Children and young peoples services peer support officer jobs

Employment Details: 

• Location: Haringey (N17), London, UK. (This is an In-Person role with optional one day working remotely) 
• Job Title:  Director of Operations 
• Reporting to: CEO, with accountability to the Board of Trustees 
• Line Manages: Operations Co-ordinator and Finance Officer
• Employment Type: Full-Time (40hrs Per Week)
• Start date: October 2026 (Ideally, or later if you have a notice period) 

Benefits:

• Annual Leave: 25 days (Exclusive of Bank Holiday)
• 1 x WFH/flexi working as per policy
• CPD Budget: £1000
• Group Life Insurance
• Discount on Food (Specific Restaurants)
• Free Brunch every Thursday
• Company Well-being Events
• Pension Contribution

Summary of the role:
The Director of Operations is a pivotal senior leadership role at Sister System, responsible for strengthening the people, culture, systems and organisational foundations that enable our mission to thrive. Working closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, the postholder will play a central role in delivering our current strategic priorities and shaping the next chapter of Sister System as we develop our future strategy beyond September 2027. 

This is a significant opportunity to help shape a growing, values-led organisation founded on co-curation, sisterhood, race & gender equity and the belief that girls and young women should be active architects of the services, systems and opportunities designed for them. With oversight of financial management, people and culture, compliance, risk and organisational infrastructure, the Director of Operations will lead on empowering & ensuring that our internal culture and ways of working reflect the same care, accountability, ambition and empowerment that sit at the heart of our model. 

The role will be instrumental in translating our founding vision into strong, sustainable practice, ensuring Sister System is equipped to grow its impact while remaining deeply connected to the voices, experiences and leadership of the girls and young women we exist to serve. 

Our Charity:
Sister System exists to ensure that care-affected girls and young women are not defined by the systems they have experienced, but are supported to recognise their strengths, shape their futures and access the same opportunities as their peers. 

Our culturally competent, co-curated model works alongside girls and young women aged 13–24 through a long-term journey of support, progression and leadership. Across three interconnected stages, we provide trusted relationships, mentoring, therapeutic support, education, leadership development and pathways into employment. Our approach recognises that meaningful change takes time, consistency and a community that continues to believe in her. 

Founded with girls and young women, not simply for them, Sister System places their voices, experiences and ambitions at the heart of everything we do. Through our growing hub-and-spoke model, we are expanding our reach while also influencing the wider systems, services and institutions that shape their lives. 

Our ambition is not only to improve individual outcomes, but to demonstrate a better way of working with care-affected girls and young women—one that is relational, culturally responsive, asset-based and built around what they tell us they need to thrive. 

As Sister System enters its next phase of growth and prepares to shape its future strategy, we are seeking an experienced and values-led Director of Operations to join our Senior Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the people, culture, systems and infrastructure that will enable our organisation—and the girls and young women alongside us—to achieve even more. 

Our Vision: 
A world where empowered girls reach their potential through equitable opportunities.

Our Mission: 
To bridge the gap between care-affected girls and young women within mainstream society by working alongside them to ensure they have the same opportunities that everyone else has – at home, school, work and within our communities. 

Our Values: 

• COLLABORATIVE 
  We co-curate programmes with our Sis-Stars. We seek powerful partnerships. 
• EVIDENCE-BASED 
  We build trust and respect within our sector. 
• MASTERFUL 
  We aim for excellence as standard and share our learning. 
• SOLUTION-FOCUSED 
  We innovate to overcome challenges with a long-term goal in mind. 
• TENACIOUS 
  We are not afraid to take a stand and push for change. 

 
Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership and Implementation 

• Work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to translate Sister System’s strategy, theory of change, operational model and financial plans into clear organisational priorities and coordinated action. 
• Play a central role in shaping Sister System’s next strategy ahead of the September 2027 refresh, ensuring it reflects our founding commitment to co-curation, the voices of girls and young women, our evolving three-stage model and our future growth ambitions. 
• Lead the development of proportionate planning, monitoring and review processes that enable the Senior Leadership Team to track progress, reflect on performance, identify barriers and remain accountable for delivery. 
• Monitor progress against agreed strategic goals and KPIs, ensuring that risks, dependencies and areas requiring leadership attention are clearly identified and addressed. 
• Support senior leaders to turn strategic priorities into realistic plans, with clear ownership, timescales and measurable outcomes. 
• Ensure that learning from delivery, impact data, staff experience and the voices of girls and young women inform strategic decision-making and organisational improvement. 
• Cultivate a strong shared sense of purpose across Sister System, helping colleagues understand how their roles contribute to our mission, values and long-term ambitions. 

Financial Strategy and Audit 

• Work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to shape, implement and regularly evaluate Sister System’s financial strategy, ensuring it supports our mission, strategic ambitions and long-term sustainability. 
• Provide clear, financial recommendations to the CEO, helping the organisation navigate the balance between delivering high-quality, meaningful impact for girls and young women, achieving value for money and maintaining financial resilience. 
• Translate Sister System’s strategic priorities, delivery model and growth ambitions into realistic financial plans, forecasts and scenarios that support timely and well-informed decision-making. 
• Lead financial scenario planning and ensure that the CEO and Board have a clear understanding of the financial implications, risks and trade-offs associated with key organisational decisions. 
• Lead and oversee the annual audit process, working effectively with external auditors, the finance team, senior leaders and the Board to ensure a robust, timely and transparent process. 
• Ensure that learning and recommendations arising from audits, financial reviews and assurance activity are translated into clear improvements and strengthened organisational practice. 

