Advice jobs in birmingham, warwickshire

Bid Writer

Location: Remote

Salary: £40,000 per annum

Working Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week 

Benefits: 30 days holiday (including bank holidays and Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha). 

Introduction 

Join All Ways Network (AWN) and play a central role in empowering grassroots Muslim organisations across the UK by securing critical funding and expanding sector capacity. 

Role Summary 

We’re looking for a Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser with strong bid writing expertise, and a commitment to helping grassroots organisations thrive.

As AWN’s Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser, you will be at the heart of our mission – unlocking vital funding for primarily Muslim-led organisations that are often overlooked by mainstream grantmakers. You won’t just write compelling, high-quality bids; you’ll also support and upskill others by delivering targeted training on how to write effective bid applications – sharing practical tips, proven techniques, and insider insights to help small organisations gain confidence in applying for funding.

You’ll be comfortable delivering engaging workshops, speaking to groups with varying levels of experience, and occasionally sharing insights with funders and stakeholders to help build mutual understanding and stronger relationships. This is a highly collaborative role that requires excellent communication, deep sector knowledge, and the ability to build capacity where it’s needed most.

This is a unique opportunity to work in a niche but powerful space – combining technical grant writing with purposeful, community-empowering work.

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead and support bid writing for grassroots organisations aligned with AWN’s priorities. 

• Write grant applications directly on behalf of multiple small grassroots organisations, ensuring proposals are tailored to each funder's priorities and the unique strengths of each group.

• Design and deliver training sessions, webinars, and 1-to-1 support on grant writing. 

• Build strategic relationships with funders, local councils, and second-tier organisations. 

• Promote AWN’s funding support services across networks and platforms. 

• Represent AWN at sector events and advocacy platforms. 

• Track and evaluate the impact of bid writing support to inform strategy, reporting, and learning. Use feedback from unsuccessful bids to build learning resources and improve future applications.

• Maintain accurate CRM records and reporting systems. 

• Any other duties deemed appropriate for the role. 

Person Specification 

• Demonstrated experience in writing successful bids or grant applications 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Strong understanding of the UK charity and funding landscape 

• Cultural competency and understanding of issues affecting UK Muslim communities 

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines 

• Experience of working in small and dynamic teams 

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, CRM systems and familiar with digital platforms 

• Experience delivering training or webinars 

• Established relationships in the UK funding or Muslim charity sector 

• Experience working in a start-up or small charity environment

This role is currently remote and we will expect some travel into London for planned in-person meetings.

Candidates will be shortlisted based on the experience outlined in their CV along with their covering letter and their responses to the pre-screening questions.

Closing Date: Friday 1st August 2025

Interviews in-person at City of London, UK - week commencing 11th August 2025. 

Job Title: Philanthropy Manager

Reports to: Senior Philanthropy Manager

Location: Hybrid work with 40% from Breaking Barriers’ offices in Manchester, Birmingham or Glasgow

Salary:  £33,000 - £39,000

Hours: 5 days per week (37.5 hours) but open to part-time (30 hours minimum), and flexible working arrangements

Contract: Permanent

Overall purpose

The Philanthropy Manager will manage and steward a portfolio of funders and donors – across trusts and foundations, statutory sources and major donors – to secure annual and multi-year gifts in support of Breaking Barriers’ vision. As well as managing relationships with our existing donors there will be a focus on creating new relationships through proactive prospecting and developing a long-term strategic approach to stewardship and relationship development.

You will be an ambitious, enthusiastic, energetic, and autonomous fundraiser with a demonstrable passion for supporting people from a refugee background. You will have a strong track record of high-value relationship management and fundraising, ideally specialising in Trusts, Statutory, Major Donor fundraising or a related area. We are looking for someone who can successfully secure and steward gifts of 5 figures and above – so evidence of stewarding high-value relationships and high-quality written skills are key.  You will collaborate with additional fundraisers across Trusts, Statutory, Corporate and Major Gifts to coordinate approaches and maximise opportunities across all functions.

