Assistant programme officer jobs

With a 110-year history, we are proud to be able to say that the WI continues to be the largest and most influential UK women’s organisation, with over 170,000 members. Our campaigns push for change on the issues that matter to women and their communities, from equal pay to climate change, mental health and violence against women. The WI has brought about real change, and this record of action shows that we are as relevant today as we were in 1915.

The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (the NFWI) is responsible for running the organisation and provides support and advice to members at both regional and local levels.

About the Innovation and Project Officer role

Supporting innovation across the organisation, you will help to develop and deliver programmes that grow our membership, reach and influence. You will lead the day-to-day management of pilot projects that test new initiatives and engagement opportunities with new audiences, monitoring and evaluating outcomes to capture insights and valuable learning that helps shape the direction of the organisation. This role will involve developing project plans, timelines and key deliverables to monitor project progress and ensure success. You will carry out qualitative and quantitative research to identify the current and changing needs of women to support organisational decision-making and drive innovation in everything that we do.

Location: Hybrid working, with one day per week at our London, Oxfordshire or Wales office.

About you

You should be experienced in supporting organisational development within membership settings, and skilled in project design and delivery. You will have strong data analysis and interpretation skills, with the ability to communicate your findings to diverse audiences. You should have a methodical approach to project management, and be able to confidently engage and build relationships with stakeholders and different audiences. Familiarity in overseeing budgets would be beneficial, as would some knowledge of the trends affecting the voluntary sector, but above all a passion for supporting initiatives that contribute to organisational growth and change will be key to your success in the role.

How to apply

For further information about this Innovation and Project Officer role, please download the recruitment pack which includes the job description and person specification.

To apply, please submit your current CV with a covering letter clearly explaining why you would be suitable for the role to the HR department.

Closing date: 15 September 2026.

First-round interview (virtual): w/c 21 September 2026.

Second-round interview (in-person): w/c 28 September 2026.

No other media or agencies, please.

The WI is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and values diversity. Reg. Charity No. 803793.

12-month fixed-term contract | Full-time 

Salary: £58,560 – £71,480 per annum

Hours: 35 per week

Location: Home-based with regular national travel 

Job reference number: 1766

Help shape the future of Cranstoun’s services 

Cranstoun is a social justice and harm reduction charity supporting and empowering people to live healthier and safer lives. Each year, we support more than 45,000 people through services including substance use, criminal justice, domestic abuse, housing and services for children and young people. 

Following a successful five-year strategy and significant growth, we remain ambitious about the difference we can make. As we enter our next phase, we are investing in the leadership and operational capability needed to support our continued development. We are now recruiting an Assistant Directors of Services to join our senior management team. 

This is a significant senior leadership role offering the opportunity to lead substantial service portfolios while helping shape how Cranstoun’s services are led and delivered across the organisation. 

The role 

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will lead a substantial portfolio of complex commissioned services and senior operational managers. 

You will lead nine services with nine direct reports, spanning criminal justice and housing/homelessness provision. You will have clear accountability for ensuring services are safe, effective and well-led, with strong contractual performance, financial sustainability and positive outcomes for the people and communities we support. 

You will provide operational grip and evidence-based assurance, strengthen safeguarding and management accountability, build effective relationships with commissioners and partners, and ensure risks and underperformance are identified, escalated and addressed early. 

You will also work collectively with fellow senior operational leaders to embed a One Cranstoun approach, strengthening common standards, sharing learning, developing leadership capability and improving quality and resilience across our services. 

What you will be accountable for 

As an Assistant Director, you will take senior operational accountability for: 

• Safe, effective and well-led services – ensuring strong safeguarding, quality, operational risk management and service user outcomes.  
• Contractual performance – ensuring services deliver against contractual requirements and KPIs, with strong commissioner relationships and timely action to address underperformance.  
• Financial sustainability – maintaining strong financial oversight, effective workforce management and oversight of the sustainability of individual contracts.  
• Evidence-based assurance – using reliable performance, quality, workforce and financial information to identify risks and drive improvement.  
• Collective organisational leadership – working beyond individual portfolio boundaries to build consistent standards, stronger leadership and shared ways of working across Cranstoun.  

You will lead and develop senior operational managers, set clear expectations and create a culture in which support and accountability operate together. 

You will also lead and contribute to service mobilisation, transformation, workforce planning and continuous improvement. 

Who we are looking for 

We are looking for established senior operational leaders with substantial experience leading complex commissioned services and geographically dispersed teams. 

You will bring a strong track record of: 

• leading safe, high-quality services for people with complex needs;  
• safeguarding, quality and operational risk management;  
• contract and performance management;  
• managing significant service budgets and improving financial performance;  
• building effective relationships with commissioners, regulators and strategic partners;  
• leading service improvement, mobilisation and organisational change;  
• developing senior operational managers and addressing underperformance; and  
• using performance, quality, workforce and financial information to provide assurance and drive improvement.  

You will need to combine strategic leadership with operational pragmatism, understanding the detail when necessary while maintaining oversight of performance, risk, quality and sustainability across a complex portfolio. 

Above all, we are looking for collaborative, credible and values-led leaders who can support and challenge in equal measure, build leadership capability and bring people together around common standards and organisational priorities. 

Specialist experience 

For this role, you will need significant leadership experience across both Criminal Justice and Housing/Homelessness services, including housing or accommodation-based provision. 

