One of the largest providers of services to marginalised groups, the Salvation Army also seeks greater social justice for those it serves through lobbying, policy analysis and campaigning. To help take our talented team to the next level, we are looking for an experienced and influential Head of Public Affairs and Social Policy to join us to promote our work in the policy and political sphere.
The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity with an extensive social remit, providing a range of social and community services, including those for people experiencing homelessness, addictions, frailty in old age, unemployment and poverty.
About this key role
Working with the public affairs and policy team, our successful candidate will work with operational colleagues to identify issues that would benefit from policy analysis, lobbying activity and campaigning. You will also gather qualitative and quantitative evidence to make our case and devise political contact programmes to convey our policy asks, working in collaboration with other charities, trade bodies, think tanks and academics.
This multi-faceted role will also see you develop effective political relationships by overseeing regular visits by politicians, government ministers and policy makers to our front-line work, plus ensure a programme of voter registration, member engagement and public campaigning takes places in the run up to elections. Ensuring the work of the team is communicated effectively, both internally and externally, is also a key duty.
What we are looking for:
Educated to degree level in public or social policy, you will have a proven track record in in managing a public affairs and/or policy team to achieve change, plus experience of formulating policy asks related to UK social policy issues. You will also have a broad knowledge of UK social policy, localism and areas of TSA service provision.
An outstanding communicator, both verbal and written, and a strategic and tactical mind, you will also have impressive organisational, time management and interpersonal skills. It is also vital you have the ability to show compassion and respect when resolving complex issues, and to work flexibly and productively across organisational boundaries and within the ethos of The Salvation Army.
Benefits include:
25 days’ annual leave plus eight bank holidays; a contributory pension scheme; season ticket loan; and an employee assistance programme.