This is a home-based role, working Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Applications are welcome from candidates based outside Belfast, provided they are resident in Northern Ireland and able to commute to the Belfast office if required.
The External Affairs Manager plays a pivotal role in empowering people with sight loss to live the life they choose. This position leads the development of policy and campaigns within the country, aligning with Guide Dogs’ strategic objectives. Working collaboratively with the central policy, public affairs, and campaigns team, as well as the country leadership team, the role builds strategic partnerships with government bodies, local authorities, societies, and other key organisations. This ensures Guide Dogs remains informed and influential on all policy initiatives affecting the organisation and its stakeholders.
The post holder will be responsible for the day‑to‑day leadership, management and oversight of a team.
The post-holder is responsible for shaping policy positions, drafting responses to consultations from councils, combined authorities, and devolved governments, and driving impactful campaigns at a regional level. A key focus is increasing the involvement of blind and partially sighted people in advocacy and campaigning.
Additionally, the role leads the implementation of Guide Dogs’ regional marketing and communications strategy across the Devolved Nations. This includes raising brand awareness, engaging diverse audiences—service users, families, volunteers, donors, and the public—and delivering integrated communications plans that strengthen Guide Dogs’ presence and impact.
Key Responsibilities
Policy Development
- Lead the creation of country-specific policy and position papers, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy.
- Prepare responses to consultation papers from devolved administrations, local government, and regional bodies.
- Represent Guide Dogs on committees, working groups, and forums, staying informed on policy issues impacting the organisation and its service users.
Public Affairs
- Build and influence relationships with key stakeholders, including elected representatives and senior officials.
- Represent Guide Dogs at Government Scrutiny Committees and cross-party groups.
- Act as the primary liaison with local government and statutory agencies.
Campaigns & Influence
- Strategically lead and coordinate campaigns at a country level, ensuring alignment with devolved policy priorities.
- Develop and deliver campaigns addressing local needs of the visually impaired community.
- Foster partnerships within the Third Sector to build consensus and amplify Guide Dogs’ strategic aims.
Leadership & People Management
- Provide strong leadership to local staff and volunteers, promoting best practice and knowledge-sharing.
- Oversee recruitment, performance management, and compliance with safeguarding policies.
- Ensure high levels of engagement through effective communication and leadership.
Financial Accountability
- Support fundraising initiatives and monitor operational budgets to ensure efficiency and compliance.
Diversity & Inclusion
- Champion Guide Dogs’ diversity agenda, ensuring services are inclusive and accessible.
- Work with external partners to create a more inclusive environment for people with sight loss.
How to apply
Further details on the full role are attached below. When you are ready to apply, submit an online application form via this page.
If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role before applying, or require any accessibility support to apply, our friendly recruitment team is ready and waiting to help.
As part of your application ensure you provide evidence and examples of how your skills & experience meet the criteria as set out in the attached job description. You will also be asked to complete a few job-specific questions as part of this application process, so please be prepared to write your answers to these questions.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Guide Dogs welcomes applications from all sections of the community and actively encourages diversity to maximise achievements, creativity and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are proud, whenever possible, to offer an interview to all candidates that meet our selection criteria, and who indicate they wish their application to be considered under our Disability Confident interview commitment. For more details, visit our careers site.
If you are successful you will need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK via our digital ID checking supplier; in addition, we cannot offer visa sponsorship at this time.
Safeguarding
Guide Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm with whom we work. We expect all our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment.
At Guide Dogs, we believe in fair and equitable hiring practices. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration for a position. Each case will be evaluated individually, taking into account the nature of the offense, its relevance to the role, and the time that has passed since the incident. We encourage all candidates to disclose relevant information, and we assure you that it will be handled confidentially and fairly.
Guide Dogs follow Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding the vulnerable people we work with. As part of this, we require a full work history with any gaps accounted for & a minimum of 2 professional referee details fully covering the past 5 years. If you are applying for a disclosure role, please note that you will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and sign up to the DBS update service.
For high volumes of applications, we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than advertised.
Registered Charity
More than 1000
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Project Manager, Policy Fellow
Terms: full time; 3 year contract
Salary: £36,400-46,000
Location: Remote working, option to use co-working space. There will be requirements to travel internationally.
