Public policy jobs

Public Affairs Officer

Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Reporting to Head of Policy Campaigns and Impact

Permanent

London/Hybrid with 2 days in office in London (London Bridge/SE1 3GN)

Full time, 35 hours per week with flexible working hours

£35,708.40 + £6000 London Weighting

Benefits include: 25 days AL + Bank Holidays, a Salary Sacrifice Scheme for Pensions where JRF puts in 6% with a 3%+ minimum from the employee, cycle to work, employee assistance programme, gym discounts, eye-care vouchers, a health cash plan, and season ticket loans. You can also buy and sell a week of leave.

Charity People are proud to be partnering with Joseph Rowntree Foundation to recruit a Public Affairs Officer.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation is an independent social change organisation, working to support and speed up the transition to a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, where people and planet can flourish.

The Public Affairs Officer will work closely with the wider Campaigns and Public Affairs Team which is responsible for JRF's policy influencing and cross organisational influencing strategies. The role will also involve close work with JRF colleagues in Policy, Research, and Communications and Public engagement.

You will help to identify new relationships with key MPs, Peers, and Staffers, assisting with regular political monitoring and horizon scanning, and ensuring that planning and content management systems are regularly updated. It will also help to ensure that JRF are connecting the dots across all areas they influence on including social security, work, housing, family and care, housing, and energy.

The first six months would focus on relationship building, getting to grips with JRFs processes, laying the groundwork for regular reporting updates. This would include:

• Work across broader JRF teams to offer support to the different 'Stretch Policy Groups' on mapping potential MPs to influence.
• Taking ownership of the system for tracking impact and measuring progress against our organisational influencing objectives.
• Looking for potential opportunities in parliament to make use of JRF's policy proposals.
• Work closely with the Senior Public Affairs Officer to ensure we are co-ordinating political engagement effectively.

Key responsibilities

• Public affairs support: Assist in the delivery of policy and advocacy activities, including parliamentary events, building our presence at party or sectoral conferences, written briefings and MP engagement.
• Horizon scanning: With a focus on the Westminster parliament, UK government departments and the main city regions (England), keep a running watch for suitable opportunities for JRF to advance its arguments with key audiences and ensure that relevant colleagues are alerted well in advance to be able to respond.
• Stakeholder mapping: Identify parliamentarians who may be interested in working with us, build detailed profiles of the issues that matter to them, and maintain a core list of public affairs stakeholders.
• Stakeholder engagement: Support colleagues (by gathering information through desk top research or other methods) to prepare for their interactions with high value targets and record top level details of any contact between them and JRF.
• Network building: Build an effective network of contacts among the support staff in political offices and/or opposite numbers in other organisations with a view to identifying opportunities for collaboration between JRF and their employers.
• Representation and insight gathering: Observe speeches, conferences, and select committee hearings and report any noteworthy points.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the following knowledge and experience:

• Experience of working (either in a paid or voluntary capacity) in a public affairs/policy/political team and demonstrating initiative and flexibility to deal with a range of tasks.
• Experience of networking and using interpersonal skills to develop and promote excellent relationships.
• Experience of analysing information, conducting research and finding positive solutions to challenges.
• Confidence managing multiple projects to tight deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience of tracking political engagement across a project / campaign (desirable)
• Experience working with people who have lived experience of poverty and hardship campaigning for change (desirable)
• A strong understanding of UK Government and Parliamentary procedure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including engaging with parliamentary audiences.
• A good understanding of the issues facing low-income households in the UK and how political developments may affect them.
• An understanding of JRF's mission and work, and the context behind our policy aims.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and how this can be best applied to the role.

The successful candidate will be based at JRF's London office. Additionally, the Campaigns and Public Affairs Team find being in the office beneficial to their work and team building, therefore hybrid working at JRF means staff are encouraged to attend the office at least twice a week. The role is subject to satisfactory references.

How to apply:

The application process is CV and Supporting Statement. For more information about the role, and for the full job pack, please share your CV via the link below. The closing date is 9am on Monday 19 January. Interviews will take place w/c 26 January. We will be hosting a webinar on Thursday 8 January at 1pm for candidates interested in the role (this will be recorded and shared if you are unable to attend).

As part of our commitments under the Disability Confident Scheme, Joseph Rowntree Foundation/Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust operates a guaranteed interview scheme. Candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria set out in the job description and person specification will be offered an interview.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Employer: Community Rail Network 

Salary: £43k-£51.5k pa, full time 

Location: Home based / flexible or Huddersfield 

We are seeking a dynamic director of policy and communications, to lead and develop our increasingly impactful external affairs activity. You’ll be sharing community insights and evidence with policy and decision-makers at national and devolved level, supporting a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable transport and mobility, while overseeing high-quality, inspiring member communications and thought-leadership, drawing on grassroots experiences.  
  

About us 

Community Rail Network is a national not-for-profit organisation supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.

