Administration support officer jobs in Belfast

About us

Foxglove is a non-profit that exists to make the use of technology fair for all. When Big Tech companies abuse their power, their workers or the planet – and when governments use technology to oppress, exclude or discriminate – we litigate and campaign to fix it.  

Big Tech companies have become so large – gobbling up a huge slice of the global marketplace and an unprecedented treasure hoard of user data – that they’re now more powerful than many states. The harmful effects of this concentration of power are everywhere – threats to our democracy, to our privacy, decimated workers’ rights and platforms rife with disinformation and hate. Big Tech and AI data centres are rapidly expanding, resulting in huge strain on energy and water supplies. Worldwide governments are ploughing ahead with the use of algorithms and mass data systems to cut costs and increase efficiency often resulting in digital tools that entrench unfairness and leave the most vulnerable in society in crisis. All these problems are only getting worse with generative AI.

Foxglove works to bring the rule of law to the tech and AI giants who have upended our public square, workplaces, and social lives. We have a strong track record. We’ve launched landmark cases seeking structural changes to big tech’s harmful business models, supported 180+ Facebook content moderators fired for trying to form a union to sue Facebook and their outsourcing company, Sama – winning world-first judgements. We're urging competition regulators worldwide to stop Google’s theft of independent news. We’ve filed the UK’s first legal challenge to a data centre permission decision, forced disclosure of secret contracts between tech giants and the NHS, stopped a racist Home Office visa streaming algorithm, helped make grading fair for UK A-level students and challenged the Department of Work and Pension’s use of an algorithm unfairly flagging disabled people for benefit fraud investigations.   

We are a small but growing team of lawyers, communications experts, and campaigners. We are a CIC, not a practising law firm. We partner with legal firms on cases, directing litigation in multiple jurisdictions. Our work is global, and we work in partnership with lawyers, civil society, unions, and people impacted by Big Tech.

About you

You are a highly experienced lawyer with a strong interest in using the law to hold governments and companies to account. You see the law as a tool for structural change, not just individual wins. You think strategically about how litigation, campaigning, and coalition-building can work together. You appreciate the value and impact of movements and are as comfortable drafting legal arguments as you are speaking to a journalist, or rallying those who've never heard of judicial review to a joint cause. You care about power, meaning who has it, who doesn't, and how to shift it. You follow the ways Big Tech and governments are reshaping society, and you don't just find it interesting: it makes you want to act. You're a sharp, compelling writer who can make complex legal arguments land with different audiences. You're a self-starter who spots opportunities and runs with them, but you're equally invested in the team around you. You share credit generously, help sharpen others' thinking, and understand that lasting change is collective. Most importantly, you believe in making the use of technology fair for all.

If this is you; if you want to take on some of the most powerful companies and governments in the world, and you think the law is one of the tools we have to do it; if you are seeking a role where the work is urgent and the stakes are real, we would love to hear from you.

The role

The post holder will work alongside our Co-Executive Director, Head of Legal and Legal Administrator in developing and managing Foxglove’s legal work. You will develop and drive forward a significant number and range of cases, including the development of case theories, investigating and collecting evidence, drafting correspondence, evidence and submissions. You will also be responsible for coordinating and managing external legal teams, in multiple jurisdictions. This will require you to have the comfort and ability to navigate diverse settings, while also having the insight to weigh up the benefits and challenges of pursuing cases in different jurisdictions. You will serve as an external representative for Foxglove’s work, writing and speaking on topics of relevance. You will also be a sparring partner for others in the team, bringing a creative mindset and political savviness. UK and international travel are required. Flexibility with working hours will sometimes be needed.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Case Development and Management

• Build connections, and listen to affected communities, unearth and pursue issues caused by tech injustice, coming up with innovative legal solutions.
• Build and maintain relationships with impacted community members, unions, other lawyers, experts, co-counsel, intervenors, civil society organisations, whistleblowers, and the public.
• Explore and develop new and undiscovered opportunities for Foxglove to be impactful and effective in our work.
• Effectively work with the co-Executive Director and Head of Legal to develop and implement Foxglove’s legal strategy.
• Manage multiple cases at any one time, while also thinking to the future regarding cases that should be explored and developed.
• Draft and comment on technical and legal documents and correspondence.
• Lead evidence gathering.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Manage court deadlines and time limits where applicable.
• Ensure regulatory compliance in all aspects of your work and our cases.
• Always maintain the strictest standards of client confidentiality.
• Always maintain the strictest concern for and awareness of data protection and Foxglove policies.
• Keep up to date with the global political and litigation landscape concerning tech justice.

