Community Equalities Coordinator Jobs in Birmingham

Why work for Kids Matter?

• Generous annual leave – 25 days (plus bank holidays) per year pro rata, with time off between Christmas and New Year's additional to this allowance.
• Remote working contribution – receive £26/month pro rata towards the costs of working from home and/or using a co-working space.
• Access to coaching sessions, training opportunities and our Employee Assistance Programme (a confidential support service for staff).
• Flexible working across weekdays to suit your schedule.

About us

Kids Matter is one of the UK’s fastest growing children’s charities.

Our vision is to see every child in need raised in a strong family. Our mission is to reduce the impact of poverty on children through community-based parenting programmes.

Research shows that group-based early intervention parenting groups are the most effective way to support children in need. We train peer facilitators in local churches - the largest voluntary body in the country - to run our affordable, accessible and highly effective parenting programmes, written by Clinical Psychologists. They come alongside parents and carers, building long-lasting community in addition to encouraging confidence and learning positive parenting skills.

We value difference and diversity, and we want our workplace to be built on shared values of equality and mutual trust, with team members representing the wide range of backgrounds and experiences that exist within the UK. We therefore actively encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds and varied experiences, particularly those who are African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian or part of other minority ethnic communities, who have lived experience of the impact of low-income/low-support circumstances, and who are living with a disability or identify as being neurodivergent.

About the role

The purpose of the Fundraising Coordinator/Small Grant Writer role is to act as administrator and coordinator for all aspects of the Fundraising team, as well as working with the Head of Fundraising to research, compose and submit small grant applications (up to £10,000) using skilled writing techniques and knowledge of the culture, programmes and language of Kids Matter.

The Fundraising Coordinator/Small Grant Writer role involves:

• Supporting the Head of Fundraising in providing dedicated donor care and communications through the management, oversight and actioning of the donor thanking process ensuring all financial gifts no matter how large or small are acknowledged and thanked appropriately.
• Collaborating with the Finance Manager and Operations Administrator to ensure that all incoming donations are correctly identified, communicated and recorded in Kids Matter’s CRM system.
• Liaising with the Communications team to provide administrative support for the fundraising elements of campaign initiatives.
• Taking minutes at all fundraising meetings and distribute/action as necessary to the team.
• In conjunction with the Head of Fundraising, researching new small grant funding opportunities. Writing and submitting subsequent grant applications in a professional and timely manner.
• In conjunction with the Head of Fundraising and utilising knowledge of existing donor and grant income and potential grant opportunities, helping to plan future years’ funding pipeline strategy.

About you

Do you have excellent administration skills? Do you love writing? Can you work well in a team? Are you a Christian with an active faith in Jesus? Do you have a passion for Kids Matter’s vision of seeing every child in need raised in a strong family?

Then we would love to hear from you!

How to apply

You can apply for the Fundraising Coordinator/Small Grant Writer position by clicking ‘Apply via Website’ and completing a copy of our online application form.

The deadline for applications is 4pm on Monday 31st March. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

We also ask for all applicants to submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which will be sent to you to complete following the submission of your application. This form will be used for anonymous analysis to ensure our overall recruitment procedures are fair and transparent. It will never be viewed or used as part of the selection process. It is optional to submit this form.

If you would like any application/interview support or you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, or if you would like an informal phone call to ask questions or discuss the role, please contact Katie Washington (HR & Systems Coordinator).

Please see the job pack for more details on the role and application process.

The Move 8 Week Young People’s Programme has experienced remarkable growth, with referrals increasing by 109% between 2021/22 and 2023/24. To meet the growing demand while maintaining high standards, we are recruiting a Cancer Rehab Specialist Lead.

This role is critical to overseeing the delivery, development, and impact of the MOVE 8 Week Young People's Programme. As the team lead, you will manage Cancer Rehab Specialists and a team of freelancers. You'll aslso be working in collaboration with your line manager to drive innovation, patnerships, and excellence and have your own caseload of young people.

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead and manage the Cancer Rehab Specialist and a pool of freelancers delivering aspects of the programme.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment, ensuring clarity of roles and responsibilities.
• Provide ongoing guidance, performance management, and professional development for the team.

