Communications and policy officer jobs in trowbridge, wiltshire

About the RSPCA

Founded in 1824, we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.

We seek to raise standards of care through our numerous campaigns and awareness of issues affecting animals today. We rely heavily on our volunteers, who play a significant role in enabling us to carry out this important animal welfare work every day!

The RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch

The RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch is one of the branches of RSPCA, but we are also a separately registered charity looking after animals in our local area. Much of the animal welfare work of RSPCA is carried out through local branches, which is run by volunteers who have the support of the National Society of RSPCA.

The main activity of our branch is specialised in the rehoming of small animals including cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs and hamsters. The animals come into our care from various sources such as those which are rescued, abandoned, neglected or given up by their owners. Each animal is medically and characteristically assessed to ensure it is fit and well before being available for rehoming. This all costs money, and could not be achieved without your support. 

Job Summary

This role is responsible for the development, implementation and operation of appropriate financial and business management tools to support the day-to-day business and financial administration of the Branch.

Reporting to and working closely with the Chief Executive Office (CEO), you will be expected to make use of the full capability of the Branch’s existing software systems (Google Workspace, and Quick Books) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery and develop management information to aid the Trustees & CEO in decision making.

You will be responsible for all financial management across the charity. This includes bookkeeping; financial statements; financial planning; financial policies, processes and controls and budgeting. 

You must ensure that all activities are carried out in compliance with current legislation, Branch and Society policy, relevant Health & Safety regulations and any associated statutory or legislative requirements.

Note: Branch targets and budgets are agreed on an annual basis and these will inform the personal targets agreed at the annual performance review. Progress towards personal targets will be reviewed at regular one-to-one meetings with your line manager.

This role is home based, with occasional travel across South Bucks.

Principal Accountabilities

Financial Management & Operations

• Support the CEO as a key strategic and operational partner, acting as second-in-command and deputising in their absence where appropriate.

• Maintain all financial records and accounting systems (the Branch currently uses Quick Books accounting software), registers and statistics as required by the CEO & Branch Trustees.

• Work with the CEO and Branch Trustees to develop financial plans and an annual financial budget.

• Maintain close oversight of the branch’s budget in collaboration with the CEO, proactively identifying and addressing any discrepancies, overspend, or unplanned financial activity to ensure effective financial control and informed decision-making.

• Process, monitor, record and manage all receipts & payments to/from the Branch in accordance with the agreed procedures and in liaison with the appropriate staff and volunteers including weekly banking, cash handling, invoice creation and processing, Branch payments (including those made via credit cards and petty cash) and account reconciliation.

• Monitor, review and reconcile monthly receipts & payments on the Quick Books accounting system.

• Produce monthly management accounts which include bank reconciliations, balance sheets, Branch/departmental profit & loss statements, departmental comparisons and performance against budget and such other financial reports/management information as may be required including monthly reporting to the board of trustees.

• Coordinate bank accounts across the charity, including set-up and balance management.

• Prepare and submit quarterly VAT returns.

• Prepare annual financial statements and coordination of annual audit review.

• Support the staff and volunteers with day-to-day financial operations and ensuring departmental financial records are maintained and that monies received or expended are accounted for correctly.

• Work with the RSPCA Society National team regarding legacies, submission of care contribution funds, renewals of insurances etc.

• Ensure that strict protocols are followed for cash handling and that unbanked cash remains within the insured limit for cash held at each premises.

• Liaise with the Branch’s payroll provider to ensure staff hours are submitted and salary payments processed on a monthly basis and within the appropriate timescale.

• Process all staff and volunteer expenses in a timely manner.

• Manage all bookkeeping processes and functions, including the asset register, ensuring annual accounts are produced no later than the end of March each year.

• Develop, implement and maintain appropriate financial administrative procedures and processes.

Business Administration

• Responsible for day-to-day financial administrative support for the CEO and Trustees.

• Ensure that all administrative paperwork, including external correspondence is processed in accordance with Branch and Society procedures, including completion of all appropriate records for insurance and risk management purposes.

