Public affairs jobs

Hybrid - London WC1H - we operate hybrid, flexible working practices with 20% of your time per month being office based

Join the ACU as Head of Communications and Engagement and use your expertise and experience to help us in our mission to be the voice of Commonwealth universities, supporting them to collaborate and to advance their contribution to sustainable development.

Working at the intersection of higher education and international development, The ACU offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference. We are one of the largest, most diverse international university networks, bringing together over 400 members in more than 40 countries, and our official role within the Commonwealth and United Nations affords an impactful platform for advocacy and strategic partnerships.

The role
The Head of Communications and Engagement leads ACU's external voice and its member engagement function, ensuring that our member universities experience ACU as a present, credible and valuable partner. This role is the primary custodian of how ACU communicates with the world and how relationships with members, stakeholders and partners are built, maintained and deepened.

You will develop and lead an integrated communications and engagement strategy, ensuring all activity is strategically aligned, well-coordinated and delivered with maximum impact.

Working closely with the Director, you will provide leadership in shaping the external affairs of the ACU, finding new and creative ways to communicate ACU's work and impact, strengthen our position with key audiences and platform our advocacy messages within the sector and with key decisions makers including at major multilateral forums. You will oversee marketing efforts to drive participation with our member opportunities and for our managed programmes and will be responsible for contract fulfilment for a range of external clients. You will also lead on internal communications in support of our people and culture agenda. 

Working with the Head of Membership and Events and Head of Policy and Research, you will be jointly responsible for the membership strategy, leading an international engagement team to ensure that our offer is visible to members, and our diverse and geographically dispersed network feel engaged and see the value of membership.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for an experienced senior leader who can bring a strategic and an integrated approach to communications and engagement, enjoys working in a collaborative international environment and who will foster creativity and innovation to deliver maximum impact.

You will:

• Bring a track record of leading integrated communications strategies in complex contexts, alongside experience of membership engagement or institutional relationship management at a senior level.
• Have worked at senior level in marketing or communications, be skilled in devising and implementing successful communication strategies and plans, audience segmentation, content creation, delivery and the use of the various channels for effectiveness
• Be comfortable holding the strategic and the relational in equal measure, and understand that in a membership organisation, communications and engagement are two sides of the same endeavour.
• Be a strategic thinker, know how to use data and insight to direct a team's activity, and understand how to design an engagement model that utilises personalised account management and varied communications channels to reach diverse audience segments with targeted messages 
• Be comfortable leading a small, dispersed team- including a network of regional engagement leads across ACU's core geographies - setting strategic direction and supporting consistent standards and autonomous delivery 
• Be energised rather than daunted by breadth: moving between brand strategy and member retention, hands-on delivery and team leadership

What to expect
We see equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our mission and we value the many different perspectives that people from all backgrounds bring to our collective performance (you can find more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and safeguarding on our website by clicking here). We believe in investing in all our people and creating cultures in which everyone can thrive.

We offer a fantastic package of benefits including:

• 27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays (pro rata - part-time employees) and 4 Christmas closure days
• Generous pension scheme – 5% employee contribution, 10% employer contribution 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Significant investment into your personal and professional development
• Regular social activities
• Health and wellbeing programmes
• Give as you earn charitable donations scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest-free travel season ticket loan

How to apply
Apply via the apply button which will redirect you to our recruitment portal.

Closing date: 27th August 2026 at 23.45 pm.

Interviews will take place on 7th September 2026.

First stage interviews will take place virtually. A second stage will be conducted in-person at our London office in the week commencing 14/09/2026.

Oriau: 0.8CALl (28 awr yr wythnos) | Cyfnod penodol: Blwyddyn o’r penodiad

Cyflog: Gradd D: £33,662 – £39,559 (pro rata)

Dyddiad cau ar gyfer gwneud cais: hanner nos ddydd Sul 23 Awst

Rydym yn chwilio am Uwch Swyddog Polisi Cyhoeddus profiadol i gydlynu ein gwaith cyngor polisi a materion cyhoeddus – gan gyfrannu at gyflawni un o’n pedair prif flaenoriaeth strategol: “Cyfrannu at ddatrysiadau polisi mawr drwy gynnig cyngor annibynnol a galluogi cyfnewid gwybodaeth”. Rydym yn chwilio am rywun sydd â’r brwdfrydedd i ysgogi ein Cymrodyr anhygoel a’n rhanddeiliaid eraill i sicrhau bod ein gwaith yn effeithiol.

Bydd deiliad y rôl hefyd yn gyfrifol am ddarpariaeth Gymraeg a gwaith dwyieithog y Gymdeithas. 

Dyma gyfle cyffrous i rywun sydd eisiau cyfuno gwaith hyblyg â rôl ddiddorol ac amrywiol mewn tîm deinamig. Rydym yn bwriadu cyflogi ar sail cyfnod penodol o flwyddyn (i ddechrau), ac ar sail 0.8CALl, ond yn barod i ystyried rhannu’r swydd.

