Public policy jobs

Do you have experience working in the Scottish policy landscape? Are you passionate about driving meaningful change in mental health and suicide prevention policy? Do you want to make a real difference in people’s lives across Scotland?

Samaritans is looking for a dynamic and experienced Policy Manager to lead our policy and influencing work in Scotland.

• £39,000 - £41,500 per annum
• Permanent
• Full time (35 hours per week) with flexible working 
• Hybrid working: Linked to our Edinburgh office with home and office working 

About the Role

As Policy Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in our mission to reduce suicide. You’ll lead the development of evidence-based policy positions, influence national and local decision-making, and ensure our voice, and the voices of people with lived experience, are heard at the highest levels. This is an exciting time to join Samaritans Scotland, as we are a lead partner in Scotland’s national suicide prevention strategy, working closely with the Scottish Government and other partners to deliver the actions in the strategy and reduce lives lost to suicide in Scotland.

Working closely with the Head of Policy and Communications, you’ll manage a Policy & Engagement Officer and collaborate with colleagues across the UK and Ireland.

Your role will be challenging and rewarding. You’ll be positive, engaging and passionate, with motivational strengths which will enable you to lead and drive your team and inspire colleagues, external stakeholders, and people who want to stand alongside us in pushing for change. You’ll play a key role in ensuring we influence with one voice and help drive change to support suicide prevention.

 Key Responsibilities 

• Lead the development of policy positions and research to support suicide prevention in Scotland.
• Manage and mentor a Policy & Engagement Officer.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including government, public bodies, and the voluntary sector.
• Represent Samaritans externally, including at national forums and events.
• Develop and deliver influencing strategies, including responses to consultations and parliamentary inquiries.
• Ensure the voices of volunteers and people with lived experience are central to our policy work.

 What We’re Looking For

 Essential:

• Extensive experience in policy development and influencing within a Scottish context.
• Strong understanding of mental health, suicide prevention, and/or inequalities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proven ability to manage people and projects effectively.
• Experience working collaboratively across teams and sectors.

 Desirable:

• Background in mental health or suicide prevention.
• Experience of working with people with lived experience to inform policy.
• Knowledge of the Scottish voluntary sector and charity landscape.

Why Join Us?​

At Samaritans, we believe fewer lives should be lost to suicide. You'll be part of a supportive and inclusive workplace that values innovation, resilience, and collaboration. Enjoy a hybrid working environment, professional development opportunities, and the chance to make a real difference.​

Working at Samaritans:​

​For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure. You can also access it on our careers page. ​

Being Inclusive: ​

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans. ​

Application: ​

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please upload your CV and a cover letter, outlining your motivations for applying and why you think you would be a great fit for the role. Applications close at 9 am on Tuesday 5 August. Interviews taking place from 14 August.

Whilst we appreciate that the use of generative AI functions like ChatGPT is quickly becoming part of working life for many people, through our recruitment process we want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths. Therefore, we kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, cover letter or to generate interview answers.

Background
Bipolar UK’s mission is to build a better world together for everyone affected by bipolar; this includes both people living with the condition and their close friends, colleagues and family. To achieve this ambition we need to speed up diagnosis rates and ensure everyone with bipolar has the appropriate care and treatment they deserve. This includes peer support, self-management advice and research – which the charity itself provides and supports. Over the last four years Bipolar UK’s communication and policy function has grown substantially, with a dramatic increase in press coverage and steady growth in digital engagement and advocacy. It has a well developed tone of voice and will be launching a new brand profile alongside the website. The postholder will inherit a talented and growing team with four direct line reports and a wider team of skilled and engaged contractors.
 

Role purpose

You will be a seasoned communications leader with the skills and experience of overseeing a modern, efficient and dynamic communication function to achieve tangible outcomes for people affected by bipolar. The post holder will play a pivotal role in growing Bipolar UK’s brand awareness, contributing to the wider goal of achieving a £3m+ annual turnover so we can provide peer support to even more people affected by bipolar. In autumn 2025 Bipolar UK will be hitting two major milestones, launching both a new website and a high-profile campaign: ‘Could it be bipolar?’ to speed up diagnosis from the average 9.5 years it currently takes. You will be responsible for leading these projects in 2026 and beyond.

Specific Responsibilities

Overall:

• Lead the charity’s external communications, brand, and public-facing resources.
• Manage and support delivery of the charity’s external communications and marketing strategy to increase engagement with existing and new audiences and continue to improve the charity’s profile.
• Line manage and support our Senior Communications Officer, Senior Marketing Officer, Senior Website Officer and Senior Public Policy Officer.
• Develop engaging marketing campaigns to promote awareness, advocacy and services that remain true to the lived experience of bipolar.
• Oversee the Department’s budget alongside the Finance Manager.

Digital

• Lead and develop a compelling digital engagement and marketing strategy.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of our digital channels, including website, media, email marketing and social media.
• Work closely with the Head of Digital Transformation to ensure first-class digital practice.
• Lead engagement of the bipolar community through an engaging webinar, in-person events and conference programme,  which includes managing the charity’s flagship annual World Bipolar Day conference.
• Work with the CEO to develop and implement an effective charity-wide lead generation strategy.
• Work with the Directors of Fundraising and Research to develop engaging and effective campaigns that raise crucial funds and recruit research participants.
• Undertake social listening to ensure people living with bipolar are heard and have their voices amplified.