• Ensure financial data processing, retention and destruction conforms to the relevant policies such as GDPR.

• Ensure regulatory and legislative compliance of financial charity policies.

• Work closely with relevant operational staff to ensure appropriate responses are issued to all enquiries whether from members, supporters & volunteers, RSPCA colleagues or the general public.

• Liaise with staff and volunteers to facilitate the ordering of materials, supplies and equipment for the effective operation of the Branch, ensuring budgetary controls are maintained at all times.

• Work with the CEO and other staff to manage relevant licences, vendor relationships, service agreements and invoicing.

• Work with staff and volunteers across the whole charity on financial processes and controls.

Fundraising & Donations

• Identify, assess, and apply for appropriate grants and funding streams to maximise income for the branch, ensuring applications are timely, well-prepared, and aligned with funder criteria to support the branch’s strategic and operational objectives.

• Ensure that all donations (financial or otherwise) are acknowledged in a timely manner, receipts are issued for financial donations and the banking of all funds raised.

• Responsible for the accurate recording and banking of the funds raised.

• Develop, and manage relationships across relevant stakeholder groups, both within and outside the charity.

Gift Aid

• Ownership of the Gift Aid process.

General

• Attend meetings and training courses as required.

• Undertake such other duties as directed from time-to-time by your line manager.

Essential skills, qualifications and experience:

• A finance qualification or working towards level 3 AAT or ACCA with proven experience in charity financial operations.

• Good general level of education.

• Strong experience in financial reporting, budgeting and compliance.

• Demonstrable experience of managing small to medium size budgets (circa £400,000) & accounting systems (ideally with experience of Quick Books software).

• Proven experience of cash handling and financial management procedures. 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Proven ability to work to tight deadlines, be proactive and work autonomously.

• Proven IT literacy including use of business software and accounting packages (including Quickbooks), and Google Workspace.

• Strong numeracy and analytical skills.

• Experience supporting audits and implementing robust financial controls.

• Knowledge of Charity and Company Law.

• Proven ability to work under direction from superiors but equally able to use their own initiative.

• Proven ability to prioritise workload and meet tight deadlines.

• Proven ability to complete essential management paperwork and analyse data.

• Personable and with an open, positive approach to new ideas coupled with drive and enthusiasm.

• A flexible and collaborative approach to colleagues both staff and volunteers.

• Honest, trustworthy and reliable.

• A calm and friendly approach particularly when working under pressure.

• Sympathy for animal welfare and the work of the RSPCA.

• Full valid UK driving licence.

• Willing and able to travel around the Branch area on occasions.

Desirable skills, qualifications and experience:

• Experience of management & leadership.

• Training, coaching & mentoring skills.

• Experience of working with the general public and/or in a customer care environment.

• Experience of managing change in the workplace.

• Experience of managing small projects.

• Good basic knowledge of employment law.

• Knowledge of data protection requirements.

• Willingness to learn and acquire new skills through training.

We promote an inclusive working environment in which diversity is recognised, valued, and encouraged. We acknowledge the multi-cultural and diverse nature of the UK workforce and society in general. We are committed to principles of fairness and mutual respect where everyone accepts the concept of individual responsibility. 

About The Job

At the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), we’re on a mission to tackle the climate emergency and end the suffering caused by cold homes. From community energy projects to national policy work, we support people and organisations across the UK to take practical action and shape a fairer, zero-carbon future.

We’re looking for a Senior IT Manager to help us deliver secure, sustainable and people-focused IT systems, and support more than 140 colleagues to do their best work. If you’re someone who thrives on solving problems, improving processes, and helping others feel confident with tech, this is a role where your skills can make a real impact.

The role

As Senior IT Manager, you will lead on all things IT across CSE and our subsidiary, Retrofit West CIC. From supporting staff day-to-day to managing our infrastructure and external support partner, you will ensure our systems are secure, fit for purpose, and evolving with our needs.

