At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead policy and public affairs to drive change for disabled children and families.
- Company: Newlife, a charity dedicated to supporting disabled children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to inclusion and equity.
- Why this job: Shape national conversations and improve outcomes for disabled children.
- Qualifications: Experience in policy development and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 45000 £ per year.
Newlife is looking for an experienced and values-driven Policy and Public Affairs Manager to lead their policy, influencing, public affairs and campaigning work. This is an exciting opportunity to shape national conversations and drive meaningful change for disabled children and their families across education, health and social care systems. In this role, you will ensure that lived experience is at the heart of Newlife’s influencing work, developing evidence-based policy positions, building strategic relationships and delivering campaigns that challenge barriers, raise awareness and improve outcomes for families.
As Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across Newlife’s policy, campaigns, public affairs and lived experience activity. You will identify opportunities to influence policy and practice, develop compelling cases for change, and represent Newlife with decision‑makers, sector partners and external stakeholders. You will also oversee the delivery and development of the APPG for Access to Disability Equipment, working with parliamentarians, government departments and sector organisations to increase awareness of the issues affecting disabled children and families.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead the development and delivery of Newlife’s policy, public affairs, campaigning and influencing strategy.
- Develop evidence-based policy positions informed by research, service insight and lived experience.
- Ensure the voices of disabled children and families shape Newlife’s policy, campaigning and influencing work.
- Oversee the APPG for Access to Disability Equipment and build relationships with parliamentarians, policymakers and sector partners.
- Lead campaigns and influencing activity that raise awareness, challenge barriers and support policy change.
- Build strategic partnerships and coalitions to strengthen Newlife’s influence and collective impact.
- Represent Newlife externally at parliamentary events, conferences, roundtables and sector forums.
- Provide effective leadership for policy, campaigns and lived experience activity, including line management of the Lived Experience Coordinator.
- Contribute to organisational strategy, planning and growth as a member of the Charity Leadership Team.
About you:
We are looking for someone with significant experience in policy development, public affairs, campaigning or influencing, ideally within the charity, public or not‑for‑profit sector. You will bring strong knowledge of policy and influencing processes, excellent communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and decision‑makers. You will be confident developing policy briefings, consultation responses, reports and position papers, and able to use evidence, research and lived experience to influence change. You will also be a collaborative leader with a strong commitment to inclusion, equity and the rights of disabled children and their families.
Essential experience and skills:
- Experience of developing and delivering policy and influencing strategies.
- Experience of building relationships with parliamentarians, policymakers, government departments or national stakeholders.
- Experience of managing campaigns, consultations or public affairs activity.
- Experience of partnership and coalition working.
- Experience of using research, evidence and lived experience to influence change.
- Strong understanding of education, health, social care and disability policy.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong leadership, people management, strategic thinking and analytical skills.
- Degree‑level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in strengthening Newlife’s voice and influence, helping to create systemic change for disabled children and their families. You will work with passionate colleagues, families, professionals and partners to shape policy, improve practice and ensure lived experience drives meaningful action.
Policy and Public Affairs Manager employer: Wearecomotion
Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children is an exceptional employer that prioritises meaningful work and employee growth. With a strong commitment to inclusion and equity, the organisation fosters a collaborative culture where your voice matters, allowing you to make a real impact on the lives of disabled children and their families. Working remotely within Africa, the UK, or Europe, you will enjoy flexibility while being part of a passionate team dedicated to driving systemic change through evidence-based policy and advocacy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Policy and Public Affairs Manager
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Wearecomotion.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Wearecomotion.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Wearecomotion.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Wearecomotion. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Policy and Public Affairs Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Wearecomotion. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Policy and Public Affairs Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wearecomotion
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Wearecomotion. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
