Children and youth development officer jobs in derbyshire, east midlands

Who we're looking for

Brilliant storyteller with confidence in their digital marketing, copywriting and PR skills. 

Changemaker who is excited about embedding and championing our new brand. 

Motivated communicator who will improve engagement with our stakeholders. 

Creative leader who enjoys a proactive and responsive environment. 

Impact and evidence champion to influence target audiences, raise awareness and garner support. 

Values-led collaborator who will build strong relationships with our team, members and strategic partners.

Our focus is on creating libraries of tomorrow with children and young people today.

We want all children and young people to feel at home at the library, to be understood, empowered and inspired. Our collaborative network is made up of member, partners and supporters. We believe in the need for safe spaces and real-life connections to support the demands of modern life. Together, we’re creating change, and you can be a part of it.

Our charity is going through a rebirth, with a new name, strategy and brand identity launching this autumn. This is a pivotal time for a passionate, skilled communicator to join our team. We’re looking for someone to bring the energy and expertise to take us into this new chapter and to new heights, maximising impact and reach. 

We are an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation. Our members are leaders in children and young people’s public libraries and schools library services (SLS). 

What’s important to us needs to be important to you too. We want to focus on impact, to work openly, to collaborate with and learn from others, to take the time to care for ourselves and each other, and to have fun together. We want to build an environmentally sustainable charity, and we want to be celebrated as an inclusion changemaker in the sector. 

Experience as a communications professional is essential and you’ll be energised by the opportunity to: 

• Raise our profile higher within the sector. 

• Raise awareness of the range of activities and impacts libraries deliver for children and young people through research, evidence and compelling communication. 

• Develop, manage and deliver targeted advocacy for public libraries and schools library services. 

• Maintain and cultivate proactive relationships with advocacy and influencing partners to ensure children and young people are always represented in national policy discussions. 

• Embed and champion a strong brand, which supports our members and resonates with new stakeholders to ensure we are the ‘go to partner’ for children and young people’s libraries. 

• Maximise our use of existing and new research and data to evidence the impact of library services for children and young people’s and schools library services. 

• Promote the sector-leading work of our charity, grow our membership and develop new and innovative ways to increase our reach and engagement. 

• Develop a strong case for support to attract new funders and supporters. 

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. If you would like to discuss specific requirements, please get in touch.

Further information including the role description and application form is available on our website.

We are seeking a compassionate, visionary, and strategic Chief Executive Officer to lead Mermaids through the next stage of its evolution, dedicated to improving the lives of gender-diverse children and young people, and those who are important to them. As CEO, you will be responsible for driving the charity’s mission, shaping its strategic direction, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, affirming support services. You will act as a visible and credible advocate for trans and 
gender-diverse youth, build strong relationships with stakeholders, and influence public policy and sector practice. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will oversee a small committed team, ensure robust financial management with the Chief Operating Officer, and lead fundraising efforts to secure a sustainable future. This is a unique opportunity for a values-driven leader who brings both strategic acumen and a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and lived 
experience. 
Service Delivery:
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across all service delivery areas, including support line services, group work,  advocacy, external communications, and policy.
• Ensure services are high quality, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of trans and gender-diverse children, young people and the special people in their lives.
• Lead the continuous improvement and development of service delivery models, ensuring impact, effectiveness, and alignment with the charity’s mission.
• Champion a culture of safeguarding, accountability, and young person-centred practice throughout all service delivery. 
• Act as the organisation’s Safeguarding Lead, with oversight of on-call, safeguarding training, and ensuring appropriate escalation mechanisms are in place.
• Oversee the design and implementation of advocacy and policy activities, ensuring the charity’s voice is informed by lived 
experience and is impactful at local and national levels.
• Act as a visible and hands-on leader for frontline teams, providing support, supervision, and inspiration to staff and 
volunteers.
• Monitor performance, outcomes, and feedback to ensure services are meeting objectives and delivering positive change 
for beneficiaries.