Financial Management 

• Lead the development, monitoring and management of annual budgets, reforecasts and longer-term financial plans, ensuring resources are aligned with Sister System’s strategic priorities. 
• Hold and actively manage the tension between quality, impact, affordability and value for money, ensuring financial decisions protect the integrity of Sister System’s model and the experience of the girls and young women we serve. 
• Provide the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board with clear, accessible and timely financial information, insight and recommendations to support effective leadership and governance. 
• Produce high-level financial reports and analysis covering budgets, cash flow, reserves, forecasts, strategic KPIs and other relevant performance indicators. 
• Maintain and continuously strengthen proportionate financial systems, controls and processes that reflect Sister System’s size, stage of growth and evolving operating model. 
• Ensure that robust financial and performance-reporting infrastructure is in place, with clear accountability, reliable data and appropriate oversight across the organisation. 
• Support Directors and budget holders to understand their financial responsibilities, manage resources effectively and make informed decisions within agreed parameters. 
• Identify emerging financial risks, pressures and opportunities for greater efficiency, advising the CEO on appropriate actions and ensuring these are monitored and addressed. 
• Oversee high quality bookkeeping practice to ensure reporting is accurate and up to date. 
• Work with the fundraising team to develop budgets for proposals and create timely financial reports for funders and donors 

Culture and Operational Effectiveness 

• Work closely with our People and Culture consultant, CEO and Senior Leadership Team to shape and embed a progressive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture aligned with Sister System’s values: Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. 
• Champion a culture of regular, honest and constructive feedback, helping managers and colleagues to hold crucial conversations with clarity, care and accountability. 
• Ensure that Sister System’s internal culture reflects the relational, empowering and values-led approach that sits at the heart of our work with girls and young women. 
• Review existing organisational processes and workflows, identifying practical opportunities to improve clarity, consistency, collaboration and efficiency. 
• Develop and embed proportionate ways of working that support Sister System’s current size, evolving operating model and future growth. 

People Planning and Management 

• Lead the development of a clear and forward-looking people plan that ensures Sister System has the right structure, capacity, capabilities and leadership in place to deliver its strategic ambitions. 
• Support managers to build high-performing teams through effective objective-setting, regular feedback, performance management and professional development. 
• Foster an environment in which people are supported to grow, appropriately challenged and held accountable for delivering against agreed expectations. 
• Facilitate professional learning, career development and progression across the organisation, ensuring that opportunities are transparent, equitable and aligned with organisational need. 
• Oversee workforce and succession planning, ensuring that the organisational structure remains appropriate, affordable and responsive to Sister System’s development. 
• Work with the CEO and relevant advisers to ensure fair and appropriate pay, benefits and working conditions. 
• Oversee recruitment and the end-to-end employee experience, from attraction and onboarding through to development, retention and exit. 
• Ensure that people policies, practices and management approaches are legally compliant, consistently applied and reflective of Sister System’s values. 

Compliance and Risk Management 

• Ensure that Sister System meets its legal, regulatory and governance responsibilities as a charity and employer. 
• Lead the development and maintenance of a proportionate organisational risk-management framework that protects Sister System’s people, assets, reputation and ability to deliver its mission. 
• Ensure that key organisational risks are clearly identified, owned, monitored and reported to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. 
• Promote a culture in which risk is understood and actively managed without limiting thoughtful innovation, learning or ambition.

Governance, Communications and Facilities 

• Facilitate clear, timely and effective communication and cooperation between the Board of Trustees, CEO and Senior Leadership Team. 
• Support the development of strong governance systems, ensuring that trustees receive the information, insight and assurance required to fulfil their responsibilities effectively. 
• Work closely with trustees through the Finance and Audit committee 
• Oversee the organisation’s IT infrastructure and digital systems through external providers, ensuring that they remain secure, reliable and appropriate for Sister System’s needs. 
• Oversee the effective operation of Sister System’s physical workspace within a fully managed office environment, working with building management and relevant external providers where required. 
• Ensure that Sister System provides a safe, welcoming and accessible environment for girls and young women, staff, volunteers, visitors and partners across its hub, spoke locations and external activities. 
• Ensure that appropriate health and safety systems, procedures and responsibilities are understood, implemented and regularly reviewed. 

Person Specification 
We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and values-led operational leader to join Sister System’s Senior Leadership Team. You will combine sound judgement and strong organisational skills with a warm, collaborative leadership style and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for care-affected girls and young women. 

You do not need to be a specialist in every area of the role. You will, however, need the confidence and experience to lead across a broad operational portfolio, work effectively with professional advisers and external providers, and provide clear, practical advice to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. 

Essential Experience and Knowledge 

• Significant experience in a senior operations, finance, people, governance or organisational leadership role within a charity, social enterprise or similarly values-led organisation. 
• Experience of translating organisational strategy into clear priorities, plans, systems and measurable outcomes. 
• Experience of developing and managing organisational budgets, forecasts and financial reporting, with the ability to balance quality, impact, affordability and value for money. 
• Experience of supervising or coordinating an external audit process, working effectively with auditors, finance colleagues and the Board. 
• Experience of people planning, performance management and supporting managers to build capable, accountable and high-performing teams. 
• Experience of developing or improving organisational systems, processes and ways of working during a period of growth or change. 
• A sound understanding of charity governance, organisational risk, compliance and the responsibilities of senior leaders and trustees. 
• Experience of working collaboratively with a CEO, senior leadership colleagues, trustees, consultants and external professional advisers. 
• A strong understanding of equity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice, and the ability to embed these principles within organisational culture and decision-making. 

Skills and Leadership Approach 

• An approachable, emotionally intelligent and credible leader who can build trust, motivate others and develop effective working relationships across an organisation. 
• The ability to lead with both care and accountability, supporting open feedback and helping colleagues to hold constructive and sometimes crucial conversations. 
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to understand the wider organisational picture while maintaining oversight of important operational detail. 
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial, people or operational information clearly and accessibly. 
• Strong organisational and project-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, meet deadlines and maintain momentum. 
• Sound judgement and the confidence to provide constructive challenge, identify risks and offer clear recommendations to the CEO and Board. 
• A practical and solution-focused approach, with the ability to move from discussion and planning into coordinated action. 
• The ability to handle sensitive, confidential and personal information professionally and in accordance with Sister System’s policies, data-protection responsibilities and GDPR. 
• Energy, curiosity and enthusiasm for strengthening an ambitious organisation as it prepares to shape and deliver its next strategy. 

Values and Commitment 

• A demonstrable commitment to Sister System’s mission and to improving the opportunities, experiences and outcomes of care-affected girls and young women. 
• The ability to model and champion Sister System’s values: Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. 
• A commitment to co-curation and to ensuring that the voices, experiences and leadership of girls and young women inform organisational planning and decision-making. 
• A commitment to continuous learning, reflective practice and personal and professional development. 

Desirable 

• Lived experience of the care system, or a strong professional understanding of the experiences of care-affected girls and young women. 
• Experience of working within a founder-led organisation or alongside a founder CEO. 
• Experience of supporting an organisation through growth, restructuring or the development of a new strategy. 
• Knowledge of culturally competent, trauma-informed or relational approaches to working with young people. 
• A relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in operations, finance, human resources, governance or organisational leadership. 
• Experience working with social care and educational service providers (statutory and third sector). 
• Knowledge of the Charity SORP, Charity Commission reporting requirements, and other third-sector financial regulation. 

