Part-Time Operations Jobs
Our vision is for an environmentally engaged society with stronger connections to nature.
Our mission is to improve life chances of children and young people through a range of Outdoor Learning experiences, enabling them to learn from nature, empowering them to have a positive impact on the environment. We do this through grant support, direct delivery, research and advocacy.
As the HR Coordinator you'll play a key role in modernising our HR function, ensuring effortless people processes to support everyone in using their time and energy where it matters. Pro-actively supporting processes from recruitment to training to development and beyond, you'll be part of the driving force behind a positive workplace culture, empowering The Ernest Cook Trust team to thrive.
The Role
In this new role of HR Coordinator you'll work directly with the HR Manager,operating at the centre of our people operations. Working closely with our diverse teams across the Trust and external partners,you’ll ensure a seamless HR experience.
You'll enjoy significant autonomy while receiving full support from the HR Manager, having the freedom to grow and develop in this generalist HR position. There will be many opportunities for expanding your knowledge through on-the-job learning, coaching, and formal training in our growing organisation.
Key Accountabilities:
- Own the recruitment journey, from working with hiring managers in the crafting of job descriptions and compelling job adverts to welcoming new starters on board
- Get into the details of the employee life-cycle; onboarding, offboarding and everything in-between, making sure everyone feels valued and supported from day one
- Strive for continuous improvement in our HR processes and maintaining accurate records, ensuring compliance with the latest regulations
- Be involved in the development, implementation and management of supportive and user-friendly policies and procedures that are aligned with our values
- Coordinating online and face-to-face training for mandatory courses and skills development
- Alongside the HR Manager, you’ll be the go-to for colleague queries, providing guidance with consideration and confidentiality
- Supporting the HR Manager with strategic projects and programmes, including relevant HR process development
Main priorities
- Streamline our recruitment process for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, with candidate experience in mind
- Maintain accurate HR documentation, keeping everything up-to-date and in line with our standards, supporting the free-flow of information where appropriate
- Resolve employee issues with speed and compassion, keeping our colleagues happy
- Support equity and fair treatment in all HR communications and practices
Person Specification:
Specific Requirements
- Qualification or relevant experience in HR or related field
- Confident communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to address sensitive issues with tact and empathy
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to adapt to ever-changing HR priorities
- Understanding of GDPR and implications of data collection and retention
Skills and Knowledge
- Collaborative, with a confident and considered approach to problem-solving
- Detail-oriented with a talent for juggling multiple tasks
- Fluent in MS Office and familiar with HR information systems
- Flexibility to adapt and respond positively to change
- Knowledgeable about HR principles and basic employment law
ABOUT US
As a landowning educational charity, the Trust is uniquely placed to share its woodlands, farms and natural habitats to inspire a greater love and understanding of the natural world, farming and sustainability. We do this for children, young people, their families and communities, particularly those who face barriers to accessing and participating in the outdoors.
We are part of an impressive community of networks and organisations across the UK, working to help create a more environmentally engaged society. Our work is increasingly done in collaborations and partnerships with like-minded organisations, particularly with our funding partners, whose contribution significantly boosts the scale and reach of our work.
OUR PEOPLE STRATEGY At the heart of the Trust’s vision lies a commitment to cultivating a workplace where every individual thrives. Our People Strategy, a comprehensive roadmap blending our organisational goals, values, and objectives with the needs and aspirations of our workforce, serves as our guiding light towards this vision.
Through a meticulous process of data collection, feedback and analysis, we have pinpointed the following crucial areas of emphasis:
- Pay, Benefits, and Recognition
- Communications and Collaboration
- Decision-making
- Utilising Skills and Potential
- Equality and Diversity
- Environmental Impact
To address these areas effectively, we have devised a series of targeted actions, these initiatives form the backbone of our People Strategy, guiding us towards a workplace where every individual is empowered, valued, and motivated.
OUR VALUES The unique spirit of The Ernest Cook Trust is best expressed through our values:
Cultivating Connections
At the heart of our work lies the belief that meaningful and lasting change happens through the cultivation of connections. We value the relationships we build with the people and communities we serve, as well as each other and the partnerships we form with like-minded organisations. We understand that these connections create the conditions for people and places to flourish.