Press

• Lead the charity’s proactive and reactive press engagement to maximise the charity’s reputation and brand awareness.
• Manage the relationship with our PR agency, Sway PR, and our creative agency, Lark.
• Oversee a bank of over 150 media volunteers and high-profile Ambassadors.
• Implement the Crisis Communications Policy as and when necessary.

Policy

• Support the CEO and Senior Public Policy Officer to develop and implement an effective public affairs strategy to promote Bipolar UK public policy positions and campaigns.

The post holder will be expected to:

• Understand Protection, Health and Safety at Work, and Equality and Diversity legislation, and adhere to policies, procedures, and best practice at all times.
• Work collaboratively with other staff to deliver these responsibilities and agreed objectivesto tight deadlines.
• Be independently mobile, as travel will be required to meetings, alongside monthly trips to our London Office.
• Some evening and weekend work may be required.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as deemed necessary by their Line Manager, Bipolar UK’s Chief Executive Officer.

In the interest of effective working the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing organisational needs. Any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder.

Reports to: Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager 

Location: Hybrid – remote working allowed with regular office visits required to Black Bull Yard, 24-28 Hatton Wall, London EC1N 

PLEASE NOTE: **Applications without a Cover letter will not be considered**  

We are expecting a high volume of applications for this role and we will not be able to respond immediately to all applicants. We will contact candidates who we are considering for interview directly. 

Ukie is the trade association that represents and supports the UK’s thriving video game and interactive entertainment industry. Our small team supports a membership of nearly 700 leading businesses, helping them as they create some of the world’s most exciting games.  Our membership includes cutting-edge companies working across the interactive entertainment industry from Sony PlayStation, Electronic Arts and Microsoft to Jagex, Roblox, Ustwo games and many more.

With a challenging and varied political environment and a Government prioritising the growth of creative industries as part of its mission there are opportunities as well as challenges for the sector to navigate including online safety, consumer protection and the positive impact of play, the use of AI and long term skills and training challenges . We are offering an exciting opportunity for an ambitious, bright and determined policy and public affairs professional to join our team and shape how we engage Government and other external stakeholders on behalf of our members. 

Increasingly we are working beyond the games and interactive entertainment industry, working on a cross sectoral basis with partners in the creative and tech industries. We also work with other relevant trade associations on an international level to share best practice and ensure we are able to react to and shape policy on a global basis. 

About you 

This role his is an ideal role for an ambitious, self-motivated individual who thrives in a small but dedicated team environment. With a passion for video games, this role is suited for an individual and who wants to build their career through developing their knowledge of policy making, engagement and campaigns at a trade body with a national profile. Through this role you will be able to take on new discrete projects within the Ukie team, which will serve as a platform for your growth and development. 

Ideally you will bring: 

• The ability to work accurately with a good eye for detail 

• The ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines and competing priorities 

• The ability to work with a range of internal and external stakeholders with varied priorities 

• A willingness to learn and develop specialist policy knowledge and an understanding of how public policy changes and regulation affect the video games sector 

• Excellent writing skills and the ability to condense complex policy areas into understandable briefings for stakeholders 

• Good political acumen and the ability to spot trends and opportunities for engagement for Ukie and its members 

• A proactive and flexible attitude with the ability and drive to work independently and take the initiative 

• An ambition to work in a small team and progressively take on responsibility with engagements and tasks as part of managed development. 

What you can expect from us 

• A supportive team environment 

• A structured development plan with training and professional opportunities 

• A collaborative working environment with exposure to innovative businesses and professionals 

• Generous annual leave with additional long service entitlements 

• A flexible working environment with paid time off for volunteering 

• Pension and Private Healthcare upon completion of probation 

• Early finish on Friday’s and lots of opportunities to play video games! 

What you’ll be doing 

The post holder will help advance Ukie’s policy work on aspects of UK and international policy impacting the games and interactive entertainment industry through: 

• Monitoring policy changes and providing in-depth analysis, research, and reports for internal stakeholders. 

• Relationship building and engagement with Ukie members and wider sector stakeholders, including attendance at internal and external stakeholder meetings and coalition industry groups. 

• Support the Senior Policy Manager in research and drafting for Ukie’s external consultation responses, co-ordinating with members and facilitating internal forums for discussions on particular issues. 

• Support in organising events and engagement with policy makers within Whitehall, Westminster, the Devolved Governments and with regional, combined and local authorities as well as with our global partners in the EU, US and further afield.

• Assisting the policy and research teams with major public affairs projects and campaigns according to the Ukie’s internal strategy and drawing on Ukie’s internal data and external partners where appropriate. 

• Supporting and promoting Ukie at external political meetings, including our bi-annual Westminster Games Week. 

• Support in raising the profile of Ukie and its significant policy priorities through external communications in partnership with the Ukie campaigns team, and through public scrutiny such as the use of written parliamentary questions. 

• Acting as the lead point of contact for the APPG on Video Games and Esports to which Ukie acts as the secretariat and taking joint responsibility for liaising with its members. 

• Draft external policy communications such as the Ukie Policy Byte, the bi-weekly political newsletter, with support from Senior Policy Manager and Head of Policy where necessary. 

