Do you have excellent communication and organisational skills and a genuine interest in developing a thorough understanding of Shelter and the wider campaigning and political environment that we operate in? Then join us as a Public Affairs Assistant and you could soon be playing an important role at the heart of our Public Affairs team.

About Shelter

A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve. 

At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent. We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.

About the team

Our Public Affairs team is responsible for achieving political change and building relationships across the political and policy world to help us achieve our goals. Major priorities over the coming year include our work pushing for a new model of housebuilding, reform of the private rented sector and affordable housing, and campaigns around affordable housing. Whoever joins us in this challenging role will be critical to the delivery of all of these projects, and much more besides.

About the role

As a Public Affairs Assistant, you’ll be responsible for organising and delivering events in support of the team’s, and Shelter’s, strategic objectives. We’ll also rely on you to maintain and find creative improvements to stakeholder management processes across the division, look after stakeholder contact data and keep accurate and up-to-date records. Monitoring political developments and activities will be important too, as will gathering and recording intelligence and delivering your insights by providing political monitoring updates for the rest of the organisation. Helping to draft internal briefings and develop and execute campaigns, carrying out research and analysis and overseeing diary management for the team – all are aspects of this interesting and varied role.

About you 

You may  already have some relevant experience, but more important is that you’re a team player who is keen to learn and thrives when collaborating with others to achieve a shared goal. You’ll also need  excellent organisational skills, the ability to manage your time well and be as comfortable planning, managing and delivering projects and events as you are working to tight deadlines. The communication skills to translate complex research and policy analysis into strong campaigning messages suitable for political audiences are important too, as is lots of initiative and a willingness to challenge the status quo and introduce new ideas and processes where appropriate. Finally, while housing and homelessness experience isn’t essential, you must have a keen interest in politics, and be passionate about social justice, ending the housing emergency and being part of Shelter’s mission to ensure everyone has access to a genuinely affordable, safe and secure home.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.