Senior Policy & Public Affairs Officer

Position

The Mental Health Foundation is recruiting for a Policy & Public Affairs Officer to support our Policy Team in the London office.

Deadline: Monday 13 May, 9.00 am.

Location: London

Salary: Starting salary £31,350 rising to £35,381 plus £3,285 London Weighting.

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week). We are currently trialling a 32-hour week until April 2025 on the same pay & conditions.

Contract type: Permanent

This exciting Policy & Public Affairs Officer role will lead on developing and influencing specific policy priorities identified by the Foundation as areas where change is most needed to improve the population’s mental health. Initially, the policy area of focus for this role will be the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees.

What does the role involve?

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of policy and legislative developments affecting public mental health and particular priority policy topics for the Foundation.
• Carry out background research, developing influencing plans, responding to government consultations and providing briefings for politicians and other external stakeholders.
• Ensure the Foundation’s stakeholders, including people with lived experience of mental ill health, are involved in development of policy work and strategy.

Requirements

What skills, knowledge and experience are we looking for?

• In-depth knowledge of policy development systems and processes in the UK.
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to write precisely and quickly for a range of audiences.
• Ability to critically analyse complex legislative, policy and research documents.
• Ability to work within and across teams to deliver results. This includes our policy, research, communications, fundraising and programmes teams.

Safeguarding is Everyone’s business: the Mental Health Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its beneficiaries, those who surround them, its staff, volunteers, and anyone else who comes into contact with its services and expects all trustees, staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate vetting procedures (proof of eligibility to work in the UK, proof of residency and satisfactory employment screening, including a Disclosure check and two most recent references) along with 3-year renewals of Disclosure checks. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this post; you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

Other information

If you think your skills match and you’d like to be part of a dynamic and growing organisation, please complete and submit your application below. Please ensure you attach an up to date CV and statement of suitability answering all points of the person specification. Applications will close at 9.00 am on Monday 13 May and we are unable to accept late applications. Interviews are planned for the 23 and 24 May. There will be a short written test on the day of the interview.

We believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. Diversity and inclusion is a strategic priority for us as an employer and mental health charity, and we are proud to be signatories of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter and the Disability Confident Committed Scheme. Applications from under-represented sections of the community are actively encouraged.

If you have a disability, require any additional support or have any questions regarding the role, please contact us. We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment. Disabled candidates who meet all the essential person specification criteria will be offered an interview. Therefore, please do ensure you tick the relevant box on the application form and clearly indicate in your application/covering letter if you consider yourself to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010/Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

We are currently operating mostly digital recruitment (including interviews via video conferencing). We have moved to a hybrid working model of a minimum of 2 days per week in the office and the rest working from home.

We look forward to hearing from you!