You will understand the complexity of working across criminal justice, housing, local government and other statutory systems and be experienced in building effective relationships with commissioners and partners while maintaining strong operational and contractual oversight. 

This is a 12-month fixed-term appointment at an important stage in Cranstoun’s transformation, offering the opportunity to lead a significant portfolio, strengthen operational performance and help shape the future development of our operating model. 

Be part of Cranstoun’s next chapter 

Our successful five-year strategy has seen Cranstoun grow considerably, extending our reach and the range of services we provide. We remain ambitious and innovative, committed to developing services that respond to the changing needs of people and communities. 

As we look to the future, we are investing in the leadership, operational capability and organisational infrastructure needed to support our continued development, strengthening operational governance, consistency and assurance across our services. 

This role offers the opportunity to do more than manage established portfolios. You will help shape the future of our services and build an Operations Directorate characterised by high standards, clear accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Find out more 

Please refer to the accompanying recruitment pack for the full Job Description, Person Specification and details of the application process.

Please note: All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

How to Apply:

For more details and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button. Please quote the appropriate Job Ref in all correspondence.

Applicants must be able to provide satisfactory evidence of their right to work in the UK at the application stage.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2026.

We are an inclusive employer, committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of our work. 

Registered Charity No: 1061582

Permanent | Full-time 

Salary: £58,560 – £71,480 per annum

Hours: 35 per week

Location: Home-based with regular national travel 

Job reference number: 1766

Help shape the future of Cranstoun’s services 

Cranstoun is a social justice and harm reduction charity supporting and empowering people to live healthier and safer lives. Each year, we support more than 45,000 people through services including substance use, criminal justice, domestic abuse, housing and services for children and young people. 

Following a successful five-year strategy and significant growth, we remain ambitious about the difference we can make. As we enter our next phase, we are investing in the leadership and operational capability needed to support our continued development. We are now recruiting an Assistant Directors of Service to join our senior management team.

This is a significant senior leadership role offering the opportunity to lead substantial service portfolios while helping shape how Cranstoun’s services are led and delivered across the organisation. 

The role

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will lead a substantial portfolio of complex commissioned services and senior operational managers. 

You will lead eight services with nine direct reports, spanning substance use and services for children and young people. You will have clear accountability for ensuring services are safe, effective and well-led, with strong contractual performance, financial sustainability and positive outcomes for the people and communities we support. 

You will provide operational grip and evidence-based assurance, strengthen safeguarding and management accountability, build effective relationships with commissioners and partners, and ensure risks and underperformance are identified, escalated and addressed early. 

You will also work collectively with fellow senior operational leaders to embed a One Cranstoun approach, strengthening common standards, sharing learning, developing leadership capability and improving quality and resilience across our services. 

What you will be accountable for 

As an Assistant Director, you will take senior operational accountability for: 

• Safe, effective and well-led services – ensuring strong safeguarding, quality, operational risk management and service user outcomes.  
• Contractual performance – ensuring services deliver against contractual requirements and KPIs, with strong commissioner relationships and timely action to address underperformance.  
• Financial sustainability – maintaining strong financial oversight, effective workforce management and oversight of the sustainability of individual contracts.  
• Evidence-based assurance – using reliable performance, quality, workforce and financial information to identify risks and drive improvement.  
• Collective organisational leadership – working beyond individual portfolio boundaries to build consistent standards, stronger leadership and shared ways of working across Cranstoun.  

You will lead and develop senior operational managers, set clear expectations and create a culture in which support and accountability operate together. 

You will also lead and contribute to service mobilisation, transformation, workforce planning and continuous improvement. 

Who we are looking for 

We are looking for established senior operational leaders with substantial experience leading complex commissioned services and geographically dispersed teams. 

You will bring a strong track record of: 

• leading safe, high-quality services for people with complex needs;  
• safeguarding, quality and operational risk management;  
• contract and performance management;  
• managing significant service budgets and improving financial performance;  
• building effective relationships with commissioners, regulators and strategic partners;  
• leading service improvement, mobilisation and organisational change;  
• developing senior operational managers and addressing underperformance; and  
• using performance, quality, workforce and financial information to provide assurance and drive improvement.  

You will need to combine strategic leadership with operational pragmatism, understanding the detail when necessary while maintaining oversight of performance, risk, quality and sustainability across a complex portfolio. 

Above all, we are looking for collaborative, credible and values-led leaders who can support and challenge in equal measure, build leadership capability and bring people together around common standards and organisational priorities. 

Specialist experience 

For this role, significant senior leadership experience within substance use services is essential, including experience of leading CQC-regulated provision and maintaining high standards of quality, safety and regulatory compliance. 

You will also need a strong understanding of safeguarding and the governance required to deliver safe and effective services for children and young people. Direct operational experience of Children & Young People services would be valuable, but we are equally interested in candidates who can demonstrate strong safeguarding and CYP governance experience alongside substantial substance use leadership. 

This permanent appointment offers the opportunity to provide long-term leadership to a significant portfolio and help shape the future development of Cranstoun’s services. 

Be part of Cranstoun’s next chapter 

Our successful five-year strategy has seen Cranstoun grow considerably, extending our reach and the range of services we provide. We remain ambitious and innovative, committed to developing services that respond to the changing needs of people and communities. 

As we look to the future, we are investing in the leadership, operational capability and organisational infrastructure needed to support our continued development, strengthening operational governance, consistency and assurance across our services. 