Sister System is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to two satisfactory reference checks and DBS enhanced disclosure.

How to apply

Please apply via our recruitment platform Breathe by 31st August 2026. You will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following questions:

Values alignment 
Sister System's model is built on co-curation (working with girls and young women, not simply for them) and on being Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. Which of these values do you feel most aligned with, and which do you find hardest to live up to in practice?
 
People & Culture
Sister System is a founder-led organisation, underpinned by race and gender equity and a culturally competent, trauma-informed approach to working with girls and young women. Tell us about a time you strengthened internal culture of this nature within a team. What resistance did you meet, and what was different a year later?

Finance 
A key element of the role is monitoring income against budget for current and future years. Charity income can provide additional complexities, particularly with different types of grants. Please explain your understanding of these complexities, and how they impact on recording and reporting, including examples from your own experience if relevant. 

Timeline
Deadline for applications: End of day Monday 31st August 2026 
First round interviews: w/c 7th September 
Second round interviews: w/c 14th September
Decisions made: by 22nd September 

Thank you for your interest in joining Sister System in our mission to inspire and empower young women. 

CDI is implementing a new cloud-based case management system, and the Data and Insight Manager will lead its rollout across the organisation. This is a unique opportunity for someone who enjoys combining data, people and storytelling. You will own the CRM, build reporting and dashboards, develop meaningful organisational insight, and build the relationships that help colleagues use data with confidence. Through your work, you’ll help CDI tell the story of its impact on children, young people and families while supporting better decisions across the organisation. The post holder will also act as Deputy Data Protection Officer.

In this brand-new role, you will take the lead on supporting our young carers, volunteer mentors, and partner schools—making a real, lasting difference in the community and to the young carers we support. 
Our vision is for all young carers to flourish. Through long-term mentoring, group programmes, and our annual Aspirations Conference, we help young people succeed in education, build confidence, and unlock future opportunities. We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic self-starter who is genuinely passionate about helping others thrive.

You’ll be right at the heart of our service delivery—whether you’re working directly with inspiring young people, empowering our volunteer mentors, or collaborating with the wider team on fundraising and events. Alongside being part of a supportive team, this role has a degree of autonomy, meaning you'll need the excellent organisational skills to manage your own day, the interpersonal spark to build strong relationships, and the flexibility for evening work.

Main Responsibilities

• Service delivery lead in Wiltshire of all YCDT programmes

• Volunteer recruitment, training, management and supervision

• Supporting young carers to achieve their educational potential

• Monitoring and evaluation

Job Description

Join our team as an Editorial Assistant on a fixed-term maternity cover contract, helping us to support teachers, champion great teaching and raise the status of the profession by supporting the publication of our peer-reviewed journal.

Job Title - Editorial Assistant

Reports To - Content Editor 

Salary - £27,000 (FTE)

Contract - Part-time, fixed term until Friday 30 July 2027 (with the potential to extend)

Hours - 21 hours per week (0.6 FTE) 

Benefits - Flexible working, generous annual leave, 8.5% employer pension contribution, Paycare, individual and team professional development/learning budget. A full list of our benefits can be found here. 

Based - Hybrid / Remote. We have a central London office but our team work from across the country and we are happy to support remote or office-based working (with hybrid options). 

Start date - Ideally Tuesday 1 September but subject to any notice period

Deadline and interview - Applications close on Friday 21 August 2026 but we will be reviewing applications and interviewing on a rolling basis so we encourage you to apply early. We will interview as soon as a suitable candidate is identified and therefore may close the role early.

Interviews will consist of a task and competency-based interview. 

Application - Please apply by uploading your CV and cover letter. Please use the guidance when writing your cover letter. We encourage you to apply promptly as we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may complete the process earlier than expected if an excellent candidate is identified at an early stage.

The Organisation

The Chartered College of Teaching is a charity and the professional body for teachers. We are working to empower a knowledgeable and respected teaching profession through membership and accreditation.

We are dedicated to bridging the gap between practice and research and equipping teachers from the moment they enter the classroom with the knowledge and confidence to make the best decisions for their pupils.

Our activities mainly focus on four key areas:

• membership
• teacher CPD and accreditation
• research, policy and events
• online and print resources

Since opening membership in 2017, we have grown rapidly. In total our work reaches over 40,000 teachers and more than 3.6 million young people. We are a growing and multi-skilled team of 30 people, supported by a Board of Trustees with a significant track record of experience in a range of fields. Our business plan focuses on growing membership and Chartered Status, strategic positioning of the College in the education sector, and providing meaningful professional learning opportunities for the teaching profession. 

The Opportunity

Our publications and online learning resources support teachers to make a difference to the lives of millions of children across the country. Our peer-reviewed practitioner journal is used by teachers and educators to develop their evidence-informed practice.

We are recruiting within the content and publishing team to welcome an Editorial Assistant who believes in our mission to support the work we do. 

Over the coming months, the Editorial Assistant will keep the journal's peer review cycle on track, provide high-quality support to authors and reviewers and contribute to wider publishing activity across the Chartered College.

This would be an ideal opportunity for a highly organised, detail-oriented person with an interest in publishing and education. You will:

• take ownership of the peer review administration process, from sourcing reviewers to tracking deadlines and formatting reports
• work collaboratively with colleagues across the team, providing excellent customer service to authors and reviewers
• help to keep the professional membership organisation's publications running to a high standard at an exciting time for the College.

Peer Review Administration 

Most of your time will be spent supporting the peer review process for our practitioner journal. This includes researching and identifying suitable reviewers, matching them to article abstracts and manuscripts, and coordinating the allocation of two reviewers per article. You will send articles out to reviewers with the relevant guidelines, track response deadlines, and follow up as needed. Once reviews are received, you will format the reports to a consistent standard and save them to the shared Google Drive. We currently organise our workflow around Asana and Google Drive, and you'll work closely with the Content Editor to keep the review cycle on track. You will need to be someone who can manage several articles at different stages simultaneously and take pride in keeping things well-organised and on time.

Author support and proofreading 

You will spend some of your time on proofreading and editorial tasks, including marking up corrections on PDFs and supporting the Content Editor with copy amendments during the production process. You will also act as a first point of contact for authors, providing clear and friendly communication to support them through the publication process – from submission through to final publication. You will be expected to respond to author queries professionally and promptly, escalating where needed, and to help maintain a positive experience for contributors to the journal.