Community rail is made up of 76 community-based partnership organisations, and c.1,300 station friends volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence among marginalised groups, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener tourism by rail.

Our enthusiastic team of 24 works from home in different locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to support our members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights. We believe in developing our team and helping everyone reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.

About this role 

This role is crucial for us, our members and their communities, especially at the current time, with our need to seize on the opportunities of rail reform and devolution, promote wider use of sustainable transport, and bring communities together. You will spearhead our external affairs strategy and plans, building political relationships, influencing decision-making and raising awareness of community rail and its insights, while ensuring effective communications with our members and helping them to have a voice locally and regionally. You’ll be striving to put community rail at the forefront of a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable mobility.

As a member of our senior leadership team, reporting to and working closely with our chief executive, you will manage a passionate team of four, ensuring collaboration with our other teams, partners and funders, and drawing on members’ insights.

 
Main responsibilities 

• Lead the review, development and delivery of our communications, policy and insights strategy, working to position the community rail movement effectively, use its insights to influence policy change, and ensure our members are well-informed and have a voice; 

• Further strengthen our advisory and influencing work with national, devolved and regional government, transport bodies, parliamentarians and other decision-makers, especially around rail reform, transport devolution and integrated, inclusive, sustainable transport; 

• Ensure we’re engaging effectively with policy developments and opportunities, taking forward a programme of relationship-building, and identifying and engaging in relevant consultations, events and speaking opportunities, enabling community rail’s insights and experiences to be shared; 

• Collaborate with partners in rail, government and the third sector to feed in our expertise on community engagement with rail, amplify our campaigns, and build opportunities for joined-up communications and policy work;

• Continually develop and disseminate our evidence base and insights on the social, environmental and economic value community rail delivers, and opportunities to create greater benefits for communities from rail and transport; 

• Oversee high-quality, coherent and inspiring communications with our members and partners, promoting our work, and sharing news, opportunities, and good practice across the movement; 

• Manage production of high-quality resources, case studies and reports that our members can use to enhance their impact and which showcase community rail’s impact; 

• Lead and develop our media relations and awareness-raising PR, championing community rail and its messages on sustainable, inclusive travel and communities at national and regional level, while supporting members on local PR; 

• Develop our online presence and reach, making full use of our website, social media, our Scenic Rail Britain campaign, and partners’ channels to celebrate and position community rail and grow its reach and impact; 

• Oversee a calendar of creative and impactful campaigns that involve and empower our members, creating PR and engagement opportunities, including Community Rail Week;

• Play a key role in collective leadership, strategic focus and organisational development as a member of our senior leadership team, including through internal communications and cross-team working, annual planning, funder liaison and reporting, upholding our strategies and policies, and pursuing opportunities for continuous improvement. 

 
Skills and competencies 

1. Strong leadership and management skills, including experience managing, developing and drawing on a multi-faceted team delivering complex campaigns or projects, and budget management; 
2. Excellent communication and external leadership skills; articulate, assertive, and with the ability to work diplomatically and persuasively with stakeholders at all levels; 
3. An understanding of public affairs, ideally in relation to community development, sustainability and/or transport, and a demonstrable ability to identify influencing opportunities, deliver thought-leadership, and engage with policy-makers, including sharing community insights; 
4. Politically astute, with awareness of and commitment to social inclusion, social justice and sustainability, and a good grasp of the importance of public transport sustainable travel, and community-led action, to these agendas; 
5. Understanding of political processes and experience of engaging with policy and decision-making, ideally at national, devolved and local levels; 
6. Sound knowledge of communication and marketing methods and channels, and ability to oversee messaging and targeting of public and professional audiences, and to align content across multiple channels; 
7. A demonstrable ability to think analytically and draw on statistical and qualitative research to construct robust, evidence-based arguments; 
8. Experience of working with the media and achieving coverage at national, regional and local level; 
9. Experience working collaboratively with partners and ideally funders to deliver communications and policy activity and forming professional networks; 
10. Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while dealing with competing priorities, and to support team members to do so; 
11. IT literate with a good working knowledge of Office, the internet and social media; 
12. Appropriate qualifications and professional development demonstrating knowledge and skills in line with the above, and a commitment to ongoing learning and development.

Other information

As you will be home-based, we are flexible about your location. However, you will be expected to travel to in-person full team meetings quarterly (usually in West Yorkshire), and you will need to bring your team together (currently all West Yorkshire based) with similar regularity in between. Attendance at in-person events and meetings is also important. We therefore welcome applications from those with decent public transport links, not too far from a railway station, to enable journeys to be made sustainably.   

This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of six months.   

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.  

Lead policy and research projects that shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. Join Belong and help create lasting change across the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a pivotal role in delivering high-impact projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. As Belong enters its next phase of growth, we are determined to deepen our impact, strengthen our resilience, and champion cohesion and integration at scale.