Governance:
• In partnership with the board of trustees, set and articulate our vision, mission and strategy, and keep this under continual 
review.
• Lead the development and implementation of Mermaid’s strategic plan, ensuring sustainability and growth.
• Liaise with the board of trustees to ensure the charity’s governance, structure, policies and procedures are appropriate 
and effective, taking remedial measures and implementing change as necessary. This includes supporting board 
development.
• Work closely with the Chair and Board of Trustees to support strong governance and informed decision-making.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting on organisational performance, risks, and impact.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidance and legislation, including the Charity Commission and the Fundraising 

Finance & Fundraising:
• Working with the Chief Operating Officer and the Board of Trustees, ensure Mermaids has robust, deliverable fundraising 
and finance strategies in place, and subsequent action plans are embedded throughout the organisation to support their 
delivery.
• In partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, ensure Mermaids has robust finance, HR, IT, data privacy and governance processes and procedures are embedded.

People and Culture:
• Line manage senior staff including the COO and service delivery managers.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, inclusive internal culture that values lived experience and wellbeing.
• Continue work to embed a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion across the organisation, as well as a focus on accessibility.
• Work to define and drive trans-centred leadership across the organisation, including ensuring that the organisation is a trans-positive, supportive employer.

External Engagement and Advocacy:
• Represent Mermaids publicly, including acting as the key spokesperson and strategic policy stakeholder, ensuring 
organisational awareness of the external landscape and the changing needs of trans children, young people and their 
families, and advocating for these needs to be met.
• Lead communications strategy, and lead press engagement by responding to media inquiries, interviews, press conferences and media events.
• Lead on stakeholder engagement, including with funders, supporters, community partners, and policy influencers.
• Advocate for the rights and needs of trans and gender-diverse children, young people and the significant others in their lives at a national level.
 

At Children’s University Trust, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive through learning beyond the classroom. We’re a small, passionate team with bold ambitions to expand our impact – and we’re looking for an equally ambitious Business Development and Community Partnership Manager to lead the way.

This is more than just a development role. It's about building sustainable growth strategies, forging powerful partnerships, and shaping a future where opportunity is no longer defined by postcode or circumstance.

As our Business Development and Community Partnership Manager, you will take the lead in shaping and implementing visionary, data-driven growth strategies across three vital areas:

• Place-based memberships with schools, universities, councils’ departments, and third sector organisations.
• Individual “at home” subscriptions for children in areas without direct Children’s University provision or those who do not engage with traditional education.
• Strategic business partnerships with corporates and SMEs, securing vital funding and in-kind support.

You’ll be a key figure in our next phase of growth — identifying new opportunities, building meaningful relationships, and helping us scale our reach across the UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive new business activity and revenue growth across all three strategic areas.
• Build a strong, inclusive pipeline of potential members, partners, and funders.
• Manage and nurture relationships from first contact through to long-term collaboration.
• Use data and insight to shape decision-making and report progress to the board.
• Be a passionate ambassador for Children’s University at events, conferences, and online.

We’re Looking for Someone Who:

• Has a proven track record in income generation, partnerships or sales – all sector’s welcome!
• Is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people.
• Is a strategic thinker with the energy of a new business developer.
• Has the confidence to influence senior stakeholders and the empathy to build trust.
• Brings a creative, collaborative, and resilient mindset.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, flexible, remote-first environment.

Why Join Us?

• A unique chance to shape a growing national charity’s development strategy.
• A collaborative, driven team that values innovation and purpose.
• Flexible working, with one day a week in Manchester.
• An opportunity to truly change lives through education and opportunity.

If you’re excited by the chance to lead sustainable growth with purpose, and you want your work to matter, we want to hear from you.

Apply today and be part of a team creating a brighter future for children across the UK.

