Communications And Policy Officer Jobs in Manchester

About the role

You will

• Celebrate the achievements of brain injury survivors across the UK, promote the services that Headway UK offers and raise awareness of the prevalence of brain injury.
• Establish Headway as a leading voice in the area of brain injury, ensuring that relevant media outlets are presented with relevant information.

What you will do

• Obtain regular positive national and local media coverage for Headway
• Produce high-quality written materials for release to the media
• Communicate with and facilitate media coverage for independent Headway charities and volunteer-led branches, helping to raise their profiles locally
• Monitor and evaluate media coverage and PR activity to enable the effective tracking of the charity’s reputation.
• Be the first point of call for all media enquiries and take appropriate action
• Manage and cultivate relationships with local and national media.
• Liaise with the fundraising department and promote its initiatives in local and national media outlets.
• Source and interview individuals willing to share their personal experiences of brain injury & to draft personal testimonies and create a database of case studies ready to be used in reaction to relevant news stories.
• Assist in the production of Headway News and other regular communications
• Assist in the planning and execution of the national campaign for Action for Brain Injury Week and to assist in the implementation of additional campaigns throughout the year

About you

We’re open-minded & welcome all applicants who believe they can succeed. Though ideally, you will:

• Have experience of working with local, regional and national media outlets, including crafting in press releases and sell-in

• Have experience of interviewing people from all backgrounds

• Have a highly collaborative working style, fostering teamwork and cross-functional cooperation.

• Be comfortable being the first point of call for journalist enquiries

• Excellent organisational abilities, with a track record of managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines efficiently.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, ensuring clear, effective messaging across all channels.

Visit our website to find out more about the role, the work of Headway, the benefits we offer and apply for this job. We look forward to hearing from you.

We are COSRT - a unique professional body for specialist psychotherapists in the UK and beyond.  We provide and accredit training, set professional standards, and support professionals and the public.  All so that people can access the best possible therapy no matter where or who they are.

Now, after an internal promotion, we are looking to recruit an Organisational Support Officer.  This is a vital, interesting and challenging role.  It will mean you're involved in everything we do.  You'll work alongside and give practical support to all colleagues, using your skills to help us deliver products and services smoothly.

This isn't a stereotypical administration post - it is true support across our functions.There will be four main areas where you will be most involved:

• Training....including setting up agreements with trainers, providing pre and post event support for online sessions, creating products on our online training platform.
• Operations...including processing membership applications, dealing with queries from the public and professionals, supporting internal financial and other processes.
• Standards and governance...clerking complaints, setting up and supporting committee meetings.
• Communications...including social media posting, updating website content, creating newsletters.

There is no doubt that this is an exciting role.  No week will be the same and you will be supported in getting involved in as many things as possible to help your professional development.

To succeed you'll need to be flexible, proactive and have a diverse skillset.  You'll have an eye for detail.  You'll be good with numbers and able to do key administrative tasks.  You'll be comfortable working with technology and learning how to do new things quickly.  You'll be able to work independently as well as in close collaboration with others.  You'll be an excellent communicator, comfortable speaking with a range of people and producing high quality written outputs.

About Chapter One

Chapter One is a growing charity dedicated to ensuring every child has access to one-to-one reading support at the time they need it most. 

Our innovative Online Reading Volunteers Programme aims to support 3,300 children facing disadvantage during the 2024-25 academic year, pairing five to eight-year-old children with reading support volunteers from over 140 local and national businesses. Our unique approach requires volunteers to commit just 30 minutes a week for an entire academic year, using our bespoke digital platform. The results are transformative, significantly boosting children's reading confidence and ability. Our ambitious five year plan targets growth of 20% year on year.

For more information about our programmes please visit our website. Please also take some time to visit our social media channels and watch our videos.

About the role 

With ambitious targets to support thousands more children by 2029, Chapter One is seeking a passionate, energetic Fundraising Officer to be an integral part of our Fundraising team. Reporting to our Trusts & Foundations Manager, you’ll generate income from a range of existing and new trusts and foundations, along with individual fundraising activities to contribute towards the 2024-25 fundraising target of £278,000, rising to £348,000 in 2025-26 in which you’ll have an individual target.

This new role is ideal for an early career professional who can write creative, compelling bids and build impactful relationships to make your mark in a fast-growing charity which is flexible and agile. You’ll be a proactive, determined self-starter and have high standards for yourself and others. You’ll develop and manage a funding pipeline by investing in thorough research and relationship cultivation, and you will thrive in working with funders, partners and supporters on a day -to-day basis. 

