Content and communications officer jobs in brackley, northamptonshire

Advocacy Manager

Location – Remote from the UK with regular travel to Manchester and London

Starting Salary - £40,416 per annum (plus contributory pension)

MAG saves lives and builds futures by working with others to reclaim land contaminated with the debris of conflict, to reduce the daily risk of death or injury for civilians, and to create safe and secure conditions for development. MAG shared the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize as a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines for our work to ban landmines. Our vision is a safe and secure future for men, women and children affected by armed violence and conflict. 

We are looking for an exceptional Advocacy Manager to work within our Policy and Strategic Partnerships team.  This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic international charity that shared the 1997 Nobel Peace-Prize.

You will be working with the Director of Policy and Strategic Partnerships in the development and delivery of MAG’s advocacy work, including leadership of MAG’s UK parliamentary engagement, and contribution to the European and US engagement strategies.

The successful candidate will have previous experience of engaging and influencing UK parliamentarians, including the House of Commons and House of Lords, in support of advocacy objectives through a variety of tactics. You will have up-to-date knowledge of the UK political scene, and key players for MAG’s focus areas, knowledge of UK parliamentary processes and influencing tactics. You will also have a proven track record of meeting targets and deadlines and an ability to build, manage and develop relationships with key stakeholders. Excellent coordination and communication skills will also be essential.

The role will involve travel in the UK and Internationally.

What you can expect in return: 

· Competitive salary 

· 25 days annual leave per year, plus public holidays. 

· Company pension (matching at 5%

· Employee Assistance Programme: MAG offers free access to Health Assured, a service providing 24/7 confidential support and expert advice on a wide range of issues. 

Further information and how to apply:

For the further information on the role, the application pack and details of how to apply, please visit the MAG website by the closing date of 5th May 2025.

Application is by submission of the following documents to humanresources [@] maginternational [.] org by the closing date of 5th May 2025:

1. Up-to-date CV

2. Cover letter, setting out why you believe you are suitable for this position, and how you feel you align to MAG Values.

3. Completed Candidate Profile Form

Due to the high volume of applications, we receive, we cannot respond to every application. If you have not heard back from us within 3 weeks of applying, your application has not been successful.

Please note that as part of MAG's commitment to safeguarding, this post is subject to background checks before an offer of employment is confirmed. For more information on MAG’s approach to safeguarding here and background checks here. You can also find more information in the candidate information pack, available on our website.

MAG is committed to the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion. If you think you would be suited to one of our roles we would welcome your application regardless of your background. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment where all employees feel respected and supported in fulfilling their potential.

Department: Programmes

Reports to: Head of Programmes

Location: Home-based, with travel across England, Scotland, and Wales

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday plus England bank holidays
• Employer pension contribution up to 5%
• Life insurance, critical illness cover & private health benefits
• 37.5-hour workweek

Note: This role requires travel with overnight stays across England, Scotland, and Wales.

About British Gas Energy Trust (BGET)

British Gas Energy Trust (BGET) supports individuals and families across England, Scotland, and Wales who are struggling with energy debt and financial hardship. This is an exciting opportunity to support the effective management of the Trust’s third party funded organisation grant programmes across England, Scotland and Wales

Key Responsibilities

· To act as the managerial point of contact between the Trust’s Grantees & the Trust ensuring programme materials up to date.

· To create documentation linked to grant programmes, such as Applications, Review Templates, Scoring Matrix and Grant Agreements.

· Build & manage positive “listening & learning” relationships with organisational grant applicants.

· Help ensure BGET learns from best practice delivery, and identify, recognize & respond to issues or opportunities as they arise.

· Undertaking both face to face and virtual monitoring visits as part of the project initiation, ongoing KPI and impact evaluation process, creating comprehensive follow-up reports and end of year reports.

· Ensure visibility & assurance of current policies and practice are in place with funded entities, identifying any risk to the Trust e.g. Safeguarding & Data Protection.

· Collect communication materials and help the Trust to amplify the voices of the organisations we support.

· In-put to the day-to-day contractual relationship with our Grant Management System provider, keeping data current and identifying improvements.

Reporting & Contract Management:

· Help ensure that organisations are supported to meet their obligations under their grant agreement, including KPIs and other reporting tools.  Including identifying risks to delivery and supporting the grantee to help resolve any challenges with delivery that impact on the grant obligations. 