Wider publishing support 

You will spend some of your time supporting wider publishing activity across the College, including uploading and updating content on WordPress and carrying out other publishing-related tasks as and when required. Beyond your core responsibilities, you will also participate in team meetings and be encouraged to take part in professional learning activities and training to maintain and develop your knowledge and skills.

About You

Editorial support for us means keeping our peer review process running efficiently and providing a positive, professional experience for the authors and reviewers who contribute to our journal.

You do not need to have expertise in absolutely all areas, let us decide! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourage you to apply. We're looking for someone who is motivated by our vision and is passionate about publishing and supporting the work of teachers. Systems you would be using include Asana, Google Drive, WordPress and Adobe Acrobat (or equivalent PDF editing tools).

Skills and experience: 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a confident, professional email manner
• Strong organisational skills with experience of managing multiple tasks and deadlines
• Experience of delivering high-quality customer service to a range of external stakeholders
• Experience of, or interest in, proofreading and copyediting
• Experience of, or interest in, working in a publishing, editorial or academic environment
• Confidence using Google Drive and online content management systems (e.g. WordPress)
• An interest in the education sector and the support and development of teachers

As well as technical requirements, we are looking for people who: 

• Believe in the transformative power of education, see teachers as key drivers in achieving improved educational outcomes for all and are motivated to contribute to this change.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, understanding the importance of conveying complex ideas in an easy to understand way and respecting the work schedules and patterns of colleagues.
• Learning and feedback oriented and keen to develop their skillset.
•  Are committed to equality and diversity, demonstrating these through their work and daily interactions with colleagues, members and other stakeholders.

Why Us?

As an organisation we care deeply about creating a working environment that supports our people to grow personally and professionally. These are reflected in our organisational values which outline the distinctive working culture we are looking to create. In particular, these values are reflected in our commitment to: 

• Flexible working: responsive management, flexible hours, hybrid or fully remote working 
• Professional development, including formal and informal training and support 
• Transparency and ownership: we have an open culture that ensures all staff guide our strategic direction 
• Mental health and wellbeing: access to health and wellbeing advice and health cash plan.

Diversity and inclusion at the Chartered College 

As a growing organisation we are committed to:

• Becoming increasingly representative of the sector and geographies that we operate in
• Providing a positive experience of work as part of an inclusive culture led by our organisational values 
• Maintaining an annual EDI action plan - led by the internal team. 

What to expect from the recruitment process

• All applications are anonymised until the point of interview
• Line Managers trained in recognising bias
• We implement a standardised interview template and competencies matrix for a fair and transparent process
• All interviews are conducted via Zoom and camera use is optional.

If you require any adjustments in order to proceed with an application please make a request.

For more information about joining the Chartered College, please watch this short video from Dame Alison Peacock (CEO).

Your Personal Data

As part of the recruitment process, the Chartered College of Teaching collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. The organisation is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations.

Pre-employment checks

All conditional offers of employment are subject to:

• Two satisfactory references
• Proof of qualifications
• Eligibility to work in the UK.

We are an employer committed to the safeguarding of children and young people.

Senior Young Dads Worker (Neurodiverse)

About NEYDL

North East Young Dads and Lads (NEYDL) was founded in 2017 and has grown rapidly to become one of the UK’s most recognised organisations supporting young dads, men aged 25 and under in a fathering role. Our vision is for young dads to be valued and supported as parents. In 2024/25 we supported 217 young dads directly and achieved 100% satisfaction among the young dads we work with.

We are a non-judgmental organisation built on mutual trust, respect and honesty. Many of our staff are young dads themselves or have lived experience relevant to the communities we serve.

About this role

We use the term ‘young dads’ to refer to young dads, expectant dads and non-birthing partners aged 25 and under. This includes people within this age bracket who self-identify as father figures, including kinship carers and non-birthing partners.

We use the term ‘neurodiverse’ as an inclusive term covering young dads who are autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia or other forms of neurodivergence, whether formally diagnosed, self-identified or awaiting assessment. We recognise that neurodivergent young dads can face additional barriers in accessing parenting support, including in how services are structured, communicated and delivered, and that these barriers are often compounded by stigma, exclusion or a lack of appropriate adjustment.

This is a dedicated role to ensure neurodivergent young dads can access the high quality support NEYDL offers, and that our wider service offer is genuinely accessible to them. You will provide direct, adapted support to neurodivergent young dads, while also building NEYDL’s organisational understanding of how to work effectively and inclusively with this group.

What we are looking for

We are looking for a motivated and experienced worker with a genuine understanding of neurodivergence and its impact on young fathers, and the ability to adapt support, communication and activities accordingly. You will be a confident networker, able to build relationships with both young dads and the services and organisations that support neurodivergent people across the North East.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of neurodivergence, either personally or as a parent or carer of a neurodivergent child, and from people with lived experience of young fatherhood.

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 (pro rata), 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

How to apply

To apply, please send your CV (no more than four pages, including two references who can be contacted if successful) and either:

• A covering letter of no more than two sides of A4 (Arial, size 12)

• Or a video of no more than four minutes

In your application, please address:

• What excites you most about this role and how it connects to your skills and experience, bearing in mind the person specification

• What relevant lived experience you would bring to this role

• What experience of engaging with neurodivergent young people, families or communities you would bring to this role

Applications must be received by midnight, Sunday 16 August. 

Shortlisting: 17 & 18 August. Interviews: Friday 21 August.

NEYDL is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from people with lived experience relevant to the communities we serve.

IT Manager

Contract: Permanent 

Salary: £36,000- £40,000 per annum, pro rata depending on experience (based on a full-time equivalent salary of £45,000–£50,000) 

Hours: Part-time, 30 hours per week 

Location: Hybrid working with a minimum of one day per week at our Putney, London (SW15) office plus regular travel to our services across London and the Midlands 

About Us 

Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, achieve their potential and have a bright future. 

St Christopher's is a leading children's charity with a long history of providing high-quality fostering services, children's homes and innovative leaving care support across the UK. 

Everything we do is centred around helping children and young people build brighter futures. We are particularly committed to supporting those who cannot remain with their families or foster carers, ensuring they have the opportunities, stability and support they deserve. 

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ages and faiths. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

About the Role 

We are looking for an experienced IT Manager to oversee and develop our IT infrastructure, ensuring our systems remain secure, reliable and fit for the needs of the charity. Following a significant organisational structural change, you will have the opportunity to input into a review of the IT resourcing and will support the implementation of any resulting changes. 

