Political jobs

MSF UK/IE is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all staff and for everyone that comes into contact with the charity. The Safeguarding Manager is the focal point for our efforts both leading and assuring delivery within MSF UK/IE and working in collaboration across the MSF movement with key partners and sections to advance and support the development of safeguarding within MSF.

Department: People Department

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours a week

Length of contract: Fixed Term Contract - 12 Months (maternity cover)

Location: London Hybrid 2 days per week London Office

Salary:£52,866.48 per annum

Internal salary grade: 16.1

Requirements

• Relevant experience in protection/safeguarding, experience in managing safeguarding cases is desirable.
• Safeguarding-related background, e.g. dedicated safeguarding role, NHS, social work, HR investigations or NGO experience.
• Strong people skills with the ability to read and navigate complex political interactions.
• Confident and engaging presenter.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to synthesise information from various sources.
• Knowledge of UK/IE Safeguarding Legislation.
• Ability to think critically and analytically enabling excellent decision-making abilities around the protection of vulnerable people.
• Ability to work strategically across a complex organisational structure.
• Diplomatic, with excellent communication skills and strong cross-cultural communication abilities.
• Motivated by desire to ensure MSF UK/IE is a safe, diverse and inclusive place to work, where people are heard and concerns addressed.
• Excellent listening skills; approachable, enthusiastic and dynamic.
• Strong organisation and time management skills.
• Discreet and able to handle information sensitively.

About the role

We are looking to hire a confident and politically astute public affairs and communications professional to help drive our UK strategy at the intersection of law, climate, nature, and corporate accountability. In this role, you’ll work closely with the Head of UK and CEO, to shape clear and compelling policy strategies, and engage directly with UK policymakers and the media, connecting our mission to the heart of UK politics.

Meet your Manager

In this role, you will be managed by Andrea Lee, who joined ClientEarth in 2013 and is based in the UK. She has over ten years’ experience of working on sustainability projects and campaigns across the voluntary and public sectors in the UK, Spain and the USA. She first worked on the Healthy Air London community engagement project and now coordinates the national Healthy Air Campaign. Before joining ClientEarth, Andrea worked on sustainable transport behaviour change projects funded by Transport for London, and later at national charity Living Streets.

Main Duties

• Support the Head of UK to develop and implement a UK public affairs and communications plan to meet the strategic needs of the organisation across climate, nature, corporate accountability, the rule of law, and in partnership with communications, digital and programmes teams. 
• Proactively stay abreast of political and media developments and any relevant priority policy developments in the UK and manage reactions to political developments.
• Monitor relevant developments in the UK Parliament, in line with the agreed UK strategy and coordinate and track engagement.
• Develop communications plans for CEO profile on priority communications and policy issues, working with colleagues across the communications team to do so.
• Support senior leaders in the UK to build and maintain relationships in line with the strategic needs of ClientEarth, and in line with the agreed priorities, including with elected officials, political advisers, journalists, civil servants, local leaders and their advisers and other public bodies. 

See the job description (below) for a full list of duties for this role.

Role requirements

• Experience of delivering high quality, impactful public affairs and communications strategies (essential).
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of UK politics (essential). 
• Experience of working in media, politics or parliament, including briefing politicians (essential). 
• Strong presentational skills with high standards of oral and written fluency and the ability to present complex information and concepts into simple and persuasive briefings, media statements and presentations (essential). 
• Strong alignment with ClientEarth’s values and commitment to our vision, and mission and equity, diversity and inclusion strategy objectives (essential) 

See the job description (below) for a full list of requirements for this role.

Note to candidates: We know that long lists of criteria can be daunting and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

Further Information

Have a question about this job? Please visit our Careers site for advice on applying, FAQs, and more.

Flexible working:  We are proud to be a Flexa accredited Employer. Visit our Flexa Employer page for more information on our approach to flexible working. Our flexible working policy allows our people the choice to decide to work from home/another location in the country where their contract of employment is issued for 80% of their month, with the other 20% of their month being office-based  See our Benefits page for more.

ClientEarth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds. 

Please note that ClientEarth is only able to employ those who have the pre-existing legal right to work in the UK.

ClientEarth is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services to third parties.

At Endometriosis UK, we are passionate about driving political change for the 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth living with endometriosis in the UK. This role will play an instrumental role in supporting the campaigns and policy function within the wider Communications Team.