This role offers the opportunity to do more than manage established portfolios. You will help shape the future of our services and build an Operations Directorate characterised by high standards, clear accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Find out more 

Please refer to the accompanying recruitment pack for the full Job Description, Person Specification and details of the application process.

Please note: All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

How to Apply:

For more details and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button. Please quote the appropriate Job Ref in all correspondence.

Applicants must be able to provide satisfactory evidence of their right to work in the UK at the application stage.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2026.

We are an inclusive employer, committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of our work. 

Registered Charity No: 1061582

Job Title: Hertfordshire Project Assistant

Salary:  £27,980 (London Fringe weighting)

Position Type: Full time/Fixed term (until December 2028)

Reports to: Scaling Manager

Based at:  Remote, with travel to schools in Hertfordshire

Working Hours:                  5 days a week, 9am-5pm (flexible)

Pension: School Food Matters matches pension contributions at 7% of pensionable earnings

Holiday: 31 days including bank holidays that fall on working days. Holidays must be taken during the school holidays

This role requires occasional work outside of core hours (for example, if visiting a school breakfast club). It also requires travel to schools across Hertfordshire, so access to a car would be desirable. Training for delivery of the programme will be provided online and in person, and you will be expected to travel outside of Hertfordshire for some of these sessions.

Background to School Food Matters

At School Food Matters we believe that school food can unlock a happier, healthier, more sustainable future for every child. We want a school food system that delivers for all children, so they can enjoy nutritious, delicious and sustainable school food and leave school with an informed and positive relationship with food. To achieve this, we campaign for a better school food system, bringing the voices of children, parents, and teachers to government policy, and deliver fully funded food education programmes in schools across the country.

Background to Nourish

Our Nourish programme supports schools to create a food environment that puts children and young people's nutrition first. The evidence-based, multi-component programme helps schools to develop action plans and policies to cover the food served across the whole school day. Nourish uses a collaborative whole school approach to food involving everyone across the school community to create lasting positive change.

Job purpose

· To support two Project Officers with the delivery of Nourish in 30 schools in Hertfordshire (primary, secondary and SEND settings) over 2 years

Key tasks include

· Recruit schools to take part in Nourish

· Shadow and support project team to deliver in person food audits in schools

· Build relationships and work closely with teachers, teaching assistants, cooks, kitchen teams and senior leaders in schools in Hertfordshire to improve the food they offer their students

· Provide practical support to the project team with setting up workshops including paperwork and food shopping

· Provide admin support to the project team

· Tailor Nourish resources for Hertfordshire schools where required

· Collect data and maintain accurate records relating to the project

· Gather content for our comms team, website and social media platforms

· Keep project team fully updated on progress

· Keep up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures

· Maintaining the ethos of the charity and positively promoting our work at all times

· You will also be expected to undertake any other tasks relevant to the affairs of SFM that may arise from time to time. Therefore, being flexible and approaching the job with an open and positive mindset is essential.

Person Specification

Essential

· Excellent administrative and organisational skills with great attention to detail

· Excellent IT skills including excel, word and email

· Ability to work in a team, and seek help when needed

· Comfortable engaging with variety of audiences (students, school staff and parents), incl. writing and responding to email, conducting telephone, virtual and face to face meetings, and running workshops

· Self-motivated and optimistic with a can-do attitude

Desirable

· Experience of working for a charity or not for profit organisation

· Experience of working in schools

· An interest in food education and children’s health

· Access to a car

Working within Baobab's welcoming and dynamic admin team in our Therapeutic Community, the Engagement and Administrative Assistant is a dual role. In your Admin assistant role you will provide comprehensive administrative support to operational, research and advocacy teams. In your Engagement Assistant role, you will lead on developing a successful programme of youth activities at the Baobab Centre (as Baobab Youth Activities Coordinator) and will focus on prioritising young people’s engagement in advocacy and research.

Job Title: Hertfordshire Project Officer

Salary:  £29,500 (London Fringe weighting)

Position Type: Full time/Fixed term (until December 2028)

Reports to: Scaling Manager

Based at:     Remote, with travel to schools in Hertfordshire

Working Hours:                  5 days a week, 9am-5pm (flexible)

Pension:   School Food Matters matches pension contributions at 7% of pensionable earnings

Holiday:      31 days including bank holidays that fall on working days. Holidays must be taken during the school holidays

This role requires occasional work outside of core hours (for example, if visiting a school breakfast club). It also requires travel to schools across Hertfordshire, so access to a car would be desirable. Training for delivery of the programme will be provided online and in person, and you will be expected to travel outside of Hertfordshire for some of these sessions.

Background to School Food Matters

At School Food Matters we believe that school food can unlock a happier, healthier, more sustainable future for every child. We want a school food system that delivers for all children, so they can enjoy nutritious, delicious and sustainable school food and leave school with an informed and positive relationship with food. To achieve this, we campaign for a better school food system, bringing the voices of children, parents, and teachers to government policy, and deliver fully funded food education programmes in schools across the country.

Background to Nourish

Our Nourish programme supports schools to create a food environment that puts children and young people's nutrition first. The evidence-based, multi-component programme helps schools to develop action plans and policies to cover the food served across the whole school day. Nourish uses a collaborative whole school approach to food involving everyone across the school community to create lasting positive change.

Job purpose

· To deliver Nourish in 15 primary schools in Hertfordshire over 2 years in a delivery team of two Project Officers and a Project Assistant.