Safe to Learn is a newly established network of teachers, parents, researchers, policymakers, young people and child safeguarding practitioners, working together to end antisemitism in UK schools. We co-produce evidence-based child safeguarding resources, tools and standards to address antisemitism and improve the school environment for all children, educators and support staff.

Safe to Learn is seeking an Outreach and Communications Specialist to build public awareness, policy engagement, and system-level change. Candidates with the following experience and commitment are encouraged to apply:

1. A demonstrable alignment with our mission and values.
2. A clear commitment to ending antisemitism and understanding of antisemitism, child rights and child safeguarding and their underlying principles.
3. Experience and understanding of the UK education sector.
4. A track-record of delivering high-impact advocacy and communications campaigns to achieve policy objectives. Preferably related to non-discrimination, equality, anti-racism or child rights.
5. Relationship management and network-building skills, including significant experience of engaging with policymakers.
6. Experience of website development and management as well as social media strategy and outreach.
7. Multimedia production skills such as copywriting, video editing and graphic design.
8. Conscientious and motivated, with a high-level of attention to detail.
9. Experience of developing high-quality resources and educational materials for children and educators.
10. A positive, flexible, participatory and consultative approach.
11. Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to engage audiences at all levels.

CV's not accepted.  Please apply at via our HR portal

JOB PURPOSE:

• To pro-actively engage with local residents and partner organisations to develop a vision for our neighbourhood
• To co-create potential future activities for the Springfield Project and beyond, developing action plans and funding proposals and testing new approaches
• To ensure that the voices of the Sparkhill community are enabled and promoted to key stakeholders, including those whose voices may be marginalised using conventional approaches
• To lead our existing Place of Welcome group, ensuring the programme develops in line with the views of participants and in line with funder requirements

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To enable the voices of Springfield Project service users and other local residents to be heard and acted upon both within the Springfield Project and in the wider neighbourhood/ community
• To proactively engage with local residents and partners to identify issues affecting the local community, gaps in current provision and to support the co-production of new services/ activities that meet local needs.
• To amplify the voices of Sparkhill residents to ensure representation in local and city-wide systems
• To develop, implement and maintain creative and effective communication methods and tools to promote opportunities for engagement and participation in Springfield Project activities and in the wider neighbourhood, including outreach to those that might be marginalised by traditional approaches
• To coordinate the Sparkhill Child Friendly Neighbourhood Youth Advisory Board, ensuring young people are empowered and enabled to participate, to act on issues that are important to them and ensuring that they have ownership of the group and the activity that develops from the group.
• To lead, develop and sustain a 'Springfield Voices’ panel that enables co-production on a local level of new activities
• To represent the Springfield Project at external stakeholder events
• To ensure effective monitoring and evaluation processes are in place to ensure continuous improvement of services and activities
• To develop and coordinate relevant communications campaigns and engagement projects, including physical and online comms and marketing
• To coordinate Community Events ensuring the involvement of the community in the design of events
• To develop project proposals and provide evidence to support fundraising activities based on the wishes and needs of the community
• To develop and test new activities co-created with the community in response to community need
• To facilitate the Place of Welcome group, ensuring that the Place of Welcome provides a welcoming environment for all participants, in line with written procedures covering registration, recording, food provision, coordination of volunteers

· To support visitors from partner agencies to operate in the space by agreement

• To manage incidents, accidents and complaints in line with Springfield Project policy
• To liaise with the Volunteer Coordinator around recruitment and induction of volunteers

To work flexibly and deliver services across the Project as directed and to undertake any other duties commensurate with the role and responsibilities of the post as agreed with your line manager

CVs not accepted.  Please apply using out HR portal

JOB PURPOSE:

• To lead on the development of a healthy childhood programme for children and young people living in Sparkhill.
• To provide a range of activities for children, young people and their families which promote physical exercise and healthy eating.
• To promote the referral uptake from a range of services including the School Nurse Service, Family Hubs and GP practices.
• To monitor individual lifestyle assessments and to maintain an overview of the individual’s journey, including attendance, improvement of their lifestyle indicators etc. and capture case studies.
• Refer participants to health professionals, support providers or other agencies, reviewing the outcome to ensure their needs are met.
• Manage and monitor a caseload in line with the priorities set out in the programme including reviewing the effectiveness of the service.
• Ensure that safeguarding and wellbeing of all children and young people is adhered to.
• To ensure good relationships with parents and carers and professional partners.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receive and manage referrals including self-referrals.

