated campaigns, maximise opportunities and protect the Charity's reputation.

· Monitoring and evaluating communications and VIP engagement activity, using insight and learning to continually improve our impact, profile and supporter experience.

Other Duties  

• Be an outstanding advocate for Alder Hey Children’s Charity in line with the core values of the organisation. 

• Be an active and supportive member of the Alder Hey Children’s Charity team, contributing to the team’s development and working collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers.

• Attend and support events run by fundraising teams where required, including occasional out-of-hours working. 

• Gain and maintain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the charity’s work, priorities and future plans. 

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

Our Values

At Alder Hey Children’s Charity, our values guide how we work. Being courageous, working together, showing passion and embracing creativity enables us to support the hospital in delivering the very best care for young patients and their families.

Courage

We try new things, take risks and innovate. We speak up, take accountability and act with responsibility.

Together

We work as one team, sharing knowledge and learning. We partner with patients, families, supporters and colleagues.

Passion

We are passionate about what we do and inspire others.

Magic

We are creative, fun and child-led, creating special moments and going the extra mile.

Additional Information

In April 2025, the charity adopted a four-day working week policy. Staff previously working 37.5 hours now work 30 hours across four days, maintaining full pay while supporting a better work-life balance.

This job description outlines the general nature of the role and is not exhaustive. It may be subject to change in line with organisational needs.

Alder Hey Children’s Charity will make reasonable adjustments where required and is committed to equal opportunities and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

The post holder will be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure check.

How to apply

You can apply by clicking the link below. Applications must include your CV and a covering letter (no more than one side of A4) which answers the following questions:

· How do you meet the person specification? If you don’t exactly meet all of the role requirements but have transferable skills please do consider applying and provide details as part of your answer.

· Why do you want to work for Alder Hey?

Additional information is included within the Job Description and Person Specification.

Closing date: Monday 24th August, 12pm

Interviews will be held in person at Alder Hey on Tuesday 8th September 2026

Marketing & PR Manager

About the role

This is a senior role working across the whole Charity, tasked with growing public awareness and support for Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. Leading on marketing, PR, brand and design, this role will manage relations with media, stakeholders, supporters and the wider public, creating and delivering engaging campaigns, generating support for the Charity, demonstrating impact and increasing income generation.

This is an exciting time to join the Charity as it moves to the next stage in its growth. As part of a busy and ambitious team, this role would suit an experienced, proactive and creative individual with a talent for storytelling and a knowledge of data-driven marketing.

You’ll have strong commercial knowledge, with the ability to apply this to the charity sector; adding value to our existing fundraising activities and impact reporting.   

Key responsibilities include:

· Create and deliver a comprehensive marketing & public relations strategy for the Charity to increase levels of awareness, reaching and engaging audiences.

· Build brand awareness, promote income generation and communicate activities and impact.

· Identify, create and maximise media, PR and marketing opportunities for the Charity to achieve strong positive coverage in print, broadcast and online media.

· Utilise the full mix of communications and marketing tools, including media and public relations, internal communications, brand marketing, advertising, campaigns, direct marketing, digital and social media and production of materials.

· Lead and give strategic marketing direction to the Charity team, taking responsibility for all marketing activities within the Charity to ensure consistent messaging.

· Identify and develop key relationships with journalists and influencers across a broad

range of media.

· Lead, manage and plan key Charity marketing and communications initiatives such as the annual Glow Green Night Walk and annual ball.

· Be responsible for brand management, ensuring consistency across all internal and external communications and adherence to brand and corporate identity guidelines.

· Oversee the design, production and dissemination of marketing and communications collateral as required, including annual reports and impact statements.

· Oversee the design and production of all printed materials for Charity events to ensure consistency of brand and messaging.

· Identify and manage outside agencies where necessary to add value to the role and produce, for example, video and photographic content.

· Report to the Chief Executive on impact and coverage.

· Manage crisis communications if necessary.

· Liaise with the Communications team of The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity NHS Foundation Trust to provide a joined-up comms and PR strategy for joint ventures.

· Manage staff within the Marketing and Individual Giving team.

About the Charity

Clatterbridge Cancer Charity is an independent charity, dedicated to supporting patients and research at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre - one of the UK’s leading cancer hospitals.

It’s thanks to our supporters that we can achieve so much for people with cancer across Merseyside and Cheshire, which may not be possible through NHS funding alone.

This includes funding life-saving research to shape cancer care for generations to come, investing in leading technology that drives better outcomes for people with cancer, enhancing the patient environment to support health and wellbeing and enabling innovations in care for every patient, every day.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Location: Hybrid working with base office at The Spine Building, Paddington Village, Liverpool L7 3FA

Closing Date: 11 September 2026

Interview Date: 24 September 2026
Flexible / hybrid working available

About the role:

We are seeking a Communications and Engagement Officer to support our Policy and Public Affairs team and lead on engaging with our members. You will be the main point of contact for our members and support our Policy team to mobilise the collective voice of our membership to influence public policy and drive long-lasting, systemic change. The successful candidate will be competent in digital technology, have a passion for human rights, equality and social justice, some experience or knowledge of public policy and/or human rights and equality frameworks, and strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills. 