Mae rhuglder yn y Gymraeg yn ofynnol ar gyfer y swydd hon.

*********************************

Hours: 0.8FTE (28hrs per week) | Fixed term: 1 year from appointment

Salary: Grade D: £33,662 – £39,559 (pro-rata) 

Application deadline: midnight on Sunday 23 August

We are seeking an experienced Senior Public Policy Officer to coordinate our policy advice and public affairs work – contributing to the delivery of one of our four key strategic priorities: “Contribute to major policy solutions by providing independent advice and facilitating knowledge exchange”. We are looking for someone to with the enthusiasm to mobilise our amazing Fellows and other stakeholders to ensure our work delivers impact. 

The role holder will also have responsibility for the Society’s Welsh Language offer and bilingual working.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to combine flexible working with an interesting and varied role in a dynamic team. We are looking to employ on a fixed-term basis for one year (in the first instance), and on a 0.8FTE basis, but will consider job-shares.

Fluency in Welsh is a requirement of this post.

About the role:

We are seeking a Communications and Engagement Officer to support our Policy and Public Affairs team and lead on engaging with our members. You will be the main point of contact for our members and support our Policy team to mobilise the collective voice of our membership to influence public policy and drive long-lasting, systemic change. The successful candidate will be competent in digital technology, have a passion for human rights, equality and social justice, some experience or knowledge of public policy and/or human rights and equality frameworks, and strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills. 

This is a varied role that would suit a candidate with a broad range of skills and interests. Each day is likely to be different and might include drafting communications material, supporting a submission to a government consultation or arranging and servicing member meetings. 

About the organisation:

Equally Ours (previously the Equality and Diversity Forum) is a UK charity that brings together people and organisations working across equality, human rights and social justice to make a reality of these in everyone’s lives. 

Through its members and networks, Equally Ours joins up research, policy and communications to shift public opinion and policy in positive and powerful ways. This is an exciting and pivotal time for us. Our 10-year strategy, Together for social justice, sets out our bold agenda to increase equality and strengthen rights at scale in the areas of law, climate and investment. 

Our policy work supports our membership of networks, communities and grassroots groups across the UK to influence public policy and decision-making.

We are a small team, which means you will have the opportunity to work closely with colleagues across the organisation and gain experience of a wide range of activities involved in running a small membership charity. You will support different aspects of our day-to-day work and have opportunities to learn from colleagues with expertise across policy, public affairs, engagement, operations, finance and programme delivery. You can find out more about our team on the 'about us' page of our website.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Membership engagement 

• Support potential new members through our member application process, prepare applications for review by the board 

• Arrange inductions with new members, including arranging induction meetings between senior staff and CEOs

• Organise regular members’ meetings, contacting and liaising with speakers from across our membership and research networks, as well as parliamentarians and other policy-makers. 

• Ensure all our methods of engagement (meetings, events, comms, web content, etc) are accessible, liaising with participants, suppliers, venues, etc to ensure that access needs are met 

• Maintain our member and research network contact lists and support the Head of Policy and Engagement in maintaining contact lists for parliamentary contacts, using Mailchimp 

• Take ownership of longer-term projects to support and improve our membership engagement offer 

• Use membership engagement to support the wider team in its long-term efforts to protect the equality and human rights legal framework 

Communications and Engagement 

• Draft and send member updates regularly, informing our members about opportunities for collaboration, and upcoming meetings and events 

• Draft and send newsletters to our audience of 5,000, providing updates on the work of our membership as well as news and updates from government and public bodies 

• Draft and schedule LinkedIn and other social media posts to share information about our work and that of our members. 

• Update and manage the website with any relevant news or information. 

• Monitor and report on engagement levels with our newsletters, member updates, social and web content, suggesting areas for improvement. 

• Use communications tools and techniques to mobilise support for the protection of the equality and human rights legal framework. 

Policy and team support 

• Organise meetings and events; including timelines, sending invites and reminders, speaker liaison, logistics and planning. 

• Draft meeting agendas and send along with any supporting documentation in advance of any meetings. 

• Take the minutes at various meetings, summarise for distribution, and follow up on any actions. 

• Monitor and report on the attendance levels of our members’ meetings, working group meetings and events. 

• Draft and administer satisfaction and impact surveys, and report on the results. 

• Support the wider team to conduct its policy influencing work for example, through government consultations and correspondence with policy makers. 

Person Specification (Essential Skills and Experience):

Communication skills:

• Very strong oral and written communication skills, coupled with an ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy.

• An ability to quickly adapt to our unique tone of voice in your communications, ensuring that your language and tone are accessible and sensitive to the topics being written about.

• A willingness to understand and adopt a human rights-based approach in your language, understanding the power of words and how they might uplift or diminish people.

Organisational skills:

• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.

• Strong attention to detail whilst maintaining the ability to work quickly and responsively. 

• Demonstrable experience of using platforms such as Eventbrite and Microsoft Teams to manage large meetings and online events, and Microsoft SharePoint for file management. 

