Policy & Public Affairs Officer

3 positions available

Permanent

35 hours per week

London or National (but frequent travel to London may be required)

£32,880.72 per annum (London) or £29,855.00 per annum (National)

The Children's Society is currently undertaking a pay and grading review - this review is intended to improve our current approach; we are currently consulting with our recognised trade union and any changes are due to be implemented in April 2025.



The Children's Society is a national charity working to transform the hopes and happiness of young people experiencing low wellbeing, who may be facing abuse, exploitation and neglect. We support them through their most serious life challenges, and we campaign tirelessly for the big social changes that will improve the lives of those who need hope most. We've been doing this for 140 years and we won't stop until we've built a society where hope is alive in every child.



The Children's Society is at an exciting stage of its journey - we've got big ambitions for children and would love to hear from you if you share our passion and commitment to reverse the damaging decline in children's wellbeing.



We are recruiting three policy and public affairs officers to join our policy, advocacy and influencing team. We're seeking excellent communicators, and analytical thinkers. Someone who is passionate about finding out about the issues affecting children and young people in our society, developing solutions, and building the case for change.



In this role you will work across our three areas of focus: Adolescent Risk and Vulnerability, Child Poverty and Inequality, and Wellbeing and Mental Health. You will develop a broad range of knowledge across issues affecting young people and experience across policy, public affairs and influencing.



Key skills and competencies

-Experience of producing research and analysis for the purpose of influencing policy and/or practice.

-Knowledge of, or ability and attitude to acquire knowledge of, social policy issues affecting children and young people across the UK

-Excellent communication skills

-Experience of using and developing internal and external channels of communication to gain and share knowledge in policy areas.

-Interest in engaging with lived experience to inform work.

-Proven experience of prioritising busy and changeable workloads and conflicting priorities.

-Networking and relationship building

-Demonstrable commitment to inclusive working, ensuring equality, valuing diversity and questioning the status quo.



Additional information

We value and promote diversity and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture at The Children's Society. We also appreciate the best organisations reflect the communities they serve. We therefore strongly encourage applications from people across all groups that are underrepresented.

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.



This vacancy closes at 23:59 on Sunday 16th February. If, after 14 days, we have received enough applications we reserve the right to close the vacancy on Friday 31st January.

Expected interview dates: Week commencing 17th February

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