Advocates jobs

Occupational Requirement
Due to the nature of this role, which includes leading and providing direct support within our Women’s Night Shelter, this post is open to women only under the occupational requirement provisions of Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
The post holder will work closely with vulnerable women who have experienced multiple disadvantages, including domestic abuse, sexual exploitation and gender-based violence. We consider that being a woman is a proportionate occupational requirement for this role in order to maintain the safety, dignity and wellbeing of the women using the service and to deliver effective trauma-informed support.
Please not the successful candidate will also work alongside colleagues and provide support to guests, of all genders, as part of their wider duties.

Team: Casework

Location: Argon House, 2 Argon Mews, London SW6 1BJ, at our partner sites and from home

Duration: Permanent

Reporting to: Head of Casework

Responsible for:          Caseworkers based across our partner Day Centres plussome budget allocation for MD casework expenses

Hours of work: 40 (5 days per week including lunch break)

Overview of the role

The Senior Caseworker – MD Lead plays a dual role in delivering high-quality casework services while providing specialist support and guidance to colleagues working with guests experiencing multiple disadvantages. The role provides advice, advocacy and casework support to a caseload of guests across our homelessness and vulnerable housing services, with a particular focus on those presenting with long-term, complex and multiple needs.  The postholder will share their knowledge, skills and experience to support colleagues, strengthen their understanding of complex needs, and develop their confidence and ability to work effectively with guests. The role will also contribute to a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach, ensuring guests receive coordinated, person-centred support.

Internal relationships

All staff, volunteers and guests

External relationships

External service providers and partner organisations

Areas of responsibility

1. Advice and advocacy

· Providing an advice and advocacy service to a caseload of guests from across all our services for the homeless and vulnerably housed who present with long-term and complex needs, caseworking a smaller and more consistent caseload than other members of the team but working with them more intensively. 

· Employing creative thinking and practices to ensure that guests are supported and motivated to achieve their goals, primarily to access and maintain accommodation and develop durable support networks 

· Attending appointments with guests as needed and carrying out home visits 

· Working with Caseworker colleagues to strengthen their understanding of complex needs, developing their confidence and ability to work effectively with guests

· Creating best practice guidelines to ensure consistency and accessible support.

· Working with colleagues to ensure acceptable workloads are maintained.

· Providing advice, advocacy and support to Emergency Night Shelter Guests; visiting Emergency Night Shelters in the evening as required.

2. Internal liaison

· Building and maintaining working relationships with Caseworker colleagues.

· Liaising with the Fundraising & Comms team to develop meaningful case studies to assist with fundraising campaigns.

· Working with the Operations team to ensure the Emergency Night Shelters are successful and building relationships with Night Shelter staff to encourage communication and team building.

3. External liaison

· Referring guests to accommodation providers, health services and other relevant support services, as necessary, and actively facilitating their ongoing engagement with these 

· Maintaining good communication with the Managers of our partnered Drop-in Centres, Glass Door colleagues and local statutory and non-statutory services 

· Attending meetings with the casework team, external service providers and partner organisations when required, engagement with Reflective Practice sessions 

· Liaising with volunteers at both Night Shelters and Day Centres.

4. Women’s Night Shelter lead

· Responsible for the day-to-day leadership and coordination of the casework provided to the women’s night shelter over the winter months.

· Ensuring that women accessing the service receive high-quality, person-centred support, advice and advocacy, both by taking on a caseload of clients and supporting the other caseworkers involved in the women’s night shelter. Helping guests to address immediate needs, while supporting them to access appropriate housing, health, welfare, legal and other specialist services.

· Participating in a weekly casework drop-in for guests of the women’s night shelter over winter; providing a safe, welcoming and trauma-informed environment to deliver casework to women experiencing homelessness, insecure housing and multiple disadvantages.

· Maintaining all safeguarding and risk management protocols.

5. Monitoring impact and administration

· Collating statistics and outcome measurements of the casework service for both internal and external use 

· Maintaining a well-organised and easily accessible administration system for the casework programme in line with relevant legislation (e.g., GDPR), including accurate and up-to-date case notes using our internal In-Form system 

· Adherence to all Glass Door policies and procedures, including compliance with safeguarding procedures 

· Managing a small casework budget 

· Proactively identifying areas for improvement and development of service provision

· Undertaking any other duties to aid the good running of the project, as required by the charity 

6. Line Management responsibilities

· Line manages up to three Caseworkers, providing support, direction and accountability.

· Carry out annual appraisal, track training & development and oversee professional development.

