Policy and Public Affairs Manager

Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children

Human Rights Job

Deadline: 12 Jul. 2026

Location:

Remote within Africa/UK/Europe time zones, UK preference

Organisation:
Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children

Pay: £42,000 – £45,000 GBP annually

Newlife is looking for an experienced and values-driven Policy and Public Affairs Manager to lead their policy, influencing, public affairs and campaigning work. This is an exciting opportunity to shape national conversations and drive meaningful change for disabled children and their families across education, health and social care systems.

In this role, you will ensure that lived experience is at the heart of Newlife’s influencing work, developing evidence-based policy positions, building strategic relationships and delivering campaigns that challenge barriers, raise awareness and improve outcomes for families.

As Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across Newlife’s policy, campaigns, public affairs and lived experience activity. You will identify opportunities to influence policy and practice, develop compelling cases for change, and represent Newlife with decision‑makers, sector partners and external stakeholders.

You will also oversee the delivery and development of the APPG for Access to Disability Equipment, working with parliamentarians, government departments and sector organisations to increase awareness of the issues affecting disabled children and families.

• Lead the development and delivery of Newlife’s policy, public affairs, campaigning and influencing strategy.
• Develop evidence-based policy positions informed by research, service insight and lived experience.
• Ensure the voices of disabled children and families shape Newlife’s policy, campaigning and influencing work.
• Oversee the APPG for Access to Disability Equipment and build relationships with parliamentarians, policymakers and sector partners.
• Lead campaigns and influencing activity that raise awareness, challenge barriers and support policy change.
• Build strategic partnerships and coalitions to strengthen Newlife’s influence and collective impact.
• Represent Newlife externally at parliamentary events, conferences, round tables and sector forums.
• Provide effective leadership for policy, campaigns and lived experience activity, including line management of the Lived Experience Coordinator.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, planning and growth as a member of the Charity Leadership Team.

We are looking for someone with significant experience in policy development, public affairs, campaigning or influencing, ideally within the charity, public or not‑for‑profit sector. You will bring strong knowledge of policy and influencing processes, excellent communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and decision‑makers.

You will be confident developing policy briefings, consultation responses, reports and position papers, and able to use evidence, research and lived experience to influence change. You will also be a collaborative leader with a strong commitment to inclusion, equity and the rights of disabled children and their families.

• Experience of developing and delivering policy and influencing strategies.
• Experience of building relationships with parliamentarians, policymakers, government departments or national stakeholders.
• Experience of managing campaigns, consultations or public affairs activity.
• Experience of partnership and coalition working.
• Experience of using research, evidence and lived experience to influence change.
• Strong understanding of education, health, social care and disability policy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership, people management, strategic thinking and analytical skills.
• Degree‑level qualification or equivalent professional experience.

For the full person specification, please refer to the attachment below.

This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in strengthening Newlife’s voice and influence, helping to create systemic change for disabled children and their families. You will work with passionate colleagues, families, professionals and partners to shape policy, improve practice and ensure lived experience drives meaningful action.