You will sit within the Finance & Operations team and be part of CSE’s Senior Management Team (SMT), working closely with our Director of Finance & Operations. While you won’t directly manage staff, you will collaborate with the Operations Officers and support colleagues across every part of the organisation.

Your responsibilities will include:

· Managing our internal IT systems, tools and infrastructure.

· Being the main contact for our external IT support provider.

· Supporting colleagues with advice, onboarding, and day-to-day tech issues.

· Acting as CSE’s effective Data Protection Officer (training provided).

· Maintaining cyber security and overseeing our Cyber Essentials compliance.

· Supporting our bespoke in-house databases and CRM systems.

· Advising on IT procurement and platform decisions.

· Contributing to business continuity planning and risk management.

· Promoting sustainability and best practice across IT operations.

· This is a practical, hands-on role where you’ll help us run smoothly, safely, and sustainably - while also contributing to longer-term planning and improvements.

Who you are

You are calm under pressure, process-minded, and focused on making things work better. You enjoy working across teams, finding simple solutions to complex problems, and supporting others to use technology with confidence.

You will bring:

· Experience managing IT systems, infrastructure and external providers.

· Working knowledge of GDPR and cyber security best practice.

· Familiarity with platforms such as Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and cloud services.

· Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage risk and prioritise effectively.

· A people-focused approach- patient, clear and collaborative.

What success looks like in this role

This role is central to keeping our systems secure, stable and supportive of colleagues across CSE. We are looking for someone who can confidently take ownership, work independently, and continuously improve how we deliver IT.

In the first 6–12 months, success might include:

· A clear, well-documented overview of CSE’s IT systems and infrastructure.

· Smooth and reliable day-to-day IT support across the organisation, with positive feedback from staff.

· Effective working relationship with our external IT provider, with clear processes and expectations in place.

· Cyber Essentials accreditation maintained and compliance confidently overseen.

· Risks, dependencies and continuity plans identified and managed.

· Practical support provided to colleagues across departments, especially around internal databases and platforms.

· Recommendations in place for any long-term system or hardware improvements.

We are looking for someone who can build on strong foundations, while helping us work smarter and stay secure as we grow.

About us

CSE is a national charity based in Bristol with a clear mission: to tackle the climate emergency and end the suffering caused by cold homes. We believe in a future where everyone can live in a warm, healthy home powered by a fair and sustainable energy system - and we work with people, organisations and communities to help make that a reality.

Our team of over 140 staff brings together a wide range of expertise, from energy advice and community engagement to software development, data science and policy advocacy. We collaborate across teams and disciplines to deliver practical change, and we’re proud of our independence, integrity and commitment to social justice.

We’re always looking for people who care deeply about social and environmental justice and who enjoy working collaboratively to make practical change happen.

What we offer

Working at CSE means being part of a supportive, purpose-driven team, where your skills contribute to real social and environmental change. We offer:

· Salary: £47,508 – £55,953 (Salary Grade I)*

· Pension: Ethical company pension scheme - 8% employer / 6% employee contributions

· Holiday: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

· Flexibility: TOIL (time off in lieu) for out-of-hours work, and flexibility to support work–life balance (role dependent)

· A commitment to supporting your career progression and continued development

· A range of staff-led groups, including our Employee Voice and EDI working group

Wellbeing:

o Health Cash Plan

o Life Assurance

o Enhanced sick pay

o Access to retail discounts and discounted breakdown cover

o Employee support programme

o Staff activities like yoga at lunch and a book club

Financial support & lifestyle benefits:

o Tech Scheme

o Cycle to Work Scheme (promoting sustainable commuting)

 A values-led workplace:

o Friendly, collaborative team culture

o Purpose-driven work that supports people and the planet

o We are a Living Wage Employer and a Disability Confident Employer

* The salary for the post will be on Scale I (£47,508– £55,953). Starting salary is expected to be at the lower end of the range with precise level depending on skills, relevant experience, and qualifications.  A suitably qualified and experienced applicant should expect to find themselves closer to the middle of the range following successful completion of their 6-month probationary period.  Subsequent movement is dependent on annual appraised performance against the defined job description for the post.

