Job Title: Head of Public Affairs, Policy and Advocacy Gambling with Lives takes a trauma informed approach to mitigating the effect of gambling related bereavement on individuals and families. The charity also aims to contribute to the development of the national evidence base on gambling suicides. Both objectives are combined through the advocacy work of bereaved families which not only contributes to national evidence building and discourse but also enables recovery of individual agency through democratic engagement. This post is central to this strategy and works closely with the COO. Clinical Director and Community Manager to implement strategic policy and enable and facilitate lived experience advocacy.
Location: Hybrid – Remote and UK travel (regular travel to Westminster) Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 per annum Contract: Permanent Hours: Full-time
Position in the organisation
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Leads: Public Affairs function (two-person team)
Line manages: Political Affairs and Communications Manager
Key relationships: o
Works closely with COO to translate organisational strategy into political and advocacy policy delivery.
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Works closely with the Clinical Director and Community Manager to enable and facilitate lived experience advocacy.
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Works closely with the small team of 4 Lived Experience GwL Spokespeople (who are also Board Members), the Lived Experience Council and Community
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Collaborates across the service and teams.
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Regular engagement with MPs, Peers, Special Advisers, civil servants, regulators and sector partners.
Main purpose of the role The Head of Public Affairs, Policy and Advocacy is responsible for the delivery of Gambling with Lives public affairs and lived experience advocacy strategy.
This role is the most senior operational position within a small advocacy function and is accountable for ensuring that agreed strategy is converted into effective, timely and impactful advocacy action by and in support of bereaved families. The post holder will feed in to overall organisational strategy and will play a critical role in shaping delivery plans, prioritising activity, and personally undertaking significant advocacy work — including drafting letters, briefings, parliamentary questions and amendments, co-ordinating political engagement, and ensuring policy asks are actively advanced within Parliament, government and regulatory processes. The post holder will support and enable bereaved family members to engage in meeting with MPs and Peers and in provision of evidence to committees
Key responsibilities Delivery of political advocacy strategy
Own the implementation and delivery of Gambling with Lives’ public affairs and lived experience advocacy strategy, as agreed with the COO and Senior Leadership Team.
Translate strategic priorities into clear delivery plans, milestones and outputs.
Prioritise activity to maximise political impact within available resources and capacity.
Political advocacy and Parliamentary engagement
Personally lead and undertake hands-on advocacy activity, including: o
Drafting high-quality letters, briefings and correspondence for MPs, Peers and Ministers.
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Preparing parliamentary questions, proposed amendments and debate briefings.
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Co-ordinating meetings, events and roundtables in Westminster and beyond in collaboration with the Events Lead.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with key parliamentarians, political staff, civil servants and regulators, with an ability and interest in working cross-Party with a politically neutral approach.
Use monitoring of political and regulatory developments to adapt delivery plans to respond to emerging opportunities and risks.
Collaboration and lived experience
Work closely with lived experience individuals, the GwL Board Spokespeople, Council and Community to ensure advocacy activity is ethical, informed and impactful, and underpins delivery.
Collaborate with communications colleague to align political advocacy with external messaging and communication.
Contribute to coalition and joint advocacy work with partner organisations.
Management and reporting
Line manage the Public Affairs and Comms Manager, providing clear direction, support and development.
Balance reactive political work with planned delivery, ensuring quality and timeliness.
Track progress against objectives and report regularly to the COO on progress.
Contribute to organisational planning, governance and reporting as required.
Person specification
Essential skills, knowledge and experience
Significant experience in political advocacy (for example 5 plus years in a Parliamentary or Mayoral office), public affairs influencing, with responsibility for delivering policy and political outcomes.
Commitment to evidence-based advocacy and ethical engagement with people with lived experience.
Demonstrable experience of hands-on policy delivery, including drafting materials for Parliamentarians and co-ordinating direct engagement.
Strong understanding of the UK political system, parliamentary processes and policy-making cycles.
Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, persuasive and politically astute documents.
Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
Experience of working collaboratively across teams and with external stakeholders.
Desirable skills and experience
Experience of working on public health, mental health or related policy areas.
Experience of line management in a small team.
Experience of coalition or alliance working.
Personal attributes
A strong commitment to supporting lived experience, with the ability to work respectfully and confidently with people directly affected by gambling-related harm and bereavement, and to translate lived experience into ethical, impactful political advocacy.
Delivery-focused, proactive and accountable.
Politically astute, with sound judgement and adaptability.
Organised, resilient and comfortable working in a fast-moving environment.
Values-driven, empathetic and aligned with Gambling With Lives’ mission of saving lives.
Willing and able to travel and work occasional evenings or outside normal hours to support parliamentary and advocacy including attendance at regional conferences.