This will be a busy, varied and important role working closely with the Policy and Public Affairs Manager and Head of Campaigns and Communications to provide administration and wider support for the charity’s growing policy and campaigns function. This will include contributing to the production of government consultation responses, writing letters to politicians, producing background briefings ahead of parliamentary meetings and taking responsibility for political monitoring and informing the team of any engagement opportunities. A key part of the role will also be providing administration support for the policy function of the charity and the Head of Communications and Campaigns, including administrative support for the All-Party-Parliamentary Group on Endometriosis which Endometriosis UK provides secretariat support for. Tasks will include writing minutes, helping produce briefing papers, and booking events and meeting rooms.

You will also be the first point of call for our campaign supporters, and will be aiding our supporters to take campaign actions through the drafting and creation of e-actions using Engaging Networks.

This is an exciting opportunity to help build our campaigning work and work towards the goals of our new 2025 organisational strategy. 

We’re looking for a highly skilled and experienced public affairs professional to join our small staff team to lead our public affairs activity and to grow the influence of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition. This is an exciting opportunity to influence positive change at a time of significant policy and political developments.

As Public Affairs Advisor, you will lead on the Coalition’s public affairs and influencing activity. You will be responsible for influencing the Government’s policy and legislative agenda relating to children and young people’s mental health, forging relationships with the new Parliament, and ensuring the Coalition’s views are heard across Westminster and Whitehall.

With over 370 members across the country, our Coalition has a significant potential to extend its influence. Many of our existing members are well placed to influence at a local level through working with their NHS Integrated Care Boards, councils and MPs, but do not always feel confident carrying out public affairs work. As Public Affairs Adviser, you will work with our members to upskill them to carry out their own influencing activity through a series of ‘Learning and Development’ workshops.

You will have Public Affairs experience of developing successful strategies to influence legislation or government policy, have strong knowledge of political systems and processes, have existing networks and contacts, and feel passionate about creating positive change for babies, children and young people.

This is a new role within the Coalition staff team and is generously supported by the Prudence Trust and the Hollick Family Foundation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the Coalition’s parliamentary influencing strategy.
• Build and maintain relationships with Parliamentarians and other key stakeholders, such as civil servants and special advisers.
• Lead the Coalition’s engagement with Parliament and Government, ensuring strong systems are in place to capture and track engagement.
• Monitor and respond to political and legislative developments affecting our work, making recommendations for responses, and proactively seeking opportunities to further the Coalition’s objectives.
• Provide political intelligence to the staff team, Chair and our members, and help to prepare staff for parliamentary activity as appropriate.
• Produce high quality written briefings, reports and other materials that communicate our messages clearly and effectively to a parliamentary audience. This will also include contributing to other Coalition communications such as media responses, newsletters, blogs, and social media posts.
• Plan and deliver events aimed at political stakeholders, for example, parliamentary events and roundtables.
• Participate in collaborations with other charities for shared influencing activities, for example the Fund the Hubs campaign and the Future Minds campaign.  
• Support work on legislation as appropriate, including drafting amendments.

Working with members

• Regularly engage with members to understand their influencing priorities and to gather insight to help inform the Coalition’s wider influencing priorities.
• Connect Coalition members to decision makers and help spotlight their work, for example, helping to organise visits to services.
• Provide advice to members on engaging with their local decision-makers such as their local MP, Integrated Care Boards and Councillors.
• Deliver workshops with members to share information and skills related to influencing and public affairs activity. For example, this could include delivery of sessions on influencing local systems, working with the government, and legislative processes.  

General

• Work closely with the Coalition Lead, the Policy and Public Affairs Assistant, and Chair of the Coalition to develop and review priorities for the Coalition and support to drive these forwards. You will also be required to work closely with the staff at Centre for Mental Health.
• Support with the development and implementation of the Coalition’s work plan and projects.
• To undertake any other duties as reasonably required by the Coalition Lead or Chair of the Coalition

The deadline for applications is Sunday 27th April 23:59

LSE is committed to building a diverse, equitable and truly inclusive university

Department of Statistics

External Engagement and Communications Officer

Salary from £36,008 to £40,991 pa inclusive with potential to progress to £43,854 pa inclusive of London allowance.

A founder department of the globally renowned London School of Economics, the Department of Statistics is home to internationally respected experts with cutting-edge specialisms in Ai, data science, probability in finance and insurance, social statistics, time series and statistical learning, and more. We have a leading reputation for teaching and research, and our number one priority is maintaining and enhancing this standing.