Freedom to Try
We embrace a culture of innovation and resilience, where both our team members and the individuals we serve have the freedom to try new things. This value encourages a dynamic and adaptable approach, nurturing trust and courage in ourselves and others.
Progressive Stewardship
We believe in responsible, forward-thinking management of our outdoor resources, as places where diversity can thrive. By actively caring for the environment, we ensure that the beauty and benefits of the outdoors are accessible to all, changing lives through individual and shared positive experiences.
Examples of our values in this role
Cultivating Connections
- Be the friendly face that welcomes new colleagues and fosters a sense of belonging. Build strong relationships with our internal and external stakeholders.
Freedom to Try
- Encourage open communication and embrace innovation as we continuously improve and grow together in our systems and processes.
Progressive Stewardship
- Implement sustainable HR practices and source talent that shares our commitment to making a positive impact.
Benefits Join our growing team at the Trust for a friendly and rewarding experience. We offer competitive salaries, a range of benefits plus a training budget for your personal growth.
We currently have around 47 members of staff based either at our Gloucestershire Head Office, across our UK landholdings and in our regional hubs (Gloucestershire, Cumbria/Lancashire, Leicestershire) or working hybridly.
Enjoy our generous benefits:
· 10% employer pension contribution (5% from employees)
· 27 days annual leave, plus statutory holidays
· Life Assurance
· Access to Employee Assistance Programme, providing
24/7 support for health, mental wellbeing, and more
· Dynamic, creative, and welcoming work environment
Working for us will involve wellies, because we firmly believe that everything is better outdoors!
How to Apply
Please upload your completed CV and Cover Letter to the link listed on the job description on our Website
(If you need to provide your application in a different format or need any further support, please contact HR)
Closing Date
Wednesday 29 May 2024 at 17:00
1st Interviews
Thursday 6 June 2024 at The Ernest Cook Trust Head Office, Fairford, Gloucestershire GL7 4JH.
What3words: https://w3w.co/otters.laying.campus
2nd Interviews
Wednesday 12 June 2024 at The Ernest Cook Trust Head Office, Fairford, Gloucestershire GL7 4JH.
What3words: https://w3w.co/otters.laying.campus
We look forward to hearing from you.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Embracing diversity is an essential part of the work of The Ernest Cook Trust. We are committed to treating everyone as a unique individual, fairly and with respect, irrespective of race, disability, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, or religion. We are committed to ensuring equality, respect, and safety for all, and prioritising the wellbeing of the children, young people and vulnerable adults we support. Our safeguarding policy can be found here.
The appointment will be subject to satisfactory background checks including Disclosure and Barring Service and relevant online searches to comply with best practices in Safeguarding, and proof of the right to work in the UK.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The motivation behind the LifeSkills programme is to inspire millions of young people and equip them with the key skills to move forward into the 21st century workplace. The programme focuses on teaching skills such as CV writing, interview skills, networking, problem solving, creativity, resilience, communication and managing online reputation. This combined Programme Manager, Facilitator role will be instrumental in raising awareness and developing skills in schools across Wales.
This post requires daily travel within South Wales.
The role will involve:
- A thorough understanding of the ready-made online resources to facilitate LifeSkills workshops, online and in person
- Creation and management of a deployment plan to achieve agreed targets for students and engagement of Barclays staff
- Maintaining systems for timely and accurate monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the effectiveness of the LifeSkills programme in line with contract requirements
- Sharing best practice and collaborating within and across BITC’s programme managers/facilitators in Scotland and Northern Ireland
The successful candidate will be:
- Managing the delivery of programmes to meet contractual obligations
- Working with business, schools and/or community organisations to create mutually beneficial and sustainable relationships
- Delivering highly engaging workshops which respond to learner needs and remain true to workshop objectives
The role requires travel across the region for programme delivery and participant interaction.
Salary:
The salary band for this role reflects the flexibility we offer with the contractual location. Candidates will be based at home and have personal transport to travel to schools across Wales. This role is 28 hours per week until 31 July 2025 with a full-time equivalent salary of £27,945 to £32,000 per annum (this will be prorated for part-time hours).
This post, due to its nature, duties and responsibilities, will be subject to a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (known as a DBS check).
