Do you have experience of working in the UK Parliament, in an in-house public affairs team or within a public affairs consultancy? Are you looking to drive change to help tackle one of the UK’s biggest killers?
If so, you may be the Public Affairs Officer we’re looking for!
About the role
Our Policy and Public Affairs team exists to build support amongst key decision makers so that we can fund lifesaving research into heart disease. We develop the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) position, engaging and influencing stakeholders to help ensure the UK remains a global leader in heart and circulatory research while advocating for the 7.6 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases across the UK.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Public Affairs Officer to join our award winning and high impact team during a very exciting time in politics. You’ll be engaging with Parliamentarians to promote our work at Westminster and in their individual constituencies, while proactively spotting opportunities to build relationships and advance the interests of BHF. You’ll deliver a programme of activity and engagement that contributes to our wider Hearts Need More campaign, which aims to make heart and circulatory diseases a key priority for political parties ahead of the next general election.
Working arrangements
This is a blended role, where your work will be dual located between your home and our London office.
At BHF we believe in the power of being together, so our colleagues on blended contracts can expect to spend some time in their office, at least one day each week, on average. The use of our office spaces is driven in part by your role and the activities you need to do. 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.
Need more help balancing your work and home life? Talk to us about what flexibility is available at the application or interview stage.
About you
With an interest in, and understanding of the external political environment, you'll have a good understanding of the workings of the UK Government and parliamentary procedure. You'll have an understanding of the role of BHF and other health and medical research charities in general, and particularly in the political arena.
You'll have experience of working in the UK Parliament or within a public affairs in-house team or consultancy, and have excellent communication skills. Having previously engaged with political stakeholders, you'll be able to build strong relationships with key internal and external colleagues.
With a proven ability to write clearly, concisely and persuasively for political audiences in a variety of formats, you’ll be able to summarise complex information swiftly and accurately for a variety of audiences. You'll also have strong organisational skills, including experience of coordinating events.
This is an opportunity to make a profound impact for our patients, their families, and our supporters at an exciting time in the electoral cycle.
About us
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.
Interview process
Interviews will be held virtually via MS Teams during week commencing 20th May 2024
How to apply
It’s quick and easy to apply for a role at the BHF. Just click on the apply button below. 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.
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.
As part of our commitment to be an inclusive employer and ensure fairness and consistency in selecting the best candidate for this role, the 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.
Do you love using social media content to engage and support people? Would you like to be part of a team that uses digital channels to make a positive and impactful change for people living with MS?
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and driven Social Media Officer to join our social media team.
Social Media Officer
Type: Full-time (35 hours a week), permanent
Location: Office-based in London, N4 with flexibility to work remotely
Salary: £32,156 - £34,254 per annum plus excellent benefits
Salary Band: Band E1
About us
We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.
Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.
Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.
Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.
About this job
As the social media officer, you’ll help manage an audience of more than 200,000 people across X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn and YouTube. You’ll respond to comments and messages from the public, engage with our audiences and work with our MS Helpline team to ensure vulnerable supporters get the help they need.
You’ll have a genuine passion for creating engaging social content and a keen interest in the latest trends and social media platform developments.
Working closely with our Social and Paid Media Manager, you will help to scope for and identify new opportunities to grow our online community developing engaging content across news, media, support, information and our core campaigns.
Planning and strong copy-writing skills are essential and you will thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment. You’ll also help maintain regular reports on KPIs and performance.
And lastly, you’ll be joining our friendly and supportive team at an exciting stage of our development, as we continue to use digital to help improve the lives of people living with MS.
If that sounds like you – join us!
We recognise the significant and excellent contributions; experience; and skills our employees bring to the MS Society.
Working with external pay and reward consultants, we’re taking active steps this year to review our employees’ pay and benefits package. Ensuring we’re aligned with the most accurate and up-to-date benchmarks for the UK charity sector.
Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 13 May 2024
PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Right to work in the UK
The successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK. If we do offer you employment, you’ll be required to provide documentation to show that you’re eligible to be employed in the UK before starting employment.
The full list of UK visas and permits that grant you the right to work in the UK can be found on the UK government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and will not be in a position to support you with any visa applications you may make.
Equal Opportunities
We’re a Disability Confident Employer. We’re committed to promoting equality and diversity. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and/or from ethnic minority backgrounds, where we’re looking to build stronger and better representation among our staff.
We’d be grateful if you could complete the equality and diversity monitoring form on our website and submit it with your application.
As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, the HR team will anonymise your CV and supporting statement before forwarding to the shortlisting panel.
No agencies please.