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation focused on building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Role
As Policy and Research Lead, you will design and deliver research and policy projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. You will produce high-quality outputs, translate evidence into actionable recommendations, and contribute to Belong’s thought leadership. This role combines strategic insight with hands-on delivery and offers the chance to shape national conversations on social cohesion.

Key Responsibilities

• Policy and Research Leadership

  • Lead the design and delivery of policy and research projects, ensuring quality, relevance, and impact.
  • Produce policy briefings, reports, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
  • Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
  • Ensure projects are inclusive, participatory, and informed by lived experience.
  • Monitor policy developments and contribute to strategic positioning and horizon scanning.

• Stakeholder Engagement

  • Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, researchers, funders, and sector leaders.
  • Represent Belong at external meetings, events, and networks.
  • Support collaborative research and policy initiatives with partners and commissioners.
  • Contribute to dissemination of Belong’s work through events, media, and digital channels.

• Internal Collaboration

  • Support the Director of Policy & Research in developing Belong’s policy influencing strategy.
  • Contribute to organisational learning and cross-team collaboration.
  • Assist with proposal development and funder engagement.
  • Line manage junior staff or associates as required.

About You
We are seeking a strategic and thoughtful leader with:

• Proven experience in leading policy and applied research programmes.
• Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community development.
• Excellent project management and organisational abilities.
• Familiarity with participatory and inclusive research methods.
• Experience in income generation or bid development.
• Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or related field.
• Ability to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
• Politically aware and intellectually curious.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Strategic and solutions-focused.
• Collaborative and inclusive.
• Practical, reliable, and detail-oriented.
• Committed to personal and professional development.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Hybrid working
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.

AMR Action UK is the United Kingdom patient organisation for people impacted by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Our legitimacy comes through our small-scale research projects, our engagement with patients and their families, and from our direct support of patients through our information service and peer-support activities.   

AMR Action UK seeks to empower patient, families, and carers to have their voices heard on matters that affect their lives and to be able to influence research priorities, policy and implementation changes at government level, and changes in NHS practices across the four nations of the UK.  

The Policy and Advocacy lead will ensure that AMR Action UK is both well-informed across the broad-spectrum of topics relating to AMR and is impactful in its influencing work. 

To be successful in the role you will need energy and enthusiasm to hit the ground running in order to make an immediate impact on appointment.

Closing date 12th January 2026, with a view to holding interviews week beginning 19th January 2026. 

About the role

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) works to improve healthcare for women and girls by setting clinical standards, supporting doctors through training and lifelong learning, and advocating for women’s health in the UK and globally.

Our Communications team runs a busy press office, ensuring the College’s clinical expertise informs the public narrative and media coverage on women’s health. We deliver proactive and reactive media and PR activity, campaigns and social media content to amplify our messages and support meaningful change, working closely with colleagues in marketing, policy and public affairs.

We are looking for a Media and PR Officer to join this fast-paced, collaborative team. Reporting to the Media and PR Manager, you will support the delivery of media and PR activity across a wide range of issues, helping to manage media enquiries, develop engaging content, and contribute to campaigns that raise the profile of women’s health.

This is a varied role in a forward-thinking team that values collaboration, inclusivity and innovation. Our work moves quickly as opportunities arise, and priorities can shift day to day. If you enjoy juggling multiple tasks, working with others and making a real impact through communications, this role offers a rewarding opportunity to do just that.

Responsibilities:

• Provide day to day oversight of an effective press office function, prioritising and ensuring timely and accurate responses to media enquiries and maintaining mutually-beneficial relationships with journalists

• Deal with all aspects of media relations, including researching, drafting and issuing press releases, lines to take and key messages or quotes, organising and facilitating media interviews, assembling media packages, selling-in stories, owning relationships with journalists and acting as first port of call for media enquiries.

• Collaborate with wider RCOG teams on communications projects and activities, ensuring these align to, promote and engage members, stakeholders and the public

• Plan, create and schedule RCOG social media content and monitor channels to identify opportunities and risks

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys developing exciting and engaging communications content, working in a fast paced and busy press office environment and wants to make a meaningful impact on women’s health.

For the full list of key responsibilities, please check the recruitment pack.

About you

You are a confident and thoughtful communications professional with strong writing skills and a sharp eye for detail. You are comfortable drafting, editing and proofing a range of communications materials, and you understand the importance of accuracy, clarity and tone when working in a press office environment.

You have experience dealing with journalists and media enquiries in a professional and measured way, and you are able to exercise good judgement under pressure. You are confident translating complex medical, technical or policy information into clear, engaging content for a range of audiences, while ensuring messages remain accurate and appropriate.

You enjoy working collaboratively and are comfortable building positive working relationships across teams, including marketing, policy and public affairs. You are able to contribute effectively to communications activity on sensitive or high-profile issues, handling these with care, discretion and sound judgement to protect organisational reputation.

