Senior Public Affairs Officer Jobs in Belfast

Location: Remote / Hybrid - with occasional travel to either London or Wareham, Dorset

Contract: Fixed Term Contract for 12 months

Hours: 37 hours per week (1fte)

Salary: Grade D, salary range £32,359 to £36,698, depending upon experience, plus 8% employer pension contribution

We are looking to hire a Senior Communications Officer to join our Communications and PR team to assist the development and delivery of the regional communications and PR strategy, ensuring Butterfly Conservation’s messages and campaigns are effective across all regions.

Working closely with regional teams and branches, you will have a passion for delivering engaging content with a good understanding of conservation and fundraising communications and PR. Proven exceptional written and oral communication skills are required, along with the ability to develop effective working relationships with both internal and external contacts.

If you are excited about the prospects of working for a leading wildlife charity, please read through the job description and person specification, to see if you have the right skills to join the team.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

Closing date: Midday on Wednesday 13 December 2023

Interviews will take place on Friday 5 January 2024

We believe our work has never been more important.

Wildlife is in steep decline across the UK and over three-quarters of butterflies and two-thirds of moths are declining. We recognise it needs a great team with a wide variety of skills to tackle the problems facing butterflies, moths, and the environment.

Our staff and volunteers are proud to be part of Butterfly Conservation and are dedicated to making a difference to the environment we live in. We understand the importance of maintaining and expanding our expert and valued team of people and offer a range of roles located all over the UK, from the peat bogs in Scotland to the post room in Dorset.

You may also have experience in the following: Communications Manager, Communications Officer, Digital Officer, Membership Officer, Project Management, Internal Communications, CRM, Marketing Assistant, Marketing Executive, Marketing Officer, Communications Executive, Communications, Marketing Management etc.

REF-210 094

We’re looking for a new Country Director to provide leadership and direction to the MS Society Northern Ireland.

Director for Northern Ireland
Hours: Full-time (35 hours a week)
Contract: Permanent 
Location: Office-based in Belfast, BT7 with flexibility to work remotely.  
Salary: £61,404 per annum plus excellent benefits  

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 

You’ll be responsible for taking forward our corporate and functional strategies in Northern Ireland. As a senior leader in the organisation, you’ll be contributing to the leadership, planning and policy formulation of the MS Society across the UK.

You’ll also act as the principal spokesperson for the MS Society in Northern Ireland and the main advisor to the MS Society Northern Ireland National Council.

You’ll play an important role in developing our strategic approach to supporting people affected by MS. Helping us to ensure that our priorities align with the needs and aspirations of the MS community.

We’re looking for the successful candidate to be able to demonstrate that they understand the challenges that people with MS face.

You’ll be enthusiastic and passionate about the work we do and you’ll be focused on delivering positive outcomes for the MS community in Northern Ireland and UK wide.

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 Thursday 4th January 2024

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

More about our employee benefits: 

We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to): 

Encouraging work life balance

• 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us) 
• Flexible working options 

Caring for you and your family 

• Generous sick pay entitlement
• More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment 
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year 
• Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis 
• Enhanced leave for new parents 
• Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
• 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
• In the event of miscarriage or still birth 
• To support fertility treatments
• For antenatal appointments for both parents
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Death in service scheme 
• Health cash plans to help offset the cost of health care for you and your family 

Thinking about your finances 

• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing

Enriching your life at work

• Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely 
• Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups) 
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community) 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal

Equal Opportunities

We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application. 

Disability Confident Employer

We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.

If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.

Safeguarding

We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.

This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.

We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.

We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.

Your right to work in the UK

You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.

You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.

No agencies please.

Community and Events Fundrasising Officer

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with a can-do attitude to help us deliver our exciting Community and Events Fundraising programme. No previous fundraising experience is required, just an organised individual with a knack for building relationships, a passion for exceptional ‘customer service’ and a drive for uniting communities and raising money for charitable causes.

You’ll work within the charity’s passionate Fundraising and Engagement Team to raise funds to support children and families affected by the childhood cancer neuroblastoma and our vision, for a future where no child dies of neuroblastoma or suffers due to the treatment they receive.

This extremely rewarding role would suit anyone looking to take their first step in their fundraising, marketing or charity career. Don’t think your experience directly aligns? Don’t worry; we’re interested in transferable skills and attitude, so consider and show us how these apply to this role.

Summary of role responsibilities

• To help deliver the charity’s Community and Events Fundraising Programme, including special events, community fundraising, challenge events, individual giving, and fundraising appeals.
• To ensure excellent supporter and donor care and build long-term valued relationships to optimise income generation.

This is a fixed-term role offered on a one-year contract. We are looking for the successful candidate to ideally start in January 2024, but there is flexibility with this.

For more detailed information about the role, charity and team, take a look at the Recruitment Pack.

Recruitment timetable

We aim to follow the schedule outlined below:

Applications opens: 22 November 2023

Applications closes: 10 December 2023, 11:59pm

Shortlisting: 11 December 2023

Interviews: 15 December 2023 (in person in London)

If there are any adjustments that would help you engage with the recruitment process, please let us know.