Person Specification

Essential

· At least two years’ experience of working one-on-one with - and assessing the needs of - homeless people or similar disadvantaged client groups 

· Empathetic attitude to homeless and vulnerably housed people, including those with ongoing complex needs 

· Ability to sensitively maintain boundaries with challenging individuals whilst promoting a trauma-informed approach to care 

· Ability to adopt an assertive approach when needed

· Personal resilience while working with challenging individuals coupled with an understanding of one’s personal and professional limits 

· Up-to-date knowledge of the welfare issues and legislation affecting homeless people 

· Ability to expand own knowledge and to adapt in order to advocate for guests in unfamiliar areas of care and support 

· Knowledge of relevant support services available to homeless people, particularly in West London 

· Confident approach to, and experience of, dealing with persistent challenging behaviour, conflict and distress 

· Ability to maintain good relationships with colleagues and external service providers 

· Highly organised with strong time-management skills 

· Ability to keep clear and up-to-date case records 

· Proactively identifying areas for improvement and development of service provision

· Undertaking any other duties to aid the good running of the project, as required by the charity 

· Ability to work independently and take the initiative to make important decisions

· Flexible and supportive team member with excellent communication skills 

· Ability to adhere to and implement Health & Safety, HR and operational policies 

· Understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunities 

Desirable

• Experience of working alongside volunteers

Other

• Has eligibility to work in the UK
• To be able to adhere and work within Glass Door’s policies and procedures
• To participate in meetings, supervision meetings and in any trainings as required
• To be responsible for own’s professional development

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid have for over 45 years supported women and children with services around domestic violence and abuse. Could you be a part of our team as we continue our mission to end domestic violence and abuse? 

The region’s leading charity in tackling violence against women and girls, BSWA offers a helpline, webchat, drop in and and community support as well as emergency accommodation in six refuges across the area.

Projects supports women in the criminal justice system, in healthcare settings, and throughout the community, offering support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Alongside this, we also have staff offering training and consultancy to businesses and health and social care professionals alike, raising awareness on gender based violence issues.

We seek like-minded women to join our enthusiastic team of workers, all of us passionate about the vital and valuable work we do to support women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, and tackling the wider issues of violence against women and girls. 
 

Key Responsibilities:

To deliver a high-quality support and advocacy service to women subjected to 
domestic violence, who are involved in private family law proceedings
To work alongside court partners to help ensure women’s and children’s voices 
are heard through the proceedings and safety prioritised.

Experience required: 

- Providing emotional and practical support to Women & Children affected by domestic violence

- Of offering advice and information and advocating for service users
on a range of issues including homelessness, benefits, legal, social
welfare issues etc.

-Of developing and maintaining effective working relationships with 
external agencies

- Working within safeguarding guidelines to protect and promote the well-being of children and vulnerable adults

- Of developing and maintaining effective working relationships with 
external agencies

Benefits

• 31 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays) 

• Up to 6% matched pension contribution 

• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme 

• Life Assurance scheme while in employment (a lump sum of 4 times salary) 

• Cycle to Work scheme 

• Health Cash Plan scheme available to all employees from day one 

• Successful candidates may have the opportunity to work under hybrid working arrangements, subject to the role and to the terms of our Hybrid Working Policy 

BSWA is a Disability Confident Employer. We want everyone to have equal chance at being considered for our jobs. Should you be unable to submit your application online and would prefer an alternative method, or you are experiencing another barrier to completing your application, please contact our recruitment team.

These posts are covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9; Equality Act 2010) and women only need apply.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is at 12 noon on Wednesday 9th September. Interviews will take place weeks commencing 21st and 28th September.
 

Would you like to help create a brighter future for nature? 

Wildlife and Countryside Link is a coalition of 97 environmental charities. We are looking for a Policy and Public Affairs Officer to help develop, advocate and win policy improvements for nature, with a particular focus on the marine environment. 

The Government has promised to halt the decline of wildlife and protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. The marine environment is on the frontline of action – how can we restore habitats at the same time as huge investment in renewable energy? How can we restore fish stocks in a way that supports the future of coastal communities? How can we lead the way on reducing the pollution that is blighting our seas?

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated Policy and Public Affairs Officer to help environmental organisations agree bold answers to key questions like these. This role will manage our marine, bycatch and marine mammal working groups to secure ambitious progress of protection and recovery of the marine environment. This is an exciting opportunity to be to work alongside some of the leading experts in marine policy to deliver joint policy that will transform nature at sea.

You will also play a key role in delivering environmental priorities to key influencers in Government and in Parliament. 

So, we are looking for someone with a keen eye for detail, a good networker with the ability to listen and negotiate, and a reasoned and convincing style of written and verbal communication, with a passion for nature conservation.

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s aid have for over 40 years supported women and children with services around domestic violence and abuse. Could you be a part of our team as we continue our mission to end domestic violence and abuse? 

The region’s leading charity in tackling violence against women and girls, BSWA offers a helpline, webchat, drop in and and community support as well as emergency accommodation in six refuges across the area.

Projects supports women in the criminal justice system, in healthcare settings, and throughout the community, offering support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Alongside this, we also have colleagues offering training and consultancy to businesses and health and social care professionals alike, raising awareness on gender based violence issues.

We seek like-minded women to join our enthusiastic team of workers, all of us passionate about the vital and valuable work we do to support women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, and tackling the wider issues of violence against women and girls. 

Key Responsibilities:

· To assist the refuge manager in the day-to-day running of the young women’s refuge

· To ensure a high-quality standard of service in the refuge

· To develop and deliver a front-line service offering support, advice and guidance to young women, and their children, living in the refuge

Experience Required

Of providing practical and emotional support to young women and children affected by domestic violence

Of offering advice and information and advocating for service users on a range of issues including homelessness, benefits, legal, social welfare issues etc

Of developing and maintaining effective working relationships with external agencies

Of working within safeguarding guidelines to protect and promote the well-being of children and vulnerable adults

BSWA is a Disability Confident Employer. We want everyone to have equal chance at being considered for our jobs. 