We welcome applicants with relevant transferable skills from other sectors and other areas of fundraising but a strong knowledge of the fundamentals of grant fundraising is essential. We are looking for a passionate individual who can get people excited about the work we do and who wants to make a difference in the lives of individuals from a refugee background. You will share our energy and determination, and will be attracted by the idea of working in a team with big ambitions, and in which you will have the opportunity to grow and develop. We encourage creative thinking and new ideas so a proactive individual who is able to spot opportunities and take the initiative would thrive in this role.

To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack.

Other considerations

• As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.   
• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.

How to apply

If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. To apply, please submit a CV and statement (up to approximately 500 words/1 A4 page) outlining:

• Why you are interested in the role
• What skills you would bring to be successful in this role
• Any experience you would like to highlight
• Any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process
• Disclosure of disabilities if you wish to do so (as a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role)

Please note that applications without a covering letter will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is 11:30pm on Wednesday 06 August. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background. 

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach out to HR Manager Rebecca Hughes for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert, but you can find contact details on the final page of the attached recruitment pack).

Location: You can be based near one of the following office locations - Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, or Newcastle. 

We operate a hybrid model of work i.e. a combination of in-person and remote, with flexible days in the office depending on business need and your preferences. We would typically expect in-office attendance an average of one day per week.  

Your office is where you will usually attend in-person events, training sessions etc. though some travel, to other offices and other locations, will occasionally be expected.

 

Hours: We are looking for the right candidate and while we envisage this being a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) we are very open to flexible working arrangements such as part-time, compressed hours and/or flexitime.

Occasional/frequent evening or weekend work may be required, for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be given.
 

Ideal start date: ASAP, as agreed with candidate 

Purpose of the Role:

As a key leader within our Partnerships and Income Development team, you will be responsible for creating, developing and delivering the Social Mobility Foundation’s Employer Programme – how we inform, influence and positively impact employer-led social mobility, and a source of income generation.

Reporting to the Head of Partnerships and Income Development, you’ll be the custodian of the Social Mobility Employer Index (SMEI) – our annual benchmarking and assessment tool for how UK employers recruit, retain and develop talent from all socioeconomic backgrounds and build inclusive workplaces. You'll have full product ownership, managing the delivery lifecycle from end-to-end: from marketing, to pipeline development and entrant submissions, data analysis, reporting and evaluation, as well as ongoing development and improvement.

In addition, by collaborating with existing partners who offer pro-bono consultancy, you’ll scope, develop and deliver new products, resources and services that equip employers with the knowledge and practical tools to improve social mobility in the workplace.  
 
We’re looking for someone who is willing and able to move easily between strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, and is excited about taking full ownership over this important work. Combining a passion for delivering our mission with keen commercial acumen, high attention to detail and project management skills, this is a unique chance to make a big impact on social mobility in the UK.    

Key Responsibility Areas    

• Product ownership and project management 
• Product and service development 
• Quality standards
• Customer service and value proposition 
• Stakeholder management
• Systems and processes  
• Team development and collaboration 
• Line Management (Matrix structure)  

Please review the attached pdf for the full job description.

Person Specification (Knowledge, skills and experience required)

Project management and product development

• Demonstrable experience designing, delivering and developing programmes, products and/or services that meet organisational needs 
• Demonstrable experience in project management, shaping long-term strategy while managing day-to-day operations and delivery

Stakeholder engagement 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with experience building and managing relationships 

Policy and data skills 

• Understanding of issues related to social mobility, diversity and inclusion, or workforce development 
• Understanding of and/or experience in benchmarking tools, indices or assessment frameworks 

Commercial and customer service 

• Demonstrable experience in managing pipelines and/or stewarding customers, demonstrating excellent customer service skills and a high attention to detail 
• Confidence in public speaking, presenting or facilitating workshops with professional audiences 

IT skills 

• Experience using Microsoft Office 
• Experience of using or understanding of CRM software to effectively support pipeline and partnership management e.g. Salesforce 
• Experience of or understanding of managing and using digital platforms for programmes, products and/or services 

Please review the attached pdf for the full person specification. 

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply by submitting the following information to our application portal Pinpoint by 23:59pm, Monday 25th August: 

1. A cover letter (500 words maximum) outlining why you would like to work at the Social Mobility Foundation and why you are a strong candidate for the role, including specific examples from your experience and skills. 
2. A short statement answering the following question: “Tell us about a time where you played a key role in securing or growing a funding opportunity or partnership. How did you find the opportunity, and what was your approach to writing the proposal and stewarding the relationship? What impact did it have, and what did you learn?” (500 words maximum) 

Please note that generic applications and CV’s will not be considered.