Requirements:

• Experience working in media relations, PR or journalism

• Experience of working in a busy press office or in-house PR department

• Experience in using communications planning tools

• Excellent press and media relations skills

• Ability to convey information clearly in both oral and written form

• Ability to deal with controversial/ethical issues in a sensitive manner

• Strong experience of social media channels and tools

Please note, that while we are looking for someone who has experience of working in a busy press office or in-house PR department and excellent press and media relations skills, we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply, especially those who are well organised, detail-orientated and collaborative. If you are excited about joining a communications team with ambitious goals and a supportive, inclusive culture, we’d love to hear from you.

Our culture and benefits

As a key member of the team, you will be located in our offices in London Bridge. We offer a friendly, values led working culture with an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Agile and flexible working environment and free lunch onsite

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and office closure from 25 December to 1 January

• 10% pension contribution after probation

• Enhanced wellbeing and family support

• Interest-free bike and season ticket loans after probation

• Tailored Learning and Development and study leave

• Affinity staff networks

• Life assurance and income protection schemes

• Lifestyle discounts

For a full list of the benefits we offer, please visit our careers site.

How to apply

• Click on Apply to be taken to our recruitment platform, Applied. Please visit our careers website to download the full Job pack.

• Applications close at 10.00 am on Monday 19 January 2026

• We encourage candidates to apply early and reserve the right to close the advert and appoint before the closing date.

• We will be interviewing candidates in the week commencing 26 January 2026/2 February 2026.

• If you have any additional questions about the role or how to apply, please contact the People Team.

We believe that diverse teams will deliver the best outcomes for women's healthcare and we strive to be an inclusive employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups, including those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities. To find out more, please see our Diversity Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy.

If you require any adjustments to apply for this role or need the job advert in an alternative format, please contact us. We are happy to support with reasonable adjustments to accommodate individual needs throughout the recruitment process.

Please note: We are only accepting applicants with a right to work in the UK; we are unable to sponsor people requiring a work visa.

About us

The RCOG is a professional membership association dedicated to improving women’s health care across the world. We do this by setting standards for clinical practice, providing doctors with training and lifelong learning, and working with partners to advocate for women’s health and health care across their life course. We are a global leader in this specialist area, supporting 18,000 members in the UK and internationally.

We are a values-led organisation placing high standards, innovation, openness, inclusiveness and trust at the centre of all we do.

Public Affairs Officer
Location: WWT Slimbridge, GL2 - Hybrid + Travel
Salary: £31,680 per annum
Contract: Permanent

About The Role

Are you passionate about building a political consensus for nature restoration? Are you able to translate public support into parliamentary will? Do you want to shift the political dial for one of our most superpowered habitats? 

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of a well-respected and evidence-led organisation with an ambitious new strategy to restore 100,000 hectares of wetlands across the country. From providing homes for wildlife to protecting communities from flooding, we want to unlock the superpowers of wetlands so everyone can benefit.

Based in the Communications Team, you’ll work closely with our Senior Campaigns Manager and colleagues across the organisation to build and deliver a public affairs strategy that fits the ambition of our 2030 aims. With a keen eye on UK politics and an ability to build relationships with key decision-makers, you’ll help us translate widespread public support for nature into the political will for action, and the policies to follow it up.

With support from our team of experts, you will lead stakeholder engagement across government, Parliament and policy organisations, ensuring WWT’s research and strategic priorities are communicated effectively. Your work will include developing policy positions, producing briefings and reports, managing public affairs events, and gathering intelligence on the external policy landscape.

This hands-on role demands a strategic thinker with strong political insights, capable of building relationships, monitoring political environments and crafting plans and strategies that deliver the political change we need to see.

About You

We are seeking an individual with:

• Relevant experience working within a public affairs, campaigns, parliamentary or government environment. 
• Proven experience of developing and delivering public affairs and advocacy plans and strategies designed to influence Government, politicians and other stakeholders. 
• Experience of working closely with senior colleagues, offering strategic advice and briefings ahead of political events.
• Strong working knowledge of the UK Parliament’s political processes and an understanding of the current political environment, including parliamentary tools and processes. 
• Confidence building a network of strong and positive relationships with government officials, including politicians and civil servants to affect policy change. 
• Confidence representing an organisation and its cause with high-profile and political audiences. 
• Familiarity with campaigning to build political and public support that leads to policy change. 
• Strong writing skills, confident communicating complex issues clearly and succinctly, and adapting style for different audiences. 

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme

We are based in Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire, but support hybrid working with an expectation for team members to be in Slimbridge at least once a week.  While this post is based at a WWT site with the opportunity for hybrid working, travel will be necessary for parliamentary purposes, including outside of normal business hours when required.

If you want to make a direct contribution to the conservation of wetlands and wetland wildlife at a critical moment for the natural world, then click apply.

Closing Date: 18th January 2026

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.

No agencies please.

Are you passionate about driving change in government, promoting British Heart Foundation's (BHF) mission to fund life-saving science, and advocating for the millions of people living in the UK with a heart and circulatory disease?  
 