​We actively encourage applications from those with lived experience of neuroblastoma and/or other childhood cancers. As an equal opportunity employer, we also welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

As a safeguarding charity whose work and practice are underpinned by safeguarding principles to protect children and young people and enhance their welfare, we always work in accordance with legislation, statutory guidance, and best safeguarding practices. All our roles require a basic criminal record check.

About the role:

We have been awarded a Department for Education contract to deliver high quality training to kinship carers across England, which will complement our existing progammes and services, including our national Peer-to-Peer Programme, innovative programmes commissioned by local authorities in England and Wales and our free information and advice services including Kinship Compass.

In order to reach and support more kinship carers with these programmes and services, we are building a new Marketing Team – comprising a Head of Marketing, Marketing Manager and Marketing Officer - to develop and deliver integrated, strategic and creative marketing campaigns and strategies.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, senior-level marketeer with a strong track record in overseeing the development and delivery of effective and successful multi-channel marketing strategies targeted at a range of audiences to join us as our Head of Marketing. We’re looking for someone excited to hit the ground running in developing a new team and function, and who is able to plan strategically and creatively about how to maximise engagement and acquisition with a small in-house team. You will play a crucial role in supporting Kinship’s growth including through income generation, by increasing brand awareness and developing compelling marketing offers for key audiences including kinship carers, local authorities and referral partners.

A strategic thinker and natural collaborator, you’ll be able to work across the organisation to develop integrated marketing strategies and plans across all of Kinship’s services and programmes, and ensure these align with our wider external communications, including to our Kinship Community of around 12,000 carers. You’ll also be comfortable getting involved in the operational delivery of our marketing plans, supporting your team of two and demonstrating an insight and audience-led approach to both digital and offline marketing, thriving in an environment where you’ll be responsible for overseeing the progress of various strands of marketing activity.

You will have significant experience in leading marketing teams in the charity sector, and have demonstrable experience in delivering successful, engaging marketing strategies in-house. You will have experience of operating at a senior management level – perhaps as a Senior Manager, Head of or other senior-level role, adept at working with senior level internal and external stakeholders.

We will guarantee interviews to any candidates with experience of kinship care (either of being in kinship care or of being a kinship carer) who demonstrate that they meet the essential skills and experience outlined below.

What we’ll offer you 

Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time) as well as a generous pension scheme. This fixed-term role is open to flexible working (school hours would be considered). We have an excellent wellbeing offer including the Employee Assistance Programme and clinical supervision. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

This is a fantastic time to join a supportive and well-established team within an organisation with rapid growth ambitions. This role will be what you make it and we’re looking for someone to seize this opportunity! 

To apply:

Please apply for this role through BeApplied. You will be asked to answer four questions and attach your CV. You will have max 250 words per answer.

1. Tell us why you’re interested in working for Kinship in this role. Please also include how your personal values align with ours - Step up, Be stronger together, Be bold and Put people first.
2. If you were offered the role, what would your priority actions be in the first three months and why? Tell us about what you’d need to find out and what would be your approach to the role?
3. How would you ensure your team are motivated, high performing and happy in their role?
4. This role will involve working with a wide range of stakeholders across the kinship care landscape, to gather views, insights and contributions. How would you go about identifying, listening to and working with stakeholders and seeking consensus? What would you do when consensus cannot be reached?

Application deadline: 9:00am on Monday 11 December 2023

1st interview date: Friday 15 December 2023 (online)

2nd interview date: Monday 18 December 2023 – in-person (Vauxhall). The interview process will be two stages online (on Zoom) and for the second interview you will be asked to create a presentation (you will hold full copyright and ownership of the presentation and contents) and there will be a timed written task.

Do you have advocacy skills and experience of networking and lobbying international organisations in urban development? Do you have a passion for dog welfare? Then join our internationally recognised and respected organisation at an exciting point in our development. 

We are seeking an experienced consultant to help us shape and implement our global advocacy program for dogs. At ICAM, we strongly believe that some Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved by 2030 without putting in place policies and programs for humane management of dog populations. As such, we are in the process of initiating an influencing strategy targeted at global health and urban development stakeholders to recognise Dog Population Management (DPM) as a contributor to sustainable development. 

We have established a strategy and action plan and now need to drive forward the next external facing phase, including building relationships with influential stakeholders in the field of urban development. The next two years will focus on mainstreaming the important contribution of DPM in achieving SDG 3 (Health) and SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities). We are waiting to hear your proposal for developing and driving forward this advocacy strategy in collaboration with our international coalition of DPM experts.

Role Title: Advocacy Consultant 

Hours: Negotiable, full or part-time

Contract length: 2 years with potential to renew for further years

Payment: 60,000 GBP per year FTE

Consultant selection process: We are accepting CVs plus a cover letter explaining your relevant experience and how you would approach the first few months of a new advocacy role. Successful proposals will be followed by interview. 

Start date: As soon as possible following consultant selection.

Reports to: ICAM Director (and functionally to ICAM Chair)

About ICAM: The International Companion Animal Management (ICAM) Coalition is membership organisation that supports the development and use of humane and effective companion animal population management worldwide. Our vision is of a world where companion animals and human populations live together harmoniously. We are a registered charity (CIO Association) with the Charity Commission of England and Wales.

