Community Partnerships Coordinator Jobs in Birmingham

Hybrid working – Within commuting distance of Redcar, Doncaster, Blackburn, Birmingham, London, Bradford, Bristol or Liverpool

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Marketing Manager to join our national Partnerships team. You will be responsible for designing and delivering end-to-end recruitment marketing campaigns, working with our external digital agency.

The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) has an unswerving commitment to high-quality, evidence-informed teacher education and is on a mission to improve the quality of teacher and leader development across the system. Our programmes are designed by teachers and leaders who understand the joys and pressures of school life. We work in collaboration with schools across the country, ensuring that our findings benefit all schools, teachers and leaders.

The Partnerships team is responsible for the marketing, communication and recruitment of all our programmes nationally, as well as developing our brand and story and sharing our research. 

About the role

To be successful, you will have multiple years of campaign marketing experience and the ability to use and analyse data and work with senior stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

As the Marketing Manager, you will be responsible for designing and delivering end-to-end recruitment marketing campaigns, working with our external digital agency. This is a hybrid role, and it is anticipated that the postholder will work on campus one day per fortnight. We offer flexible working and are open to considering part-time hours for the right candidate.

This is a role with great variety and the opportunity to own national strategy and make a difference.

As Marketing Manager, you will:

• Support the Director of Recruitment and Marketing to ensure successful recruitment for programmes.
• Design, implement and lead annual marketing strategies, including digital, print and in-person.
• Develop marketing toolkits that can be utilised by regional and AC staff.
• Work in close partnership with programme colleagues to ensure campaigns highlight and promote programme USPs and are a true reflection of the participant experience.
• Develop the brand guidelines and support our key stakeholders to live by these guidelines, ensuring that we develop a clearly distinct NIoT voice, look and feel.
• Coordinate and support relevant events (centrally and in our four regions) that support recruitment.
• Work closely with our Communications Manager, PR and Policy Manager and Events Coordinator to ensure alignment of activities and a comprehensive brand offer.
• Supported by the Head of Recruitment and Marketing, manage the marketing budget to ensure value for money.

We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

Key benefits:

• Highly competitive pay and pay progression opportunities.
• Flexible start and end working times.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working.
• At least 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays) rising to 33 days after five years’ service.
• Entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• A stimulating, supportive and rewarding working environment with a dedicated team of like-minded professionals.
• Excellent opportunities to develop your skills and experience and to progress your career.

For more information and to apply, please visit our vacancies page.

Closing date: 6 April 2025.

This post requires a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with a Children’s Barred List Check, and an Occupational Health Check is required as a condition of employment.

Back Up’s Regional Outreach and Engagement team are the very face of the organisation and are based across the UK,working directly with spinal cord injury centres’, hospitals – or indeed anywhere that people affected by spinal cord injurymay be. As aRegional Coordinator, you will build relationships and take ownership for what happens in your geographical area. Whether it be providing peer support to newly injured people in a clinical setting, facilitating wheelchair skills sessions, making referrals for ongoing support or supporting volunteers and fundraisers–you will be passionate about being able to demonstrate the impact of what we do, and will see for yourself howBack Up quite literally transforms lives

Remote – Regular travel to the Capacity office in Liverpool, Local Trust office in London, and 3ni work in the north east, as well as client offices across the country and other sites as needed. Out of hours travel and stays away from home are therefore a feature of the role.

An exciting opportunity for an exceptional individual with either a background in event management, or some planning and delivery experience, who is keen to learn more about how to do it well in a short space of time.

We’re looking for a Co-ordinator to join our team. If you’re excited about bringing positive change to our neighbourhoods and communities, we’d love to hear from you…

3ni is a new social value partnership, bringing together policy and practice to transform neighbourhoods across the country. At 3ni, we believe that community regeneration starts from the ground up. Through research, policy and events, the national network for neighbourhood improvement, is sharing and shaping the best and next practices and helping disadvantaged communities rebuild. 

In this role, your main focus will be helping 3ni to achieve great engagement with our key networks by growing and supporting the membership of our ‘national network for neighbourhood improvement’.

• You’ll spread the word about 3ni, helping people to understand what we do and the impact we have by developing and delivering compelling communications.
• You’ll be a strong communicator, with the ability to craft and share messages in a way that really hits the mark. We’re looking for someone who’s a proactive problem solver with a can-do attitude.
• You’ll play a key part within our small team, bringing organisational capacity and providing excellent admin support, helping us to get stuff done.
• You’ll make it all work for our team, keeping organised, planning ahead and relishing completing tasks to a high standard while meeting challenging deadlines.