• Be responsible for the team administration of internal stakeholder meetings, including sending out invites, taking minutes and preparing relevant material as well as maintaining up to date email lists of all stakeholders. 

Relationship Management 

• Develop and maintain relationships with games industry member businesses and a wide range of external bodies; including partner organisations, government officials and other trade bodies. 

• Support the Senior Policy Manager and Head of Policy in the management of Ukie’s internal stakeholder groups – including Ukie’s policy group and its various working sub groups. 

• Maintain stakeholder engagement trackers and act as a point of contact for external engagement with Parliamentarians, regional politicians and their offices. 

• Support the Head of Policy and Chief Executive in any external engagements. 

• Support the policy team and wider Senior Management team with other reasonable tasks as required. 

Qualifications and experience required for this role: Qualified by experience. You don’t need to hold a degree to apply for this role, but experience of working in a policy or government affairs facing role, public affairs agency or regulatory environment would be advantageous. On-the-job training will be provided via Ukie or external providers where appropriate and will be part of a structured development plan.  

  Hours of Work:  

• Monday to Friday – 9.00am to 5.30pm 

• Expectation that some evening and weekend work may be required to attend or run Ukie events as the business requires.

This role profile is not exhaustive; working as part of a small and dynamic team, there will be an opportunity to tailor the role to your interests and ambitions in agreement with the Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager and Head of Policy and Public Affairs. 

There is also the expectation that you will be flexible and willing to help the wider organisation and its other teams in accordance with its strategic priorities where necessary, as directed by the Head of Policy or Chief Executive where appropriate. 

This exciting new role will fight for the hospice sector and people who need their care and support, helping us to create a country where no one misses out on the care they need at the end of their lives.

Salary: £46,587 per annum.

Location: Hybrid Work Culture. We are proud to promote a truly hybrid work culture, recognising that every role is different, and everyone has unique needs and preferences. Our Hybrid Work Arrangement empowers each team member to work with their manager to choose the most effective way to work that balances your needs and Hospice UK’s.

Our office is a short walk from King’s Cross station in London. 

Whilst we work flexibly, because we work with decision makers in Westminster, there will be an expectation that you can travel to central London at short notice if required. You will also be expected to come into the office at least one day a week.

Benefits:

• 25 days in the first year, increasing to 27.5 days in the second year of service and 30 days in the third.
• Matched pension scheme up to 7% of salary
• Support for staff with caring responsibilities
• Family-friendly culture

How to Apply: CV and supporting statement - using Hospice UK’s supporting statement document – see below

Closing date for applications: 9 am on Monday 4 August 2025

Interview dates: We expect to hold first interviews on Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 August.

 Second interviews on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 August 2025

We’ll send assessments and some questions to you in advance so that you can prepare. Let us know if you have any specific needs to be able to fully engage with the process.

Job Information:

This exciting new role in our award-winning External Affairs Department will fight for the hospice sector and people who need their care and support.

This is a critical time for hospice and end of life care. Hospices across the UK are in the worst financial situation they have faced for 20 years. The funding crisis means hospices are cutting services and making redundancies.

But this is also a time of significant political opportunity. The Assisted Dying Bill has placed palliative care firmly on the agenda. We have recently secured £100m of emergency funding for the sector in England and the 10-year health plan has identified hospices as central to the shift from hospital to community. 

To seize this once in a generation opportunity, we are expanding our UK-wide policy and public affairs team from six to eight, including a new Policy and Public Affairs Manager. 

We are looking for a proactive and driven policy and public affairs professional with excellent influencing and communication skills. You will have your finger on the pulse and have strong policy and political knowledge that enables you to quickly understand and analyse the impact of external developments. 

You will be curious about how best to improve people’s experiences of death, dying and bereavement and strengthen the contribution of the hospice sector to this. As well as collaborative and committed to building coalitions to maximise our impact. 

You will provide leadership but must also be willing to pitch in at all levels to get things done. Excellent project management skills will mean you can identify where our resource is best spent and how to delegate tasks. This exciting new role in our award-winning External Affairs Department will fight for the hospice sector and people who need their care and support.

You will personally lead an impressive and wide ranging portfolio of work. This includes leading the charge on securing long-reform of the way hospices are funded in England and taking the next steps in our UK-wide policy and public affairs work on access to palliative and end of life care for people living in financial hardship. You will also line manage a new Policy and Public Affairs Assistant who will be supporting our team across all four nations of the UK.

This is your chance to play a key role in creating a country where no one misses out on the care they need at the end of their lives. For more information, refer to our candidate information pack.

• Salary: £36,500 - £41,500 gross per annum (depending on experience)

• Working pattern: 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours per week), or 0.9 or 0.8 FTE. Flexible working requests will be considered.

• Contract: Permanent with a 6 month probationary period

• Team: Campaigns Team

• Location: This role can be hybrid, or office based. At a minimum, candidates will be required to work from the London office at least 2 days a week, as well as be able to attend ad hoc events and away days in person.

• Reporting to: Head of Campaigns and Communications

Safe Passage International (SPI) is recruiting a Policy and Public Affairs Manager to lead a core area of our campaigns work, by building on the organisation’s strong record of creating diverse coalitions of public support and delivering systems change for our beneficiaries. This will support the continuing and sustainable growth in our ground-breaking work to ensure that safe routes to sanctuary exist for all people seeking asylum, and that the young people and families we work with have dignity and safety on arrival.