· Co-design personalised support to children, young people and their families referred onto the programme.

· Plan and deliver a range of physical activities suitable of the needs of children and their family’s including commissioning activities from partner services.

· Arrange and manage triage meetings with participants.

· Ensure all participants are registered onto the programme and lifestyle assessments are completed to support The Healthy Childhood Programme monitoring, evaluation and demonstration of impact.

· Provide continuity and co-ordinated support, remaining the point of contact throughout the participant’s journey with the healthy childhood programme.

· Build supportive relationships with participants, providing non-judgemental support, understanding diversity and lifestyle choices.

· Maintain good communication with participants at all times, providing them with clear written information on what has been agreed and the next steps to be taken in their journey.

· Support participants to identify the wider issues that have an impact on their health outcomes and wellbeing.

· Be a friendly source of information about healthy lifestyles and wellbeing.

· Where appropriate, introduce participants to community groups, activities and statutory services. Follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, included and receiving good support.

· Ensure all data, monitoring and evaluation is kept up to date and reported back as required.

· Adhere to data protection, confidentiality, information sharing protocols and provide monitoring information as required.

· Feedback on-going development, monitoring and evaluation of the programme highlighting any issues that need resolving.

· Provide regular reports detailing the progress of the service and updates as and when required.

• Put into practice the agreed policies and procedures of the organisation in order that legal, regulatory and quality standards are met.
• To work professionally as part of a team, participating in individual and team reflective youth work practice; supervision; appraisal; professional development; recording; reporting; and contributing to quality improvements as required.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records in line with data protection requirements and with respect to confidentiality at all times.
• To take part in regular reviews of the service, identify and overcome any barriers preventing people from accessing the service.
• Lead on evaluation of services delivered, providing an evaluation report to the Senior Leadership at the agreed frequency.

To complete risk benefit assessments on activities, outings and events as necessary.

Suicide is preventable. That’s why we are working to create a safer online world and to connect young people with the help and support they need to stay safe and well.

We’re Molly Rose Foundation, founded following the death of 14-year-old Molly Russell. At Molly’s inquest, a coroner ruled harmful online content contributed to her death. In her name, we’ve now got big plans to create change and save young lives.

We’re looking for a Head of Education and Support that can help us grow and deliver our vital mission. This is a rare chance to design and deliver an education and support programme from the bottom-up, and to build a compelling strategy that offers children, parents and professionals high-quality online safety, mental health and suicide prevention programmes.

You’ll be a proven leader, with the strategic nous to identify and deliver new education programmes from scratch, the deep sectoral knowledge to design and deliver a suite of new education resources, and the commercial insight to scale and build demand from scratch. 

As a member of our Leadership Team, your play a central role to help us grow and build our impact. You’ll help shape our outcome-focused strategy, with the standing and skills to communicate and build support for our message and purpose. You’ll thrive on the challenge of building our expanded education and support programme and be driven by the opportunity to deliver change that really counts.

We offer a competitive package that includes:

-27 days annual leave plus 1 volunteering day, rising to 30 days holiday after three years’ service;

-        Annual leave buyback scheme, with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days;

-        Employee pension scheme;

-£500 employee wellbeing budget;

-      35 hours per week - we actively welcome applications from a diverse range of applicants and              flexible working requests.

Applications close: Monday, 28th July 2025.

