Policy officer jobs

Help shape national debates on justice and champion the voice of magistrates.

We’re looking for a Policy and Research Officer to join the Magistrates’ Association and turn evidence into influence.

The MA is the only independent membership body for magistrates in England and Wales. With around 12,000 members, we speak truth to power, support our members, and advocate for a fairer and more effective justice system.

This is a varied, fast-paced role where no two days are the same. One day you might be writing a briefing for a parliamentary inquiry or drafting a consultation response; the next you could be analysing survey data, supporting one of our national policy committees, or working with colleagues to launch a new advocacy report in the media.

You’ll be joining a small, supportive team where your ideas can have real impact. Recent projects have tackled judicial diversity, recognition for magistrates, reform of the Single Justice Procedure, and access to justice for disabled magistrates. Your work will help shape the future of the magistracy — and through it, the wider justice system.

We’re looking for someone with strong research and analytical skills, excellent writing and communication, and the ability to grasp complex issues quickly. If you’re passionate about justice and want to see your work influence real-world change, this role is for you.

Executive and Finance Officer

We’re looking for a proactive and highly organised Executive and Finance Officer to play a vital role in the operations of Centre for Mental Health.

This varied and interesting role supports our CEO and Board, managing day-to-day operations and taking on key finance and HR responsibilities. This will include financial support: reconciling accounts, processing invoices, supporting our Board by organising meetings and helping with many aspects of recruitment, onboarding and assisting our staff team. In this role, you will be at the heart of our team’s success.

You will need to bring outstanding organisational skills, strong IT ability, and experience in financial processes (with knowledge of Sage 50). Experience of working in a charity is desirable.

About us
We’re Centre for Mental Health. We take the lead in challenging policies, systems and society, so that everyone can have better mental health. We do this by building research evidence to create fairer mental health policy.

By joining our small, friendly and dedicated team, you’ll help us create a fairer society and drive forward sustainable policy change, pursue equality, social justice and good mental health for all. 

The closing date for applications is 7th October 23:59.

Interviews will be held in person at our office in Elephant and Castle, on Tuesday 21 October between 10am and 5pm.

Are you interested in working with a reputed international sustainability organisation to influence policy developments on sustainability globally? ISEAL is hiring a Senior Policy Officer to join our team responsible for public engagement and policy influencing. This is the perfect role for someone who is keen to work in an increasingly dynamic regulatory and policy landscape to strengthen the role of voluntary sustainability tools alongside emerging mandatory measures. 

The core objective of the Policy and Engagement team is to support governments, civil society and other business influencers to understand, identify and use credible sustainability systems.  We do this through direct engagement with relevant government bodies in priority countries, engagement with individual businesses and business platforms and building member awareness and knowledge about relevant policy files and implications of new policies for their schemes and impact. The team focused on the UK, Switzerland, EU-wide policy and key EU members states, as well as on countries in the global south, including Colombia, Indonesia, India and Brazil.

The Senior Policy Officer will help drive engagement with policymakers in key countries in which ISEAL and its partners have a strategic policy interest, with a view to influencing the policy narrative on sustainability and specific policies. The role will identify policy engagement opportunities and provide insightful analysis of policy developments and trends.  In addition, the role will work closely with ISEAL members based in these regions to combine efforts and align on policy influencing.

The ideal candidate will have had exposure to working in an international policy context, either working as part of civic society with governments or as part of a government department. A strong grounding in sustainability issues and related key political and policy debates will be essential, along with some working knowledge of key policy trends in the human rights, climate and sustainability standards space. Prior experience in working in the EU, UK at policy and regulatory landscape or public affairs level will be an advantage. The Senior Officer reports to the Director, Policy and Engagement.

Key Responsibilities we will entrust you with:

Policy and government engagement

• Support ISEAL´s strategic engagement with identified key policymaker targets and audiences from a policy influencing and role of voluntary tools perspective
• Keep track of policy developments in key areas and jurisdictions and provide insights and analysis to inform ISEAL’s policy engagement work
• Help identify opportunities for engagements with relevant policymaker audiences and government agencies in key jurisdictions and engage with them as delegated and supported by other colleagues
• Set up direct meetings and other engagement opportunities for ISEAL, coordinate ISEAL’s input, advise and engagement and prepare briefs, reports and submissions for engagement purposes
• Contribute to establishing engagement and influencing strategies and to the development of ISEAL’s policy positions
• Provide internal advisory support to other teams on critical policy files based on own subject matter and jurisdiction knowledge
• Support team in development of policy papers, position papers, press releases, strategic messaging on policy issues
• Facilitate webinars and workshops on policy related topics

Other

• Track policy developments and analyse how they  affect sustainability systems, ISEAL and its members
• Help shape ISEAL’s work on global policy engagement and outreach in the next strategy period
• Conduct or support other team members with background research on specific regulatory proposals and policy frameworks and related topics
• Support ISEAL’s member-facing policy activities liaising with the rest of the team
• Provide policy advice and analysis as requested on priority topics
• Participate actively in team and organisational planning and activities
• Participate in internal staff management processes such as performance reviews, supervisory meetings, etc.