Interpersonal skills:

• The ability to liaise and engage with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and create and sustain positive, collaborative relationships.

• High levels of emotional intelligence and resilience including an ability to hold and manage difficult feelings and conversations with tact and sensitivity. 

• Understanding and ability to manage how privilege and inequality can impact in the workplace for yourself, colleagues and external stakeholders. 

Professional skills and experience: 

• Equality and Human Rights: a passion for human rights, equality and social justice and a drive to support systems change in order to support communities and people who experience disadvantage and discrimination. 

• Content creation and management: experience of drafting engaging content for a range of audiences and through a range of channels, using Wordpress, Mailchimp, and Canva. 

• Experience in or strong understanding of accessibility and inclusion; ensuring that communications and events are accessible to people with a range of conditions.

• Confidentiality and safeguarding: A good understanding of GDPR principles, ensuring people’s privacy is protected where necessary, and experience of or ability to work within our safeguarding policy. 

• An understanding of, or a willingness to learn about, how public policy is developed in the UK and the importance of civic engagement in building public policy and legislation 

Personal qualities 

• Initiative and growth mindset: the ability to identify and act on opportunities. 

• A flexible and collaborative approach, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and support a range of projects in response to organisational needs. 

• Commitment to embed anti-racism across all aspects of our work. 

Please read the full application pack attached before applying. You must be signed into your CharityJob candidate account to access and view this document.

Please note we will only accept applications that include a cover letter.

Application Instructions

Please submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining your interest in this role by 11pm on 11 September. Ensure that you address all the criteria, providing sufficient relevant evidence, including examples, to show how your skills and experience match those required in the person specification. 

If you would like to apply under the guaranteed interview scheme, please review the criteria on the last page of the job pack, and then contact us so we can provide further details.

About the role

As RCOG Communications and Media Manager, the campaigns you design and lead will ensure the voices of women and frontline clinicians are shaping the health agenda and influencing policy.

In this role, you will work regularly with national journalists, women’s health charities, Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England or successor bodies, other royal colleges, specialist societies and other partners to develop accurate and compelling stories that bring the College’s work to life in the news.

Working closely with colleagues across our Policy and public affairs, Workforce and Marketing teams, you will be part of a friendly and passionate External Affairs directorate.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead College’s annual external communication plan including  variety of campaigns aligned to the College’s strategic priorities.

• Profile College’s work and impact in the media and build effective media partnerships

• Oversee RCOG content and social media strategies and developing impactful content to engage audiences through earned, paid and owned channels.

• Ensuring that clinicians’ expertise and women’s voices and lived experience inform the RCOG’s communications programme

• Act as a trusted expert advising our President, Officers and senior leaders on reputational issues, including briefing and media training for high-profile or sensitive topics

• Using data, insight and new technologies to continuously improve the impact of communications and campaigns

• Participating in the out-of-hours press rota, currently around one in three weekends and occasional evenings. 

About you

You are an experienced communications professional who has led communications programmes and integrated campaigns from planning through to evaluation You have strong press-office and media-relations experience and a track record of building productive relationships with journalists.

You combine strategic thinking with and editorial judgement and are comfortable managing both reactive media issues and longer-term communications activity. You can advise senior stakeholders clearly and calmly, work constructively with partners and ensure that clinicians’ expertise and women’s lived experience are represented accurately and respectfully.

You will thrive in this role if you enjoy varied work, can prioritise effectively when circumstances change and are motivated by the contribution that communications can make to better healthcare for women and girls.

Essential requirements:

• Demonstrable experience managing development and delivery of an organisation’s communications programme

• Designing and delivering creative impactful campaigns with clear outcomes

• Strong media-relations and press-office experience, including developing stories, responding to enquiries and working with journalists

• Excellent news judgement and the ability to produce clear, accurate and engaging content for different audiences and channels

• Experience advising senior leaders or spokespeople on sensitive, high-profile or reputational issues.

• Successful track record of  building relationships and delivering communications work with external partners

• Effective planning and prioritisation skills

• Able to use data and insight to evaluate and improve communications activity

• Willingness to participate in the out-of-hours press rota

• Experience supervising, coaching or developing colleagues.

  For the full list of key responsibilities, please check the recruitment pack. 

Our culture and benefits

You will be located in our offices in London Bridge. We offer a friendly, values led working culture with an excellent benefits package that includes: 

• Agile and flexible working environment and free lunch onsite 

• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and office closure from 25 December to 1 January 

• 10% pension contribution after probation 

• Enhanced wellbeing and family support 

• Interest free season ticket loans after probation 

• Tailored Learning and Development and study leave 

• Affinity staff networks 

• Life assurance and income protection schemes 

• Lifestyle discounts

For a full list of the benefits we offer, please visit our careers site. 

Applications close at 10.00 am on Monday 24 August 2026

We encourage candidates to apply early. We may close the advert before the stated date if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 

First-stage interviews are expected to take place on 2 and 3 September 2026. Second-stage interviews for selected candidates are expected to take place between 14 and 16 September 2026.

