Political jobs in United Kingdom

Are you passionate about dogs and their welfare? Are you looking for an exciting role in a team that aims to improve dog welfare legislation?

We’re looking for a Public Affairs Assistant to support the important work we do to ensure policymakers consider dog welfare in their decision making.

What does this role do?

As Public Affairs Assistant, you’ll:

1. administratively support the work of our Public Affairs team by maintaining engagement spreadsheets, collating and submitting returns to political registers, and assisting the team with expense claims;
2. support various meetings and events, internally and externally, including booking meeting rooms, drafting agendas, and minute taking;
3. help share our message by contributing to our membership newsletters, analyzing reporting information to provide insight, and support the team's work;
4. organize travel and materials required by the team.

Could this be you?

We're looking for someone with some administration skills and a passion for the work we do. This is a busy role, so the ability to remain calm under pressure and prioritize tasks while maintaining a flexible yet methodical approach is essential. You’ll also need to be able to work as part of a team, but also unsupervised, with the ability to use your initiative to get tasks done.

Please note, Dogs Trust is a wholly independent organization, free of association with any political party. Our independence is critical, as it allows us to pursue our mission to campaign on dog welfare issues, on behalf of the UK’s dogs and their owners. For our public affairs roles, the ability to display political neutrality in the public eye or when working with MPs is essential.

What do we do?

The Public Affairs Team works across Westminster, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the EU to ensure the health and welfare of dogs is always taken into consideration by policymakers. In addition to our direct political engagement, Dogs Trust chairs the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) which aims to combat growing concerns regarding the irresponsible advertising of pets for sale, rehoming, and exchange. We also provide the secretariat for the EU Dog & Cat Alliance, through which we engage with EU policymakers and call for EU action to build a better Europe for dogs and cats.

About Dogs Trust

We love dogs. That’s why we do whatever we can to make sure every four-legged friend gets the love they deserve. We’ll never put a healthy dog down, so our work is focused on helping dogs in need, supporting owners every step of the walk, and creating a better world for dogs in the future. It’s what we’ve been doing since 1891 and how we’ve grown to become the UK’s leading dog charity, helping 12,000 loyal friends find their forever homes every year.

To apply for this position, please click the APPLY NOW button. Our application process requires you to submit a CV and a cover letter explaining your interest and suitability for the role. Please note, on rare occasions, we may close vacancies early if we receive an overwhelming response, so to avoid potential disappointment, please apply at your earliest convenience.

Dogs are incredibly diverse, much like the humans that love them! At Dogs Trust, we value diversity, and we're committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, and cultures and believe that a diverse workforce helps us to achieve our mission. Our colleague networks give our people a voice, acting as vehicles for real and meaningful change within Dogs Trust. We truly want to see every candidate shine throughout the entire job application process, interview stages, and during their time with us. If there's anything on your mind or any adjustments you may need, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Feel free to send us an email at jobs@dogstrust.org.uk. We're here to support you every step of the way.