Our office is based in central Bristol, close to public transport links.

Our culture and values

At CSE, our values shape how we work together and with others. We look for these qualities in all our staff and expect them to guide day-to-day work and relationships. These include:

Commitment to CSE: Reflecting our charitable purpose, vision and strategic objectives in your work, and contributing to a culture where everyone feels welcomed, valued and able to belong.

Collaboration: Sharing knowledge and experience generously, valuing others’ contributions, and communicating with openness and respect.

Conscientiousness: Taking responsibility for your work, delivering to the best of your ability, and working to improve while caring for CSE’s resources and reputation.

Initiative: Looking for ways to improve outcomes, solve problems and try new approaches, while responding flexibly to change and supporting others to do the same.

Application procedure

To apply, please complete CSE’s application form, available at our website. We will also consider CVs (maximum 3 pages) accompanied by a supporting letter, if preferred. However, all applications should clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the person specification outlined in the job description. CSE anonymises all applications prior to shortlisting.

Application deadline: 9am, Monday 28th July 2025

If you do not hear from us by the 6th of August 2025, please assume your application has not been successful.

Interviews:

Initial online interviews will take place during the week commencing Monday 4th August 2025.

Candidates invited to a second round will be interviewed in person at our Bristol offices during the week commencing Monday 11th August 2025. 

Applications should be sent:

By email to our jobs @ cse .org .uk email

By post to: Reception, Centre for Sustainable Energy, St James Court, St James Parade, Bristol BS1 3LH

If you require any reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting spaces), please let us know and we’ll be happy to accommodate your needs.

CSE is committed to being an inclusive, diverse and non-judgmental workplace. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of background or identity. We particularly encourage applications from people whose experiences or communities are underrepresented in our organisation or the wider workforce - including people from racially or ethnically minoritised backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

We know that people sometimes hesitate to apply for roles unless they meet every requirement. If this role excites you but you’re not sure you meet every single point in the person specification, we’d still love to hear from you.

Please note that at this time we do not require assistance from recruitment agencies.

The vacancy

We are seeking to appoint one lay member to sit on our GOC Council.

About the GOC

We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct.  For more information about us please visit our website:optical. org.

About the Council

The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services.  The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians).  At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary. 

The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders. 

Remuneration and time commitment

Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses).  The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.

The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at Level 29, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.

How to apply:

Please email the the following to appointment@optical. org

· your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic or vocational qualifications;

· the application form, stating how your experience matches the criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and

· complete the EDI monitoring form linked in the candidate pack (this is an online form and does not need to be included in the email with your CV and application form).

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.

Online interviews will be held on between Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.

If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours. 

We welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.

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.

National Numeracy supports volunteers from our corporate partners to deliver sessions in primary schools
that inspire children to see the value of maths in the real world. The Programme enables volunteers to
directly support communities with low number confidence and skills, celebrating everyday maths, and
developing the building blocks of social mobility in areas of need.

The new Programmes Assistant will work with the Volunteering Manager and wider Programmes Team to
deliver this exciting Programme. The role will involve working with internal team members and external
partners to assist with delivery, including recruitment of volunteers and schools, training of volunteers,
resource delivery and preparation, feedback, data collection and associated admin. The Programmes
Assistant will be the first point of contact for volunteers, schools and partner organisations.

We are looking for someone who is flexible and able to respond to the fast-paced work around the busiest
periods of the year for the Programme. It’s not imperative that you come from the education or charity
sectors, or that you have held an equivalent role previously, as long as you can show us that you have
relevant transferable skills and an understanding of what it takes to be successful in this role.

National Numeracy is based in Falmer, just outside Brighton, but we are offering significant remote/hybrid
and flexible working with this role. The role may include occasional UK travel, to visit schools, partner
organisations, attend occasional Team Awaydays, and very occasionally to visit the office.