We hope the successful candidate will start in October 2026, subject to their notice period and completion of pre-employment checks.

We believe that diverse teams will deliver the best outcomes for women's healthcare and we strive to be an inclusive employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups, including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and disabled people. To find out more, please see our Diversity Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy.

Please note: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. The RCOG is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. 

About us 

The RCOG is a professional membership association dedicated to improving women’s health care across the world. We do this by setting standards for clinical practice, providing doctors with training and lifelong learning, and working with partners to advocate for women’s health and health care across their life course. We are a global leader in this specialist area, supporting 19,000 members in the UK and internationally.

We are a values-led organisation placing high standards, innovation, openness, inclusiveness and trust at the centre of all we do.

As a Senior Campaigns Adviser, you will play a vital role in developing and delivering national campaigns that make a real difference for people affected by motor neurone disease (MND). Working in a fast-paced environment, you will identify opportunities to influence policy, legislation and public debate, while ensuring our MND community is meaningfully involved in developing campaigns, and creating engaging content that motivates supporters to take action bringing your experience from the third sector.

At the Motor Neurone Disease Association, our work is driven by the urgent need to improve the lives of people affected by MND. As a Senior Campaigns Adviser, you will join a collaborative team committed to creating positive change through evidence-led campaigning.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver evidence-based national campaigns with clear objectives and measurable outcomes
• Identify and act on campaigning opportunities in collaboration with Campaigns, Policy and Public Affairs colleagues, responding quickly to changing political priorities and public debate
• Ensure people with and affected by MND are meaningfully involved in campaign development and delivery
• Create accessible and engaging content across email, website and social media channels
• Develop communications plans to keep supporters informed and inspired
• Build and manage e-actions, webpages and supporter communications using relevant digital platforms
• Monitor, evaluate and report on campaign performance against agreed objectives and key measures
• Establish and continuously improve working processes to enhance efficiency, collaboration and campaign outcomes
• Represent the MND Association at events, meetings and sector partnerships where required
• Work closely with teams across the organisation to maximise campaign reach and engagement

About You

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience delivering successful campaigns within a charity, public sector or similar organisation
• Experience creating content that encourages audiences to take action
• Excellent written, verbal and stakeholder communication skills
• Strong organisational and project management abilities
• A results-focused approach with experience analysing and reporting on performance.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively to deadlines
• Able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a wider team
• Willingness to travel within the UK, including occasional overnight stays and some evening or weekend work

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within the health or social care sector
• Experience in a charity sector communications role
• Knowledge of Dotdigital, Impact Stack or similar tools

Further information about the MND Association and the full job description is available in the attached Candidate Pack.

Hybrid working expectations: One day per week London office attendence required. Flexibility to travel to events and meetings as required. 

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders.

As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

What We Offer

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave)
• Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Opportunities for training and personal development
• Hybrid working

About Us

Motor Neurone Disease moves fast. It takes away time, it takes away independence and it has no cure. Every day we support people affected by MND. We fund ground-breaking research. We campaign for better care. We’re here for everyone who needs us. Because with MND, every day matters.

Role Overview:
The Talent Set are delighted to partner with our client on a fantastic Media Officer role. This position involves supporting the charity’s public relations efforts across digital and traditional channels, enhancing their public profile, and inspiring action through impactful media campaigns and engaging content.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in planning and delivering integrated, digital-first PR campaigns that generate media coverage at national, regional, and digital levels.
• Write and distribute press releases, media briefings, opinion articles, and other communications materials to secure positive media attention.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with journalists, broadcasters, and media outlets, managing media enquiries and proactively pitching stories.
• Support media activities for campaigns, events, and partnerships to meet shared objectives.
• Collaborate with the Celebrity and Influencer team to maximise opportunities with ambassadors and high-profile supporters across various media platforms.
• Create, film, edit, and publish engaging digital content for platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Monitor media coverage, compile reports, and evaluate campaign effectiveness to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assist with media visits, interviews, photo calls, and content gathering both in the UK and internationally as needed.
• Contribute to the out-of-hours media support rota and be willing to undertake occasional travel.
• Uphold the charity’s commitments to equity, inclusion, and safeguarding in all activities.

Person Specification:

• Excellent written and verbal skills, capable of producing engaging, accurate media content.
• Experience in a press office, PR agency, communications team, or journalism role.
• Good understanding of the UK media landscape and identifying newsworthy stories.
• Proven ability to create content for digital and social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Experience supporting integrated media campaigns across traditional and digital channels.
• Confidence in building and maintaining relationships with media professionals and external stakeholders.
• Organisational skills to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Awareness of how media efforts can support fundraising, advocacy, and public engagement strategies.
• A collaborative, proactive attitude with a willingness to learn and develop.
• Commitment to principles of equity, inclusion, and safeguarding.

