Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer in Surrey

Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer in Surrey

Surrey Full-Time 30000 - 33000 € / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Samaritans

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead impactful advocacy campaigns and engage with political stakeholders to drive change.
  • Company: Join Samaritans, the leading suicide prevention charity in the UK and Ireland.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hybrid working, and a supportive team culture.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment welcoming applications from all backgrounds.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives through meaningful advocacy and public affairs.
  • Qualifications: Experience in advocacy campaigns and strong relationship-building skills required.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 33000 € per year.

Are you passionate about building relationships to drive meaningful change to make a real difference in people’s lives? Samaritans is the UK and Ireland’s leading suicide prevention charity. While we are best known for listening to those who need us, we also work to influence change through our advocacy campaigning and relationships with political stakeholders.

We are looking for a Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer to join our team and help influence decision makers and mobilise our campaigners to achieve our vision of fewer lives lost to suicide. You’ll play a pivotal role in delivering inspiring public affairs and advocacy campaign activity that help achieve our policy and influencing aims, resulting in lasting system change.

About the Role

As Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer, you will lead on the development and delivery of impactful advocacy campaigns and public affairs activity, managing supporter journeys and mobilisation, as well as political engagement. It involves building strong relationships with parliamentarians, Samaritans branches and people with lived experience, while producing high‑quality campaign actions, briefings, events, and intelligence to influence change.

What You’ll Do

  • Develop and deliver effective advocacy campaign actions.
  • Manage campaign data, mailing lists and inboxes.
  • Support strategy development for campaigns and lead community mobilisation.
  • Promote our campaigning work internally and externally.
  • Build and maintain public affairs relationships, particularly with parliamentarians.
  • Monitor parliamentary developments and identify opportunities for influencing.
  • Coordinate political engagement events.
  • Provide secretariat support to relevant APPGs.

What You’ll Bring

  • Strong experience designing impactful advocacy campaigns.
  • Solid understanding of public affairs and the Westminster environment.
  • Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship‑building skills.
  • Highly organised, proactive and adaptable, with strong project and time‑management skills.
  • (Desirable) Knowledge of suicide prevention and mental health policy, local and regional political structures, and experience within complex service‑delivery charities.

At Samaritans, you’ll be part of a people-first organisation deeply committed to inclusion, compassion and learning. You’ll contribute to a team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.

We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage those from underrepresented communities to apply. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel seen, heard and supported.

You’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are.

Apply now

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply. You will be asked to answer short application questions and to upload your CV.

Applications close: 09:00am on Tuesday 2nd June. Interviews: w/c 15th June.

Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer in Surrey employer: Samaritans

Samaritans is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where your contributions directly impact the lives of individuals in crisis. With a strong commitment to employee growth, flexible hybrid working arrangements, and a collaborative culture, you will have the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and drive meaningful change in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland. Join us to be part of a mission-driven organisation that values your voice and expertise while fostering diversity and compassion.

Samaritans

Contact Detail:

Samaritans Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer in Surrey

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the public affairs and charity sectors. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks who work at Samaritans or similar organisations. Building those relationships can open doors for you!

Tip Number 2

Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to express why you care about suicide prevention and advocacy. Share personal stories or experiences that fuel your motivation – it’ll help you stand out from the crowd.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview like it’s a campaign! Research Samaritans thoroughly, understand their mission, and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals. Think of examples from your past campaigns that demonstrate your ability to influence change and engage stakeholders.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and the organisation. Don’t forget to tailor your application to highlight your experience in public affairs and advocacy!

We think you need these skills to ace Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer in Surrey

Advocacy Campaign Development
Public Affairs Knowledge
Relationship-Building Skills
Communication Skills
Project Management
Time Management
Political Engagement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Be Authentic:When answering the application questions, let your true self shine through. We want to hear your personal motivations and experiences that connect you to Samaritans and this role. Don’t hold back; your unique voice is what makes you stand out!

Showcase Your Campaign Success:In your response about a successful campaign, be specific! Highlight your role, the strategies you used, and the outcomes achieved. We’re looking for evidence of your impact, so make sure to include any measurable results or feedback.

Engage with Stakeholders:For the question on engaging political stakeholders, think creatively! Share your ideas on how to build relationships and raise awareness about our policy asks. We love innovative approaches, so don’t hesitate to think outside the box.

Keep It Concise:Remember, each answer has a 300-word limit. Be clear and concise in your writing. Focus on the key points that best demonstrate your fit for the role and your passion for our mission. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the point!

How to prepare for a job interview at Samaritans

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you have a solid understanding of Samaritans' mission and the role of a Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer. Familiarise yourself with their recent campaigns and how they influence policy change. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their goals.

Build Relationships

Since this role involves building strong relationships, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills during the interview. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in the past, especially in advocacy or campaigning contexts.

Prepare for the Application Questions

The application questions are key to showcasing your fit for the role. Think through your answers ahead of time, focusing on specific examples that highlight your campaign successes and your approach to engaging political stakeholders. Keep it concise but impactful!

Show Your Passion

Samaritans is all about making a difference, so let your passion shine through. Be ready to discuss why suicide prevention matters to you personally and how your values align with their mission. Authenticity can really set you apart from other candidates.