Key tasks include

· Support with recruitment of schools to take part in Nourish

· Complete in person food audits in schools looking across the whole school day

· Support schools to create and deliver a food improvement plan (action plan)

· Develop and deliver workshops in schools to staff, parents and students based on their action plan (e.g. assemblies, cooking sessions, school food standards training, packed lunch advice, food ed/sensory tasting sessions)

· Support schools to write a school food policy

· Build relationships and work closely with teachers, teaching assistants, cooks, kitchen teams and senior leaders in schools to improve the food they offer their students

· Collect data and maintain accurate records relating to the project

· Work closely with University of Hertfordshire and our Evaluation team to complete all monitoring and evaluation

· Work in collaboration with Hertfordshire project delivery team

· Gather content for our comms team (website and social media platforms)

· Keep Scaling Manager fully updated on progress

· Keep up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures

· Maintaining the ethos of the charity and positively promoting our work at all times

· You will also be expected to undertake any other tasks relevant to the affairs of SFM that may arise from time to time.  Therefore, being flexible and approaching the job with an open and positive mindset is essential.

Person specification

Essential

· Registered nutritionist or advanced understanding of nutritional guidelines and health promotion

· Good interpersonal skills, with experience of building relationships

· Confident engaging with a variety of audiences (students, headteachers, school staff and parents), including communications via email, virtual and face to face meetings with the ability to deliver workshops & presentations

· Excellent administrative and organisational skills with great attention to detail

· Excellent IT skills including excel, word and email

· Able to work independently and remote

· Self-motivated and optimistic with a can-do attitude

· Ability to work in a team and seek help when needed

Desirable

· Experience of engaging and working with schools and/or communities

· Experience of working for a charity or not for profit organisation

· Knowledge in food education and children’s health

· Access to a car

Job title: Programme Assistant, Enquiries 

Line manager: Team Leader, Enquiries (Senior Officer, Enquiries, in Team Leader’s absence) 

Salary: £30,000 

Type of contract: Permanent 

Start date:  Late October 2026 or shortly thereafter 

Benefits: 

• Challenging and rewarding work, always life-changing, sometimes lifesaving 
• Competitive salary 
• Team and individual training opportunities, including dedicated training budget and team lunch and learn activities monthly 
• Commitment to personal development, including opportunities to develop skills and experience to support wider Cara strategy participating in working groups, contribute to office improvement initiatives 
• Hybrid working, home and office (minimum 2 days each week in the London office) 
• Eight hours each day Monday – Friday, with flexible working by arrangement around core hours of 10am – 4pm 
• 25 days annual leave entitlement plus Bank Holidays and two weeks Christmas and New Year office closure
• 8% employer pension contribution 
• Wellbeing support, access to counselling when required, Mental Health First aid and supportive small team environment
• Convenient office location at Elephant and Castle, close to Tube (Bakerloo and Northern lines) and bus routes 

Role purpose statement:  The Programme Assistant, Enquiries, plays a vital administrative role in the Fellowship Programme working directly with academics facing immediate risk in their home countries. The role exists to provide effective and efficient administration, completing due diligence tasks and onward signposting to prospective applicants. Duties include managing an individual caseload of applicants, assisting prospective applicants and administrative support for general enquiries, the Enquiries team as well as support across the Fellowship Programme when needed. 

Organisational Background 

The Council for At-Risk Academics is a UK-registered charity founded in 1933 under the leadership of William Beveridge, to assist academics suffering persecution under the rise of Nazism and facilitate their continued work in safety. Sixteen Cara Fellows from the 1930s and 1940s became Nobel Laureates, and many more innovators in their fields, including, Nikolaus Pevsner, Lise Meitner and Karl Popper. 

Cara has been a lifeline to academics at risk for over 90 years enabling them to continue their teaching and research in safety, as and when world events have placed them in the line of fire: Hungarian Uprising, Cold War, Apartheid South Africa, Iran, Latin American Juntas, Vietnam, Kosovo, DRC, Rwanda, Sudan, Zimbabwe etc. and, more recently Iraq, Turkey, Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Today, our Fellowship Programme convenes a network of 135 UK universities in the UK to secure research placements for at-risk academics and support for their families, continuing a longstanding commitment of protecting academics and preserving their knowledge and expertise.

Cara Objectives‘To assist academics who have been, or are at risk of being, subject to discrimination, persecution, suffering or violence on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, to relieve needs among them and their dependants and ensure that their specialist knowledge and abilities can continue to be used for the benefit of the public.’ 

‘To advance education by supporting academics and their educational institutions in countries where their continuing work is at risk or compromised, to ensure that such academics and institutions can continue to fulfil their critical role as educators for the public benefit.’ 

Role & Responsibilities 

Casework 

• Signposting prospective applicants to the application form. 

• Manage own caseload, preparing cases for eligibility review, including arranging calls to speak with applicants, booking English language tests, and gathering all relevant documentation. 

• Escalating complex cases to the Team Leader as required. 

• Maintain accurate and GDPR-Compliant records of casework activity. 

• Researching international affairs to develop understanding about risks applicants face. 

• Attending weekly case review meetings with the team. 

Administration 

• Provide general administrative and logistical support, including answering phone enquiries. 

• Manage the general enquiries inbox, alongside another colleague, answering emails about the enquiries’ process, the Fellowship Programme and Cara. 

• Signpost enquiries to relevant colleagues internally and to other organisations where applicable. 