What’s on Offer:

• Salary: £35,000
• Location: Hybrid - 2 days onsite in London
• Contract: 6 month FTC

How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the 'apply now' button (please do not apply via email). We aim to get back to all successful candidates within 48 working hours.

Commitment to Diversity
The Talent Set are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, or age. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.

Do you understand how financial systems influence climate outcomes?

Are you excited by the prospect of using that knowledge to help accelerate the transition to more sustainable food and agricultural systems?

Prospectus are delighted to be supporting our client in the search for a Global Finance Campaigner to join its Protein Transition Team.

This role sits at the intersection of climate advocacy and financial systems change. Working across campaigns focused on agricultural methane, deforestation and nature, you engage with investors, financial institutions, regulators and corporate stakeholders to drive meaningful environmental progress.

You'll contribute to advocacy campaigns, develop partnerships, produce research and briefings, engage with shareholder and investor groups, and identify opportunities to influence policy and regulation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver advocacy campaigns focused on climate, nature and financial accountability.
• Engage with investors, banks, asset managers and shareholder groups.
• Develop briefings, reports and campaign materials.
• Support research into corporate climate commitments and financial systems.
• Identify opportunities for regulatory and policy intervention.
• Support shareholder engagement and AGM activity.
• Build relationships with partners across finance, policy and civil society.

The successful candidate may come from sustainable finance, responsible investment, policy, public affairs, ESG, advocacy or financial regulation.  We're looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• An understanding of financial institutions and financial systems.
• Experience influencing decision-makers through advocacy, engagement or campaigning.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Knowledge of climate, nature or sustainability issues.
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to translate complex issues into compelling messages.
• A collaborative and adaptable approach.

Experience in sustainable finance, stewardship, corporate accountability or environmental campaigning would be particularly valuable.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. Please let us know if we can help you with the application process in any way. We are more than happy to make any reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you have any disability and would like assistance with completing an application please contact Catherine Bunting at Prospectus.

If you are interested in applying to this leadership position, please submit your CV and a covering letter in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a call and/or meeting to brief you on the role. You’ll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon

About Thrombosis UK

Thrombosis UK is the UK’s leading thrombosis charity, working to improve awareness, prevention and support for people affected by blood clots.

As part of our new organisational strategy, we are launching a major programme focused on raising awareness of blood clot (VTE) risk during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This programme will combine public awareness, healthcare professional engagement, patient advocacy and policy influence to improve understanding, encourage earlier action and contribute to longer-term system change.

We are seeking an experienced freelance communications professional to work alongside our team to help shape and deliver this programme.

The opportunity

This is not a traditional PR brief. We are looking for someone who can think strategically while also delivering practical communications activity across multiple channels.

The consultant will work alongside Thrombosis UK staff who already deliver digital communications, social media, volunteer engagement and patient support. The role is to provide strategic communications expertise, lead specialist campaign activity and build the team's capacity, rather than replace existing internal functions.

The successful consultant will help us develop and implement an integrated campaign that includes:

· Public awareness campaigns

· Media relations and press activity

· Digital communications and content planning

· Website content and user journeys

· Stakeholder communications

· Support for public affairs and parliamentary engagement

· Campaign evaluation and learning

The consultant will work closely with our Chief Executive and wider team, bringing specialist campaign expertise that complements our existing clinical knowledge and patient support work.

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Chief Executive

Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders) 

We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.

Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.

You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.

Who are we looking for?

You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.

You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.

Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.

IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

• 5% employer pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.

First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.

Youth Employment UK is seeking a Senior Policy Officer to join our Policy and Research department at an important moment for youth employment policy.

The Senior Policy Officer will strengthen Youth Employment UK’s policy and insight capacity by helping gather, analyse and communicate evidence from young people, employers, members and the wider youth employment system.

Working with the Policy and Research Director, the role will support Youth Employment UK to develop high-quality policy positions, recommendations, briefings and reports, and to strengthen our reputation as a leading source of insight and practical solutions for youth employment.

This is a policy-focused role with strong research literacy. It is not a technical academic research post, but the postholder will need to be confident in interpreting evidence, drawing out implications, writing clearly, and translating insight into practical recommendations for different audiences.

Summary of responsibilities

• Monitor, analyse and respond to youth employment-related policy developments through written briefings, articles, guidance and formal evidence submissions. 

• Support the development of Youth Employment UK policy positions, recommendations and messages

• Work with Youth Ambassadors and young people to gather insight that informs policy positions, reports and recommendations

• Support delivery of our Youth Voice Census by writing up findings for a wide range of audiences

• Support Youth Employment UK’s Good Youth Employment Benchmark by conducting employer interviews and writing employer-facing reports.

• Support Youth Employment UK’s public affairs activity, including APPG, Connected Communities and other policy forums.

• Work closely with the Policy and Research Director, Policy and Research Coordinator and wider team in an agile, fast-paced working environment 

About you

We are looking for someone with strong policy judgement, excellent writing skills, professional curiosity and a commitment to improving systems for young people. 