Direct Support to Participants

• Provide one-on-one support to young people with a focus on physical activity and wellbeing.
• Develop MOVE’s support for 13-30 year olds following Proton Beam Therapy, and building relationships with key stakeholders and Health Care Professionals.
• Ensure participants receive tailored support, including one-to-one sessions and resources to enhance their rehabilitation journey.
• Work alongside your line manager to monitor participant outcomes and satisfaction, using data insights to continually improve service delivery.

Partnerships, Advocacy and systems change

• Build and maintain relationships with healthcare providers, community organisations, and other key stakeholders to support young people and raise awareness on the benefits of physical activity.
• Advocate the benefits of physical activity during and after cancer treatment at professional events and conferences.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to embed physical activity in cancer care pathways, planning and delivering workshops to contribute towards this.

Programme Development and Growth

• Develop and implement innovative improvements to the 8 Week Programme based on participant feedback and best practices in cancer rehabilitation, for example by managing and refining referral processes to reduce waiting times and improve participant experiences.
• Work with your line manager to design and implement scalable systems and processes to support sustainable growth of the programme.
• Embed equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles in all activities, ensuring accessibility for underserved and diverse communities.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align the programme with organisational goals and secure funding opportunities.

Impact Evaluation and Reporting

• Work with the Programme Coordinator to oversee the collection and analysis of relevant data to evaluate the programme’s effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Work with your line manager to write reports for stakeholders, funders, and senior leadership, highlighting achievements and demonstrating impact.
• Identify participant stories and successes to share with the marketing and communications team.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

• Cancer Rehab Level 4 Training or equivalent
• Proven experience leading teams, including freelancers or contractors, in a health, cancer care, or rehabilitation context.
• Strong understanding of the role of physical activity in cancer rehabilitation and recovery.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience managing diverse stakeholders.
• Organisational skills to support multiple aspects of programme delivery and team management effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to innovate, solve problems, and drive service improvements.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion principles, with experience working with underserved communities.
• Cocreating with young people

Desirable Requirements

• Relevant qualifications in cancer rehabilitation, health promotion, or a related field.
• Experience in managing budgets and contributing to funding applications or grants.
• Familiarity with safeguarding and data protection regulations.
• Programme development experience

MOVE Benefits

Salary: £34,000 (pro rata)

Contract: 1 Year Part-Time (4 days per week) with potential to extend

Location: Remote, with occasional travel for events, workshops and meetings (Please note that this role is only available for applicants with the right to work in the UK)

The post is subject to a six months’ probationary period. We understand the importance of a work-life balance and respect individual needs.

Annual Leave: Generous allocation of 28 days of holiday leave (pro rata if part-time)

Special Day Off: Your Birthday

Extended Holiday Break: Our charity closes down in between Christmas and New Year, giving you the opportunity to enjoy some additional time off over the festive period.

Pension Benefits: Pension plan through NEST (National Employment Savings Trust)

Flexible Working Arrangements and Hours: We believe in empowering our employees to manage their time effectively. This is a remote working role (within the UK) with travel for team meetings and other work-related events.

How to apply

• Produce a document no longer than 2 sides of A4, outlining why your skills, experience and personal motivation make you the right person for this role. Please also attach your CV.
• Please provide name and contact details of two referees that we would contact if shortlisted.
• Please use your name in the subject header of the email and the file name of the document.
• Please send these to recruitment@movecharityorg
• For an informal discussion before applying, please email interim charity lead nazmeen.wardle-bi@movecharityorg
• Closing date to apply for this role is Wednesday 26th March
• If you would prefer to submit your application in an alternative format, please feel free to choose your own approach to convey the information requested.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity Statement:

MOVE Against Cancer is an equal opportunities employer, values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment.

Key Application and interview information:

There will be two stages of the interview process. The first stage will be virtual via video call and for those invited to the second stage, the interview will take place in-person in Manchester.

Data Protection Statement

For information about how we use your data, please contact us.

Safeguarding

Move Against Cancer is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all individuals who participate in our programmes and all staff and volunteers. Successful candidates will be required to carry out a disclosure and barring check.

This is an exciting new opportunity working with our experienced team.

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and flexible, part time Outreach & Engagement Co-ordinator for 18 hours per week over three days.

You will be required to work alongside children, young people and families with a focus on parenting, family life, early learning, to build confidence and breakdown isolation. To promote Home Start Birmingham North & Inner City within the local communities, building networks with local referrers.

If you think you would be suited to this rewarding post vital to effectively delivering support services to families with children under 5, we would love to hear from you.

