Community manager jobs

Volunteers Coordinator - Maternity Cover (12 Months)
Location: Central London - OFFICE BASED role
Salary: £33,524 per annum (including London Weighting)
Contract: Full-time, Fixed Term (35 hours/week)

Your new company
This well-established, values-driven charity based in Central London is committed to supporting vulnerable communities through inclusive, person-centred services. With a strong reputation for impact and innovation, the organisation offers a collaborative and supportive working environment where staff are empowered to make a real difference.

Your new role
As Volunteers Coordinator, you'll lead the coordination of a dynamic volunteer programme, ensuring volunteers are recruited, inducted, trained, and supported effectively. You'll work closely with service teams to shape meaningful volunteer roles, maintain accurate records, and deliver engaging development opportunities. You'll also take the lead on planning two major volunteer celebration events annually, helping foster a culture of appreciation and inclusion.

What you'll need to succeed
We're looking for someone with:

• Proven experience managing volunteers across recruitment, onboarding, supervision, and retention.
• Strong understanding of volunteering policies, processes, and relevant legislation.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across diverse audiences.
• High-level organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Confidence using IT systems including Microsoft Office and volunteer management platforms (e.g. Better Impact).
• Experience designing and delivering training and development sessions.
• A proactive, problem-solving mindset and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to confidentiality and professionalism.

What you'll get in return

• Competitive salary with London Weighting
• 34 days annual leave including bank holidays
• Pension scheme and employee benefits
• A supportive and inclusive workplace culture
• Opportunities for professional development
• The chance to make a meaningful impact in the community

What you need to do now
If you're passionate about volunteer engagement and want to be part of a purpose-led organisation making a real difference, we'd love to hear from you. Submit your CV today to take the next step in your career.
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

Assistant Financial Accountant
£37,264 pa plus excellent benefits
London WC1 and home-based - hybrid with expectation to work at London office 40% of the time
35 hours per week, full-time
Permanent contract

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Assistant Financial Accountant to support the financial accounting and compliance functions of the College.

This is an important role within the Finance team, supporting the College’s mission to improve child health by ensuring the integrity of financial information, robust financial controls, and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Working closely with the Financial Accountant and wider finance team, you will take responsibility for key accounting processes including payroll, tax, treasury management, and monthly financial reconciliations. You will play a vital role in maintaining accurate and timely financial records, supporting audit preparation, and ensuring that all financial operations run smoothly.

Key responsibilities include:

• Maintaining the integrity of financial systems and ensuring accurate, timely accounting entries and reconciliations
• Supporting the Financial Accountant in preparing key balance sheet reconciliations, including fixed assets, investments, accruals, prepayments and deferred income
• Assisting with internal and external audit processes and the preparation of group statutory accounts
• Processing monthly payroll and pension submissions, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements
• Supporting VAT, corporation tax and Gift Aid returns, and ensuring all submissions are completed on time
• Managing banking and treasury activities, including cash flow monitoring and reconciliation of company credit cards
• Providing administrative support for finance systems, including user access and coding updates
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives, including system developments and process efficiency projects

Essential skills and experience:

• Part-qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, CCAB or equivalent)
• Minimum of 2–3 years’ experience in financial accounting or operations roles, ideally within the charity, not-for-profit or public sector
• Experience supporting statutory accounting, audit preparation, payroll, pensions and VAT returns
• Strong understanding of financial controls and reconciliation processes
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail
• Proficiency in financial systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and departments
• Highly organised and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines

Desirable:

• Knowledge of charity accounting and regulatory requirements, including SORP
• Experience using Business Central or similar ERP/financial systems

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your finance career in a supportive and high-performing team.

The RCPCH has more than 25,000 members and fellows and employs around 200 staff, most of whom work in our London office in Holborn. We have a Devolved Nations team operating from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Our College values: Include, Influence, Innovate and Inspire, are important to us. These values ensure we bring out the best in each other, strive forward together to make the College a positive and dynamic place to work. 