You will be responsible for maintaining and improving our IT and communications infrastructure while delivering an excellent service to colleagues across the organisation. Working closely with your team, external managed service provider and stakeholders, you'll ensure technology enables our staff to provide the best possible support to children and young people. 

This is a varied role combining operational oversight, supplier management, cyber security, infrastructure management and service delivery.

Your key responsibilities will include: 

• Managing and developing the organisation's IT infrastructure across multiple UK sites.

• Ensuring colleagues have reliable IT equipment, connectivity and systems to work effectively.

• Supporting technology that enables young people in our homes to safely access education, communication and online services.

• Leading the IT helpdesk to deliver an excellent customer-focused support service.

• Maintaining robust cyber security, disaster recovery and business continuity arrangements.

• Managing IT budgets and ensuring value for money from suppliers and technology investments.

• Supporting ICT projects and driving continuous improvement across the organisation.

• Providing occasional out-of-hours support for critical ICT incidents. 

Our IT Environment: 

You'll oversee and support an established Microsoft-based infrastructure including: 

• Windows Server (physical and virtual VMware environments, to be retired)

• Hybrid Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD migration)

• Windows 10/11 laptops and desktops

• Multi-site WAN infrastructure across the UK

• Microsoft 365, including Exchange Online and SharePoint

• WatchGuard firewalls

• DrayTek routers and web filtering

• Unifi network switches

• Mimecast email security and archiving

• 3CX VoIP telephony (currently under review) 

• Third-party applications including ADP, Raiser's Edge, ClearCare, Charms, Access Finance and SolarWinds Service Desk

About You 

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical expertise with excellent leadership and communication skills. You should have: 

• Experience managing an IT department or IT infrastructure.

• Experience administering Active Directory (on-premises), Microsoft 365 and Azure, including Exchange.

• Experience managing multi-site IT environments and WAN connectivity.

• Knowledge of business continuity, disaster recovery and cyber security best practice.

• Experience managing an IT helpdesk, ideally using SolarWinds or a similar service desk platform.

• Experience leading and developing staff.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Experience managing IT budgets and delivering value for money.

• A flexible approach with the ability to travel occasionally to services across London and the Midlands, and provide out-of-hours support for critical ICT incidents when required. 

What we Offer 

• Competitive salary: £36,000- £40,000 per annum. 

• A friendly working environment at a values-led charitable organisation.

• 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.

• Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.

• UK Life Assurance (Death in service) to the value of 3 times your annual salary.

• BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.

• Cycle to work scheme.

• Bluelight card; discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK both in store and online.

• Discretionary funded training programs for you to explore and attain new and relevant skills.

• Employee awards based on performance and length of service.

How to Apply 

To apply, please complete our application form  along with a supporting statement outlining how you meet the criteria listed in the Person Specification. Please note that applications without a supporting statement will not be considered. 

Please note we review applications as they are received, so early application is encouraged. 

Safer Recruitment 

St Christopher’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to thorough screening, including DBS checks. 

Please note that it is against the law to apply for work with Children/Young People if you are barred from working in Regulated Activity and if your name is added to a Children Barred List. 

All shortlisted candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit a Self-Declaration and Disclosure form which will need to be returned prior to an interview being booked. 

Job purpose

To grow NEYDL's earned income across two distinct strands: securing commissioned services and contracts with local authorities and other organisations in the North East; and developing a national market for NEYDL's training products and DigiDAD platform, enabling professionals and organisations across the UK to improve the support available to young dads in their communities.

Hours - Full-time (35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm), with occasional evening and weekend working expected to meet the needs of the charity. Four days per week considered for the right candidate.

Location - Hybrid, home-based with regular travel to Gateshead and nationally

Key responsibilities

Income generation and business development

•Identify and develop opportunities to secure commissioned services and contracts with local authorities, NHS bodies, family hubs, children’s services, early help teams and voluntary sector organisations

•Lead on the sale of NEYDL’s training products to professional audiences nationally, managing the full sales cycle from prospecting to close

•Where relevant to other business development activity, make professionals aware of DigiDAD as a free resource and refer interested contacts to the DigiDAD Engagement Officer for onboarding and follow-up 

•Develop and maintain a BD pipeline, setting annual targets in conjunction with the CEO and reporting progress to the board

•Identify new markets, audiences and partnership opportunities and make evidence-based recommendations to the CEO on where to focus BD effort.

Proposals, tenders and bids

•Lead on the development of proposals, tenders and commissioned service bids, working closely with the CEO and programme team to develop compelling cases

•Maintain awareness of relevant commissioning frameworks, procurement processes and funding opportunities that align with NEYDL’s offer

•Ensure all proposals and tenders accurately reflect NEYDL’s costs and margins and are consistent with the organisation’s financial requirements

Relationships and profile

•Build and manage relationships with commissioners, buyers, strategic partners and sector networks nationally

•Represent NEYDL at sector events, conferences and networks, raising our profile with the professional audiences we want to reach

•Work collaboratively with the DigiDAD Programme Manager to align BD activity with the growth of the DigiDAD platform

•Support the launch and positioning of NEYDL’s new national brand, contributing to marketing and communications activity that supports commercial growth

Organisational leadership and management

•Contribute to organisational strategy and annual planning as a member of the senior management team

•Report on BD performance and progress against targets to the CEO and board

•Work closely with the DigiDAD Engagement Officer (managed by the DigiDAD Programme Manager) to ensure a joined-up approach to professional audience engagement

•Comply with all NEYDL policies and procedures including safeguarding, data protection and equality, diversity and inclusion

Key relationships

•Chief Executive Officer: line manager and strategic lead

•DigiDAD Programme Manager: close working relationship on professional audience growth and platform promotion

•DigiDAD Engagement Officer: referral coordination on professional engagement and DigiDAD growth 

•Programme Managers and frontline team: to inform BD activity and support proposal development

•External: commissioners, local authority leads, NHS contacts, training buyers, sector networks

Targets 

Year 1 milestones 

The following milestones have been agreed with our primary Year 1 funder and represent the BDM's near-term priorities:

By six months:

• Approaches made to at least 25 contacts, including commissioners in all Family Hub areas in the North East and warm VCSE collaborators

By twelve months:

• Marketing and outreach completed with at least 100 contacts (warm and cold)
• Training delivered at least 10 times
• Indicative conversion targets achieved: approximately 3% of cold contacts and 25% of warm contacts progressing to a training booking (these are assumptions to be tested and refined through year one)
• Evaluation and review of year one learning completed; year two targets developed

Longer-term targets (to April 2029)

The following targets relate to the areas of work this role will contribute to, alongside the DigiDAD Programme Manager and wider team:

• Professionals trained through NEYDL's training products: 50 by April 2027; 350 annually by April 2029
• New professional DigiDAD registrations: 750 by April 2027; 1,400 annually by April 2029
• New young dad DigiDAD registrations: 510 by April 2027; 1,000 annually by April 2029

The Business Development Manager will play a central role in building the relationships and income pipeline that drives the training targets. DigiDAD registration growth is led by the DigiDAD Engagement Officer and wider team, with the Business Development Manager contributing through referrals identified in the course of other work.