Applicants must have :-

• A relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in early learning / development
• Excellent communication skills, be self motivated and able to manage your own workload
• An open-minded, non judgemental approach
• Have a valid driving licence and use of car.

Home Start Birmingham North & Inner City are committed to equality diversity and inclusion and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults. 

The role is subject to an enhanced DBS check through the Disclosure and Barring service.

Full induction will be provided to the successful candidate.

Please note CV's will not be accepted.

Hours: Part-time 29 hours per week worked over four days, between the hours of 8am–6pm

Contract length: Permanent

Salary: £20,800 (£26,000 FTE)

Location: To cover the Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Thames Valley area – candidates must live in the Thames Valley.

Working pattern: Remote work with frequent travel required. You will be expected to deliver a face-to-face service to clients in their own home or safe meeting place within the South and Central area.

Deadline for applications: 4th April 2025 (we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications)

Interviews to be conducted: Mid April

Start date in role: Late May / early June

 Rare opportunity: Help those affected by road crashes and create lasting change with Brake, the renowned road safety charity.

 Who we are: Brake has been supporting victims of road carnage since 1995, and we're on a mission to prevent future collisions. Every 20 minutes, someone is killed or seriously injured on our roads, impacting lives profoundly.

 Join our team: We're expanding our National Road Victim Service and need a dedicated caseworker to join our dynamic, compassionate team. Your role will involve delivering world-class support services to those at their most vulnerable.

 Not your average job: This isn't a 9 to 5. You could play a significant part in rolling out trauma-informed support services nationwide. Make a real difference in the lives of those affected by road crashes.

What we offer:

- A generous 35 days of annual leave (including bank holidays and 3-day shutdown period between Christmas and New Year, pro-rata for part-time working patterns)

- Birthday day off

- Enhanced sick pay and compassionate leave

- Death in service benefit

- Pension

- Employee Assistance Programme

- Flexible working

- A rewarding role with purpose

- Be part of a skilled, friendly team with an engaged Board of Trustees 

Who you are: We need passionate, self-starters with a background in providing high-quality emotional support and advocacy. Your experience in roles within the police, criminal justice, counselling, caseworker or health and social care sectors could make you an ideal candidate.

 Specifically seeking candidates with:

- frontline support service experience

- a full, clean UK driving licence, access to your own transport and are willing to use it for work purposes (we reimburse travelling expenses)

- Candidates must be resident in the Thames Valley area

- experience supporting people who have suffered sudden bereavement or working with those with heightened vulnerabilities.

- research and advocacy skills – you will reach out to other organisations to support your cases where required

- competent IT skills for remote work

Join our mission: Your greatest reward will be knowing you've made a positive difference in someone's recovery from psychological trauma.

About us: Brake is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We welcome your application whatever your background or situation. We particularly welcome applications from those who are part of the global majority, the LGBTQIA+ community or disabled. We are proud to be a disability confident employer. We don’t want you to ‘fit’ our culture, we want you to enrich it. So, if you have a passion for making a difference and share in our vision for a world where no one is killed on our roads, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now: If you're up for a new challenge and have the skills, apply now.

Not for traffic offenders: Due to the nature of our work we can't accept applications from traffic offenders. Candidates will be asked to disclose whether they have any unspent points on their licence at interview.

A DBS check is required due to the sensitive nature of our service.

Join us today and be part of the solution! 

National Advocacy & Support Service Manager

About the Advocacy & Support Manager role

You will join a team managing Galop’s specialist advocacy services, providing support to LGBT victims and survivors of abuse and violence in the UK. This role holds the responsibility of the National advocacy & support team, you will be responsible for the line management and operational management of the advocacy & support service across the UK. You will work within the advocacy management team to deliver advice, support, and advocacy to thousands of LGBT victims and survivors of interpersonal abuse and violence each year.

You will remotely manage a team of specialist advocates and caseworkers that are based across the UK, providing needs-led support, information and advocacy to LGBT survivors of a range of violence and abuse. You will work with the Head of Advocacy and Support and other Advocacy and Support managers to ensure that survivors have access to timely, tailored support, while maintaining a high quality, consistent service, with a specific focus on remote support.

You will have an in depth understanding of violence and abuse that LGBT people are subjected to, including the causes, impact and barriers to accessing services. You will use your expertise to represent Galop with key stakeholders, advocating for the needs of the community and acting as a key Galop representative within a national landscape.