Our ideal candidate will be a people person, happy to get out and about and confident building relationships within our network. You’ll know what makes a good event (or visit), and will keep our objectives in mind when scoping, designing and delivering 3ni’s work programme and member sessions.

• You’re great at developing close and trusting relationships with public and third sector leaders and other key partners.
• You’re good at writing, whether it’s a project update, an insights reports, a briefing or recommendations piece you can create a clear structure that helps readers ‘get the point’.
• You value accuracy and quality and can structure your thoughts and the points you are seeking to make.
• You’ve got a handle on what’s happening across public and third sector services, and you’re keen to learn about the neighbourhood agenda, community development policy and practice, and the learnings from Big Local and other regeneration programmes.

The extras

• For full time roles: 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays). If you’re coming to us with up to 33 days annual leave, we’ll match it.
• 2 Capacity bank holidays per annum.
• Flexible working (including majority working from home).
• Free eye-tests, vouchers for glasses.
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme, matched up to6%.
• Funded health support including counselling, physiotherapy etc.
• Holiday buy-back scheme (up to 5 per annum).
• Team days and socials. Free lunches (yes there is such a thing).
• A great team to work with (but we would say that).

For further information please visit our portal via the apply button, where you can download our job pack and apply!

Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 23rd March 2025

Diversity Statement

At Capacity, we believe that public services should be people-centred, inclusive and accessible to everyone and our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) is at the heart of this. To uphold these values, we only accept applications through our application portal. This allows us to provide a standardised process where candidates are evaluated on merit. We have implemented measures to remove unconscious bias from our process while maintaining accessibility by continuing to support a range of application formats. We are committed to continuously improving this process and welcome any feedback.

Hybrid role – with requirement to attend Birmingham office on a regular basis

As Senior Volunteer Coordinator every day is different - from offering guidance and advice to volunteer managers, to developing new training opportunities and attending events to promote volunteering across Aquarius services - you will certainly be kept busy. Organisation and time management is key as you’ll manage all elements of volunteering and monitor and evaluate volunteering data across the organisation.

You will play an active role in someone’s volunteering journey, from recruitment and ongoing support, to matching them to the right role. You will be key in ensuring that individuals have the right skills and training to thrive as volunteers with Aquarius. It is a highly rewarding role which relies on consistent communication and the ability to motivate others.

Aquarius is a charity that helps people and communities overcome the harm caused by alcohol, drugs and gambling. Right now, we’re looking for a self-confident and energetic individual with a good understanding of these issues to play a key part in developing and supporting all volunteer programmes across Aquarius services. 

You will:

• Work with the Participation Development Officer, supporting the key aspects of the Group Volunteer Strategy
• Coordinate and support the development and delivery of volunteer programmes, and support local services with recruitment, support and management of volunteers – including establishing a pathway with local universities
• Develop and deliver volunteer training across the organisation, and also support engagement with the ANCHOR group and young people’s steering groups to help promote co-production and ensure that empowerment is implemented across the organisation.

To succeed, you’ll need

• Significant experience of achieving results in a similar role – backed by high levels of commitment to our work, to the Recovery Agenda, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice, and the importance of mutual aid.
• Experience of working with volunteers which will include effective engagement, as well as recruitment, support and management
• An understanding of the functional approach to substance misuse, and will have demonstrated your ability to develop and deliver training programmes
• The ability to work well on your own initiative, prioritising, planning and managing your own workload, as well as the flexibility and all-round people skills to contribute as part of a friendly team
• The ability to communicate clearly and with sensitivity, in writing, face-to-face or on the telephone, with people at all levels and from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent IT skills, with knowledge of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook and Access and the ability to produce clear and concise reports
• A willingness to travel, occasionally nationally, as well as to work evenings and weekends if required.

In return, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Generous annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent Learning & Development Opportunities and Career Progression
• Generous Contributory Pension scheme

An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.

We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience and/or anyone from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic group.

This is a rolling recruitment process; shortlisted candidates will be interviewed as and when they apply.

Aquarius Action Projects is a long-established charity (since 1982) based in Birmingham with a national reach of contracts and Partnerships. Aquarius is a subsidiary of Waythrough – a large charity that specialises in mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas.