In line with our strategic ambitions, we are seeking an ambitious and skilled External Engagement and Communications Officer to join our new communications team, situated within the Department’s growing, and friendly, professional services team.

As the External Engagement and Communications Officer, you will have the opportunity to play an important role in our mission to raise the profile of the Department’s work among audiences old and new, close to home and far afield.

You will work closely with the other members of the communications team, collaborating and leading on various existing projects and areas of work, as well as having the opportunity to propose and develop new initiatives and workstreams. Among these, contributing to our efforts to drive increased engagement and impact (especially through establishing connections with external stakeholders and industry partners) will be key, as will be working with colleagues to sustain and expand our events programme.

Previous experience of working successfully in a communications role is essential, and we have a strong preference for this to have been in a higher education or research context.

The successful candidate will be joining at an exciting time for the Department as we grow, work towards our goals, and look to REF 2029. We offer an occupational pension scheme, generous annual leave, hybrid working, and excellent training and development opportunities.

We look forward to receiving your application.

For further information about the post, please see the how to apply document, job description and the person specification.

If you have any technical queries with applying on the online system, please use the “contact us” links at the bottom of the LSE Jobs page. 

The closing date for receipt of applications is 11 May 2025 (23.59 UK time).

Regrettably, we are unable to accept any late applications.

This is a new and strategically important position in a growing team. Our advocacy - the use of information and evidence to drive change in policy, practices and attitudes - and the effective engagement of target audiences to stimulate action, is at the core of our success in forging a fairer water future. 

As a senior member of the Public and Political Engagement team, the Advocacy and Engagement Manager will work closely with our Research and Operations teams, and partners across Africa, Asia and South America. They will engage with decision makers in government, business, financial institutions, multi-lateral and network organisations, local and international NGOs, and the media, to advance evidence-based solutions to the conjoined global crises of water, climate, nature and inequality.   

In particular, they will play a key role in our Fair Water Footprints Campaign and the wider delivery of the Glasgow Declaration for Fair Water Footprints. With new funding from the UK Government’s Just Transitions for Water Security Programme, these game changing initiatives seek to end the abuse of water in our supply chains, and to establish responsible water stewardship as the global business norm by 2030 so that trade and business accelerate, rather than undermine, shared water security.  This will be achieved through mobilising the power of scientific evidence and citizen voices to trigger change in government policies, corporate practices, financial disclosure, and political and public expectations.  The choreography and delivery of this change will be a core focus of the successful candidate’s work.  

This role will involve travel within the UK and internationally, including in Africa and South America, and would suit an exceptional communicator who is fluent in the technical and policy aspects of water and climate justice, and who has several years of demonstrable experience in using advocacy, communications, and stakeholder engagement to drive change.  If you’re a team player that shares our passion for our mission, with proven political nous, and the ability to translate complex evidence into the right asks to the right people at the right time to secure systemic change, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.   

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen at the heart of the Law Society's campaigning and political influencing activity.

Managing a busy in-house team of public affairs professionals, this role will lead our day-to-day engagement and relationships with key political stakeholders, providing oversight of our activity and working closely with senior leadership to support our members.

We lobby on a range of legislation in Parliament - from Bill's you might expect such as the Crime and Policing Bill or the Employment Rights Bill - but also on Bill's such as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, the Terminally Ill Adults Bill or on recent trade legislation.

The Law Society is the independent professional body for over 200,000 solicitors in England and Wales. Our members work across all areas of law - and the issues we work on are just as diverse. This is an exciting and varied role where your political expertise and knowledge will be used to great effect to make a real impact for our members.

We have positive access and relationships to policymakers, parliamentarians and ministers, and an excellent reputation in Westminster. As we approach the end of the first year of the new Labour Government, there is huge opportunity to influence the political debate, driving our influencing on important issues such as access to justice, the rule of law and supporting a thriving legal business sector up the agenda and influence on behalf of our members.

As Public Affairs Manager, you will lead the effective delivery of Public Affairs and influencing activity, supporting and advising the work of our officeholders and senior leadership team in developing key relationships and identifying opportunities to influence.