You will be responsible for ensuring that data collected about the service is consistent, thorough and appropriate in order to use for reporting, bid writing and evidencing the service provision offered. You will develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders and ensure that the service is effectively demonstrating its impact. You will work with the Head of Advocacy and Director of Services to develop bids for new or continued funding for frontline services.

For more information on this role please download the attached job description.

Location: This is a remote post, working from home. The role will include travel to our London building and occasional travel across the UK.
Hours: Full Time (35 hours per week)
Contract: Permanent
Line manages: Advocates and caseworkers
Reports to: Head of Advocacy and Support
Salary: £36,590.97 - £39,743.06

Closing Date

Applications should be submitted by 10:00am on 1st April
First round interviews will be held 10th April

REF-220289

About us:

The UK Cyber Security Council works to bring together stakeholders to build and drive engagement in the cyber security profession, through developing standards and ethical practice, demystifying career routes into the profession and promoting the profession.

In collaboration with multiple UK Government departments and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) we develop, promote and oversee nationally recognised standards for cyber security, in support of the UK Government’s National Cyber Strategy to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.

The UK Cyber Security Council also offers organisational membership, which is open to all organisations that share an interest in promoting, supporting, and developing the cyber security profession.

About the role:

The Quality and Performance Manager will be responsible for cultivating a culture of excellence, emphasising high performance, quality, and compliance to exceed targets across the external licensed bodies. In this role, you will utilise your skills in stakeholder management, influence and coaching to enhance performance within the licensing area.

Your primary focus will involve collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure the seamless and efficient delivery of the professional registration process, tailored to meet the specific requirements of our users and participants. You will drive continuous improvement and promote best practices. A pivotal aspect of this position involves identifying performance challenges and effectively motivating and managing organisations and their teams to find solutions and elevate performance levels.

The ideal candidate will excel in building relationships and communication, maintaining productive cross-contractual and interdepartmental relationships with key stakeholders across different organisational levels to optimise performance.

Collaborating closely with external partners and the internal professionalisation and wider Council team, you will enhance and streamline performance by identifying, developing, and assisting in the implementation of innovative and impactful solutions. This role is centred around achieving results, requiring exceptional management and decision-making skills that can be applied to the intricate operations of complex licensed contracts.

To support these responsibilities, the role holder should possess knowledge and experience in reporting, analytics, data management, budgeting and enabling comprehensive and robust performance optimisation. Through ongoing performance analysis, you will provide guidance to licensed bodies to address and mitigate performance, quality, and compliance concerns while identifying key areas for improvement, ultimately establishing a proactive approach to managing performance related risks.

The role holder will need to work closely with the Head of Professionalisation to ensure updates, best practice and areas for improvement are communicated effectively and in an impactful way both internally and externally. It is expected that you will attend a range of external and internal events and initiatives to help raise the profile of and work of the Council, support pipeline growth and grow demand. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Quality

· Develop, implement, and manage quality practices that meet the requirements of the license, as well as requirements set by Government (NCSC and DSIT) to ensure that processes and procedures are compliant. 

· Manage and improve the quality framework that delivers an excellent standard of assessment, ensuring that the outcomes are exceeded and improving applicants’ experience. 

· Take a lead role in developing the Councils approach to understanding and measuring quality and outcomes through the whole professional registration process being administered by licensed bodies. Highlight areas of improvement, identify solutions and put plans in place,

· Develop a community where good practice can be shared. 

· Be responsible for ensuring all relevant individuals are added to the professional register in a timely manner and communicated to appropriately by all parties

· To manage the day-to-day relationship with external partners and stakeholders, deal with any queries in a timely manner. 

· Research, build and embed a feedback system to contribute to continuous improvement

· Work with the Director of Finance and Operations to ensure that payment structures are in place and undertake monthly reconciliation

· Ensure a robust moderation processes and plans are in place, work with the Technical Advisory Panel members and chairs to ensure members are aware of moderation support needs, complete them within agreed timescales and provide timely feedback to licensed bodies.

Performance

· Responsible for the performance management of contracts, ensuring internal and external reporting requirements are adhered to, KPI’s are set, managed and continuously reviewed and reported to LT.

· Oversee all renewal and extensions for client contracts, which will include financial and system performance based KPI’s, including the need to be accountable for the accuracy of financial tracking, cost control, overhead management, and invoicing. 

· Managing audit requirements in relation to the contracts, including preparing documentation, coordination, addressing findings and maintaining records.