The RCPCH champions Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Our workplace is inclusive, offering a supportive environment where staff can thrive. The College is keen to accept applications from people with protected characteristics. We believe that our staff should represent all of the diverse communities we serve. Join us to help realise our vision of a world where every child is healthy and well.

The College operates a flexible and modern working policy, whereby our colleagues work in the office for a minimum of 40% over a 4 week cycle and the remainder from home.

The RCPCH is committed to safeguarding the children, young people and adults it has contact with in the exercise of its functions and responsibilities. The RCPCH expects all staff to share this commitment – we place a high priority on ensuring only those who do so are recruited to work for us. 

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. 

Closing date: 10 November 2025

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

Location: Birmingham

Salary: Grade 3 - £31,133 per annum

Contract: Fixed term until April 2026

Hours: Full time – 37.5 hours per week

Closing date: Tuesday 11th November 2025 at 11:30pm

Are you compassionate, proactive and collaborative with experience in housing and homelessness advice and advocacy? If you are looking for an exciting new career opportunity, then join Shelter as a Housing Rights Worker and you could soon be making a real difference to people affected by the housing emergency.

About The Role

This role will be part of our partnership with a leading bank which aims to build financial resilience and break the cycles that lead to financial exclusion and poor financial health negatively impacting people’s housing situations. You will deliver high quality housing advice and advocacy in line with the Birmingham hub’s local community priorities: supporting families experiencing homelessness, improving conditions in the Private Rented Sector and reducing barriers for those experiencing multiple disadvantages.

This will involve working alongside people who are experiencing homelessness and bad housing to identify issues facing local communities.  You will plan and deliver casework to individuals and communities to resolve their housing situation, networking and engaging with community groups, local organisations and individuals to understand local housing issues and raise awareness of housing rights.

About You

You will have the ability to listen to, engage and work with individuals and communities and with all stakeholders, including running group workshops and presentations. You have experience, knowledge of and/or proven ability in housing and homelessness advice and advocacy, with the ability to progress to specialist level knowledge. You will be able to carry out casework related interviews, maintaining detailed case records and offering advice and support to clients so they can make informed decisions as well as deliver group workshops and presentations.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

About The Team

In Birmingham hub we specialise in providing housing advice and homelessness work, with a particular focus on families and people experiencing multiple disadvantage. We work in partnership with a range of organisations to improve the underlying systems that prevent people from living securely in suitable, safe, affordable accommodation.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

How to Apply 

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ on the advert. You are required to submit an online application with responses to the following points in the ‘About you’ section of the job description of no more than 350 words each. These will be labelled as Knowledge, Skills and Experience points on the form. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format:

•Experience, knowledge of and/or proven ability in housing and homelessness advice and advocacy and the ability to progress to specialist level knowledge

•Ability to listen to, engage and work with individuals and communities

•Experience of delivering and/or ability to deliver group workshops and presentations

Please ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviours below throughout your responses:

•We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

•We create change and align behind our strategy

Below is more information on the STAR method:

• Situation - the situation you had to deal with
• Task - the task you were given to do
• Action - the action you took
• Result - what happened as a result of your action and what you learned from the experience
• The STAR method | National Careers Service

Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Recruitment Agencies

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

We want kind and empathic people to work at Refuge, who believe in equality, diversity, and inclusion, are experts in their area of knowledge, want to make a positive difference and improve the lives of the women and children we support.

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate to supporting women and children who are impacted by domestic violence. You will work closely with victims of domestic abuse from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of domestic abuse at the highest risk and their children.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing date: 9.00am on 10 November 2025

Interview date: 17 November 2025

People, Culture & Governance Officer

Full Time, Permanent

Salary: £32,623

Location: Farringdon, hybrid working, 1-2 days on-site

Would you like to work for a meaningful organisation amongst a team of diverse and dedicated colleagues collectively striving towards one greater goal? MLC Partners are delighted to be exclusively partnering with the charity Turn2us in their active search for a dedicated and experienced administration officer to work in the heart of the organisation, their People, Culture and Governance Team.

