External Affairs Officer

Homecare Association; City Of London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading advocacy organization in London is seeking an External Affairs Officer to enhance parliamentary engagement and external affairs activities. The role involves tracking political developments, drafting communications, and building relationships with MPs and stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills and a keen interest in politics and public affairs. This position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact in the social care sector through effective engagement and support for members.

Qualifications

• Motivated and organised with a strong interest in politics, policy, and communications.
• Experience in media, communications, or campaigning.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Track parliamentary activity and political developments.
• Support parliamentary engagement and briefings.
• Build and maintain relationships with MPs and stakeholders.
• Monitor media coverage and draft engaging content.
• Plan and deliver social media activity.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Experience in public affairs

Understanding of UK parliamentary processes

Confidence using social media

Strong planning skills

Interest in social care

Job description

Do you want your work to influence Parliament, shape public debate and make a tangible difference to people’s lives?

We are looking for a driven, curious and politically savvy External Affairs Officer to join an excellent team that delivers for our members every day. This role offers a genuine opportunity to help build and strengthen our parliamentary engagement and wider external affairs activity at a pivotal time for social care.

You will join a supportive, intelligent and ambitious team that values evidence, collaboration and impact. We invest in our people, encourage professional development and give you real responsibility and exposure from day one. Your work will help shape national conversations and support a sector that matters.

About us

We are the UK’s membership body for over 2,200 homecare providers. Together, we work to ensure society values and invests in homecare so people can live well at home and flourish in their communities. We support our members with practical tools, trusted insight and strong representation, and we speak with authority to government, Parliament, the media and the wider public.

About the role

As External Affairs Officer, you will sit at the heart of our communications and parliamentary work. You will work closely with colleagues and members to raise awareness of the value of homecare and advance the interests of the sector.

You will help grow our profile in Parliament and the media, support campaigns, and strengthen relationships with MPs, journalists and stakeholders. You will also play a key role in translating member experience into compelling external messages and ensuring members feel heard, supported and represented.

This role suits someone who enjoys joining the dots, spots opportunities quickly and wants to build a career in external affairs, public affairs or communications within a respected, mission‑driven organisation.

What you will do

• Track parliamentary activity and political developments, summarising key issues for colleagues and members
• Support parliamentary engagement, including drafting briefings, communications and Parliamentary Questions
• Build and maintain relationships with MPs, parliamentary staff and external stakeholders
• Monitor media coverage and help shape proactive and reactive media opportunities
• Draft clear, engaging content for press releases, member communications and external channels
• Plan and deliver social media activity that strengthens reach, engagement and influence
• Work closely with members to capture case studies, insights and lived experience
• Contribute to blogs, publications, events and conferences, including party conferences
• Support the team with coordination, reporting and continuous improvement

About you

You are bright, motivated and organised, with a strong interest in politics, policy and communications. You enjoy writing, relationship‑building and working at pace. You take initiative, think critically and care about delivering high‑quality work.

You will bring

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to tailor messages to different audiences
• Experience in public affairs, media, communications or campaigning, or a closely related field
• An understanding of UK parliamentary processes and political engagement
• Confidence using social media to inform, engage and influence
• Strong planning skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• An interest in social care, health or public services, or a desire to build expertise in this area

Why join us

If you want a role where your ideas count and your work makes a difference, we would love to hear from you.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a 2-page covering letter outlining how you meet the person specification.

The Homecare Association is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and encourage applications from all qualified candidates.

For the full role profile, and person specification, please go to our website and the 'About Us' page.

Closing date for applications

Monday 26 January 2026 at 11.59pm. We reserve the right to close applications early.

Please note that we are not accepting speculative approaches or CVs from recruitment agencies or third-party recruiters.

Interviews

First stage interviews will be w / c Monday 2 February 2026.

These will be held in person, at our office in London. The closest train station is Waterloo.