We are looking for an ambitious, enthusiastic person to join Money and Mental Health’s External Affairs team. This is a six-month, fixed-term internship position for someone with a passion for mental health, campaigning and communications.

The successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in all aspects of our external affairs work. This will range from our public affairs and campaigning activities to our social media, digital content and events. We can also promise a dedicated focus on your own learning and professional development.

We are an equal opportunities employer and Mindful Employer, and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. In particular, we are keen to hear from candidates with lived experience of a mental health condition. We are also committed to improving employment opportunities in the charity sector for underrepresented groups and are particularly keen to receive applications from people from minoritised ethnic groups.

We are very happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments applicants may require in the recruitment process or once in post. You can find more details about the role in the applicant pack here.

As External Affairs Intern, you would support the team in the following ways:

• Researching and drafting copy for a range of communication channels, including our website and e-newsletters

• Political and policy monitoring, including updating the team on parliamentary activity with a particular focus on the upcoming General Election

• Assisting with public affairs activity, drafting letters to MPs, arranging and attending meetings

• Writing blogs for our website about a range of topics

• Supporting the management of a communications forward planning system

• Helping oversee our social media channels, generating content and analysing performance

• Supporting the management of the website, including uploading and editing content

• Researching, maintaining and updating contact lists

• Assisting with events and webinars - including liaising with attendees, promoting the events and managing attendee lists 

• Contributing to the operational success of the Institute by assisting the team with administrative and organisational duties as necessary. 

Person specification

We do not have minimum expectations in terms of professional experience or subject matter expertise. Above all, we’re looking for a candidate with excellent verbal and written communication skills and enthusiasm. A passion for improving lives is the biggest prerequisite. You can find full details in the applicant pack here.

Experience, skills and qualities: 

• Confident written and verbal communication skills. You are comfortable writing for a range of audiences and tailoring style and content appropriately

• Demonstrable interest in mental health and other key issues on which the Institute works

• An ability to provide appropriate attention to detail

• An empathetic and sensitive approach to working with people sharing their personal experiences, or who are in distress

• Hardworking and committed. Taking direct ownership of work and seeing things through

• Organised and able to manage a busy to-do list.

Also desirable:

• Understanding of a range of different communication channels. And how to use them to reach different audiences effectively

• Experience of using a range of digital tools.

Terms and conditions

• Reporting to: External Affairs Manager

• Annual gross salary: £23,303 (current London Living Wage)

• Hours: 37.5 hours per week

• Contract type: Six months fixed-term, ideally starting from early July 2023.

• Interviews are planned for the week commencing 12 June. Ideally in person in our London office, or online as required.

• Location: We welcome applicants from across the UK. The office is based in central London. However, this post can be offered on a remote-working basis with twice monthly travel to the office. The salary is the same for both London and remote applicants, who are expected to fund their own travel costs to the office. An access guide for the office building can be found here.

• Pension: Opportunity to be enrolled in the work pension scheme (subject to meeting standard auto-enrollment qualifying criteria). After auto-enrollment the charity will make a monthly contribution to the scheme equivalent to 5.5% of the monthly gross salary you receive, subject to you making a minimum contribution of 2.5% of the monthly gross salary you receive

• Holiday entitlement: 28 days per year plus bank holidays, calculated pro-rata over the period of the fixed-term contract.

• Other benefits:  

  • Mental Health Awareness training

  • Cycle To Work Scheme (up to £1,000 loan for bike)

  • Season Ticket Loan Scheme

  • An Employee Assistance Programme

• The charity has a flexible working policy with core hours of 10am - 3pm. Remaining contracted hours can be distributed throughout the week flexibly. We are open to discussing other flexible arrangements, such as accommodating school runs etc.

We are an equal opportunities employer and Mindful employer. We are also committed to improving employment opportunities in the charity sector for minority ethnic groups. We are particularly keen to receive applications from members of minoritised ethnic communitites and other under-represented groups. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process or once in post.