With their overarching mission to make financial security a basic right for everybody in the UK, there may not be a more crucial time for the pivotal work that Turn2us do every day. This opportunity to work with their HR team, supporting the Director of People, Culture & Governance and the wider team, is the perfect way to contribute to their great mission; ‘to change the system’.

Responsibilities will include, but not limited to;

• Providing comprehensive administration support to the Director of People, Culture & Governance, and the wider team;
• Provide diary management to the Director including scheduling appointments and meetings.
• Setup and track PCG leadership meetings.
• Ensure the Director has relevant papers in advance of scheduled meetings.
• Coordinate travel arrangements and logistics as required.
• Drafting correspondence, making telephone calls and attending meetings as requested by the Director.
• Coordinating, attending and taking minutes and tracking actions for OLT and Heads meetings as required.
• Following up on actions from meetings on behalf of the Director, ensuring that they are addressed by the appropriate people within agreed timescales.
• To provide administrative support in creating presentations and documents for Board meetings, Organisational Leadership Team meetings (OLT), and other key forums.
• Providing project management for People and Culture related activities, projects and meetings;
• Support project planning and implementation of People & Culture initiatives, such as staff engagement activities.
• Support the preparation of reports and maintain accurate project records.
• Provide administrative support for workshops, training sessions, and team events.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for the planning, coordination, and delivery of cross-organisational projects where agreed with the Director of People, Culture & Governance.
• Track project timelines, maintain action logs.
• Support collaboration across teams by scheduling project meetings and preparing supporting documentation.
• Supporting internal communications on behalf of the Director of People & Culture;
• Assist the Director with drafting internal communications, announcements, and updates for staff.
• Help coordinate staff engagement activities and feedback mechanisms to strengthen communication channels.
• Liaising with external providers supporting the organisations People and Culture governance work;
• Act as a point of contact for external providers and consultants working with the People & Culture and Governance directorate.
• Coordinate meetings, contracts, and service delivery arrangements.
• Ensure relevant documentation is filed and shared appropriately.
• Providing administrative support in creating presentations and documents for Board meetings, Organisational Leadership Team, Heads and other meetings and events.
• To support the directorate in its work with ensuring an inclusive and values driven organisation;
• Provide administrative support to the director on projects and initiatives that promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Help coordinate staff engagement activities aligned to the organisation’s values.
• Ensure meeting agendas, communications, and project materials reflect inclusive practice.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in a similar role, the ability to take concise and accurate minutes, to work under pressure to tight and competing deadlines whilst able to maintain excellent interpersonal skills to deal with people at all levels. In addition, an overarching passion for the charity’s values and ethos is key to your success in this role alongside an understanding of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging and how it applies to the work of Turn2us.

Person Specification

Skills:

• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills: able to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to confidently engage with different people both virtually and in person.
• Ability to take concise, accurate and efficiently produced minutes of meetings.
• Ability to work under pressure, managing competing priorities, to deliver outputs in a timely and appropriate manner.

Experience:

• Some awareness of project management
• Administrative and diary management experience.
• Experience of organisation of meetings, travel arranging, diary management and email management.

How to Apply/Interview dates:

To express your interest or request the full candidate briefing pack, please contact Tess at MLC directly or submit your application via the link provided.

We particularly welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of financial insecurity or those from underrepresented communities, including Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic groups, disabled people, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Closing date of applications: Friday 14th November

1st stage interviews: w/c 17th November

2nd stage interviews (face-to-face): w/c 24th November

We’re looking for an ambitious and experienced Senior PR Officer to help plan and deliver engaging internal and external communication campaigns to support the delivery of our charities' strategies and income goals. 