These posts are covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9; Equality Act 2010) and women only need apply.  

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is at 12 noon on Wednesday 9th September. Interviews will take place weeks commencing 21st and 28th September

We Are Hiring – Union Advisor

We are seeking a dedicated and student-focused individual to join our Advice Team as a Union Advisor. In this role, you will play a key part in advocating for and supporting students, ensuring they receive the guidance and representation they need on a range of issues, including academic, housing and wellbeing. Full training will be provided.

Working at the Union offers a rewarding opportunity to make a real impact on the student experience. We provide a range of benefits, including:

28 days of annual leave, plus concessionary days and bank holidays
Flexible working arrangements, including flexi-time
Monthly breakfast mornings
A supportive and collaborative work environment
If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, we would love to hear from you. Find out more and apply here:

Based in Bristol | Field-based across Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, South Gloucestershire & North Somerset

We’re looking for an experienced trade union organiser to lead campaigns, grow our membership, support activists and deliver outstanding representation.

The role

Our 1,200 staff work across 12 UK regions and our national centre in London. Regional offices support the work of local branches, helping to represent, recruit, organise and retain members, as well as making key contributions in areas such as campaigning, strategies for negotiation and bargaining, and actions against discrimination.

As a Regional Organiser, you’ll be playing a hands on, day to day leadership role, as well as acting as an advocate of the union. Guiding, supporting and developing local branches and activists to ensure the strongest possible workplace organisation, you’ll identify activist training and development needs, provide coaching and mentoring to stewards and branch officers, and manage a small team of area/local organisers. Additionally, you will lead negotiations, represent members individually and collectively, and help branches to develop effective systems and processes for handling casework.

The person

What we’re looking for...

• An understanding of our movement, its pressures and drivers, with a passion for equality.

• Ability to provide advice and guidance on the effective organisation of key branch duties (eg maintaining membership density, activist base enhancement, supporting employers with major restructuring, maintaining confidence in union ability to influence outcomes, oversight of case work and reducing response times).

• Good knowledge of key employment law, including developing case law and upcoming changes that may affect members.

• Good understanding of the political landscape and how this might impact our approach.

• Ability to manage a team of staff, with a willingness to collaborate and to lead by example.

• Excellent communication and advocacy skills, with proven ability to manage high level negotiations and representation of cases in challenging situations.

• Ability to build and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, ability to influence and engage at all levels eg activists, democratic bodies/committees.

• Strategic project management experience, including budget management. Ability to develop strategies and solutions to solve complex problems.

Please refer to the job description and person specification for full requirements for this role.

This is a field based role and you will need to be able to travel in and around the South West region, including to our regional offices in Bristol, Exeter, Taunton and Poole, as required and occasionally to London for training, meetings or other purposes. The South West region covers a large area from Wiltshire to Cornwall.  However, for the foreseeable future we expect this post to be based in the Bristol office and will be supporting our branches in the north of the region (Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire).

How to apply

To apply for this opportunity please download and complete the General application form, referring to the job description and person specification.

Please note that only the relevant application form will be accepted. CVs will not be accepted.

The completed application form, along with the Recruitment and Disability Monitoring Form, should be sent by email.

Please save each of your documents to include your full name, followed by job title, region/dept and reference.

Completed application forms must be received by no later than 11:59pm Sunday 13 September 2026.

In-person interviews will be held in our Taunton office on Tuesday 29 September 2026. 

Please see a map of our regions.

About UNISON

UNISON is the UK’s leading public services trade union, with over 1.3 million members working in the public sector, private, voluntary and community sectors and in the energy services. We employ approximately 1,200 staff, with around 370 at our national centre in Euston in central London and the remainder in our 12 regions across the UK, including Northern Ireland.

UNISON is a dynamic, progressive union, committed to equality. We encourage men and women of all ages, Black and minority ethnic groups, disabled people, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to work with us.

Do you enjoy bringing order, creativity and calm coordination to busy event environments? Or do you know someone who could be a great fit? We'd love for you to share this opportunity with your networks.

Compassion UK is looking for an Events Operations Specialist to support the planning, systems, logistics, and resources that enable our events and advocacy activities to run with excellence.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys coordinating people, projects, and practical logistics while ensuring volunteers, advocates, and event teams have everything they need to represent Compassion well. You'll also play a key role in supporting the ongoing development of Compassion Connect Hub, our volunteer management platform.

If you're organised, proactive, collaborative and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, this could be a fantastic opportunity to use your skills to support a ministry that is releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name.

• Office-based in Fleet, Hampshire (GU51 2UT)
• Fixed-term contract | Full-time | 35 hours per week
• £30,040 per annum

Key dates

• Apply by 24 August 2026
• Shortlisting ongoing, with candidates shortlisted by 31 August 2026
• Interviews expected to take place on 7 September 2026

Click through to find out more about the role and download the full job description on our careers page.

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s aid have for over 45 years supported women and children with services around domestic violence and abuse. Could you be a part of our team as we continue our mission to end domestic violence and abuse? 