· Collate comprehensive and clear feedback, data and information to monitor performance and impact on an ongoing and regular basis.

· Input into coordination, collection and analysis of Ofgem end of year reporting information.

· Ensure all data collection aligned to current Data Protection regulations and use and storage of data is in line with the Trust’s own policies and provide reassurance to the CEO and Board.

· Prepare clear and informative monthly programme updates and support the preparation of quarterly programme reports to the Board to clearly evidence operational delivery across the grant portfolio. 

· Ensure that the outcomes and KPI information are used to create impact reports during the contract period.

· Conduct monitoring visits to funded projects, (in person and online) ensuring accurate briefing notes and write up of meetings are compiled and logged appropriately.

· Establish clear reporting systems with each grant organisation and ensure accurate notes of quarterly meetings with portfolio of projects.

· Work with Finance to ensure grant funds are expended in line with grant agreements and any regulatory requirements.

· Ensure accurate data is in place for year-end reporting.

Knowledge Sharing

· Identify and develop opportunities for the organisational grant applicants to work collaboratively and share learning.

· Create and deliver events for our projects either online or annually at our Annual Advisors Gathering.

· Ensure case studies and other content is collated from the projects to share through our channels.

Person Specification:

Skills and Knowledge:
Essential:

· Strong project management skills, with relevant project management software training.

· Good written communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships.

· Strong at operational and project management with the ability to meet deadlines.

· Accuracy and attention to detail with a methodical approach.

· Flexible approach to changing circumstances, prepared to re-order priorities as required. 

· Practical “can do” approach with ability to manage multiple work streams.

· Highly adept at Office 365 and Excel, technically confident in managing Grant Management systems.

· Significant experience monitoring grant programmes including KPI reporting, assessment and write-up.

· Excellent written communication skills, with an ability to communicate with confidence to a wide range of individuals and audiences.

· Excellent analytical & numerical skills with the ability to interpret data and share insights.

Desirable:

· Stakeholder management experience

Experience:

· A proven track record of managing effective operational delivery of impact focused grant making projects or programmes. Including grant programme design.

· Experience of developing and managing positive, equitable partnerships.

· Responsibility for managing our Grant Management System including establishing reporting systems and dashboards for the Senior Leadership Team and Board.

This role is an opportunity to make a real difference in communities across the UK, working directly with organisations that deliver tangible support to those who need it most. If you are passionate about tackling fuel poverty and have the skills to drive a high-impact programmes initiative, we encourage you to apply.

Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship and the successful candidate must hold the right to work in the United Kingdom. 

A basic DBS check is a requirement of this role. 

Reporting to: Director of Policy and Engagement 

Direct reports: 1 x Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager and Legislative Lead, 2 x Policy and Public Affairs Officers, 1 x England Policy and Public Affairs Manager 

Location of work: Home-based. The post holder must be easily and quickly commutable to London and will require frequent meetings in London. The role may involve some irregular travel throughout England and Scotland to attend events and meetings.

Contract type: Full-time, 35 hours per week,  flexible hours may be considered. The role may require occasional evening and weekend work 

Contract Length: Permanent 

Salary: £54,500 - £56,500 

BACKGROUND

Our work has never been more needed. The latest research suggesting that the number of children and young people at risk of hunger has rocketed to 2.6 million* means that one in five children don't have enough to eat.When a child is too hungry to learn, when they’re aching for something to eat, they can’t concentrate. They can’t absorb information. Big feelings and worries can be impossible to control. They fall behind in their studies.

Magic Breakfast provide a nutritious and filling breakfast to over 300,000 children and young people every school day. We work with schools in areas of high disadvantage, helping staff target the children most in need without barrier or stigma.  Magic Breakfast are ambitious to grow our impact to remove hunger as a barrier to learning for all children and young people in the UK.

 This is an exciting time to join Magic Breakfast if you wish to make a difference to the lives of children as we work to influence both policy implementation, with the national rollout of primary-aged universal school breakfast, and legislative change, through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. There has also been commitment from the Scottish Government for a national breakfast scheme and we are seeking to expand our advocacy work into Wales. Magic Breakfast’s influence will be instrumental to ensuring school breakfasts are implemented in a way that is hunger-focused and barrier free.