• Assist with compilation of reports to funders. 

• Present and collect data on general enquiries and applications to the Programme. 

• Ensure safekeeping of confidential information. 

• Maintain excellent detailed records of correspondence, documents, and activities. 

• Provide administrative support to colleagues on projects across the organisation as required. 

Managerial Support 

• Take part and contribute to Cara wide working groups across a range of research and strategy topics, including contributing to efficiency improvements.

• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues where applicable. 

Ad Hoc Responsibilities 

• Show adaptability and willingness to take on additional work when necessary. 

• Support the Fellowship Programme and Cara as a whole with ad hoc responsibilities. 

Responsibilities also include related activities that might arise in relation to the Fellowship Programme and Cara's other programmes as required by the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive & Fellowship Programme Manager, and other senior colleagues. 

Person Specification 

Essential: 

• Bachelor’s degree 

• Fluent English (spoken and written) 

• Proactive with a willingness to learn and contribute to a growing organisation 

• Confident and empathetic with strong interpersonal and communication skills 

• Ability to remain adaptable and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment 

• Keen team player who is ready to support and help colleagues 

• Excellent record keeping and attention to detail 

• Ability to work independently in a hybrid work setting 

• Good time management with ability to manage competing priorities and work to deadlines 

• Understanding of issues of confidentiality 

• Ability to handle difficult conversations with sensitivity and resilience 

• Interest in and commitment to the work of Cara 

• Confident using Microsoft package 

• Awareness of current global issues 

Desirable 

• Master’s or equivalent experience 

• Casework experience 

• Arabic language skills are desirable. Other foreign languages (such as Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian and Russian) will also be considered 

• Salesforce/CRM software experience 

• Lived experience or experience in supporting people who’ve gone through forced migration or other forms of severe adversity 

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if offered this position. 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial online interview on the week starting 21st September and if successful, will be required to attend an in-person interview at our office in London on the week starting 28th September. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process, please mention this as part of your application. 

Our staff team is a small (approx. 20 staff), committed and dedicated team, who works with our organisational values of Community & Collaboration, Trust & Integrity and Resilience through Knowledge & learning, we welcome applications from those with diverse identities and you will find a warm and welcoming team, committed to the highest standards as we seek to support those at risk around the world.

Application Instructions 

Please send a CV along with a cover letter in response to the screening questions below. Applications that do not follow this guidance will not be considered. 

At Cara, we do not utilise AI tools at any stage during the recruitment process, and all applications we receive are reviewed by at least two members of our team. 

We recognise that whilst artificial intelligence can be a useful tool in preparing a job application, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. 

Applicants may find AI useful for: 

• Refining and clarifying ideas and thoughts in your application 

• Researching publicly available information about Cara 

• Checking spelling, grammar and clarity of your answers 

However, we ask you to refrain from using AI for: 

• Generating responses to application questions and copying these into your application 

• Inventing or exaggerating your skills and experiences 

• Using live AI during interviews to answer questions 

We tend to find that applications that rely too heavily on AI-generated responses are not as competitive, and at Cara we value answers informed by personal experiences. We may also reject applications where AI has been used inappropriately. 

Please respond to the following questions in your cover letter (max. 2 pages).

1. What interests you about Cara and the work of supporting at-risk academics, and how do your experience and skills relate to this role? (max 500 words)
2. Describe a specific situation in which you had to manage competing priorities? How did you approach the situation? (max 250 words)
3. Tell us about a time when you had to deal with a person who was in a vulnerable situation. How did you handle this and what did you learn from this experience? (max 250 words)

We reserve the right to close applications for this role early if we receive a high number of applications.

Lord’s Taverners

The Lord’s Taverners exists to positively impact the lives of young people facing the challenges of inequality. Through inclusive and transformative cricket programmes, we empower young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities across the UK and beyond.

We are now seeking a senior professional, with significant knowledge and expertise as an Executive Assistant / Virtual Assistant to join our organisation. Reporting to the CEO, you will play a crucial key role supporting the chair of the board and their fellow trustees, as well as the CEO and the senior and middle leadership teams with a range of professional support functions that includes communications, diary management as well as meeting organisation, administration and management. You will be expected to lead wihout close supervision whilst you undertake key roles that will ensure the leadership and governance of the charity functions highly. You will need to be a confident at complex management in a fast paced environment, a proactive and very highly organised member of the team, capable of managing your own working pattern, stewarding and organising multiple stakeholders and are able to work very flexibility with wide ranging and varied work pattern.  

Salary: £38,000 - £42,000 FTE (pro‑rata £22,800 – £25,200 for 21 hours per week)

Contract: 21hrs per week Part Time, Permanent, 3 days per week.

The Role

This is a varied and rewarding role at the heart of Lord’s Taverners, providing essential support to the CEO, Trustee Board, and Leadership Teams. You will coordinate Board, Committee and leadership meetings, prepare agendas and papers, manage actions and governance records, and ensure the smooth running of key governance processes.

You will also provide high-level executive support to the CEO, managing diaries, travel, correspondence and briefing materials, while acting as a trusted point of contact for Trustees, senior leaders and external stakeholders.

Alongside this, you will help coordinate our head office operations and support strategic projects, contributing to an efficient, well-connected and high-performing organisation.

This is an excellent opportunity for an organised and proactive Executive Assistant who enjoys working with senior stakeholders, thrives on variety, and wants to make a meaningful impact within a purpose-driven charity.