About Charity Right

We are a focused and passionate international food charity on a mission to free people from the devastating effects of hunger. Since our founding, we have provided over 40 million meals across 7 countries, serving those who need it most with dignity and care.

Our Mission

We believe that no child should go to school hungry. Our single-cause focus allows us to be exceptionally effective at what we do best: providing nutritious school meals that keep children in classrooms and give them the opportunity to break free from poverty through education.

About the Role

We are seeking a strategic and experienced Head of Fundraising & Events to lead the development and growth of a high-performing department focused on generating income through national and international challenge events and corporate partnerships. 
 
This is a senior leadership role with full responsibility for designing the fundraising and events strategy, building the structure and team to deliver it, and ensuring scalable, sustainable growth. You will shape the long-term direction of the department, ensure the right people and processes are in place, and play a key role in supporting the organisation’s broader income generation goals — including supporting the CEO with major donor stewardship. 
 
While the department’s primary focus is income growth through challenge events and corporate partnerships, the role also includes oversight of a small number of legacy community events and relationships ensuring continuity and reputational stewardship. 
 

Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic Leadership & Department Building 

• Develop and lead the overall strategy for the Fundraising & Events department in line with the organisation’s income growth objectives. 
• Design and build a departmental structure capable of delivering scalable fundraising through events and partnerships. 
• Recruit, lead, and manage a high-performing team, ensuring clarity of roles, effective delegation, and strong performance management. 
• Establish systems, workflows, and processes that support growth, quality, and consistency across all fundraising activity. 
• Set and monitor departmental KPIs, targets, and budgets, reporting regularly to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.

Challenge Events Programme 

• Oversee the strategic growth and diversification of the organisation’s challenge events portfolio, building on successful formats and expanding into new areas. 
• Provide leadership and oversight of event planning, delivery, and evaluation — ensuring the team has the tools and capabilities to execute effectively. 
• Identify and guide strategic partnerships with external groups and communities that can support participant growth and event reach. 

Corporate Fundraising 

• Design and implement a new corporate fundraising strategy
• Lead the identification and prioritisation of strategic corporate opportunities. 
• Guide the creation of partnership models, engagement materials, and stewardship plans, supporting the team in execution. 
• Develop the necessary infrastructure (e.g. pipeline management, prospecting systems) for long-term corporate fundraising success. 

Major Donor Support 

• Act as a senior partner to the CEO in managing and stewarding major donors. 
• Ensure the department provides the research, briefing, and coordination required to support a best-in-class major donor experience. 

Legacy Community Fundraising 

• Provide oversight and continuity for a limited number of legacy community events, ensuring they are delivered with appropriate resource and quality. 
• Work with the Fundraising & Events Manager to assess the future viability of these events and how they may integrate with or exit from the broader fundraising strategy. 
• Maintain key relationships with mosque and school partners to preserve goodwill and support transitional planning. 

Team Leadership 

• Line manage the Fundraising & Events Manager, providing coaching, strategic direction, and performance support. 
• Ensure the team structure remains fit for purpose as event formats, income goals, and capacity evolve. 
• Delegate operational oversight of individual events and activities while maintaining accountability for departmental outcomes. 

Cross-Organisational Leadership 

• Represent fundraising and events at the senior leadership level, contributing to organisational strategy and decision-making. 
• Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement across teams. 
• Uphold high standards of integrity, professionalism, and alignment with the charity’s values and mission. 

Essential Skills and Experience

• Significant experience in a senior fundraising or income generation role, including designing and delivering strategy at a departmental level.
• Strong track record of building and leading high-performing teams. 
• Experience growing and managing challenge events or mass participation programmes, either directly or through team leadership. 
• Proven ability to develop income streams, including events and corporate fundraising, from inception to sustainability. 
• Commercially minded, with strong strategic planning and budget management skills. 
• Excellent relationship-building skills and comfort engaging at senior/executive levels. 
• High levels of initiative, resilience, and the ability to lead in a remote-first environment. 