What we're looking for

We're looking for candidates with a keen interest in politics and campaigning, and someone who has:

• Relevant experience in a public affairs role or equivalent in a complex organisation, and experience of designing, implementing and evaluating persuasive influencing campaigns which has delivered positive outcomes
• Strong stakeholder management abilities, with expertise in influencing and developing relationships with senior level stakeholders, while credibly representing the Law Society
• Experience of line management or leading a high performing team that delivers work on time, to brief and to a high standard.

What's in it for you

This is an excellent opportunity to join a team of marketing experts within a fast-paced, progressive membership organisation. The successful candidate will join a strong brand with a reputation for excellence and legal expertise, committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and a culture of trust, excellence clarity and respect.

We offer hybrid working (2 days per week in our central London office), a generous flexible benefits package, a friendly working environment and the opportunity to develop your career within a professional organisation.

Please note: if you are an internal applicant, Pay Policy will apply.

The Law Society represents solicitors in England and Wales. From negotiating with and lobbying the profession's regulators, government and other decision makers, to offering training and advice, we're here to help, protect and promote solicitors.

About Reprieve

Reprieve works with the most disenfranchised people in society. Our aim is simple: to consign the death penalty and abuses carried out in the name of “counter-terrorism” or “national security” to history, drawing public and political attention to these past harms with a view to preventing them from occurring again. 

In our view, you can best judge a society by how it treats prisoners, criminal defendants, and the far-flung targets of an ever-changing counter-terror policy. To us, the rule of law means little if we selectively apply it to people we agree with. It is for all of us. Liberty is always eroded at the margins.

Reprieve’s staff is made up of courageous and committed human rights defenders. Founded in 1999, we provide free legal and investigative support to people facing the death penalty and those victimised by states’ abusive counter-terror policies – rendition, torture, arbitrary detention and extrajudicial killing. 

We fight our clients’ cases in courts around the world; investigate their mistreatment; and advocate on their behalf, encouraging public and political debate of human rights issues. 

Reprieve’s main office is in Aldgate, London, UK. Reprieve also supports full-time Fellows, who work as lawyers, investigators and campaigners in the countries in which we work. We work closely with a number of partner organisations in jurisdictions all over the world, who provide access to clients, expertise, knowledge and guidance on specific issues or regions. We work in cooperation with relevant government officials, individual lawyers and human rights defenders, as well as individual, corporate and foundation funders to further the cause of our shared goals.

Reprieve works in close partnership with its independent sibling organisation Reprieve US.  This collaboration is mutually beneficial to both Reprieve and Reprieve US as it enables each organisation to work more effectively and take advantage of the strategic locations to increase the impact of our work.

Reprieve is an equal opportunity employer and we particularly welcome applicants from Black and minority ethnic communities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those with disabilities. Reprieve is committed to fighting racism and advancing racial justice, both in our work and within Reprieve. For more information, please see our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement. You can also read more about our recruitment process.

About the Role

The Head of Public Affairs and Policy is responsible for overseeing Reprieve’s political engagement and policy work; managing public affairs and policy focused staff; and steering forward advocacy and policy that advances Reprieve’s strategic objectives on behalf of our clients in all the jurisdictions where we operate. 

Reprieve’s current policy goals in the UK include prohibiting intelligence sharing where there is a risk of torture or the death penalty, ensuring UK security assistance doesn’t contribute to human rights violations, and ending the practice of citizenship stripping. The role involves close collaboration with Reprieve’s regional and thematic casework teams to encourage states to restrict or end the use of the death penalty or involvement in other human rights abuses such as torture and arbitrary detention. 

Reprieve’s work encompasses a number of regions across the world, including the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, and the United States. The policy team provides cross-cutting support to those teams and local experts to advocate for our clients, secure political representation for them, and advance strategic goals.
You will share our commitment to fighting against racism and advancing
racial justice, and understand our responsibility to do our work in a way that does not compound racist structures.

Location, contract and salary

This is a full-time role, on a one-year fixed term contract, with the possibility to extend, subject to funding. The annual salary is £61,003 per annum, less any required deductions for income tax and national insurance. 
This role is based in Reprieve’s London office. Reprieve operates a hybrid working model and we require staff to work 40% of their working hours from the London office and the rest of the week from home. Applicants must have the current right to work in the UK, which will be checked prior to interview.

Full details and how to apply

Please review the job description and person specification for full details.To apply, please submit the application form at the web address provided. Please note that CVs and cover letters cannot be accepted for this role. 

The deadline for applications is 23:58 BST on 27 April 2025. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK currently and for the duration of the contract. 

