Advisor jobs in east of england

Join an amazing charity that makes a difference for the 110,000 adults and children in the UK with a muscle-wasting condition. This is a role where you can really make a difference.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups including people from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with lived experience of conditions we represent. We believe that diversity strengthens our work and helps us better support our beneficiaries.

This is a terrific opportunity to lead Muscular Dystrophy UK’s public affairs strategy, driving meaningful change for people living with muscle wasting conditions across the UK. You will be responsible for shaping and delivering our political engagement work, ensuring our voice is heard by all four governments.

In parallel, you will lead our social inclusion policy agenda, initially focusing on improving financial security for people with muscle wasting conditions, with scope to expand into broader inclusion-related policy areas over time.

You’ll build strong relationships with politicians, civil servants, voluntary sector organisations, and other key stakeholders to grow our influence and impact.

Working collaboratively across departments – including Policy and Campaigns, Research, Services and Support, Communications, Fundraising, and our devolved nations leads - you’ll help deliver key strategic objectives. Reporting to the Director of Policy and Campaigns, and line managing the Policy and Public Affairs Officer, you’ll play a vital role in driving change and improving lives.

About us:

Muscular Dystrophy UK is the charity bringing individuals, families and professionals together to fight muscle-wasting conditions. We bring together more than 60 rare and very rare progressive muscle-weakening and wasting conditions, affecting around 110,000 children and adults in the UK.

We recently launched our new 10 year strategy to transform the lives of people living with muscle wasting conditions. Our vision is clear, a world without limits for people with muscle wasting conditions, and we won’t stop until we achieve it.

Benefits:

We appreciate the range of skills and experience our staff have to offer. In return for your enthusiasm and commitment we commit to actively developing and supporting you. We also offer a range of benefits including pension, life assurance, cycle scheme, health cash plan, financial wellbeing and an employee assistance programme.

Location: Head Office, London, SE1 (with flexibility for homeworking with regular travel to Westminster)

Closing date: Sunday 2nd November October

Interview dates Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th November

Please download the job description to see full role responsibilities

Every two hours, someone is paralysed by spinal cord injury. Aspire is a national charity providing practical support to ensure all those affected can move from injury to independence.

Aspire’s Independent Living Service supports around 600 patients a year, with our team of Advisors working in the NHS's specialist hospitals to provide advice and support directly to those who are newly injured.

We’re looking for someone to manage our national team team and ensure our service meets the needs of the patients who use us. We need someone with excellent organisational skills, able to tackle the day to day requirements of managing a remote team and who can produce the annual budgets and business plans for the service. You'll also be an excellent communicator, comfortable building relationships across the organisation and with key external partners. Experiencing of delivering or managing a support service would be an advantage.

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements of the job. Please note, we will not accept AI-generated letters.

REF-224 389

Start Date: Immediate Start

Deadline:Rolling – as soon as the position is filled 

Join Citizens Advice Richmond as an Advice Session Supervisor

Citizens Advice Richmond is seeking an experienced Advice Session Supervisor for an initial three-month fixed-term contract. This rewarding role involves supporting our dedicated team of paid and volunteer advisers as they provide crucial generalist advice on welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment, and more.

You will be responsible for managing and supervising advice sessions, whether conducted via drop-in sessions, appointments, email, or telephone. A key part of your role will be ensuring our high-quality advice standards are maintained and enhanced through regular supervision and case checking.

This position is for 35 hours per week, based in the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames, with hybrid working options. Previous experience as an Advice Session Supervisor is essential, and we are keen for the successful candidate to start immediately. If you have the required experience and are passionate about supporting quality advice delivery, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits Adviser

West Kensington, London

£30,000 - £32,000 per year (salary open to discussion for candidates with significant relevant experience)

Permanent

Job Description

Company profile - Kinly

Kinly is a fast-growing social impact start-up with a mission to help older people live independently for longer. We are focused on the megatrend of ageing demographics, improving healthspan and helping to reduce the economic and social burden of ageing.

Kinly supports older people and their families to understand what support and allowances they are eligible for and then does all the complex forms/applications for them. By doing so, we unlock £5,000 a year per person on average, helping people to afford health/care support, physios, taxis, and at-home equipment.

A majority of older people are cut off from the support they need due to barriers to access – disability, low income, lack of internet or lack of family. We help people navigate a complex system and make ageing easier. Our services are free at the point of use, and fully accessible offline (using only a landline phone), but we use a lot of technology to deliver the service.