Other

• Help ensure communities’, workers’ and affected individual’s voices are heard in our campaigns, communications and advocacy work.
• Contribute to external representation and writing, including through media appearances, social media posts, blogs and op-eds.
• Contribute to the development of materials for advocacy purposes including video or audio testimony, photographs etc.
• Support others in our legal team, across Foxglove, and the relevant ecosystem in developing strategies to use the law to hold governments and companies to account.
• Other ad hoc tasks as required.

Person Specification

Essential

• Substantial experience in legal practice and conducting litigation and a demonstrated understanding of litigation strategies.
• Creative thinking and imagination.
• A strong interest in using the law to hold governments and companies to account.
• Qualified lawyer in any jurisdiction with at least 10 years of legal experience.
• Significant experience in legal practice in the UK.  
• Demonstrable commitment to supporting marginalised communities to access justice.
• Ability to learn new areas of law quickly and develop new areas of work.
• Good political antennae and excellent relationship building and management skills.
• Experience conducting cases from initial advice through to trial.
• Relevant experience in analysing complex factual and legal situations and helping to advise clients in accordance with their aims.
• Experience in dealing sensitively with clients, whistleblowers and experts.
• Experience in working on complex matters, which require analysis of large amounts of documents and data.
• Excellent communication skills, demonstrated by the ability to communicate accurately, clearly, concisely and persuasively, both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent time management skills demonstrated by the ability to organise and prioritise a complex workload and work to tight deadlines.
• Experience in working and leading a team environment.
• Comfort with working at both the details-driven operational level and big-picture strategic level, as well as the ability to navigate between the two.

Length and Salary

The role is permanent. The annual salary is £88,400 per annum less any required deductions for income tax and national insurance.

Our team works remotely, and this role can be based anywhere. We would prefer you to work within or close to UK office hours, but this is flexible. Our team travels every two months for team days and twice a year for team retreats. This role will include significant UK and international travel. Only candidates with the right to work in their location will be considered.

How to apply

Please make your application via Applied, answering the application questions and uploading your CV. We will not review applications sent via a job board or to our email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with first round interviews likely to take place in May for selected candidates.

Foxglove does not use AI in its recruitment processes, except to detect applications for AI use. As a tech- justice organisation, we ask the same of our candidates.

Foxglove is being supported in this search and appointment process by SCHC Advisors. For a confidential conversation to learn more about the role, please contact Sophia Copeman.

Foxglove is growing and we are striving to build a team that is inclusive. We will create a diverse and adaptable environment where we support people to do their best work. We believe an effective and creative team is made up of people from different walks of life. You can read more about how we work and what we offer our staff on our website.

We encourage people from historically disadvantaged or underrepresented groups in the legal profession to apply.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to complete this process, or have any questions, please get in touch with Sophia Copeman.

If you would like to know more about how we process your data as part of the recruitment process you can read our recruitment data use policy.

Great opportunity to lead and support our charity's team through the next phase of development to drive One Medicine forward. 

Job Purpose

To lead the operational delivery of Humanimal Trust’s charitable aims and strategic objectives, as set by the Board of Trustees, ensuring that plans are translated into clear priorities, well-managed programmes and effective day-to-day operations. The postholder will line manage the operational team, oversee the finances and the fundraising activities, and maintain strong governance and compliance within Charity Commission requirements, at all times representing the Trust’s One Medicine purpose with professionalism and integrity.