Reporting to, and working closely with, the Head of Fundraising and Engagement, the Senior Philanthropy and Partnerships Lead will shape and implement innovative strategies, driving growth in philanthropic giving, secure corporate partnerships and obtain critical funding. With a focus on cultivating mutually beneficial, long-term relationships, you’ll craft compelling proposals, develop tailored stewardship plans, and create sponsorship opportunities that inspire ongoing support.

You’ll lead the way in securing multi-year corporate partnerships and nurturing donor relationships to meet ambitious income targets. As a key player in the senior fundraising team, you’ll contribute to strategic planning, represent the charity at events, and champion new approaches to fundraising.

With our newly formed Development Board, the Senior Philanthropy and Partnerships Lead will identify and utilise key networks to grow our philanthropic supporter base across corporate and major donor income streams. With strong writing skills, this person will also craft tailored and compelling corporate proposals and trust and foundation applications.

Who are we looking for?

To support our vision and ensure the achievement of ambitious income targets to support children and families affected by neuroblastoma, we are looking for a strategic and results-driven high-value fundraiser to join our team.

We are particularly keen to speak with interested candidates who enjoy cultivating high-value relationships from scratch and stewarding five- and six-figure corporate partnerships, and/or major donor relationships.

Person specification:

• Strategic thinker with significant experience of developing strategic plans to grow and optimise high-value fundraising.
• Expert knowledge of philanthropy fundraising methodology and current philanthropic trends.
• Experience writing successful five/six-figure high-value proposals to corporates and trusts and foundations.
• Good planning and organisation skills with the ability to manage multiple activities with conflicting demands and meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to motivate and influence others.
• Demonstrable success in stewarding supporters/donors, corporate partners, and trusts and foundations.

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for information about Solving Kids' Cancer UK. 

Location: Home-based within England with regular travel to London and elsewhere in the UK as required
First stage interviews: Tuesday 22nd April 2025
Second stage interviews: Tuesday 29th April 2025

As a safeguarding charity whose work and practice are underpinned by safeguarding principles to protect children and young people and enhance their welfare, we always work in accordance with legislation, statutory guidance, and best safeguarding practices. All our roles require a basic criminal record check.

Reading Strategy Coordinator - HMP Hewell

Location: Redditch
Salary: £28,274 per annum
Hours: Full time (35 hours per week)
Department: Prison delivery
Job Type: Full time
Contract Type: Permanent

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing illiteracy amongst people in prison?

Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) and G4S to provide peer-led literacy and numeracy programmes across a number of prisons. We now have the opportunity to provide a service at HMP Hewell. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust Team Members, this is an exciting role leading on the delivery and development of creative and exciting literacy initiatives and an ambitious Reading Strategy at HMP Hewell, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.

Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach.

This role will be prison-based. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

‍We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.

Interviews are planned for the 31st March 2025.

REF-220001

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.

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. 

Reporting to the Head of Fundraising and Engagement, this key leadership role will be pivotal in developing and implementing strategies across events, community initiatives, challenge events, individual giving, and appeals. As Senior Mass Fundraising Lead, you will grow income, foster long-term supporter relationships, and secure vital unrestricted funds to support children and families affected by neuroblastoma.

The successful postholder will lead our mass fundraising efforts to ensure they are high-impact, supporter-focused, and aligned with the charity’s mission. Whether it’s delivering memorable fundraising events, growing challenge participation, or developing and strengthening individual giving programmes, your work will play a crucial role in achieving ambitious income targets to make a meaningful difference in the fight against childhood cancer.

Who are we looking for?

We seek a dynamic and strategic mass fundraising professional with a strong track record of developing and delivering successful fundraising strategies across multiple income streams.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Extensive experience in mass fundraising – including events, community fundraising, challenge events, and individual giving.
• Proven success in developing and executing fundraising strategies to achieve ambitious income targets.
• Strong leadership skills – with the ability to inspire, manage, and develop a high-performing team.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building abilities – effectively engaging donors, supporters, and stakeholders.
• A data-driven and innovative mindset, with experience using CRM systems to optimise fundraising strategies.

See our Recruitment Pack for the full role description and specification and for more information about Solving Kids' Cancer UK.  

Location: Home-based within England with regular travel to London and elsewhere in the UK as required

First stage interviews: Wednesday 23rd April 2025

Second stage interviews: Tuesday 29th April 2025

As a safeguarding charity whose work and practice are underpinned by safeguarding principles to protect children and young people and enhance their welfare, we always work in accordance with legislation, statutory guidance, and best safeguarding practices. All our roles require a basic criminal record check.

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.