The region’s leading charity in tackling violence against women and girls, BSWA offers a helpline, webchat, drop in and and community support as well as emergency accommodation in six refuges across the area.  

Projects supports women in the criminal justice system, in healthcare settings, and throughout the community, offering support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Alongside this, we also have staff offering training and consultancy to businesses and health and social care professionals alike, raising awareness on gender based violence issues.  

We seek like-minded women to join our enthusiastic team of workers, all of us passionate about the vital and valuable work we do to support women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, and tackling the wider issues of violence against women and girls. 

To assist the refuge manager in the day-to-day running of the refuge, developing and delivering a front line service offering support, advice and guidance to women and their children living in the refuge.

*BSWA provides safe secure accommodation to some of the most vulnerable women and children therefore in order to ensure we provide maximum support and safety it is essential that our service is available to them 24/7. We do this through operating an on-site rota that covers weekends, evenings and bank holidays as well as a 24 hour call out system.

seeking a refuge project worker to join our emergency accommodation refuge housing team. 

 - Providing practical and emotional support to women and children affected by domestic violence
- Offering advice and information and advocating for service users on a range of issues including homelessness, benefits, legal, social welfare issues etc.
- Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with external agencies
- Working within safeguarding guidelines to protect and promote the well-being of children and vulnerable adults

Benefits  

• 31 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays) 

• Up to 6% matched pension contribution 

• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme 

• Life Assurance scheme while in employment (a lump sum of 4 times salary) 

• Cycle to Work scheme 

• Health Cash Plan scheme available to all employees from day one 

• Successful candidates may have the opportunity to work under hybrid working arrangements, subject to the role and to the terms of our Hybrid Working Policy 

BSWA is a Disability Confident Employer. We want everyone to have equal chance at being considered for our jobs. Should you be unable to submit your application online and would prefer an alternative method, or you are experiencing another barrier to completing your application, please contact our recruitment.

These posts are covered by a Genuine Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9; Equality Act 2010) and women only need apply.  

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is at 12 noon on Wednesday 9th September. Interviews will take place weeks commencing 21st and 28th September.

Help people across Sefton access the advice they need

Citizens Advice Sefton is looking for an experienced adviser to join our welfare benefits team, providing high-quality advice and support to people across Sefton.

You will advise clients on welfare benefits, Universal Credit, debt and wider social welfare issues, working from our offices and outreach locations including  community venues, job centres and mental health settings. You should have recent benefits advice experience, strong communication and advocacy skills, the ability to manage a busy workload, and a commitment to equality, diversity and the aims of Citizens Advice.

What we offer to our staff

You’ll join a team committed to tackling poverty and social injustice, with 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, ongoing training, a Cycle to Work scheme and a 7% employer pension contribution.

As users of the Disability Confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all 
disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the vacancy. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including the LGBT+ community and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Please note: Closing date for applications: Wednesday 9th September 2026

Interviews: w/c 14th September

IGVA, Southwark, SE London

Salary: £30,248.40 FTE, rising with experience

Location: Southwark

Hours: 35hrs/week. Jobholders work with colleagues to cover core service hours of 8:00 am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday.

Be part of something new. Be a voice. Build change.

We are recruiting motivated, value-driven advocates to join a new, innovative community-based Gender-Based Abuse service in Southwark. This is not a traditional domestic abuse role, you will support people of all genders affected by gender-based abuse and help shape a service built around prevention, creativity, and community voice. The ethos of the service is to ensure that we are front facing and out in the community to meet clients in spaces that are safe and accessible, as well as our offices.

The Role

You will work directly with people in community settings, carrying out risk and needs assessments, creating safety plans, and using trauma-informed and coaching approaches. You’ll be part of a fast-paced, dynamic team working in new and flexible ways.

The role will have a strong focus on working with individuals impacted by sexual abuse and VAWG. As this is a community-based role, candidates will need to be flexible, confident working across different settings, and have an engaging and approachable personality.

Southwark is one of London’s most vibrant and culturally diverse boroughs. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities.

If you are looking for a role where you can make a meaningful difference, build partnerships and support people affected by gender-based abuse, we would love to hear from you.

About You

We’re looking for people who are:

· Confident, reliable, and proactive

· Creative, solutions-focused, and adaptable

· Strong at building rapport

· Comfortable engaging with young people and diverse communities

· Flexible in their approach and passionate about working within community settings

· Comfortable delivering presentations, training and awareness sessions

· Skilled at building relationships with people from diverse communities

Experience in VAWG, domestic abuse, sexual violence, safeguarding, or working with young people is helpful, but your mindset, values, and reliability matter most. Full training and support will be provided.

If you want purpose, challenge, and the chance to help build something new, this role is for you.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying, please follow the link to our site. You will need to:

1 – Download a copy of our standard application form.

2 – Return a completed copy to the address on the form.

3 – Include a covering letter up to 2 pages long, explaining how you meet the Person Specification for the role.

A job description and person specification for the IGVA role is also available.

Deadline for applications is midnight, Wednesday 2nd September 2026.

Interviews will be held in the week of 7th September 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a short-written test on the day of interview.