Experience, Knowledge and Attributes

• Postgraduate degree in a relevant subject (e.g. sustainability or environmental studies, human rights, law, int. development/ social policy, EU policy etc.) and/or equivalent work experience
• Proven experience working in a policy context as part of civic society or within a government department supporting policy engagement
• Good working knowledge of the sustainability policy landscape and key debates in the space
• Strong skills in policy analysis and policy intelligence
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills
• Excellent writing skills and ability to synthesise information
• Prior exposure to sustainability standards, passionate about sustainability linked policy issues such as human rights, climate, nature, due diligence  
• Some experience and comfortable with public speaking, e.g. facilitating webinars or workshops
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with cross-functional teams in a largely remote, international environment, including occasional international time-zone calls
• Confidence in using IT systems, familiarity with virtual meeting tools (e.g. MS Teams, Skype, GoToMeeting, etc), use of contact management databases (e.g. Salesforce) and proficiency in MS Office

Additionally desirable

• Other languages: Spanish
• Prior experience working with remote manager and team
• Exposure to working on strategic policy questions
• Experience in tracking, engaging in development issues in global south countries

About ISEAL

ISEAL supports ambitious sustainability systems and their partners to tackle the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges – from the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis to human rights and persistent poverty. ISEAL Community Members include many of the most respected sustainability schemes worldwide and are active across a diverse range of sectors. Read more about us on our website iseal(.)org. 

ISEAL´s culture and how we will help you thrive

Our values are Connection, Empowerment, Inspiration, Well-being, Creativity and Celebration.

These are traits we value in each other and in the organisation overall and we instil these in all our processes and interactions.

The issues we work on are of a global nature and our team reflects this, with individuals from many different backgrounds and nationalities. We know this diversity adds to the high quality of work we deliver as an organisation and through our commitment to diversity and inclusion we want to add strengths and perspectives in our team with each recruitment. Diversity for us includes race and gender identity, age, disability status, sexual orientation, religion and many other areas forming part of someone´s identity. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

As an organisation, we also support our people in their personal and professional development, with specific budgets and processes enabling individuals to take advantage of growth and development opportunities.

We offer 25 days of annual leave, to which we will add a day a year after 2 years (to a maximum of 30 days), as well as an extra five days as a one off once you have been with us for a full five years.

We recognise individuals’ preferences when it comes to where and when to work through a hybrid working model with a minimum of 4 days per month in the London office as well as the opportunity to apply for flexible working arrangements to suit individual´s needs.

Other relevant information

Term: This is a fixed term 12 months contract from December 2025 / January 2026

Salary: £40,000-£45,000 p.a. depending on experience (full time, 37.5 hours per week)

Location: London is the preferred location. An ability and willingness to work in a hybrid work environment is required.

International travel: The post holder will be required to undertake a fair amount of international travel and should ideally have the passport (UK, EU) to enable this smoothly

How to apply

Specific enquiries about this role and the application process can be sent to the recruitment(atisealalliance(.)org.

Deadline for applications is 24 September 2025

Please note that we will only contact shortlisted applicants.

Interview process

Please see below the planned interview process (please note that we will endeavor to keep to this schedule, but some dates may be subject to change)

First interviews (Teams): 1-3 October

Pre-interview timed exercises (between 60 – 90 minutes from home): 7-9 October

Panel interviews (Teams): w/c 13 October

Decision: w/c 20 October

Accessibility

If candidates require additional time or other considerations for the interview process, we are committed to accommodating any reasonable requests.

Please note that ISEAL will cover travel expenses for in person interviews for candidates travelling from outside of Greater London. ISEAL also covers caring expenses for candidates who are carers and need to arrange of cover for the duration of the interview/exercises

Would you like to help create a brighter future for nature?

Wildlife and Countryside Link is a coalition of 90 environmental charities. We are looking for a Policy Officer to help develop, advocate and win policy improvements for nature.

The Government has promised to halt the decline of nature by 2030 and to net zero by 2050, committing to decarbonising our energy systems as a core government mission. Such commitments have been made within the backdrop of a challenging economic environment. The next few years will be critical in securing nature based solutions as part of the drive to reach net zero and in developing our understanding of and engagement with private investment for nature’s recovery as these fledging funding streams evolve.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Policy Officer to convene environmental policy experts to agree bold shared policy positions. This role will focus on economic systems change, including innovative work on ways to drive private investment in nature; and on the role that nature must play in helping us to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. There will be lots of thinking, lots of writing, and lots of opportunities to shape shared campaigns with excellent opportunities to engage with and work alongside some of the leading experts in these policy areas. You will also play a key role in delivering those messages to key influencers in Government and in Parliament.

So, we are looking for someone with a keen eye for detail, a good networker with the ability to listen and negotiate, and a reasoned and convincing style of written and verbal communication, with a passion for nature conservation.

Please find the full job description and how to apply here. To apply, please send your CV, with a short covering letter and a completed diversity monitoring form by 9am on Monday 15 September.