Key Responsibilities

Deliver the fundraising plan 

● Work collaboratively with the Trusts & Foundations Manager to grow Chapter One’s fundraising portfolio and meet agreed income targets from trusts and foundations. 

● Maintain a portfolio of existing trusts and foundations, ensuring an excellent cultivation and stewardship journey​ in order to build relationships and maximise income. 

● Proactively identify and research new prospective trust funders, finding creative ways to engage with them to secure support.

● Create compelling and tailored fundraising applications and reports, ensuring there is a strong emotional case for support and accuracy, to inspire prospects and supporters across trusts and foundations. 

● Contribute to the highest levels of donor care for supporters, including creative stewardship, adhering to all grant conditions and responding in a timely manner to all enquiries from supporters and prospects. 

● Research, interpret and present data about literacy and impact that makes a compelling case for Chapter One’s programmes. 

● Contribute to internal planning and budget setting for restricted and unrestricted activities, setting out clear plans and a pipeline for income generation from trusts and foundations.

● Work with the Trusts & Foundations Manager, Corporate Partnerships team and Communications team to support the development of strategies and campaigns to grow individual giving from existing volunteers and supporters.

● Undertake administrative duties to support the delivery of individual fundraising initiatives including matched-giving campaigns and Payroll Giving. 

● Work closely with the Trusts & Foundations Manager, Business Development Manager, Corporate Partnerships team and Communications team to ensure a cohesive approach and maximise all fundraising opportunities.

General

● Oversee and maintain specific fundraising administrative processes, including

recording of activity on the Salesforce CRM and internal databases.

● Maintain up-to-date knowledge of fundraising regulations, networks, and developments across the sector. 

● Adherence to Chapter One’s Donation Acceptance Policy.

● Contribute to forecasting and regular reporting, producing verbal and written reports for senior management as required.

We are looking for some of the following attributes, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others:

● A commitment to Chapter One’s mission and values.

● Experience of fundraising, ideally from trusts and foundations.

● A demonstrable track record of successfully generating income and achieving targets. 

● An ability to create compelling and successful fundraising applications and proposals. 

● Excellent written communication skills, with an understanding of how to tailor communications for different audiences/contexts.

● Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and manage relationships with a range of stakeholders, both internally and externally. 

● Evidence of effective prospect research, growing and managing a pipeline, planning for your portfolio and increasing income​.

● Good financial acumen and proven ability to present complex financial information accurately.

● Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and high levels of accuracy.

● Ability to effectively work under pressure and manage conflicting priorities.

You’ll be more successful in the role if you have:

● Experience of individual giving or employee fundraising.

● Experience of working in a charity that has a strong corporate volunteering offer.​

● Experience using the Salesforce CRM Non-profit Success Pack.

Chapter One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and celebrate diversity in backgrounds and experience and are deliberate about the kind of teams we are building. Literacy is a universal concern, and we need people from all backgrounds to maximise our innovation, creativity and impact. We especially welcome applications from persons who have experienced disadvantage and/or from those who are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are currently underrepresented in the organisation.

Chapter One is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All postholders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure. Copies of our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available on request.

Do you want to make a real difference in the lives of survivors of sexual violence? An exciting opportunity has arisen for an exceptional professional to lead Greater Manchester Rape Crisis.

The Board is seeking to appoint a new CEO to lead the organisation and to provide strategic direction for its staff, volunteers and supporters. You will have effective and comprehensive leadership, management and communication skills, with experience of leading high performing teams. You will be a confident communicator and ambassador for GMRC.

If you have a strong empathy with this area of work; if you value integrity, compassion and teamwork; if you want to work in an inclusive and nurturing environment; if you have a feminist understanding of sexual violence and knowledge of the causes and impact then this could be the next career challenge for you.

Closing Date: Friday 14th February 2025 at 12 noon

Hours: 35 per week with the possibility of hybrid working

Annual Salary: PO7-PO8 starting at £52,805 - £56,073

Interview dates: TBA

FIXED TERM CONTRACT FOR 12 MONTHS WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION SUBJECT TO FUNDING

PLEASE NOTE this role is restricted to female applicants under the Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR), Schedule 9 (Work; Exceptions), Part 1 (Occupational Requirements), of the Equality Act (2010)

It is a policy of Greater Manchester Rape Crisis that ex-service users have a waiting period of six months before applying for any posts as a paid employee.