You will bring:

• Experience in policy, public affairs, research, youth employment, education, skills, employment support, social policy or a related area

• Research literacy and confidence working with evidence, data, reports and lived experience insight

• Ability to turn complex information into clear briefings, recommendations and practical outputs

• Confidence in engaging with a range of stakeholders, such as young people, employers, members, policymakers, charities, NGOs, think tanks or public bodies.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication to a wide range of audiences 

• A high level of self and project management skill, able to work effectively as part of a team and independently 

• A clear passion for improving education, employment and transitions outcomes for young people through policy activity. 

A full overview of responsibilities in the role and person criteria can be seen in the attached job description. 

What we will provide to you

• Competitive salary.

• Standard company pension.

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 26 days after 12 months’ service.

• 2 volunteering days per year.

• 2 additional wellbeing days per year.

• Onsite parking, available on a first come, first served basis.

• Personal development opportunities.

• Free breakfast and lunch options when in the office.

• Team activities and events.

• Dog-friendly office.

Please note that this is a full-time (37.5 hour) role, with some flexibility over working hours. Our main office is in Kettering, right next to the train station. However, we are open to discussing remote and hybrid working arrangements with the right candidate. 

ALDER HEY CHILDRENS CHARITY

Job title: PR, Communications & VIP Engagement Manager

Salary: £39,428-£50,450

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Location: Mix of home working and office based (office is at Alder Hey, Liverpool). Hybrid working available.

About us

Alder Hey Children’s Charity raises vital funds to help make Alder Hey Children’s Hospital a truly world-class, patient-friendly hospital for the 450,000 patients and families we care for every year.

The charity helps to fund a range of activities and projects that are designed to enhance and improve the lives of our amazing young patients. This includes the funding of specialist medical equipment to ensure our brilliant surgeons and clinical staff have the most up to date and cutting edge technology available and funding hi-tech distraction equipment designed and proven to reduce pain and anxiety in our patients. We also fund a range of programmes and special projects such as our ward musicians, our on-site magician and the play specialists we have on every ward.

About this role

Are you passionate about using the power of storytelling, media and influential voices to create lasting change for children and young people?

This is an exciting opportunity to join Alder Hey Children's Charity as our Communications, PR & VIP Engagement Manager, helping us deliver our vision of a healthier, happier and fairer future for every child and young person.

Every day, Alder Hey Children's Charity works to create magical moments, fund pioneering research, invest in world-leading innovation and champion better health and wellbeing for children. As part of our ambitious team, you'll play a vital role in sharing these stories, inspiring support and helping more people understand the difference they can make.

You'll lead the Charity's public relations, media and VIP engagement programme, developing creative campaigns that raise awareness, strengthen our reputation and grow our impact. Working alongside colleagues across fundraising, marketing, advocacy and Trust communications, you'll secure high-profile media coverage and build meaningful relationships with celebrities, ambassadors, influencers and public figures who share our passion for improving children's lives.

This is a varied and rewarding role that combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. You'll help shape how the Charity is seen, ensure our incredible stories reach new audiences and harness the support of influential advocates to drive fundraising, awareness and policy change.

If you're an experienced communications professional with outstanding media instincts, exceptional relationship-building skills and a passion for making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities will include:

· Leading the Charity's PR and media programme, identifying and delivering proactive communications opportunities that raise awareness, strengthen our reputation and showcase the impact of our work.

· Developing engaging communications and storytelling across press, digital and campaign channels, ensuring consistent messaging that supports fundraising, advocacy and organisational priorities.

· Building and nurturing relationships with celebrities, ambassadors, VIP supporters and media contacts, creating meaningful partnerships that champion Alder Hey Children's Charity and inspire wider support.

· Planning and delivering high-profile visits, events and campaign moments, working collaboratively across the Charity and Trust to create memorable, safe and impactful experiences.

· Working closely with colleagues across fundraising, marketing, advocacy and Trust Communications to deliver integrated campaigns, maximise opportunities and protect the Charity's reputation.

· Monitoring and evaluating communications and VIP engagement activity, using insight and learning to continually improve our impact, profile and supporter experience.

Other Duties  

• Be an outstanding advocate for Alder Hey Children’s Charity in line with the core values of the organisation. 

• Be an active and supportive member of the Alder Hey Children’s Charity team, contributing to the team’s development and working collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers.

• Attend and support events run by fundraising teams where required, including occasional out-of-hours working. 

• Gain and maintain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the charity’s work, priorities and future plans. 

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

Our Values

At Alder Hey Children’s Charity, our values guide how we work. Being courageous, working together, showing passion and embracing creativity enables us to support the hospital in delivering the very best care for young patients and their families.

Courage

We try new things, take risks and innovate. We speak up, take accountability and act with responsibility.

Together

We work as one team, sharing knowledge and learning. We partner with patients, families, supporters and colleagues.

Passion

We are passionate about what we do and inspire others.

Magic

We are creative, fun and child-led, creating special moments and going the extra mile.