Bede works with children and adults at risk of harm, and we have Safer Recruitment policies and procedures in place to ensure that they are protected from abuse. These roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

This post is open to women only as this is considered to be a Genuine Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9, Part 1, of the Equality Act (2010).

For nearly 20 years, Lively Minds has been proving that parents are the sleeping giants of early childhood development. With strong evidence and a national scale proof point in Ghana, we have shown that parent powered approaches delivered through government systems can transform children's lives at scale.

We are now at a pivotal moment. We have the evidence, the model and the momentum, and we need the funding, profile and influence to match our ambition. This is a rare opportunity to lead income generation and external voice for an award winning NGO entering an exciting new phase of growth. You will lead our fundraising strategy and direct engagement with Funders ensuring that we maximise all funding opportunities as we continue our strategic evolution. You will also shape a compelling external narrative that will help position Lively Minds as the definitive partner for governments strengthening their early childhood development systems.

If you are an exceptional fundraiser and communicator who is equally comfortable in a strategic conversation and writing a winning proposal, we would love to hear from you.

Read the full advert and apply below. Closing date: 3rd September 2026.

About Lively Minds

Lively Minds is an award-winning NGO with nearly 20 years of experience designing, testing and scaling early childhood development (ECD) solutions across the Global South. Our core idea is simple but radical: parents are the sleeping giants of ECD. Governments and donors have long overlooked parents, assuming that poverty and low literacy make them unable or unwilling to support their childrenʼs development. We have spent two decades proving otherwise. With RCT-backed evidence and a national-scale proof point in Ghana, we have demonstrated that parent-powered approaches, delivered through government systems, can achieve meaningful child development outcomes at scale.

Our 2026–2028 strategy marks a pivotal shift. Having demonstrated what is possible, we are now helping pioneer an innovative model of country-led sustainable scale. Rather than delivering programmes ourselves, we provide lean, time-limited technical advisory support to governments to help them integrate parent-powered ECD into their own systems, budgets and institutions. We are currently working with the governments of Ghana, Uganda, Oromia state (Ethiopia) and The Gambia in 2026, growing to six or more country engagements by 2028. Our ambition is to catalyse a sector-wide shift, positioning Lively Minds as the definitive partner for governments seeking to strengthen their ECD systems.

Our scale strategy rests on three interdependent pillars: fixed-term Technical Advisory partnerships with governments; the development of a modular radio model simple and affordable enough for governments to adopt and fund independently; and an advocacy and sector influence agenda designed to make parent-powered ECD the norm globally.

Purpose of the Role

Lively Minds is at a critical inflection point. We have the evidence, the model and the momentum. We now need the funding, profile and sector influence to match our ambition. The Director of Fundraising and Communications is a priority hire, created to provide the dedicated, experienced leadership that this moment demands.

The Director will own and drive Lively Mindsʼ income generation, building new funder relationships, managing and deepening existing ones, and ensuring the organisation has the pipeline, discipline and quality of engagement to meet and exceed its fundraising targets. Working in close partnership with the Founding CEO, who retains ownership of a small number of long-standing strategic relationships, the Director will take primary responsibility for securing the funding that makes the 2026–2028 strategy deliverable, and that opens the door to greater scale beyond it. We need to raise approximately £3.4m over the next 3 years to deliver our strategy. But our ambition is to exceed that target so we can support additional governments.

Alongside fundraising, the Director will provide strategic leadership to Lively Mindsʼ communications and advocacy work, ensuring that the organisationʼs external voice is compelling and that we are building credibility in the spaces where funding decisions are made. The Director will lead and provide strategic coherence to a small but outward-facing team, including Head of Partnerships and Advocacy Lead who are active on the international stage. Lively Minds is committed to thought-leadership and active external engagement, but equally committed to ensuring that communications resource is deployed with discipline and rigour. The Director will set a clear strategic filter for where the organisation shows up, what it publishes and who it engages: prioritising focus and quality over volume, and always asking whether external activity is building the relationships and reputation that ultimately drive income and/or systems change.

Lively Minds is a dispersed, remote organisation. The Directorʼs team the Advocacy Lead, Development Manager and Communications Officer - are internationally distributed. The ability to lead, develop and maintain high standards across a dispersed team is essential. The role requires regular travel to international conferences and events.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Income Generation

• Own and deliver the multi-year fundraising strategy with clear priorities, targets, income streams and a disciplined pipeline to support the 2026–2028 strategy and future scale
• Steward existing funder relationships, turning strong partnerships into long-term supporters, advocates and connectors to new funding opportunities.
• Lead the shift towards Big Bet and catalytic funding, personally cultivating and negotiating high-value, multi-year partnerships and positioning Lively Minds for system-level scale
• Maintain a high standard of fundraising quality, pipeline management and forecasting, while coaching the team to produce compelling, sophisticated fundraising materials
•  Build and continuously strengthen a diverse funding pipeline, identifying emerging opportunities, new funding markets and strategic partnerships that reduce concentration risk and support long-term financial sustainability

