Policy and Public Affairs Manager
Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG)
About VODG
VODG is the leading membership body for voluntary sector disability organisations. Our vision is for an ambitious, trusted and vibrant voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector that works together to enable disabled people to live the lives they choose. In pursuit of this vision, our mission is to support our members to achieve excellence and to influence those who can improve the environment in which they operate.
Introduction to the role
As we enter a new phase in our development and continued growth, a new position has been created for a Policy and Public Affairs Manager. The right person will seize this exciting opportunity to help shape our work with members and a wide range of stakeholders including national and local parliamentarians, think tanks, academics, sector bodies, regulators and the media.
Purpose of role
- To deliver VODG’s policy, campaigns and public affairs work and ensure that the activities are integrated into the wider work of VODG.
- To assist the work of VODG in influencing the public policy agenda by keeping up to date on policy developments in social care, health care, welfare reform, SEND, housing and all other arenas affecting the provision of support for disabled people of all ages.
Specific responsibilities and duties
- Executing our policy and public affairs strategy, raising awareness of VODG and our members in policy and public affairs arenas, as a trusted voice to decision makers.
- Supporting the Director of Policy and Influencing to develop and deliver targeted public affairs strategies which enable VODG to identify and influence parliamentarians, civil servants, regulators and other key decision makers relevant to VODG’s fields of work.
- Monitoring policy, legislative and parliamentary development and interpreting these for forward action planning, within the context of VODG aims.
- Providing regular updates, briefings and guidance for members on relevant policy areas and sector developments. These include written briefs, verbal updates as part of our events programme and regular bulletins.
- Producing detailed submissions in response to significant policy developments, consultations and new legislation.
- Confidently representing VODG at external meetings and in coalitions, to further VODG’s aims and activities.
- Supporting our external events strategy, including the organisation of sessions at party conferences, in-person roundtables and presence at sector events.
- Organising member events and contributing to VODG’s annual conference, professional networks and special interest groups.
- Working with colleagues across the organisation, our memberhsip, corporate partners, stakeholders and external networks to deliver member resources.
- Identifying new opportunities for VODG and our members to influence policy developments, research projects, campaigns and other initiatives aligned with our strategy.
- Actively contributing to VODG’s internal and external communications, including website and social media activities.
- Carrying out other duties as may be required that are commensurate with the role, including shared tasks with other parts of the organisation.
General
- Support the organisation to achieve its corporate objectives.
- Be a proactive and professional representative of VODG and its values at all times, including in relation to the prioritisation of your own responsibilities and professional development.
- Undertake such duties as may be deemed necessary by the CEO, Director of Policy and Influencing and/or other colleagues that are commensurate with the level of this post.
This job description is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to provide a framework within which you will work. It will be reviewed in consultation with you as necessary. Please refer to the attached document for the person specification.
To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to [email protected]. Interviews are expected to take place during the w/c 3 August 2026.