Be part of a team that changes and saves lives. Design and deliver creative events that support military families caring for injured loved ones.
This is a demanding but deeply rewarding role that combines service delivery, engagement, and emotional resilience. As Events & Engagement Officer, you will work closely with our Operational Support Team to design and deliver a varied programme of online and in-person events. These will support the wellbeing of our Members (adult family members of injured veterans and serving personnel), reduce isolation, and build understanding of the challenges faced by military families.
The Ripple Pond is a UK-wide charity that supports the adult family members of physically or psychologically injured Armed Forces personnel and veterans. We provide peer support, structured guidance, and signposting to improve wellbeing and reduce isolation for families who often carry complex emotional burdens in silence. Our work is rooted in lived experience and built on a foundation of inclusion, compassion, and community.
The Operational Support Team lies at the heart of our frontline service. It delivers one-to-one support, coordinates safeguarding and triage, and ensures Members are connected to the right pathways at the right time. It is a trauma-informed, emotionally intelligent team that works with care and professionalism, ensuring that no one caring for an injured veteran or serviceperson feels alone.
You will start your time with The Ripple Pond by embedding into the Operations Team for approximately two months. This will give you a firm grounding in the lived experiences of our Members and ensure you’re fully trained to act as Duty Officer. As Duty Officer, you’ll receive and respond to referrals and enquiries, complete needs assessments, carry out risk assessments, and navigate Members to appropriate internal or external support. This may involve responding to distressing and traumatic situations, including domestic abuse, suicidal ideation, addiction, and other complex issues. You will also be expected to attend (online) multi-agency meetings.
This role requires emotional resilience, sound judgment, and exceptional communication skills. You will need to work flexibly, including some evenings and occasional weekends, and travel to a limited number of face-to-face events and meetings throughout the year. In return, you will be part of a supportive, values-driven team making a real and lasting difference to people’s lives.
Key Responsibilities
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Working with your colleagues to design and deliver an engaging and inclusive programme of digital and in-person events that support Member wellbeing, build confidence, reduce isolation, and encourage peer connection.
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Co-develop activities such as themed discussion groups, creative and recreational workshops (e.g. book clubs, craft groups, quiz nights, art workshops, journaling, fitness, etc.), and skill-building sessions.
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Plan and lead external engagement sessions for professionals and stakeholders to improve understanding of the Armed Forces family experience.
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Manage the full event cycle, from concept and scheduling to promotion, delivery, and evaluation.
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Work closely with the Operational Support Team to ensure all activities reflect Member needs and organisational aims.
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Act as Duty Officer on a rota basis, including during periods of staff leave or absence. This includes responding to new enquiries, completing needs and risk assessments, and triaging Members into appropriate pathways of support.
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Respond sensitively to Members disclosing trauma or distress and act in line with our safeguarding and escalation procedures.
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Attend virtual joint-agency meetings when required to support Members or represent the charity.
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Use digital tools to promote and deliver content (e.g. Zoom, Canva, Transpond, Eventbrite, CRM systems).
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Collect and evaluate Member feedback to help refine services and contribute to reporting and development work.
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Support cross-organisational projects and team-wide initiatives as needed.
Terms and Conditions
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Hours: Part-time, 21 hours per week
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Schedule: Three days per week, 9 am to 5 pm (1-hour unpaid lunch break)
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Flexibility: Some evenings and occasional weekends will be required to support Member activities or represent the charity. Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) will be provided
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Contract: Fixed-term, 18 months (extension subject to funding)
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Location: Home-based
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Travel:
˃ Expectation to attend up to 8 in-person events or meetings per year
˃ All travel time and reasonable expenses are reimbursed
˃ Depending on your location, some travel may involve overnight stays, which the charity will fully fund
˃ The ability and willingness to travel and stay overnight is essential
Person Specification
Essential
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Experience designing and delivering events (in-person or online)
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Strong interpersonal skills with empathy and emotional resilience
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Excellent written and verbal communication
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Ability to manage sensitive conversations and disclosures appropriately
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Familiarity with digital tools (e.g. Zoom, Canva, Eventbrite, CRM systems)
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Excellent organisational and time management skills
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Ability to work flexibly, independently, and as part of a team
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Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, and person-centred support
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Demonstrates emotional resilience and works confidently with individuals facing trauma, distress, or complex challenges
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Maintains strong professional boundaries and self-awareness, with a clear understanding of when to seek support
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Manages workload effectively under pressure, staying focused and prioritising in emotionally demanding situations
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Shows a consistent commitment to personal wellbeing and self-care when working in high-pressure or emotionally complex environments
Desirable
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Knowledge of or lived experience within the Armed Forces or veteran families
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Experience working in the charity sector
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Familiarity with trauma-informed approaches or peer-led initiatives
Other
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Full UK driving licence and access to a roadworthy, insured vehicle
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Willingness to travel across the UK and stay overnight where required
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Commitment to professional development and learning
Benefits
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30 days annual leave (pro rata) plus your birthday off
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6% employer contribution to your workplace pension scheme
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Access to an Employee Assistance Programme offering:
˃ Discounts and rewards on popular brands
˃ Free access to fitness and wellbeing apps
˃ Free legal, financial, and family advice
We aim to shortlist and interview candidates on 17 and 18 July 2025. Interviews will be held online and last around one hour.
Please submit:
- A CV that is clear, up to date, and proofread. If there are any gaps in employment, we encourage you to briefly explain them.
- A covering letter outlining why you're a strong fit for the role. Use the Job Description and Person Specification to reflect on your skills, experience, and potential.
Our roles attract strong interest. We’re committed to fair, person-centred recruitment. Please use your application to show us who you are; your strengths, values, and why this role matters to you.