If so, you may be the Policy Officer we need! 
 
About the role 
 
BHF's Policy and Public Affairs team exists to build support amongst decision makers so we can address key issues relevant to cardiovascular research, health and care, public health, and the wider charity environment. 

As our Policy Officer for Health and Care you’ll research, develop and disseminate policy positions to support BHF’s strategic aim to achieve the best health outcomes for those living with cardiovascular disease.

Acquiring a solid understanding of topics relevant to our health policy portfolio in England, particularly those aspects most directly tied to improving the detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, you’ll be responsible for researching and drafting new policy positions, proactively identifying gaps and opportunities, and working closely with colleagues in Public Affairs and Communications to drive change based on policy positions.

Working arrangements

This is a hybrid role, where your work will be split between your home and at least one day per week, on average, in our London Office. This may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to unlock your best work for our cause.
 
About you

With experience working in policy development, health and care, or a related field, you’ll have knowledge of healthcare systems in England, health and care policy and/or experience of working in a research environment.

You’ll have the following skills and experience: 

• A proactive approach to planning your own workload, ensuring effective time management and meet deadlines
• Excellent research and analysis skills
• A desire to work as part of a team and contribute to team activities
• Able to take a flexible approach to work within a matrixed team 
• A willingness to learn and adapt to a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Effective interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Able to develop good working relationships with senior managers and colleagues

With an excellent technical grasp of policy portfolio, seeking to continually develop the portfolio further, you’ll have relevant stakeholder engagement experience and will be able to identify other partners within/outside the sector to engage with to drive policy change.

About us

Every single one of us is vulnerable to the heartbreak caused by heart and circulatory diseases – they are the world’s biggest killers. But the research we fund represents hope. And nothing matters more than finding cures and treatments that give us more time with the people we love.

We value and respect every individual’s unique contribution, celebrate diversity, and make inclusion part of what we do every day. 

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, Igniting Change, along with our internal EDI group, Kaleidoscope, and a growing number of employee network groups (our Affinity Groups), help us create an environment where all our colleagues and volunteers can succeed.

What can we offer you

As an organisation we're open to flexible working arrangements. In return we offer a generous holiday allowance, an excellent working environment and a welcoming supportive group of colleagues.

Interview process 

The interview process will be held in person, at our London offices, w/c 26th January 2026 and will involve a pre-prepared task, details for which will be provided when interviews are arranged. 

How to apply 

It’s quick and easy to apply for a role at the BHF. Just click through to our careers site to apply. All you’ll need is an up-to-date CV and a supporting statement, outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the role’s criteria.

As part of our commitment to be an inclusive employer and ensure fairness and consistency in selecting the best candidate for this role, BHF will use anonymous CV software as part of the application journey.

Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us.

Birthrights is recruiting a Campaigns and Policy Manager to help drive transformative change in maternity care. This is a powerful opportunity to shape national policy and campaigns that centre human rights, racial justice and the lived experiences of women and birthing people.

Reporting to the CEO, you will lead our policy and campaigns strategy, shaping how we influence government, the NHS, regulators and professional bodies. You will identify leverage points for change, develop strong and persuasive policy positions, and deliver bold, creative campaigns that challenge harmful practice and shift power. Working closely with our legal, information & advice, training and communications teams, you will ensure our policy and campaigning work is grounded in evidence, lived experience and human rights law.

You will also contribute strategically to Communities Imagine — a core organisational initiative rooted in racial justice, community leadership and a radical re-imagining of maternity care — while working alongside and supporting dedicated roles focused on its delivery.

Birthrights is a small but mighty charity with a national profile and a strong track record of influencing maternity policy and practice. We offer flexible, remote working, a supportive team culture and generous benefits.

If you are a values-driven campaigner with a passion for racial justice, reproductive justice and human rights, we would love to hear from you.

Closing date: 12 noon on Monday 26th January – please refer to the candidate pack for full details.

Location: Hybrid
Department: External Affairs & Communications directorate
Salary: £51,000 - £57,500
Hours: This is a full-time post [35 hours per week], however, we welcome applicants with proposals for shared working arrangements or other flexibilities.
Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 12th January 2026, 10.00am 

Benefits: 10% employers pension contribution (NEST) HSF Health cash Plan-covering employee partners and dependants under 18 28 days Annual Leave plus bank holidays and increases with length of service 2 hours weekly wellbeing time out Employee assistance program , offering GP advice lines, virtual doctors, prescription services, emotional wellbeing support, a legal help line and counselling. Funded eye site test (Specsavers) Pay it forward days- 2 days volunteering Mindful Employer Perkbox and Reward Gateway – discount platforms
 
Overall Purpose
 
We are at a critical stage in the evolution of our strategy, and to help build the next era of healthcare, our influence with national decision makers will be crucial. The 10-year plan for the NHS creates opportunities for the NHS charity sector that we must capitalise on.
 
