Country programmes officer jobs
Role description, February 2026
Reports to: Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
Direct reports: One (Digital Marketing Manager)
Location: Unit 7, Finsbury Business Centre Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 0NE, hybrid (at least one office day a week to qualify for London Weighting)
Status, hours: Permanent, full-time
Salary: Starting at £50,622 plus benefits (includes 11% London Weighting), more could be considered for an exceptional candidate.
Role Summary
This is a crucial role in our digital and marketing team, ensuring that we engage significant new and existing audiences through campaigns, marketing activity and digital content year-round. You will coordinate delivery of Alcohol Change UK’s flagship Dry January® challenge and ensure that other campaigns (Sober Spring, Alcohol Awareness Week and wider marketing initiatives) connect with audiences across the UK and internationally. Working closely with external agencies and the Executive Director of Communications and Marketing, you will increase the profile of our work and help drive growth in our audiences, and those taking part in our behaviour change programme.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Please refer to the candidate pack for role and responsibilities of this post.
Important note: We monitor for use of AI in responses and will reject applications containing fully AI generated answers.
We encourage applications from people who meet most, but not all, of our essential criteria. And we encourage applications from people who have been disabled by society, are from minoritised groups, have personal experience of alcohol harm or have experienced any other forms of societal discrimination.
Deadline for us to receive your application: Strictly 9am, 3 March 2026. The online application form gives a date and time stamp to all applications.
We will aim to get back to you by: 5 March 2026. All applicants will receive a response.
Interviews: 10/11 March 2026 (please save this date!)
We are Alcohol Change UK. We work for a society that is free from the harm caused by alcohol.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
-
Salary: £38,341
-
Location: London
-
Contract Type: Indefinite
-
Hours: Full Time
-
Closing Date: 3 March 2026
-
First Interview Dates: Week beginning 16 March 2026
About the role
We are hiring in our Grants team which is part of the wider Development Department at ClientEarth. This department is responsible for raising and managing funds to enable the organisation to deliver its mission using the power of the law to bring about systemic change that protects the earth for, and with its inhabitants. As Grants Officer you will work in our Grants Team to manage a portfolio of grants that fund our organisation’s work, with a focus on managing a portfolio of grants from trusts, foundations, and other statutory and institutional funders.
Meet your Manager
In this role, you will be managed by Emma Franklin. Emma is a Grants Manager at ClientEarth, where she oversees a dynamic portfolio of grants related to supporting the Resources, Energy and Mobility system of legal work across Europe and Asia. Emma has worked in grant management and philanthropy roles since 2017 at several major environmental not-for-profits. She’s extremely passionate about climate and environmental issues, and believes deeply in ClientEarth’s mission – using the lasting power of the law to protect our fragile planet. Emma moved to London in May 2024, hailing originally from her hometown of Sydney, Australia.
Main Duties
- Manage a portfolio of grants, ensuring compliance with grant requirements and timelines
- Coordinate key grant management processes including: Go/No-Go, due diligence, funding agreement review, grant kick off and grant management meetings, narrative and financial reporting and renewals.
- Deliver compelling, impactful and timely proposals and reports, and broker the relationship between programmes and the funder
- Maintain excellent relationships with funders through timely communications in relation to the work they support
- Effectively manage reporting and the grant renewal process from start to completion - including working with multiple teams across ClientEarth’s International offices to ensure input from all relevant stakeholders, to complete proposals and reports in a timely and high-quality manner
See the job description (below) for a full list of duties for this role.
Role requirements
- Experience in a grant or project management role within the non-profit or public sectors (essential)
- Proven track record in drafting successful proposals, delivering timely and accurate reports and managing funder relationships (essential);
- Experience of managing six figure gifts (essential);
- Knowledge of and/or interest in environmental issues (such as climate change, energy, plastics, chemicals, air pollution, and biodiversity issues), policy and law, litigation, courts and/or environmental justice (desirable)
See the job description (below) for a full list of requirements for this role.
Note to candidates: We know that long lists of criteria can be daunting and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply.
Further Information
Have a question about this job? Please visit our Careers site for advice on applying, FAQs, and more.
