Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the
right care and support at the right time.
At Young Lives vs Cancer, we help children and young people (0-25) and their families find the strength to face
whatever cancer throws at them. We know what a better future could look like for children and young people with
cancer. And we know what we need to do to make that future a reality. We know we need to push harder, reach
further and work smarter. And we know we need the right people on our team to help us get there. People like
you.
Join us and your skills will make a real difference to the lives of young cancer patients.
About the role
We want to creative positive change in the health system to achieve the change children and young people with cancer
across the UK, and their families, need. This means amplifying the voices of young cancer patients and
delivering evidence-based campaigns that make change happen.
This Policy and Public Affairs Officer role is responsible for supporting the Policy, Influencing and Voice Team with
policy and public affairs expertise to deliver the key components of our influencing work in Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland. You will help us influence the system for children and young people with cancer and their
families, so we can change experiences of having cancer and ensure children and young people’s voices are
heard.
This includes:
- monitoring the policy and influencing landscape in each of the devolved nations
- developing policy
briefings, position statements, consultation responses and reviewing evidence
- building and maintaining
excellent working relationships with elected representatives, officials, external partners and your colleagues
too
- delivering our public affairs work in the devolved nations
- supporting our exciting
campaigning activities, tailoring to each nation
Young Lives vs Cancer is open to and in support of flexible working. Your flexibility requirements and that of the
role will be discussed at interview stage with you.
This role is home-based and can be based anywhere in the UK, but the successful candidate will ideally be based in
either Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, and will require occasional visits to Young Lives vs Cancer
workplaces.
This role is subject to an Basic level Criminal Record Check. In the event of a successful application a Disclosure
and Barring Services report will be sought.
We would love to hear from you if you:
- Have experience working in a policy or public affairs environment, ideally in Scotland, Wales or Northern
Ireland
- Have experience or knowledge of the policy, public affairs and/or political processes and how to
use them in your work
- Have effective influencing and relationship building skills
- Are
comfortable and confident working in a diverse and changing external environment across three
nations
- Are solutions-focused, have attention to detail, and able to analyse complex
information
Diversity declaration
At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their race,
class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us
as an organisation.
We are committed to taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly
welcome applications from members of minoritised communities and creating equitable opportunities for all. We
are passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable
organisation, as well as reflective of the diverse children and young people we support. Click here to find out
more about our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy.
Accessibility
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to
be as accommodating as possible. Please get in touch with us if you would like to discuss any specific
requirements.
What we offer
In return for your commitment, we offer a great reward package, which includes generous annual and family/ caring
leave entitlements, enhanced pension and employee savings scheme. To find out more about our benefits package,
have a look on our website:
younglivesvscancer.org.uk/careers/our-benefits
If you join us, you will be part of a community that is committed make a difference to the lives of children and
young people with cancer. Young Lives vs Cancer is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.
To arrange an informal chat, please contact Lauren Marks on lauren.marks@younglivesvscancer.org.uk.