Alongside these targets, NEYDL currently holds commissioned service contracts with several local authorities: Durham, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Gateshead. A key priority for the Business Development Manager will be to maintain and strengthen these relationships, ensuring contracts are renewed and the value of our work to each commissioner is clearly evidenced. Beyond existing contracts, we are keen to secure commissioned funding in areas of the North East where we currently have limited or no presence.

About The Role

We are currently recruiting for two Practice Lead positions. One role will support Local House Projects (LHPs) in the North, while the location and focus of the second role is still to be confirmed.

As a Practice Lead, you will have primary responsibility for supporting a group of LHPs, while also contributing to wider areas of our work. You will work alongside staff within LHPs to create environments where young people are supported to make a positive transition into adulthood.

A key part of the role is working in partnership with the Care Leavers National Movement and the wider House Project team to ensure that young people remain at the heart of everything we do. You will support young people to shape and drive their own LHPs, while helping to develop and share excellent practice at both local and national levels.

About the organisation

The charity was established in August 2018 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), they support local authorities in setting up Local House Projects for young people leaving care. Believing every care leaver should have this option, the charity empowers them to create and sustain homes.

The initiative, co-designed with young people, began by asking, "What makes a house a home?” Local House Projects in England and Scotland help care leavers transition into permanent tenancies, fostering a supportive community. The charity has helped over 780 young people successfully move into their own homes, with no evictions or tenancy breakdowns, ensuring a secure start for their futures.

This role has become available due to growth of the charity.

About You

We are looking for someone who is motivated and believes that with the right support care experienced young people can achieve great things and should be at the heart of all decisions that affect their future.

You will need to have the following skills and experience:

• A Social Work qualification
• An understanding of Child development, Trauma informed care and Social pedagogical approaches
• An understanding of the care system
• Experience of working in a local authority social work team
• Experience of managing and supervising staff

Find out more

If you’re excited by the opportunity to build something transformative, we’d love to hear from you -

You are invited to join the online briefing on Thursday 20th August at 11am.

Please register in advance for this meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IlaScDG1SaGHlhkiyz7vOw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

How to Apply

Submit your CV and cover letter via Charity Job detailing what skills, knowledge and experiences make you the best candidate for the role by 31st August 2026.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you require adjustments during the process, let us know.

Interviews are due to take place on 7th and 8th September 2026.

Benefits include:
🏖️ 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays
💰 10% pension contribution
🔄 Salary sacrifice options
🏡 Hybrid working
📚 Professional development opportunities

Programme Director

Calling all Programme Directors!

Anna Freud is seeking a permanent, part-time Programme Director – Child Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) to join our world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families. More information about Anna Freud is available on our website.

Our EDI commitment

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and being an equal opportunities employer, whereby equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our recruitment practices. All candidates who meet the job criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities and care experience.

We ask candidates to share their diversity dimensions with us to help us identify, tackle and prevent bias across the employee lifecycle. We believe a diverse workforce enhances our ability to support mental health and wellbeing, allowing us to better meet the needs of the children, young people and families we serve.

As a Disability Confident employer, disabled candidates meeting our criteria are guaranteed an interview. Applications are submitted anonymously and assessed using a fair evaluation process based on the criteria set out in our job profiles.

What we offer

We offer a range of staff benefits, including an all-in-one rewards and recognition platform called Perkbox and wellbeing offers such as finishing early on Fridays and free counselling through our Employee Assistance Programme. We are proud to have staff-led Diversity Networks offering unique opportunities for learning, connection and impact.

What you’ll do

As Programme Director, you will lead the delivery and continued development of the Child Wellbeing Practitioner programme, ensuring it provides an inclusive, high-quality student experience and meets UCL, BPS and national curriculum standards

• Lead, review and develop the programme curriculum, teaching and learning content
• Manage and support the programme team to ensure the course is delivered smoothly and effectively
• Oversee assessment, marking, quality assurance and compliance with UCL and BPS requirements
• Monitor trainee progress and experience, ensuring students receive appropriate academic and pastoral support
• Manage key programme operations, including stakeholder relationships, student recruitment, staffing and the programme budget

What you’ll bring

The ideal candidate will be an experienced child mental health and higher education professional with the leadership skills to manage an accredited postgraduate programme, support a multidisciplinary team and deliver an inclusive, high-quality learning experience

• A PhD or professional doctorate in clinical psychology or child mental health, alongside a relevant professional qualification or substantial experience in children’s mental health
• Experience of curriculum design, teaching, assessment and programme management within a higher education setting
• Strong knowledge of children and young people’s psychological training programmes, CBT interventions and mental health practice in CAMHS or educational settings
• Proven experience of leading, managing and supporting staff while balancing competing priorities and programme demands
• Excellent communication, collaboration and organisational skills, including the ability to manage budgets and maintain the programme’s quality and financial viability

Key details

Hours: Part-time: 14 hours over 2 days - the postholder will need to work on Fridays and either Tuesday or Thursday.  Fridays are in person at Anna Freud, London, during termtime.  Usual working hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00. Flexible working is possible.

Salary: £64,100 FTE per annum, plus 6% contributory pension scheme

Location: Hybrid (a mixture of home/onsite working): staff are working onsite for at least 20% of their working hours at Anna Freud, 4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH.  The postholder will also need to attend in person for any in-person teaching, team meetings as necessary.

Contract type: Permanent

Next steps

Closing date for applications: midday (12pm), Wednesday, 12 August 2026. Please note that due to high application volumes, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to apply promptly and to keep an eye on our future vacancies for more opportunities.

