Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Job description

Job Title: Policy & Communications Assistant

Position Type: Permanent/Full time

Reports to: Senior Press and Comms Officer/Senior Policy and Campaigns Officer

Based at: School Food Matters, The Bridge, 7b Parkshot, London TW9 2RD

Working Hours:  9am-5pm (flexible)

Salary: £28,770 

Pension: School Food Matters matches pension contributions at 5% of pensionable earnings

Holiday: 31 days including bank holidays School Food Matters is closed between Christmas and New Year ________________________________________

Background to School Food Matters

School Food Matters (SFM) exists to teach children about food and to improve children’s access to healthy, sustainable food during their time at school. We provide fully funded food education programmes to schools. Our experience delivering these programmes informs and strengthens our campaigns, bringing the voices of children, parents and teachers to government policy. ________________________________________

Job Purpose

To support the policy and communications work of School Food Matters

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Key Tasks 

• Work with SFM colleagues and networks to coordinate and support campaign activity    
• Attend meetings to support policy and campaign discussions and provide meeting services, including organising agendas, venues, and minutes
• Keep up-to-date with policy and media developments that could benefit or have relevance to SFM  
• Identify award opportunities and write applications to gain recognition for our work
• Track the impact of SFM’s communications/campaigns, including in the press and on social media
• Assist with maintaining our database of press contacts and MPs and keep a record of interactions
• Attend programme sessions to capture photos, videos and quotes 
• Design and create communications assets such as presentations and social media content 
• Contribute to policy/campaign briefings, letters to MPs, web content, articles and blogs
• Staying up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures
• Maintain the ethos of the charity and positively promote our work at all times

The Policy and Communications Assistant will also undertake any other tasks relevant to the affairs of SFM that may arise from time to time. Therefore, being flexible and approaching the job with an open and positive mindset is essential! ________________________________________

Person specification

Essential

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills in fluent spoken and written English, for a range of audiences
• A strong attention to detail and the ability to translate complex data and policies into accessible language and engaging stories and communication materials
• Strong administrative and organisational skills, including the ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise workload
• Experience designing communication assets 
• Confident and competent IT skills across Office suite of programmes
• Ability to work in a team, and seek help when needed
• Ability to work independently with a can-do attitude
• Good time management and the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines
• Energy, enthusiasm, creativity and tenacity  

Desirable

• Experience of research and analysis, ideally in a policy environment 
• Experience of working for a charity or not for profit organisation
• Experience of working in education
• Knowledge of issues and policy around school food, children’s health and education
• An interest in food education and children’s health
• Digital campaigning and social networking skills

Application information

Once you have thoroughly read this job description and had a careful look at our website including our charter, please complete the application form here. The electronic form can be saved but you may also find it helpful to use the word document here as a template.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on Sunday 9 February 2025.  Interviews will be held at our offices at The Bridge, 7b Parkshot, London TW9 2RD on Tuesday 18 February 2025.

Please mention Roots to Work when applying for these jobs