Closing date: Sunday 5 May 2024 at midnight
Interviews in the w/c Monday 13 May 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Country Trust Head of Programmes
Employed contract
- Hours: 21 per week
- Salary/contract rate : £43-45,000 FTE depending on experience
- Location: Ideally within easy reach of Chelmsford. Hybrid/homeworking
- Employed contract – benefits
- Annual leave: 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (FTE)
- Benefits: Workplace pension
- Reporting to: CEO
Possible combination with the Impact and Learning Lead role also being advertised.
About The Country Trust
As a nation we've lost our connection with the land that sustains us all, with big and urgent ramifications for health, sustainability and equality. The Country Trust is changing this through high quality food, farming and countryside experiences that empower children in the most disadvantaged communities across the UK. For 45 years, we've worked with farmers to bring the countryside alive for over 600,000 children least able to access it. Our impactful programmes include the Food Discovery Programme, Countryside Discovery Residentials, Farm Discovery, Farm in a Box and Plant Your Pants.
About the Role
As the Head of Programmes, you will take on a strategic leadership role, managing the team of Programme Managers and deputising for the CEO when required. You will ensure each programme flourishes while encouraging collaboration across teams and with external partners to meet our ambitious objectives. This is a hybrid role, allowing you to work from home and travel to see our programmes in action nationwide.
Key responsibilities include:
- Line managing senior programme staff, including a dispersed workforce
- Overseeing operational demands and change management
- Financial management - budgeting, forecasting, invoices, embracing fundraising
- Actively promoting equality of opportunity and being a powerful advocate for our cause
- Confident communication and stakeholder engagement across sectors
- Supporting strategic direction and deputising for the CEO when required
You will work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team of 10, and a delivery team of around 40 colleagues.
About You
We are seeking an exceptional communicator and versatile senior leader committed to providing quality opportunities for disadvantaged children. You must have:
- Proven success line managing senior programme staff and a dispersed workforce
- Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and forecasting
- Working with the Impact and Learning Lead to ensure broad and deep understanding and implementation of our Theory of Change and our values, that evaluation and learning are embedded throughout the organisation and that we are known for the quality of our reporting, with all our activities and reporting informed by meaningful data.
- To identify and develop key partnerships to enable us to extend our reach and our impact.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Confidence and competence to act at Board level and deputise for CEO
Additionally, you should have:
- Strategic thinking abilities to balance priorities and find solutions
- A collaborative approach suited to a dynamic team environment
- A desire to support colleagues' growth and development
- The ability to build successful, effective partnerships – our 5 Year Plan goals are dependent on working with and through others
- An understanding of the reality of the lives of disadvantaged children and the barriers they face in developing a first-hand connection with the land.
- Passion for food, farming, and the countryside
This is a fulfilling opportunity to play a vital role in an organisation dedicated to reconnecting children with the land and creating a sustainable, equal future.
Closing date: midnight 5th May
Shortlisting: w/c 6th May
Interviews: w/c 20th May (to be confirmed)
Due to our safer recruitment policy, we cannot accept CVs for this position.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
English for Action
Operations Lead
Salary: £23,595 (£39325 pro-rated) (likely increase from August 1st to keep up with inflation)
Hours: 22.5 (3 days) per week
Location: Work from home, with occasional meetings in London required (travel at employee’s expense).
Duration of contract: permanent
Closing date for Easy Apply applications: Tuesday May 7th, end of day
Closing date for further applications: Wednesday May 15th, end of day
Interviews to be held on: Friday May 17th in the afternoon
Reporting to: The trustee HR subgroup and a line manager on the Executive Team
The role at a glance: Leading on EFA’s operations, with particularly emphasis on financial management and HR support for our small team of (currently) 8 employees. You’ll develop and administer our People policies, practices and culture to support EFA as a happy, equitable place to work and an effective mission-focused organisation. Scope for both day-to-day care for our systems and creative improvement of how we do things. In addition, to oversee EFA finances; payments received and paid, budgeting, monitoring any financial risks and advising with records/reports to the board of trustees and staff team on a monthly basis. Read more about the role.
You at a glance: You’re passionate about the community organising and education work we do with migrants in London and the radical participatory ethos of EFA London. You bring strong experience of ‘People work’ and governance of groups or organisations (whether paid or unpaid), with an interest in how to bring the best of conventional operations practisce into a team interested in a more equal distribution of power. You’re a ‘people person’, combining strong communication skills with a strategic eye on moving towards solutions. You’re committed to anti-oppression and promoting healthy workplaces for staff. You have a fastidious approach to the administration which underpins all of this.