As a vital member of the Campaigns and Communications team, the Policy and Public Affairs Manager will work closely with press, digital, grassroots campaigns and youth advocacy colleagues to campaign for change. Key priorities for the role will include developing policy positions and recommendations in this fast-moving area of policy which will underpin all our campaigns and communications and developing and delivering a political engagement strategy to influence the new UK Government and parliamentarians.

The successful candidate will be passionate about ensuring that those with lived experience of seeking sanctuary and/or directly affected by the issues we campaign on, lead, and shape our policy positions and political campaigning.

This is a challenging and rewarding role for candidates with a good understanding of the challenges young people and refugees face on arrival to the UK.

We are looking for candidates with strong policy and public affairs skills, as detailed in the Person Specification. Experience in a similar role would be welcome, but this position will have a dedicated training budget, and you will be supported to grow and develop within your role.

We value equity and diversity in our organisation and are striving to build a workforce reflective of the communities we work with. We encourage applications from people of all ethnicities, working ages, genders, sex, sexual orientations, faiths (or none), marital statuses (or none) and pregnancy status. We also have full flexible working policies to support people with disabilities and caring responsibilities. People with refugee or asylum-seeking backgrounds are experts by experience and are particularly encouraged to apply.

As a refugee charity, we offer a guaranteed interview for people with direct lived experience of seeking asylum who meet most of the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification. If you have first-hand experience of applying for asylum in any country, please let us know in your application.

We respect that people’s identities is not defined by their past experiences and do not expect candidates to describe their lived experience during the interview process unless they wish to.

If you are excited by this role and working at Safe Passage International but do not have all the experience you think is needed, we would encourage you to apply anyway and reach out for an informal chat beforehand to discuss why you would like to apply for the role and what skills or experiences you think are relevant.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please visit the advert on our website.

How do I apply?

Please read the full Job Description & Person Specification and our ‘Application Questions and Guidance’ document.

The ‘Application Questions and Guidance’ asks candidates to submit a CV and Cover Letter answering sevenspecific questions linked to the Person Specification. Applications can be submitted via email in written form or as digital audio or video files.

For information on further application guidance, FAQs and an insight into what it’s like working at Safe Passage, please visit the ‘Working at Safe Passage’ section of our website

Closing date: Sunday 3rd August 2025 at 11:59pm

This leading women’s health charity is looking for a Senior Media and PR Manager to lead strategic communications across policy, public health and campaigning workstreams at a leading UK research and support charity.
 
A leading women’s health charity is seeking a Senior Media and PR Manager to shape and deliver high-impact communications across its policy, public health, and campaigning priorities.
 
Joining at a key moment as the organisation launches a new five-year strategy, you’ll play a central role in developing and implementing ambitious media plans that influence public policy, drive behaviour change, and support those affected by serious health conditions. With a focus on early detection and treatment messaging, you’ll lead strategic media activity, build strong relationships with journalists and decision-makers, and ensure alignment across teams for maximum impact. You’ll also contribute to the leadership of a high-performing media and PR team—steering proactive opportunities, strengthening internal processes, and ensuring the charity maintains its position as the go-to voice on women’s health.
 
This is a full time role, five days per week, two of which will need to be in the office.
 
Key responsibilities:

• Lead strategic media plans for policy, campaigns, and public health, ensuring high-impact coverage and influence
• Manage and mentor a Senior Officer, and help oversee team operations, meetings, and rota planning
• Create and sign off compelling media content, escalating sensitive or high-profile stories as needed
• Build strong media relationships, positioning the charity as the go-to source on their area
• Deputise for senior leadership, contribute to crisis comms, and support cross-organisational collaboration

 
The appointed candidate will have:

• Strong experience in health communications and media relations
• Excellent news sense and ability to simplify complex policy/health topics
• Skilled stakeholder management, including working with lived experience spokespeople
• A strategic mindset and confident project management abilities

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Variety is looking for a PR and Communications Manager to join our growing team and take responsibility for our communications strategy to support fundraising, programmes and brand activities. It is an exciting time to join the charity as we have laid the groundwork over the last year to improve our marketing and communication channels and have ambitious plans to double our charity size, to fund life-changing practical support for disabled and disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

We have a new Director of Fundraising and Communications in place who you will work closely alongside, and your work will be across three areas: content creation including the website, PR and social media. Key to success is putting children’s stories at the heart of our communication and you will need to work independently, guiding the Social Media Officer and freelancers, playing a key role in our collaborative and high-performing team.

ABOUT VARIETY

In the UK, there are more than 1.3 million disabled children and over 4 million children living in poverty. Variety exists to improve their lives. We believe every child has a right to live their best life and reach their full potential, whoever they are. We fund and deliver life-changing programmes that enhance their quality of life and give children and young people across the UK a better future.

Over the past 75 years we have supported over one million children by funding almost 6,000 Sunshine Coaches, almost the same number of wheelchairs, and giving thousands of grants to individual children, schools, youth clubs and other organisations for specialist equipment.

In addition, each year thousands of children take part in day trips, special events and educational activities as part of our Variety Great Days Out programme and every single day we are improving more young lives. We do it with practical, tangible help, that makes a real and immediate difference.