Notification of interview: shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Friday, 14 August 2026. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Interviews: will be held week commencing 17 August 2026

How to apply: click on the 'apply now’ button to apply online. We are unable to accept CVs and kindly request no contact from agencies.

Questions?

Please email us with any job enquiries, or if you require assistance or experience difficulties when applying. Please note that successful candidate(s) will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor license therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.

About the Role
We are looking for a proactive and organised Grants Officer to support the delivery of our grant-making programme and help empower young people facing deep-rooted inequality to create lasting change. Working across the full grants cycle, you will coordinate key administrative processes, maintain accurate records, analyse and report on grants data, and support the planning and delivery of events.

The successful candidate will be dependable, detail-oriented, and committed to ensuring efficient systems and high-quality support for applicants, grant recipients, and colleagues.

As a Grants Officer, you will:

• Coordinate the administration of grants and events across the grants programme.
• Maintain and improve grant management systems and processes.
• Provide timely support and guidance to applicants and respond to enquiries.
• Ensure accurate grant records and documentation for compliance, audit, and impact reporting.
• Collect, monitor, analyse, and report on grant-making data.
• Support consistent use of Salesforce across the team.
• Assist with event logistics, travel bookings, invoice processing, and general team administration.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong organisational and administrative skills who enjoys working with data, improving processes, and contributing to meaningful social impact.

We are looking for a creative, organised and experienced media and communications professional to join our External Affairs team within the Policy and External Affairs Directorate.

The Senior Media & Communications Manager will manage our press office and lead our media engagement activity to support our strategic impact and communications objectives, aligned to our business plan and wider corporate strategy.

You will use your skills and experience to help engage a range of media outlets on our expertise, insights and evidence on youth employment, placing our spokespeople appropriately for a variety of opportunities.

• You will also work closely with wider External Affairs colleagues and teams across the organisation to build our corporate impact narrative.

• At a time when youth employment is a high priority for Government and the news agenda, the post holder must also be able to demonstrate policy and political literacy and high comfort levels when working with policy, research and public affairs colleagues.

• This role is perfect for a proactive and agile professional with strong writing skills, who is excellent at building relationships internally and externally and able to engage external stakeholders and partners.

At a time when the youth employment agenda is so prominent, this role presents an exciting opportunity to be part of Youth Futures’ mission to help every young person achieve good work.

This role can be based at our Birmingham, Leeds or London hub. We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.

Please download our recruitment pack for more information on this opportunity.

Due to receiving high volumes of interest in our opportunities, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. To ensure your application is considered, please submit it as soon as possible.

START are recruiting for an Operations Manager.

Job Title: Operations Manager
Location: Salford
Employer: START
Hours: 4 Days per week (28 hours) worked across Monday to Friday, specific work pattern to be agreed, with flexibility required)
Salary Band: £33,860 - £40,000 FTE (£27,088 - £32,000 per annum actual for 28 hours per week)
Contract Type: Permanent
Pension: 5% employer contribution
Annual Leave: 30 days plus statutory holidays (pro rata for part-time staff)

About Us

START is a Salford based mental health charity, of over 30 years, that uses creativity, connection and recovery interventions to help improve people's lives.

Job Overview

We are looking for an experienced, proactive and highly organised Operations Manager to join our Senior Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of START by ensuring the organisation operates safely, efficiently and in line with best practice.

Core Responsibilities

As Operations Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day operational management of the charity, leading on health and safety, facilities management, information governance, H.R, organisational policies and procedures, and the continuous improvement of our operational systems. You will also manage operational staff, lead key organisational projects and work collaboratively with colleagues, trustees, partners and external contractors to support the delivery of our strategic objectives.

This varied and rewarding role requires a confident leader with excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills, who can manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards of compliance and service delivery. You will be passionate about creating efficient systems, fostering a positive working environment and ensuring the organisation remains compliant with relevant legislation and best practice.

Additional Information

If you are an experienced operational leader who thrives on driving improvement, building strong relationships and supporting an organisation that makes a real difference in people's lives, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing date for receiving applications will be Tuesday 18th August 2026 at 12 noon.

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

START are committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. With this in mind, we welcome applications irrespective of age, disability, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation

No agencies please.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape a new £475,000 programme funded by The National Lottery Community Fund that puts communities at the heart of nature recovery and environmental action across Kent and Medway.

We are looking for a passionate and people-focused Community Organising Officer to help communities create lasting positive change for nature, climate and local wellbeing.

What you'll be doing: 

This exciting role sits within our Wilder Streets, Wilder Lives programme, which works alongside communities facing barriers to accessing nature and environmental opportunities. Using a community organising approach, you will help local people identify priorities, build connections, develop leadership skills and take action to improve their neighbourhoods for both people and wildlife.

Working closely with residents, community groups, local authorities and project partners, you will support the co-design and delivery of a wide range of initiatives, including community greening projects, volunteering opportunities, sustainable living workshops, environmental training, BioBlitzes and community events.

At the heart of this role is relationship building. You will spend time listening to communities, understanding local needs and strengths, and helping people turn ideas into meaningful action. Through your work, you will empower individuals and groups to become confident leaders and champions for nature in their own neighbourhoods.

You will also have the opportunity to develop your own skills through specialist training in Community Organising and Climate Literacy, alongside learning from experienced partners and colleagues.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Community Organising and Engagement – Building trusted relationships with residents, developing local leaders, facilitating community conversations and supporting communities to identify priorities and take collective action.
Partnership Working – Collaborating with local authorities, grassroots organisations and project partners to deliver a coordinated, place-based approach to community engagement and environmental improvement.
Project Development and Support – Helping communities develop ideas into viable projects, supporting small grants and seed funding opportunities, and enabling local groups to access resources and support.
Events, Training and Volunteering – Supporting and delivering workshops, volunteering activities, environmental training sessions and community events that bring people together and build long-term capacity for change.
Monitoring and Learning – Gathering insights, maintaining records and contributing to project evaluation, reporting and shared learning across the programme.

What we need you to bring:  

You are an enthusiastic, approachable and highly organised individual who is passionate about empowering people and supporting communities to create positive change.

You understand that lasting environmental change happens when local people are at the centre of decision-making, and you are motivated by helping communities develop the confidence, skills and connections needed to make a difference.

