Vacancy: External Affairs Intern
We are looking for an ambitious, enthusiastic person with a demonstrable interest in mental health, campaigning and communications to join our External Affairs team on a six month internship. This is a fixed-term, training position.
The successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience of all aspects of our external affairs work, from our public affairs and campaigning activities, to our social media, digital content and events.
As part of the team you will have the opportunity to contribute to the overall direction and the day-to-day functioning of the organisation. We can also promise a concerted and systematic focus on your own learning and professional development.
The annual salary is £27,008 (London Living Wage). We welcome applicants from across the UK. The office is based in London, but this post can be offered on a remote-working basis, with twice monthly travel into the office.
Deadline for applications is 9am on Tuesday 27 May 2025. Interviews will be held the week commencing 9 June 2025 – ideally in person at our London office, but online if required. The successful candidate will begin in August.
How to apply:
Read the full description and download the applicant pack here.
Please submit your application here.
Person specification
We do not have minimum expectations in terms of education, professional experience or subject matter expertise. We’re looking for a candidate with excellent verbal and written communication skills who is enthusiastic and keen to learn new things. A passion for improving lives is the biggest prerequisite.
Experience, skills and qualities
- Confident written and verbal communication skills: 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
- Hard working 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
We are committed to removing unconscious bias as much as possible from our recruitment process. We therefore use a platform called Be Applied which allows us to blind review applications without seeing details such as names and education details. You will be asked to write short answers to a few questions, specifically designed to test the skills we are looking for in the person specification. Your answers will be anonymised (all identifying information will be removed) and randomised. You can read more about the principles behind the blind review process here.
As part of the application process, you will still need to provide a CV but this will only be considered if you score well enough on the blind review. Please include details of two referees in your CV (we will only contact them if you are offered the position).
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be able to access any part of this process please do let us know by emailing the hiring manager Liam Hill at [email protected].
Click here to start your application.
We are an equal opportunities and Mindful employer, and welcome applications from all — including those with lived experience of a mental health condition. We are also committed to improving employment opportunities in the charity sector for minority ethnic groups, and are particularly keen to receive applications from members of diverse ethnic communities.
We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process or once in post.