· Working with various internal and external partners to identify and define solutions for complex issues, working with the appropriate stakeholders to design and implement positive outcomes.

· Work with the marketing and comms lead to ensure that Marketing and comms plans meet the requirements of the license, and that the Council strategy is aligned to support. 

· Work with the events and membership co-ordinator to highlight opportunities for collaboration with stakeholders and partners that will support Council strategic objectives. 

 

General Responsibilities

· Lead on workstream as guided by Head of Professionalisation and in collaboration with Professionalisation team members

· Manage key risks and follow escalation process when necessary

· Ensure there is cohesive and aligned work with colleagues within the organisation

· Maintain open and effective communication with internal and external colleagues

· Prepare status reports as required for the Head of Professionalisation

· Comply with data protection legislation and act responsibly on matters of data disclosure both internally and to third parties

· Represent the Council in stakeholder meetings and external events

· Represent the Council in a professional manner and to act at all times in a manner which will not damage its reputation.

· Work from a positive, growth mindset to solve issues and problems that may arise and to adhere to the organisation values

· Carry out such tasks as the COO/Head of Professionalisation may from time to time deem necessary for the effective and efficient functioning of the Council

Person Specification:

Essential:

Experience

• Experience with self-assessment process and Quality Improvement plans
• Experience of creating cultures that embody positive change, continuous improvement and equality
• Experience of managing a supply chain including setting and achieving KPIs and contract conformance
• Management experience and understanding of contractual and performance management with the ability to deliver results
• Experience of successfully delivering an outcome-based contract
• Experience of driving performance, identifying areas of concern and implementing projects for performance improvement

Skills, knowledge and qualifications

• Clear understanding of the purpose of professional registration and associated processes
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to negotiate and influence a wide range of stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Ability to analyse a range of data from a range of sources to develop insights and support decisions
• Ability to respond quickly in a fast-moving environment, and make key decisions aligned to business goal

Personal Attributes & Approach

• Commitment to a registrant-centred approach
• Confident, positive and hard-working team player – happy to go above and beyond
• Ability to work flexibly within changing priorities and a capacity to be adaptable as required to deliver completed tasks to set deadlines
• Excellent IT and digital skills including Microsoft 365
• Ability to work on own initiative, as well as in consultation and negotiation with senior managers and other stakeholders as required
• Commitment, determination and resiliency

Desirable:

· Relevant QCF Assessor Qualification – e.g. D32/D33/A1/CAVA/TAQA Assessor

· Relevant Internal Verifier/Internal Quality Assurer qualification – e.g. D34/V1

· Previous audit experience

· Demonstrated success in producing efficiencies/increased outcomes against target

· Significant operational management experience

Next Steps

Deadline for application: Friday 28th March 5pm

Interviews: w/c 7th April or w/c 21st April

Start date: As soon as possible

About the Role

Sense is recruiting for a Volunteer Development Lead to join our fantastic People & Culture Team, working on a hybrid basis between home and our offices in either London or Birmingham. We can also accommodate candidates able to commit to a part-time schedule (minimum of four days per week).

The Volunteer Team owns the strategic overview and direction of volunteering at Sense. As a key role in growing, supporting and enhancing volunteering across Sense, they work collaboratively with all functions across the organisation to help shape volunteering opportunities, improve volunteer experience and embed processes that ensure volunteers feel valued and empowered to make a real impact.
 

The main duties and responsibilities include:

• Support with the delivery of Sense’s Volunteer Strategy, helping to ensure all activity aligns with Sense’s vision and mission.
• Increase volunteer participation by developing inclusive and meaningful opportunities that cater to diverse interests, skills, and availability.
• Enhance the quality and impact of volunteering by establishing clear guidance on volunteer engagement and management.
• Ensure volunteering at Sense is accessible, inclusive and contributes to the charity’s overall mission.
• Develop innovative and new volunteering models, including micro-volunteering to further enhance our work.
• Help design and deliver Volunteer Management workshops to help equip volunteer managers across the organisation with best practice tools, and strategies to enhance the volunteer experience.

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• Experience in developing volunteer programmes and volunteer management.
• Strong knowledge of best practices, legislation and emerging trends in volunteering.
• Demonstrated success in delivering strategies and/or large-scale projects.
• Promote inclusive volunteering opportunities, identifying and addressing barriers to participation.
• Develop external partnerships to enhance Sense’s volunteer network and extend opportunities.
• Good knowledge of policies and practices in safeguarding, risk management, and volunteer engagement.
• A commitment to people with complex disabilities and Sense’s vision and values.

