External Affairs Advisor Jobs in Manchester
Policy and Public Affairs Manager (England)
Job Description and Person Specification
Reporting to: Head of Policy and Public Affairs
Line Management: 1 Policy and Public Affairs Officer England
Location of work: London. Must be commutable for meetings at Westminster.The role may involve some infrequent travel throughout England and Scotland.
Contract type: Ideally full-time, 35 hours per week, although 4 days a week/flexible hours will be considered. The role will require occasional evening and weekend work.
Contract Length: Permanent
Salary: £42,000
BACKGROUND
The latest research suggesting that the number of children and young people at risk of hunger has rocketed to 2.7 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 200,000 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.
The new UK government’s Children’s Wellbeing Bill outlined in the King’s Speech, includes a requirement for free school breakfast clubs in every English primary school. This is a fantastic start towards ending child morning hunger. Magic Breakfast’s influence will be instrumental to ensuring school breakfasts are introduced in a way that is hunger-focused and barrier free. In 2021, the Scottish Government, pledged a not yet enacted promise to provide breakfast to primary children.
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.
Solutions across all UK nations are currently either not yet actioned or are severely underserving the current need. 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 2024
JOB PURPOSE
Magic Breakfast’s mission is to end child morning hunger in the UK now and for good. The role of the Policy and Public Affairs Manager is to support us to deliver on this mission through influencing governments to address child morning hunger and the underlying systemic causes, in order to give every child the opportunity to reach their full potential.
The Policy and Public Affairs Manager will play a pivotal role in shaping policy initiatives and influencing decision makers across Westminster and Whitehall. Specifically, you will help ensure the new Early Adopters Programme – the government’s pilot breakfast scheme in England – is hunger-focused and puts children and young people at its centre. This in turn, will inform the national rollout of primary school breakfast provision across England from September 2026 – a policy which you will also work to influence. In tandem, you will be responsible for informing and shaping how breakfast is included and positioned in the Children’s Wellbeing Bill.
More widely, you will keep abreast of political developments relevant to Magic Breakfast, identifying opportunities to respond, influence and shape the debate. You will be able to put complex policy ideas across in simple and effective terms both in person and through reports and briefings.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
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Develop and lead Magic Breakfast’s influencing strategy to shape and inform school breakfasts within the Children’s Wellbeing Bill
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Engage thoroughly in the legislative process to shape how breakfast is positioned, to ensure the law protects and supports children and young people at risk of hunger
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Influence and shape the scope of the Early Adopter’s Programme to inform long-term school breakfast policy across England
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Work with ministers, politicians, civil servants and advisors to help shape the national rollout of school breakfasts across England
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Identify and produce high-quality evidence-based responses to new policy developments, sector reports and consultations from Government, advisory bodies, other political parties and membership organisations
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Proactively monitor and track policy developments, and ensure internal understanding and alignment on issues and opportunities
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Lead the dissemination of Magic Breakfast policy briefings and research reports to key political stakeholders
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Organise and lead key influencing events to influence and inform decision-makers
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Deliver on our policy objectives through building relationships with key stakeholders in national government, key national organisations and coalitions, including garnering intel and ensuring that our opportunities to influence policy making are maximised
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Ensure organisational buy-in, coordination and collaboration to support our advocacy strategy
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Develop and deliver political stakeholder engagement plans; track progress against plans and deliverables; with regular reporting on targets and outcomes, timely evaluation and shared learnings across internal teams
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Work closely with the Policy and Public Affairs Manager Scotland, to share expertise and intelligence
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Be flexible in work focus and responsibilities when required e.g. support with Scottish election/campaign work and advocacy in Wales
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Work closely with Campaigns colleagues to inform and shape campaign activities and respond proactively to live developments through the life of the campaign
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Proactively recommend and establish systems, tools and procedures to ensure effective delivery of objectives across the Policy and Public Affairs team
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Provide management and coaching for the Public Affairs Officer, agreeing a career development plan in line with required expertise
PERSON SPECIFICATION
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Experience of policy development and influencing
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Sound understanding of the legislative process (experience in this process is highly desirable)
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Good working knowledge of the UK political system (national and regional) and previous experience in a UK public affairs/advocacy/or policy role.