This is a varied role that would suit a candidate with a broad range of skills and interests. Each day is likely to be different and might include drafting communications material, supporting a submission to a government consultation or arranging and servicing member meetings. 

About the organisation:

Equally Ours (previously the Equality and Diversity Forum) is a UK charity that brings together people and organisations working across equality, human rights and social justice to make a reality of these in everyone’s lives. 

Through its members and networks, Equally Ours joins up research, policy and communications to shift public opinion and policy in positive and powerful ways. This is an exciting and pivotal time for us. Our 10-year strategy, Together for social justice, sets out our bold agenda to increase equality and strengthen rights at scale in the areas of law, climate and investment. 

Our policy work supports our membership of networks, communities and grassroots groups across the UK to influence public policy and decision-making.

We are a small team, which means you will have the opportunity to work closely with colleagues across the organisation and gain experience of a wide range of activities involved in running a small membership charity. You will support different aspects of our day-to-day work and have opportunities to learn from colleagues with expertise across policy, public affairs, engagement, operations, finance and programme delivery. You can find out more about our team on the 'about us' page of our website.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Membership engagement 

• Support potential new members through our member application process, prepare applications for review by the board 

• Arrange inductions with new members, including arranging induction meetings between senior staff and CEOs

• Organise regular members’ meetings, contacting and liaising with speakers from across our membership and research networks, as well as parliamentarians and other policy-makers. 

• Ensure all our methods of engagement (meetings, events, comms, web content, etc) are accessible, liaising with participants, suppliers, venues, etc to ensure that access needs are met 

• Maintain our member and research network contact lists and support the Head of Policy and Engagement in maintaining contact lists for parliamentary contacts, using Mailchimp 

• Take ownership of longer-term projects to support and improve our membership engagement offer 

• Use membership engagement to support the wider team in its long-term efforts to protect the equality and human rights legal framework 

Communications and Engagement 

• Draft and send member updates regularly, informing our members about opportunities for collaboration, and upcoming meetings and events 

• Draft and send newsletters to our audience of 5,000, providing updates on the work of our membership as well as news and updates from government and public bodies 

• Draft and schedule LinkedIn and other social media posts to share information about our work and that of our members. 

• Update and manage the website with any relevant news or information. 

• Monitor and report on engagement levels with our newsletters, member updates, social and web content, suggesting areas for improvement. 

• Use communications tools and techniques to mobilise support for the protection of the equality and human rights legal framework. 

Policy and team support 

• Organise meetings and events; including timelines, sending invites and reminders, speaker liaison, logistics and planning. 

• Draft meeting agendas and send along with any supporting documentation in advance of any meetings. 

• Take the minutes at various meetings, summarise for distribution, and follow up on any actions. 

• Monitor and report on the attendance levels of our members’ meetings, working group meetings and events. 

• Draft and administer satisfaction and impact surveys, and report on the results. 

• Support the wider team to conduct its policy influencing work for example, through government consultations and correspondence with policy makers. 

Person Specification (Essential Skills and Experience):

Communication skills:

• Very strong oral and written communication skills, coupled with an ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy.

• An ability to quickly adapt to our unique tone of voice in your communications, ensuring that your language and tone are accessible and sensitive to the topics being written about.

• A willingness to understand and adopt a human rights-based approach in your language, understanding the power of words and how they might uplift or diminish people.

Organisational skills:

• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.

• Strong attention to detail whilst maintaining the ability to work quickly and responsively. 

• Demonstrable experience of using platforms such as Eventbrite and Microsoft Teams to manage large meetings and online events, and Microsoft SharePoint for file management. 

Interpersonal skills:

• The ability to liaise and engage with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and create and sustain positive, collaborative relationships.

• High levels of emotional intelligence and resilience including an ability to hold and manage difficult feelings and conversations with tact and sensitivity. 

• Understanding and ability to manage how privilege and inequality can impact in the workplace for yourself, colleagues and external stakeholders. 

Professional skills and experience: 

• Equality and Human Rights: a passion for human rights, equality and social justice and a drive to support systems change in order to support communities and people who experience disadvantage and discrimination. 

• Content creation and management: experience of drafting engaging content for a range of audiences and through a range of channels, using Wordpress, Mailchimp, and Canva. 

• Experience in or strong understanding of accessibility and inclusion; ensuring that communications and events are accessible to people with a range of conditions.

• Confidentiality and safeguarding: A good understanding of GDPR principles, ensuring people’s privacy is protected where necessary, and experience of or ability to work within our safeguarding policy. 

• An understanding of, or a willingness to learn about, how public policy is developed in the UK and the importance of civic engagement in building public policy and legislation 

Personal qualities 

• Initiative and growth mindset: the ability to identify and act on opportunities. 

• A flexible and collaborative approach, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and support a range of projects in response to organisational needs. 

• Commitment to embed anti-racism across all aspects of our work. 

Please read the full application pack attached before applying. You must be signed into your CharityJob candidate account to access and view this document.

Please note we will only accept applications that include a cover letter.

Application Instructions

Please submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining your interest in this role by 11pm on 11 September. Ensure that you address all the criteria, providing sufficient relevant evidence, including examples, to show how your skills and experience match those required in the person specification. 

If you would like to apply under the guaranteed interview scheme, please review the criteria on the last page of the job pack, and then contact us so we can provide further details.