This is a hands-on role and requires the skills needed to work in a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate should have a flair for storytelling with the ability deliver the charities' messages and demonstrate their impact though audience-specific content across traditional and social media channels, in written, video, graphic-led formats. 

If you’re excited by the opportunity to help increase overall public awareness of our two charities, including the difference we are making for women, sick kids and their families, we’d love to hear from you. 

What we offer: 

• Flexible and hybrid working to support work-life balance 

• Generous annual leave entitlement with additional leave for long service  

• Enhanced sick pay 

• Enhanced Maternity Pay 

• Employee Assistance Program and Lifestyle Savings

• Free flu jabs 

• Cycle to work scheme 

• Charity events throughout the year 

• Employer enhanced auto-enrolment pension scheme with 8% employer contribution 

• Ongoing commitment to education and professional development 

The Charity is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.  

Successful candidates will have access to vulnerable beneficiaries therefore the role is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.  

If you think you have the qualities we are looking for and the desire to contribute, please download the Job Vacancy Pack and then send us a CV and covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria for the role and making clear why you would like to be considered for it. 

The closing date for return of applications is 9 November 2025. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 26 November 2025.

Job Title: Refuge Worker

Location: This is an onsite role, located within the London Borough of Hounslow, there may be a requirement to occasionally work in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Salary: £28,857.12 (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location)
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent

Hours: 37.5 hours

Are you passionate about supporting women and children escaping domestic abuse? We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated Refuge Worker to join our team, providing vital support in a safe and secure environment for those in crisis. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals when they need it most.

As a Refuge Worker, you will be responsible for delivering practical and emotional support to residents, ensuring their safety and wellbeing while they rebuild their lives. Key duties include conducting risk assessments, safety planning, supporting access to benefits and housing, liaising with external agencies, and maintaining accurate case records. The ideal candidate will be empathetic, resilient, and highly organised, with experience of working in a support or advocacy role, ideally within the domestic abuse or safeguarding sector.

This is a rewarding role where your work has a direct impact every day. In return, we offer a supportive team environment, opportunities for training and development, and the chance to be part of a cause that truly matters.

As part of this role, you will be required to participate in an out-of-hours on call rota.

Please note that this post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 19 November 2025

Iterview Dates: 2 and 3 December 2025

Barnabas Aid International is a global Christian ministry providing practical support to suffering, displaced, and persecuted Christians in over 100 countries. Since 1993, our projects have offered food, medical aid, education, disaster relief, Bibles, and help for pastors and church leaders – bringing real hope to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are seeking a visionary and faith-driven National Director to lead our ministry within the UK and Ireland.
Reporting to the International CEO and accountable to the local National Board, you will provide strategic leadership, raise awareness, mobilise prayer and financial support, and oversee a dedicated national team serving the persecuted Church.

Tring House, HP23 4JX

£31,212 per annum (pro rata) 

Permanent, Full Time/Part Time

• Hours: 30-37.5 hours per week
• Location:Hybrid role - based in Rennie House, Tring, travel between all Rennie Grove Peace offices may be required occasionally as part of this role
• Salary: £31,212 (pro rata) 
• Closing date: 17 November 2025 at 12 noon 
• Interview date: Interviews will be held on a rolling basis

The role of Database Executive to assist and support the Database Manager to maintain and utilise the supporter database (Raiser’s Edge) to record and deliver data for the Fundraising team.

You will therefore need to demonstrate your abilities in the following areas: 

• The administration and integrity of the database
• Maintenance of the database
• Assisting with data reporting and analytics
• Assisting with data importing and segmentation
• Supporting all team members in the use of the database
• Putting data at the heart of fundraising
• Acting as a Rennie Grove Peace ambassador within the community

Other requirements of the role 

• Full, current valid UK driving licence.

• Access to a vehicle which can be used for work purposes. 

• Car insurance, including business cover

ARE YOU READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?Click ‘Apply Now’…. 

All candidates must have the right to work in the UK. 