Personal Circumstances

• This role requires a hybrid working model, with at least two days per week in the office or visiting shops or other sites.
• Ability to travel to either our Selly Oak (Birmingham) or our London office.
• Applications will be considered from candidates able to commit to a part-time schedule (pro-rata, minimum of four days per week).
• This role may require occasional overnight stays for training, meetings or events. 
   

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Sense are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer.

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.

To apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly.  We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying.

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. 

Deaf Unity is seeking an Organisational Development Consultant with experience of successfully supporting small charities through growth and change.  

We are planning the transition from a freelance to a PAYE salary structure and require support with: 

• Designing an appropriate staffing structure 

• Benchmarking salaries 

• Business and financial planning 

• HR/employment systems and policies, related training 

• Governance 

The overall aim of this commission is to establish an effective and well-managed staffing structure for the organisation, with strong systems and policies embedded across our teams. Ultimately this will build Deaf Unity’s stability and resilience for the long-term. 

Deaf Unity: mission and purpose 

Deaf Unity is a deaf-led charity (CIO), based in London, that works to empower, nurture and train deaf individuals. Our particular focus is on three main points of transition that are pivotal in enabling deaf people to realise their potential – and to thrive within and contribute fully to society. These transition points are: 

• leaving school to enter further/higher education 

• entering the workforce 

• progressing in the workplace 

We work with our community in London to identify the barriers deaf people face at every stage of this journey, empowering them to make informed choices and to succeed. We partner with stakeholders (universities, employers, voluntary sector partners) to decrease, overcome or eradicate these barriers altogether. 

From our home base in London, we work alongside our community and partners to develop and deliver new initiatives in response to clearly identified needs. We directly engage 300+ deaf people each year: inspiring and supporting school-leavers to take their first steps into higher education; empowering graduates and employees to navigate the world of work with confidence; and connecting deaf people with each other to build community, tackle isolation, mobilise around key issues and break down barriers to learning and employment. Sharing and dissemination of our work (including online to reach the national community) goes on to engage far greater numbers. 

Deaf Unity generates much of its income from providing interpreting and consultancy services and delivering training (British Sign Language and deaf awareness courses).  This activity fully aligns with our charitable mission and generates essential unrestricted funding to support our wider activities. Income in the year ending December 2023 was £115,316, of which over 80% was generated from course delivery and interpreting services. That year we generated a surplus of £11,102. 

Context for the commission 

To date, deaf Unity’s programmes have been delivered entirely by a freelance team: CEO, administrator,  tutors and project managers/coordinators leading on different streams of activity.  We have recently recruited a Training and Operations Manager (freelance) to lead on training and interpreting services. 

Activity continues to grow. Turnover in 2024 was c. £175,000 (final accounts are currently being produced), demand for courses is strong and we have had a successful year of fundraising. 

Our activities engage a broad range of beneficiaries, participants and stakeholders: deaf students and employees; our local deaf community in London; and many different stakeholders – universities, employers and local councils – working with us to remove the barriers that disadvantage deaf people and prevent access to opportunity. We are proud of a track record of impactful interventions that have made a real difference in the prospects of deaf learners, jobseekers and employees. 

This said, we have not reaped the full benefits of the partnerships and experience that have contributed to this success. A wholly freelance workforce means skills, knowledge, relationships and learning are regularly lost. We now wish to bring a core team into a salaried, PAYE structure to assure greater stability and continuity. We wish to invest in our people and demonstrate good employability practices, as champions of Deaf parity in the workplace. Specialist support is needed to ensure a good process, an affordable structure, and that appropriate systems, policies and structures are in place to support future work.

In late 2023, the Board of Trustees agreed a forward plan, setting out the charity’s objectives and the activities we plan to deliver over the next 3-5 years. Our work is guided by 5 high-level, strategic objectives. We aim that by 2028:

1. Deaf Unity will have created in partnership with London schools a high-quality, effective careers advice pack/toolkit which can be accessed digitally by schools across the UK to inspire and support deaf learners on their FE/HE/vocational journey.

2. Deaf Unity will be providing a comprehensive package of support around employability, that is recognised and in use by 5 leading nationwide employers and by the National Union of Students (NUS). 