Flexible working: We are proud to be a Flexa accredited Employer. Visit our Flexa Employer page for more information on our approach to flexible working. Our flexible working policy allows our people the choice to decide to work from home/another location in the country where their contract of employment is issued for 80% of their month, with the other 20% of their month being office-based See our Benefits page for more as well as our flexible working FAQ.
ClientEarth values diversity and inclusion and the benefits this brings. We aim to appoint the most suitable candidate at all times and welcome applications from people from all different backgrounds. See our equity, diversity and inclusion journey page for more.
Please note that ClientEarth is only able to employ those who have the pre-existing legal right to work in the UK.
ClientEarth is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services to third parties.
Using the power of the law to protect life on Earth.


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Arvon, the UK's most renowned creative writing charity, is looking for an experienced and dynamic Management Accountant (Maternity Cover) to work closely with its CFO on the preparation of management accounts, budgeting and forecasting processes, as well as other key finance tasks. Arvon has been delivering courses from its three beautiful houses for over 57 years, and you would be joining a dedicated and spirited national team, all of whom are passionately committed to delivering on Arvon's transformational charitable mission.
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £29,264
Hours: Full time (35 hours)
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?
Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Leeds. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our prison-based reading and numeracy programme, 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 is a fixed term role until 31/03/2027 with the opportunity to be made permanent subject to contract renewal.
The 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.
Please note this role is subject to contract award.
We reserve the right to withdraw this role early if it is filled internally
?Interviews are planned for week commencing 02/03/2026
Benefits: Standard Shannon Trust: 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.
REF-226 580
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £23,411 per annum
Hours: 28 hours / 4 days per week
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?
Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Wayland. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our prison-based reading and numeracy programme, 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 is a fixed-term role until 31st May 2027, with the opportunity to be made permanent subject to contract renewal.
The 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.
Please note this role is subject to contract award.
We reserve the right to withdraw this role early if it is filled internally
?Interviews are planned for 13th March 2026
Benefits: Standard Shannon Trust: 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.
REF-226 581
The Communications Officer plays a significant role in the support of the delivery of AmplifyChange’s communications strategy. They are key to ensuring that AmplifyChange’s key messages and brand are effectively implemented across all of our communications channels. The Communications Officer will report to and work closely with the Communications Manager and in partnership with other teams to support content development for multiple platforms (AmplifyChange’s main website and AmplifyChange Learn, in particular), social media management, and linking and learning opportunities.
The Communications Officer will have an appetite to creatively profile and showcase the work of AmplifyChange grantee partners and support knowledge sharing opportunities. While AmplifyChange has an established set of communications channels and methodologies to share our work and the work of our grantee partners, fresh ideas and perspectives are welcomed and encouraged. The Communications Officer will be comfortable working independently and taking initiative but there will be support available from the Communications Manager and other teams where required.
AmplifyChange is a bilingual fund, working in English and French. As this role centres on effective communications across our channels to all our grantees in Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions, a professional level of written French and comfort speaking the language is essential.
This role would be well suited to someone interested in pursuing a career in communications, content development and/or social media management, who has a strong interest in sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and/or international development.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Publications and campaigns
- With the Communications Manager, develop content calendars for the year in line with costed workplan
- Support in the creative development and execution of cause day campaigns – e.g., 16 Days to end Violence against Women, International Youth Day, etc.
