At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the CEO with strategic advice, manage government relationships, and track political developments.
- Company: Join CIFF, a leading organisation focused on impactful partnerships and development finance.
- Benefits: Generous salary, flexible hybrid working, annual leave, training allowance, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for upskilling and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by influencing policy and advancing global health, climate, and children's rights.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills, experience in advocacy, and ability to manage senior government relationships.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
This role sits at the heart of CIFF's CEO Office, supporting and directly working with the CEO, and shaping and delivering work on the External Enabling Environment as part of our Partnerships and Development Finance strategy. You will strengthen CIFF's external relationships and positioning by tracking the political environment, managing high-value government relationships, and supporting senior leadership — particularly the CEO — with strategic advice, briefings and communications. Working across the CEO Office, External Affairs and programmatic teams, you will ensure CIFF is positioned effectively to unlock partnerships, and advance mission outcomes in a complex and evolving political landscape.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic advice and support to the CEO and senior leadership on government and multilateral relations, political dynamics and advocacy positioning; and lead preparation of high-quality briefings, talking points, speeches and background notes.
- Monitor and analyse political, policy and regulatory developments relevant to CIFF's priority geographies and thematic areas; provide forward-looking analysis on risks and opportunities; and synthesise complex external dynamics into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership.
- Develop and manage strategic relationships with key government stakeholders, including ministers, senior officials and advisers; coordinate and deliver high-quality government engagement plans aligned to CIFF CEO priorities; and support senior leadership engagement, including preparation, follow-up and relationship stewardship.
- Support the design and implementation of advocacy strategies and tactics to influence change, coordinating across CIFF teams including the CEO Office, Partnerships and Development Finance Centre of Excellence, External Affairs, and programme teams.
- Work closely with External Affairs to ensure alignment between government engagement and wider external affairs and communications strategy, including in particular CEO communications outputs; and act as a key interface between the CEO Office, External Affairs, partnerships and programme teams.
Essential Criteria
- Ability to analyse political and policy environments and translate complex developments into clear, actionable insight for senior leaders.
- Demonstrable ability to manage strategic relationships with senior government stakeholders and deliver structured government engagement plans.
- Ability to produce high-quality briefings, speeches and talking points for use by a CEO or equivalent senior leader.
- Experience supporting or delivering advocacy strategies aimed at influencing policy, financing or systemic change.
- Ability to anticipate senior leadership needs, manage competing priorities, coordinate stakeholders, and enable effective decision-making and execution.
Nice to Have
- Familiarity with multilateral institutions and their role in international policy and financing decisions.
- Experience working in or alongside international NGOs, think tanks or philanthropic organisations.
- Understanding of CIFF's priority thematic areas (e.g. global health, climate, children's rights).
- Experience working across complex, matrixed teams to coordinate external engagement.
Personal Attributes
- High degree of discretion, professionalism and the ability to operate with autonomy in sensitive and fast-moving environments.
- Proactive and solutions-focused, with the ability to prioritise and adapt when political circumstances change quickly.
- Genuine commitment to CIFF's mission and values.
Available Upskilling
CIFF has a collaborative culture which promotes peer to peer learning. CIFF employees also have an annual allowance for relevant upskilling to support learning in the role. CIFF offers a flexible, hybrid model of working which seeks to accommodate the individual needs of our people and enhance employee wellbeing. CIFF operates a hybrid work policy across all locations, which means employees work in the office and some of the time from home. We are happy to provide more information on this as part of the recruitment process.
The starting salary for this role is £63,790, alongside which we offer a generous benefits package here at CIFF that includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Annual leave - 25 days per annum. Increasing by 1 day after each year of service to a maximum of 30 days.
- Bonus - CIFF currently operates a discretionary bonus scheme.
- Training allowance.
- Wellbeing allowance.
- Life insurance.
- Medical insurance.
Special Assistant in London employer: The-Children
CIFF is an exceptional employer that prioritises a diverse and inclusive work environment, fostering collaboration and innovation among its team members. With a generous benefits package, including a competitive salary, annual leave that increases with service, and a commitment to employee wellbeing through training and support, CIFF empowers its employees to grow and thrive in their careers. The hybrid work model allows for flexibility, ensuring that staff can balance their professional and personal lives while contributing to impactful global health initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Assistant in London
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like The-Children, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
✨Join Relevant Networks
Look for communities focused on public sector careers. Whether it’s local networking groups or online forums, connecting with professionals in the field can provide insider knowledge and opportunities that you won’t find on typical job boards.
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re freshly graduated or still studying, make the most of your university's careers service. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies like The-Children and can help you get your foot in the door for these full-time public sector roles.
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Keep your finger on the pulse regarding new government projects and policies. Understanding current initiatives can give you a leg up in interviews, showing that you are informed and genuinely interested in making a difference in the public sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Special Assistant in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for The-Children and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at The-Children
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with The-Children, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for The-Children.