Desirable 

• Experience supporting major donor programmes or working in close partnership with a CEO or Director-level fundraiser. 
• Familiarity with charity CRMs and performance reporting tools. 
• Experience working within a faith-informed or values-driven organisation. 

Working Culture: 
We are a remote-first organisation. This role offers flexibility in working hours and location, with occasional UK travel required for key events and team meetings. You’ll be part of a purpose-driven leadership team committed to creativity, integrity, and delivering real-world impact.

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time 
Location: Remote Working
Reports to: CEO
Salary: £48,000 – £54,000, dependent on experience

Safe to Learn is a newly established network of teachers, parents, researchers, policymakers, young people and child safeguarding practitioners, working together to end antisemitism in UK schools. We co-produce evidence-based child safeguarding resources, tools and standards to address antisemitism and improve the school environment for all children, educators and support staff.

Safe to Learn is seeking a committed dynamic, and entrepreneurial Director to lead strategy development and implementation in collaboration with the Safe to Learn Independent Advisory Panel. Candidates with the following experience and commitment are encouraged to apply:

1. A demonstrable alignment with our mission and values.
2. A clear commitment to ending antisemitism and understanding of antisemitism, child rights and child safeguarding and their underlying principles.
3. A team-player, with a positive, dynamic and entrepreneurial approach to achieving our mission.
4. Significant experience and understanding of the UK education sector at a senior level.
5. A track-record of delivering high-impact advocacy and communications campaigns to achieve policy objectives.
6. Preferably related to non-discrimination, equality, anti-racism or child rights.
7. Experience of undertaking high-quality research and knowledge production in a related area.
8. High-level relationship management and network-building skills, including significant experience of engaging with policymakers.
9. Experience of developing high-quality resources and educational materials for children and educators.
10. A flexible, participatory and consultative approach with a proven ability to work in collaboration with a high-level advisory panel.
11. Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to engage audiences at all levels.
12. Advocacy, consensus-building and facilitation skills, including diplomacy, tact, non-discrimination and respect for all.

Youth Futures Foundation is looking for a senior External Affairs professional to lead a busy multi-disciplinary team to drive our reputational, influencing and engagement work as the What Works Centre for Youth Employment.

About the role

• This is a newly created role where you will have responsibility for driving an integrated approach to our audience influencing to deliver our strategic objectives, through collective oversight across our public affairs, stakeholder relations, communications and marketing work.
• The post holder will report to the Director of Policy and External Affairs and work closely with the CEO, wider Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the Deputy Director of Strategic Development to enable purposeful reputational growth, enhanced brand recognition and the delivery of external impact.
• The post holder will need to be an experienced leader and manager; a people person able to inspire, nurture and support a team of motivated engagement and communications professionals as well as deputising for the Director more widely when required.
• To be successful, the post holder will need to be able to balance big picture thinking with driving practical implementation and outcomes across the team and thriving in ambiguity when needed. The skills and experience to drive and support internal change to foster an optimal operating environment and ability to design and embed future focused ways of working will be important to the success of the role

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

For more information, please download our recruitment pack.

We’re recruiting!

Give Blood 4 Good is looking for a dynamic and proactive Programme Development Officer - our first ever paid role - to lead and grow our flagship Young Ambassador Programme. This is a brilliant opportunity to shape a life-saving initiative and drive real impact in education, youth engagement and public health.

About Give Blood 4 Good

We’re a Scottish registered charity dedicated to improving awareness and education around blood donation - especially among young people. By working with schools, universities and community groups, we’re breaking down misconceptions and fear that can be associat4ed with the process, and encouraging people to give blood as soon as they're eligible at 17.

After a successful pilot of our Young Ambassador Programme over the last three years, we’re entering an exciting phase of growth. This role marks a milestone for our charity - and you’ll be at the heart of helping us reach more students and schools across Scotland.