In addition, thousands of secondary school children are at risk of losing their free school breakfasts from September next year. For many of these students, this is their only opportunity to have a nutritious meal before facing a demanding school day, including taking exams.  And for the very youngest, we know that the disadvantage gap begins before they even reach reception. With the Government commitment to another 100,000 places in school-based nurseries, early years is also a critical part of our advocacy work.

 Being part of the work of Magic Breakfast is your chance, together with parents, teachers and people across the UK, to demonstrate the power of school breakfasts and to shape the way forward to end morning hunger for good.

*Food Foundation Insecurity Tracker Jan 2025

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Policy & Public Affairs will review, develop and implement our advocacy strategy and lead a team to influence the devolved legislatures across the UK to address child morning hunger, with a view to the underlying systemic causes of child poverty and hunger, by driving change through policy and legislation. The role operates at our ‘Head of level’ which is the most senior operational specialist level and provides both operational and strategic leadership.

This role will also provide wider leadership across the charity and input into organisational strategy development and planning as part of the Core Management Group. This role will ensure that the Policy and Public Affairs function is aligned to the wider strategic aims and outcomes of Magic Breakfast as well as the internal operational systems and delivery.

The strategic leadership will ensure an external and long term view, with an outward looking and forward thinking approach that builds thought leadership, relationships and partnerships, with positioning to anticipate and build on new opportunities to end child morning hunger for good.

It will require an experienced Policy and Public Affairs professional, with significant experience of high impact and demonstrable outcomes at a senior level in the field. The postholder will lead the policy and public affairs team to influence the Early Adopters Scheme, the national rollout of primary school breakfast provision in England and breakfast legislation in the Children’s Wellbeing Bill (CWB).

They will also develop, guide and lead plans to influence the Scottish government, particularly in the run up to the election in May 2026 and the influencing of manifestos; and will lead Magic Breakfast’s upcoming influencing work in Wales. 

In the external leadership that the role provides they will build relationships with politicians, political influencers, special advisors and civil servants to establish long-term, sustainable solutions to child morning hunger in the UK.

As a compassionate, people centric and inspiring leader they will work to enable their team to grow and develop in their skills ensuring they can step away from the detail whilst retaining accountability, build effective resource management and progression pathways. This role may manage external consultants where necessary, and work collaboratively with external organisations to amplify our voice and asks and strengthen our position as a thought leader. 

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Review and define the advocacy strategy for 25/26 in line both with moving political environment and Magic Breakfast’s influencing agenda, considering the systemic barriers to ending child morning hunger for good.

· Develop and maintain close relationships with the Department for Education and other key departments including Department for Health and Social Care and Treasury, to secure hunger and child focus as key priorities for breakfast provision.

· Develop, monitor and evaluate influencing plans for each devolved nation

· Support the development of influencing plans with coalition groups and organisations to influence school breakfast policy, commitments and implementation

· Review policy positions in Wales and Northern Ireland and define our advocacy approach, gaining external insights and analysing available research and data to shape the plan

· Develop a vision for advocacy beyond current demands, considering political appetite and gaining insight from lived experience communities and relevant sectors, to ensure that we are clear on future asks, and can build the foundation towards them.

· Work with Impact and Insights team to define future research needs to meet our longer-term advocacy plans

· Enhance and establish internal processes and ensure good internal information dissemination 

· Work closely with key internal stakeholders to shape advocacy work and support broader organisational objectives

· Embed learnings and develop a fail fast, learn fast culture in the team

· Coach, support and lead direct reports enabling increased professional development, strategic decision making, proactive project management and robust political influencing

· Contribute to and help shape the work of the Core Management Group to ensure ongoing alignment for in year implementation of the strategic plan and create integrated future year plans which meet organisational goals

· Monitor and review KPIs to monitor and measure both team and cross organisational performance, using the results to guide teams and surface learnings

· Assess areas of risk and escalate where necessary and according to policy

· Develop and monitor annual team budgets

General

• Work collaboratively across the organisation, building good working relations and providing ad-hoc support to other teams and members of staff

• Passion and commitment to Magic Breakfast’s aim of alleviating morning hunger as a barrier to learning for children in the UK.

• Help to maintain a positive working environment; keeping the vision of Magic Breakfast at the heart of everything we do. 

• Share Magic Breakfast’s commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

• Establish and ensure existing Ways of Working are adhered to across team

• Adhere to all Magic Breakfast policies and procedures and ensure that all activity is compliant with current legislation, GDPR, data protection and child safeguarding requirements

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role

 PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

· Strategy development, demonstrating a deep understanding of how to craft, implement, and evolve strategies that align to operational outcomes for the Policy and Advocacy function as well as enabling our organisation strategy in our aim to end child morning for good.