Start Date: As soon as possible
Reports to: Programme Manager, Senior Policy Fellow, Dr Chiara Cervasio
Please note: Applicants must have the right to work in either the UK, Italy or Germany and be either currently located in one of these countries or prepared to relocate prior to commencing employment. In this case, BASIC is not providing any relocation assistance and is unable to sponsor VISAs.
About BASIC
BASIC is an independent, non-profit think tank working to safeguard humanity and Earth's ecosystem from nuclear risks and interconnected security threats, for generations to come. Our vision is for a global security consensus founded on multilateralism, the recognition of the indivisibility of security, adherence to Earth's planetary boundaries, and consideration of future generations.
For nearly 40 years, we have built a global reputation for groundbreaking dialogue and incisive thought leadership to strengthen international peace and security. We are an intellectually and culturally diverse team of 20 expert-practitioners with deep institutional experience, headquartered in London with additional presences in Berlin and Rome. We are independent, receive no core funding from any state, and our project work is funded transparently.
BASIC's approach to resolving contemporary nuclear dynamics is centred on dialogue as both a practice and a philosophy. We interpret dialogue broadly, recognising that meaningful engagement takes many forms: from facilitating direct strategic conversations between adversaries grounded in conflict resolution principles, to developing networks and diplomatic initiatives that build consensus around shared objectives, to shaping the intellectual foundations of policy discourse through rigorous research and thought leadership.
BASIC is a fast-paced and rewarding environment with an exceptionally positive and inclusive team culture. We have experienced rapid growth over the past decade and are well-suited to people who are motivated by our mission, able to work at a sustained pace, keen to develop professionally, and enjoy being part of a collaborative team working on consequential issues.
What We Offer
-
Competitive salary with room for growth
-
30 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays and closure days over the December festive period
-
Employer pension contributions of 5% (above the national minimum)
-
Flexible working arrangements, with set days (Wednesdays required) but flexibility on hours
-
Remote working with option to use co-working space
-
1-2 all-staff in-person team away day per year, as well as other in-person working opportunities
-
Opportunities for professional growth and development
-
Excellent team culture built on respect, openness, and inclusion
The Role
The Project Manager is an adept and organised professional, esteemed within the nuclear policy community for their level. Responsible for overseeing a discrete package of work, they must demonstrate a clear understanding and alignment with broader programme goals, strategies, and objectives. The role will report to the Programme Manager.
Taking charge of project deliverables, the Project Manager will navigate the entire project cycle, from generating fundraising ideas to developing them further and building knowledge of funding relationships. The role will also include deputising for the Programme Manager during periods of absence, ensuring continuity of delivery, external engagement, and team support as required.
The Project Manager will take responsibility for the South Asia portfolio under the Responsibilities and Global Governance (RGG) Programme. The RGG Programme works to strengthen global security by supporting the development of responsible governance frameworks for weapons and dual-use technologies in cross-cutting operational domains. Under the South Asia portfolio, the RGG Programme has facilitated research and dialogue with the Indian and Pakistani nuclear policy communities with a focus on regional crisis prevention, management, and de-escalation practices.
The Project Manager should possess a solid understanding of global security and conflict resolution and a deep understanding and demonstrable knowledge of military security dynamics in South Asia, coupled with a proven ability to design and execute high-quality project management and research. The ideal candidate is an established researcher with a specialisation in nuclear weapons issues and South Asia. As the candidate will be expected to facilitate India-Pakistan nuclear dialogues, it is important that they will show an ability to engage impartially with all parties.
It is expected that the Project Manager will have solo authored, policy relevant, publications. The Project Manager should possess the skills to expand their network in their area of specialisation, benefiting BASIC, and be capable of line managing other team members within their project.
This role necessitates a formal project or programme management qualification – BASIC will provide the Project Manager with such training and qualifications if they do not already possess one. The Project Manager will collaborate with their line manager to identify a professional development plan, closing skills gaps and aspiring to become an internationally respected leader in their field.