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

•Content creation – identify and gather beneficiary stories and create compelling content for Variety’s communication channels  

•PR – develop a network of supportive media contacts and partners to effectively promote our work and proactively target journalists, writing and delivering press releases as needed

•Social media – oversee the social media calendar and have responsibility for the social content and channels. Have managerial responsibility for the Social Media Officer, ensuring content is planned in and comments are monitored with occasional weekend cover

•Interview beneficiaries of Variety, meeting family members, working with external agents (photographers, filmmakers) as necessary to give beneficiaries the best experience while gathering the most relevant information for story telling

•Produce stories with the Director of Fundraising and Communications in the best formats, ensuring brand compliance and accessibility

•Ensure consent is obtained at every stage of content gathering and materials are stored securely in line with GDPR legislation and Variety’s privacy policy

•Monitor and analyse our channels to identify trends and areas to improve

•Work with the Director of Fundraising and Communications on marketing and brand awareness campaigns

•Attend Variety events, maximising engagement and representing the charity 

•Manage the communications budget and ensure when using freelance or agency providers we have competitive rates

•Manage email marketing, including creating a monthly newsletter and expanding our reach by building our mailing list

•Manage the website content, ensuring brand consistency and working with external suppliers to manage any website improvements and SEO performance.

•  Collaborate with programmes team attending Sunshine Coach presentations and Great Days Out to gather content when required

•Collaborate with the fundraising team attending partnership, challenge and social events to gather content when required

•Keep records up-to-date on Variety’s shared drive and CRM system, manage the communications email inbox

•  Participate in staff meetings, fundraising, programme and communications team meetings and contribute to the success of Variety’s strategy

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential

• Three years’ experience working on a charity communications team

• Experience managing digital channels and creating content

• Experience of writing and sending out press releases

• Excellent writing and communication skills

• Knowledge of comms analytics and creating reports to measure data

• Good organisational skills and multi-tasking during busy periods

• Enthusiastic, energetic, self-motivated and passionate about the Third Sector

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your CV with a cover letter explaining why you’d make a great candidate for this role. Applications will close on Wednesday, 20 August at 5pm with interviews taking place week commencing 25th August and 1 September 2025.

Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments for the interview.

MAIN BENEFITS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Location: Variety HQ, Camden Town, London (hybrid working, 3 days in the office per week)

Hours: 9am to 5pm

25 days holiday (we also normally give between Christmas and New Year off, but this is not contractual). In addition, after one year's continuous service, there will be an extra 2 days annual holiday for every complete year of service, up to a maximum of five days' extra holiday.

Pension 7% ER contribution, Life Assurance 4x annual salary, Company sick pay scheme, medicash benefit.

EQUALITY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

 Inclusion is one of our key values and it is our ambition to recruit great people from diverse communities. We welcome and encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment/identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy/maternity and or marriage/civil partnership status, race, religion or belief.

Full time (flexible working options available)

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 3rd August

Ref 6991

Save the Children UK has an exciting opportunity for a strategic and politically minded individual with extensive Public Affairs experience to join us as our Public Affairs and Influencing Manager where you will work in the Northern Ireland team with colleagues across Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, and Europe.

The home office for this role is located in Belfast, Northern Ireland, but this post can be based anywhere in Ireland or Northern Ireland.

Please note: Salary will be offered in GBP or Euro equivalent, depending on the candidate's location.

About Us

Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. Around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.  When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave.  We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.

In Northern Ireland and Ireland, we work alongside children, families, and partners to influence policy, practice, and systems so they better reflect local needs and priorities. Together with colleagues and partners across Northern Ireland, Ireland, the UK, and Europe, we aim to shift resources closer to national and local partners, ensure the meaningful participation of children and families in decision-making, and strengthen collective impact through strategic partnerships, networks, and coalitions.

About the role

As Public Affairs and Influencing Manager, you will lead our political engagement work in Northern Ireland and Ireland. You will know how policy change happens — and how to bring the right people along. This isn't just about having the right contacts (though that helps). You will play a key role in helping us to build on our well established position in Northern Ireland, and develop our approach in Ireland, shaping our strategies, partnerships, and our approach to making change happen. This role is for someone who can map the landscape, identify who holds power and influence, and design smart, creative strategies to get us to impact — all while staying grounded in the voices and needs of children and families.

In this role, you will: 

• Build and manage relationships with political and policy stakeholders to raise Save the Children's profile and influence key decisions.

• Develop and deliver public affairs strategies rooted in a clear analysis of power, opportunity and pathways to change.

• Design evidence-based policy proposals that reflect the realities of children and families and translate them into action for decision-makers.

• Collaborate with colleagues across media, participation, and partnerships to align influencing efforts and amplify our collective impact.

• Represent Save the Children to politicians, officials, coalitions and media, with confidence and credibility.

• Support engagement with children and families to ensure their voices inform and drive our advocacy.

About you

To be successful, it is important that you have:

• Experience developing public affairs strategies to influence political agendas and deliver policy change.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills — you can identify who matters, why they matter, and how to influence them.

• Ability to turn evidence and insight into compelling policy positions and clear, accessible communications.

• A collaborative mindset, with experience working across teams and sectors and excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Understanding of the political systems in Northern Ireland and/or Ireland — or the ability to quickly get up to speed.

• Willingness to travel across Northern Ireland and Ireland with notice.