- Work closely with the Communications Manager to develop blogs, impact reports and other external materials
- Support the development of Grantee Stories and case studies, working with grantee partners to identify and write stories of change
- Provide editing, drafting, and reviewing support for content in line with AmplifyChange’s tone of voice and language
- Support development of Annual Report and other donor reports, where needed
Digital and social media
- Manage the daily oversight of social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, LinkedIn)
- Disseminate news and information about AmplifyChange, such as published reports and upcoming funding rounds, through social media channels and Circle (interactive grantee partner platform)
- Create and execute social media campaigns using tools like Canva, including developing and drafting content
Linking and learning
- Provide logistical support to AmplifyChange’s engagement in external events, both online and physical
- Provide support and creative input into the development of learning materials for AmplifyChange Learn, including written, visual and audio
- Work with grantee partners in the development of content for AmplifyChange Learn
- Support the assessment of learning needs for content development, including through analytics tools where useful
- Support dissemination of content through email management platform (Constant Contact)
- Update website data as needed
Support to other teams
- Work with Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist to identify and collect data to support website updates, reporting, and impact report development
- Work with Learning and Events Officer to support identification and development of potential learning materials and resources for AmplifyChange Learn and Circle platform
- Support Grants Management and Pamoja teams to identify stories of change and case studies from the overall AmplifyChange grants portfolio
Please be aware that some of the SRHR material you will be required to review as part of your role may be of a distressing and sensitive nature. Relevant support is available in this regard.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
- Strong copy-editing, proofing, verbal and written communications skills in English
- Demonstrable experience working with social media platforms and support tools (such as Canva) and creating content for these platforms
- Demonstrable experience with blogging, writing reports or articles aimed at communicating key messages, and/or storytelling
- Professional-level spoken and written French
- Values consistent with the mission of AmplifyChange, including pro-choice on abortion and pro-LGBTIQ rights
- Ability to work flexibly, prioritise tasks and requests from multiple diverse internal and external stakeholders
- Comfortable working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including those based in other countries
- Attention to detail and ability to work independently
Desirable:
- A degree in communications, marketing, or English
- Demonstrable experience with multimedia development, such as videos or podcasts
- Experience using Google Analytics or other analytics tools
- Experience working with or for civil society organisations in Africa or South Asia
WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
This is a UK based, full time (37.5 hours/week) permanent position, reporting to the Communications Manager. AmplifyChange is based in Bath, and we operate on a hybrid working model. Requests for flexible working arrangements will be considered. We encourage applications from candidates who have experience of implementing projects or advocacy initiatives in countries that are eligible for funding from AmplifyChange. Please also be aware that the Communications Officer role does not meet the minimum salary requirements for sponsorship and we can only accept applications from those with proof of the right to work in the UK. There may be opportunity for international travel as part of this role.
SALARY AND PACKAGE
Basic Salary range: £34,000 -36,000 per year
Holiday: 25 days per annum on full time basis plus bank holidays
Pension: 8% employer contribution
Life insurance: Life Assurance Scheme
Benefits: Employee Assistance Program & Health cash plan
AmplifyChange is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults. All our employees are expected to share this commitment and abide by our Code of Ethics at all times.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our partner, an established UK charity with a focus on fighting poverty by transforming access to health care services in lower- and middle-income countries in Africa seeks a highly dynamic individual for a one-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of an extension. The position is part of the management team, and the post holder will be expected to lead on the financial accounting, management accounting, and budgeting for the organisation as well as taking forward some strategic finance and operations projects as we expand our programmes in existing countries. The individual will also be expected to support the Co-CEOs with administrative, compliance and IT related tasks.
Finance
•Maintain a strong control environment, ensuring accounting records are complete and accurate.
Financial accounting
•Prepare annual statutory accounts in accordance with SORP 2015.
•Prepare for the annual external audit and host auditors ensuring the audit process runs smoothly. This includes supporting country offices in hosting their respective audits.
•Ensure annual statutory accounts are finalised and submitted to Companies House and the Charity Commission by the appropriate deadlines.
Management accounting
•Coordinate the month-end process with the Finance Officer (UK) and Programme Finance Lead, and review transaction postings.
•Prepare monthly management accounts with cash flow forecasts, modifying the format as needed to suit the preferences of senior management and the Board of Trustees.
•Prepare the annual organisational budget and mid-year reforecast.
•Improve existing budget templates to enable straightforward and transparent budgeting for donors.
Support to country offices
•Collaborate with the Programme Finance Lead on a monthly basis to reconcile intercompany accounts, ensuring that reconciling items are cleared promptly.
•Support country office teams in fulfilling any reporting and financial compliance requirements.
•Conduct internal process reviews (internal audits) of country offices where required.
•Review the bi-weekly payment runs for the UK office and the monthly country office fund requests, ensuring cash flow planning is in place for these payments.
•Ensure asset registers are maintained appropriately.
Administration
•Support staff in conducting procurement in line with our procurement policy.
•Assist with preparation for quarterly Board meetings.
•Support office management tasks.
Other
Review and develop existing policies and procedures (e.g. the Finance Manual).
Please note: Salary of £40k offered for 4 days per week ie £50,000 pro rata.