Key Responsibilities
1. Project Delivery
Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to:
-
Manage project timelines, budgets, and reporting requirements
-
Line manage, mentor/coach, and provide pastoral care for the project team: policy fellows, project assistants and interns
-
Write high-quality, policy-relevant research reports, op-eds and briefings
-
Organise international roundtables, workshops and other events with track 1 and 2 participants
-
Manage relationships with stakeholders and build BASIC’s network and reputation
-
Independently represent BASIC at international meetings
2. Fundraising
Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to:
-
Develop a project, by independently and confidently scoping funding opportunities
-
Liaise with the Programme Manager on funding priorities and opportunities
-
Manage projects with minimal day-to-day manager input.
-
Develop new and existing relationships with funders
-
Write and edit funding applications
3. Communications
Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to:
-
Collaborate with various stakeholders including international partners to build strong relationships.
-
Facilitate dialogue and cooperation among diverse stakeholders.
-
Promote our / their work confidently and internationally
-
Confidently use online social media platforms, and if possible, press contacts
4. Office support
Applicants will need to be able to support the running of the organisation and colleagues with a range of administrative tasks wherever required.
Person Specification:
Essential:
-
Educated to Master’s level – or demonstrate the equivalent in work experience
-
5+ years of work experience in a think tank, research institute, NGO, foundation or government working on international security issues
-
Demonstrable knowledge of South Asian military security issues
-
Passion and commitment to our organisational mission of promoting dialogue to advance global security
-
Demonstrated ability and track record in leading the creative development and delivery of policy projects in the UK or internationally, including budgeting and reporting
-
Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds and with broad variations in seniority and function
-
Excellent analytical and methodological skills, and an organised approach to research
-
Well-developed interpersonal skills, including evidence of working successfully as part of a team
-
Track record of previous fundraising experience and success
-
Strong track record of publications, including policy-relevant ones
-
Experience organising policy roundtables and workshops
-
Willingness to travel internationally including to India and Pakistan when required
-
Strong organisational skills and an eye for detail
-
Good personal network in their research area
-
Previous line management experience
Desirable:
- Educated to PhD’s level
- Formal programme/project management qualification
Please note that, due to the large number of applications we receive, we are not able to acknowledge receipt of all applications and only shortlisted candidates will be notified. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, you have not been successful.
Registered Charity
1 - 5
Working to safeguard humanity and Earth’s ecosystem from nuclear risks and interconnected security threats
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Dataro are looking for a Partnerships & Marketing UK Manager to help grow their presence across the UK charity sector. This is a varied role that combines partnership development with hands-on marketing and events delivery, making it ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships, spotting opportunities, and turning ideas into action.
Around 70% of the role will focus on partnerships and new business growth; identifying and developing collaborations that build pipeline and raise Dataro’s profile across the UK. The remaining 30% will focus on delivering marketing activity and events on the ground, from conferences and webinars to partner activations and community engagement.
You’ll work closely with Dataro’s global marketing and partnerships team, with access to the tools, systems and support needed to make things happen. While the role sits within a global team, this position will play a key part in shaping and delivering activity specifically for the UK charity market.
This role could suit people from a range of backgrounds. You might currently be working in corporate partnerships, marketing, partnerships, data, or events within a UK charity, or in a technology or service provider that works with the nonprofit sector. What matters most is that you understand how strong relationships translate into income and impact, and that you’re comfortable taking ideas from concept through to delivery.
Importantly, you don’t need to meet every single element on the person specification to apply. If you have experience building partnerships, running sector-facing marketing activity, or working closely with charities - and you’re someone who enjoys spotting opportunities and making things happen - we’d love to hear from you.
This is a great opportunity to join a growing organisation that still retains the energy and ownership of a startup environment, while working with charities across the UK to help them strengthen their fundraising and supporter engagement.
Application notes
Please download the Candidate Info Pack provided for further information about the role, timelines and next steps.
To progress your application, please contact THINK Recruitment via the contact info in the pack to organise an informal screening call. Please note, we cannot shortlist candidates who have not had a screening call so please allow enough time to have a call before the closing date.
If you need assistance with downloading the pack, please scontact THINK Recruitment and our team will support you.
Timeframes
Closing date for applications: Midnight 24th March
Virtual interviews – Tuesday 1st or Wednesday 2nd April