This role will report to the Associate Director of Policy and Influencing to help shape our policy and influencing activity, including assessing opportunities and risks, and make recommendations for action. This will involve building and utilising strategic relationships, as well as in-depth policy knowledge, to develop and take forward evidence-based and responsive propositions which translate into funded opportunities for the sector, and to influence for improvements in the policy and regulatory environment in which NHS charities operate, to enhance impact.
 
You will have experience of policy development, be a strategic thinker and excellent at building relationships in a complex stakeholder environment.
 
Overall objectives
 
• Work with the AD of Policy and Influencing to scope policy and influencing strategy, assessing opportunities and risks and make recommendations for action.
• Hold relevant policy, strategy and wider contextual expertise and knowledge for the organisation – and the sector – including in-depth understanding of current frameworks and horizon-scanning future developments, identifying issues of interest to the organisation and our members.
• Build long-term strategic relationships with policymakers – including Government, especially the Department of Health and Social Care, and other relevant NHS bodies and health organisations.
• Translate knowledge and strategic relationships into:
o Opportunities for the sector – including through propositions and influencing potential funders / commissioners / decision-makers.
o Improvements in the policy, regulatory and strategic environment within which NHS charities operate, through evidence-based policy calls and influencing.
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
 
The main duties and responsibilities of the role holder are as outlined below:
 
• Support the AD of Policy & Influencing on organisational policy and influencing strategy.
 
Policy development/ expertise
• Hold organisational policy expertise on identified issues for the NHS charity sector; developing evidenced-based policy positions and relevant strategy for influence.
• Working with the Insights and Impact Specialist ensure sector learnings and impact data inform organisational policy and are shared with policymakers.
• Produce policy briefings and reports for targeted stakeholders.
• Respond to relevant policy consultations.
• Provides reports and information for colleagues within NHS Charities Together to ensure understanding of policy and public affairs and to support organisational strategy.
• Lead on the policy content and analysis for policy and influencing tools such as Financial Comparison survey.
 
Influencing
• Build relationships with relevant strategic partners (and potential partners) in Government, health care, academia, VCSE and other sectors to support organisational strategy.
• Identify and connect into relevant networks, including representing the organisation and the sector.
• Arrange briefings and roundtable events for targeted stakeholders.
 
Membership Policy engagement
• Support communication and sector engagement related to policy and public affairs, including identifying relevant policy information needed from members; mobilisation of membership behind relevant calls, and supporting development of members’ skills and capacity relating to influencing and government relations.
 
Other Duties
 
• Act as a champion for NHS Charities Together and NHS charities.
• Visibly live NHS Charities Together’s values, including our commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly by ensuring that our policy and public affairs activity takes into account the diversity of the communities and members that we support.
• Carrying out the duties of post in accordance with NHS Charities Together’s policies and procedures on Health and Safety and take responsibility for ensuring personal health and safety.
• Working flexibly, prioritising workload and working effectively as part of a team.
• Adhere to relevant legislation, best practice, policies and processes including, but not limited to charity law, the fundraising regulator, GDPR and professional codes and standards.
• Represent NHS Charities Together as needed.
 
REF-225 785

Charity People is delighted to be partnering with AdviceUK to recruit for an interim Head of Policy, Programmes and Media. Joining the organisation as a maternity leave cover contract, this is a role where you will have the opportunity to achieve significant impact across some key priority areas.

Since 1979, Advice UK has been supporting advice organisations by helping them to be efficient, competent and effective, and by campaigning for a policy environment that supports advice agencies and people needing advice. A small but mighty - and growing! - charity that supports its members to provide advice to upwards of 2.5 million people each year. The organisation is working towards a world in which every individual, regardless of means, is able to access the advice they need in order to exercise their rights and address any legal and social welfare challenges they may face.

Contract: Interim maternity cover role, nine to 12 month contract

Salary: £70,000 to £75,000 per annum

Location: Hybrid role which will be predominantly home-based with travel to London for either office days or meetings expected around one day per week

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week or part time, 28 hours per week considered with flexible working options fully supported

Closing date for applications: 9am Friday 30th January
Interviews: Interviews will be held in person at the charity offices in London on the 11th and 12th of February

The Head of Policy, Programmes and Media position is a senior position within the organisation. Part of the SLT and reporting to the CEO the postholder will take the lead on all policy and public affairs initiatives to secure policy change and funding to benefit people seeking advice and the communities served by the organisation's members.