We are seeking a dynamic Policy Officer to join our policy team, to support our lobbying and advocacy work, raise the profile of specialist FE with parliamentarians and represent the views of members. The work is varied, including monitoring parliamentary activity, undertaking research, meeting with members, helping to prepare consultation responses and analysing government proposals and published policies. The postholder will also take a lead in communicating Natspec’s policy positions to members and other stakeholders.

The main duties of the role include:

• Monitoring parliamentary and media activity to alert the Natspec team to relevant issues
• Maintaining and developing Natspec’s parliamentary database, increasing links with MPs and ministers
• Undertaking research to support Natspec’s policy work
• Preparing news stories, press releases and social media content, and identifying media opportunities to promote Natspec’s work and policy positions
• Working with Natspec member colleges, supporting them in their local lobbying work, and establishing network meetings
• Supporting the Senior Policy Manager and Senior Policy Officer with consultation responses, reports, publications, articles and data analysis.

We are looking for a self-motivated, innovative, dynamic and enthusiastic individual with good written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to develop strong working relationships. You don’t need to have a background in learning difficulties or disabilities or further education, although a demonstrable interest in these areas would be welcome. You should, however, have some prior experience of policy work, including undertaking research and analysis, understand parliamentary processes, and be able to quickly develop your understanding of education and funding policy relevant to specialist FE.

While you will be home-based, you will be in frequent contact with your colleagues both online and in-person and there will be plenty of opportunities to work outside of the home, attending meetings and visiting colleges. You will need to travel to London on a regular basis. You must be able to work flexibly, sometimes under pressure, and thrive on the unpredictability of policy work. 

Worldwide Veterinary Service is searching for a People and Policy Officer to support the growth of our charity.

This is an ideal role for an experienced administrator who wants to help make lasting improvements to the lives of animals around the world.

Reporting to the Director of Policy at global animal welfare charity, Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS), you will support development and implementation of the charity’s processes and policies. This role combines different areas of internal policy, risk management and governance support, ideal for someone who enjoys working with people to improve systems and deliver tangible results. We are growing and we need your help to maintain a dynamic culture that encourages innovation, is an exciting and rewarding place to work and delivers the biggest possible impact for the animals that we help.

We need someone who is ambitious, driven and wants the opportunity to make a difference by building core infrastructure at a rapidly growing charity.  As an organisation we are embracing hybrid working, but applicants should be aware that there is an expectation that this role will require significant time on site at our UK offices in Dorset and Cornwall.

About Us

At Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) we champion animal welfare around the world. We send vets where they are needed most, provide expert veterinary training in hard-to-reach places, and ship urgent aid supplies worldwide, every day of the year.

We deploy teams of vets and vet nurses, send equipment and supplies to help struggling organisations on the front line of animal welfare, and train vets at our international training centres in India, Thailand, Malawi and the Galápagos Islands.  We also work on strategic one health projects such as rabies elimination campaigns with Governments and NGOs all over the world.

Last year, WVS treated over 103,000 animals, trained over 2,800 vets, deployed teams of vets all over the world, and sent over 1,042 parcels of veterinary supplies to 231 charities in 65 countries. Over 1.2 m dogs were vaccinated against rabies last year as part of our Mission Rabies campaign.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

 Policy and Governance

• Assist with organisation of trustee meetings.
• Maintain up-to-date records of policies, procedures, and statutory documentation.
• Support compliance with Charity Commission requirements.
• Coordinate risk management processes, policy reviews and ensure timely updates and dissemination.
• Work closely with colleagues to provide technical advice and ease the implementation of policies at WVS projects around the world.
• Support audits in the UK and of international affiliates.
• Liaise with trustees and external partners to support governance processes.

People

• Support recruitment processes across teams including advertising, and onboarding.
• Maintain accurate and confidential staff and volunteer records in line with GDPR.
• Support uniform induction for staff and volunteers to maintain culture during a period of rapid growth.
• Assist with the effective communication and implementation of policies and procedures.

General

• Any Other duties as required

Essential Skills & Experience

•  2 + years’ experience in HR or governance administration.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.
• A strong team player.
• A passion for animal welfare.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and the use of other programmes or AI agents to improve the efficiency of organisational administration.
• Understanding of charity sector and compliance requirements.
• Qualified to degree level or with a relevant recognised qualification.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Diligent with excellent attention to detail.
• The right to work in the UK.
• Proficiency in English.
• A full drivers’ licence.

 Desired Skills & Experience

•  Experience of working with diverse teams in low resource environments.
• Experience working in rapidly growing organisations.
• Knowledge of employment, safeguarding and/or charity law.
• CIPD, ICSA or similar qualification (or working towards)

The Director of Policy, Strategy and Governance is a new leadership role at the forefront of shaping and communicating our strategic direction.

As a member of the executive team reporting to the CEO, the Director will work with school leaders, other key external partners and teams within Camden Learning to drive high standards and grow a school-led system striving for both excellence and equity.