Additional Information

In April 2025, the charity adopted a four-day working week policy. Staff previously working 37.5 hours now work 30 hours across four days, maintaining full pay while supporting a better work-life balance.

This job description outlines the general nature of the role and is not exhaustive. It may be subject to change in line with organisational needs.

Alder Hey Children’s Charity will make reasonable adjustments where required and is committed to equal opportunities and safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

The post holder will be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure check.

How to apply

You can apply by clicking the link below. Applications must include your CV and a covering letter (no more than one side of A4) which answers the following questions:

· How do you meet the person specification? If you don’t exactly meet all of the role requirements but have transferable skills please do consider applying and provide details as part of your answer.

· Why do you want to work for Alder Hey?

Additional information is included within the Job Description and Person Specification.

Closing date: Monday 24th August, 12pm

Interviews will be held in person at Alder Hey on Tuesday 8th September 2026

Are you interested in improving the lives of people with a learning disability? Can you turn complex ideas into evidence-based policy? Are you a skilled communicator able to influence decision-makers? If so, we would love to hear from you!

We are currently looking for a Policy Specialist to join Mencap. This position sits within the Policy and Public Affairs teams of Mencap’s Campaigns, Advocacy and Activism Directorate (CAA). You will work closely with our influencing, information and advice, campaigning, and research work, as well as sector partners.

This is an exciting new role to deliver policy change and enhance the rights of people with a learning disability. At a key time to influence health reform, we are seeking a policy specialist to shape policy work that reflects the needs and experiences of people with a learning disability and their families. Working within the policy team, you will be responsible for developing evidence-based policy work and influencing decision-makers. 

This is a 4-day a week position (30 hours per week). We are flexible with your work location, but there may be some occasional travel needed to our London office or Westminster.

You will: 

You will bring to this role:

If you're passionate about driving meaningful change for people with a learning disability and you're ready to use your policy expertise to make a real impact, please apply now with an up-to-date CV. Applications close on Tuesday 1st September, 2026. Interviews are scheduled to take place via Microsoft Teams during the week commencing 7th September 2026.

• Translate complex work into clear and persuasive policy briefings, consultation responses and reports.
• Work within wider coalitions of charities, building collaborative relationships and ensuring that the needs and priorities of our community are addressed.
• Develop and expand Mencap’s ‘Policy Shapers’ work, ensuring our work reflects the health needs and experiences of people with a learning disability and their families.
• Support our information and advice team, briefing them on important developments, inputting into casework discussions relevant to your areas of work, and supporting the creation of public information resources.
• Represent Mencap at meetings and events, with MPs, civil servants, and sector partners.
• Identify and analyse relevant research to develop evidence-based policy recommendations.
• Experience of working on health policy issues.
• Strong communication skills: experience tailoring your messaging to a variety of different audiences and representing an organisation.
• Experience building positive relationships and working collaboratively to achieve outcomes; able to positively challenge, negotiate and compromise.
• The ability to work on your own initiative while contributing to team priorities and sustain enthusiasm under pressure.
•  Experience analysing evidence to develop recommendations.
• Knowledge of the health issues facing people with a learning disability, as well as the health and wider parliamentary system. 
• Passion about making the world a better place for people with a learning disability. 

Benefits

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated. 

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings. 

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team! 

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. 

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in. 

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues. 

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere. 

· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation. 

· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes 

· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves. 

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies. 

We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for. 

The Policy and Convening Manager helps drive the Foundation’s mission to improve urban health by shaping how the organisation influences policy and decision-making. The role sits within a Policy and Influencing function that works closely with programmes teams to turn evidence from funded projects into strong networks, higher visibility and meaningful policy impact. 

The Policy and Convening Manager develops influencing strategies based on the insights from Impact on Urban Health programmes, builds coalitions and leads a new cross-programme approach to convening – including showcasing evidence from the Foundation and its partners, and delivering targeted policy-focused events. The role involves experimenting with new approaches to deliver impact, spotting opportunities to influence, and leading investment partnerships with a policy angle, which may include commissioning research or designing campaigns. 

The Policy and Convening Manager works with the Head of Policy and Influencing on engagement with key parliamentary and governmental stakeholders and collaborates with Communications colleagues to create impactful policy communications. 

Key Responsibilities

• Working with the Head of Policy and Influencing, develop and deliver compelling influencing strategies for our Urban Health programmes. 
• Lead on development of a new policy convening strategy, encompassing our approaches to building coalitions, delivering policy events, and platforming the work of our funded partners. 
• Develop, lead and manage through our partnership life cycle a portfolio of investment partnerships with a particular influencing focus within these programmes.
• Act as a source of policy expertise and political insight for colleagues across the organisation, proactively briefing on key political events and policy developments.
• Lead horizon scanning to identify proactive and reactive influencing opportunities, and deliver this activity in partnership with internal and external colleagues.
• Working closely with Communications Managers, develop and deliver impactful communications to influence.
• Bring a diversity, equity and inclusion lens to all our policy and influencing activity, whether in how we work with our partners or in our own systems and processes.