Kinly was founded by a previous unicorn founder (insure-tech) and ex-Managing Director of an AIM-listed healthcare company. The business is based in West London, with teams focused on Benefits, Customer Success, Tech and Operations. The business has a very senior advisory Board, including Government advisors and health and care leaders. Kinly’s Head of Benefits formerly lead a successful Information & Advice Service at Age UK, gaining two external Quality Marks under her leadership.

About the role

This is an exciting new role for someone with welfare benefits advice experience.

You will complete benefits checks and applications for our clients, their families and their carers. This includes providing support with Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, Carer’s Allowance, Council Tax and Housing Benefit applications.

What We Offer

Salary: £30,000 - £32,000 per year (some flexibility for discussion for candidates with significant relevant experience)

Hours: Full-time (Monday – Friday) + holiday

Contract: Permanent

Promotion: Opportunities for personal growth and promotions within the company

Perks: Free Nuffield gym membership

Location: West Kensington, London (future hybrid work arrangement possible)

Start date: As soon as possible

Main Responsibilities

Providing information and advice over the telephone to older people, their carers and relatives

Completing benefits checks and advising clients accurately and appropriately in relation to their welfare benefit and related entitlements

Completing benefit applications

Holistically exploring a client’s financial, health and care needs to fully understand and tailor support to their specific circumstances 

Communicating with empathy, patience, and good listening skills

Presenting and discussing information with clients in an accessible way, enabling them to understand and make informed choices 

Identifying and researching information using trusted resources.

Understanding how regional differences can affect benefit entitlement (e.g., Local Housing Allowance) and advise accordingly

Keeping secure, up-to-date, full and accurate records using Kinly’s systems

Reviewing completed forms and carrying out case checks to ensure quality

Upholding Kinly’s high standards of professionalism, and living up to our core values of “access for all”, trust and championing older people

Person specification

Knowledge of welfare benefits, including Personal Independence Payment, Pension Credit, Carer’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Attendance Allowance, Blue Badge

Recent experience of delivering information and advice on welfare benefits – particularly in relation to Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance and Blue Badge and Pension Credit

An understanding of, or interest in how different benefits impact each other (e.g., Carer’s Allowance and State Pension, Pension Credit and the Severe Disability Premium)

Knowledge of, or an interest in issues affecting older people including housing, transport, disability aids and adaptations, care assessment and funding, and community support

Desire to learn about benefits in different regions (e.g., Social Security Scotland)

Ability to work flexibly, independently, and as part of an energetic, driven and collaborative team in a very supportive and busy work environment

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to relate to people at all levels and from different cultural backgrounds

Attention to detail

Experience of working independently to prioritise work and meet deadlines

Willingness to participate in opportunities for training and professional development

Competent and efficient IT skills (Microsoft, Outlook, Excel, IOS)

Job Benefits

Casual work attire

Gym membership

On-site parking

Imagine This is the only UK charity solely dedicated to supporting the mental wellbeing of seriously ill children and their families. Founded in 2014 by actors Sarah Parish MBE and Jim Murray MBE in memory of their first daughter Ella-Jayne, the charity has rebranded from The Murray Parish Trust to Imagine This in 2025. The charity is now leading a national movement to address a hidden mental health crisis in seriously ill children.

There are one million children in the UK facing life-limiting, life-threatening, and serious chronic conditions. These children are at much higher risk of long-term mental health difficulties that can become more complex and difficult to treat, on top of living with often complex medical needs. Imagine This provides imaginative, innovative and empowering projects to help them navigate their journey with connection, resilience and hope. Our vision is to reach every seriously ill child, and their families, across the UK by 2035, delivering diverse and impactful projects in hospitals, hospices and community settings.

This role will be responsible for an effective and compliant operations function (finance, HR, programmes/projects, governance). You will help the charity to scale its operations sustainably and ensure the charity complies with its legal and governance responsibilities. We are looking for a proactive individual who has an eye for detail in data and administration. You will be ambitious and entrepreneurial, with real vision and a passion for the cause. You will be resilient and collaborative, someone who is highly organised with the ability to juggle a diverse and high workload.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Finance and HR

• Liaise with outsourced bookkeepers (also payroll providers) to ensure timely/accurate information flow.
• Oversee income and expenditure budgets and performance, processing of donations and scheduled payments, and ensuring accurate and consistent coding.
• Work with accountants to support year-end accounts and coordinate annual report production.
• Produce and circulate monthly management accounts and other reports for the Board.
• Support Trustees with designated responsibilities e.g. finance, risk, governance.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding and HR record-keeping (including freelancers).
• Maintain accurate, compliant data in our CRM (Donorfy), including prompt input of donations.