Position: Consultant/Consultancy – Responsible Disengagement Guidance
Location: Remote (UK-based)
Consultancy Period: 1 September – 21 November 2025
Application Deadline: 8am GMT, Monday 4 August 2025

The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is a ground-breaking alliance of companies, trade unions and voluntary organisations working together to improve the lives of workers in international supply chains. ETI’s vision is of a world of work that protects human rights, ensures dignity for all, provides opportunity and is free of exploitation and abuse.

We are seeking an experienced consultant (or consultancy) to develop a practical technical guidance document for brands on responsible disengagement and engagement. This will support responsible business conduct in sourcing decisions and contribute to better human rights outcomes in supply chains.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will develop a guidance document that helps companies navigate responsible disengagement (including order reduction and exit strategies) and engagement within global sourcing strategies. The document will be practical and accessible to both commercial/buying teams and ethical trade/human rights professionals. It will align with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and ETI’s frameworks on responsible purchasing, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and just transitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct a benchmarking exercise on existing frameworks and identify remaining gaps.
• Develop a 20–30 page technical guidance for brands, with case studies and examples of good practice.
• Incorporate considerations such as climate-related sourcing shifts, geopolitical change (e.g. tariffs), and responsible purchasing practice requirements.
• Lead two consultation workshops with ETI stakeholders and brand members.
• Finalise and present the guidance following feedback and stakeholder input.

Essential Skills and Experience

• In-depth understanding of responsible sourcing, with experience in the garment and footwear sectors.
• Proven ability to develop clear, practical tools or guidance documents for business use.
• Strong analytical, research, and writing skills—able to translate complex concepts into plain language.
• Experience facilitating consultation workshops and engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage short-term consultancy assignments with high-quality outputs.

Contract Details

• Type: Consultancy contract
• Duration: 1 September – 21 November 2025
• Budget: Up to £19,500 (inclusive of VAT if applicable)

Please note: Interviews will be held on 13 August 2025. Kindly keep this date available.

Commercial Compliance Manager

Sue Ryder supports people at the most difficult times of their lives

Are you an experienced fundraising compliance professional with a proven track record in developing and implementing strategic plans, along with creating supporting policies, processes, and training programs?

Sue Ryder has an exciting opportunity to support the development and implementation of a compliance framework across all commercial operations (fundraising and retail) at Sue Ryder that will drive the future of one of the largest and most recognisable UK healthcare charities so we can continue to provide 2.7 million hours of expert medical, practical, bereavement and emotional support every year, in our hospices, in people's homes and in the community.

The Role
Reporting to the Head of Commercial Support and Governance, the role works alongside the Fundraising Supporter Services and Standards Manager, Retail Operations Manager and Retail Support & Projects Manager. The role will work closely with key stakeholders across Sue Ryder predominantly to focus on fundraising operational compliance and provide leadership and assurance guidance for Retail and other commercial operations that Sue Ryder develop in the future.

You will support the development and implementation of a compliance framework across fundraising operations at Sue Ryder which includes, maintaining awareness of external legal and regulatory requirements, engaging stakeholders to review and update policies, work with subject matter experts to create compliance processes and training.
You will also build and maintain reporting and other mechanisms which clearly identify where assurance is available or where not, providing leaders with data to focus on improving compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop a compliance plan with agreed assurance levels, including audits, SLA and KPI reporting, and comprehensive documentation for ongoing commercial fundraising and retail operations.

• Review and update all compliance policies and procedures, recommending and gaining agreement with subject matter experts for appropriate review periods.

• Ensure adequate training resources are available for compliance related matters and ensure regular reporting to monitor compliance and inform managers and ensure compliance is embedded in campaign planning and execution. Review, advise and sign off all fundraising materials sent out across Sue Ryder with subject matter experts.

• Work with stakeholders to build and deliver an ongoing compliance communications plan and strategy

You will have

• Expert knowledge of the CAP code, General Data Protection Regulation, Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), Code of Fundraising Practice and other charity requirements set by the ICO, the Fundraising Regulator, Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Code of Practice and HMRC Gift Aid Standards.