Registered Charity
1 - 5
Supporting adult family members of physically or psychologically injured British Armed Forces personnel and veterans
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Qualifications/ skills: CIPD qualified or equivalent professional HR qualification (Level 5 or above)
Time: Minimum 12 up to 16 hours per week. Can be worked flexibly but there are some essential meetings on a Monday.
Where: Remote - UK based. Two team days per year in London / South East or online.
Salary: £35,000-£38,000 full-time equivalent, depending on experience. This salary is in line with our organisational pay structure.
Deadline to apply: 11th July 2025
Estimated start date: September 2025
Role overview
This HR Lead role will support a unique, employee-owned, self-managed organisation. You'll play a key part in ensuring the smooth running of HR practices, advising on employee relations, and contributing to a positive, self-directed work environment.
As a self-managed organisation HR is distributed between a number of different roles. You will be working alongside our Organisational Development Lead, Training & Development Lead, Compliance Lead, HR Support, Onboarding/Offboarding Lead, Team Companion and the leadership team.
As this is a new developing role, the responsibilities listed in the Job Description are areas where Chiltern has identified HR expertise is needed at this current point in time. This gives the role holder the opportunity to further develop and shape this area of our business.
Key duties include advising on employee relations, supporting self-managed teams, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement and employee ownership, and you'll also work closely with individuals to ensure HR policies are adhered to, individuals feel empowered and engaged and that the organisation's culture aligns with its values in the delivery of HR practices.
Accountabilities
Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
1. HR Strategy & Organisational Development
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Collaborate with the leadership team to drive the organisation’s People Management Strategy
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Devise and deliver HR projects to improve business efficiency and effectiveness
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Lead succession planning initiatives across the organisation
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Horizon scan for emerging HR practices and employment law developments
2. HR Policy, Compliance & Risk Management
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Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, and the Employee Handbook to ensure legal compliance
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Ensure compliance with UK employment law across all HR functions
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Lead on:
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Third Party Risk Policy
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Equality Impact Assessment Policy
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Stakeholder Engagement Policy (ensuring service user perspectives are integrated)
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Monitor adherence to internal policies, including whistleblowing, grievances, and dignity at work
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Audit EDI data bi-annually and create strategies to promote diversity and inclusion
3. Employee Relations & Case Management
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Providing advice and leading on the process for :
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Grievances
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Disciplinaries
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Bullying, harassment, and capability issues
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Redeployment and redundancy
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Lead meetings prior to disciplinary sanctions in collaboration with our HR administrator
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Mediate disputes and facilitate conflict resolution within the context of HR discussions
4. Compensation and Benefits
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Developing and maintaining salary structures
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Conducting salary benchmarking and market analysis
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Overseeing annual salary reviews
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Ensuring compliance with pay equity laws
5. Recruitment, Onboarding & Talent Management
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Oversee advertising and attraction strategies
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Support onboarding processes to aid efficiency
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Review terms and conditions, contracts, and engage with external advisors as needed
6. Attendance & Performance Management
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Manage absence cases including statutory and contractual entitlements
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Support the leadership team with performance and attendance-related challenges
7. Systems & Process Improvement
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Maintain and enhance HR systems, ensuring lean processes and the integration of e-systems
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Regularly review and improve the Staff Portal alongside our Training & Development Lead
8. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
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Stay updated on EDI legislation and best practice
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Support the organisation in being legally compliant, culturally relevant, and innovative in its EDI approach
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Lead data audits and present an equal opportunities review every two years
9. Professional Development & Networking
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Engage with local HR support networks, including CIPD and ACAS
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Maintain continuous professional development (CPD)
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Be an active member of Social Enterprise UK HSC HR group and attend relevant meetings
Person specification
We are looking for an efficient, well-organised, friendly person to join the team with the following qualities:
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CIPD qualified or equivalent professional HR qualification (Level 5 or above)
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Experience in a generalist HR role, including employee relations, policy development, and HR project delivery.
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Experience working on or leading Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives.
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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across all levels
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Confident facilitator and leader of sensitive meetings and discussions, with a culture of care
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As this is a hands on role, a high level of organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously is needed
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Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive work environment
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Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability, with the ability to adjust to changing priorities and respond effectively to new or unforeseen challenges.
Job benefits
A key benefit in working for Chiltern is being a part of a forward thinking employee owned team, where our culture celebrates and values the voice of each individual.
Staff members benefit from a flexible working environment, creating a personal schedule based around the requirements of the role.
Ultimately, at the heart of what we do is our value of ‘care’, which is felt strongly across the team.
Additional benefits include:
- Flexible working
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32 Days (FTE) per annum annual leave allowance (including bank holidays)
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High street discount shopping portal
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EAP package - access to confidential support and wellbeing services
About Chiltern Music Therapy
Chiltern is an award-winning social enterprise that provides music therapy, community music services and training to over 1700 people of all ages and many different needs across England each year. Formed in 2011 from a desire to change how music therapy was offered in the UK, we hold accessibility and financial inclusivity at our heart, working across health, education, social care and community settings.
Proud to be a self-managed and employee-owned organisation, we strive to create a world where music therapy is the transformative thread in the lives of the children and adults we support. At Chiltern we recognise the different strengths within our team. We provide an environment where people can take charge of the work they do and make informed decisions using professional judgement and life experience, alongside peer support. We’re welcoming, inclusive, and have worked hard to create a positive environment that we are proud of. You can find out more about us on our website.
How to apply
To apply, please apply with your CV and a one-page covering letter which should include your reasons for wanting to join Chiltern Music Therapy and suitability for the role.
We welcome enquiries and applications from people of all identities and backgrounds and value diversity in our workforce.
We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible as we may close applications early depending on application numbers.
For more information about Chiltern Music Therapy please visit our website.