Head of Individual Giving
We’re looking for an experienced and creative Head of Individual Giving to lead and grow our individual giving programme.
About the Role
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you’ll shape and deliver our individual giving strategy, overseeing the recruitment, retention and development of individual supporters. You’ll lead on our major appeals, including an annual national campaign to Catholic parishes across the UK.
You’ll also play a key role in developing new fundraising products, optimising donor journeys, and ensuring our CRM and data systems support excellent stewardship and insight-driven decision making. This is a senior position with significant scope to shape the programme and make your mark.
About You
We’re looking for a confident and strategic fundraiser with a strong grasp of individual giving and a collaborative approach. You’ll bring:
- Proven experience delivering successful individual giving or direct marketing campaigns in the charity sector
- Strong skills in supporter stewardship and donor retention
- Experience of managing budgets, teams and external suppliers
- A creative, data-driven approach to growing income
- Excellent communication skills
We improve the lives of seafarers and fishers through our network of local chaplains and seafarer centres, expert information, advocacy, and support.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Grade: 2
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week (flexible working considered)
Position type: Permanent
Responsible to: Head of Global Communications & PR
Direct reports: Communications & PR Officer
Location: Truro, Cornwall (Hybrid) or Remote (UK based) with some travel to Truro
ROLE PURPOSE:
This role works to raise awareness of the issues faced by people around the world who have lost their homes to disaster. It creates positive media coverage for ShelterBox, profiling us as experts in emergency shelter, as well as supporting fundraising with media engagement and PR activities. The role also works to ensure colleagues across the organisation can talk about our work accurately and consistently by producing key messaging about our international programmes.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
ShelterBox is seeking a motivated and proactive individual with excellent attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
We are looking for someone who enjoys writing a variety of materials like press releases, statements, and Q&As. You will also enjoy finding stories and ensuring they are told ethically. You will enjoy creating news, working with the media and being involved in multiple projects.
This is a great opportunity to be part of a dynamic fundraising and communications department working together to achieve our mission of no one without shelter after disaster.
The role requires someone who is able to pivot priorities quickly when needed. When major disasters happen, our teams need to be able to flex very quickly to that focus.
MAIN ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This role works as part of a small and dynamic Communications & Digital team. You will be focused on gaining media coverage for our international programmes that support people after disaster. You will understand the issues and opportunities of our work and secure media interviews. You will also support our fundraising campaigns and events with media engagement.
You will work closely with the Head of Global Communications & Digital and colleagues across the Fundraising & Communications department to develop and deliver communications and media engagement activities supporting campaigns and driving awareness.
This role also supports wider departments by producing centralised messaging to ensure colleagues talk about our work consistently and are aligned with our brand.
The role line manages a Communications & PR Officer. It also works with the wider communications and fundraising teams on integrated campaigns, ensuring key messaging is aligned and PR angles and issues are considered.
There may be occasional opportunity to travel when appropriate to countries where ShelterBox works for media opportunities. This travel is not mandatory. There will be regular travel to Truro head office to support media interviews, deliver training, and organisation collaboration days. Flexibility with working hours sometimes required especially during sudden-onset emergencies (TOIL available for additional hours.)
PR & Comms Lead
- Manage a variety of communications and PR activities to raise awareness of the needs of people who have lost their homes to disaster.
- Produce a range of high-quality written materials for different audiences.
- Develop strong working relationships with people across the organisation, including in our fundraising teams, and international programmes.
- As a PR and communications subject matter expert, take a proactive approach to media engagement and communications.
- Act as a Strategic EDI Liaison (see EDI role profile), embedding and leading EDI principles within your role by integrating the EDI strategy and action plan into departmental activities, ensuring inclusive approaches are applied, actions are delivered, and progress is monitored. In addition, work collaboratively with the wider Strategic EDI Liaison team to share good practice, coordinate cross-departmental initiatives, and support a consistent, organisation-wide approach to progressing EDI priorities.
Media Engagement
- Maximise media opportunities for ShelterBox across national and regional, print, digital, and broadcast media.
- Have a good understanding of the media landscape and actively keep across relevant stories and trends.
- Work with colleagues across the organisation to find stories and create news.
- Prepare and use a variety of high-quality, effective PR tools including press releases, quotes and comments, features, blogs and photo opportunities.
