Advocate jobs in Coventry, west midlands
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About the role
This is a senior leadership role and a key early appointment within EQUISS.
As Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding, you will lead the development of our advocacy and safeguarding work, shaping how EQUISS supports individuals navigating abuse, misconduct and safeguarding concerns across the equestrian sector.
You will establish and oversee the organisation’s advocacy service and support line, including recruiting and managing advocacy caseworkers, and ensuring individuals receive safe, informed and survivor-centred guidance. You will also lead the development of safeguarding frameworks, case management systems and organisational safeguarding practice.
As a founding leadership role, you will help shape the safeguarding framework of a new independent organisation, providing strategic oversight of the EQUISS safeguarding training programme and contributing safeguarding expertise to the development of our standards and accreditation frameworks, ensuring learning from advocacy informs sector practice.
Working closely with the leadership team, you will help establish EQUISS as a trusted organisation driving stronger safeguarding, clearer reporting pathways and greater accountability across the equestrian sector.
As a developing organisation operating with a small and collaborative team, this role requires someone who is comfortable balancing strategic leadership with practical delivery. We are looking for a compassionate and inclusive leader who can support and develop others, foster a culture of trust and reflective practice, and contribute positively to building the organisation as it grows.
Key responsibilities
Strategic leadership and safeguarding oversight
- Provide strategic leadership for EQUISS’ advocacy and safeguarding work
- Establish safeguarding frameworks, case management processes and risk management structures across the organisation
- Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, providing oversight of complex safeguarding cases and ensuring appropriate referrals and partnership working
- Ensure EQUISS maintains robust safeguarding governance, confidentiality and data protection standards
Advocacy and support services
- Lead the development and delivery of EQUISS’s advocacy service and support line.
- Recruit, manage and support advocacy caseworkers, ensuring high-quality, survivor-centred support and safe case management practice
- Shape how EQUISS supports individuals navigating reporting processes, organisational complaints and statutory systems
- Oversee case management systems and triage processes to ensure safe, consistent and effective responses to safeguarding concerns
Safeguarding training and sector learning
- Provide strategic oversight of the EQUISS safeguarding training programme, ensuring training reflects the realities of safeguarding within equestrian environments and aligns with best practice across sport and safeguarding sectors
- Lead the recruitment, management and quality assurance of safeguarding trainers, including freelance trainers, consultants and subject-matter experts delivering EQUISS training programmes
- Work with trainers and external partners to develop and refine training content, ensuring consistency, accuracy and high standards of delivery
- Establish processes for trainer induction, guidance and quality assurance to ensure training is delivered in line with EQUISS safeguarding principles and standards
- Ensure learning from advocacy work informs training content, sector guidance and safeguarding practice
Contribution to standards and sector improvement
- Contribute safeguarding expertise to the development of EQUISS standards and accreditation frameworks, ensuring safeguarding expectations reflect best practice
- Use insight from advocacy and safeguarding work to inform sector learning, standards development and organisational guidance
- Support the development of sector resources that help organisations strengthen safeguarding practice
Sector engagement and partnerships
- Build relationships with safeguarding professionals, statutory agencies and specialist support organisations
- Represent EQUISS in sector conversations relating to safeguarding, welfare and organisational accountability
- Contribute to knowledge-sharing, policy discussions and initiatives aimed at improving safeguarding standards across the equestrian sector
Culture, learning and survivor-centred practice
- Ensure EQUISS’s work remains grounded in survivor-centred principles, independence and transparency
- Embed learning from lived experience into service design, safeguarding practice and training development
- Foster a culture of reflective practice, safeguarding vigilance and professional integrity within the organisation
Person specification
Qualifications
- A relevant professional qualification or degree in safeguarding, social work, psychology, law, education, criminology or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
- ISVA, IDVA or CHISVA qualification, or willingness to work towards one
- Advanced safeguarding training, including Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training and Safeguarding Level 4 or Level 5 training, or equivalent senior safeguarding training
- Evidence of continued professional development in safeguarding practice
Essential experience and knowledge
- Significant professional experience in safeguarding, advocacy or victim-survivor support, ideally within violence against women and girls (VAWG), sport, welfare or related sectors
- Strong understanding of independent advocacy models, including ISVA and CHISVA frameworks, and how these operate alongside statutory services
- Experience overseeing complex safeguarding cases, including risk assessment, referrals and partnership working within multi-agency safeguarding environments such as police, social care and safeguarding hubs
- Experience leading and managing teams, including providing supervision or reflective practice support to staff working with complex safeguarding or advocacy cases
- Experience recruiting, supporting or overseeing trainers, facilitators or external practitioners, ensuring quality and consistency of delivery
- Experience supporting or working with individuals affected by sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, modern slavery or related forms of abuse
- Demonstrable understanding of trauma-informed and survivor-centred practice
- Strong knowledge of UK safeguarding legislation and guidance, including responsibilities relating to children and adults at risk, and experience contributing to organisational safeguarding policies, procedures or governance frameworks
- Ability to exercise sound professional judgement in complex safeguarding situations, maintaining confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries
Leadership and personal qualities
- A compassionate and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to support staff working with complex and sensitive safeguarding issues.