• Commitment to Save the Children's vision, mission and values.

What we offer you:

Working for a charity provides one of the best benefits there is – a sense of purpose and reward for helping others. However, we understand the importance of giving back to our employees to ensure a happy and healthy working environment and work/life balance.

• We focus on flexibility, inclusion, collaboration, health and wellbeing both in and outside of work.

• We provide a wide range of benefits which will reward your hard work, motivate you, and inspire you to work to improve the lives of children every day. 

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 3rd August

Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

Ways of Working:

The majority of our roles can be performed remotely in the UK, but there are likely to be times when you will be required to come to your contracted office (up to 2-4 days per month or 6-8 days per quarter).  This will be agreed with your Line Manager and team and is intended to be time spent on collaborating with colleagues and relationship building. 

Please note: travel costs to your contracted office will be at your own expense. 

Flexible Working - We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: 

Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think. 

We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here. 

Repots to: Director of Practice & Quality   
Directly manages: Policy Manager, Clinical Audit Project Manager
Salary range: £47,941 - £62,220 per annum, depending on experience
Location: London – EC4Y 8EE (Hybrid)
Contract: Permanent, full-time (31.5 hours per week)

Job Purpose

As BSR’s Head of Policy,  you will lead a portfolio of work that truly supports our members’ priorities and works towards creating the conditions that will enable rheumatology care across the UK to thrive and flourish. 

To excel in this role you will need to be comfortable working both at a strategic level and with detail and data. You will ensure BSR understands and responds to current and emerging needs in rheumatology practice, identifying gaps in quality, policy and research. You will develop BSR’s evidence and intelligence base about our members’ priorities, the state of rheumatology care across the UK and the challenges and opportunities in rheumatology. Through collaborating with colleagues you’ll help us ensure this insight informs our policy agenda, our strategic planning and operational decision making, ultimately achieving maximum possible impact in our work to drive-up standards in the delivery of rheumatology services and to inspire and activate changes that improve lives. 

Main responsibilities

• Leadership and management 
  • Work closely with BSR’s Senior Management Team to devise and deliver priorities for the portfolio, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and identifying opportunities to maximise impact  
  • Ensure that BSR’s decision making is informed by the best available and appropriate level of evidence by communicating strategic insights across the organisation  
  • Lead, coach and support team members and manage overall team capacity and resource planning 
  • Oversee contract and budget management for the team and across individual projects, ensuring cost-effective allocation of resources 
  • Collaborate with the SMT and other teams to ensure integrated approaches to policy, communications, and member engagement 
  • Provide support and strategic insight to BSR working groups, including the Clinical Affairs Committee and MDT Advisory Council  
  • Develop strong relationships with members and stakeholders and represent BSR to external audiences. 
• Policy, research and strategy 
  • Lead BSR’s policy agenda, supporting the Policy Manager to deliver policy analysis and development, produce high quality outputs and influence changes in policy and practice
  • Oversee a programme of proactive research, including data analysis and member engagement, to build a robust body of evidence and intelligence about the key issues impacting BSR members and rheumatology care across the UK 
  • Ensure that evidence, insight and analysis effectively informs BSR’s policy work, strategic planning and operational decision making   
  • Continuously monitor UK-wide policy and practice changes and assess their impact on the rheumatology community and patient care 
  • Ensure BSR’s members and senior leaders receive timely analysis of key policy and practice developments impacting rheumatology  
  • Develop, lead and support cross-team workstreams and projects that deliver on organisation-wide priorities.  
• Best practice and quality improvement 
  • Provide leadership to the National Early Inflammatory Arthritis Audit (NEIAA) team, supporting the team to deliver work to a high standard 
  • Engage members to develop BSR’s evidence base on good practice and quality improvement, and keep abreast of relevant external developments  
  • Provide expertise to colleagues on best practice and quality improvement, ensuring that insight and ambitions are effectively communicated and inform BSR’s policy work, strategic planning and operational decision making  
  • Identify and develop opportunities to share and promote best practice and quality improvement to members and external audiences, achieving maximum possible reach and impact 
  • Identify and develop opportunities to work with partners across health and social care to promote and support best practice and quality improvement. 

Person Specification

1.  Significant experience in a senior policy, practice or programme management role in healthcare
2.  Extensive knowledge of health policy and/or healthcare systems and how policy is developed and implemented 
3.  Understanding of research methods, with the ability to analyse and translate quantitative and qualitative research findings 
4.  Understanding of audit and/or QI methodology and experience of delivering or supporting quality improvement initiatives 
5.  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on evidence-based decision making 
6.  Leadership and team management experience and ability to coach staff to reach their potential 
7.  Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and influence relationships, including at partnership level, with colleagues and senior leaders 
8.  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex issues to a wide range of stakeholders and prepare high 
   quality, accessible outputs 
9.  Strong organisational skills, with the ability to work under pressure to conflicting deadlines 
10.  Flexible in response to changes in the external environment and the need to balance proactive and reactive work

Inclusion and Diversity statement

BSR is committed to encouraging inclusion, equality and diversity in our workforce. We are actively trying to increase the diversity of our staff team. We try to 
reduce as many barriers as we can for those with a disability. We know that everyone is an individual, so please always tell us what we can do to support you. 

We welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including those from minoritised communities, and those with a disability, to better 
reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives. 