The Director will be responsible for leading, developing and communicating Camden Learning’s strategic direction, including plans for future growth and success. This entails keeping abreast of current developments, not only identifying opportunities and trends but also developing and supporting innovative approaches while ensuring alignment with Camden Learning’s goals.

The Director will be responsible for overall governance effectiveness, as well as provide strategic leadership for school governor services, ensuring effective support for governors in their key strategic and statutory roles. This includes establishing high-quality development and training programmes, the provision of a clerking service and bespoke support for governing bodies, as needed.

We are looking for a leader who can take ownership of shaping this role from day one – a strategic thinker, a skilled communicator, and a champion of inclusive governance. This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of education in Camden and beyond. Your leadership will help us tell our story, measure our impact, and ensure that our strategy remains both ambitious and grounded in the realities of our schools.

Key dates

• Applications close: 9am Mon 6 October
• First round interviews: Tue 21 and Wed 22 October (online)
• Final round interviews: Tue 28 October (in person at 5 Pancras Square, London)
• Start date: As soon as possible (January 2026), to be agreed with the successful candidate.

ImpactEd Consulting is acting as recruitment advisor to Camden Learning on this appointment.

We are recruiting a policy and communications officer to join our small and growing team. The role will combine policy, analysis, communications, and programme support functions. We are therefore looking for applicants keen to work across a range of tasks, in a small organisation where flexibility and adaptability is important.

About the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies

At the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, we bring people together to challenge conventional thinking on justice, spark fresh ideas, and develop real solutions to issues that matter.

Our vision is of a fair, effective and accountable justice system, in a society less dominated by criminalisation and punishment, because it has developed better ways of preventing and addressing the problems of crime. We prize intellectual openness, and a willingness to engage with difficult questions and challenging ideas. We welcome and encourage scrutiny of our work and are comfortable with the uncertainty that comes from not always having the answer. We recognise the importance of building solidarity and common cause, and reject superficial divisiveness and purity politics.

Our work combines a general programme of educational activities including events with an in-depth programme, focusing on areas of injustice and public interest, such as Imprisonment for Public Protection and joint enterprise laws. If this sounds like your kind of organisation, we’d love to receive your application.

Key duties for this role include:

· Researching and creating engaging content – from written reports to digital media.

· Coordinating, reviewing, editing and correcting written material produced by others.

· Keeping abreast of developments in relevant policy and practice areas and communicating these with others.

· Developing effective relationships with relevant policy makers and opinion formers, advocacy and campaign groups, researchers and academics, policy and practice organisations.

· Managing and creating content for the Centre’s website, social media feeds and eBulletins.

· Assisting in the production of the Centre’s programme of events and publications.

Why join us?

· 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

· Flexible hybrid working. We put a high value on face-to-face work and collaboration though in office work and offer the flexibilty to work from home up to two days a week. 

· 8% employer pension contribution

· A supportive, collaborative, team culture. 

· Opportunities to work with and communicate interesting and impactful ideas

Apply for the role

For more information, including a job description and person specification, please see attached application pack. To apply, visit our website via the redirect button below for an application form. 

Deadline for completed applications: 5pm Friday, 19 September 2025. Interviews to be held Monday, 29 September at our Vauxhall office.

No agencies please.

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship, so applicants will need to have the right to work in the UK.

Title:Policy and Advocacy Manager

Salary:From £40,000 per annum

Contract:Permanent

Hours:37.5 per week (Monday to Friday)

Holiday:25 days per year plus bank holidays 

Location:Home based with travel within / to London and across the UK

Probationary Period:3 months

Reports to:Head of Legal and Policy

Benefits:An additional 3 days holiday between Christmas and New Year, Flexitime policy, 5% pension contribution

Start date:As soon as possible / flexible

We are River Action

We are a small and agile campaigning organisation on a mission to rescue Britain's rivers from a toxic cocktail of agricultural, sewage and industrial pollution. We support community action, galvanise and mobilise public opinion, influence government policy, and call out destructive industrial practices to incentivise changes that end pollution. 

We are building a talented team of positive disrupters and community mobilisers to deliver our strategy to urgently protect and restore our rivers for the benefit of community and wildlife.

Britain’s rivers are our life support system and they are dying. We need urgent action to bring them back to life. 

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a dynamic and self-motivated individual who shares our passion for protecting rivers to join our team to drive forward our policy and advocacy work. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong policy insights capable of blending analytical problem-solving with intelligent advocacy to drive meaningful change. This role requires someone to have excellent writing skills and the ability to draft complex policy documents as well as top line arguments for wider communication. . 

The ideal person will bring a combination of expertise, energy and ideas to amplify our impact, holding decision-makers and polluters accountable with a professional and diplomatic approach. They will engage with influential people across the sector, government, industry and media. 

If you thrive in fast-paced environments and want to be at the forefront of environmental policy and advocacy across multiple campaigns, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing

As our Policy and Advocacy Manager, you will play a leading role in shaping and advancing River Action’s political and policy influence, working closely with the Head of Legal and Policy, Chief Executive and wider team to develop and execute an impactful policy and advocacy strategy.