- Ability to work effectively in a small and collaborative team, contributing to the development of systems, processes and culture as the organisation grows.
- Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trust with colleagues, partners and those seeking support.
- A collaborative mindset and willingness to work flexibly in a developing organisation, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on delivery where required.
Desirable
- Experience working within sport, equestrian environments or athlete welfare contexts.
- Experience contributing to sector standards, accreditation frameworks or safeguarding policy development.
- Membership of, or engagement with, a relevant professional safeguarding body or network.
About EQUISS
EQUISS is an independent organisation working across the equestrian sector to improve safeguarding, welfare and accountability. We support individuals affected by abuse and misconduct, work with organisations to strengthen safeguarding practice, and drive systemic change through training, standards and advocacy.
Our work brings together three key areas: supporting individuals navigating concerns, strengthening safeguarding practice across the sector, and campaigning for meaningful reform where systems are failing.
As a developing organisation, EQUISS is building the structures, services and standards needed to ensure safeguarding and welfare are prioritised across the equestrian world.
Please note: There will be a requirement to travel for this role.
Employment package:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- A personal pension plan provided through NEST after 3 months
- Private Healthcare insurance after successful completion of probationary period
- Reporting to CEO
Thank you!
Student Voice Coordinator (Student Leadership)
£25,809 gross per annum, 35.5 hours per week
The Role
This role is part of the Student Voice & Representation department working collectively with colleagues delivering the Guild’s student advice, representation, democracy, policy and campaigns work. The Student Voice & Representation Team is part of the Community & Representation Directorate.
The Student Voice Coordinator (Student Leadership) role is to support delivery of the Student Voice & Representation departmental plan. We expect Coordinators to help to create an inclusive and engaging environment for all.
The role is required:
To support the Guild to become an expert in the student experience at Birmingham and to develop high impact campaigns that make changes for students on the issues that matter the most.
To support the development and training of student leaders, who are engaged with democracy, campaigns, and other change making activity, at Birmingham and equip them with skills, tools, and knowledge to deliver their change.
To provide elected Officers and student leaders with appropriate support in their roles to represent students at Birmingham.
The Benefits
We offer great benefits including:
- 36 days annual leave (including 8 Bank Holidays and 7 Closed Days), rising to 42 days after 5 years’ service, meaning you will not work during Christmas, New Year or Easter.
- Full sick pay from the moment you start working for us.
- A comprehensive suite of basic training for all employees which includes Equality & Diversity, Mental Health Awareness and Data Protection
- Discounted membership rates at University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness
- The opportunity for new staff to join the NEST pension scheme. The Guild contributes a matched payment of between 4-6% of your salary
- A range of wellbeing benefits
We are a Times 100 Best Companies to Work For employer and in our most recent staff survey (March 2023) 78% of our staff said they would recommend this organisation as a good place to work.
The Guild of Students is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all members of the community.
Closing date for applications: Wednesday 18th March 2026, 9am.
The provisional interview date for this role is Tuesday 31st March 2026.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are seeking a strategic, collaborative and results-driven Advocacy and Regulatory Engagement Lead to drive impactful policy and regulatory engagement under the Fair Digital Finance Accelerator, on behalf of Consumers International. The role will shape and implement advocacy and regulatory relations strategies to strengthen consumer protection and resilience in digital finance, particularly in instant interoperable payment systems.