About the role

Are you an innovative communicator, energised by the opportunity to work in the heart of Westminster on the big political challenges of our time? If you bring compelling storytelling skills, excellent media networks and a creative, entrepreneurial approach, we would love to hear from you.

At a time when political, social and economic challenges are growing in the UK and abroad, the stories Demos is here to tell – of the power of democracy, citizen voice and radical new approaches to technology, public services and the economy – have never been more important. This is a career-defining opportunity to play a key role in shaping the voice of one of the UK’s most dynamic and influential think tanks, as we enter an exciting new phase of growth.

You will report to the Director of Policy and Impact, and will be responsible for designing and delivering a compelling communications strategy to grow Demos’ profile, reach and external impact. You will be excited by the opportunity to work on some of the most pressing and complex policy challenges, such as national renewal, growth and mission-led government, ensuring Demos’ voice is heard by the audiences that matter most to us, including MPs, journalists, civil society organisations, and industry.

Line managing our Content and Production Officer to provide high-quality design and content production support across our project work, you will be experienced working across media, socials and in-house channels (e.g. newsletters) to create and respond to opportunities for impact. A skilled storyteller, you will write, edit, coordinate and publish content across multiple channels, ensuring consistent, distinctive tone of voice and strong and clear narrative in the crowded communications spaces we work in. 

You will bring keen understanding of the power of brand, including visual identity, to drive impact, and will be confident using data and analytics to inform and improve our communications strategy. 

What we offer

• Generous leave entitlement: 27 days + Bank holidays + 3 additional days off between Christmas and New Year
• Enhanced pension contribution: 6%
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced parental leave
• A forward-thinking, supportive and collaborative team

At Demos we centre staff wellbeing as a key priority; we will make every effort to ensure staff feel happy, healthy and valued as part of our integral team.

DIEJ at Demos

At Demos, we recognise, celebrate and promote the positive contributions that are made by diverse groups. We exist to proactively tackle social and economic exclusion and engaging with and promoting the voices of people whose voices may not otherwise be heard is core to our work. We believe that this should be reflected in our team and we strongly encourage applications from people from minority ethnic communities, people with disabilities, or others with lived experience of disadvantage. We expect all members of our team to recognise and value differences and the unique contributions that people make to the way we conduct our work and develop our insights, and encourage people to bring their diverse perspectives and backgrounds into their work on a day-to-day basis. We have flexible working policies and would be happy to discuss flexible working requirements with any candidates. Read our full DIEJ policy on our website. 

Background:
Established in 2011, Kaleidoscope Trust (KT) is a UK-based charity focused on fighting for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and gender diverse (LGBTI+) people across the Commonwealth and beyond. We fund, fight for and empower those upholding the human rights of LGBTI+ people by working with governments, changemakers and civil society organisations to effect meaningful and lasting change in the lives of LGBTI+ people.
 

The Role:
The UK Policy and Advocacy Manager will lead Kaleidoscope Trust’s UK-focused policy and public affairs activities, in line with the organisation’s strategic objectives, and support, where appropriate, the wider work of the Policy and Public Affairs Team, including with external relations, communications, campaigns and events.

This role aims to:
▪ Provide the Secretariat function to support the co-chairs of the APPG for Global LGBT+ Rights to deliver the APPG’s strategy and work plan.
▪ Build and maintain relationships with government officials and the wider policy community across the UK, strategically deploying senior organisational staff or representing Kaleidoscope Trust and the APPG in external meetings and civil society forums as directed, and support delivery of events where such stakeholders are to be engaged.
▪ Identify and share insights into relevant emerging international political and policy trends helping to anticipate issues, risks and opportunities and translate these for relevant UK stakeholders.
▪ Draft insightful and compelling policy submissions, briefings and papers under the guidance of KT’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs.
▪ Fulfil the key responsibilities of the job role in a professional manner while adapting to often changing circumstances and re-prioritising accordingly.
 

For more information on the role, please find the Job Description attached.

Research Associate - National Youth Agency

Contract: 12-month Fixed Term Contract (with potential to extend)
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week 
Salary: £30,000 – £35,000 per annum, dependent on experience
Remote: This role is 100% homebased with occasional travel for staff residentials and other events.

What we do

As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.

We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Knowledge Team, working alongside two existing Research Associates and a Data Analyst. 

You will be integral in delivering research, data, and insights that support organisational development and programme delivery across NYA.