About You

You will be an organised, proactive and highly professional individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys working with senior stakeholders. You will have exceptional attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining the highest levels of discretion and confidentiality.

You will bring:

• Experience providing executive or senior administrative support within a complex organisational environment.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing demands.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to engage with senior stakeholders and produce high-quality correspondence and meeting documentation.
• Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with professionalism, discretion and integrity.
• Strong Microsoft 365 skills, including Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Word and PowerPoint.
• The ability to work independently, exercise sound judgement and build effective working relationships across the organisation.
• A collaborative, flexible and proactive approach to work.
• A commitment to the values of Lord's Taverners and a belief in the power of sport to positively impact the lives of young people.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work at the centre of a charity that is transforming the lives of young people through inclusive sport, while providing critical support to the organisation's leadership and helping to ensure the effective delivery of its strategic priorities.

At Lord’s Taverners, sport is a means to an end. We are looking for people who share our belief in sport’s power to change lives, and who are motivated by impact, inclusion and opportunity for young people. 

Above all, you will be motivated by our mission and aligned with our values: We Include, We Inspire, We Empower. 

Safeguarding 

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

This role requires an enhanced DBS check and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. In line with statutory guidance, applicants do not need to disclose youth cautions or any protected convictions or cautions. 

As part of our safer recruitment practices, an online search will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates. 

Benefits 

• 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays 
• Five additional days between Christmas and New Year 
• 6% pension contribution 
• Group income protection 
• Critical illness cover 
• Life assurance 
• Health Cash Plan 
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay 
• Employee Assistance Programme 
• Two volunteering days 
• Birthday day off 
• Season ticket loan 
• Flexible working 
• Wellbeing plan 
•  

Key Dates

Applications open: 24 August 2026, 8:00am
Application deadline: 6 September 2026, 11:59pm

Please note we may close the vacancy early if we receive exceptional applications. Should this occur, all applicants will be notified.

Interviews scheduled:

First stage interviews: 9 and 10 September 2026
Second stage interviews: 14 September 2026
Third stage interviews: 17 September 2026 (TBC)
 

Application Instructions

Important part of the process.

As part of your application, please submit:

• Your CV, and
• A written response to the following question (no more than 500 words):

“Please describe a time when you were responsible for coordinating a complex activity involving multiple people, priorities, and deadlines.

Tell us how you planned and organised the work, communicated with stakeholders, monitored progress, overcame any challenges, and ensured a successful outcome. We are particularly interested in examples that demonstrate strong organisation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.”

Interview Process

First Stage (Online)

The first stage will be a 45-minute online MS Teams interview. During this stage, we will ask a range of competency-based questions to explore your experience, skills, suitability for the role, and how your values, attitude, and approach align with our culture and ways of working.

Second Stage (In Person)

The second stage will be a 60-minute, in-person assessment and interview at our London office. During this stage, you will complete a practical activity and discuss your approach, thinking, and decisions with the interview panel. This assessment is designed to explore your prioritisation and judgement, organisation and planning skills, and written communication. We will also ask questions to understand how you approach challenges, make decisions, and work collaboratively with others.

Third Stage (Online)

The third stage will be a 45-minute online conversation with members of our Trustee Board.

This stage is less formal and provides an opportunity for us to get to know each other better. We will explore your motivations, values, and working style, as well as what you are looking for in your next role. It is also a chance for you to learn more about our organisation, our Trustees, and the culture and values that guide our work.

The conversation is designed to help us understand how we would work together and ensure there is a strong mutual fit for both you and the organisation.

Accessibility

We want every candidate to feel comfortable and able to perform at their best. If you require any adjustments or support to take part in the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate.

Summary 

Please note: For full details and how to apply please view the Recruitment with the link provided.

Individual giving

• Achieve a personal income target from small to mid-level donors including through our supporter scheme, campaigns and POS donations
• Take responsibility for HOME’s low to mid-level supporter programme, ensuring strong stewardship and donor retention, and consistent delivery of supporter scheme benefits, including a year-round programme of events – supported administratively by the Development Assistant
• Deliver consistent recruitment and upgrade activity for the programme, supported administratively by the Development Assistant and making use of automation
• Be responsible for delivering donation campaigns, including planning, writing copy and training the Customer Service Team (CST) in making the ask. Collaborate with the Marketing Team to promote campaigns on social media and by email
• Take ownership of HOME’s legacy scheme, including promotion and stewardship
•  Research potential donors and work with the wider team in delivering the strategy for recruiting them
• Work closely with the Development Assistant and the Marketing Team to oversee all supporter communications, including scheduling and writing content

Benefits: 25 days plus bank holidays, option to purchase additional leave, birthday day off, employee assistnance scheme, discounted theatre tickets when available, limted home working, flexible working requests, and more.

Guts UK are looking for a new Fundraising Assistant to join the team. The fundraising assistant is the first point of contact for many of our supporters and donors. They record all of our donations in our fundraising database; they make sure all of our donor data is up to date; and they are often part of the early stewardship journey for our supporters.

The role holder is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all donor information in our fundraising database including consent and marketing preferences. They are also responsible for capturing all fundraising donations in that database with the appropriate coding to help us understand where the donation came from. The role works closely with the finance team to make sure physical donations are treated properly but also to make sure the fundraising systems and finance systems always match.