Working closely with consumer associations, regulators, policymakers and global partners in the digital finance ecosystem, and with a focus in low- and middle-income countries, the Advocacy and Regulatory EngagementLead will ensure that the voice of consumers informs digital finance reform. The successful candidate will combine political acumen, relationship-building skills and a network mindset.
I am keen to hear from individuals who;
- Understand how a central bank operates (processes, challenges)
- Have strong writing skills
- Proven experience in advocacy, regulatory, or government relations or public policy (in financial regulation, consumer protection or digital policy).
- Established experience making policy changes in a central bank
- Understands how policy is made
- Excellent relationship-building and networking skills, with experience facilitating collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of regulatory processes in low- and middle-income contexts and familiarity with digital finance ecosystems.
Salary: £45,000
Full-time hours, 3 year FTC.
This is a remote based role. Drawn to candidates living in European and East African and Asian time zones, to be able to effectively work with their team.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, please apply today for more information.
Please note that only successful applicants will be contacted with further information.
As a leading charity recruitment specialist and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality, or other protected characteristics.
Thank you!
Youth Focus West Midlands (YFWM) is looking for a Regional Development Lead to work as part of the Network of Regional Youth Work Units to build an inclusive and equitable approach to youth voice and youth engagement, ensuring the most marginalised and under-represented young people have their voices heard and acted upon across the UK.
The Development Lead will manage the Amplify funded programme of work across the region. This will include the facilitation of learning networks, peer support groups and peer research approaches, overseeing of project communications and delivering training and support programmes. Along with the collation of best practice around youth voice and contributing to evaluation and impact reporting requirements.
This is a part-time (17.5 hours per week) role on a Fixed Term Contract of 4 years, offering £29,000–£30,000 per annum pro-rata depending on experience (£14,500 – £15,000 before deductions). The role is remote (equipment provided) but with frequent travel required across the West Midlands. Occasional evening and weekend working will also be required.
To find out more please read the role description and person specification provided. To apply, please complete our official application form (CVs and cover letters will not be considered). The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 18th March. Interviews are expected to take place on 22nd April.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you ready to shape public policy for lasting social change?
Do you want to influence decision-makers and champion the voice of those affected by problem debt?
Are you driven to turn insight into action that improves lives across Wales?
We’re looking for a Senior Policy and Public Affairs Advocate to join our External Affairs team. You’ll be at the forefront of our work in Wales—connecting StepChange with key stakeholders, driving policy change, and amplifying our mission to create a society free from problem debt. This is a high-impact role where your insight and influence will help shape the future of debt policy and support vulnerable communities.
Location: This is a remote role, with regular travel required to Cardiff and travel to London once a month for meetings/events.
What you’ll be doing
- You’ll lead targeted lobbying campaigns and produce compelling evidence-based reports, briefings, and articles to influence public policy and regulatory practices.
- You’ll build and manage relationships with the Welsh Government and Parliament, and other influential figures and organisations across Wales.
- You’ll monitor developments in legislation, policy, and research—providing strategic advice on emerging threats and opportunities.
- You’ll represent StepChange at high-profile meetings, conferences, and media engagements, acting as a trusted voice for the charity.
- You’ll organise thought leadership events and roundtables and support senior leaders with speeches and briefings that drive our advocacy forward.
- You’ll ensure our work remains politically impartial and compliant with all relevant regulations, including Charity Commission rules and the Lobbying Act.
About you
- Significant experience in public affairs or public policy within Wales.
- Deep understanding of the Welsh Senedd, Welsh Government, and the broader policy-making landscape.
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and deliver impactful policy change.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a flair for strategic thinking and political judgement.
- Skilled at building influential networks across government, charities, and civil society.
- Organised, proactive, and passionate about social justice and equality.
- Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Equality, diversity, and inclusion are incredibly important to us; we have a culture of belonging. We’re always looking to increase the diversity of our workforce to ensure we can provide the best service possible for everyone. It’s not just about the professional experience you bring – we’re interested in who you are and your potential. If there’s an adjustment to our recruitment process that would help you to be your best, speak to our team and they’ll be happy to help.
Registered Charity
More than 1000
Working towards a society free from problem debt
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.