· Stakeholder management and partnership building with extensive experience of engaging, influencing, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including senior political figures, policymakers, funders and sector leaders.

· Ability to confidently and flexibly deal with volatile political environment, anticipating potential developments and adapting to emerging situations to meet aims

· Highly experienced in developing and shaping policy positions, using insights, research and data sets to inform and guide decision-making

· Understanding and experience of the role of the broader external environment to shape policy asks and political influencing, including the implications of a policy ask in one sector on another.

· Experience of influencing key political events such as budgets, national elections and the legislative process.

· Significant experience of coaching, supporting and managing the development of a team, with the ability to make difficult decisions and challenge where needed to deliver the organisational strategy.

Desirable

· Experience of education, food insecurity, child poverty or childcare sectors

Skills and Abilities

• Effective leadership mentality with confidence to step away from the detail and delegate responsibility, enabling others to use judgements, make decisions, learn from failures and continuously improve.

• Analytical and evidence based decision making, with the ability to turn data and analysis into policy and advocacy related recommendations or outcomes for action.

• Effective planning, prioritisation and project management skills. Able to organise self and team to meet planned objectives and strategic direction with the ability to pivot and manage the unexpected.

• Strong, influential and impactful interpersonal and communication skills and to advocate for own specialism, department and Magic Breakfast's mission, effectively conveying the organisation's impact and needs to a wide range of audiences.

• Operational and financial acumen and analysis: understanding and practical application of knowledge as required around funding considerations, budget development and management, risk management, and ensuring systems in place for efficiency by setting and maintaining policy and procedural frameworks.

• An outward looking and forward thinking approach that drives a sense of curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement. Always thinking what can we learn from others, what new developments can be explored and what are the opportunities for the function to improve and grow with others too.

WHAT WE OFFER

At Magic Breakfast we value our employees and work hard to develop offer a supportive, respectful culture which enables everyone to bring their whole self to work.

Please find attached our job pack

APPLICATION PROCCESS

Should you wish to discuss the role before applying please email our People and Culture Team, recruitment @ magicbreakfast. com

Shortlisting - w/c 5th May

Interview 1 - 15th and 16th May

Interview 2 - w/c 21st May

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

Make a Change 

Make a Change is a community-wide, early response approach to people using abusive behaviours (or who are concerned that they might be) towards a current or ex-partner. The model has been developed by Respect in partnership with Women’s Aid Federation England, drawing inspiration from their Change that Lasts approach. It includes three strands: expert support programme for perpetrators with parallel support for survivors, workforce development and community outreach.

Improving the safety, freedom and wellbeing of adult and child survivors of domestic abuse is a key outcome for our work with perpetrators.  The Make a Change model is a multi-partner project offering local areas a framework for delivering perpetrator work. Where feasible, we aim to establish partnerships with local survivor domestic abuse service to deliver parallel support for survivors (referred to as Integrated Support Service) as part the expert support strand.

This is a new and exciting role within the Make a Change team. This exciting new role offers a unique opportunity to join our team at a pivotal moment.  As the first person to fill this position, you'll play a key role in shaping its development and collaborating with the team to define its future direction.  This is a fantastic time to join us as we grow, and you'll be an integral part of establishing this important function and contributing to our collective and continued success 

We are seeking a Make a Change Development Lead to drive the development and innovation plans for the model for 2025-28. This pivotal role will focus on enhancing the three core strands of Make a Change: Expert Support, Workforce Development, and Community Outreach.

This role requires innovation, leadership and collaboration with a range of stakeholders, ensuring these strands work seamlessly together to achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes for individuals and communities.

You will need to think long-term and understand how different components of the programme fit together. Strong leadership skills are necessary to guide teams, inspire collaboration, and make decisions that will influence both the direction of the programme and its day-to-day operations. You will have a passion for innovation and continuous improvement to develop and test new strategies, tools, and methodologies, ensuring that the programme remains dynamic and responsive to changing needs.

This is an exciting opportunity within a creative and proactive team, where members are encouraged to seek out and share learning. The role focuses on continuously developing our work with perpetrators, contributing to the growing evidence base on effective behaviour change and strategies to keep survivors safe.