Communications, Brand & Advocacy

• Own and deliver Lively Mindsʼ communications and marketing strategy, balancing visibility and sector influence with the need to strengthen fundraising and systems-change objectives
• Partner closely with the CEO to shape and steward a coherent external narrative, brand and messaging framework across all audiences and channels
• Oversee high-quality core communications and fundraising materials, including cases for support, pitch decks, website content, proposals and donor reports
• Provide strategic communications expertise to Advocacy, Partnerships and MEL, ensuring evidence and learning are translated into compelling narratives and consistent external messaging
• Lead efforts to strengthen Lively Mindsʼ profile and thought leadership in the ECD sector, identifying opportunities for strategic media, events, publications and external platforms that reinforce its positioning and influence

Organizational Leadership&TeamDevelopment

• Contribute actively to SMT and organisational strategy, bringing funder intelligence, external perspective and communications expertise to strategic decision-making.
• Work closely with Finance and MEL to align fundraising targets, forecasting, budgets and evidence, ensuring proposals are credible, accurately costed and evidence-led
• Act as the organisationʼs communications subject matter expert, providing guidance and challenge to ensure high-quality, consistent external communications
• Lead and develop the Advocacy Lead, Development Manager and Communications Officer, fostering a team culture of quality, accountability, strategic clarity and continuous improvement
• Build strong cross-organisational collaboration, ensuring teams understand how fundraising, communications, advocacy and evidence work together to advance Lively Mindsʼ strategic priorities

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

• 10+ years of significant senior-level fundraising experience within international development, education, philanthropy or a comparable sector
• Proven track record of securing major grants from foundations, institutional donors and high-net-worth individuals, alongside demonstrated experience securing or meaningfully progressing large-scale, catalytic funding from Big Bet philanthropy programmes such as the Audacious Project, Skoll Foundation or comparable funders. A strong understanding of what these funders look for and how to position an organisation compellingly within their processes is essential
• Exceptional fundraising writing skills, with the ability to personally develop compelling cases for support, funding proposals, award applications and pitch decks tailored to sophisticated impact funders. This is a hands-on role requiring both strong writing capability and the ability to coach others to consistently produce high-quality fundraising content
• Experienced in developing and owning a marketing and communications strategy, with a strong understanding of how to balance organisational visibility, thought leadership and sector influence with coherence, strategic focus and income generation
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with a Founding CEO to shape and steward the organisationʼs external narrative and brand. Comfortable working in a founder-led environment, providing expertise and constructive challenge while ensuring the organisation maintains a clear, consistent and coherent external voice

Desirable Experience

• Experienced fundraising for a technical advisory, systems change or government-facing organisation
• Knowledge of the ECD, education or early childhood sector and its funding landscape
• Familiarity with the Big Bang Philanthropy network or equivalent impact-focused funder communities
• Experience working alongside advocacy and partnerships teams, providing communications expertise and strategic coherence to their external activity
• Familiarity with the funding landscape for organisations operating in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Experience working remotely across multiple countries and effectively collaborating with cross-cultural teams

Behaviours & Ways of Working

• A doer, equally comfortable in strategic conversations and writing a funding proposal
• Sets a high bar for quality and clarity in all external communications and holds it consistently
• Builds a strong, trust-based partnership with the Founding CEO, provides honest challenge and operates effectively within a founder-led dynamic without losing their own voice or judgement
• Collaborative and cross-organisational. Invests in strong relationships with programme, MEL and finance colleagues, understanding that the best fundraising is grounded in organisational reality
• Calm and focused under pressure - able to manage competing priorities and maintain quality when the stakes are high

What We Offer

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• 25 days annual leave
• Health insurance
• Pension contribution
• Generous learning and development budget
• Flexible, remote working

Application Instruction

Interested candidates are encouraged to read the Job Description carefully before applying to ensure they understand the role and meet the required criteria.

To apply, please complete the pre-screening questions and submit your updated CV

PLEASE NOTE - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Timeline

Closing Date: 3rd September 2026

Our Stance

Lively Minds operates a strict Safeguarding Policy and is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable people. As part of our recruitment process, the suitability of successful candidates will be verified through appropriate background checks including professional references and police checks.

Lively Minds is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and to providing equal opportunities throughout our recruitment process. We want this commitment to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences and perspectives.

We are committed to ensuring that recruitment decisions are based on merit, skills, experience and suitability for the role, and that all candidates are treated fairly and with respect throughout the recruitment process.

Fixed term 2 years from starting date with potential to extend

Shape services that change lives.

The Limbless Association is seeking a passionate and experienced Services Development Lead to help shape the future of community support for amputees across the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in developing high quality, user-led services that support people through rehabilitation, recovery and life beyond limb loss.

You’ll lead service improvement, impact development and innovation across the organisation, ensuring services remain responsive, inclusive and evidence based.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about service quality and impact 
• Enjoys turning ideas into meaningful actions and services 
• Can think strategically whilst remaining practical
• Ability to scope and scale 
• Understands the importance of lived experience and co-production 
• Wants to make a genuine difference

If you are motivated by improving lives and developing services with purpose and compassion, we would love to hear from you.

About DadVocates

DadVocates is a new four-year project, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, that will train, mentor and supervise young dads with lived experience of young fatherhood to act as volunteer peer advocates for young fathers going through children’s social care (CSC) proceedings, including Child Protection, Child in Need and Public Law Outline.