Role responsibilities are not exhaustive, and you would be reasonably expected to take on wider tasks that are commensurate with the level of your role. 

Skills, Knowledge and Attributes

• The ability to develop expertise and familiarity with different policy areas quickly.
• Strategic thinking and a strong entrepreneurial approach – being able to spot and distil areas of influencing opportunity within complex programmes of work.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills at all levels.
• Enjoys working in places with a clear and ambitious mission, a matrix structure and ways of working that challenge the norm.
• Willingness to prioritise diversity, equity and inclusion in all our work. 

Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications: 

• Experience working in public affairs and policy in a UK setting, with impact on policy making in Westminster Parliament and/or the devolved administrations (essential)
• Experience developing impactful influencing strategies and delivering activity to achieve these strategies (essential)
• Experience in developing and delivering impactful policy events(essential)
• Experience working with coalitions for policy change (essential) 

Benefits

• Contributory pension
• Annual health and wellbeing personal allowance
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and parental leave pay accessible without length of service requirements.
• Health and wellbeing programme that offers optional free yearly health check-ups.
• Support for healthy eating via fruit bowls and onsite lunch facilities. 
• Agile working, flexible hours, and supportive IT kit. 
• Shower facilities and bike lock area. 
• Generous annual leave (27 days + bank holidays)
• Subsidies for glasses
• Employee Assistance Programme

5Rights is seeking to recruit a Junior UK Affairs Officer on a six month fixed term contract, to support the Foundation's advocacy and policy work across the United Kingdom. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual interested in children's rights, politics and the tech industry. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to one of the most important policy challenges of our time - how we ensure the digital world is built with children in mind. They will gain practical experience across policy development, stakeholder engagement, legislative processes and campaigning, playing an active role in projects that are influencing how governments, regulators and industry protect and uphold children's rights online.

About 5Rights

5Rights Foundation exists to ensure a digital world that will serve children and young people today and for future generations.We are a small team of senior professionals and experts delivering change in how the digital world works. We have shifted the narrative and the agenda through provocative comms campaigns (e.g. Twisted Toys), pioneering research (e.g. Pathways) and award-winning tools (e.g. Child Online Safety Toolkit). We continue to drive real-life change thanks to an outstanding track-record of delivering legislation (e.g. Californian Age Appropriate Design Code), policy and regulatory frameworks (e.g. UNCRC General comment No.25), and industry standards (e.g. IEEE 2089).

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyse developments in UK digital policy, online safety, privacy, AI governance, and children's rights.
• Conduct research on parliamentary activity, government consultations, regulatory initiatives, and emerging technology issues.
• Prepare policy briefings, stakeholder summaries, background notes, and advocacy materials.
• Support the drafting of consultation responses, position papers, speeches, and external communications.
• Assist with stakeholder mapping and engagement activities involving policymakers, regulators, civil society organisations, academics, and industry representatives.
• Help coordinate meetings, events, roundtables, and workshops.
• Track media coverage and public discourse related to children's digital rights and online safety.
• Maintain advocacy databases, contact lists, and project documentation.
• Contribute to campaign planning and outreach activities where appropriate.
• Provide administrative and project support to the advocacy and policy team.

Person specification

This is an ideal opportunity for someone at the start of their career who is looking for meaningful work with real-world impact. We are looking for someone with the following attributes:

Essential skills and attributes

• A proactive, enthusiastic problem-solver with a positive, can-do attitude.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing tasks, meet deadlines and consistently follow through.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate and engaging communications for different audiences.
• Sound judgement, professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
• Curious, adaptable and eager to learn, with the resilience to thrive in a changeable environment where priorities can change.
• A collaborative team player who can build positive working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Confident using Microsoft 365 (including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and comfortable learning new digital tools.
• A genuine commitment to the mission and values of 5Rights Foundation and an interest in improving children's experiences in the digital world.

Desirable skills and attributes

• A degree in a relevant discipline, such as public policy, politics, law, social sciences, international relations or communications.
• An interest in technology policy, children's rights, digital regulation or public affairs
• Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to synthesise complex information into clear, concise briefings.
• An interest in current affairs and confidence monitoring and summarising policy developments.
• Experience (through study, work experience or volunteering) of research, communications, campaigning or stakeholder engagement.
• An enthusiasm for learning and developing within a small, ambitious and collaborative team.
  
  Practical details:
  Location: Remote position in the UK. Ability to travel to London for regular meetings is an advantage. Occasional international travel required.
  Salary: Starting salary of £27,040 per annum pro-rata, with some flexibility for candidates with exceptional skills and experience.
  Contract: 6 months fixed term
  Working hours: Full time (38h week), with occasional accommodation necessary for weekend-engagements and work across time-zones.
  Statutory pension contribution.
  Annual leave: 25 days per annum pro-rata
  Work equipment including a laptop will be provided.
  Starting data: ASAP, depending on notice period.
  Reporting line: Head of UK Affairs, based in UK