About EFA
English for Action provides free, participatory, and empowering English language classes (ESOL) for migrants in London. Our classes are spaces to build community and support students to organise collectively around issues like employment and housing rights. Our work currently supports around 500 adult migrants across London. We’ve become a national centre of good practice for a radical participatory approach to ESOL, informed by the work of Paulo Freire, and we share this approach through trainings, research and partnerships.
Organisation: We are a staff team of 8 people supported by a larger team of volunteers and 9 trustees. EFA promotes shared leadership and collaboration and we aim for our organisational structure to reflect this. In the last 4 years we’ve transitioned away from having a CEO to an executive team to oversee operations and decision-making - which you could be elected to join following your probation period. We’re still in transition and there is scope to make a real contribution to developing innovative practice within our workplace. As a charity, ultimate responsibility for, and control of, the organisation lies with the Board of Trustees.
EFA employee benefits include:
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Pension scheme with employer matched contribution, currently at 6%.
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Pay rises in line with inflation wherever possible (we have a flat pay structure)
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Tech and cycle scheme
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Flexible working possible based on your needs
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Continuous Personal Development actively encouraged and training opportunities explored.
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Enhanced annual leave: starts with 24 days per annum pro rata, rising to 32 days per annum pro rata plus Bank Holidays (pro-rata for part-time hours) after probation, with some restrictions on when holidays must be taken.
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Full entitlement to days off for sickness (including mental ill-health), compassionate leave, bereavement leave, and parental leave
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Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption/shared parental leave pay
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Enhanced sick pay
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Collaborative decision making on organisational strategy and practice
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Working within an organisation that makes a huge difference in communities across London and the UK.
Recruitment process / how to apply
We know applying to jobs can be time consuming! And often candidates with lots of relevant experience can be put off if they don’t fit every part of the job description.
So, we’re using an ‘Easy Apply’ form, where you can attach a CV and fill out three questions to express interest in this role. Even if you are not sure you quite fit all the specifications - give it a go. It may take as little as 10 minutes.
We’ll then encourage you to apply at Stage 2 if we feel you have relevant skills and
experience. You’ll then have another week to complete a few further questions.
Get in touch if you’d like to chat informally about any aspect of this job description or the role:
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Karibuni Children, a UK registered charity, works to help Kenyan children from some of the poorest backgrounds, to fulfil their potential and release themselves from the cycle of poverty. At any one time, we are supporting around 700 children across Kenya and our aim is to walk with the children through their whole education. In addition to providing financial support to enable children to attend high-quality educational institutes, we work to reduce other barriers that may prevent those living below the poverty line from maximising their educational potential. This includes provision of nutritious school meals, school uniforms and shoes, learning equipment and feminine hygiene products. We also support initiatives focused on the empowerment of the wider family unit of each supported child, such as providing workshops on parenting skills, sustainable food production, nutrition, entrepreneurship, and business skills. To further support this, we work with our partners on infrastructure development projects which have the potential to transform the local community and deliver increased self-sufficiency and sustainability.
The charity is seeking to recruit a UK Operations Manager to support the programme of work. The successful candidate will be one of only two paid employees, working with the Trustees to lead the charity through the next phase of its development.
Job Description
Salary: up to £30,000 – 34,000 full time equivalent depending on experience.
Contract: Permanent / Part Time (30 hours per week)
This role is envisaged as permanent part time for 30 hours per week over a minimum of four days. However there is some flexibility in this, and consideration will be given to applicants either looking for a full time role or who can offer a minimum of 24 hours over 3 days per week. This can be discussed at interview.
Location:The role is currently based at the Stoke Mandeville office, but this environment is shared with another charity and is not always conducive to office working. There will therefore be the opportunity for a significant element of home-based work as appropriate.
Reporting to: Board Chair. Working closely with: Chair of Fundraising Committee (Trustee position), wider Trustee team, Trust Fundraising Manager, and Kenya partner projects
Direct reports: None Currently.
Annual leave: 25 days + 8 Bank Holidays
Pension: 4% (with employee contribution of 4%)
Role purpose:
To manage the UK Office activities and support Trustees in administrative tasks relating to Fundraising, Finance and Operational matters.