River Action is the Co-Secretariat for the APPG on Water Pollution, offering our Policy and Advocacy Manager a unique opportunity to shape the policy direction for River Action and also to influence policy development across Parliament. 

You will also work closely with our public affairs agency who manage our daily Westminster activities. 

You will:

• Lead River Action’s policy and advocacy work on agricultural, sewage and industrial water pollution, with a focus on regulation, funding and legal frameworks. 

• Collaborate with River Action’s team and external partners to ensure our collective work is underpinned by robust and forward-thinking policy analysis and evidence.

• Develop policy analysis to support campaign, communications and policy strategies, based on a strong evidence base and a sound understanding of the relevant legal and policy frameworks.

• Translate complex policy and evidence into concise documents with clear messages and compelling campaigns to engage political and policy stakeholders.

• Monitor and analyse political and policy developments, interpreting their implications and opportunities for River Action and its supporters.

• Generate analysis to enable participation in public consultation processes, including drafting high-quality and persuasive consultation responses and briefings for Westminster and Whitehall audiences.

• Increase our political influence with exciting policy interventions, ensuring River Action’s voice is heard at the highest levels of decision-making.

• Build and maintain relationships with key policymakers, civil servants, industry experts and partner organisations.

• Support grassroots community groups and third-sector partners in engaging with their local representatives for effective advocacy.

• Organise and attend key political meetings and events, including the Water Pollution APPG, stakeholder roundtables and parliamentary events.

• Manage strategic policy partnerships, including our relationship with Wildlife and Countryside Link and other third-sector organisations.

• Ensure River Action’s policy and advocacy efforts align with our creative campaigns, by making sure colleagues and spokespeople are well-briefed and communications content is well-informed to maximise reach and impact.

You will also:

• Actively engage in professional development and training.

• Adhere to health and safety policies while working in different locations.

• Maintain confidentiality in all areas of work at River Action.

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to an inclusive, equal and diverse workplace.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across River Action to collectively deliver our mission while being true to our values. 

UK travel will be required. Training and operational activities may require overnight stays away from home, in which case costs will be covered and standard River Action procedures will apply.

What you’ll bring

The position will suit a self-motivated, strategic and determined person. You will be an excellent communicator, with exceptional writing skills and comfortable representing River Action and engaging with diverse stakeholders. You will have a passion to protect and restore our waterways and to hold decision-makers and polluters to account.

Essential knowledge, skills and experience:

• Experience in a similar policy and advocacy role, ideally within the environmental sector. 

• Policy and/or legislative experience, with a good understanding of the workings of the UK government and Parliamentary procedure.

• A good understanding of the UK water industry, the key UK water-related policies and the issues that are impacting our rivers, land and wildlife.

• Excellent communication and writing skills with close attention to detail and the ability to produce concise and persuasive briefings, reports and consultation responses.

• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to working creatively and at a fast pace with colleagues, stakeholders and partners. 

• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to proactively plan and prioritise work and to report your progress and impact.

• Ability to work flexible hours and travel as necessary.

• A good and supportive team player with a willingness to muck in as and when required.

Why join us?

• Be part of a mission-driven organisation working to restore and protect the UK’s rivers.

• Work at the heart of political and environmental change, influencing decision-makers at the highest levels.

• Work in an agile, supportive and happy work environment where your ideas and expertise will have real impact.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organisation.

Diversity and inclusion

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies show that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single criteria. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. So if you like the look of this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description, we’d still love to hear from you. You may be just the right person for this role.

How to apply

To apply, please submit to jobs at riveractionuk dot com with the subject ‘Policy and Advocacy Manager’:

• your CV (2 pages), 

• a cover letter (2 pages) explaining why you want to work for River Action and how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role, and 

• a written submission (2 pages) as described below. 

Only applications including all three documents will be accepted. Please provide your documents in pdf format. 

Written submission

Please prepare a 2 page policy briefing for MPs on a current issue affecting the health of UK rivers. Your briefing should be written in a clear, persuasive style suitable for a Parliamentary and government audience and:

• Identify a water-related issue (e.g. agricultural pollution, sewage discharges or water management).

• Provide a concise analysis of the impact on rivers and biodiversity.

• Summarise relevant UK Government policies and legislation.

• Propose two or three practical policy recommendations for decision-makers.

Application process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 23:59 on Monday 15 September 2025.

Should your application be selected during sift, the next stage will involve an initial 15-minute interview. You may then be invited to attend a second interview with a panel. 

Initial interviews will be held on 17 and 18 September 2025 and panel interviews will be held in w/c 22 September 2025, all via video conference. For panel interviews, some questions will be provided in advance for equity and to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and experience most effectively. 

Please indicate in your covering letter or in a covering email your availability for interviews.

If you have any questions about the role or your application, please contact us on jobs at riveractionuk dot com.

About the Role

The Cybersecurity Officer will support the Cybersecurity Manager in protecting the charity’s digital assets and ensuring compliance with internal security policies and relevant international standards. This role will assist in implementing, monitoring, and maintaining cybersecurity controls across our technology environment, and is ideal for someone early in their cybersecurity career with a strong willingness to learn and contribute to meaningful humanitarian work.

