🚀 Senior Partnerships & Advocacy Officer

Senior Partnerships & Advocacy Officer Required for London-based Charity

The Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development (FORWARD), founded in 1985, is a niche African-led women’s rights organisation that champions equality and rights of African women and girls in the UK, Europe and Africa. We work to end all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) from female genital mutilation and child marriage to domestic and sexual violence. We tackle abuse and discrimination, enabling African women and girls to have the dignity, health and equality they deserve.

Location: West London with home-working flexibility

Reports to: Executive Director

Salary: £32,500 - £36,500

Hours: Full time, 35 hours a week

Duration: 2-year fixed term with possibility for extension

Benefits: Access to a 3% pension contribution and 25 days annual leave per year (pro rata). We also provide employees two days additional “duvet days between Christmas and New Year.”

About the Role

This is a key role for a passionate and proactive advocate who can build strong partnerships, drive campaigns, and amplify the voices of women and girls. Working closely with the Executive Director, you’ll help shape and deliver FORWARD’s advocacy agenda on ending FGM, child marriage, faith and culture–related violence.

You’ll lead strategic campaigns, strengthen relationships with allies and coalitions, and create compelling communications that engage supporters and influence decision-makers. If you’re a natural collaborator with experience in advocacy, partnerships, or campaigns and you’re ready to help shape the next chapter of FORWARD’s story we’d love to hear from you.

As this role involves working closely with women and girls affected by gender-based violence, it is open to women applicants only, in line with the Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, Part 1).

What You’ll Do

• Lead and deliver impactful advocacy campaigns to influence policy and practice.
• Build and nurture partnerships with grassroots organisations, civil society, and government stakeholders.
• Develop clear and engaging messaging, digital content, and advocacy materials.
• Support events, coalitions, and networks to strengthen FORWARD’s voice and impact.
• Contribute to research, policy briefs, and strategic communications that amplify lived experiences.

About You

You’ll bring:

• Around 3 years’ experience in advocacy, campaigns, or partnerships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a flair for storytelling.
• Experience developing and implementing campaigns that inspire action and achieve change.
• Strong relationship-building and organisational skills, with a collaborative approach.
• A genuine commitment to gender equality, social justice, and FORWARD’s mission.

It’s an advantage if you also have:

• Knowledge of VAWG policy and advocacy processes.
• Experience working with grassroots or community-led organisations.
• Understanding of digital campaigning tools and social media mobilisation.
• Experience of working with partnerships and networks on policy matters

How to apply

Please email your CV and a separate supporting statement specific to this position to by the application deadline below.

In your cover letter, please don’t repeat the information covered in your CV, but do include how you meet the job specifications and why you feel you’re the best person for this role. Your covering letter should include:

·      Why you would like to work for FORWARD?

·      Why this particular role interests you?

Please use the job description and person specification information in this application pack to detail your suitability. Application pack is available on If you would like to submit your application in a different format, please get in touch via email or phone ) and we can discuss how best to facilitate your request. CVs submitted on their own, without a supporting statement, will not be considered.

If this opportunity sounds exciting to you but your experience, skills or qualifications don’t match every requirement exactly, we would still encourage you to apply - you may just be the perfect fit.

FORWARD is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. Applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity.

This post is restricted to women applicants only, as a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the role or the application process please email and we would be delighted to discuss any queries you may have.

Application deadline: 21 ^st November 2025

Interviews: 16 ^th December 2025