Core responsibilities within the role will include:

• Develop and oversee the implementation of effective strategies for policy and funder influence that enable Advice UK to achieve its purpose
• Identify new audiences and develop innovative approaches to sustain and grow Advice UK's stakeholder and funder network and achieve its strategic priorities
• Be accountable for Advice UK's policy, public affairs and funded activities, reporting to the Chief Executive and Advice UK Board
• Lead the development and coordination of clear, concise and authoritative policy positions on key issues
• Identify actionable and achievable policy influencing goals to achieve change on the highest priority issues and develop strategic influencing plans to achieve these goals
• Alongside the Chief Executive, be Advice UK spokesperson and representative at external events including policy roundtables, steering groups, conferences, meetings and other events
• Oversee and deliver a proactive public affairs strategy to achieve policy change on the issues of priority concern to members
• Identify and build effective relationships with key contacts across UK and devolved governments and parliaments, including Ministers, MPs, civil servants and local and regional decision makers
• Lead a stakeholder engagement programme for Advice UK working strategically to identify, develop and manage relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including policy influencers, funders, sector partners and other organisations
• Oversee the development of effective press and media campaigns, mobilising support and leveraging media opportunities to raise awareness and drive action on priority issues
• Oversee the development and effective delivery of the #AdviceSaves campaign (including Advice Week), ensuring impact is measured and lessons learned
• Oversee development of research and analysis to identify emerging trends, opportunities in support of our policy and campaign objectives, using this to provide evidence-based insights and identify specific policy solutions to inform advocacy efforts
• Lead the development of high-quality research and insight products, including research reports and commissioned surveys to support our influencing goals
• Oversee the delivery of Advice UK's funding strategy to open up funding opportunities for members and their advice services
• As the departmental budget holder, lead on all financial management for the department, including forecasting and measuring financial performance, setting and managing budgets, reducing waste, and taking action to ensure the department achieves its financial objectives
• Provide effective leadership to the Policy and Public Affairs department including line management of a team of four, ensuring their strong performance and supporting their learning and development
• Work with other members of the senior leadership team to develop and implement Advice UK's strategic plan in supporting of its overall strategic objectives and to establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs)

We'd love to see applications from candidates with the following skills and experience:

• Significant experience of delivering within a complex policy environment, ideally within an organisation of similar size and complexity including of developing and delivering impactful policy and public affairs strategies that have led to demonstrable change
• Experience or an understanding of the social welfare advice sector; the issues faced by advice providers and the communities they serve
• Experience of working with suppliers and partners to deliver campaigns, research and funding proposals including tendering, negotiating and contracting, and of working in coalitions and partnerships to achieve shared objectives
• Experience acting as a spokesperson for an organisation
• Experience of strategic leadership of teams and working with CEO, Board and as part of a senior leadership team
• Ability to apply knowledge to new challenges and situations, and to devise solutions
• Strong analytical thinking and decision-making skills, with ability to translate data and evidence into actionable insights to inform decision-making
• Ability to think strategically; working in timescales of between one to three years
• Ability to manage and motivate staff to deliver complex or challenging projects
• Commitment to social justice, equality, diversity and inclusion

If you're interested in hearing more about this opportunity, please send your CV to Alice at Charity People in the first instance. 

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Would you like to join an organisation that is striving for systemic change? We believe it is not enough to reform structures and systems which are foundationally discriminatory. We are calling for a complete overhaul, and for people with lived experience to lead that change.

If that appeals to you. We are seeking a Policy and Communications Officer to play a vital role in shaping public understanding of migration and influencing policy. 

As part of our dedicated team, you will have the chance to make a real impact, engaging with diverse audiences and advocating for positive change. If you're motivated by social justice and have skills in policy engagement, digital campaigning, media, and stakeholder engagement, we want to hear from you.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in contributing to a vision for intersectional campaigns that call for systemic change, and for those with lived experience to be instrumental in these campaigns.

As a lived experience and values-led organisation, and diverse team, we are looking for candidates with a:

• Commitment to upholding the rights of ALL migrants

• Real vision as to how this can be done in the current political, social and economic climate 

• A commitment to MRN's vision and values

The salary will be £32,414 per year. In addition, MRN contributes up to 6% of salary to pensions.

Closing date for applications: 9am, 14 January 2026

Date for candidate interviews: 22-23 January 2026

If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, learn by doing and kick-start your career in policy and public affairs; we’d love to hear from you.

This is a 9-month paid internship opportunity. This role is largely home-based, with regular travel to Westminster and occasional UK travel. NASS represents and supports special schools across England and Wales. With 2025 set to be a pivotal year for SEND reform and the anticipated 2026 Schools White Paper, we are seeking a Policy and Research Intern to provide additional capacity to our small, ambitious team. This is a newly created role, offering a real opportunity to shape our work and help ensure NASS remains a strong voice for special schools. This is a hands-on role offering excellent experience in policy, research and public affairs. You will support media and policy monitoring, parliamentary tracking, research, briefings, communications and events.

Would you like to join an organisation that is striving for systemic change? We believe it is not enough to reform structures and systems which are foundationally discriminatory. We are calling for a complete overhaul, and for people with lived experience to lead that change.

Migration is one of the most hotly debated political topics with rapid policy changes shaping the lives of millions. We’re looking for a proactive and inspiring leader to join us as Interim Head of Policy and Communications.