- Sell-in stories, respond to media enquiries, and secure media interviews.
- Deliver interview training for colleagues.
- Prepare messaging and briefings for spokespeople for interviews and events.
- Ensure plans are ready to roll-out when major disasters happen - including comms plans, media lists, trained spokespeople, quotes and other resources.
- Identify, develop and maintain great relationships with relevant journalists, PR agencies, Freelancers, supporters e.g. community fundraisers and Rotary groups.
Communications
- Produce high-quality written materials, including core messaging, Q&As, and occasional reports summarising our work, ensuring messaging is consistent and on brand.
- Ensure colleagues across the organisation have the messaging they need to talk about our work in a way that supports our brand and tone of voice.
- Work as part of a team (social, website, celebrity, brand, content, fundraising) to deliver integrated campaigns.
- Work to protect our reputation, supporting the organisation with crisis comms activities and playing an active role in the Crisis Management Team.
- Offer creative ideas and planning for communications campaigns.
- Occasional management of external agencies.
- Ensure PR and communications activity is evaluated to determine success and improve performance.
Other Responsibilities
- Undertake any other duties that are commensurate with the post.
- Carry out the duties of post in accordance with the ShelterBox's policies and procedures on Health and Safety and take responsibility for ensuring personal health and safety.
- Work flexibility, prioritise workload and work effectively as part of a team.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Communications to come and join our team providing maternity cover until January 2027 during a period of organisational growth.
Location – This role is mainly working from home with one day a week in our London office (usually a Monday). Occasional travel to our other programme sites (currently Stoke-On-Trent, Redcar, Middlesbrough and Scotland) will also be required.
Salary – Circa £60,000
Employment Type – Fixed term until January 2027, 35 hours per week
Team – Communications team
About you
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following:
· Strong experience in strategic communications, ideally within a start-up, growing, complex or place-based organisation.
· Experience setting up and embedding communications functions, including establishing foundations and building approaches as priorities evolve.
· Significant experience in people leadership, including developing others and building a strong, collaborative working culture.
· Experience influencing senior stakeholders and working with an SLT, including supporting government policy, media, funding and influence related activity.
· Strong content, storytelling and copywriting expertise and the ability to communicate a clear organisational narrative.
About the role
The responsibilities of this role include:
· Overseeing and ensuring the delivery of national and local communications strategies and plans, including national content activity and priority local campaigns and stakeholder engagement.
· Leading the set-up and embedding of new place-based communications functions.
· Leading and overseeing the planning and delivery of Thrive at Five’s 2026 Impact Report, communications relating to evaluations and learning, and our fifth-year anniversary, working closely with evaluation and fundraising colleagues.
· Maintaining and strengthening relationships with key national and local stakeholders in line with our communications strategy and goals.
· Providing professional and operational leadership and coaching to the wider Communications team to ensure they deliver to a high standard.
About us
Thrive at Five is a national charity focused on giving every child the best possible start in life. We know the foundations for life and learning are built in the earliest years, from pregnancy to five. By working alongside families, communities and local partners, we help build stronger, more connected support for parents, so more children get what they need to thrive and reach a good level of development by age five.
Thrive at Five is a relatively young organisation but with an already strong national and political profile, having been called out in Parliament for our ways of working in Stoke-on-Trent and invited to be interviewed at the 2025 Civil Society Summit by the Secretary of State for Education. We have grown rapidly in our first four years, with a growing team of nearly 40 across the country. 2026 will be a year of further growth and milestones for the charity as we celebrate our fifth-year anniversary and expand into our third and fourth regions. This will involve recruiting for a new teams, establishing our programmes and beginning to co-design and implement our work in partnership with communities.
About our benefits
· Pension contributions – We will contribute 3% and you can contribute 5% towards your pension through NEST.
· Hybrid working with one anchor day a week in our central London office near to Victoria train station, coach station and underground.
· 25 annual leave days per year plus bank holidays.
· In addition to your laptop and phone provided by us, you can also receive a £100 contribution towards your home-working set up.
· £100 contribution towards your professional body membership
Please note that as this role is subject to a successful Basic Level Disclosure check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). If you have any unspent convictions, but wish to apply for this role, please advise us in your application. The successful candidate will also need to provide satisfactory references and current right to work in the UK.