You will thrive in this role if you:

Enjoy building relationships and are skilled at connecting with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
Are a confident listener and communicator who can build trust, facilitate conversations and bring people together around shared goals.
Have experience in community engagement, community organising, development work or similar people-centred roles.
Are passionate about social justice, environmental action and creating opportunities for everyone to engage with and benefit from nature.
Have experience working alongside diverse communities, particularly those facing barriers to participation or who have traditionally been underrepresented in the environmental sector.
Can support people to develop ideas, solve problems and turn ambitions into practical action.
Are comfortable working collaboratively with partners, community groups, volunteers and stakeholders.
Have strong organisational skills, can manage competing priorities and maintain accurate records.
Are adaptable, resilient and able to work flexibly in response to community needs.
Are committed to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging and actively champion these values in your work.

We recognise that local knowledge, lived experience and trusted relationships are invaluable, and we welcome applications from people who already have strong connections to the communities involved in the project. If you are passionate about helping communities lead change for nature and creating a fairer, greener future for everyone, we would love to hear from you.

Please read the job description for the full person specification.

A DBS check will be required for this role.

 What we will offer in return:  

We offer exceptional enhanced benefits.  Recognising the wellbeing pressures related to the climate and nature crises we face as a society, we provide flexible work options, wellbeing initiatives, and professional development opportunities. Whatever stage of your career you’re at, our comprehensive benefits package at Kent Wildlife Trust can be a key factor in your choice to join us. 

Next steps:   

If you're ready to join our team and help us create a Wilder Kent, simply click "Apply now" to apply via our website. Here you can find out more about the role and complete the online application form. Be sure to include your personal statement in the space provided and upload your CV, and take a moment to review the guidance notes for helpful tips.

If you are experiencing difficulties using our online application process, please contact us by telephone. We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible and will be pleased to discuss alternative ways for you to submit your application.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.  

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview.  We will let unsuccessful candidates know if they have not been shortlisted.    

We are unable to recruit anyone who does not have a legal right to work in the UK.   Unfortunately, we cannot provide visa sponsorship.

Kent Wildlife Trust believes that everyone has a responsibility to safeguard children, young people, and adults at risk; we are committed to ensuring their safety and wellbeing is at the heart of our engagement with people.  We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to references, Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks as appropriate to the role.

The Kent Wildlife Trust Group is Wild About Inclusion. To us, this means inspiring, empowering and engaging people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities, to change the natural world for the better.  It also means cultivating inclusive workspaces that are free from discrimination, where differences are celebrated, everyone can be themselves and flourish, just like nature!  

Job Purpose

Sequence ME & Long Covid is one of the most ambitious whole-genome sequencing studies ever undertaken into ME and Long Covid, co-led by Action for ME. Building on the success of DecodeME, this proposed £20 million study will use large-scale, long-read whole-genome sequencing to analyse the entire genetic code of 9,000 people with ME and 9,000 people with Long Covid - making it the world's largest 'long-read' whole-genome sequencing study of any disease.

Current funding supports project mobilisation, partnership development, and the development of the Long Covid arm of the study, including agreeing case definitions and gathering expressions of interest from people with Long Covid. Phase 2 has recently been confirmed, backed by £4.75m from the UK government and a further £174,414 from the WE&ME Foundation, and will focus on sequencing 6,000 ME/CFS samples previously collected through DecodeME using Oxford Nanopore's long-read sequencing technology, running alongside Phase 1.

You will play a pivotal role supporting the Sequence ME & Long Covid project in several different ways. Working closely with the project's management team and other team members, you will help ensure the smooth day-to-day running of this landmark study, providing administrative support to the various people and partners involved in delivering it.

As a self-starter, you will manage a range of tasks including meeting scheduling, taking meeting minutes, preparing governance documents, event administration, and broader project support - no two days will be the same.

You will need to maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times, particularly when supporting governance meetings and handling sensitive project documentation.

As a team player, you will provide comprehensive, confidential and organised administrative support, developing a deep understanding of the project and building strong, effective working relationships with colleagues, researchers and external partners.

Remote working at home can be challenging for some and works incredibly well for others. You will need to be able to work independently, use your own initiative, and remain proactive in maintaining good levels of communication with colleagues.

Key Duties

• Help monitor inboxes and respond to routine project enquiries in a timely and sensitive manner, escalating more complex matters as appropriate
• Assist the project's management team and other team members with meeting scheduling and diary coordination
• Take accurate minutes at project, management and other project-related meetings, and follow up and track resulting actions to completion
• Prepare, format and proof-read governance documents and papers
• Maintain and update project databases including the Teams channel, ensuring documents are saved correctly, other management information/recording systems to ensure accurate and timely record-keeping. Help with the tracking of expressions of interest from potential study participants.
• Provide administrative support for project events - from planning and logistics through to on-the-day support
• Help prepare presentations, slide decks and briefing materials for internal meetings, funders, partners and participant-facing communications
• Support the drafting, formatting and coordination of project communications, such as updates for partners, funders or the wider ME and Long Covid community
• Support coordination between internal teams and external partners, including research and funding partners
• Maintain project files and documentation in line with agreed communication operating procedures with internal and external partners ensuring information is well organised, up to date and easy for the team to access
• Maintain confidentiality at all times and in line with relevant policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with GDPR and that all data consent processes have been followed in relation to data protection
• Positively promote the work of the Sequence ME & Long Covid project and Action for ME at all times
• Undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post, as requested by the CEO, Business Development & Partnerships Manager, Senior Research Manager or the project's Management Team

Person Specification

Essential skills and experience

• Organisational skills - Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple tasks across a fast-moving research project, with attention to detail and accuracy maintained under pressure
• Communication - Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse audiences including researchers, funders and people affected by ME and Long Covid
• IT literacy - Proficient with common office software, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint), and able to quickly learn relevant project management, database or communications systems as needed
• Problem-solving - A creative and solution-focused mindset to address challenges and find innovative ways to improve processes
• Adaptability - Capable of managing changing priorities, working flexibly, and adapting to the needs of a fast-paced, ambitious research programme
• Initiative - A proactive approach, with the ability to work independently and take initiative, while also following clear instructions when given
• Teamwork - A collaborative team player with a proven ability to work effectively as part of a team, including a remote-working team spanning multiple partners and stakeholders
• Interest in the sector - A genuine interest in health research, the Third Sector, and a desire to take action to improve the lives of people with ME and Long Covid
• Experience - Demonstrable ability to be an effective administrator, ideally within a charity, research, or project environment. Experience supporting governance processes, events, or communications would be an advantage but is not essential

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience providing administrative support for scientific or research-related projects
• Experience writing and communicating with non-specialist or general audiences