Please note this is a FTC role for 6 months 

About You

Candidate should have a Degree or diploma in Computer Science, Information Security, or related field (or equivalent experience) with Up to 2 years of experience in an IT or cybersecurity role (internships or volunteer roles considered).  Familiarity with cybersecurity principles and technologies, including antivirus, firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and access control. Basic knowledge of Microsoft 365 security stack, including Defender and Intune.  Hands-on experience with any of the following: Ubiquiti, SharePoint, Egress, or Cloudflare.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in the implementation and maintenance of cybersecurity tools and controls (e.g., 
endpoint protection, firewalls, secure email gateways, MFA, etc.).
• Monitor security alerts and reports from tools like Microsoft Defender, Bitdefender, 
WatchGuard, and Cloudflare, escalating potential incidents to the Cybersecurity 
Manager.
• Support user access management and ensure policies for identity and access control 
are followed using systems like SSO and Intune.
• Help manage and track security awareness initiatives (e.g., phishing simulations via 
SoSafe).
• Assist in vulnerability scanning and basic risk assessments across networks and 
systems.
• Contribute to incident response efforts under the guidance of the Cybersecurity 
Manager.
• Document findings, maintain logs, and support audit and compliance activities.
• Collaborate with IT and wider organisation to ensure security controls do not hinder 
mission delivery.
• Participate in routine system checks and contribute to the improvement of 
cybersecurity procedures and documentation.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES

Experience & Certifications/Qualifications:
• Degree or diploma in Computer Science, Information Security, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Up to 2 years of experience in an IT or cybersecurity role (internships or volunteer roles considered).
• Familiarity with cybersecurity principles and technologies, including antivirus, firewalls, 
intrusion detection/prevention systems, and access control.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft 365 security stack, including Defender and Intune.
• Excellent communication skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity.

Preferred Skills and Competencies:
• Hands-on experience with any of the following: Ubiquiti, SharePoint, Egress, or Cloudflare.
• Certifications such as CompTIA Security+, Microsoft SC-900, or equivalent.

Ethos:
• Support the mission & values of MAP.
• Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace.
• Represent and be an ambassador for MAP.
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.
• An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.
• Abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices.
• Commitment to upholding the rights of people facing disadvantage and discrimination.

Other desirable experience:
• Experience of not-for-profit/INGO environments
• Interest in working in the NGO/humanitarian sector and sensitivity to issues affecting Palestinian communities

Disclaimer

Due to the high volume of applications, we receive, we are unable to respond to every application. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the deadline, then you have not been successful in shortlisting

About the Role
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) works for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees. A UK registered charity, we work in collaboration with Palestinian communities and trusted local partners, and coordinate with key stakeholders and relevant clusters, to meet a wide range of health and social needs, from providing vital medical aid in emergencies, to supporting the development of better health services for the long term. We also uplift the voices of Palestinians, and campaign for an end to the barriers to health and dignity that come from living through occupation, displacement, discrimination and conflict.

MAP is in a period of growth and rapid development, and as such, the incoming Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be responsible for the financial strategy and management of MAP and for the leadership of operational areas to help deliver the organisation’s mission and strategic goals. The COO provides support to the CEO in areas of governance, legal and risk management and may deputise for the CEO as required.

About You
The ideal candidate will have Relevant post-graduate business degree preferred. Minimum 10 years’ experience in a senior management role ideally with in-house financial management experience gained in a high-growth organisation. Experience either as an employee or board member of a non-profit organisation; must be familiar with non-profit finance and accounting regulations. Proven track record of success facilitating progressive organisational change and development within a growing organisation. Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Bring strong mentoring and coaching experience to a team with diverse levels of expertise.Passion for MAP’s mission and commitment to MAP’s values. 

Responsibilities

Strategy, vision and leadership

• Be accountable to the CEO and Board in the areas of finance, technology, risk and compliance, supply chain and logistics, and safety and security.
• Advise the CEO and SMT on all these areas as well as on legal, governance and related policy matters.
• Work closely with SMT colleagues to ensure that appropriate processes and systems are in place across the organisation, including delivery against KPIs.
• Serve as the management liaison to the Finance & Operations Committee, Audit Risk & Governance Committee and, where required, to the Board of Trustees; effectively communicate and present critical matters under their responsibility at governance meetings.
• Ensure robust, secure and scalable IT systems and infrastructure. Lead on information governance & data protection and identify and drive opportunities for digital transformation.
• Provide strategic leadership for supply chain management at MAP to ensure an efficient, effective and accountable supply chain policies and practices that meet MAP’s needs.
• Ensure a robust framework and system for identifying, assessing and mitigating risks across thenorganisation in line with MAP’s risk appetite.
• Lead on the development of MAP’s strategic goals and objectives in all areas of responsibility and contribute to the development of other goals as well as the overall management of the organisation.
• Work with direct reports to ensure the delivery of an effective strategy in all areas of responsibility.
• Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping the CEO informed of all critical issues.
• Lead cross-organisational projects in line with organisational strategy and direction.
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues across the organisation at all levels, adopting and encouraging a collaborative working approach.
• Represent the organisation externally, as necessary, in areas under the COO’s responsibility.
• Deputise for the CEO as required.