In this vital role, you will champion our mission to create a just society for all migrants, ensuring those with lived experience are at the centre of our work and heard by policymakers and supporters alike. You will influence national policies, engage diverse stakeholders, from policymakers to grassroots groups, and build impactful communication campaigns.

Working closely with our CEO and as part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will help shape the strategic direction of our policy and communication efforts during this critical time.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in contributing to a vision for intersectional campaigns that call for systemic change, and for those with lived experience to lead the changes we need.

If you’re passionate about social justice, experienced in policy and advocacy, and a skilled communicator, we want to hear from you! 

As a lived experience and values-led organisation, and diverse team, we are looking for candidates with a:

• Commitment to upholding the rights of ALL migrants

• Real vision as to how this can be done in the current political, social and economic climate 

• A commitment to MRN's vision and values

The salary will be £43,817 per annum, pro-rata. In addition, MRN contributes up to 6% of salary to pensions. We are keen to have someone start in the role immediately.

Closing date for applications: 9am, 14 January 2026

Date for candidate interviews: 26 January 2026

The role

We’re seeking a Senior Campaigns Officer to join our fantastic Campaigns, Health Influencing and Policy team as we look to grow our impact across the UK and improve the lives of people affected by pancreatic cancer.

This exciting new role will take the lead on shaping and delivering our national policy campaigns. The post holder will work closely with the policy, campaigns, and communications teams to create campaigns which motivate and inspire our amazing supporters to help us achieve change. They will be a key part of our work to influence governments and other key stakeholders across the UK.

About you 

You will be a motivated, enthusiastic and organised individual with experience in campaigns, public affairs or policy, backed up by:

• A strong understanding of campaign development theory and knowledge of how to create and deliver precise, impactful campaigns
• The ability to understand complex information and translate this into simple and engaging campaign asks and impactful copy
• Experience of mobilising supporters on and offline to support campaigning and influencing activities
• A passion for tackling the deadliest common cancer and the ability to show sensitivity and empathy for people affected and their loved ones.

If this sounds like you – we’d love to hear from you!

About working for us

This is a fast-paced organisation that is committed to making a difference.

Being a part of our team is being part of a thriving, positive, dynamic, successful, and welcoming community that is making an impact. We will support you and develop you should you wish this, and you get the opportunity to be involved in activities outside the scope of your immediate role. We care about your health and well-being and your work-life balance, and you will feel that your contribution is valued and matters.

About us 

We are Pancreatic Cancer UK. We go above and beyond for everyone affected by this disease.

Right now, half of people with pancreatic cancer die within three months of diagnosis. Families are left with only hope to hold onto. They need more. So we do more.

We bring more break throughs through research, more change through campaigning and more support through our expert nurses.

We make more noise because people have gone unheard. We are relentless because the disease is ruthless. We care more because people feel forgotten.

Because people with pancreatic cancer need more than hope.

Underpinning this vision are our three values:

• Courage
• Compassion
• Community

We cannot achieve our vision without employing people who are committed to our vision, strategy, and values.

At Pancreatic Cancer UK (PCUK) our ambition is to create an inclusive working environment that reflects the communities and audiences that we engage with and where everyone can be their true selves, where they feel respected, championed, heard, and supported.  We want our workforce to achieve their potential, understand their contribution and feel proud of their impact by creating a culture and organisation that is genuinely inclusive by advancing equality, diversity, inclusion, and belonging through our policies and practices.

We believe diversity drives great outcomes by encouraging the different points of view that come from a diverse workforce. We want to hear from and engage with people whose experience of dealing with this disease may be very different depending on their individual circumstances and background. We can think of no better way to do this than by making sure this role fully represents our intent; therefore, we are especially keen to consider applications from suitable applicants who consider themselves to be in areas that appear underrepresented within the charity sector.

Safeguarding

PCUK is committed to safe and fair recruitment processes that safeguard and protect those we work with, support and serve. We make sure all our staff are selected, vetted (DBS/Criminal record checks where appropriate), trained, and supervised fairly and to a high standard so that they can provide safe, effective and compassionate care. Where we work with volunteers, we extend the same support in order to ensure that they are working within our ethos and standards.

Hybrid-working:

Our London office is a place to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. We are currently working hybrid with a minimum of 2-3 days in the office. This is an office-based role where you may be required to be in the office more frequently to attend activities and meetings depending on the needs of the role. 

How to apply 

• Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role on our website's advert. If you have any questions about this role that we’ve not answered, please get in touch with Emily Waller (contact details are on our website's advert).
• To apply, please complete the online application form, setting out why you are interested in the role and how you meet the person specification criteria. This information will be used to select candidates for interviews. 
• You will need to have the right to work in the UK as we are not able to provide sponsorship for this role.
• Please note that interviews will be held in our office near London Bridge/Tower Hill station on the 27th and 28th Jan 2026.

No agencies/sales call please – as a charity we work hard to keep our costs down and therefore will not be engaging agencies to support this recruitment.