3.  We will be hosting in London a highly respected, impactful annual event for deaf people in work that is reaching 100 deaf people each year, directly or indirectly 

4. Deaf Unity will be able to evidence that the CIO is making a substantial positive difference in the lives of learners, students and employees - through quantitative and qualitative feedback including testimonials and case studies 

5. Our organisation will be stable, financially secure and resilient, supported by strong governance and management systems and effective partnership networks

This commission directly supports objective 5. 

In parallel with this: 

1. Deaf Unity will work with an Evaluation specialist to develop a practical, effective evaluation framework and plan enabling us to capture and analyse our impact across the full range of our activities. This will enable us to improve the design and delivery of our services and activities, on an ongoing basis and to better evidence the charity’s impact and the difference we are making in people’s lives. 

2. Staff and Trustees will undertake training to address identified skills and knowledge gaps (a modest budget is allocated for this) 

This programme of development activity is kindly funded by Trust for London. 

In the course of the year Deaf Unity will also be working with a corporate partner offering pro-bono support to redevelop the website and advise on online course delivery. 

Overview of role 

The consultant will be required to lead and support Deaf Unity’s CEO and Board through a systematic approach to agreeing, implementing and embedding the new structure. We currently envisage that this will include: 

• A review of the functions, skills and competencies required to deliver Deaf Unity’s forward plan 

• Producing a proposed, costed staff structure, with salaries, rates of pay and conditions that are benchmarked against the sector and meet good practice e.g. in terms of Living Wage parity 

• Business planning to include producing a revised budget for 2025 (currently indicative only) and an indicative budget for 2026, based on current levels of activity/growth, to ensure that the new structure is affordable. (An in-depth business development process is planned for a later stage, separate from this commission) 

• A review of governance and existing policies

• Support with the transition process e.g. ensuring that the moving of any freelance staff to salaried contracts is compliant with the law and with good employment practice

• Development of a training plan (spanning the Board, staff and freelance team) to address identified skills gaps 

We will however welcome alternative proposals for how this work might most effectively be structured.

Schedule 

We aim to start work in mid April 2025, completing by end October 2025 (7 months). The consultant will be required to work flexibly throughout this period and this will be negotiated with you on appointment, bearing in mind your other commitments. 

Time commitment: estimated 15-20 days over a 7-month period 

Fees: Fixed fee is £8,250 inclusive of VAT and expenses 

Specification 

The consultant will - 

• Inform and guide the transition to this new staffing model and way of working, to ensure the resulting structures are effective, affordable and compliant with statutory requirements and with best practice 

• Provide hands-on practical support where necessary e.g. benchmarking salaries, drafting job descriptions, reviewing and updating budgets, reviewing policies 

• Be aware of and alert to Deaf Unity’s ongoing, parallel streams of activity (e.g. evaluation work, development of website) and strive to maximise synergies and added value linked to these 

• Have due regard throughout the process to Deaf Unity’s charitable objects, so as to ensure that all progress is made with these and the good of our beneficiaries in mind 

Person specification 

Essential 

• Evidenced skills and experience in supporting projects of this nature for third sector organisations that have limited capacity and resources 

• Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of employment/HR law and practice 

• An understanding of the operating context of a charity such as ours, that is reliant on mixed income streams including fees, public grants and charitable grants. 

• Experience of business planning for the voluntary sector 

• Exceptional communication and strong facilitation skills, coupled with sensitivity and a commitment to confidentiality 

Desirable 

• Some knowledge of British Sign Language 

• Familiarity with the XERO accounting system 

• Commitment to values of social justice and equity 

• Experience of working with the deaf community 

It is anticipated that you will work remotely: Deaf Unity currently does not use a main office. 

How to Apply 

To apply for this role, please submit an application of no more than 1000 words detailing your relevant experience and qualifications; two or more examples of past, comparable roles you have successfully completed and your interest in the project.  Please provide details of two referees.

Please submit this by 5pm on 7 April 2025.  Please use “Organisational Development” as your title.

This will be a Freelance contract. You will be responsible for paying your own Tax and NI contributions.

Interviews will be held online in the week commencing 14th or 21st April 2025 

Deaf Unity celebrates diversity and opportunity. We strive to ensure the deaf Community and its members have access to the same opportunities as those in wider society and the same chances to contribute their talent and skills to the workforce. We will guarantee an interview for all deaf applicants to this role who meet the essential criteria.