Key work areas and tasks:
a) To provide high quality administrative support to key functional areas such as Fundraising, Finance and Operations, ensuring that UK processes are fit for purpose to support the long-term goals of the charity.
b) To ensure the effective day-to-day running of the Karibuni Children Office, based in Stoke Mandeville, Bucks.
c) To oversee management of the new Salesforce donor database, and other IT systems (Microsoft & Google) in use by Karibuni Children and to ensure that the systems provide effective support to all functions of the charity.
d) To oversee the management of the charity website and social media channels, maximising the effectiveness of these channels to raise awareness of charity activities and raise donor funds.
e) To participate in the recruitment of volunteers
f) To promote and actively support Karibuni Children’s fundraising activities and events, taking the lead in the organisation of agreed major events.
g) To provide effective support to Trustees, Staff and Volunteers in all areas of the organisation’s activities
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Unless otherwise stated, the term "staff" will include any paid staff and volunteers. Following are the key tasks that the successful candidate will be expected to perform:
Administration & Operations
● Develop and maintain effective and efficient administrative systems
● Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines with regard to staff, equipment and premises
● Provide support to all IT (Microsoft & Google) and CRM (Salesforce) users and ensure data integrity and reconciliation to other systems
● Maintain staff records and contact lists, ensure good HR policies and practices are maintained.
● Create and maintain an asset register for all Karibuni owned items
● Assist the Governance and Risk sub-committee in any matters relating to Karibuni Children risk management
Finance
● Assist the Finance and Operations sub-committee in any matters relating to Karibuni Children finances
● Carry out bookkeeping activities, creating banking schedules and ensuring that all cash and cheques received are banked within agreed timescales
● Oversee Gift Aid claims and ensure that compliance with regulations is maintained
● Assist volunteer Treasurer with preparation of management accounts as necessary
● Maintain records for restricted and designated funds, reconcile Charity Gifts income and other income sources.
Fundraising
● Ensure postings to CRM are accurate and reconcile to financial systems
● Manage receipts from online sites and ensure that CRM system is updated accordingly
● Ensure that all donations are appropriately acknowledged
● Organise and manage Karibuni’s own-organised fundraising events, marketing events on internal and external platforms, registering participants, overseeing risk assessments, and maintaining related records.
● Provide a focal point for 3rd party fundraising events, ensuring proper communication and recording
(Pending the ongoing automation of some of these processes, there is the option for them to be delegated to a part time bookkeeper)
Marketing & Communications
● Make updates to the charity website and social media channels
● Design and publish the bi-annual print and email newsletter including writing and collating stories and images.
● Write and publish regular email communications to supporters.
Other duties and responsibilities
● Promote the Vision, Mission and Core Values of Karibuni Children
● Operate within Charity Law and Data Protection Law and adhere to the Code of Fundraising Practice
● Manage systems and processes to ensure adherence to data privacy legislation
● Carry out any other tasks appropriate to the grade and nature of the role to ensure the effective delivery and development of the Karibuni Children’s work, as agreed with the Board Chair
PERSON SPECIFICATION
REQUIRED
● Empathy with the Vision, Mission and Core Values of Karibuni Children and a commitment to work to the highest standards of integrity.
● Appropriate technology skills, with the ability to manage a small estate of IT equipment.
● Good financial knowledge and awareness. Ability to analyse and interpret a variety of data and produce insightful management information
● The ability to monitor and maintain personal performance against agreed targets
● Good organisational skills including the ability to plan and arrange own work
● Effective written and oral communication skills
● Willingness occasionally to work outside of usual office hours
● Enhanced DBS check
PREFERRED
● Experience in the Voluntary or other regulated sector, preferably in an administrative, events management, fundraising and/or IT support capacity
● An understanding and interest in international development is desirable
● Awareness of key Charity Commission guidance
● Experience in finance and bookkeeping processes
● Experience in fundraising
● Experience in events management
● Experience designing and managing operational processes and control frameworks. Ability to develop, monitor and maintain quality standards.
● Project Management skills are desirable
● Good understanding of Microsoft 365
● Experience of solving data issues and report writing within a fundraising CRM system
● Knowledge of Data Protection legislation and ability to implement changes required by GDPR
How to Apply
Please send a copy of your CV and a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the person specification and what attracts you to this role. We recognise that some of your experience may be from unpaid roles as well as paid employment – please include any voluntary work if it helps to show why you are the right candidate for the job.