Team development/leadership

• Oversee, direct, and organise the work of the teams under their responsibility.
• Create a high-performing team that is ambitious and passionate about MAP’s vision.
• Ensure staff members receive timely and appropriate training and development, to facilitate continual improvement as individuals and as a team.
• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, and conduct annual performance appraisals.
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach and motivate the team to be innovative and professional in its thinking and delivery.

Operations

• Upgrade and implement an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, standards, and procedures.
• Ensure annual audits, budgets, and reports in all areas of operations are produced in an accurate and timely manner for SMT, the Board, and Board sub-committees.
• Ensure strong internal controls, risk management and regulatory compliance, including with UK Charity Commission standards, donor requirements and legal and regulatory requirements in countries and territories of operation.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement in operations and ensure appropriate and timely action to address operational risks when they arise.
• Provide analytical support to the CEO and SMT including development of internal management reporting capabilities.

Profile

Person specification

• Relevant post-graduate business degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in a senior management role ideally with in-house financial management experience gained in a high-growth organisation.
• Experience either as an employee or board member of a non-profit organisation; must be familiar with non-profit finance and accounting regulations.
• Proven track record of success facilitating progressive organisational change and development within a growing organisation.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Bring strong mentoring and coaching experience to a team with diverse levels of expertise.
• Entrepreneurial team player who can multitask.
• Superior management skills: the ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers.
• Self-reliant and results-oriented, with good problem-solving skills.
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with the SMT, MAP’s Board of Trustees, and staff.
• Ability to operate as an effective tactical as well as strategic thinker. 
• Prepared and able to travel when required, including to Lebanon, occupied Palestinian territory, and Egypt.
• Passion for MAP’s mission and commitment to MAP’s values.

Terms and conditions

This job description reflects the key requirements of the role and does not form part of your contract of employment. It can be amended from time to time as the needs of the organisation require and as appropriate to the role.

Job Title: Policy and Impact Officer

Location: Home working with some travel 

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week

Salary: £24,000pa 

DBS/PVG: Not required

Job Family: 3

Line Manager: Head of Policy and Impact

Closing Date:  30th September 2025 We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications

Start Date: asap

Interview Dates: 23 October 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications

Who we are

At Volunteering Matters, we believe people have the power to create change. Whether through volunteering by helping others and giving time, or through social action such as speaking up, campaigning, or leading change, everyone can make a difference. We bring people together to build stronger communities across England, Scotland and Wales, making sure everyone has the chance to get involved and create real change.

What we do

We help people of all ages and backgrounds get involved in volunteering and social action. We focus on making sure that everyone, no matter their situation, has the chance to take part. 

How we do this

We support people to share their time and skills to help others and tackle big challenges in their communities.

• We remove barriers to volunteering and social action, making it easier for people who don’t always get the chance to take part.

• We listen to and amplify voices that aren’t always heard, helping volunteers and communities influence change.

• We help volunteers beyond their first experience, offering training, support, and pathways to new opportunities.

• We connect businesses with communities, creating meaningful employee volunteering projects.

• We show the impact of volunteering and social action, proving how it changes lives for the better.

Our promise to volunteers

We are always looking for new ways for volunteers to make a difference. We bring people together across generations and backgrounds to learn from each other and create change. At the same time, we make sure that all our volunteers are trained, supported, and valued, so they feel confident in what they do.

Role Purpose

The Policy and Impact Team sits at the heart of Volunteering Matters. We play a vital role in demonstrating the impact of our work connecting data, qualitative insight, and lived experience to the policy agendas shaping communities across the UK. Through storytelling, analysis, and evidence, we make sure volunteering is recognised as a driving force for social change.

We are a small, hands-on team. You will be involved in every aspect of our work from desk-based research and writing briefings to organising external meetings and working directly in communities alongside our volunteers. This variety allows you to connect national policy with local realities and help volunteers share their voices where it matters most.

 You will help bring our five-year strategy to life by linking project outcomes to broader societal developments and showcasing the impact of volunteers and communities.

Key Duties Responsibilities

· Support the Head of Policy and Impact to coordinate Volunteering Matters’ policy and public affairs work.

· Support people involved with our volunteering projects to engage with local politicians, e.g. by organising visits to projects or meetings with volunteers. 

· Monitor and respond to opportunities (e.g. relevant government consultations, All-Party Parliamentary Group inquiries or Select Committee inquiries) that are relevant to Volunteering Matters’ priorities.

· Support mapping and research exercises to inform our policy positioning. Writing summary reports as needed.

· Collaborate with the National Volunteer Engagement Manager to support the inclusion of volunteer and community voices in our policy and public affairs work.

· Assist with collecting impact and activity data from across the charity and work with the Data Analyst to undertake analysis.