Charitable projects

• Support the planning and coordination of secured charitable projects, liaising with project partners, monitoring delivery milestones, payment schedule and working with the wider team to maximise success.
• Compiling project monitoring/evaluation data from project partners to support excellent impact reporting.

Governance and operations

Together with the volunteer Charity Secretary:

• Coordination of Board meetings and AGMs, agendas, papers and minutes.
• Maintain central registers (trustee attendance/terms, governance documents, policies, risk, safeguarding training etc).
• Fulfil statutory and regulatory responsibilities, including filing of annual accounts.
• Advise trustees on governance best practice, in line with Charity Commission guidance.
• Management of policies, procedures and operational systems (including the CRM) that strengthen internal controls and identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency.
• Prepare Quarterly reports for the Board, and upon request.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and the Fundraising Code of Practice, including delivering the responsibility of data protection lead.
• Maintain relationships with volunteer Independent Advisors and commissioned service providers e.g. finance, HR and legal to ensure compliance/best practice.

Join us as Senior Public Affairs Manager, leading our national public affairs activity, influencing the government to help deliver evidence-based policies that will make a real difference to children’s health. This is an exciting opportunity to work on the forefront of an urgent and politically significant policy area while also collaborating with young people to ensure their voices and lived experiences are heard by policymakers. 

This is an exciting time to join Bite Back and take our public affairs strategy forward with the Government. We have already seen significant policy wins in the past year and have big ambitions to drive more progress in 2026. In 2024 and 2025 our youth activists gave evidence to the House of Lords, hosted parliamentary drop-in sessions and a mock inquiry, and made memorable appearances at party conference fringe sessions. This is an opportunity to build on that success and raise Bite Back’s profile even further amongst policymakers at a time when the Government is charting its new strategic approach to improving the food system as well as its 10 year plan to save the NHS. The Senior Public Affairs Manager will report to our Director of Advocacy & Strategy and be responsible for developing and implementing all our public affairs activity, ensuring alignment with our campaigns team and working closely with our partners in other organisations to bring about meaningful change. This is a great opportunity for someone looking for the chance to lead high profile public affairs activity at an organisation with growing impact.

Skills and Experience 

The ideal candidate would have the following:

Essential

• A demonstrable track record of working in public affairs in an agency, in-house or in Parliament

• Comfort and familiarity engaging with senior political stakeholders of all parties

• Excellent knowledge of the UK political landscape including the working of Westminster, Whitehall and existing relationships with MPs and advisors

• The ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and respond flexibly to adapt strategies to fit rapidly changing political landscapes

• An action oriented, results driven, well organised approach

• Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to adapt messages and language to resonate with different audiences

• A passion for young people’s health, nutrition and social justice

• A commitment to Bite Back’s values: Fresh, Resilient, Respectful, Energetic, Real

Desirable

• Experience in utilising online support to deliver off-line change; Bite Back has a dynamic and growing supporter base that we want to integrate into our wider influencing work 

• Knowledge of the Scottish political landscape 

Please see our Job Description and application pack for more information on the role, key responsibilities and instructions on how to apply.

HR Generalist

The HR Generalist is an exciting role within the HR & Operations team, supporting the delivery of a first-class employee experience at Youth Zone. Reporting to the Head of HR & Operations, you will be responsible for providing a wide range of HR services across the employee lifecycle, ensuring policies and processes are up to date, and acting as a trusted and approachable point of contact for staff and managers.

If you are passionate about people, workplace culture, and making a difference, then we want to hear from you!

Position: HR Generalist
Location: London W12 7TF (Hybrid – 1 day a week from home)
Salary: £35,000 per annum (pro-rata if part-time)
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week or 30 hours (4 days)
Contract: Fixed Term (12 months), with the potential to become permanent
 

Closing Date: 9am, Monday 20th October 2025
Interviews: Monday 27th October 2025

About the Role

This is an exciting time at Youth Zone, with our first year of opening already making a big impact in the community. As HR Generalist, you will play a pivotal role in helping shape the organisation’s culture and people experience. You will support recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, payroll, and learning & development, while also co-delivering on key HR projects such as engagement, diversity, and wellbeing initiatives.