We’re recruiting for a Volunteer Officer to join our team.

ReachOut is a national youth development charity and a strategic partner for schools. Through collective mentoring and engaging activities, we build socio-emotional skills that transform outcomes for young people constrained by circumstance.

Our Volunteer Officer is responsible for the recruitment, onboarding, training and development of our volunteers – particularly those from our community partners. This role ensures that volunteers have a fantastic experience across a range of ReachOut opportunities that are highly impactful for the young people that we work with. The postholder will also play a key role in developing the ongoing training offer for volunteers and building networks with community organisations across our regions.

2025 is an exciting time to join ReachOut as we launch our new organisational strategy. You’ll be joining a friendly and supportive team, helping us make a real difference to the lives and futures of young people across London and Manchester.

Freshwater Habitats Trust is the UK’s leading charity for all freshwaters. We are an evidence-based, conservation charity that works to protect UK and European freshwater wildlife through practical and innovative nature conservation projects. 

Data and evidence are vital in prioritising our work across the organisation and building the Freshwater Network. They are also vital when influencing external audiences to achieve our mission to reverse the decline in freshwater biodiversity. 

This is a new role in the organisation and reflects an urgent requirement to collate, organise and manage a large volume of research, survey and other data collected by Freshwater Habitats Trust over the last four decades, the potential of which is not currently being fully realised. 

It is critical that through the development of an organisational data strategy we can:

· Provide evidence of our research and advocacy.

· Showcase Freshwater Habitats Trust’s expertise.

· Facilitate effective teamwork within and between project and organisational teams.

· Enable efficient project delivery and public / partner engagement.

· Guide the strategic delivery of conservation projects through Important Freshwater Area analysis mapping and reporting.

The role will work closely with the strategic Research and Data Sub-Group of the Senior Management Team who are responsible for driving this work forwards.

This position requires a creative, dynamic and enthusiastic person who works well as part of a team whilst being self-motivated and ambitious. 

Closing Date: 7th February 2025

Interview Dates: 28th February 2025

FIT makes grants to organisations and provides individual fellowships for work that promotes sustainable transport as a universal basic right, reduces the environmental impact of our transport system, and reduces the dominance of the car in society. The Foundation also makes loans, repayable grants and equity investments to selected projects and innovations. For further information about our work and examples of our projects, please visit our website.

The Communications Officer will manage the Charity's communications activities including PR/press, the website and social media, as well as helping organise various events. We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced individual who cares passionately about achieving our aims. The role offers an opportunity to help shape the Foundation’s priorities and strategy, to be part of a movement for change, and to identify and work with some exceptional individuals and organisations. 

 JOB DESCRIPTION

1)   PR/ press:

• Promoting FIT and its work to a wider audience

• Publishing and promoting the work of FIT’s grantees, fellows and investees using blogs, social media, newsletters and press releases:

  • Communicating with grantees, fellows and investees to obtain relevant information

  • Drafting news articles for the FIT website and social media

  • Producing a quarterly newsletter detailing new grant awards, grantee news and upcoming events

  • Producing press releases and media articles

  • Liaising with external press and print media organisations

  • Creative use of other media as the post holder sees fit

• Creating a digital catalogue/ archive of all FIT-funded projects, fellowships and investments

• Adding FIT to directories of grant-giving organisations to allow us to be found by a wider audience.

2)      Website: 

• Maintaining and updating FIT’s website (in conjunction with the Executive Secretary & Grants Manager)

• Producing grant impact summaries for the individual project pages on the website using information provided in final project reports

• Adding missing past/ present funded projects to the website to create a complete online record of everything FIT has funded.

3)      Social media: 

• Managing FIT’s existing social media accounts including LinkedIn and X

• Setting up new social media accounts as necessary eg Facebook

• Drafting a social media policy for FIT.

4)   Events/ networking:

• Supporting the organisation of in person events and webinars to showcase the projects, fellowships and social investments which FIT supports, and to enable networking amongst those supported by FIT (in conjunction with the Executive Secretary & Grants Manager and Events Manager)

• Creating virtual sub-groups of grantees and fellows to further enable networking opportunities.

5)    Other: 

• Opportunity for drafting a communications strategy

• Other communications tasks from time to time as deemed reasonable by the trustees and Executive Secretary & Grants Manager.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The Communications Officer will actively and passionately promote the work of the Foundation and will be aligned with the aims of FIT, which are public transport as a universal basic right, reducing the environmental impact of our transport system, and reducing the dominance of the car in society.