To apply for this role, please submit your cover letter and CV by following the Apply Now button. Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted as they are received. While the closing date is midnight on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, we may close the vacancy earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
The Difference is an education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030 and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, particularly those most vulnerable.
Leading national policy strategy
As Head of Policy and Public Affairs, you will work closely with the CEO to develop and execute a four-year influencing plan. Together we’ll aim to shift local and national incentives on inclusion by 2030, which see the national trend of rising suspension and absence begin to fall.
You will hold relationships with the Department for Education and Ofsted and advise on policy priorities ahead, such as:
-
Widening the definition of inclusion beyond special needs, recognising the needs of those young people historically or currently interacting with social services
-
Reducing perverse incentives for schools to alter their school roll through admissions and pupil exits
-
Expectations for multi-academy trusts in capturing and analysing data on lost learning, including how it disproportionately affects different groups
-
Improving local alternative provision eco-systems, to improve outcomes for young people
-
National standards for inclusive school practice, at a universal and targeted level
-
Professional development standards for school inclusion
Developing implementation expertise in the middle tier
In your first six months, you will advise on the internal development of a new programme for middle tier policy actors: multi-academy trust and local authority leaders. You will support the Programme team in its design, to plan strategically for the recruitment of trusts and local authorities, and you will plan the research and influencing work which will seek to share their success nationally.
Building the evidence base
In your second six months, you will work with the CEO to build out our research function. Your influencing plan will include how The Difference can learn from the work across our multi-academy trust, local authority and internal AP pioneer partners over the next four years, to develop influential publications. Research work ahead will include publishing sector-facing publications of The Difference’s own research, carried out by our research lead and associates; alongside managing external contractors and internal colleagues to bid for and deliver aligned research disseminating our ideas.
Raising your voice
This is an exciting opportunity for someone committed to inclusive policy change. The Difference has always punched above our weight in national and sector press reach. In post, you will publish blogs and comment pieces, disseminating our shared ideas. You will be a prominent voice on inclusion.
The Difference is still a small and growing charity. This means that our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being highly autonomous, reactive and flexible, as the needs of the organisation evolve. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role and team for you!
The Role
This is an exciting time to join The Difference as we increase our impact, reach more schools, and develop our influencing strategy. As Head of Policy and Public Affairs you will:
Design and execute an impactful influencing plan
-
Design an influencing plan - Identify via horizon scanning opportunities to influence national policy using open policy windows, or by nudging/creating new ones.
-
Execute an influencing plan - Utilise own assets and assets across the organisation, including the Director team, to deliver against the influencing plan.
-
Relationship building - Build highly credible and impactful relationships with a variety of stakeholders who hold power. This will include policy makers in national governments, local government officials, politicians, other third sector organisations and think tanks.
-
Leadership - Play a significant role internally and externally in communicating the organisation’s policy position, raising organisational and own brand.
Build policy capacity and credibility across the organisation
-
Policy positions and solutions- Use the concepts, work and experience of The Difference’s programmes to develop new, and refine existing, national policy positions to shift incentives.
-
Thought leadership - Be the organisation’s education policy and political expert.
-
Generating income - Use own and team’s expertise and credibility to generate income via speaking engagements and consultancy to support the organisation’s financial sustainability.
Person Specification
Essential – We are looking for someone with the following knowledge, experience and skills, though you may be stronger in some areas than others:
-
Deep expertise in education policy, particularly on the topic of lost learning and the various policy and political debates, including areas of controversy, surrounding this policy topic.
-
Strategic thinker with a proven track record in identifying policy windows and designing activities that lead to meaningful national policy change.
-
Excellent relationship builder, who brings with them their own network of influential stakeholders and has a plan for building new relationships. Adept at navigating tricky situations and explaining complex, sometimes difficult, messages.
-
Expert convener with a strong knowledge of the education sector, including which schools, trusts and local authorities are influential and experience in bringing a variety of perspectives together to generate consensus.
-
Persuasive and clear writing style for publication, including reports, press, blogs and ghost writing for members of the senior leadership team, often based on consensus positions, and designed to communicate key messages for impact.
-
Confidence and credibility in communicating nuanced messages in a contentious landscape, in writing, verbally and in public (e.g. on panels), to raise the profile of The Difference.