You will need to be proactive, organised, and confident in balancing operational delivery with improvements that strengthen employee experience. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys variety, thrives on building relationships, and wants to contribute to a mission-driven charity making a difference for young people.

Key responsibilities include:

• Manage recruitment and onboarding, ensuring inclusive practices and great candidate experience.
• Lead on HR administration including contracts, HRIS updates, absence tracking, and reporting.
• Support managers with employee relations including performance, grievances, and disciplinaries.
• Collaborate on engagement, wellbeing, and DEI initiatives across the organisation.
• Process payroll data in collaboration with Finance and external providers.
• Support learning & development opportunities and contribute to shaping WEST’s Employee Value Proposition (EVP).

About You

You will bring proven HR experience and be ready to take ownership across a variety of people-focused areas. You’ll have excellent organisational skills, a strong understanding of employment law, and be confident in working with managers and employees alike.

You will also have:

• Experience as a HR Generalist or similar role.
• Knowledge of UK & European employment law and HR best practice.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Experience managing recruitment, onboarding, and HR processes.
• Confidence in handling employee relations matters with discretion.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification (or currently working towards).

About the Organisation

Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) is a London Borough of wide disparities, with an acute need for youth services. This vast difference between those living in different parts of our borough can lead to radically different life outcomes. The Youth Zone is a vital provision that will make a huge impact on the lives of young people, and on the whole borough, levelling the playing field for our young people.

This is a vital charity that makes a huge difference in levelling the playing field for young people in West London, and you can be part of that journey.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, applications are welcome from under-represented groups; in particular from Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse individuals, people with disabilities, and members of LGBTQ+ communities.  Ensuring a culture where everyone can be themselves and thrive.

You may have experience in areas such as HR, Human Resources, HR Generalist, HR Advisor, HR Officer, People Officer, People Advisor, HR Coordinator, HR Administration, HR Administrator, HR Business Partner, Employee Relations Officer, People and Culture Officer, Talent Acquisition Coordinator, Recruitment and HR Coordinator, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Camden Learning is looking for a new Independent Chair to lead its Board and support the Executive team.

Camden Learning is a company limited by guarantee, whose current members are the schools and colleges of Camden. The board comprises both independent non-executives and elected representatives of the member schools. The current Chair, Dame Christine Gilbert, is leaving after eight years following her appointment as Chair of Ofsted. Camden Learning is therefore looking to appoint a new Independent Chair to lead its Board and support the Executive team.

Our education strategy to 2030 – Building Back Stronger – is well underway with many initial successes but there is much more to do. At the heart of this is a clear commitment – not only to excellence, but to excellence alongside equity. That means ensuring that we meet and exceed the needs and expectations of all, especially our most vulnerable learners. This is an exciting time to join Camden Learning, to build on our early momentum and work together to transform educational outcomes for our community and beyond.

Key dates
• Applications close: Monday 20 October (5.30pm)
• Screening Calls: w/c Mon 27 October and 03 November (online)
• Final Panel Interview: Mon 10 November (in person at Camden Learning, Pancras Square, London N1C 4AG)
• Start date: November 2025 (or as soon as is possible), to be agreed with the successful candidate.

To apply, please:
1. Download and complete the application form, which includes shortlisting questions about your motivation and relevant experience.
2. Attach your current CV.
3. Submit both documents by email 

ImpactEd Consulting is acting as recruitment advisor to Camden Learning on this appointment. 

Camden Learning – Independent Chair – Appointment Brief

Camden Learning – Application Form – Independent Chair

At Citizens Advice Westminster, you will be part of a mission-driven organisation that empowers local residents through expert advice, advocacy, and education. As an Advice Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the delivery of high-quality, multi-channel advice services, assuring that the most vulnerable members of our community receive the support they need and when they need it the most.

Your work will directly contribute to improving lives across Westminster, helping clients navigate complex issues such as debt, housing, benefits, and immigration. You will be a trusted leader, technical expert, and mentor, driving excellence in service delivery and championing continuous improvement.

You will manage outreach sessions, supervise advisers, and take ownership of debt casework and technical quality. From coaching and mentoring to shaping service innovation.