Skills and competencies

• Excellent copywriting skills and experience in drafting copy for technical and non-technical audiences in a variety of formats, including web, social media, news articles, press releases, formal reports, etc (E)

• Experience in web editing using WordPress (E)

• Ability to work and liaise with a wide range of people (E)

• Accuracy and excellent attention to detail (E)

• Ability to work independently under own initiative (E)

• High level organisational and administrative skills (E)

• IT skills: competent in the use of Google Workspace, Zoom and social media, etc (E)

Knowledge and experience

• Experience of working in a communications role (E)

• Experience of working with social media (E)

• Experience of working with mainstream media (E)

• Familiarity with the charitable, not-for-profit or campaigning sector (E)

• Experience of working within a committee environment, for example, with a board of trustees or elected members (D)

• Interest in and support for sustainable transport (E)

• Knowledge of the sustainable transport sector (D)

E = Essential; D = Desirable

To apply for the role, please submit your CV and a covering letter (maximum 2 sides A4) outlining your relevant skills and experience, together with details of how you fit the requirements of the person specification. The deadline for applications is 23:55 on Friday 14th February 2025.

Director of Communications

Location: Global remote

Salary: £80,000 - 85,000

Reports to: CEO

Closing date: 15 January 2025

Our vision at UnitedGMH is a world where everyone everywhere can access mental health support. We use our expertise in advocacy, financing and campaigning to advance this vision, focussing on rights, health systems, ecosystems, and field building to deliver progress. We are looking for an experienced and creative Director to lead communications for UnitedGMH and the Global Mental Health Action Network (GMHAN). 

You will have deep experience of global advocacy communications with the ability to develop and execute communications strategies with stakeholders across government, international organisations, civil society, the private sector, the media, research and academia. You will be confident in developing and implementing an organisational communications strategy, with a strong emphasis on brand, advocacy and digital communications to engage global audiences with UnitedGMH and GMHAN.

Reporting to the CEO, you will lead a small central team, manage consultants, and provide communications advice and leadership to colleagues and partners worldwide. You will represent the organisation externally and manage high-level relationships with corporate partners, major health bodies, donors and board members. You will play an active role as a member of the senior management team, contributing to organisation-wide strategies, plans and fundraising.

You are a driven individual able to lead a cohesive and compelling communications approach, which harnesses our brands, profile, content, expertise, networks and channels to best effect. This is a great opportunity for a creative and confident communications leader to build on UnitedGMH’s successes to date, and to be part of an organisation at the forefront of tackling global mental health challenges.

Attributes and experience

Essential

• An ability to develop and execute communications strategies to help achieve change at the highest levels of government and international organisations.

• Proven experience of improving organisational brand and positioning to be a ‘go-to’ organisation in its field.

• An inspiring leader and manager, able to get the best from colleagues and stakeholders. 

• Experience of working in global health and/or international development communications at a global level.

• Proven experience of leading multi-disciplinary communications teams spanning brand, creative, social media, strategic communications, publications, events, and media relations.

• Experienced in building and developing high-level partnerships, especially with global media, and initiatives to reach and engage target audiences.

• Strong interpersonal and team working skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues at all levels.

• Fluent in English, with exceptional written and verbal communication and presentation skills. Able to turn technical policy information into engaging products.

• Political sensitivity, with the ability to apply good judgment in decision making.

• Proven ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced and changing environment.

• Effective in managing budgets, contracts and plans.

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of global health and associated networks.

• Additional language skills.

• Familiar with, and a champion of, communications informed by global and national experts including People With Lived Experience of mental health conditions. 

• Knowledge of best practice in communications for mental health

This is a global remote role and you must already have the right to work in the country where you are based.

To apply, please use the Charity Job website to upload a CV and Cover Letter and apply by 11.59pm GMT on 15th January 2025. No direct applications will be accepted.

Job title Support Line Officer

Reporting to Support Line Leader

Location Remote

Hours 35 hours full time, part time job share considered

Salary £27-30k

We are seeking a remote-based Support Line Operator to join our small and friendly team, answering enquiries from kidney patients, families and carers by telephone, email and social media channels, driven to provide an excellent experience for every contact.

The Kidney Care UK Support Line provides practical information and non-medical advice for anyone affected by chronic kidney disease.

From Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, the Support Line is accessible by telephone, email and social media. We provide best in class information and support at the first point of contact, knowledgably responding to enquiries with care and compassion.

About you
 

We are seeking someone with experience of responding to incoming enquiries for a health or care patient support/charity helpline or patient support service.

Ability to deal professionally, calmly, and sympathetically with people affected by kidney disease.

You must have Excellent communication skills, able to engage and reassure by phone and in writing.

You will need to be confident using social media and MS Office for professional communications.

Interviewing on 19th and 20th February

Anna Freud is a world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families. More information about Anna Freud is available on our website.

We value diversity and aim to have diverse workforce that reflects the community and our service users, in line with our vision, values and inclusion commitments. We encourage applications from all sections of the community.

The CRM Marketing Officer is a new role within Anna Freud, supported by significant investment in the CRM systems and marketing resource. The post-holder will contribute to and build the organisation’s CRM strategy and marketing capabilities, laying the foundations for increased engagement with our audiences. They will also manage day-to-day CRM marketing activity, having autonomy to drive CRM campaigns, testing and customer-centric lifecycle communications.

The role will report into the CRM Marketing Manager and will be part of the wider Brand and Marketing team. The ideal candidate will demonstrate initiative, proactivity and curiosity to successfully deliver CRM marketing plans. They will collaborate with colleagues to increase the value of our database and advance this important area of work.

Location

Hybrid working (a mixture of onsite and home/remote working). Staff are working onsite for at least 20% of their working hours, either at our London site (4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH) or our Northern Hub (Huckletree, The Express Building, 9 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester M4 5AD).

Contract duration

Permanent

Closing date for applications

Midday (12pm), Wednesday 29 January 2025.

Please note that due to high application volumes, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to apply promptly and to keep an eye on our future vacancies for more opportunities.

Notification of interview

Shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Wednesday 5 February 2025. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Interviews

Interviews will be held between Wednesday 12 February 2025.

How to apply

Please click on the 'Apply now’ button. We are unable to accept CVs and kindly request no contact from agencies.

SCIE Vision

We are committed to building a society which enables people who draw on social care to live fulfilling lives.

At the SCIE, we are driven by our values:

· Progressive – always learning and developing.

· Inclusive – working together for equality, diversity, and fairness.

· Credible – evidence-based, robust, and reliable.

· Transparent – open and honest.

The role:

A great opportunity for you to join our small friendly team and make a real difference to people’s lives by:

· Ensuring that SCIE’s evidence, drawn from research and people’s lived experiences, influences social care policy and practice.

· Developing and delivering influencing strategies, drafting policy papers and legislative briefings, and managing relationships with various stakeholders and key partners.

· Growing SCIE’s profile as an influential, informed, and powerful voice in the social care sector.

· Positioning SCIE to work as a partner to government, responding independently to new government policy, supporting and advising on a range of national policy programmes, initiatives, and influencing guidance and practice.

· Producing high-quality research and evaluations demonstrating what works and makes a difference in social care, promoting evidence-based good practice.

What we are looking for:

· Knowledge of the policy and political landscape developed from previous experience working in a policy or public affairs role, either in government, the civil service, charities, or non-governmental organisations.

· Proven experience developing and delivering public affairs strategies and leading influencing activities.

· Proven experience producing policy papers and applying policy research skills, such as evidence gathering, analysis and reporting.

· Proven experience as a strategic and analytic thinker who can influence policymakers with persuasive arguments, policy ideas and campaigns.

· Proven ability to manage a wide range of internal and external stakeholder relationships, including at senior levels, and to engage with people with diverse viewpoints and backgrounds.

 

What we offer in return.

We offer excellent staff benefits including a competitive salary and homeworking allowance. We provide an employer pension contribution above the statutory minimum, an award-winning employee assistance programme, and an attractive holiday package which rises with length of service.

If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us. (You can find our contact email in the 'How to apply' section)

Job Title: CEO

Salary: Actual salary is £36,000 per year. (FTE £45,000)

Contract/ Hours: 4 days per week / 0.8FTE. The normal working week is 30 hours.

Annual Leave: FTE annual leave entitlement is 23 days pro rata plus public and bank holidays.

Pension: Pension contributions of 5% per month will be paid by NUM and 3% per month will be deducted from salary.

Base/ Location: Must be UK-based. NUM is a national organisation with workspaces in Manchester and Glasgow and CEO will be required to travel throughout the UK and internationally.