Application deadline: Friday 17th May 2024
Initial interviews will take place week commencing 27th May 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Task Ahead: Finance Manager
As The Difference moves from its early start-up phase into the delivery of our 2025-30 strategy, our programmes and sector-influencing work are expanding to reach more schools and to deepen our impact. Alongside this growth, our team - and the operational function which supports them - is also growing.
As Finance Manager, you will be a key member of the Finance & Operations team. You will hold end-to-end responsibility for the finance function, from reconciliations to budgeting. You will decide where and how our existing processes could be improved, as well as developing new systems that will underpin our work as a larger and more established charity. You will be supported by the Director of People, Finance & Operations, as well as our external auditors.
The Difference is still a small and growing charity. This means that our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being reactive and flexible, as the needs of the organisation evolve. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role and team for you!
Areas of Responsibility
The Difference is looking for a Finance Manager to lead our finance function in the following ways:
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Oversee our internal bookkeeping, payment, and accounting processes, and improve these systems ongoingly.
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Lead on budgeting and forecasting across the organisation, supporting teams to predict income and expenditure and make sound financial decisions.
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Lead on the production of management accounting information, including internal monthly management accounts, quarterly reports for Trustees, and financial reports for investors.
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Lead on The Difference’s audit process, with external auditors.
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Work with the Development & Impact Manager to update fundraising pipelines, and ensure the availability of high quality income projections for Trustees.
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Support accurate budgeting and reporting for grant funding, including tracking spend of restricted funds.
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Support business planning by working with teams to model potential future work - e.g. costs of expansion of an existing programme; modelling potential new programmes.
Person Specification
Essential – We are looking for the following skills, aptitude and experience; though you may be stronger in some areas than others:
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Values – Your experience evidences shared values with The Difference (see below) and a personal commitment to our mission to improve life outcomes for vulnerable people.
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Finance experience, operational and strategic – Experience across all areas of finance, from accurate invoicing, payments and record-keeping, through to setting and managing budgets, financial modelling and forecasting, and working with external accountants or auditors.
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Finance process development – Experience of developing finance systems; the ability to recognise how processes could be continuously improved, and enact this improvement.
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Leadership of self and others – Confident in identifying skills or information gaps within your team, and drawing on the expertise of others to address these gaps. Able to show how you've continually grown your own skills and those of your team members so that together you can efficiently cover workload and plan ahead.
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Proactive problem-solving – Ability to thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment and to problem-solve: from rolling sleeves up and diving into detail to working collaboratively to build capacity.
Desired – You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have one or more of the following additional experiences:
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Accounting qualification and experience - Some form of accounting qualification and post-qualification experience.
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Early-stage charity/social enterprise experience – You may have specific experience growing charities or businesses for social good at the early or start-up phase.
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Experience of charity finances – You may have worked for or supported other charities, and have experience of working with philanthropic grants, charity accounting, and governance.
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Insight into schools – You may have experience working in the education sector, whether that’s through working for a business or charities that partnered with schools, or through working in a school yourself.
Why Work for The Difference?
Schooling isn’t working for the children who need it most. Every week in England 109 children – equivalent to three full classrooms – are permanently excluded. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Since the pandemic, school suspensions have risen significantly, as has persistent absenteeism. 1 in 5 children are missing more than 10% of their time in school. Children who are excluded or persistently absent are much more likely to already be experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage. They are more likely to live in poverty, have additional learning needs, suffer mental health challenges, or experience a lack of safety outside school. Certain ethnicities are also disproportionately affected, notably Gypsy Roma Traveller and black Caribbean children.
Exclusion and high rates of absence can have a dramatic effect on life chances. These young people are more likely to drop out of education or employment, become vulnerable to long-term mental ill health, or be at risk of criminal exploitation. The Difference believes that children and young people deserve better and that the education system has to change.
Our Organisation
The Difference is a young education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. By 2030, we want rates of exclusion and absence to be falling nationally and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, including those who may be vulnerable. The Difference was born out of a year of research into school exclusions with think-tank IPPR. This research identified a lack of inclusion expertise in schools and proposed a new leadership development programme to fill this gap. In 2018, Difference founder Kiran hired the team who took this idea from concept to reality, beginning work with our first schools.
