External Affairs Lead - Wales

Location :
Remote (With occasional attendance at our Oxford office) Salary : £48,000 Job Type :
Full time Contract Type :
Permanent RABI is the farmers charity. RABI supports farming people across England, Wales and NI with expert, one-to-one practical, financial and emotional help, all year round. From confidential advice and mental health support to direct financial assistance, their tailored services respond to the unique challenges of farming life. At the heart of RABIs mission is a commitment to strengthening resilience;

helping farming people feel valued, supported and better equipped to navigate uncertainty and change. RABI is working to close the farming wellbeing gap and build a future where farming people can thrive. Over the past 25 years alone, RABI has delivered almost £250 Million in direct financial support to the farming community, whilst the charitys professional counselling service has provided 11,500 free sessions to farming people since 2022.

RABIs wrap-around support services continue to evolve, reaching more people year on year. RABI is on a journey to help shape a future farmers deserve. ROLE OVERVIEW:
The External Affairs Lead (Wales) will play a key role in delivering RABIs strategic ambition to strengthen its voice and influence on behalf of farming people in Wales. Reporting to the Head of External Affairs, the role will lead RABIs external engagement across Wales, ensuring the organisation has a consistent, credible and proactive presence within the Welsh landscape. As part of RABIs newly established External Affairs function, the postholder will build strong, trusted relationships with the Welsh Government, Senedd Members, officials, sector bodies and stakeholders across Wales.

They will translate insight from RABIs services, research and the lived experience of farming people into compelling policy positions and influencing activity that supports improved outcomes for farming communities in Wales. The role will help establish RABI as a respected partner within devolved policy debates, while protecting senior leadership capacity by leading day-to-day external engagement and advising on when senior-level involvement is required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Devolved Policy Influence and Advocacy Lead RABIs external affairs and influencing activity in Wales, with a focus on devolved policy areas affecting farming communities, including rural affairs, health, welfare and sustainability. Develop and deliver evidence-based influencing strategies tailored to the Welsh political and policy environment and aligned with RABIs organisational priorities. Monitor and analyse Welsh Government and Senedd developments, identifying emerging risks, opportunities and priority areas for engagement.

Represent RABI in discussions with Welsh Ministers, Senedd Members, officials, committees and relevant policy forums. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships Build, manage and sustain high-quality relationships with policymakers, government officials, farming unions, industry bodies, charities and other key stakeholders across Wales. Position RABI as a credible, trusted and constructive partner within the Welsh rural and farming policy landscape. Identify opportunities for collaboration, joint advocacy and partnership working that strengthen RABIs influence and reach in Wales.

Represent RABI at external meetings, stakeholder forums and sector events across Wales. Insight, Evidence and Policy Development Translate insight from RABIs frontline services, research and data into compelling narratives and policy positions that reflect the lived experience of farming people in Wales. Draft and contribute to briefings, consultation responses, position papers and stakeholder materials tailored to Welsh policy audiences. Ensure learning and intelligence from external engagement in Wales is shared internally to inform organisational strategy, service development and communications.

Internal Collaboration and Leadership Support Work closely with the Head of External Affairs to shape and deliver RABIs influencing strategy in Wales, ensuring alignment with RABI wide priorities where appropriate. Provide…