Please note, we do not sponsor for this role and due to the minimal hours required for this role, we cannot progress applications for candidates sponsored by another employer. 

If successful, you'll join on the first working Monday of the month so we can best support you with our structured induction programme.     

Applications will be reviewed and invited to interview as received. We reserve the right to close the advert at any time, therefore we encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible. 

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate to this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. 

Our commitment to Equality and Diversity 

At Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care we strive to continuously demonstrate our values. These values are embedded in our recruitment and selection process, and we are fully committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in both our workforce and within our culture.

If you are disabled and satisfactorily meet the job specification, we will invite you to interview. You can contact us to let us know if you need any adjustments during the recruitment process.

At Rights & Security International, we are seeking a part-time Racial Justice Officer to support the growth of our racial justice work in the UK. We are a London-based international human rights organisation that works to end racism, Islamophobia and other abuses when governments act in the name of ‘security’ or ‘counter-terrorism’.

For the past decade, we have been investigating the UK’s ‘Prevent’ counter-extremism programme, including how it impacts minoritised children in schools, British Muslims and neurodivergent people.

We are looking for someone with a broad skill set ranging from research and analysis to outreach and networking. You will help us build or join advocacy networks among national and local UK groups, support our litigation and freedom-of-information requests on Prevent, and investigate possible harms.

You may also contribute to our other projects, such as our work on migrants’ rights.

The initial contract will be for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a welcoming team of highly dedicated staff who embrace human rights for all people.

This position reports to the Freedom of Expression and Belief Team Leader.

Person specification:

RSI is looking for a passionate and detail-oriented candidate who has:

· An undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field – one that involves research and analysis.

· Experience in building networks to promote racial justice. Those networks could be at the community level or the national level.

· A solid understanding of concepts related to equality, particularly racial and gender justice.

· Demonstrated experience in using a variety of research methodologies.

· Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences.

· A strong sense of motivation and an ability to work independently (with supervision).

· Effective time management skills.

· A strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.

Responsibilities:

· Support RSI’s research, advocacy and litigation on Prevent, particularly the programme’s equality impacts.

· Build and strengthen RSI’s relationships with other groups in the UK that address Prevent or racial justice issues. Support RSI in building similar relationships in Ireland.

· Review draft UK legislation to find any potential racial justice consequences, and develop ideas for better approaches.

· Any other tasks as designated by the supervisor or Executive Director.

RSI strives to be diverse, equitable and inclusive. We treat all staff and interns like team members and encourage everyone to bring their full selves to work. We welcome applications from candidates from groups that have historically been underrepresented in the human rights, legal or policy fields, and/or who are from communities that have been directly impacted by the issues we address in our work. We also welcome applications from people who are re-entering the workforce after time away. All applications are considered on an equal-opportunity basis. Should you require reasonable assistance for the completion of your application, please contact us via the email address listed on our website.

We offer flexible working hours.

Please note that we are only able to respond with feedback to shortlisted candidates.

By submitting your application, you consent to our processing and retention of your personal data to the extent, and for the time period, necessary to consider the application. We will keep your application on file for no more than six months.

We are Hestia. We make a difference.

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Recovery Worker to play a pivotal role in our Complex Needs Service in Windsor.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

The main purpose of this role is to support rough sleepers on the RBWM housing pathway. The resettlement team help service users to maintain their tenancies and remove the risk of homelessness. 

You will be responsible for developing, supporting and maintaining independent living skills and general wellbeing for 25 service users within the Support Service

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

Here's what the team will be looking for

PLEASE NOTE YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE A CAR YOU CAN USE FOR WORK PURPOSES AND VALID DRIVING LICENCE 

You should have a strong understanding of the issues faced by individuals at risk of homelessness and the skills to support them in maintaining their tenancies. You will have experience working with people with a range of mental health conditions, including dual diagnosis, and demonstrate the ability to communicate with empathy, dignity, and respect. A solid understanding of safeguarding and how to respond appropriately is essential.