We are looking for an experienced mixed-methods researcher with a strong understanding of social research and evaluation approaches. Ideally, you will have experience working in or alongside the youth sector and be confident using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

You’ll need to be flexible, proactive, and a strong communicator, able to explain complex ideas to varied audiences. 

This role is ideal for someone looking to make a tangible difference through evidence-led approaches that shape policy, practice, and impact in youth work.

Key responsibilities for this role will include:

• Designing and delivering research projects using a range of methods including surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
• Supporting the development of the NYA research and data hub, including external research collation and data visualisation.
• Leading on evaluations to meet funder requirements and contribute to NYA’s growing evidence base.
• Analysing data from NYA programmes to support impact measurement.
• Promoting evidence-based practice across NYA and the wider youth sector.
• Communicating findings clearly through reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Managing research projects and collaborating with internal and external partners to deliver on time and to quality.
• Responding to internal and external research enquiries.

The ideal candidate will have experience in social research, familiarity with various research methodologies, and the ability to communicate complex findings to diverse audiences. 

Please refer to our Candidate Pack for more information on the role and the requirements.

Why Work for NYA?

NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.

NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.

A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.

NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.

We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.

How to Apply:

Please download our applicant pack to find out more about the role and requirements

To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Monday 12th May 2025:

A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section. 

A covering letter (maximum two sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the

About You section. 

We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.

Please note: the covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 30% AI generated content with be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.

The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer. 

At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission. 

We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.

Youth Work changes lives

Which is why we’re committed to ensuring that as many young people as possible get to benefit from it. As the national body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency (NYA) exists to champion its transformative power.  We believe all young people should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing impact of extraordinary youth workers and trained volunteers.

We help to grow youth work provision in ways that keep it effective, relevant, safe and engaging, to help millions of young people reach their potential and thrive. We do this by providing guidance, support, advice, training and staff development opportunities for youth workers and youth work organisations. At the heart of everything we do are young people themselves. We work hard to ensure their voices are integrated into all our work, to develop provision that truly meets their needs.

REF-221126

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for an Interim Deputy Director of External Affairs to join our team on a 9 month FTC.

While this role covers all our External Affairs functions, you'll be particularly expected to have knowledge and expertise in providing leadership in policy-influencing and campaigns. You'll provide leadership of AaA's External Affairs strategy to ensure the needs of autistic children and their families are high on the political and media agenda.

You'll have an externally-facing role in policy influencing, representing AaA in coalitions with relevant government departments among parliamentarians, as well as increasing AaA's profile through an effective communications strategy.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Substantial experience, knowledge and understanding of the policy landscape, including political and legislative processes, and local government structures and processes
• Extensive experience of developing and delivering strategic, integrated communications programmes
• Demonstrable leadership of successful policy-influencing activity, including stakeholder engagement and above/below the line influencing strategies
• Proven experience in strategy development

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

Job Purpose

The Specialist Policy Officer plays a vital role within Clinks’ National Influencing & Networks team, delivering high-quality policy work that supports systemic change in the criminal justice system. The postholder will contribute to shaping evidence-based policy and influencing decision-makers, working closely with colleagues across Clinks and external stakeholders. More information about our policy work please visit our website.

Duties and key responsibilities

1. Policy Intelligence and Research

· Lead horizon scanning of central, local and devolved government policy developments (with the Senior Engagement & Development Officer – Wales) to assess implications for the voluntary sector.

· Conduct member-focused research to inform Clinks’ consultation responses and policy publications, including blogs, briefings, and outputs from the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3).

· Lead the design, delivery, and publication of Clinks’ annual State of the Sector research.

2. Policy Development and Influence

· Draft clear, evidence-based policy materials for engagement with political stakeholders, including Ministers and officials.

· Develop mechanisms and opportunities for voluntary sector organisations to engage in policy development with statutory agencies.

· Provide policy support and analysis for Clinks’ Chief Executive and Director of National Influencing & Networks in high-level meetings.

3. Internal Collaboration and Support

· Work closely with Clinks' Area Engagement & Partnerships team to ensure member experiences and regional insights inform national policy work.

· Support colleagues across Clinks to understand policy contexts and improve their influencing work—including restricted specialist projects.

· Share policy updates and emerging trends during internal staff meetings.

4. External Representation and Stakeholder Engagement

· Represent Clinks at external meetings and events, including with senior political stakeholders and at Clinks-facilitated regional forums.