• Proven experience of creating and reviewing policies and guidance in a fundraising or retail environment.

• Experienced in implementing reporting mechanisms (SLA/KPIs) using multiple data sources and systems and internal and external audit processes and risk management.

• Understand and have experience of project management processes.

• Excellent teamwork, emotional intelligence, and leadership skills.

• Able to develop a network of relationships across the organisation to deliver objectives as a skilled negotiator able to influence and motivate others

• Capable of managing competing priorities to meet business need, balancing risk and commercial benefit

Competitive Benefits Package

• 27 days holiday rising to 33 with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata if part-time)

• Company pension scheme

• Staff discount with thousands of retailers

• Refer a Friend scheme - £250 payment

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay

• Access to Employee support programme

• Employee Networks - LGBTQ+, Ethnic Diversity and Equality, People with Disabilities, Women and Non-Binary Individuals

• and lots more. Please visit our careers website for the full list.

Closing date: 3rd August
Interview/Assessment date: 12th August (London)

We aim to give all candidates the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. Please let us know if you require any adjustments at any stage by contacting

If you want more than just a job, we want you.
Join the team and be there when it matters.

Sue Ryder is here to make sure everyone approaching the end of their life or living with grief can access the support they need. There is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need, but with our support, no one has to face dying or grief alone. We are there when it matters.

Are you a highly-organised, unflappable administrator with the ability to manage competing priorities in a timely manner? The Student Christian Movement is looking for someone to lead the administration function of our small but mighty charity.

Responsible to the CEO, you will work across the charity, acting as secretary to our board of Trustees, responsible for HR and payroll function, act as line manager to two administrators, and add to the sustainability of the organisation by writing and submitting robust trust funding applications.

SCM has six members of staff, all but one of whom are part time, and achieves a great deal. Supporting progressive Christian students and members across the country to put their faith into action, no two weeks are ever the same. We are a dynamic and energetic organisation, working to challenge injustice and exclusion, grow thoughtful disciples and create community.

Each SCM community is different, but students can expect to find a warm welcome as well as activities including bible study, prayer, campaigns and social action, talks, discussions, and socials. As a national movement we come together at regional and national events to learn more about our faith and spend time as a community. We take action on issues of social justice chosen by our members.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and LGBTQ+ individuals who are currently underrepresented in the organisation. Due to the nature of this role and the responsibilities of the successful post-holder, a genuine occupational requirement to be a committed Christian is in place for this role in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010.

Please use the forms provided; CVs will not be accepted. Applications should be submitted electronically in Word format by email to the address provided in the application pack.

Student Christian Movement is a registered charity in England and Wales, number 1125640, and in Scotland number SC048506

Position: Consultant/Consultancy – Responsible Disengagement Guidance
Location: Remote (UK-based)
Consultancy Period: 1 September – 21 November 2025
Application Deadline: 8am GMT, Monday 4 August 2025

The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is a ground-breaking alliance of companies, trade unions and voluntary organisations working together to improve the lives of workers in international supply chains. ETI’s vision is of a world of work that protects human rights, ensures dignity for all, provides opportunity and is free of exploitation and abuse.

We are seeking an experienced consultant (or consultancy) to develop a practical technical guidance document for brands on responsible disengagement and engagement. This will support responsible business conduct in sourcing decisions and contribute to better human rights outcomes in supply chains.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will develop a guidance document that helps companies navigate responsible disengagement (including order reduction and exit strategies) and engagement within global sourcing strategies. The document will be practical and accessible to both commercial/buying teams and ethical trade/human rights professionals. It will align with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and ETI’s frameworks on responsible purchasing, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and just transitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct a benchmarking exercise on existing frameworks and identify remaining gaps.
• Develop a 20–30 page technical guidance for brands, with case studies and examples of good practice.
• Incorporate considerations such as climate-related sourcing shifts, geopolitical change (e.g. tariffs), and responsible purchasing practice requirements.
• Lead two consultation workshops with ETI stakeholders and brand members.
• Finalise and present the guidance following feedback and stakeholder input.