The project responds to evidence from our work with over 800 young dads, which shows that the majority felt negatively about CSC proceedings from the outset: many hold fatalistic expectations about losing contact with their children and are reluctant to engage. By matching young dads with a trained volunteer DadVocate at the earliest possible stage, the project aims to build agency, improve engagement and ultimately improve outcomes for children.

Over four years, the project will train 40 volunteer DadVocates, support 100 young dads through CSC proceedings, and deliver father-inclusive practice training to 160 social workers and other professionals across five local authorities. It will also co-design clear guidance on what good father-inclusive practice looks like within children’s social care teams.

This is a genuinely ambitious project, working at the intersection of lived experience, peer advocacy, social care practice and systems change. It was conceived by a young dad who is now a NEYDL trustee and qualified social worker and has been co-designed with 174 young dads over three years.

The role

The DadVocate Programme Manager will lead this project from the outset. You will recruit, train, mentor and supervise our volunteer DadVocates; chair and manage the project Steering Committee; lead the development and delivery of professional training for social workers; oversee monitoring, evaluation and funder reporting; and manage the project budget.

This is a programme management role, not a casework role. Cases are held by NEYDL’s Senior Young Dads Workers; the DadVocates you manage provide peer support within those cases. You will have direct relationships with young dad beneficiaries through steering committee meetings, evaluation sessions and learning events, but your primary responsibility is managing and supporting the DadVocates and the systems around them.

The DadVocates are young dads with lived experience of young fatherhood, not professional practitioners. They will need significant support, encouragement and professional development to operate effectively in what can be a challenging environment. The quality of that management and support is central to the success of this project.

You will work alongside training and research providers, closely with NEYDL’s Senior Young Dads Workers as the case holders and be supported day-to-day by the CEO.

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone with substantial experience, knowledge and competency working within the children’s social care and social work arena, alongside a track record of managing projects in the voluntary sector. The ideal candidate will bring both: professional grounding in children’s social care/social work and the programme management experience to lead a complex, multi-strand project over four years.

You will possess a deep understand of the children’s social care and social work system, be able to design and deliver training that changes professional culture and have the people management skills to support a team of volunteer young dads who are developing professional skills alongside their advocacy role. You will also need to build trusted relationships with young dad beneficiaries, social workers, academic partners and a range of local statutory and voluntary organisations.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of young fatherhood or young parenthood, from people with personal or professional experience of children’s social care proceedings (including professionally qualified social workers) and people from minoritised backgrounds.

What we offer

NEYDL is a close, inclusive and supportive team that actively invests in the development of its staff. We are a non-judgmental organisation built on mutual trust, respect and honesty. If you join us, you will be part of a team that genuinely believes in what it does.

In addition, we offer:

• 7.2 weeks’ annual leave per year, inclusive of statutory and public holidays
• 5% employer pension contribution
• A flexible hybrid working arrangement
• Regular supervision and fortnightly team meetings
• Funded professional development and training
• Mileage paid at 55p per mile for business travel
• The opportunity to lead a nationally significant project at the forefront of father-inclusive practice

Job purpose

To lead and manage the DadVocates project, a four-year National Lottery-funded programme training volunteer young dads as peer advocates for young fathers in children’s social care proceedings; delivering professional training to social workers; and working towards the embedding of father-inclusive practice across children’s social care teams in five local authorities.

Key responsibilities

1. Project management

• Take day-to-day responsibility for the management and delivery of the DadVocates project across all strands of activity
• Manage the project budget, monitor expenditure and liaise with the CEO and Finance Officer
• Update and maintain NEYDL’s Evaluation Framework with DadVocates-specific indicators and methodologies within the first two months of the project start date
• Ensure the project meets its funder milestones and KPIs, maintaining accurate records of outputs and outcomes
• Produce quarterly progress reports for internal review and contribute to annual funder reports
• Commission and manage the external evaluator for the four-year evaluation
• Identify and escalate risks and challenges to the CEO, recommending solutions

2. Steering Committee

• Chair and manage the project Steering Committee, which meets every two months and comprises young dads, NEYDL frontline staff, the safeguarding lead, social work professionals, related experts and academic partners
• Induct Steering Committee members, including young dads, into their roles, providing tailored support to ensure they can contribute confidently alongside professionals
• Use Steering Committee meetings to review progress, identify challenges and agree recommendations for the next period of delivery

3. Co-creating the DadVocate training programme

• Work with training and research providers, young dads and Steering Committee members to co-create a 100-hour peer advocacy training programme for volunteer DadVocates
• Deliver the DadVocate training programme alongside NEYDL staff and delivery partners
• Lead annual reviews of the training programme and update content in response to learning and feedback

4. Managing and supporting volunteer DadVocates

• Recruit and train 10 young dad volunteers per year (40 over four years), all with lived experience of young fatherhood
• Provide ongoing mentoring, supervision and wellbeing support to all active DadVocate volunteers: at least 50 hours per volunteer per year
• Set clear objectives for each volunteer, conduct regular appraisals and team meetings, and support their professional development and progression
• Recognise that DadVocates are young dads with lived experience rather than professional backgrounds, and provide the high level of structured support this requires, including supporting them to navigate professional environments with confidence
• Support the progression of volunteers into employment, further training and community leadership roles

