Public Affairs Lead in London

Change how the UK understands and supports bereaved children and families.

This is an exciting time to join Child Bereavement UK.

We are establishing a brand-new Research & Policy function and are looking for an ambitious

Public Affairs Lead to help ensure the voices of bereaved children, young people and parents shape policy, practice and public understanding across the UK.

Working closely with the Head of Policy & Research, you will develop and deliver Child Bereavement UK's public affairs, advocacy and stakeholder engagement activity, building relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians and sector leaders to drive meaningful change.

You will act as the bridge between research, lived experience and influence, translating evidence into compelling advocacy campaigns, stakeholder engagement opportunities and policy recommendations that make a difference.

This is a rare opportunity to help build a new function, shape our national influence, and ensure the experiences of bereaved children, young people and families are heard where it matters most.

While based remotely, this role has a strong external focus and requires regular travel to London to represent Child Bereavement UK, build key relationships and engage with policymakers, partners and sector networks.

Role Purpose

As Public Affairs Lead you will play a central role in ensuring the voices and experiences of bereaved children, young people, parents and families influence policy, practice and public understanding across the UK.

Working closely with the Head of Policy & Research, you will develop and deliver Child Bereavement UK's public affairs, advocacy and stakeholder engagement activity, building relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, sector partners and influencers to drive meaningful change.

You will act as the bridge between research, policy and communications, helping to translate evidence and lived experience into compelling advocacy campaigns, stakeholder engagement opportunities and influencing activity.

• Main Responsibilities
• Public Affairs & Policy Influence
• Develop and deliver public affairs plans that support Child Bereavement UK's strategic priorities and policy objectives.
• Use research, evaluation findings and lived experience evidence to identify policy gaps, develop influencing priorities and shape recommendations for decision-makers.
• Translate organisational evidence into clear policy asks and reform proposals for government, parliamentarians, public bodies and sector leaders.
• Identify opportunities to embed evidence and learning within national, regional and local policy frameworks, guidance and professional practice.
• Support the development of long-term influencing strategies that drive systemic change for bereaved children, young people and families.
• Build and maintain relationships with MPs, Peers, government officials, policymakers and key sector stakeholders.
• Coordinate engagement with relevant All-Party Parliamentary Groups, consultations, inquiries and policy forums.
• Support the development of policy briefings, consultation responses and evidence submissions.
• Organise parliamentary events, stakeholder roundtables and engagement opportunities that raise awareness of bereavement issues.
• Work with the Head of Voice & Participation to ensure the voices of bereaved children, young people and parents bereaved of a baby or child are represented at all stages of policy development.
• Advocacy & Campaigns
• Lead the delivery of advocacy and influencing campaigns aligned to organisational priorities.
• Ensure advocacy campaigns are grounded in robust evidence, insight and lived experience, with clear objectives for policy and practice change.
• Work with the Head of Policy & Research to translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations.
• Develop stakeholder engagement plans that support campaign objectives.
• Build relationships with partner organisations, coalitions and networks to strengthen collective influence.
• Develop compelling narratives that connect research findings with real-world outcomes and policy solutions.
• Work with colleagues to identify tangible actions that policymakers, practitioners, employers, schools and communities can take in response to emerging evidence.
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Develop and maintain stakeholder mapping and engagement plans.
• Build productive relationships with sector leaders, professional bodies, charities, academics and decision-makers.
• Coordinate engagement with strategic partners and external networks.
• Support senior leaders in stakeholder engagement activity through briefings, meeting preparation and follow-up actions.
• Research Translation & Communications
• Develop evidence-informed policy asks, implementation recommendations and calls to action that support measurable change.
• Identify opportunities to move research and insight beyond publication and into policy development, service improvement and public discourse.
• Translate research, evidence and lived experience into compelling stakeholder communications.
• Produce parliamentary briefings, policy summaries, position statements and advocacy materials.
• Work closely with the Marketing & Communications team to ensure policy and research activity is effectively communicated to external audiences.
• Collaborate with the PR & Press Lead to identify opportunities to amplify policy and research messages through media and public engagement activity.
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Insight
• Monitor and evaluate public affairs, advocacy and stakeholder engagement activity.
• Track policy developments, stakeholder engagement outcomes and influencing opportunities.
• Produce reports demonstrating impact, engagement and progress against objectives.
• Maintain stakeholder databases and records to support organisational relationship management.
• All Staff
• Contribute to the vision and mission of Child Bereavement UK; whilst embedding the values into your daily work activities.
• Promote equality of opportunity and diversity in accordance with Child Bereavement UK policy.
• Contribute to the overall success of the charity’s fundraising needs by providing case studies, attending events and adding value to the experience of our supporters as required.
• Contribute to the brand and reach of the charity by working alongside our Marketing & Communications Team when relevant press opportunities arise or when required for social media and online content (including the use of photography).
• Work to objectives, targets and work plans agreed with your line manager.
• Undertake specific projects and other ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager, fulfilling any deadlines, reviews and reporting procedures required.
• Take an active part in the Quarterly review process and participate in training agreed with your line manager.
• Recognise and champion the lived experience of children and young people with bereavement within your work.
• Ensure the health and safety of all colleagues, volunteers and visitors in accordance with Child Bereavement UK policy.

Person Specification

Essential

Experience & Knowledge

• Significant experience in public affairs, policy, advocacy, campaigns or stakeholder engagement.
• Experience building relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, public sector organisations or influential stakeholders.
• Understanding of UK political systems, parliamentary processes and policy development.
• Experience developing and delivering influencing or advocacy campaigns.
• Experience producing briefings, consultation responses or policy-focused communications.
• Understanding of how evidence and lived experience can be used to influence decision-making.

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing abilities.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and persuasively.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Personal Attributes
• Passionate about improving outcomes for bereaved children, young people and parents bereaved of a baby or child.
• Collaborative and relationship-focused.
• Compassionate and emotionally intelligent.
• Proactive, resilient and self-motivated.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and trauma-informed practice.

Desirable

• Passionate about improving outcomes for bereaved children, young people and parents
• Experience within the charity, health, social care or education sectors.
• Knowledge of bereavement, grief, loss or trauma-informed services.
• Experience working with All-Party Parliamentary Groups or parliamentary engagement activity.
• Experience working with research and evidence-based policy development.
• Experience working with lived-experience contributors and ambassadors.
• Understanding of campaigning, coalition building and systems change approach

Benefits

• 28 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata if applicable) with increase for long service.
• TOIL for our hours work.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Company sick pay.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Life assurance.
• Training loans.
• Enhanced family friendly policies.
• Recruitment Timetable

Application deadline

September 2026 at midnight

Interview dates

• 29 th and 30 th
• September on MS Teams

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications for the role before the closing date.