The role holder will be the first point of contact for many of our supporters and the role is critical in ensuring those supporters have a smooth, professional and friendly experience. This role holder will make sure all donors get the recognition and thanks they deserve by delivering exemplary stewardship.

We have big ambitions to increase our fundraising income and this role is critical in making sure that as we grow, we have the foundations in place to keep everything running smoothly.  

So, if you have a keen eye for detail and process, care about people, and are looking to start or build your career in fundraising – this could be the role for you. 

Who are Guts UK Charity?

Guts UK Charity is committed to a world where digestive conditions are better understood, better treated and everyone who lives with one gets the support they need. Too many people are suffering or dying in silence or alone. They don’t know where to turn for information or support, diagnosis takes too long for many, and treatment can often come too late.

We are the only UK charity that covers the entire digestive system. We raise vital awareness of digestive conditions, fund life-saving research, and provide patients and loved ones with expert information and support – we are informed by evidence and expertise, our community, and the patient voice. 

Our mission is simple: to improve the lives of millions of people affected by digestive conditions 

Please see the attached detail job pack for further information and how to apply. 

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for a Site Assistant to join our team at TreeHouse School.

You'll support the Estates Manager in maintaining a safe, secure and well-presented school environment. The role includes carrying out caretaking, cleaning and minor maintenance tasks, assisting with site security and supporting the smooth running of school activities and events.

You'll ensure the school grounds are clean, safe and well-maintained including litter-picking and daily visual checks of the playground and their equipment, recording this on SafetyCulture with evidence. You'll undertake minor repairs as needed and carry out day-to-day caretaking and cleaning duties as directed by the Estates Manager.

You will have:

• Practical skills in cleaning, basic maintenance and repair work
• Knowledge of IT and the ability to access databases to record information accurately
• Awareness of health and safety procedures and ability to apply regulations such as Manual Handling, COSHH, Water Hygiene etc
• Ability to organise workload and complete tasks to a high standard

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD) and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.

Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long-term affects a person's ability to perform day-to-day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

Purpose of the role:

As Community Fundraising Officer, you'll play a key role in growing Sheffield Hospitals Charity's income, reach and relationships across Sheffield.

This is a role where you'll have real ownership, managing your own portfolio of community partnerships, self-led fundraising, collections and volunteers, while building new relationships and finding opportunities to grow support for the charity.

You'll develop and deliver community fundraising projects and campaigns taking ideas from planning through to delivery and evaluation. You'll be encouraged to bring your own ideas, try new approaches and look beyond what we've always done to find new ways to engage people, groups and businesses.

Working closely with colleagues across the charity and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, you'll use your relationships, creativity and drive to turn opportunities into action, grow income and build long-term community support. If you're someone who loves meeting people, building relationships, spotting opportunities and making things happen, this could be the role for you.

What you’ll be responsible for:

Income Generation

Work to achieve agreed income targets by developing community fundraising opportunities and relationships with new and existing supporters.

Manage a portfolio of community fundraisers and supporters, providing advice, resources and support to maximise income and engagement.

Lead community fundraising activities and campaigns, including Mince Pie Morning, ensuring they are well planned and promoted to maximise participation, income and engagement.

Develop and manage partnerships with colleges, community groups and organisations, securing annual and multi-year commitments and opportunities to increase fundraising and awareness.

Act as the main contact for community partnerships, providing support and stewardship and attending relevant fundraising activities and events.

Develop supporter journeys for community fundraisers and partners, using communications and stewardship to encourage continued engagement and retention.

Manage community collection activity, developing relationships with supermarkets, football stadiums, train stations and other partners to secure regular and seasonal opportunities.

Identify new collection opportunities, evaluating income, resource and engagement to focus activity where it has the greatest impact.

Keep up to date with community fundraising trends and developments, identifying new opportunities, approaches and technologies to maximise income and engagement.

Support fundraising activity with NHS staff, developing opportunities to engage staff across Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. Use the fundraising database to accurately record and monitor community fundraising, income, engagement and supporter relationships.

Monitor, evaluate and report on community fundraising against agreed targets, using learning to inform future activity and budgets.

Collaborative Working

Work with the Brand & Communications team to develop promotional activity, share supporter stories and identify PR and awareness opportunities.

Work with the Events Fundraising team to use community contacts to promote charity events, encourage participation and maximise fundraising.

Support the events programme through regular attendance, typically – but not exclusively – as a volunteer manager.

Work with the Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager to develop opportunities for businesses and corporate groups to support community fundraising.

Build and maintain relationships with colleagues across our beneficiary NHS Trusts to increase awareness and identify staff and departmental engagement opportunities.

Develop resources, toolkits and guidance with colleagues to support community fundraisers, volunteers and partners.

Share community fundraising insight and learning with the wider fundraising team to inform campaigns, supporter journeys and plans.

Volunteers

Deliver the charity’s volunteer recruitment and engagement strategy, including effective recruitment, onboarding and retention.

Build positive relationships with volunteers, fostering a sense of community, belonging and common purpose.

Recruit, coordinate and support volunteers across fundraising activities, events and collections.

Develop volunteer journeys, recognising contribution and encouraging long-term involvement.

Develop relationships with volunteer leads across corporate groups, universities and community organisations to increase volunteer recruitment and engagement.

Maintain accurate volunteer records and monitor engagement using the charity’s CRM.

General

Represent Sheffield Hospitals Charity at fundraising, community and networking events, acting as an ambassador and communicating the charity’s impact through presentations, speeches and cheque presentations.