5. Matching DadVocates with young dads in CSC proceedings

• Build and maintain referral pathways with social services, midwifery, Family Nurse Partnerships, Family Hubs and other local networks across target local authorities
• Match 100 young dads over four years with a volunteer DadVocate (10 in year 1, rising to 40 in year 4)
• Work closely with NEYDL’s Senior Young Dads Workers, who hold cases, to coordinate peer advocacy support within CSC proceedings
• Maintain oversight of active advocacy arrangements, ensuring DadVocates are appropriately supported and that safeguarding obligations are met at all times
• Engage directly with young dad beneficiaries through steering committee meetings, evaluation sessions and project learning events

6. Professional training for social workers

• Co-create professional training content with social workers and young dads on the Steering Committee, drawing on national research and NEYDL’s practice experience
• Deliver half-day induction training to 15-20 social workers per local authority at the outset of each area’s involvement, co-facilitated by young dads or DadVocate volunteers
• Deliver annual refresher training in each local authority
• Facilitate quarterly case review and learning meetings with social workers in each local authority, involving DadVocate volunteers
• Co-design guidance on what father-inclusive practice looks like within children’s social care teams, with social workers and young dads (first version in year 2; updated version in year 4)
• Organise and host two information-sharing events for social care professionals in years 2 and 4 (approximately 100 professionals per event)

7. Monitoring, evaluation and learning

• Coordinate data collection with young dads, DadVocate volunteers and social workers using NEYDL’s evaluation tools and new instruments co-designed for this project
• Produce annual evaluation reports and disseminate learning through NEYDL’s wider networks, events and conferences
• Share learning through stakeholder events, professional networks and NEYDL’s regular sector-facing activity

8. Safeguarding

• Ensure robust safeguarding arrangements are in place for all project activity, particularly for DadVocate volunteers operating within CSC proceedings
• Work closely with NEYDL’s Safeguarding Lead to ensure policies and protocols relevant to the project are current, understood and followed by volunteers and partners
• Act as first point of contact for safeguarding concerns arising within the DadVocates project

9. Collaboration and partnerships

• Work closely with NEYDL’s Senior Young Dads Workers as case holders, ensuring a joined-up and consistent approach to supporting young dads involved in the project
• Build and maintain relationships with academic, statutory and voluntary sector partners
• Work with the Business Development Manager to help secure longer-term Local Authority funding for DadVocates, using evidence of impact from the project to support conversations with Local Authorities and expand the project’s reach beyond the areas and targets in the original funding bid
• Represent NEYDL and the DadVocates project at external meetings, networks and conferences
• Contribute to NEYDL’s wider communications and engagement activity

10. Other

• Deputise for the CEO as required
• Report to the Board of Trustees in person or in writing on a quarterly basis as required

11. Standard clauses

• The post holder must carry out their responsibilities at all times with due regard to NEYDL’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, policy and statement, and Safeguarding Policy
• The post holder is responsible for ensuring that policies and procedures relating to health and safety in the workplace are adhered to at all times
• The post holder must respect the confidentiality of data stored electronically and by other means, in line with NEYDL’s Data Protection Policy
• This role requires satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance prior to appointment
• This job description is not exhaustive. NEYDL reserves the right to reasonably add to or revise it at any time in agreement with the post holder.

Location: Hybrid working between our office, based in Horsforth, Leeds and home working is preferred, however, remote working will be considered for the right candidate. Nationwide travel will be required. 

We are the leading charity dedicated to fighting primary bone cancer and are uniquely placed to make a difference through research, information, awareness and support.

The Involvement Officer role sits at the junction of lived experience involvement and our charitable objectives and will build meaningful collaborations and alignment between those affected by primary bone cancer, researchers, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders. The successful candidate will be required to build relationships with and contribute to key organisations and initiatives, such as the FOSTER and Euro Ewing consortia, like minded charities and Sarcoma Patients Global Network.

The successful candidate will co-ordinate and grow our Patient and Public Involvement Panel, which currently focuses on bringing lived experience to shape and review primary bone cancer research; however, we are keen for the voices of our community to contribute to our work across all our charitable pillars including our Support & Information service and our Influencing & Advocacy work. You will also support and empower our panel to share the work of Bone Cancer Research Trust more widely to their networks, ensuring a greater awareness of the charity and the impact of our work. 

This is a varied position offering the chance to apply and further develop your expertise in involvement across areas such as the shaping and reviewing of research, the capturing and sharing of lived experience through written and video stories, ensuring our health information is patient focused and understandable, and advocating with and for patients both nationally and globally. 

We are looking for someone with a good grasp of both the scientific and patient landscapes, who can balance attention to detail with big-picture awareness and work confidently in highly collaborative settings with multiple stakeholders and partner organisations.  This role offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible contribution and ensure that our community’s voices drive progress across the UK and further afield.

The successful candidate will be a natural communicator and will excel at building and maintaining relationships with a variety of stakeholders. A background in cancer research or research funding would be advantageous.

If you are excited about joining our team, please read through this job pack to see if you have the right skills we are looking for. We look forward to hearing from you!