Senior Public Affairs Officer

TN United Kingdom; England; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Public Affairs Officer to lead impactful campaigns addressing critical social issues. This role offers the chance to make a real difference in people's lives while promoting social justice. The ideal candidate will possess a strong track record in public affairs, excellent communication skills, and the ability to engage effectively with decision-makers. Join a dynamic team committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in a supportive work environment. Flexible working arrangements are available, allowing you to balance your professional and personal life while contributing to meaningful change.

Qualifications

• Track record in public affairs projects leading to policy change.
• Strong understanding of political environment and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Campaign on pressing societal issues to drive positive change.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and influence decision-makers.

Skills

Campaigning for policy change

Political judgment

Excellent communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree in Political Science or related field

Job description

Location: Blended between office and home (England and Wales). Time in office negotiable.

Citizens Advice offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free. Through our national network of charities, we give people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

Do you want to work for an organisation that makes a difference, every single day, to people from all walks of life? The people that turn to Citizens Advice need help overcoming obstacles in their lives, from debt to evictions to trouble at work, and you can be key to them getting the support they need in the quickest, easiest, and most effective way.

Citizens Advice is in the problem business. Last year we helped 2.7 million people with individual advice on over 10 million problems—helping them find a way forward. We assist with issues including the cost of living crisis, benefits, housing, debt, energy, and consumer issues.

We don’t just give advice; we campaign to shape a society where people face fewer problems. As our new Senior Public Affairs Officer, you’ll work on some of the most pressing societal issues, campaigning to drive positive social change.

You’ll have a track record in campaigning for policy change; a strong understanding of Whitehall, Westminster, and the wider political environment; great political instincts; and a commitment to social justice and Citizens Advice’s mission.

We’ll provide a supportive and open organisational culture, and the opportunity to work on high-profile campaigns on pressing social issues.

Please include in your cover letter evidence of the following essential criteria. Ensure your cover letter provides succinct evidence for each:

• A commitment to Citizens Advice’s mission and a passion for social justice.
• A proven track record of delivering national public affairs projects that have led to policy change.
• Evidence of sound political judgment and understanding of how to persuade senior decision-makers to change policy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, establish credibility, collaborate effectively, and influence decision-makers.
• Excellent communication skills, including distilling information into core messages and writing persuasively and concisely on complex issues.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are strategic priorities for the organisation and are integral to all we do. We aim to build diverse and inclusive teams where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We particularly welcome applications from people of colour, LGBTQ+ individuals, and disabled people. We follow the social model of disability and offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet our criteria and indicate they wish to be considered under our Disability Confident Interview Commitment. Reasonable adjustments will be provided as needed.

We are a flexible employer. This role may suit those preferring flexible working arrangements to support work/life balance. Many colleagues work remotely; while a blended approach between a local office and home is preferred, we are open to flexibility regarding location. The role may require occasional presence in a specific location, which will be detailed in the advert or job description and discussed during the interview.

The Citizens Advice operates from offices in England and Wales, with regional offices in Cardiff, London, Birmingham, and Leeds. All successful applicants must be based within England or Wales.

Please note, Citizens Advice is not a sponsoring organisation. The successful candidate must already have the right to work in the UK or be able to secure it independently.

We have been awarded the top charity in Third Sector’s employer index, recognizing our prioritization of both service users and employee wellbeing.

Citizens Advice seeks to redeploy internal staff at risk or under notice of redundancy, prioritising them in recruitment. If applicable, please indicate this in your application.

In the event of high application volume, we reserve the right to close the vacancy early. The application deadline is 23:59 on the closing date.

For more information about the organisation, values, and benefits, see Information, values and benefits.

For application assistance, see our Guidance notes for applicants.