You will manage your own team, oversee outreach sessions, and lead on debt casework with full responsibility for quality assurance, performance metrics, and client outcomes. As a specialist in debt supervision and casework, you will:

• Deliver expert advice to vulnerable clients
• Provide technical supervision and case checking to uphold AQS standards
• Lead training and coaching in debt-related areas
• Consult with partners and stakeholders to enhance service delivery
• Monitor and communicate key policy developments in the debt advice landscape

We offer more than a competitive salary and a fulfilling career in a values-led organisation. Our benefits include annual season ticket loans, career breaks, and a deep commitment to your ongoing development. Whether you are honing your expertise in casework or growing into a leadership role in policy and campaigning, you will find room to stretch and thrive.

You will be part of a warm, inclusive team culture where collaboration is encouraged, opinions are respected, and every voice matters. We also offer flexible working arrangements, including the opportunity to work from home several days a week.

If you are ready to be a part of this community organisation offering a vital service to people who need our help, then click Apply to find out more. Please note we expect employees to spend 50% to 60% of their working time at the office or in outreach location(s).

Citizens Advice Westminster value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination. We strongly encourage applicants from all parts of society and believe that diversity is what makes us the leaders in what we do. Please help us by completing the Diversity Monitoring Form.

The Vacancy

An interesting and varied editorial opportunity to support the work of the Connexional Team and the wider Methodist Church in its Publishing Services producing principally ‘digital first’ resources.

About You

We are seeking a meticulous and organised copyeditor to uphold editorial excellence and to excel in project management for meeting tight deadlines.

As part of Publishing Services it is essential that you are experienced in leading the editing process: overseeing editorial quality, shaping compelling content across digital and print outputs, ensuring adherence to house style and tone of voice, while inputting to design concepts.

You will be a versatile copyeditor with a meticulous eye for detail, demonstrating excellent editorial and project management skills. As an effective planner you will manage the work of an Assistant Editor and freelance editors to ensure delivery of high-quality products, on time and budget.

We work collaboratively, and welcome applications from those who wish to contribute in a positive and proactive way.

Hybrid Working: Connexional Team staff based at Methodist Church House have a hybrid work pattern which is currently 2-3 days in the office.

Our Culture, Values and Benefits

Thank you for considering joining our inclusive and welcoming team that strives for excellence and values employee wellbeing.

We value and support all those who join our team through a positive work-life balance augmented by generous annual leave (plus an extra 3 days over Christmas/New Year), TOIL, flexi-leave and an on-site Wellbeing Advisor service. We offer a generous occupational pension scheme, where the Methodist Church will pay double the employee contribution up to a maximum of 16% employer contribution.

The Methodist Church is an inclusive and supportive employer. We are actively committed to encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. We welcome applications from people of Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic groups. We also welcome applications from people living with disabilities.

If you have questions about the vacancy or require reasonable adjustments to be made at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact HR Team.

Closing date: Sunday 2 November 2025

Interview date: Monday 17 November 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior People Manager to join a well-respected organisation based in Central London.

This is a full-time, permanent role leading the People team to deliver high-quality HR services and strategic initiatives, ensuring employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to contribute to the organisation’s mission.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• Lead and develop the People team to deliver outstanding HR service and employee support
• Oversee policy development, employee relations, and performance management processes
• Implement and embed the organisation’s People Strategy in collaboration with senior leadership
• Drive continuous improvement across HR operations, including recruitment, onboarding, and learning & development
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, GDPR, and internal policies
• Manage payroll and employee benefits in partnership with Finance and external providers
• Champion wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion initiatives across the organisation
• Produce and analyse HR data and reports to inform decision-making and strategy
• Act as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees on complex people matters
• Support organisational change activities, including restructures and talent development

Ideal candidate profile:

• CIPD Level 7 qualified with extensive generalist HR experience
• Proven people management skills, with the ability to lead and develop a team
• Strong knowledge of employment law, HR systems, and data protection
• Excellent communication, organisation, and problem-solving abilities
• Experience in policy development, employee relations, and learning & development
• Confident working with HR platforms such as Cascade or similar
• Passionate about delivering inclusive, high-quality HR services and continuous improvement

Location: Central London

Salary: £48,500 per annum (non-negotiable)

Working hours: Full-time, 36.25 hours per week

Working pattern: Hybrid

Contract: Permanent

This vacancy is being actively shortlisted, so early applications are encouraged. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Your new company
Join a globally respected non-profit organisation working at the forefront of social change. With a strong international presence and a mission rooted in equity and empowerment, this organisation leads impactful initiatives that influence policy, drive advocacy, and support vulnerable communities. You'll be part of a collaborative, values-led team committed to creating lasting change through strategic leadership and inclusive practices.

