External Affairs Officer in London

External Affairs Officer in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Influence Parliament and shape public debate in social care.
  • Company: Join a mission-driven organisation supporting over 2,200 homecare providers.
  • Benefits: Hybrid working, professional development, and real responsibility from day one.
  • Why this job: Make a tangible difference in people's lives through impactful external affairs.
  • Qualifications: Strong communication skills and interest in politics or public affairs.
  • Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for career growth.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Location: London SE1 (hybrid working – minimum two days in the office, with national travel to meetings and events as required)

Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

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

To apply, please submit your CV and a 2-page covering letter outlining how you meet the person specification to Daisy Cooney at daisy.cooney@homecareassociation.org.uk

Hiring details:

  • Closing date for applications: Monday 26 January 2026 at 11.59pm. We reserve the right to close applications early.
  • 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.

Seniority level: Entry level

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing

Industries: Hospitals and Health Care

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: Homecare Association Careers.

External Affairs Officer in London employer: Homecare Association

The Homecare Association is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment in London SE1, where you can make a real impact on social care. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees are empowered to take on meaningful responsibilities from day one, while enjoying the benefits of hybrid working and a collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives. Join us to influence public debate and help shape the future of homecare, all while being part of a passionate team dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
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Contact Detail:

Homecare Association Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land External Affairs Officer in London

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the organisation inside out! Research their recent campaigns, values, and key players. This will not only help you tailor your conversations but also show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Attend events, engage with their social media, and connect with current employees on LinkedIn. Building relationships can give you insider info and might just land you a recommendation.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to external affairs and public policy. Think about how your experiences align with their mission and be ready to share specific examples of your work.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to the important work we do.

We think you need these skills to ace External Affairs Officer in London

Written Communication Skills
Verbal Communication Skills
Political Savvy
Public Affairs Experience
Media Relations
Stakeholder Engagement
Social Media Management
Content Creation
Relationship-Building
Planning Skills
Understanding of UK Parliamentary Processes
Campaigning Experience
Critical Thinking
Organisational Skills
Interest in Social Care

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Cover Letter: Make sure your cover letter speaks directly to the role of External Affairs Officer. Highlight your interest in politics and communications, and how your skills align with what we’re looking for. Personal touches can really make you stand out!

Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since this role involves a lot of writing, include examples of your best work. Whether it’s press releases, blogs, or member communications, let us see your ability to craft clear and engaging content that resonates with different audiences.

Demonstrate Your Passion for Social Care: We want to see your genuine interest in social care and public services. Share any relevant experiences or insights that show you understand the sector and are motivated to make a difference through your work.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way to ensure your CV and cover letter reach us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there.

How to prepare for a job interview at Homecare Association

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in social care and UK parliamentary processes. Being able to discuss current issues confidently will show that you're genuinely interested and informed about the sector.

✨Tailor Your Messages

Prepare to demonstrate your strong written and verbal communication skills by tailoring your responses to different audiences. Think about how you can adapt your messages for MPs, journalists, and members during the interview.

✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills

Be ready to share examples of how you've built relationships in previous roles or experiences. Highlight your ability to connect with stakeholders and how you can leverage those skills as an External Affairs Officer.

✨Engage with Social Media

Since the role involves planning social media activity, come prepared with ideas on how to enhance engagement and influence. Discuss any relevant experience you have with social media campaigns and how they could apply to this position.

External Affairs Officer in London
Homecare Association
Location: London
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