At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead political engagement with UK Government to influence policies for vulnerable children.
- Company: Join a renowned international charity dedicated to transforming children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Supportive environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Use your political skills to create impactful change for children worldwide.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in political engagement and strong writing skills required.
We are looking for a Senior Political Engagement Manager to lead political engagement with the UK Government and Parliament, building ambitious, high-level relationships with Downing Street, FCDO Ministers and senior civil servants to secure influence and impact on the issues affecting the world's most vulnerable children. With 75 years of experience, the focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. The organisation helps children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by Christian faith. Come join the 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children's life stories!
Location: Milton Keynes/hybrid
Hours: Full time
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £50,000-£53,000 per annum
Closing Date: October 20, 2026
About the Role
Working closely with the Head of Policy & Advocacy and Policy Manager, you'll take the agreed policy positions and turn them into political strategy, targeted influencing activity and the relationships that get the charity in the room with the people who matter. You'll also line manage the Child Participation & Advocacy Advisor and play an active role in the leadership of the Policy & Advocacy Team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Political Engagement Strategy: Develop and lead the political engagement strategy, targeting Downing Street, FCDO Ministers, senior civil servants and cross-party Parliamentarians.
- Senior Political Relationships & Influence: Build and maintain constructive, senior-level relationships across the political spectrum, and bring creativity to campaign, coalition and relationship-building opportunities that extend the political reach.
- Political Advice & Horizon Scanning: Oversee political monitoring and analysis, providing senior political advice and horizon-scanning so the charity anticipates and responds to developments ahead of the field.
- Briefings & Correspondence: Personally lead high-quality, politically astute letters and briefings for Ministers and senior civil servants, translating agreed policy positions into targeted political asks.
- Leadership & Management: Line manage and develop the Child Participation & Advocacy Advisor, and play an active role in the leadership of the Policy & Advocacy Team.
Your love of politics, your instinct for where power really sits, and your skill in building high-level political relationships will transform children's lives around the world.
About You
We are looking for someone with:
- Extensive, senior-level experience of working across UK political parties, with existing high-level relationships and a track record of delivering ambitious political engagement.
- In-depth understanding of Whitehall, Parliamentary and political systems, including current Government and governing-party structures.
- Excellent, politically astute writing skills, with experience translating policy positions into targeted political asks, letters and briefings for Ministers or senior stakeholders.
- A creative, entrepreneurial approach to identifying campaign, coalition and relationship-building opportunities.
- Experience of managing, coaching or developing staff, or a clear readiness to do so.
- Sympathy with the charity's Christian foundation and approach to social justice.
This role requires sympathy with and support for the organisations ethos and values. You do not need to be a practising Christian, but you will be comfortable working within a Christian organisation and supportive of its mission.
About the Organisation
Join an international children's charity working with children, their communities, and with supporters and partners, in almost 100 countries. Through long-term development projects, emergency responses and advocacy the organisation has helped bring lasting change to millions of children, over more than 60 years. As a Christian charity, everything is motivated by faith as we strive to reflect God’s unconditional love.
An offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of applicable background checks, including a criminal records check. We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in the workforce. We particularly welcome applications from under-represented sections of the community. The organisation also operates flexible working policies and practices. As a Disability committed employer we encourage qualified individuals with a disability to apply and request a reasonable adjustment if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access as a result of your disability.
Senior Political Engagement Manager in Milton Keynes employer: World Vision
World Vision is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation in the heart of London. Employees benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, a commitment to meaningful impact in children's lives, and the chance to engage with leading academic institutions. Join us to be part of a mission-driven team that values your expertise and fosters growth in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Political Engagement Manager in Milton Keynes
✨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 World Vision.
✨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 World Vision.
✨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 World Vision.
✨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 World Vision. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Political Engagement Manager in Milton Keynes
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 World Vision. 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 Senior Political Engagement 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 World Vision
✨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 World Vision. 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!