· Contribute to the development and operation of policy-focused groups, networks, and advisory structures.

· Work with the communications and admin team to maintain Clinks’ stakeholder database and ensure the distribution of policy content.

5. Content and Communications

· Collaborate with the Specialist Communications Officer to produce accessible and engaging social media and website content related to policy.

· Contribute written materials that engage audiences, influence decision-makers, and promote understanding of key issues.

General responsibilities

· Act as a positive ambassador for Clinks and uphold its mission and values.

· Work flexibly, supporting other duties as required in line with the role.

· Champion equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of work.

· Work collaboratively and constructively across teams.

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

Person specification

· Working well in a team with a flexible approach to work

· Ability to manage multiple and sometimes competing priorities

· Personal resilience and ability to stay focused in a rapidly changing environment

· Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities, including for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system

· Ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work

· Commitment to upholding the rights of people facing disadvantage and discrimination in the criminal justice system

Education and experience

· Experience in a criminal justice-related policy role

· Demonstrated experience of drafting policy positions for use with political stakeholders.

· Experience of developing evidence-based policy positions

· Experience of utilising different research methods in order to support the case for systemic change of the criminal justice system

Skills and abilities

· Written communication skills which engage audiences, persuade, and encourages understanding and participation

· Strong critical thinking and analytical skills; confident summarising complex policy.

· Sound knowledge of parliamentary processes and policy levers.

· Skilled at balancing competing priorities and managing stakeholder relationships.

· Confident working both independently and in a team.

· Organisational, administrative and IT skills at a level that supports notetaking, producing timely and accurate minutes and managing email correspondence

· Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

· Ability to balance and prioritise competing tasks in order to meet tight deadlines

· Adaptability and flexibility in being able to take on new roles and manage a range of internal and external relationships.

Knowledge

A good and critical understanding of issues related to:

· The role of the voluntary sector in addressing social exclusion and inequalities

· The criminal justice system, in particular prisons and probation.

· A thorough understanding of the policy development process

Other requirements

· Able to travel nationally across England and Wales.

· Able to work evenings and weekends and stay away from home overnight where necessary.

· Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.

· Commitment to the values and ethos of supporting people in the criminal justice system.

About Equally Ours:

We’re the 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. Our vision is a just and compassionate society, where we are free from harm and can all contribute and flourish, whoever we are, whatever we believe in, and whatever we do and don’t have. A society that is equally ours.

About the role:

We’re on the lookout for a new Director of Policy and Public Affairs, to protect and advance equality and human rights in the UK, by increasing our policy impact and working collaboratively to harness the power of our network.

The Director of Policy and Public Affairs will play an important role in protecting and advancing equality and human rights in the UK. This role will focus on growing our policy and public affairs capacity so that we can achieve the goals set out in Together for Social Justice, our 10-year strategy. 

You’ll develop and deliver high-impact policy influencing strategies on our three big issues of law, climate and investment. This will mean working on vital public policy issues such as embedding equality and human rights in the government’s mission-driven approach, ensuring a strong legal framework of rights protections, improving public awareness of the value of human rights, and creating a work programme to ensure that people’s whose rights are most at risk can lead policy development on climate breakdown.

You’ll have a strong track record of creating innovative policy solutions that influence public policy and secure social change; the ability to forge and nurture constructive dialogue and working relationships across the political spectrum and within civil society, and a deep understanding of how to increase racial justice at systemic level. You’ll be confident communicating complex legal and technical issues in an engaging way that brings their practical impacts to life for a wide range of audiences, including the media. You’ll be skilled at bringing people together and working collaboratively. 

We’re a small team whose strength comes from combining our own lived and professional expertise with that of the leading thinkers and organisations who make up our network. We offer flexible working and lots of autonomy within a collaborative and supportive environment where it’s your job to make things happen. 

Why Equally Ours?

• Generous benefits including enhanced pension, 26 days of annual leave, health and wellbeing support, and more. 

• Flexible working arrangements to help you balance your professional and personal life. 

• A collaborative culture that values lived experience alongside professional expertise. 

If you are looking for an opportunity to use your skills to drive meaningful social change, we would love to hear from you. 

How to Apply: 

Please read through the full job pack and then submit your CV and cover letter (max 2 pages) outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the criteria. Please 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. Applications without cover letters will not be accepted.

Closing date for applications: 6th May, 12 noon