Essential Skills and Experience

• In-depth understanding of responsible sourcing, with experience in the garment and footwear sectors.
• Proven ability to develop clear, practical tools or guidance documents for business use.
• Strong analytical, research, and writing skills—able to translate complex concepts into plain language.
• Experience facilitating consultation workshops and engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage short-term consultancy assignments with high-quality outputs.

Contract Details

• Type: Consultancy contract
• Duration: 1 September – 21 November 2025
• Budget: Up to £19,500 (inclusive of VAT if applicable)

Please note: Interviews will be held on 13 August 2025. Kindly keep this date available.

Job Title: Community Outreach Worker

Location: Warwickshire 
Salary: £25,857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours per week. As part of this role, you will be required to participate in our local Warwickshire domestic abuse helpline, on a rota basis.This requires covering a later shift from 12:30 – 20:30, approximately twice per month.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Domestic Abuse Community Outreach Worker to provide high quality practical and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence and their children living within Warwickshire.

The Community Outreach worker will inform the survivor on the options and support available, empowering the survivor to make decisions and achieve their goals to increase their safety, confidence and independence.The role involves working with a range of statutory and non-statutory agencies to advocate on behalf of survivors and promote access to services to meet their needs. 

The outreach worker will work within a designated locality within Warwickshire to provide drop-ins and support to community services to enable survivors to access services. They will also participate in the delivery of group work to help survivors along their journey to recovery.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in our local Warwickshire domestic abuse helpline, on a rota basis. This requires covering a later shift from 12:30 – 20:30, approximately twice per month.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Cosing Date: 09:00am 14 August 2025

Interview Date: 21 August 2025

Refuge is the UK’s largest provider of specialist services, and we are proud to be a leader in our field and an employer of choice, with leading edge systems for supervision, quality management and development.

Refuge offers a variety of exciting opportunities to learn, develop and grow in your career. We recognise the value everyone brings to the organisation to achieve our aims and are dedicated to developing and rewarding our staff. More details of our benefits can be found in Job Information Pack.

Job Title: Policy and Influencing Manager
Organisation: Kids
Location: Remote (with travel to London up to once a week for meetings)
Salary: £33,000–£35,000
Contract: Full-time or 4 days/week (Flexible working available)

Make change happen – for every child.

At Kids, we believe every child should have the opportunity to thrive – regardless of disability or circumstance. As our Policy and Influencing Manager, you’ll play a vital role in making this a reality. You’ll help shape policies that amplify the voices and experiences of disabled children and young people, turning insight into influence and ideas into action.

This is a unique opportunity to lead bold, evidence-based policy work that reflects the lived experiences of the families we support. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation and sector, you’ll inform decision-makers, respond to developments in the SEND landscape, and ensure that young people’s voices are at the heart of the change we seek.

We’re looking for a passionate and proactive policy professional who’s ready to help build something powerful – and lasting – at a critical time for SEND reform in the UK.

What you'll do

Policy & Influencing

• Develop accessible and compelling policy briefings, consultation responses, reports, speeches, and presentations for a range of stakeholders, including MPs, government officials, and sector partners.
• Translate complex ideas into clear, persuasive communications that support positive change.
• Collaborate with our Youth Voice Manager to ensure our policy positions reflect the real experiences of the young people and families we support.
• Help deliver and monitor our policy and influencing strategy in collaboration with the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing.

Research & Evidence

• Carry out high-quality research and analysis from both internal and external sources.
•  Centre the experiences and insights of disabled children, young people, and their families in policy solutions
• Monitor policy developments across the SEND landscape and lead on timely, evidence-led responses.
• Track progress against our influencing goals and ensure our actions remain targeted and impactful.

Engagement & Relationship Building

• Build strong relationships with decision-makers across government and the public sector.
• Support the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing to plan and deliver our strategic external engagement plan in order to focus and drive our wider influencing work
• Represent Kids at meetings and events, including engaging MPs, civil servants, and other key influencers.
• Work closely with internal teams and front-line colleagues to ensure our influencing work is grounded in practice and informed by those delivering services.

Collaboration & Strategic Partnerships

• Work alongside the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing and Youth Voice Manager to deliver our external engagement strategy including deputising at meetings when required.
• Support collaboration across teams to bring in parent, carer, and young person voices.
• Contribute to external coalitions and alliances – attending meetings, aligning with others’ work, and championing Kids' policy priorities.

