Waythrough
External Affairs Officer
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
External Affairs Officer
Location: Home Based, Possible Travel Expected.
Working Hours: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £29,880.00 - £38,180.00
Interviews: TBC
Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.
Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
About the Role
As External Affairs Officer, you’ll play an important role in supporting Waythrough’s external affairs, policy and campaigning activity. Working closely with the External Affairs and Strategy Specialist and senior colleagues, you’ll help us understand the changing external environment, advocate for positive change and ensure the voices of people with lived experience inform our work.
You’ll contribute to high-profile campaigns, policy development and external engagement, helping to raise Waythrough’s profile and influence decisions that improve outcomes for the people we support.
Key Duties
- Support horizon scanning and analysis of relevant policy, political and sector developments, identifying risks and opportunities.
- Coordinate a significant national campaign focused on co-occurring mental health and drug and alcohol issues.
- Represent Waythrough across working groups, partnerships, policy alliances and external forums.
- Lead the development of written policy submissions, gathering evidence and drawing on operational and lived experience expertise.
- Research and prepare blogs, statements, presentations, briefings and summaries for senior leaders.
- Support the planning and delivery of strategy and leadership events involving a wide range of stakeholders.
- Provide coordination and secretariat support to Waythrough’s Strategic Governance Group.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners and policy alliances.
- Work with the Life Experience Council and people we support to ensure lived experience meaningfully informs our external affairs work.
- Respond quickly to emerging political, policy and external affairs issues.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You
You’ll have experience working in a policy, public affairs, campaigns or similar environment, with a clear understanding of how to advocate for change. You’ll be confident researching and interpreting policy and political information and turning complex information into clear, accurate written content.
You’ll be a strong communicator and relationship builder, comfortable working with people across different teams, organisations and perspectives to achieve shared goals. You’ll be able to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a busy environment while maintaining a high standard of work.
We’re particularly interested in people who understand the systems supporting people with drug and alcohol, mental health or related needs, and who have an understanding of UK politics and parliamentary processes.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Most importantly, you’ll share Waythrough’s values of kindness, courage and respect, and be committed to ensuring the voices and experiences of the people we support influence our work.
For Full Job Description Please Click Here
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:
- 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
- Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
- Life assurance (3× annual salary)
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
- Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
- Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
- 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
- Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
- £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
- Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
- Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
- Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
Inclusion and accessibility
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.
We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.
If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location