The Difference is now a 22-strong team delivering multiple school leadership programmes, alongside a growing research and policy arm. The team is supported by our Youth Advisory Board, made up of young people who have experienced exclusion and who provide their expertise and insights on how school inclusion work should be done. This work is needed more than ever. Effects of COVID-19, coupled with the spiralling cost of living, have substantially increased levels of vulnerability. Schools serving excluded pupils face under-funding. The Difference has had excellent early impact but there is work ahead to capture this, share learning with schools and policy-makers, and grow our capacity to lower exclusions across England.
Our Values
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High Expectations - We are ambitious for excellence from young people, colleagues and ourselves. We don’t believe in writing off someone’s potential because of their identity or experience of crisis.
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Strong Relationships - We prioritise genuine relationships over transactional interactions, and know that this requires deliberate relational practice. We see colleagues and partners as people first and their roles second; and know this greater trust allows us to take more risks, gain more feedback and have greater impact.
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Internalised Locus of Control - We work hard to reframe difficult situations to discover what we have within our power in terms of solutions. We take it upon ourselves to walk towards challenges and can take a high level of ownership and agency in our work/
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Pragmatism - We believe leadership means recognising current limitations and striving for improvements within and beyond them. We develop consensus and chart new ways forward, challenging false and extreme positions like “zero exclusions” or “no excuses”.
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Scientific approach - We take a diagnostic approach to unpicking causes of problems. We are loud and proud of our failures, recognising failing fast and often is key to finding the best solutions. We test solutions and are willing to use data and feedback to make adjustments and choose new directions.
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Not Squeamish about Structural Inequality - We believe patterns of inequality can and should be disrupted. We strive to be clear-eyed about these inequalities, and both the individual practice and system-changes required to address them. We push ourselves to overcome awkwardness in talking about this; and begin by acknowledging our own biases and blind spots.
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Asset-based - We work hard to avoid deficit thinking and aim to start with what’s strong, not what’s wrong. We are careful not to frame our colleagues and stakeholders - particularly young people and families – as victims but instead to recognise their agency.
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Wise selves - To both enjoy work and do their best, we want to make decisions and work with others in our “wise” - or regulated - selves. We also want to bring our compassionate self to those we work with, externally and internally, to support one another through challenging times.
How To Apply
To apply, please complete all sections of the application form by midnight on Sunday 19th May.
First round interviews will be held during the week beginning 27th May, over video call. Please indicate if you would not be available to attend an interview during this week.
If successful in this stage, second round interviews (including a task to be completed the same day) will take place on the week beginning 3rd June, at our office in Bethnal Green.
We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector such as people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with experience in the care system, non-graduates and first-in-family graduates.
As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and any protected characteristics redacted.
Recommended Reading
If you’d like to understand more about The Difference and what we are trying to achieve, we would recommend the following:
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The research which underpins our organisation.
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Our latest Impact Report, sharing our work in 2023
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The role
The Operations Administrator will support the Ada Lovelace Institute in the management of processes relating to finance, human resources, grants, and information administration.
The role will build strong relationships with the Nuffield Foundation’s HR, Finance and IT functions to help ensure shared processes are administered. Additionally, the Operations Administrator will work closely with staff across Ada, making sure it is a collaborative and supportive place to work.
About you
You will have experience of previously working in administrative roles, and have knowledge of office systems and processes. You will enjoy working with teams and be comfortable of working with a range of people across multiple workstreams. You will have excellent organisational and planning skills, be comfortable juggling different tasks and be a confident communicator.
Above all you will be someone who is proactive, willing to 'muck in' when needed and be able to work in a collaborative and inclusive style.
For further information about the role, please click through to the vacancy listing on our website.
About us
The Ada Lovelace Institute is an independent research institute funded and incubated by the Nuffield Foundation since 2018. Our mission is to ensure data and artificial intelligence work for people and society. We do this by building evidence and fostering rigorous debate on how data and AI affect people and society. We recognise the power asymmetries that exist in ethical and legal debates around the development of data-driven technologies and seek to level those asymmetries by convening diverse voices and creating a shared understanding of the ethical issues arising from data and AI. Finally, we seek to define and inform good practice in the design and deployment of AI technologies.
The Institute has emerged as a leading independent voice on the ethical and societal impacts of data and AI. We have built relationships in the public, private and civil society sectors in the UK and internationally. Please find details of our work here.
