Advocacy Lead

WARCHILD; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An international children's advocacy organization is seeking an Advocacy Lead to drive impactful movements for children affected by conflict. The role involves influencing UK Government policies, engaging with parliamentarians, and mobilizing public support for meaningful change. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in advocacy and public affairs, strong relationship-building skills, and strategic thinking abilities. The organization offers a flexible working culture, competitive benefits, and a chance to make a personal impact during unprecedented need.

Benefits

Flexible working culture

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

5% employer pension contribution

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Track record of advocacy outcomes with UK Government.
• Examples of managing relationships with senior parliamentarians.
• Experience in creating advocacy strategies advancing objectives.
• Engagement with Parliamentarians across the political spectrum.

Responsibilities

• Drive advocacy for children affected by conflict.
• Influence UK Government decisions regarding children's welfare.
• Build relationships with MPs and stakeholders for policy change.
• Mobilise public support and campaign for resources.

Skills

Advocacy outcomes delivery

Relationship building with parliamentarians

Engaging government officials

Creating advocacy strategies

Understanding of UK political systems

Public campaigns engagement

Job description

Job title:Advocacy Lead
Salary: circa £50,000 per annum (full time equivalent)
Fixed term contract: 6 months
Hours: this role is offered on a full-time basis (37.5 hours, 5 days per week), but we’re also open to applications from candidates who would like to work part-time (4 days / 80%).
Start date:We’re hoping for someone who can join us as soon as possible, though we can offer some flexibility for the right candidate.

If you’re passionate about securing justice and protection for the world’s most vulnerable children, thrive in political environment, and have the skills to build powerful advocacy movements, this is your opportunity to lead bold and impactful advocacy at War Child UK.

As our Advocacy Lead, you’ll play a key role in driving for children affected by conflict. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of influencing the UK Government, ensuring that decision-makers take meaningful action to protect and support children globally affected by war and conflict.

You’ll lead War Child UK’s political engagement, forging influential relationships with MPs, civil servants, think tanks and parliamentary groups, ensuring that children’s voices are heard where it matters most. It’s essential that you’re skilled at building and managing long‑term relationships with senior parliamentarians, influencing policymakers, and engaging government officials to drive meaningful policy change. With a strategic approach, you’ll mobilise cross‑party support, help shape public campaigns to mobilise public action and support and push for tangible action and increased resources for children in conflict zones.

Working alongside a committed and high‑performing team, you’ll ensure that War Child UK’s policy and advocacy priorities resonate across government, parliament, the media, social channels and the wider public.

This role offers an incredible platform to make a tangible difference at a time of unprecedented need. Join us in standing up for children affected by war and help create a future where no child’s life is torn apart by conflict.

Below are some of the experiences and qualities we’re looking for. You can read the full job advert on our website.

• A track record of delivering tangible outcomes in advocacy, public affairs, particularly within the UK Government and Parliament, ideally within an international development and/or humanitarian context.
• Demonstrable examples of building and managing long term relationships with senior parliamentarians and engaging and influencing policymakers, government officials, and other MPs to achieve policy change.
• A record of creating ambitious advocacy strategies that tangibly advance organisational objectives.
• Experience of successfully engaging with Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum to secure speeches in parliament, interventions, oral and written questions, EDMs, secure debates and other parliamentary procedures.
• Strong understanding of UK political systems, parliamentary processes, and key government departments (e.g., FCDO, Home Office, MOD).
• Demonstrated ability to build strategic relationships with civil society organisations, coalitions, and political stakeholders.
• Experience working on public campaigns to further advocacy objectives.

What we can offer you

At War Child, we genuinely value different ways of working. From day one, we’re open to discussing flexible options, including hybrid working and flexible hours. Our goal is to support our employees to do their best work while ensuring we continue to deliver for children affected by conflict. Some of our benefits include:

• Flexible working culture and flexible public holidays 28 days annual leave (pro‑rata), plus bank holidays, which increases by one day per year on your work anniversary, up to a maximum of 33 days.
• Pension – 5% employer contribution (increasing to 6% after one year’s service), with minimum employee contribution.
• Health and wellbeing – employees may take advantage of a healthcare cash plan, a GP 24/7 helpline, cancer cover, and a range of wellbeing initiatives and training.
• All employees have access to free, confidential one‑to‑one wellbeing consultations with trained counsellors.

This role offers an incredible opportunity to make a tangible difference at a time of unprecedented need. Join us in standing up for children affected by war and help create a future where no child’s life is torn apart by conflict.