Experience working with individuals who have experienced homelessness, rough sleeping, or temporary accommodation is required, particularly those with complex needs such as substance use, mental health issues, and offending histories. The candidate should be familiar with recovery principles and approaches, and committed to empowering service users to make informed choices and work toward independence.

You must be able to work both independently and as part of a team, including supporting the induction of peer staff and volunteers. An awareness of lone working and health and safety practices is important, alongside motivation to uphold professional standards and use management and peer support to maintain resilience. Good IT, literacy, and numeracy skills are essential, including proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, and email communication.

When will I be working?

You will be working Monday to Friday 39 hours a week

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Policy Specialist (Children and Young People)

Are you interested in improving the lives of children and young people with a learning disability? Can you turn complex ideas into evidence-based policy? Are you a skilled communicator able to influence decision-makers? If so, we would love to hear from you!

We are currently looking for a Policy Specialist to join Mencap. This position sits within the Policy and Public Affairs teams of Mencap’s Campaigns, Advocacy and Activism Directorate (CAA). You will work closely with our influencing, information and advice, campaigning, and research work, as well as sector partners like the Disabled Children's Partnership. 

This is an exciting new role to deliver policy change and enhance the rights of children and young people with a learning disability. At a key time to influence Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) education reform, we are seeking a policy specialist to shape policy work that reflects the needs and experiences of children, young people, and their families. Working within the policy team, you will be responsible for developing evidence-based policy work and influencing decision-makers.

This is a full time position (37.5 hours per week). We are flexible with your work location, but there may be some occasional travel needed to our London office or Westminster.

You will: 

• Translate complex work into clear and persuasive policy briefings, consultation responses and reports.
• Work within wider coalitions of charities, building collaborative relationships and ensuring that the needs and priorities of our community are addressed.
• Develop and expand Mencap’s ‘Policy Shapers’ work, ensuring our work reflects the experiences of children and young people with a learning disability and their families.
• Support our information and advice team, briefing them on important developments, inputting into casework discussions relevant to your areas of work, and supporting the creation of public information resources.
• Represent Mencap at meetings and events, with MPs, civil servants, and sector partners.
• Identify and analyse relevant research to develop evidence-based policy recommendations.

You will bring to this role:

• Experience of working on public policy issues.
• Strong communication skills: experience tailoring your messaging to a variety of different audiences and representing an organisation.
• Experience building positive relationships and working collaboratively to achieve outcomes; able to positively challenge, negotiate and compromise.
• The ability to work on your own initiative while contributing to team priorities and sustain enthusiasm under pressure.
• Experience analysing evidence to develop recommendations.
• Knowledge the issues facing children and young people with a learning disability and/or the SEND system, as well as the wider parliamentary system. 
• Passion about making the world a better place for people with a learning disability. 

If you're passionate about driving meaningful change for children and young people with a learning disability and you're ready to use your policy expertise to make a real impact, please apply now with an up-to-date CV. This role will close on Monday 27th October. Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams during the week commencing 3rd November.

Benefits

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

• Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.
• Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes
• Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.

We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.

We are looking for a bold, creative, and strategic fundraising leader to work alongside the CEO to rebuild and grow our income — securing existing partnerships while opening up new streams of support. 

Like many UK charities, Opportunity International has faced a challenging few years. Shifts in government funding, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and periods of leadership transition have all affected our income since 2018. Yet, out of this challenge comes great opportunity. We are now entering an exciting phase of renewal — revitalising our brand, re-energising our supporter base, and reimagining how we engage with donors.

Historically, our private income has been driven by generous major donors, and while this will continue to be a core pillar, our strategy is focused on diversification and long-term sustainability. In the short term, we’re deepening our relationships with trusts and foundations and growing our individual giving, particularly through digital channels. Looking ahead, we plan to strengthen our legacy programme and build meaningful corporate partnerships. With our refreshed brand and vibrant new visual identity, we’re well-positioned to reach new audiences and inspire fresh support. Our Royal Patron and emerging ambassadors will help us to do this.

