Obesity Health Alliance Intern
Obesity Health Alliance Intern - 12 month FTC
Job Introduction
Help shape the future of public health policy
Dietary‑related ill health is one of the biggest challenges facing the UK, and bold government action is urgently needed to fix our unhealthy food system. The Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) - a coalition of leading health organisations including Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and the medical royal colleges - works to influence government policy on healthy weight, prevention and treatment.
We’ve helped secure major wins such as the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, tougher restrictions on junk food advertising, and curbs on fast‑food outlets near schools. Now we’re looking for an Intern to join us at a pivotal moment.
About the role
Reporting to the Government Affairs Lead, you’ll support OHA’s public affairs and policy work - including our role as Secretariat to the All‑Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dietary Health. You’ll help us engage parliamentarians, track political developments, draft briefings and communications, and support our social media and external engagement.
This is a great opportunity for someone who cares deeply about improving population health and wants to learn more about public health policy and the UK political system.
What you’ll be doing
- Supporting the running of the APPG on Dietary Health
- Drafting briefings, notes and communications for political and external audiences
- Monitoring political and policy developments and summarising key issues
- Taking minutes and supporting meetings with parliamentarians and stakeholders
- Helping coordinate work across OHA’s coalition members
- Supporting OHA’s social media and external communications
About the OHA
The Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) is a coalition of more than 70 leading health organisations working together to influence government policy on healthy weight. Hosted by Diabetes UK, we bring together charities, medical royal colleges, academic experts and professional bodies to advocate for evidence‑based action on the food environment. Our mission is to secure meaningful, lasting change that improves the health of the UK population.
Informal discussion
The OHA’s Government Affairs Lead welcomes an informal, confidential conversation before the anonymous application process.
For further information about the role please refer to the job description at the end of the page.
We have a friendly and inclusive working environment here at Diabetes UK and are proud of our hybrid approach which allows great flexibility in the way that we work. This means that you can balance your working time between home and the office, subject to the needs of your role.
Interview date: 20 August 2026 (In person)
Please note that all job offers are subject to you providing acceptable evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK.
To view a full list of accepted documents and the checks employers are required to make click here
To view guidance on proving your right to work to an employer click here
If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@diabetes.org.uk
Package Description
We have some amazing benefits available which we are proud to be able to offer. We have a health cash plan available, early finish Fridays, access to an incredible Learning and Development offer, and much more. Please refer to the job description pack to find out more about what benefits you can access if you become an employee of Diabetes UK.
About the Company
For nearly 5 million people with diabetes in the UK, there’s no day off. At Diabetes UK, we fight day in, day out for better care, treatment and support. We won’t stop until diabetes can do no harm.
With more people than ever living with diabetes and millions more at risk of developing type 2, our work has never been more needed. We make sure they get the care and support needed to live well with diabetes and avoid devastating complications.
We fund critical research, which has led to life-changing discoveries – like the first insulin pen and programmes to put type 2 diabetes into remission. Now, we want to do this for everyone and find a cure.
We can’t do any of this without you. Our staff are passionate and determined about helping everyone affected by diabetes. For over 85 years, they’ve been behind vital policy changes, as well as new treatments and technologies to make living with diabetes easier every day.
But there’s more to do. And you can be part of it. Our vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm. Join us today, and together, we can make that a reality.
Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Diabetes does not affect everyone equally and as a charity we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We seek to better reflect those we serve. This means we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates in our recruitment processes and particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented at senior level, including those from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds. It also means if you have a disability or long-term condition, we're happy to consider any reasonable adjustments you might need to take part in the process and succeed in the role, just let our HR team know via recruitment@diabetes.org.uk
We have a friendly and inclusive working environment here at Diabetes UK and are proud of our hybrid approach which allows great flexibility in the way that we work. This means that you can balance your working time between home and the office, subject to the needs of your role.
Please note that all job offers are subject to you providing acceptable evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK and satisfactory references and a DBS check if required.
To find out more about what we do, check out our website.
Diabetes UK