The position: We are looking for an experienced advocate and communication professional to work with our Director, Board of Trustees and ICAM members to lead the development and coordination of our advocacy work to ensure influential global stakeholders understand DPM’s contribution towards achieving different SDGs.  As an advocacy expert, the consultant will also be a first-class communicator and convener and with sound knowledge of UN and other international institutions particularly in relation to urban development. A seasoned tactician in advocacy, the consultant will help us in developing and implementing the advocacy strategy and plan. Familiarity with DPM would be beneficial but is not required; as an internationally recognised and respected organisation in the field of DPM, ICAM is able perfectly positioned to support an advocacy consultant with the necessary DPM expertise. 

Essential skills:

- Experience in advocacy and/ or external affairs management at the international level

- Excellent communication and networking skills, including at the highest levels of decision-making Knowledge and experience of the urban development sector

Key accountabilities:

● To co-lead the implementation and monitoring of advocacy strategy and plan for mainstreaming DPM within SDGs – in particular, SDG 11 on developing resilient and safe urban communities for all.

● Use insight into the UN system to inform ICAM’s advocacy targets and actions.

● In consultation with the Director, initiate strategic relations with key identified stakeholders within the urban development community and introduce/engage the Director, trustees and ICAM members as and when required.

● Effective management of relationships with these stakeholders.

● In consultation with Director, identify key external events and opportunities critical for engaging and influencing target stakeholders; and where agreed, represent ICAM in these events.

● Propose and organize events and side events in identified important global events - either as ICAM or as part of collaborative effort with other institutions and NGOs.

● Lead the development of campaign assets (reports, infographics, videos, etc) designed to target the interests of key stakeholders.

● Identify gaps in evidence of the importance of DPM to sustainable development and work with ICAM colleagues to fill these gaps and communicate them to a wider public or professional audience.

● Co-lead the development of ICAM's position on various topics within urban development.

● Support Director to engage ICAM members in development and implementation of advocacy strategies and work plan, to maximise their supporting actions and communicate progress to share with their supporters and donors.

● Identify potential partnership with other coalitions, organisations, trade bodies, corporates relevant to our goals and objectives.

● Maintain continuous and effective communication with the director ensuring timely reporting of engagement with stakeholders. 

Can you make sure that kinship carers in England receive high quality, user centred training online and in person?

About the role

We have been awarded the Department for Education contract to deliver high quality training to kinship carers across England. You will be responsible for delivering high quality online and face-to-face training and managing a team of inhouse facilitators and external partners.

This is a new team so you will need to be someone who is comfortable with a high level of ambiguity and who is able to build outcome and target driven services from a user centred approach. We have a lot to do over the next 18 months.

From April 2024 to March 2025, your team will need to deliver exceptional training to 4,000 kinship carers in England through in person and online sessions. These are divided into introductory and advanced training. We will be delivering at least 16 roadshows across England so travel will be required in this role. In person training will also involve experiential learning in peer support groups and community venues. Introductory training will be delivered in-house.

You will also work with external expert facilitators and partners to develop new advanced training sessions and modules. Subject experts within Kinship, will also deliver training and you will need to ensure content and delivery meets a consistent standard.

The right person will need to work collaboratively with colleagues across Kinship and be used to working in cross-functional teams. You’ll need to be curious, detail orientated with an improvement mindset.

What we’ll offer you 

Kinship offers 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time) as well as a generous pension scheme. This fixed-term role is open to flexible working (school hours would be considered). We have an excellent wellbeing offer including the Employee Assistance Programme and clinical supervision. We will invest in your professional development with training and career development opportunities.

Kinship is committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.  We believe our work is greatly enhanced by the varied backgrounds, experiences and views represented within our teams.  We aim to create inclusive teams, celebrate differences and encourage everyone to join us and be their true self at work. We therefore encourage applications from anyone who fits our values, whatever their religion or belief, sex, gender identity, race, age, sexuality or disability and are actively seeking candidates that can bring real innovation and commitment to us. 

This is a fantastic time to join a supportive and well-established team within an organisation with rapid growth ambitions. This role will be what you make it and we’re looking for someone to seize this opportunity! 

To apply:

Please apply for this role through BeApplied. You will be asked to answer five questions and attach your CV. You will have max 250 words per answer.

1. Describe how your experience and your values are a good fit for this role
2. This service needs to deliver 4,000 training experiences for kinship carers over 1 year, please clearly describe your experience of delivering high quality training at this scale and pace.
3. If you were offered the role, what would you prioritise in the first two months and why? Tell us about what you’d need to find out and what would be your approach to the role.
4. Please describe how you would ensure that training is meeting the needs of kinship carers (think about outcomes, evaluation and participation).
5. How would ensure your team are motivated, high performing and delivering exceptional training – both in person and online?

Application deadline: 9:00am on Wednesday 13 December 2023

Interview date: Tuesday 19 December 2023 – in-person (Vauxhall). It is anticipated that this will be a one stage in-person interview process, but this may change depending on the volume and calibre of applications.