Influencing Officer

Age UK is one of the Richmond Group of Charities (RGC), a coalition of 15 health and care charities working together to improve care for people with long-term health conditions (LTCs). They host the RGC’s We Are Undefeatable physical activity programme which is funded by Sport England until March 2028. It aims to support people with LTCs to become more physically active, including by influencing national and local policy and practice to tackle systemic barriers as well as delivery of a social marketing campaign to encourage individual behaviour change.

To deliver this work we need an Influencing Officer to play a pivotal role in supporting the system change we’re seeking through impactful policy and stakeholder engagement activity. This role is offered as a fixed term contract until 31st March 2028 and will:

• Support delivery of our influencing plans nationally and locally with a focus on policy and public affairs activity
• Report to the Senior Influencing Manager within the Influencing and Engagement team.
• Work closely across the whole We Are Undefeatable team, the Richmond Group secretariat and our coalition members.

We operate a hybrid-working model, a blend of home and office working. This role will include regular days working from our London office (minimum once per week). Your travel costs to the London office are not covered by the charity.

Closing date for applications Wednesday 16th September

Interview date - 24th September

Must haves

• Experience developing policy positions, proposals and analysis and delivering influencing activity that drives change in policy and practice
• Writing effective, accessible communications including influencing briefing resources and reports
• Demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, collaboration and negotiation to develop and manage successful relationships, ideally at a national and local level
• Presenting at conferences, facilitating meetings confidently and effectively, and networking.
• Monitoring and evaluating influencing activity

Skills and knowledge

• Understanding of the lived experience of people with multiple long term health conditions
• Strong political awareness, with an understanding of the health and care system and policy landscape in England, including public health, prevention and the social determinants of health
• Strong analytical skills – interpreting statistical evidence, research and lived experience to develop practical insights and purposeful recommendations and understand the impact of influencing activity
• Confidence navigating complexity, ambiguity and change and ability to digest complex policy issues and translate into influencing opportunities and practical implementation
• Ability to work in a fast paced, complex environment, and collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to adapt tone and message for different audiences and produce clear, concise and persuasive communication
• Excellent team working skills along with an ability to use own initiative and work independently
• Proactive, creative and flexible approach to identifying and taking forward opportunities and shaping new ideas
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads, manage competing demands and work calmly and confidently under pressure

Great to Have’s

• Experience working with consultants and external agencies
• Working with people with long-term conditions for advocacy and utilising lived experience research and insight to shape plans and delivery

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of physical activity and behaviour change in a health context
• Knowledge of current practice in the sport, leisure and physical activity sector
• An understanding of system change and evaluating complexity
• Awareness of relevant evidence sources, statistical and research methods

What we offer in return

• Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + annual leave purchase scheme
• Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, Health cashback plan and EAP
• Car Benefit Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loan
• Techscheme - buy any tech from Apple or Currys, up to £1000, and spread the cost over 12 months, interest free
• Blue Light Card Scheme
• You Did It Awards - recognition awards from £100-250
• Many additional benefits

Additional Information

Supporting statements and anonymisation Candidates are expected to provide a supporting statement that explains how they meet the competencies annotated with an ‘A’ in the job description, to assess suitability for the position. Age UK acknowledges and accepts that AI may be used to support the application; we do expect candidates to personalise experience, knowledge and skills and failure to do so, may result in your application being rejected.

Equal opportunities & Disability Confident Scheme Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. Age UK is a Disability Confident Scheme employer.

Due to high numbers of applications received, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job. Reasonable adjustments Disabled job seekers can access reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All requests for reasonable adjustments are considered on a case-by-case basis, in collaboration with the disabled job seeker to best meet their needs, by contacting the Recruitment Team. Disability disclosures will be kept confidential and only shared on a need-to-know basis to support the implementation of adjustments. Disclosures will not be used to inform hiring decisions.

Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.