Our research takes an interconnected approach to issues such as power, social justice, distributional impact and climate change (read our strategy to find out more), and our team have a wide range of expertise that cuts across policy, technology, academia, industry, law and human rights. We value diversity in background, skills, perspectives and life experiences. As part of the Nuffield Foundation, we are a small team with the practical support of an established organisation that cares for its employees.
How to apply
The closing date for applications is 09:30am (BST) on Monday 20th May 2024, with interviews scheduled to take place on the 30th and/or 31st May 2024.
We are committed to inclusive working practices and during the application process we commit to:
- As a Disability Confident employer, we will offer a guaranteed first stage interview for disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role.
- making any reasonable adjustments – for example providing documents in different formats, arranging for a sign language interpreter for interviews etc.
- paying for travel costs (and any childcare or care costs) for interviews where in-person attendance is required.
Our benefits package includes:
- 28 days (pro rated) annual leave entitlement (with the option to buy or sell leave).
- A salary exchange pension scheme that offers employer contributions of up to 11%.
- Life assurance scheme.
- Family leave policies that provide an enhanced level of pay.
- Cycle to work scheme and loans towards season tickets.
- Frequent opportunities for learning and development (including options for coaching and mentoring)
- Support with your physical, mental and financial wellbeing including an employee assistance provider, a private GP service, personal health reviews with Bupa, a will and funeral planning service and a staff network of trained Mental Health First Aiders.
- Staff peer groups and social networks. Staff peer groups and social networks.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our current administrator is progressing to a new role managing relationships with our volunteers and with partner schools, and we are rercuiting to fill her role.
Background - Number Champions
We set up Number Champions in 2018 to transform the lives of children in state primary schools who struggle with numeracy or lack confidence in maths. We employed our first staff member, our Head of Operations (HoO), in 2022 and our second, an administrator, in 2023..
We are the only charity systematically working in-person with young children in our field. Early support will put children on track to achieve their full life potential in a world where some fluency with maths is an essential building block. Success in this one area can increase their self-esteem and their involvement in education as a whole.
Now in our sixth year, we are working across 14 London boroughs in 32 partner schools, with over 110 In-School Volunteers supporting more than 300 children. We plan to increase these numbers each year. Our medium-term vision is to expand across London, while maintaining the highly positive impact we have achieved to date.
We are proud to have received two national awards last year recognising the work of our volunteers, and we are currently shortlisted for a 2024 award.
Everyone at Number Champions is passionate about improving children’s educational and life chances.
The Administrator role
Our HoO has taken the lead in developing the charity and in giving us the capacity to expand further while maintaining quality of delivery. The administrator reports to the HoO and manages the bulk of the administration processes of the charity.
The role is for an equivalent of 2 days a week, during school term-time only. It will be almost all remote, although you will be expected to attend occasional meetings in Central London (or possibly North London if that is more convenient for you).
We intend the role to be permanent, but we are offering an 11-month contract September to July pending confirmation of funding.
Impact on the organisation
You will take on key responsibilities for administration and for contact with different groups of stakeholders. In a small professional team, you will have the opportunity to suggest ideas and to influence the development of the charity.
Core responsibilities
- Manage the administration processes of onboarding volunteers and schools
- Gather, capture, and maintain the charity’s data in our management system
- Communicate with volunteers and with office and finance staff at partner schools
- Raise invoices
- Manage basic bookkeeping
- Assist in purchasing
- Provide occasional cover for other staff, as required
- Other activities as required from time to time to support the HoO, SRM, and charity.
Required skills and experience
- Administrative or professional background
- Attentiveness to accuracy
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (and knowledge of Google Suite would be advantageous)
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive working relationships remotely with staff, volunteers, and schools
- Good time management skills and the ability to prioritise
- Commitment to the mission of the charity to help young children with maths.
Basic bookkeeping experience is desirable but not essential.
Benefits
25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays, prorated for a 2-day-a-week role.
(Although the role is for only 39 weeks a year we will pay you for 33 days annual holiday reduced only by 2/5 for working 2 days a week. This increases your take home pay by about 4% compared to also reducing holidays by 39/52 for weeks worked.)
Employer’s contribution to pension of 3%.
Additional Requirements
- References
- Successful DBS check (organised and paid for by the charity)
- Agreement to all policies and procedures of the charity.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.