About NUM:

National Ugly Mugs (NUM) was established in 2012 as a pilot project of the UK Network of Sex Work Projects. It is now the largest sex worker-serving violence prevention and survivor support service in the UK, with a mandate to ‘end all forms of violence against sex workers.’ All of our services are delivered with, by, and for sex workers and our work is grounded within three principles: 'Sex Workers' First; 'Quality Support'; and 'Learning and Innovation'. We support over 9,800 members, 85% of whom are active adult industry workers, with the remainder comprising a range of frontline practitioners and delivery partners. NUM advocates for the decriminalisation of sex work. To learn more about NUM visit our website: www[dot]nationaluglymugs[dot]org

Role Purpose:

The main purpose of the CEO is to provide inspirational leadership to NUM and ensure long term sustainability through innovation, strategic planning, effective governance, funding, and sound delivery of services. The CEO will take a lead role in the national policy advocacy work NUM carries out to achieve its objectives.

We encourage applications from people with lived experience of sex work.

Documents below contain and a full person specification and the main responsibilities of the role.

How to Apply:

To apply email your CV (no more than 3 pages) and an application covering letter (no more than 2 pages) to admin[at]uglymugs[dot]org[dot] by 5pm on 13th February. Please write CEO Application in your subject line or your application may be lost and not processed.

Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews throughout March. Interviews will include a presentation about your strategic direction, and will likely be followed by a second interview.

Your cover letter should set out why you are interested in the post and demonstrate, with specific examples from your experience and qualifications, how you meet the person specification criteria. Please also include two references (including your current or most recent employer; they will only be contacted after confirming this with you).

For a confidential discussion about the position, you are welcome to talk with long-standing board member Dr Laura Graham, laura.n.graham[at]northumbria[dot]ac[dot]uk.

We are committed to inclusion and equal opportunities in the workplace and we actively encourage applicants of all different ages, genders, social and economic backgrounds, ethnicities, religions and sexual orientations, and from people with and without disabilities. Please contact admin[at]nationaluglymugs[dot]org if you have any access needs regarding applying for this role or attending an interview should you have any access requirements or need any reasonable adjustments to be made. Applications are encouraged from people with sex work community experience. If this experience is shared in applications it will be kept confidential.

Senior Policy Advisor - Children in Care.

Salary:c£45,000 per annum.

Location: Remote with frequent travel to London.

Contract: 12 Months Fixed Term Contract covering Maternity Leave, 35 hours per week.

Benefits:  

• 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave.
• Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.
• Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover.
• Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailer's discounts.

Why Action for Children?

Action for Children protects and supports children, young people, and families. Our vision is that every child and young person has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

In 2023/24 we helped 687,755 children, young people, and their families across the UK. We provide practical and emotional support through 426 services in local communities across the UK, in schools and online. This includes 68 children's centres and family hubs, 61 family support services, 14 homes for disabled children, 11 residential children's homes, 15 foster and adoption services, six services for young people at risk of criminal exploitation and one residential school. We are one of the largest voluntary sector providers of residential care in England and, outside local authorities, the biggest provider of disability services for children and young people.

We also campaign passionately and work closely with policy makers to make sure the voices of young people are heard, to influence policy decisions and bring lasting improvements to the lives of children and their families.

A bit about the role 

Reporting to the Head of Policy and Research, you will design and deliver high quality research and policy outputs in support of Action for Children's work to influence and change UK Government policy around children in care and deliver lasting change in children's lives.

You'll work closely with our Influencing and Media teams and Services colleagues to ensure Action for Children is at the forefront of the policy debate and has maximum impact with key national and local stakeholders.

You'll develop and apply research and policy strategies that incorporate the views of children, parents, and our services staff to ensure that their voices are at the heart of Action of Children's policy and research. This is an exciting time to join Action for Children as it works to influence a range of policy agendas.

How you'll help to create brighter futures by

• Function as Action for Children's policy expert on Children in Care.
• Manage a diverse and challenging workload progressing policy and research projects from design to delivery, including commissioned work through external researchers, networks, and academic institutions.
• Undertake research activities using a range of approaches, including qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
• Provide expert advice on key policy priorities across Action for Children, ensuring that the Chief Executive and senior colleagues are informed and resourced with the relevant information.
• Establish collaborative working with colleagues to develop effective evidence gathering, research and policy activity that has the child at the centre.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with senior civil servants, politicians, academics, and opinion formers, working proactively.
• Collaborate proactively with colleagues in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to share policy and research expertise.