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Ability to prepare high quality, evidence-based internal and external briefing material, and messaging under time pressure
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Experience of line management
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Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders
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Demonstrated experience in developing integrated, public affairs campaigns
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Strong interpersonal skills and experience building effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders including civil servants and sector peers
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Demonstrated experience of developing influencing plans and working with sector peers and in coalition to achieve change
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A collaborative team player, able to proactively engage colleagues to share knowledge and expertise
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Outstanding time management and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise within your work, managing multiple tasks simultaneously and working to tight deadlines
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Understanding of the education, child poverty and/or health sectors – desirable
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Excellent attention to detail
General
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Passion and commitment to Magic Breakfast’s mission
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Contribute to team meetings, sharing best practice and supporting team members where necessary.
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Help to maintain a positive working environment; keeping the vision of Magic Breakfast at the heart of everything we d
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Work collaboratively across the organisation more widely to build good working relations across the organisation and provide ad-hoc support to other teams and members of staff.
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Adhere to all Magic Breakfast policies and procedures.
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Ensure that all activity is compliant with current legislation, GDPR and child safeguarding requirements.
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Participate in occasional work-related events at external venues and perform support related activities as required be willing to undertake occasional work outside of regular office hours and UK travel.
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Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role.
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Uphold a culture that encourages curiosity, continuous improvement, optimism, and a steadfast commitment to social impact.
Registered Charity 
51 - 100
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Remote in the UK with travel to London once a month (at own cost)
Who we are
Animal Equality is an international animal protection organisation working with society, governments and companies to end cruelty to farmed animals. Animal Equality has offices in the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and India.
Animal Equality releases investigative materials captured from inside factory farms and slaughterhouses, exposing the conditions that farmed animals face around the world. We publish our findings on television, in newspapers and online. We routinely secure mainstream media coverage, including on the BBC, ITV, Sky news, The Times, the Guardian, New York Times and many more.
Animal Equality also advocates for political change. Our current campaigns include a UK ban on foie gras imports, increased enforcement of existing animal protection laws, legal protections for farmed fish, and Government subsidies for transitioning towards a plant-based food system.
We focus on farmed animals because of the scale and severity of the issue. More than a billion animals are confined and killed for human consumption every year in the UK. Farmed animals also often suffer in some of the worst ways: pigs typically endure painful mutilations, many chickens die of heart attacks, fish are confined in underwater cages, and some farmed animals are victims of deliberate abuse and neglect. But the problem is solvable! By utilising effective campaigning strategies, Animal Equality is having an impact for animals around the world and building a future where all animals are respected and protected and are no longer exploited for human consumption.
About the role
An experienced advocate with a sound understanding of the UK political system and legislative process, the Policy and Advocacy Specialist will be responsible for leading on Animal Equality’s life-saving legal advocacy campaigns on behalf of farmed animals.
Working as part of a highly effective team, within a fast-paced environment, the Policy and Advocacy Specialist will develop and implement advocacy strategies that influence public policy with a goal to advance Animal Equality UK’s mission: to end the exploitation of farmed animals.
An excellent communicator, with an ability to convey complex information in a digestible way, the Policy and Advocacy Specialist will be a professional with a proven track record of policy programme delivery. The role involves engaging with policymakers, building relationships with coalition partners, overseeing public affairs initiatives, and influencing Government policy to create meaningful changes for farmed animals.
General responsibilities:
- Contribute to the organisation’s policy programmes: Garner reliable intel, conduct in-depth research, and carry out robust data analysis to inform Animal Equality UK’s ongoing policy and advocacy efforts for animals. Develop authentic, ambitious, and inspiring short-term and long-term policy goals that have the greatest impact for farmed animals. Maintain and develop the organisation’s policy statements, as required.