About the role

You’ll lead the expansion of our Young Ambassador Programme — a digital e-learning initiative designed to empower students to become informed, confident blood donation ambassadors.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Building and managing relationships with schools

• Supporting and enrolling students

• Updating and improving programme content

• Coordinating with our e-learning platform provider

• Identifying and applying for funding to sustain and scale the programme

• Working closely with our small, friendly team of volunteers

Your role will also include additional tasks that support the day-to-day running of Give Blood 4 Good.

This is a fully remote role, with flexibility around working hours. You’ll be our only staff member, so we’re looking for someone who’s confident working independently and can take initiative while keeping others informed.

Person specification

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Strong organisational and time management skills

• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder engagement abilities

• Proactive, independent worker with a solution-focused mindset

• Confident communicator, both verbally and in writing

Desirable (but not essential)

• Experience in fundraising, bid writing, or securing income from trusts/foundations

• Knowledge of the youth or education sector

• Previous programme delivery experience in a community or non-profit setting

• Existing contacts within Scottish schools or youth organisations

• Experience integrating fundraising within youth engagement activities

Benefits

• A unique opportunity to lead and grow a national programme from the ground up

• Flexibility and autonomy in your role

• Experience across programme delivery, fundraising, stakeholder engagement and more

• The chance to help save lives by building a more informed generation of blood donors

How to apply

To apply, please send your CV and a short cover letter explaining your interest and relevant experience.

In your cover letter, please include examples of how you’ve demonstrated at least two of the following attributes: proactive, independent, curious, and conscientious.

Applications close at 9am on Friday 25 July, though we may close early if we receive a high number of applications. Early submissions are encouraged!

Location: Home based

Contract: Fixed term until 31 March 2026 – Full time 35hrs per week

Salary: £27,250 gross per annum

Closing Date: 21 July 2025

Assessment Day: 5 August 2025

Are you looking for a new opportunity?

The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is a vibrant and growing charity delivering life changing nautical adventure for young people through the Sea Cadets to give them the best possible head start in life. We also provide personal and professional development opportunities for seafarers with the Marine Society. Working with our staff, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a vision and five-year strategy to take us forward and further improve the astounding contribution already made through our work to the lives of thousands of young people and seafarers, while fully supporting our volunteers who are vital to our success.

We are currently looking for a Growth and Development Worker based in England to join our team. This is an externally funded post which will be focused on opening new provision and supporting existing provision in order to reduce waiting lists within specific funding areas. This is a very varied and rewarding role that requires someone who is self-motivated, organised, creative, tenacious, positive, IT competent and with a real interest in people. You need to be able to coach, empower and inspire our volunteers and cadets, both in person and remotely, to grow the Sea Cadets.

Responsibilities

• Delivering a variety of training sessions on, for example, recruitment of cadets and volunteers
• Developing new growth and recruitment tools and ideas
• Promoting flexible volunteering and the volunteer strategy
• Assisting with running our social media accounts
• Working with and empowering our volunteers to develop plans for growth
• Planning and setting up Juniors Sections in new and existing locations/units
• Delivering assemblies in schools
• Forming part of various working groups with colleagues to develop the tools, resources and processes needed to increase the positive impact of the Growth and Development team.
• Supporting the delivery of funded outreach projects

Requirements

• Previous experience of working with volunteers
• Experience delivering on multiple project plans simultaneously
• Ability to build and maintain excellent relationships with a variety of stakeholders remotely and face-to-face
• Experience delivering workshops and/or training
• Self-motivated and able to manage your time and workload effectively
• Flexible and enthusiastic
• Able to work as a team player with creative ideas and solutions who will empower our volunteers to make a difference to the lives of even more young people across the UK

For further information, please download the attached Recruitment Pack.

