At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead advocacy efforts and build partnerships to support children's rights across Ireland.
- Company: Join Save the Children, a global leader in child welfare and advocacy.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, health support, and employee discounts while making a difference.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; remote work with occasional office visits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives by influencing policy and building strategic relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in advocacy, relationship management, and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Belfast, Northern Ireland / Dublin, Ireland Location: The successful candidate must be based on the island of Ireland. Closing date: 12 July 2026 Ref: 7364
Save the Children has an exciting opportunity for an advocacy and partnership focused individual with extensive relationship management experience to join us as our Senior Advocacy & Partnership Manager where you will work with various internal and external stakeholders including the Irish Government, civil society partners and the wider Save the Children movement. Please note: This is a 12 month secondment/Fixed term contract.
About Us
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. On the island of Ireland and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.
About the role
Save the Children is seeking a Senior Advocacy and Partnership Manager to lead and coordinate our engagement with key stakeholders across Ireland, supporting our global ambition to ensure children affected by conflict, humanitarian crises and poverty can survive, learn and thrive. This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in managing and strengthening Save the Children's relationships with the Irish Government, civil society partners, academic institutions and colleagues across the wider Save the Children movement. Acting as a key focal point for our work in Ireland, you will help shape strategic partnerships, manage key contracts, coordinate cross-organisational initiatives and support policy and advocacy efforts that advance children's rights globally.
In this role, you will:
- Lead and strengthen Save the Children's strategic relationships with the Irish Government, institutional stakeholders, civil society partners and academic organisations, acting as a key focal point for engagement across Ireland.
- Identify and develop opportunities to enhance partnerships, influence, collaboration and funding in support of Save the Children's global and national priorities.
- Coordinate and manage strategic partnership initiatives and collaborative projects, working across Save the Children, Save the Children International, country offices and external stakeholders to deliver shared objectives.
- Support the development and implementation of advocacy and influencing strategies focused on children affected by conflict, humanitarian crises and poverty.
- Monitor political, policy and funding developments in Ireland, providing strategic analysis, intelligence and advice to colleagues across the Save the Children movement.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with policymakers, government officials, NGOs and coalition partners to advance child rights and humanitarian objectives.
About you
To be successful, it is important that you have:
- Significant experience managing relationships with government, institutional or donor stakeholders, as well as working with civil society organisations and coalitions.
- Experience working within advocacy, public affairs, policy, international development or partnership-focused roles.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build trust across diverse audiences.
- Experience coordinating complex projects or partnerships involving multiple organisations and teams.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to prepare briefings and present complex information clearly to senior audiences.
- Knowledge of humanitarian, international development or child rights issues, particularly in relation to conflict-affected contexts.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to identify opportunities, risks and emerging trends.
What we offer you
We promote flexibility, inclusion, collaboration, and wellbeing both at work and beyond, and offer a wide range of benefits designed to reward your hard work and inspire you to help improve the lives of children every day. Some of the benefits you can expect include:
- Generous Annual Leave – Starting at 27 days per year (pro rata for part-time employees) increasing with service up to 32 days, plus public holidays and our annual 'Save the Children Day'.
- Family Leave – Up to 39 weeks of maternity/adoption pay (including up to 21 weeks full pay) and paternity/adoption leave of 10 weeks full pay (plus statutory entitlement).
- Special Leave – Up to 10 days paid leave per year (pro rata) for urgent or exceptional personal circumstances, without using annual leave.
- Volunteer Leave – Up to 3 days paid leave per year to support volunteering and give back.
- Pension & Life Assurance – Helping you plan for the future with up to 7% employer pension contributions.
- Employee Discounts – Access thousands of deals across groceries, retail, tech, travel, fitness, and more.
- Health & Wellbeing Support – Including access to a 24/7 Virtual GP and Employee Assistance Programme and Counselling, eye care support, and seasonal flu vaccinations.
Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.
Location & Ways of Working
This role can be performed remotely on the island of Ireland, but at times you will be required to come to your contracted office in Belfast (usually between 1–2 days per month, depending on the needs of your role, team, or service). For many roles, this is likely to be the minimum required to deliver impact. This will be discussed and agreed with your manager/team and we encourage candidates to discuss our ways of working in more detail at interview stage. Travel costs to your contracted office will be at your own expense. Flexible Working - We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.
Senior Advocacy and Partnership Manager in Belfast employer: Save the Children UK
Save the Children is an exceptional employer that prioritises flexibility, inclusion, and employee wellbeing, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about advocacy and children's rights. With generous annual leave, comprehensive family leave policies, and a strong commitment to professional development, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive work culture. Based on the island of Ireland, this role offers the unique opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and contribute to vital humanitarian efforts, all while benefiting from a collaborative and dynamic team environment.
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We think this is how you could land Senior Advocacy and Partnership Manager in Belfast
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Advocacy and Partnership Manager in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Impact:In the world of nonprofits, it's all about the passion and commitment to making a difference. Make sure your cover letter speaks genuinely about why you're excited about this role at Save the Children UK. Share any experiences you've had with social impact projects or volunteering — it shows you live and breathe the cause!
Highlight Relevant Experience and Skills:For a temporary position in the nonprofit sector, focus on showcasing any specific skills or experience related to project management, community engagement, or fundraising. List any relevant work or volunteer roles on your CV, and consider including quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous positions.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Save the Children UK
✨Show Your Passion for the Cause
When interviewing for a role in the non-profit sector, especially for a temporary position, it's crucial to convey your genuine passion for social impact. Discuss why the mission of Save the Children UK resonates with you and share personal experiences that reflect your commitment to similar causes.
✨Demonstrate Your Flexibility and Adaptability
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✨Know Your Community Tools
Familiarise yourself with any tools or platforms that are widely used in the non-profit sector like project management software or stakeholder engagement tools. Show your readiness to hit the ground running in your temporary role by discussing any experience you have with these or similar platforms.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to field scenario-based questions during your interview to assess your problem-solving skills in real-world situations. Think about how you would handle challenges typical of the non-profit sector, such as engaging with diverse stakeholders or managing project timelines effectively.