Let's talk about you 

• Experience in designing and delivering quantitative and qualitative research projects and/or developing policy recommendations.
• Excellent analytical skills to interpret complex information and data, including from Action for Children's Services.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within a team, across departments and with other organisations, and the ability to work with all kinds of people, including people affected by the issues we influence to change.
• Good organisation skills to respond quickly to the demands of the fast moving and complex policy and media agendas.
• Good influencing skills and the ability to identify and develop relationships with policy stakeholders who can drive change.
• Excellent research and intelligence gathering skills and ability to understand and apply information to specific audiences.

Please see the Job Description for the full list of accountabilities and requirements. 

Good to know

Application Process

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Diversity, equality, and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.

We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic, and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Want to know more about Action for Children?

Find us on , ,  or  to get to know us better.

Closing Date: Tuesday 28^th January 2025.

Interviews will be week commencing 3^rd February 2025.

See below for further information about working with us:

About The Role
If you want to tackle the biggest health and social care challenge facing the country then this is the role for you!
 
Dementia has a devastating impact on individuals, their families and society, at a cost of £42bn a year. Through our policy work, we are going to change that. As the UK’s largest dementia charity, the Alzheimer’s Society has thrown its weight behind achieving the better diagnosis, social care and treatment that people living with dementia urgently need.
In this role, you’ll work on evidence-based, collaborative, engaging and innovative policymaking across our Evidence, Policy & Influencing team. You’ll play a key part in determining what Alzheimer’s Society thinks about the big issues affecting people living with dementia today and help to drive major, impactful system and policy change across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As Policy Officer, you’ll support Policy Managers to implement policy development strategies and be an expert policy advisor to colleagues across the Society.  You’ll also help to build compelling arguments to convince decision-makers of the need for action on dementia, empowered by robust evidence and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders.
 
Alzheimer's Society has recently been named on the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2023! We have achieved excellent scores for workplace happiness, pride, and job satisfaction. This is a fantastic achievement and we're incredibly proud as this is a great indication of how far we’ve travelled over the past few years. We would love to welcome more outstanding people to join our exciting journey to make the greatest difference for people affected by dementia.

This is a homeworking role, but you may be required to travel to attend meetings, events and team-days, so you must reside in the UK, have the correct right to work documents to work in the UK and be comfortable/willing to travel to our offices (London or Birmingham) if/when required. Hybrid working is also available.
About you

- You will be someone with a sound knowledge of the health and care policy landscape across the UK, and ready to challenge the status quo.
- You’ll be able to proactively identify the action needed to affect policy change in dementia at national and local levels across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- You will be looking to hone your influencing skills in many different environments and within different systems, whilst engaging with stakeholders of varying levels of seniority.
- You will show excellent attention to detail, and enjoy producing and presenting high quality, innovative content including briefings, presentations and consultation responses.
- You will be a team player and ready to build consistency and understanding around our policymaking, while working on shared influencing priorities alongside others in the Evidence, Policy and Influencing team.

Person specification: 

- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Able to work collaboratively and prioritise workload effectively, remaining solution focussed throughout your areas of work.
- Strong interpersonal and interpretation skills which will allow you to have open and accessible conversations.
- Excellent organisational and timekeeping skills.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- A team player, supporting colleagues when there are deadlines and asking for help when needed.
- A self-starter and incredibly motivated.

About Alzheimer's Society
Dementia is the biggest health and social challenge of our time.

There are currently estimated to be 900,000 people in the UK with dementia. Many are undiagnosed and facing the realities of their condition alone.

At Alzheimer’s Society we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. We do this by giving help to those living with dementia today and providing hope for the future. We’re here for everyone living with dementia.
 
As a Society, we are made up of people with dementia, carers, trusted experts, campaigners, researchers and clinicians. We are the UK’s largest collective force of people with unparalleled knowledge and over 40 years of experience addressing the biggest challenges facing people living with dementia.

Our Values

We are Determined to make a difference when and where it matters most, by being passionate, focussed and making a lasting impact for people affected by dementia.

Every one of us is a Trusted expert, listening, learning and using evidence and experience. We are Better together by being open, combining our strengths, helping us to achieve more together. We are Compassionate, we are kind and honest, and we don’t shy away from challenges.

Through our values we will make the greatest difference for people affected by dementia.

Equal Opportunities

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society.

We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do. During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and be at your best.