- Shaping policy initiatives: Influence decision-makers across the devolved governments. Identify ways to shape the debate, engage thoroughly in the legislative process to affect how farmed animal issues are framed, and maximise opportunities for targeted animal advocacy campaigns.
- Conduct stakeholder mapping: Identify and ensure regular engagement with key political figures and influencers, including ministers, politicians, civil servants, advisory bodies, officials, regulators, and local authorities. Propose ways to engage Parliamentarians and identify those with the potential to become champions for our cause.
- Influence decision-makers: Foster and maintain relationships with individuals critical to achieving successful outcomes for animals. Build on established relationships with individuals and bodies in a position to create lasting change for animals and convince influential political decision-makers to prioritise farmed animals in their funding and policy agendas.
- Produce compelling briefings: Develop high-quality, evidence-based responses to new policy developments, animal agriculture industry reports, Government consultations, and more. Craft politically persuasive briefings, including formal policy submissions, briefings, blogs, and press statements. Lead on the dissemination of relevant information to key political stakeholders.
- Work closely with campaigning colleagues: Work with colleagues in the Communications, Marketing, and Campaigns Departments to support the effective execution of public awareness campaigns that raise Animal Equality UK’s public profile and inform members of the public about the plight of farmed animals. Keep abreast of relevant political developments and maintain Animal Equality’s strong external policy presence through coordinated, proactive, and reactive lobbying and campaigning efforts.
- Grow strategically aligned partnerships: Liaise with and, where appropriate, convene fellow experts and advocacy organisations to gather intelligence, share best practice, and canvas opinion to inform policy positions. Support Animal Equality’s engagement in coalitions.
- Support in the organisation of events: Assist in the organisation of key events to inform and influence policymakers. Represent Animal Equality, where appropriate, at policy and networking events.
- Monitor outcomes: Measure, track, and critically evaluate policy developments, ensuring internal alignment on key issues and opportunities associated with our current campaigns. Manage against a set budget and agreed deadlines, reporting on the performance and progress against set deliverables. Share learnings with colleagues and fellow advocates.
- Support with other ad hoc duties, as requested by your line-manager.
Individual attributes required:
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Strong written communication skills.
- Agile.
- A natural problem-solver.
- Data-driven, with strong analytical and research skills.
- Highly organised and comfortable multi-tasking.
Position requirements:
- Minimum of three years of related experience in policy development, advocacy, public affairs, or a related role, preferably within a non-profit organisation.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Docs and in the use of databases and spreadsheets. Experience of using Salesforce is a plus.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Adherence to a vegan diet.
- Thorough knowledge of farmed animal issues.
- Plays an active role in supporting Animal Equality’s fundraising and philanthropic efforts.
- Commitment to the objectives of the organisation.
- Professional manner.
Salary and benefits
Salary band £32,500-£35,000, depending on experience. This is a remote working opportunity (UK-based candidates only); colleagues are expected to attend mandatory monthly meet-ups in central London.
- Holiday entitlement equal to 33 days per year (including standard public holidays).
- Personalised Employee Assistance Program (EAP): an Animal Equality-funded benefit that offers employees confidential counselling and advice on a wide range of work and personal issues. The program offers several services, such as a 24/7 confidential helpline and expert Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
- Flexible hours, with the option to start between 8am-10am and finish between 4pm-6pm.
- Able Futures Support: The service is a nine month, practical and confidential support service for employees whose circumstances or mental health may impact their wellbeing or work. Employees can work with a mental health professional to deepen their understanding of how their mental health may impact them and will build coping skills and resilience to thrive at work.
- Yearly stipend to access learning and development resources, to help employees further grow their personal and professional skills.
- A free vegan lunch every month at the Animal Equality monthly meetups.
For more information and to apply, please visit our careers page.
Closing date: 5.00pm GMT on Monday 3rd February 2025.
The interview process will comprise a multiple-stage interview and Skills Test, which will take place throughout February.