Ensure community fundraising activity complies with Fundraising Regulator requirements, GDPR and relevant charity policies and procedures.

Complete risk assessments for community fundraising and volunteer activity, ensuring the health and safety of supporters and volunteers.

Attend relevant training, workshops, webinars and networking opportunities to maintain and develop community fundraising knowledge.

Attend and contribute to team, project and organisational meetings and one-to-ones.

Undertake other duties appropriate to the role and level of responsibility.

We're looking for an enthusiastic and highly organised HR & Executive Support Assistant to support a high quality people function at IHP. This part-time role combines HR administration with wider organisational and executive support, offering a varied and rewarding opportunity within a small charity that is making a significant impact around the world.

IHP’s vision is to see a world in which all suffering due to lack of healthcare is eradicated. Our Christian faith underpins all that we do. It motivates us to care for those in need, and give our best in all circumstances, as an expression of God's love. We serve the poor in health without regard for ethnic or religious background, focusing on where the need is greatest.

About the role

The HR team is responsible for a broad range of functions supporting our 24-strong staff team and trustees. The HR & Executive Support Assistant will play a key role in delivering effective HR administration while also providing wider administrative support to help ensure the smooth running of the organisation.

Working closely with the Director of Finance & Resources, our outsourced HR Consultant and the Finance & Administration Officer, the postholder will support the employee lifecycle, maintain HR systems and records, coordinate training and wellbeing activities, and help ensure HR processes are delivered accurately and efficiently.

Alongside the core HR responsibilities, the role will provide support across a range of central organisational activities, including supporting with office administration, governance, trustee administration, staff meetings and events, maintaining internal systems and records, and assisting with cross-organisational projects led by the Senior Leadership Team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, has strong organisational skills and wants to develop their HR career while gaining experience across the wider functions of a small, collaborative charity.

We're looking for someone who can:

• Support all areas of HR administration and people processes under the direction of the outsourced HR Consultant and Director of Finance & Resources.
• Ensure HR records, systems and processes are maintained accurately, efficiently and confidentially.
• Coordinate staff training, maintain accurate training records and support employee wellbeing initiatives.
• Contribute to a positive staff experience by supporting managers and colleagues throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Provide high-quality administrative support across the organisation, including governance activities, trustee administration, office management and organisational projects.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to help ensure the smooth and effective running of IHP's central support function.

Essential skills and experience

• Experience working in an HR administration role, or in an administrative role with significant HR responsibilities.
• Experience supporting recruitment, onboarding or other employee lifecycle activities.
• Experience maintaining accurate records, databases and administrative systems.
• Excellent administration and organisational skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Experience handling confidential information with professionalism and discretion.

 Personal attributes:

• Empathetic, approachable, and discreet
• Strong communicator with the ability to build positive working relationships across the organisation
• Solutions-focused with a hands on, flexible approach
• A commitment to staff wellbeing, development and good HR practice
• Excellent judgement 
• Committed to IHP's Christian Ethos and values

For further details regarding responsibilities and person specification, please see the job description.

IHP is an Equal Opportunities Employer and is committed to working and embedding diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work, including recruitment and selection. We actively encourage applicants to inform us of any specific support or reasonable adjustments we can make in the recruitment process (eg for disability or neurodivergence) and will continue this conversation into employment, as appropriate. 

Staff regularly spend time together praying for IHP’s work and there is an occupational requirement for the post holder to have a personal commitment to the Christian faith.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a meaningful mission with a strong values driven organisation
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rate for part-time hours)
• Health and wellbeing support through Unum help@hand
• Life Insurance and Critical Illness Cover 
• Hybrid and flexible working options in a modern office near Chancery Lane Tube Station 

Join a supportive and inclusive team where your skills are valued, your voice is heard, and you have the space to work independently and develop.

Location: Hybrid working between the Aldgate, London office and home

We will be a participating charity in the TCS London Marathon 2027 Double, meaning we’ll have teams on both the Saturday and Sunday of the event weekend. This is an exciting time for an experienced and motivated Sporting + Events Senior Officer to  join our Sporting + Events (S+E) Team and help us deliver the London Marathon 2027 and 2028 to an exceptional standard.

Asthma + Lung UK is the only charity in the UK fighting for everyone with a lung condition, aiming for a world where everyone can breathe with healthy lungs. We fund cutting-edge research, provide advice and support for the 12 million people who will get a lung condition during their lifetime. We also campaign for clean air and for better NHS diagnosis and treatment.

The Sporting + Events team are working on an ambitious portfolio of events and strategy to continue our recent income growth in this area. This will be a crucial role within the team, supporting the S+E Manager with operational decision-making and leading on event logistics. You’ll play a key role in overseeing the overall stewardship programme, supporting the Officer to deliver fantastic supporter care. You’ll closely monitor financial and engagement data to track progress, allowing you to make robust recommendations to the Manager to enhance performance. You’ll also have the opportunity to line manage an Assistant as part of this role offering great experience for those looking to progress to Manager level within the sector.
 
To be successful in this role, you will have an excellent track record of delivering mass participation events, as well as reaching agreed KPIs. You’ll be enthusiastic, organised and ready to join a friendly, ambitious and high-performing team to reach new records.

As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a range of benefits including 30 days (pro rata) annual leave plus bank holidays, membership of a health cash plan, employee assistance programme and pension scheme. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an ambitious team at a pivotal time within in our strategy.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity to ensure consideration.