Policy and Advocacy Specialist

Who we are

Animal Equality is an international animal protection organisation working with society, governments and companies to end cruelty to farmed animals. Animal Equality has offices in the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and India.

Animal Equality releases investigative materials captured from inside factory farms and slaughterhouses, exposing the conditions that farmed animals face around the world. We publish our findings on television, in newspapers and online. We routinely secure mainstream media coverage, including on the BBC, ITV, Sky news, The Times, the Guardian, New York Times and many more.

Animal Equality also advocates for political change. Our current campaigns include a UK ban on foie gras imports, increased enforcement of existing animal protection laws, legal protections for farmed fish, and Government subsidies for transitioning towards a plant-based food system.

We focus on farmed animals because of the scale and severity of the issue. More than a billion animals are confined and killed for human consumption every year in the UK. Farmed animals also often suffer in some of the worst ways: pigs typically endure painful mutilations, many chickens die of heart attacks, fish are confined in underwater cages, and some farmed animals are victims of deliberate abuse and neglect. But the problem is solvable! By utilising effective campaigning strategies, Animal Equality is having an impact for animals around the world and building a future where all animals are respected and protected, and are no longer exploited for human consumption.

JOB DESCRIPTION

General Responsibilities

• Contribute to the organisation’s policy programmes: Garner reliable intel, conduct in-depth research, and carry out robust data analysis to inform Animal Equality UK’s ongoing policy and advocacy efforts for animals. Develop authentic, ambitious, and inspiring short-term and long-term policy goals that have the greatest impact for farmed animals. Maintain and develop the organisation’s policy statements, as required.
• Shaping policy initiatives: Influence decision-makers across the devolved governments. Identify ways to shape the debate, engage thoroughly in the legislative process to affect how farmed animal issues are framed, and maximise opportunities for targeted animal advocacy campaigns.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping: Identify and ensure regular engagement with key political figures and influencers, including ministers, politicians, civil servants, advisory bodies, officials, regulators, and local authorities. Propose ways to engage Parliamentarians and identify those with the potential to become champions for our cause.
• Influence decision-makers: Foster and maintain relationships with individuals critical to achieving successful outcomes for animals. Build on established relationships with individuals and bodies in a position to create lasting change for animals, and convince influential political decision-makers to prioritise farmed animals in their funding and policy agendas.
• Produce compelling briefings: Develop high-quality, evidence-based responses to new policy developments, animal agriculture industry reports, Government consultations, and more. Craft politically persuasive briefings, including formal policy submissions, briefings, blogs, and press statements. Lead on the dissemination of relevant information to key political stakeholders.
• Work closely with campaigning colleagues: Work with colleagues in the Communications, Marketing, and Campaigns Departments to support the effective execution of public awareness campaigns that raise Animal Equality UK’s public profile and inform members of the public about the plight of farmed animals. Keep abreast of relevant political developments, and maintain Animal Equality’s strong external policy presence through coordinated, proactive, and reactive lobbying and campaigning efforts.
• Grow strategically-aligned partnerships: Liaise with and, where appropriate, convene fellow experts and advocacy organisations to gather intelligence, share best practice, and canvas opinion to inform policy positions. Support Animal Equality’s engagement in coalitions.
• Support in the organisation of events: Assist in the organisation of key events to inform and influence policy-makers. Represent Animal Equality, where appropriate, at policy and networking events.
• Monitor outcomes: Measure, track, and critically evaluate policy developments, ensuring internal alignment on key issues and opportunities associated with our current campaigns. Manage against a set budget and agreed deadlines, reporting on the performance and progress against set deliverables. Share learnings with colleagues and fellow advocates.
• Support with other ad hoc duties, as requested by your line-manager.

Individual Attributes Required

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong written communication skills
• Agile
• A natural problem-solver
• Data-driven, with strong analytical and research skills
• Highly organised and comfortable multi-tasking

Position Requirements 

• Minimum of three years of related experience in policy development, advocacy, public affairs, or a related role, preferably within a non-profit organisation
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Docs and in the use of databases and spreadsheets. Experience of using Salesforce is a plus
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Adherence to a vegan diet
• Thorough knowledge of farmed animal issues
• Plays an active role in supporting Animal Equality’s fundraising and philanthropic efforts
• Commitment to the objectives of the organisation
• Professional manner

Salary and Benefits:

Salary band £32,500-£35,000, depending on experience. This is a remote working opportunity (UK-based candidates only); colleagues are expected to attend mandatory monthly meet-ups in central London.

• Holiday entitlement equal to 33 days per year (including standard public holidays).
• Personalised Employee Assistance Program (EAP): an Animal Equality-funded benefit that offers employees confidential counselling and advice on a wide range of work and personal issues. The program offers several services, such as a 24/7 confidential helpline and expert Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
• Flexible hours, with the option to start between 8am-10am and finish between 4pm-6pm.
• Able Futures Support: The service is a nine month, practical and confidential support service for employees whose circumstances or mental health may impact their wellbeing or work. Employees can work with a mental health professional to deepen their understanding of how their mental health may impact them and will build coping skills and resilience to thrive at work.
• Yearly stipend to access learning and development resources, to help employees further grow their personal and professional skills.
• A free vegan lunch every month at the Animal Equality monthly meetups.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Animal Equality is an equal opportunities employer; we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age. We are especially keen to encourage applications from: individuals who are Black and / or of the global majority; people with disabilities; and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and we will endeavour to accommodate any reasonable adjustments that individuals may require throughout the application process.

We work hard to ensure fairness in everything that we do and we are committed to ensuring that staff are appointed on the basis of merit. No applicant will be treated less favourably than another on the grounds covered in the Equality Act 2010 or any other inappropriate distinction. In order to monitor the effectiveness of our Equality and Diversity Policy we would be grateful if you would complete this form when submitting an application for a role in our organisation. Please return it to [email protected].

This form is optional. Any information that you do provide will remain confidential and will be stored securely in accordance with Data Protection Regulation Act 2018. Any data that we receive will be considered for Human Resources purposes only and will not be circulated more widely. This will not impact your candidacy.