Your new role
As Senior Officer - Executive Office, you'll provide high-level strategic, operational, and administrative support to the CEO. Acting as a trusted advisor and gatekeeper, you'll help manage priorities, coordinate key projects, and ensure smooth communication across senior leadership and the Board. You'll also play a vital role in internal communications and external engagement, including supporting the CEO's media presence and global travel.This is a dynamic, fast-paced role ideal for someone who thrives in high-level executive support and strategic coordination.

What you'll need to succeed
We're looking for someone with:

• 7+ years' experience supporting senior leaders and Boards in a similar role
• Strong governance knowledge, including UK Charity Commission requirements
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including copyediting
• High level of discretion, integrity, and professionalism
• Ability to manage complex priorities and work independently
• Experience in internal communications and stakeholder engagement
• A proactive, solution-focused mindset and collaborative approach

Desirable: Experience in gender equality, women's empowerment, or international development.

What you'll get in return

• Competitive salary with annual increments
• Generous 10% pension contribution
• Hybrid working model (Central London office)
• Opportunities for international travel
• Inclusive and values-led workplace culture

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

UK People Support Team Lead

Contract: Permanent, Full-time, 35 hours per week

Salary:£57,415 - £60,436 per annum with excellent benefits

Location: London, UK.

UK hybrid working – at least 40 % of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel).

The 40% equates to 2 days per week for a full-time employee, one of those days must be a Thursday when the entire UK People Team are office based.

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the team

The UK People Team play a critical role in helping WaterAid realise its goals. We lead on the development, deployment and application of strategies, policies and guidance that ensure that WaterAiders are aligned and engaged, and that they have the skills and opportunities to maximise the impact they can make to our mission.  A small, impactful team, at the forefront of our delivery is the service we give to the organisation and central to that is our employee experience to support WaterAiders and the maintenance of a high-performing environment. 

About the role

A key leadership position in the UK, responsible for leading a dynamic and talented team who delivers the highest standards of operational support to WaterAiders in country. The role will need to plan, prioritise, and deliver to a high standard what we promise in order to deliver our ambitious mission.

Responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of UK payroll, pension, and the annual reward process. You will support and coach your team for the development, review and application of UK policies and procedures and be a key stakeholder to our people system Administrator.

You will be working in a matrix environment across the UK People Team and the wider People and Organisational Development function.

In this role, you will:

Team Leadership

• Manage, coach and build the capabilities of the People Support Team, their performance and development in line with our values and people promise.
• Expertise and ownership of UK People Team policies, processes and procedures, ensuring that they meet legislative requirements, are fit for purpose and in line with best practice and organisational priorities under the umbrella of our employee value proposition.
• Lead the delivery of the programme of work so that service standards at met, solutions are pragmatic and driven by our values, minimising risk.

Payroll, Pension and Reward

• Accountable for the delivery of the UK monthly payroll and pension processes, providing oversight and support to the work of the in-house Payroll Officer and being a back-up to their role, to ensure payroll is run accurately each month.
• Implement the annual pay award operationally ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness of payment to all UK based staff.
• Implementation of a new payroll system for the UK.

Systems and Reporting

• Primary super user in the UK of HR Information System, PeoplePlace, ensuring effective and efficient use of the system. Responsible that the country's employee data is correct and in compliance with data protection.
• Drive the importance of data and people analytics and create a culture of data-based decision-making and insight across the team.
• Ownership of maintaining the monthly UK headcount establishment data with key stakeholders in Finance.
• Annual analysis and statutory reporting of the Pay Gap in the UK.

Compliance and Contract Management

• Act as the UK Team specialist on areas of HR compliance, working with 3rd parties and specialist advisors, to ensure that our policies, processes and practices are compliant and meet legal requirements.
• Responsible for data protection in the People Team, provide senior expertise and build capability across the wider people function.

Other

• Ownership of salary calculations in the event of employee termination and/or redundancy.
• Monthly payroll and pension sign off.
• Budget management and invoice approval.