Benefits

• Flexible Working hours and a hybrid culture
• Cycle to work scheme and Season Ticket Loan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Life assurance (4x salary) for those that join the pension
• Private medical insurance
• Pension (employer contribution up to 10%)
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling
• Employee development: We are investing in our employees' development and have an annual calendar of learning and development opportunities, designed to support employees to develop into their roles and stretch them to achieve their full potential.
• National staff conference: All employees come together once a year to reflect on the past year and celebrate success at our offsite staff conference. This is a great opportunity to listen to employees' views, and for employees to network, share information and socialise.

If you are interested in this Growth and Development vacancy, please apply now!

Additional Information

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity, and inclusion really matters to us, so we can best serve our beneficiaries from every community. We work to ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aim to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills are valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal opportunities employer.

We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We do all we can to promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and we expect our staff to share this commitment and work in line with safeguarding policy, the MSSC’s values and ethos of inclusivity. We adhere to safer recruitment practices and therefore employment is subject to detailed pre-employment checks for successful candidates, including references and criminal disclosure checks and the completion of a disclosure questionnaire.

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo a criminal record check.

We are looking to recruit a project coordinator to lead on 2 areas of our engagement work including embedding co-production across the wider children and families system and rolling out our refreshed WHAM Plan programme enabling young people to support their peers around emotional wellbeing.  There are also opportunities to support other existing project work within the youth engagement portfolio.

They’re looking for a passionate and creative individual to join our team and help grow Link Up, their community for care-experienced young people to connect, support one another, and feel a sense of belonging. You’ll lead on designing and delivering in-person and online events shaped by young people’s interests and experiences, offering inclusive and accessible social opportunities for young people, and facilitate spaces for young people to learn from and support one another as they navigate care. 
 
With a particular focus on the West Midlands, you’ll build local partnerships, support a small group of Care Experienced Volunteers, and work alongside young people to co-create activities and shape engagement. If you’re organised, proactive, and committed to nurturing a community of care experienced young people across England, they’d love to hear from you. 
 
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

As an organisation serving children in care and young care leavers they are keen to receive applications from people with lived experience of care. They are actively seeking to bring diversity of perspectives and experience, and especially welcome applications from those from racially-minoritised communities. They ask all applicants to fill in an Equity and Diversity Monitoring from to better understand the diversity of applicants. This is anonymous and will not be connected with your application. 
 
How to apply 

They ask interested applicants to answer several competency-based questions. Your application and answers will be reviewed anonymously to ensure fairness and help remove bias from the application process. You’ll need to send them your CV and it will be anonymised before review. 

To apply for this role, you will need to:

• Provide them with a copy of your CV;
• Answer the competency questions in no more than 400 words per question, providing relevant examples to demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience required;
• Complete the Equity and Diversity Monitoring Form (this is not compulsory but the information is very useful to them).

 
If you have any reasonable adjustments you would like them to consider for this recruitment process (either for the application or interview), please advise them on your application form. 
 
If you would like an informal chat before applying, please contact the Hiring Manager, Anne-marie Bird and they will arrange a convenient time. Please note that due to the anonymised nature of the application process, any conversations cannot be linked to your application or used to support it in any way. 

The deadline for applications to be received is Sunday 20th July @ 11.59pm. 

Interview Details 

Interviews will have two parts:

• A session with young people;
• A panel interview with their staff.

 
Interviews will be held virtually using a video calling app (Microsoft Teams or Zoom) . If access to technology/internet is difficult for you, please contact us so we can assist in making suitable arrangements.   

Become also wants to ensure fairness in all their interviews so all successful shortlisted candidates will be sent the interview questions in advance. 

Interviews will take place:

• Young people’s panel: 29th July
• Staff panel: 31st July 

 
Please Note 

All applicants must have a Right to Work in the UK. Although the role is hybrid, they are unable to offer work visas or sponsorship for any candidates. 

They’re proud to be a Living Wage Employer. They are committed to #ShowingTheSalary. Their roles are #OpenToAll
 
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