Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer

Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer

Salary: Circa GBP26,000 p.a. + excellent benefits
Contract: Fixed-term contract (maternity cover: up to 12 months from November 2019), full time
Location: Home-based in Greater Manchester
Closing date: 3 September 2019

Are you an experienced influencer with knowledge of Local Government and a desire to help us beat cancer together?

Here at Cancer Research UK influencing policy and practice is an integral part of our work. We work to inspire volunteers, unite the scientific community, educate the public and tell our story to governments to bring about change. In the Local Public Affairs and Campaigning team, we influence Local Government, and other local decision-makers, to bring about improvements in cancer prevention and early diagnosis. We collaborate with local stakeholders, political and non-political, to help beat cancer together.

We're looking for a highly-motivated and politically-savvy individual to help keep cancer at the heart of the local political agenda in England, by:

• Influencing Local Government on prevention and early diagnosis policy priorities, with a focus on local tobacco control and smoking cessation.
• Supporting the implementation of the Making Smoking History programme in Greater Manchester, as a key partner.
• Making the case for improved funding for vital prevention services
• Building strong relationships with other Cancer Research UK staff to encourage collaboration and to deliver maximum impact.

To view the role profile please click here:

We're brave, sharp and united in our desire to beat cancer. We need a Local Public Affairs and Campaigning Officer to join the team for up to a year and support our local engagement and influencing activity. You'll work on-the-ground in Greater Manchester and with priority councils in the wider North West, as well as supporting our England-wide stakeholder engagement. You will have responsibility for leading work with new audiences, including Metro Mayors, and be part of a committed team calling for sustainable public health funding. You'll need the ability to win people over, convey complex ideas succinctly and share our passion to increase our impact locally.

Greater Manchester is the first city region to take on devolved responsibilities for health and social care. Cancer Research UK has been supporting and shaping the Greater Manchester Making Smoking History plan and Cancer Plan since 2015. You'll be working alongside local partners, such as Greater Manchester Cancer and the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, to drive improvements in cancer outcomes for its 2.8 million residents.

You'll work closely with the Prevention Policy, Westminster Public Affairs and Health Professional Engagement Facilitator teams to gain an in-depth knowledge of our organisation whilst developing the skills and experience you'll need for your future career. We can offer you learning and development support tailored to your individual needs.

To join our team, you'll need...

• Relevant experience of working within a public affairs, campaigning or a local influencing role.
• Experience of building effective and collaborative relationships, internally and externally
• Excellent organisational, written and verbal communication skills
• Proven interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills
• Project management experience including initiating, planning, implementing and evaluating projects, including delivering multiple tasks to deadline
• The ability to adapt your style for different audiences (including politicians, the media and people affected by cancer)

We can't achieve our ambitious strategy without influencing change on a national, regional and local level. Every day we achieve extraordinary things by being innovative, imaginative and bold in our work. If you're as ambitious as we are, join us and enjoy an excellent career. Together we will beat cancer sooner.

We ask that candidates submit a CV and cover letter explaining why they feel they are interested in Cancer Research UK and why feel they are a good fit for the role as part of their application.