The vacancy

We are seeking to appoint one lay member to sit on our GOC Council.

About the GOC

We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct.  For more information about us please visit our website:optical. org.

About the Council

The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services.  The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians).  At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary. 

The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders. 

Remuneration and time commitment

Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses).  The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.

The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at Level 29, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.

How to apply:

Please email the the following to appointment@optical. org

· your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic or vocational qualifications;

· the application form, stating how your experience matches the criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and

· complete the EDI monitoring form linked in the candidate pack (this is an online form and does not need to be included in the email with your CV and application form).

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.

Online interviews will be held on between Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.

If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours. 

We welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.

At The National Lottery Community Fund we are passionate about strengthening communities and improving lives.  We are driven by our strategy, ‘It starts with community’ and its four community-led missions, as well as our equity-based approach to tackling poverty, discrimination and disadvantage. As part of our commitment to being more than a funder, we are serious about enabling collaboration, sharing best practice, amplifying the impact of our grant holders and influencing future policy making.

We are now seeking to appoint a Head of Policy Engagement to lead our engagement in Scotland with policymakers and senior sectoral stakeholders under those four community-led missions. Using your deep understanding of the political, social and policy environment in which our grant holders operate, you will ensure our funding is aligned with policy and has the greatest impact possible as well as using learning from our grant holders to influence future policy development.

You will already have well established relationships with Scottish Government, other funders and the third sector. You will use this to share learning and insight from our funding, lead consultations and identify opportunities for future collaboration.

You will be part of a policy and practice network across the Fund, working collaboratively with colleagues across the UK to develop One-Fund approaches to our missions.

We’re looking for someone who is values-driven, passionate about the Fund’s purpose and deeply committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. You will have a strong track record of influencing at a senior level and be able to articulate strategic ambitions clearly and effectively.  You will also have a nuanced understanding of the role of a non-Departmental Public Body in the policy landscape and experience of working collaboratively across organisational boundaries.  As a member of the Scotland Directorate Senior Management team, you will provide inspiring leadership and strategic direction to the wider team.

The role is likely to involve some travel across Scotland, as well as to other parts of the UK to connect with colleagues.  We offer a flexible and supportive working environment and an excellent all-round benefits package.

Interview Date: 1-2 September – In person interviews

Location: Scotland. Our office is in Glasgow and we have a flexible, hybrid approach to working.

On application, please align your supporting statement to the criteria below

Essential Criteria

1. Deep understanding of Scotland’s communities. Knowledge of the context for the third sector, the funding landscape, public policy and the people and organisations who are influential in these areas.
    
2. Demonstrable experience in high-level engagement, influencing and senior relationship management, internally and externally.
    
3. Excellent communication skills and the ability to articulate strategic ambitions, positioning the organisation in the funding landscape and social policy debates.
    
4. Passionate about the Fund’s purpose evidencing understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion and related best practice.
    
5. Proven leadership skills, including the ability to inspire colleagues and work collaboratively in matrix structures.
    
6. Strong planning and analytical skills, with expertise in research and consultation.
    
7. Proven commitment to continuous improvement, self-reflection and personal development.
   
    

 Desirable Criteria

1. Clear understanding of the role of a UK-wide non-Departmental Public Body and the implications for policy and influencing.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.) 

As CFG's Policy Officer you will make an impactful contribution to CFG's policy and advocacy work. Working with a wide range of stakeholders, including policy-makers, charity members and corporate partners, you will contribute to the smooth running of the Policy Team's work and effectiveness. You will be comfortable using your research and analytical skills to ensure CFG remains at the forefront of its advocacy work on behalf of its members and the wider sector. You will have a passion for getting to grips with complex policy issues and bringing people together to engage with them. As a member of the Policy and Communications Directorate, you'll work alongside the Communications Team and other colleagues to ensure our policy work is shared with a range of external audiences. If this sounds like a role for you, read on to apply!

How to Apply 

If you would like to be considered for this position, please take a look at our recruitment pack on the next page, and apply with your CV. The deadline for applications is Monday 4 August at 9am, and shortlisting will take place that week, with interviews to follow shortly after. 

 Please note that successful candidate(s) will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor licence therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.

Benefits of working at CFG 

· 25 days' annual leave per year in addition to bank holidays, increasing to 28 days after three years of continuous service (pro-rata if part-time). 

· An extra three days' leave for the office Christmas closure. 

· Wellbeing week closures 

· Time off for personal health appointments. 

· Hybrid and remote flexible working options. 

· Four paid volunteering days every year. 

· A generous flexitime policy that allows employees to create a good work-life balance. 

· Access to eye care vouchers and contribution to the cost of new glasses. 

· Enhanced sick pay, as well as enhanced parental and adoption leave policies 

· Continuing personal development - learning and development opportunities both individually and organisation wide, such as a mentor/coach, training courses and conferences. 

· Auto enrolment to the Personal Pension Plan where CFG will contribute twice your contribution to the scheme up to 10%. 

· Access to interest-free employee loans or salary advances. 

CFG promotes remote-first working, although we do have office space at our registered address in Southwark, SE London for those team members who prefer an office setting. We expect all of our team members to attend all staff, directorate, or team anchor days on a regular basis in London. All staff anchor days are currently quarterly, and directorate and smaller team anchor days are organised on an ad hoc basis. If you have any questions about this we'd be happy to chat about our in-person expectations with you. 