What you'll bring

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a policy role and demonstrable experience of using policy and evidence to influence outcomes– ideally within the disability sector.
• Strong understanding of the SEND system and related policies and legislation (through lived or professional experience).
• Excellent writing skills – able to craft persuasive policy briefings, consultation responses, and reports with clarity and purpose.
• Confident communicator, able to engage a range of audiences in person and in writing.
• Strong research and analytical skills – able to sift through evidence and develop insight-driven policy recommendations.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Passionate about inclusion, equity, and social justice – with a strong motivation to elevate the voices of disabled children and young people.

Why work at Kids?

We’re a mission-driven organisation, building a fairer world where all children have the opportunity to flourish. You’ll join a growing team in a pivotal role, helping to shape the future of policy and advocacy at Kids.

We’re committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We’re especially keen to hear from people with lived experience of disability or SEND, either personally or within your family or community.

Ready to create change that counts?
Apply now and help us influence a better, more inclusive future for disabled children and young people.

Note: We may close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Please apply promptly

We are looking for our new Campaigns Coordinator for Birmingham Friends of the Earth.

If you are passionate about environmental campaigning, and love supporting and working alongside committed voluntary activists, we’d like to hear from you. You do not need to have had a similar paid role in the past to apply for this role.

Birmingham Friends of the Earth (BFoE) is a non-profit organisation campaigning to create a more sustainable and fairer Birmingham. We empower others to take action, we hold decision-makers to account on climate change, waste, nature and clean air, and we make sure environmental justice is at the heart of everything we do, campaigning intersectionally and inclusively. As well as having an active volunteer-led campaigns group, we run The Warehouse, our lively environmental community centre in Digbeth and a key centre for the city’s activism. BFoE is linked to Friends of the Earth, the national organisation, but independent and able to campaign on issues that matter to us, in ways that resonate with us.

The purpose of the role, part of our small staff team of 5, is to lead our campaigns activity, working with and supporting our campaigns group.

We welcome applications from those for whom this would be their first paid campaigns role. Experience of voluntary activism and enthusiasm to develop your skills and grow into the role are more important than ticking all the boxes.

Interviews are still to be confirmed, as we are aiming for some flexibility to allow for summr holiday arrangements. There is space on the application form to give us any dates you are not available for interview within the period 18th August to 5th September.

We look forward to reading your application!

The vacancy

We are seeking to appoint one lay member to sit on our GOC Council.

About the GOC

We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct.  For more information about us please visit our website:optical. org.

About the Council

The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services.  The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians).  At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary. 

The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders. 

Remuneration and time commitment

Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses).  The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.

The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at Level 29, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.

How to apply:

Please email the the following to appointment@optical. org

· your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic or vocational qualifications;

· the application form, stating how your experience matches the criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and

· complete the EDI monitoring form linked in the candidate pack (this is an online form and does not need to be included in the email with your CV and application form).

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.

Online interviews will be held on between Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.

If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours. 

We welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.

The Principal Economist is based in our Impact and Evidence team and supports our work to improve understanding of youth unemployment in England, so that we can make a positive impact on outcomes for young people.

We are looking for someone with expertise in economic analysis, data analysis, quantitative research methods and project design to lead our growing portfolio of work in these areas.

The role manages and/or supports all aspects of Youth Futures’ economic and data analysis, from design to impact. This will involve working closely with colleagues across the organisation, including our busy Policy, Communications, and External Affairs colleagues.

The Principal Economist will support Youth Futures’ mission as a What Works Centre by:

• Identifying key research questions; exploring youth employment within the wider labour market, the UK economy, and local economies.
• Working with research and analysis partners to ensure projects are delivered to a high standard, on time and to budget; and quality assuring outputs to deliver clear recommendations that will influence practice and policy.
• They will also lead the oversight and development of our Data Dashboard, and they will be responsible for the next phase of work towards an economic model of youth employment.

This role can be based at any of our hubs located in Birmingham, Leeds or London. We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.

For more information, please download our recruitment pack.

Due to receiving high volumes of interest in our opportunities, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. To ensure your application is considered, please submit it as soon as possible.