Dogs Trust is the largest dog welfare charity in the UK with a nationwide network of rehoming centres and charity shops. Last year, Dogs Trust centres cared for over 9,000 dogs; we never put a healthy dog down.

The Public Affairs team works across Westminster, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the EU, to ensure the health and welfare of dogs is always taken into consideration by policy makers. In addition to our direct political engagement, we chair the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) which aims to combat growing concerns regarding the irresponsible advertising of pets for sale, rehoming, and exchange. We also provide the secretariat for the EU Dog & Cat Alliance, through which we engage with EU policy makers.

The Regional Public Affairs Officer is responsible for implementing the Public Affairs programme in their region, to raise awareness of the charity and our policies and positions amongst key opinion formers. This primarily includes Local Government and the Devolved Parliaments/Assemblies.

To be successful in this role you will have experience in public affairs, ideally including at a local government level, and an understanding of the political landscape in the UK. You must be able to travel to meetings and events across the UK as required, often overnight, and be willing to work outside regular business hours. An interest and sympathy for the aims of Dogs Trust is essential and the post holder must be comfortable around dogs.

The location of this role can be flexible (within Northern Ireland), but you must be able to travel to the Ballymena Rehoming Centre and Belfast on a regular basis.