· Support with routine collection of quarterly data from projects - ensuring responses are timely and accurate, providing guidance to project managers as needed.

· Work with project staff to help create impactful and engaging reports.

· Represent Volunteering Matters at charity and volunteering policy-related groups. 

 Essential Skills

· Understanding of UK political systems and policy-making processes across national, devolved, and local levels.

· Understanding of policy, public affairs, or influencing, ideally within the voluntary or community sector.

· Confident communicator, able to engage with policymakers, sector partners, and community representatives.

· Familiarity with both qualitative and quantitative data analysis to inform narrative reporting and strategic insight.

· Excellent writing skills, with the ability to craft clear, persuasive documents based on data and lived experience.

· Alignment with Volunteering Matters’ values and a commitment to amplifying community voice.

· Must adhere to the organisation’s Code of Conduct and uphold its values at all times.

· Proficient in Microsoft 365, particularly Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel, with the ability to manage email communications and collaborate digitally.

· Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, managing time and priorities in a busy environment.

· For remote roles, candidates must be self-starters who can work with minimal supervision, stay organised, and remain motivated to meet deadlines and deliver quality outcomes.

· Attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving and information sharing.

Experience Required

No specific experience is required.

Qualifications

Relevant skills and values alignment is more important for this role than specific qualifications.

Our Values & Way of Working

In all that we do we are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward.

Disability Confident & Reasonable Adjustments

We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role. Please provide evidence in your application, which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required in the Job Description under skill and experience. To be considered for a guaranteed interview or to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the process, please state this in your cover letter.

GDPR Statement

If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to six months.  We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.

Policy on AI-Generated Applications 

Applications are accepted on trust, and we expect all submissions to reflect the applicant’s own words, experiences, and motivations. While tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) may support the application process, applications should not be generated wholly by AI. 

To Apply

Please send an updated, complete CV and cover letter via the Charity Job Apply button above. In your application clearly state which role you are applying for. In the cover letter please demonstrate how you would fulfil the role requirements, what previous relevant achievements you have (both in life and at work), what skills & experience you can offer, and what you believe you can contribute to Volunteering Matters.

Please note that all applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to progress applications that don’t meet this requirement. 

If you have any questions about current vacancies, the recruitment process, or need support, our team is here to help. Whether you're a candidate looking for more information or with an HR query, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Are you eager to make a difference in health and care but don’t know how to get started? Do you want to learn how policy is made, how senior leaders are influenced, and how research drives change?

We’re looking for a Policy and Research Intern to join our Policy and Influence team for nine months. This is a unique chance to take your first step on the policy career ladder – no prior policy experience required.

In this role, you’ll be right at the centre of our work with senior nursing and midwifery leaders. Yes, you’ll support the team with essential admin and communications, but this internship is about so much more than that. You’ll help deliver high-profile events like webinars and roundtables, track and report on member benefits, and contribute to live policy and research projects that shape the future of the NHS and wider system.

We don’t expect you to arrive knowing it all. What matters is your enthusiasm for FNF’s mission, your willingness to learn, and your drive to get stuck in. In return, you’ll gain hands-on experience, work alongside senior stakeholders, and build the skills and confidence to take the next step in your career.

What we’re looking for:

• A genuine interest in health policy and influencing
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• Someone proactive, flexible, and ready to muck in
• A team player who wants to learn and grow
• Demonstrable evidence of how you have lived FNF’s values

This is a nine-month paid internship (at the National Living Wage), with plenty of flexibility and hybrid working. You can join us part-time (three days a week) or full-time — whichever works best for you.

If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, learn by doing, and kick start your career in health policy and influencing, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll be part of a dynamic, ambitious team that’s making a real difference — and excited to have you on the journey with us.

Together, the charities Sands and Tommy’s have formed a Joint Policy Unit (JPU) focussed on achieving policy change that will save more babies’ lives during pregnancy and the neonatal period and on tackling inequalities in loss, so that everyone can benefit from the best possible outcomes.

The JPU’s mission is to secure policy change that will reduce rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term birth and neonatal death, and to work to eliminate inequalities in these outcomes.

While there is widespread agreement on the need for change to improve the safety of maternity and neonatal services, what that change looks like is not clear.  To save more babies’ lives we believe that a continued focus is required, and that governments should set new commitments to reduce perinatal mortality and preterm births, focused on matching the best-performing countries in Europe.

This role will be crucial to the continued success of the JPU unit; leading, shaping and coordinating all the unit’s work. 

We are looking for an independent and assertive problem-solver, a policy expert who can manage multiple priorities, take the initiative, lead the national conversation and is as excited as we are about taking the helm of this venture for both of our organisations.

The successful candidate will need to have a substantial track record of effectively leading and implementing national policy and influencing programmes, driving change and achieving the desired impact.

You will have considerable experience across research, data analysis, policy development, public affairs and communications.  Additionally, you will be well-versed in research and data management, including analysing complex data and evaluating policy developments.

Experience of being a member of a senior management team with successful, significant and relevant management and leadership experience is also essential.