Please note that attending our flagship events will be required for this role, as well as work outside core hours occasionally as part of our events programme.  

This role will provide administrative support across our political influencing, campaigning, and communications work. You will be joining a fast-paced and values-driven team working to amplify the voices of disabled people in politics and public life.

You will support the Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns by managing key team processes, ensuring deadlines are met, and helping coordinate our campaign planning and influencing work behind the scenes.

You do not need experience in policy or politics to apply – but an interest in public affairs and a curiosity to learn will go a long way. You will need to be experienced in, or willing to learn about, the barriers disabled people face in transport and street space.

This role is open to disabled applicants only.

Please note – This role has a genuine occupational requirement of lived experience of disability. This explicitly includes those of us who are Deaf, neurodivergent, chronically ill, have a mental health condition, have age-related impairments, and people with both visible and non-visible impairments. If you do not meet this requirement, your application will not be shortlisted for an interview.

What happens next?

The deadline for applications is: 4 August 2025

Interviews will take place online on: 18, 25, 26 August 2025

You will be contacted by email about the outcome of your application. If you are offered an interview, you will receive at least 5 days’ notice. Interview questions will also be sent at least 5 days in advance.

For an informal discussion about the role, or to receive the documents in alternative formats, please visit our website for contact details. 

JOB Title: PR & Stories Manager

SALARY: £40,965

HOURS: 36

LOCATION: Hybrid working 

Please note that this position includes occasional evening and weekend working.

About Us

This is a fantastic opportunity to work at a leading Hospice who aspires to a world in which all dying people and those close to them have access to care and support, whenever and wherever they need it. St Christopher’s Hospice was founded in 1967 by Dame Cicely Saunders and became the first hospice of the modern hospice movement. We provide invaluable care and support to over 7,500 people across the five London Boroughs of Bromley, Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.

Your new role

This is an exciting opportunity to join our marketing and communications team as our PR & Stories Manager as, arguably, there has never been more focus on hospice and end of life care in the UK. We have been actively engaging with media on topics such as hospice funding, assisted dying and the need for improved access to end of life care across the UK.

As PR & Stories Manager, you'll drive forward our media work with passion, tenacity, imagination and good judgement, to increase awareness of St Christopher’s and dispel myths around hospice care through securing high impact broadcast and print coverage for the hospice and capturing and sharing people’s stories and experiences of St Christopher’s. 

You’ll be a natural people person; with a gift for quickly building a rapport with people from all walks of life. Whether its briefing people for media opportunities or listening to their stories you’ll put people at ease and be person-first in your approach.

Some of the main responsibilities of this role include:

Drive forward our media work with passion, tenacity, imagination and good judgement securing high impact media coverage to help increase awareness of St Christopher’s and dispel myths around hospice care.

• Sensitively gather personal stories from people connected to St Christopher’s and support them in telling their story to raise awareness and funds for the charity so that we can continue to support people when they need us most.
• Work on campaigns and key moments that highlight our important policy and influencing work.
• Write compelling case studies, press releases and pitches for a range of mainstream media, local press, professional journals and publications and to support our marketing appeals and campaigns.
• Work with colleagues, patients, families and supporters across the hospice providing clear briefings and support throughout media interviews and afterwards; ensuring they are supported, comfortable and happy with the outcome.
• Identify and regularly meet with key spokespeople throughout the hospice who are best placed to speak on topics of media interest aligned to organisational ambitions and key messages. Work with these spokespeople to develop their skills through media training and briefings, write media bios and secure relevant media engagements, gaining their trust and building rapport
• Work with colleagues across the hospice to proactively and reactively identify and interview patients, their family and friends and supporters and write effective and powerful stories.
• Manage visiting journalists and media on site and forge strong working relationships with key journalists pro-actively pitching stories, responding to the current news agenda and providing key spokespeople who are able to speak with warmth and authority on a range of key topics.

About you:

• We will need someone with substantial experience of gaining high-quality media coverage through national and local media outlets with demonstrable experience in copywriting for different audiences.
• You will have proven experience leading, planning, co-ordinating and delivering PR campaigns for a range of audiences in a multi-channel environment.
• You will be a gifted storyteller with a natural talent for discovering and effectively sharing the best stories.
• You will be a creative thinker adept at dreaming up fresh, innovative and engaging approaches so the creative captures the attention of the intended audience and encourages action.
• It is essential that you have excellent attention to detail - you will be the one that picks up mistakes in articles and wonders why no one stopped it getting through whilst effectively prioritising work and keeping to deadlines.
• You will have proven ability to work as part as a team and across departments, in addition to strong networking skills with the ability to build good working relationships both internally and externally.

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!

What you will get in return 

• You will gain a stimulating and rewarding career with an opportunity to influence and make a real difference in the community
• Access to excellent training and development opportunities
• Season ticket loans
• A number of health and wellbeing schemes
• A competitive contributory pension scheme and life assurance scheme with generous beneficiary plan
• Flexible working options

 What you need to do now 

 How to apply:

• Please review the Job Description, Person Specification Criteria
• Please address the criteria in the person specification form. This information will be used to select candidates for interview.

Closing Date: Sunday 3 August

Interview Date: Wednesday 6 August