Dimensions

· Line management responsibility for the operational team

· Budget responsibility: manage agreed operational budgets and monitor expenditure against plan

· Oversee delivery of the annual business plan and operational work programme

· Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, supporters, partners and suppliers

· Oversee the fundraising activities

Main Responsibilities and Role

· Provide visible operational leadership for Humanimal Trust, championing One Medicine and role-modelling the Trust’s values

· Translate Board-approved strategy into clear operational priorities, delivery plans and measurable outcomes

· Line-manage the operational team: allocate work, set objectives, provide coaching, and manage performance and wellbeing

· Maintain and improve operational policies, procedures and controls in line with charity regulation, GDPR/data protection and recognised good practice

· Ensure effective delivery of core operational functions (administration, supporter care, governance support, data management and supplier coordination)

· Protect the Trust’s reputation by maintaining high standards of quality, confidentiality, safeguarding and risk management

· Monitor progress against the operational plan, tracking risks, issues and dependencies and reporting regularly to the Chair/Trustees

· Lead on team resourcing and capability: recruitment planning (where applicable), induction, training and continuous improvement

· Work closely with the Chair and Trustees to support good governance, prepare papers, and ensure actions and decisions are implemented

· Attend and present at Board meetings

Finance

· Manage day-to-day financial processes for the Trust, ensuring appropriate approvals, controls and timely processing

· Oversee expense claims and supplier payments in line with policy; ensure accurate records are maintained for audit and reporting

· Track and report on income/expenditure and operational costs, highlighting variances and supporting budget planning with Trustees and finance support (where in place)

· Maintain a clear audit trail for key financial decisions, contracts and delegated approvals

Planning and Organising

· Develop and implement operational plans that translate Trustee priorities into clear workstreams, milestones and accountabilities

· Plan, organise and prioritise team workload and resources to deliver objectives, balancing immediate operational needs with longer-term planning

· Maintain and review the organisational risk register, escalating issues and ensuring proportionate mitigations are in place

· Maintain and review the Trust’s policies and guidance documents

· Monitor and report delivery, performance and compliance (e.g., quarterly/annually as agreed), supporting effective governance and continuous improvement

Decision Making

· Make operational decisions to deliver the Trust’s agreed plans within delegated authority, escalating strategic or high-risk matters to the Chair/Trustees

· Lead and line-manage the operational team, including recruitment planning (where applicable), workload allocation and resource deployment

· Liaise with external partners, supporters, volunteers, suppliers and professional advisers to support delivery and maintain effective relationships

· Liaise with the Chair of Trustees and the Trustees on a regular basis.

· Evaluate and improve processes, systems and ways of working to enhance quality, efficiency, supporter experience and internal control

· Identify learning and development needs for the team and support continuous improvement and professional development

· Manage operational capacity and prioritisation, ensuring resources are aligned to the Trust’s delivery commitments

· Approve expenditure, contracts and commitments within delegated authority and in line with policy

Internal and External Relationships

Internal

· Chair of Trustees and Board of Trustees (including sub-committees), providing timely updates, papers and delivery reporting

· Operational team and volunteers, providing leadership, coordination and support

External

Supporters, donors, partner organisations, volunteers, suppliers and professional advisers (e.g., finance, HR, legal), acting as an operational point of contact as required

Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Style Required

Essential

· Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience), with strong digital/IT capability (MS Office and CRM/databases) and a clear understanding of GDPR/data protection.

· Proven experience in an operational leadership/management role, delivering organisational plans, improving processes and achieving measurable outcomes.

· Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with Trustees, colleagues, volunteers and external stakeholders.

· Strong people management skills, supporting staff through change, setting clear expectations and creating an inclusive, high-performing team culture.

· Demonstrable experience working in or with a charity/not-for-profit, with a good understanding of governance, compliance and supporter-facing operations (experience in human health, animal health or science an advantage).

· Strong judgement and analytical skills, able to manage competing priorities, budgets and risks and to deliver reliably in a small-organisation environment.

Desirable

· Understanding of the UK charity regulatory environment and good governance practice.

· Experience working with Boards/Trustees, including preparing papers, reporting on delivery and supporting effective decision-making.

· Knowledge and experience of fundraising operations and supporter care.

· Demonstrable understanding of, and commitment to, One Medicine.

Job Context and Special Features

This role is a key senior management position within Humanimal Trust, with responsibility for ensuring that strategy is translated into effective delivery, that the operational team is supported to perform at its best, and that the Trust operates with strong governance, compliance and financial control.

This is a one-year fixed term appointment for a 28-hour (3.5 day) working week, starting at the earliest opportunity.  The role is home-based in the UK, with occasional travel to other locations in the country.