The successful candidate will have the exciting opportunity to help shape our organisational strategy for the next 3–5 years (to be finalised in early 2026) and to lead the design and delivery of a dynamic fundraising and communications strategy. A major appeal or capital campaign is expected to be a cornerstone of this work.

If you'd like to have an informal conversation about this role then please contact Mary Oakes, CEO, to arrange.

Travel: Occasional travel to Arthritis UK offices (London, Chesterfield, Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow)

Join us and use your skills, knowledge, passion and energy to help us achieve a future free from arthritis.

We’re looking for a Policy Officer who will make a difference to health and social care policy for people with arthritis.  

Within the Chief Executive’s Office, the UK Advocacy and Health Intelligence Department are focused on creating lasting change. We identify creative policy solutions in response to the challenges people with arthritis face. We influence decision-makers through stakeholder engagement, public affairs activity and by campaigning alongside people with arthritis. We have expertise across health and care services, public health, and employment policy. We also work in collaboration to influence medical research and data policy and play an active role in several cross-sector groups.  

About the role
The purpose of this role is to drive policy development across our policy priority areas. The Policy Officer will lead on specific policy projects, commissioning research, developing policy positions, and producing reports and consultation responses.  

This role will cover a broad range of issues across one of our strategic goals – prevention and diagnosis; access to treatment; and living well with arthritis. Our approach considers the needs of people of all ages who have arthritis.               

The Policy Officer will also contribute to the wider work of the team, working closely with colleagues in the Nations Teams, the Research Directorate and the wider charity, including by representing us on cross-sector policy groups, drafting briefings, and participating in events and conferences.  

We’ll give you autonomy, variety and challenge with opportunities to work with inspirational campaigners, attend events in Parliament and meet senior stakeholders in Government. We’re a supportive team who will value your well-being and professional development.  

About you
If your knowledge, skills and experience include the following then we’d love to hear from you:

• Understanding of policy issues relevant to people with long-term conditions or disability.  
• Experience of working in a policy team.  
• Experience of developing and influencing health and social care policy.  
• An ability to think creatively and communicate effectively.  
• An enthusiastic, adaptive and flexible approach.  

As a hybrid worker the expectation is that you will spend around 40% of your working time in our office spaces or working in community settings.

As an inclusive employer we will consider home-based working for anyone where office-based hybrid working would be a barrier to being able to work for us, for example for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability.

Benefits
Your excellent benefits include:

• Flexible hours, environments and working practices to promote a healthy work/life balance.
• Health and wellbeing support – including the Employee Assistance Programme (free confidential 24/7 support with mental health, legal and financial queries).
• Simplyhealth cash plan.
• Supportive and inclusive culture, with a wide range of employee networks and support groups available to join.
• Learning and personal development opportunities.
• Competitive annual leave, with the option to buy/sell up to five days per year.
• Generous pension plan, with employer contribution of up to 10%.
• Life Assurance plan (4 x salary).

You must be based in, and hold the right to work in the UK to apply for this position.

Application deadline and shortlisting
We advise candidates to apply early as we reserve the right to close applications ahead of this date.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
We do not wish to receive contact from agencies or media sales.

Please note that we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) during our recruitment and selection processes, and we would respectfully ask that you also refrain from using AI during the selection process. Whilst we do recognise that AI may be a beneficial tool for some when aiding research and preparation for an application or interview, we want to maintain a fair, inclusive and positive recruitment experience at Arthritis UK where candidates can feel supported to demonstrate their experience, knowledge, and skills without the use of AI generated answers. 

Interview
Interview date to be confirmed.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee you will be offered an interview if you disclose a disability and demonstrate sufficient evidence within your application that you meet the essential criteria for this role. We will also make any reasonable adjustments you may require for your interview.