Requirements

To be successful, you will need:

Functional skills

• Proven experience in leading, managing and developing a high-performing people operations team in a matrix, fast-paced organisation.
• Proven experience in managing and running in-house payroll for at least 250 staff or more.
• Excellent understanding of HR policy development; and proven experience in developing and embedding HR policies, processes and procedures that are fit for purpose.
• A qualified and robust HR Practitioner who has sound and up-to-date knowledge of employment law, tax and legislative requirements affecting a wide spectrum of HR policies and practice, i.e. payroll, pension, reward and benefits, together with their application in the context of the employee experience.
• Working knowledge and experience of HR and Payroll systems, to maximise the functionality and create efficiencies.
• Demonstrate project management capability.
• Proven experience in contract management and managing a wide range of third-party service providers.

Personal qualities

• A self-starter who is focused on delivery and execution: proactive in bringing solutions and recommendations to resolve problems and continuously improve HR practices.
• Able to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity: comfortable working at pace. Resilient and able to work under pressure.

Desirable capabilities

• Degree-level education or equivalent.
• Associate (or higher) membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) or equivalent work experience.
• An interest in and/or knowledge of development issues and the work of INGOs.

Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on 28 October 2025. Availability for the First interview (online) is required for 10 November 2025, and the second interviews will take place in person at Canary Wharf on 19 November 2025.

How to apply: Click Apply to upload your CV and a short one-pager Cover letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

• 36 days’ holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays) - Please refer to the note below for clarification
• Option to buy an extra 5 days’ annual leave
• Employer pension contribution up to 10 %
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Season ticket loan
• Free annual eye tests
• ‘Give as you Earn’ charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity)
• Sabbaticals
• One paid volunteer day each year

As part of our annual leave policy, all employees receive three additional days of annual leave on top of their standard allocation of X days. These days are designated to cover the period when our UK office closes between Christmas and New Year, allowing all UK WaterAiders to take a well-deserved break.

These days are automatically scheduled and cannot be changed or moved. Annual leave is accrued based on your start date. If sufficient leave has not been accrued by the time of the closure, the 3 days will be taken as unpaid leave or pro-rated, depending on your circumstances.

Our Global Commitment:

Our people promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change !

WHAT IS START NETWORK? 

Our purpose is to be a catalyst for system-level change that improves the efficiency, effectiveness and ethics of humanitarian action. We do this by working as a network to develop, test & spread new ways of collaborating and resourcing locally-led crisis response and anticipation. 

Our current membership is made up of over 130 local, national and international NGOs based all around the world. We also support 10 national and regional hubs made up of civil society organisations and NGOs as our vehicle for devolving power, resources and accountability. 

OUR SOLUTIONS 

DECENTRAISLING & LOCALLY-LED ACTION: Shifting power and resources and de-centralising decision-making to locally led networks and organisations. 

 EARLY & RAPID FINANCING: Building a global financing system that reduces risk, anticipates, and acts ahead of predictable crises. 

 COMMUNITY-LED INNOVATION: Incentivising innovative, locally led, and contextual solutions and learning from them together with people affected by crises. 

 For more information about Start Network and what we do, please visit our website.  

OUR VALUES 

WE PUT PEOPLE FIRST: Communities come first in our decision-making and programming. 

WE ARE BRAVE: We have great ambition and are willing to explore new things and take risks to achieve it 

WE OPERATE COLLECTIVELY: We leverage the value of working as a network, sharing risk and resources, and learning together. 

WE ARE INCLUSIVE: We see the value in diverse perspectives and work to remove the barriers that prevent voices from being heard. 

WE ARE OPEN: We work transparently and with integrity, building mutual trust in all levels of our work, from governance to programming. 

WE ARE ETHICAL: We behave and operate based on key principles of anti-racism, non-discrimination, and anti-colonialism. This is a work in progress. 

JOB PURPOSE 

The Operations team at Start Network seeks to provide high quality services and works across all directorates. The Operations Officer plays a crucial, frontline role for the organisation, often being the first port-of-call for enquiries from staff and supporting the Senior Operations Manager in the day-to-day delivery of services. In addition to this, the Operations Officer works on cross-team projects and plays an important role in the implementation of environmental policy and other initiatives. The Operations Officer works in a team with the In-House Linguist and Travel and Security Advisor. 

This role may require occasional out of hours working to support Start Network events and initiatives.