-
Strong project manager who can design systems and processes to keep self, team and other stakeholders on task and on time. Experience of designing programmes of work and monitoring their effectiveness. Flexible project management style that can adapt to a changing environment. Confidence in managing a variety of stakeholders and supporting them to deliver on time.
Desired – You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have one or more of the following:
-
Familiarity with The Difference’s programmatic work, theory and practice.
-
Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people (e.g. those with experience of the care system, mental ill health, special educational needs, exclusion, and racism).
We know that some people, especially those from marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply unless they meet every listed requirement. If this role excites you and you believe you could make a strong contribution, we warmly encourage you to apply.
We actively welcome applications from people whose backgrounds are under-represented in the charity sector, including but not limited to: people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with experience in the case system, non-graduates and first-in-family graduates.
The Difference exists to improve the life-outcomes of the most vulnerable children by raising the status and expertise of those who educate them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are looking for a dynamic Senior Research & Analysis Officer to manage and deliver information, data, and analysis to help Youth Futures build evidence for impact.
This is an opportunity for a researcher with excellent data analysis, trial design and data skills to work widely across a busy and ambitious directorate, helping us understand and address youth unemployment in England.
Working with two teams in the Impact and Evidence Directorate, you will gain experience and contribute meaningfully across a range of research and evaluation activities.
- You will work with the Head of Evaluation and Principal Economist to support the design, delivery and management of data systems; scope, commission and manage high-quality evaluations; and conduct data analysis and quantitative social and economic research.
- You will also use your analytical expertise to extract insights from data, identify trends, and liaise with policy and communication teams to prepare outputs for external use.
- You will support the work of YFF’s evaluation team in generating new evidence for employment support programmes and Employer Practice through impact evaluations, including Randomised Controlled Trials.
- The role also offers opportunities to work on data visualisations for effective communication of data and research insights.
This role can be based at our Birmingham, Leeds or London hub. We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.
For more information on this role, please download our recruitment pack.
Due to receiving high volumes of interest in our opportunities, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. To ensure your application is considered, please submit it as soon as possible.
We are the national What Works Centre for youth employment, with a specific focus on marginalised young people.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Head of Corporate Partnerships
Location: North London (3 days per week in the office)
Hours: 37.5 per week
Salary: £50,000 to £55,000 per annum
Reporting to: Director of Fundraising
Term: Permanent
Aquilas is delighted to be partnering witth a much loved children's charity to recruit a Head of Corporate Partnerships to join their successful fundraising team.
About the role:
In this role, you will work closely with the Director of Fundraising & Communications to develop and enhance their Corporate and Special Events Programme. This is very much a hands-on role of team leadership and direct account management. This includes six figure partners.
The post-holder has a key role in the management of their Philanthropy & Corporate Board, which bring together industry leader to help move both these programmes forward. There is great freedom to innovate and a healthy pool of local business with an affinity to our cause. The post-holder takes a key leadership role across fundraising and marketing, working with their peers and Director to take strategic decisions for wider benefit of the department.
Line managing a small team of two you will play a key role in building and maintaining relationships with existing and prospective partners of the charity. You will ensure our partners have the best possible experience, making them feel engaged and motivated, valued and informed about the impact of their involvement and help them achieve their organisation’s objectives.
About you:
You will be an inspiring Corporate Fundraising Head, excellentcommunicator and a natural relationship builder. You will have demonstrative experience in people management within Partnerships and ideally a strong, broad background in corporate fundraising or commerical sales. Excellent donor stewardship skills in terms of account management of existing supports
To Apply:
To receive a candidate pack or arrange a confidential conversation, please contact:
Kieran McGorrian, Head of Not for Profit Appointments, Aquilas
Compliance Officer - United Teaching
Job reference: REQ003867
Salary: £30,500 FTE
Contractual hours: 15
Basis: Part Time
Region: London
Hybrid Role. You will on occasion be required to travel to our London and Peterborough offices.
Closing Date: Friday 20th February 2026 at Midnight
United Learning is a large, and growing, group of schools aiming to offer a life changing education to children and young people across England.
Central Office staff work closely with schools, offering a wealth of expertise to underpin schools' own knowledge. Our specialist departments, including HR, finance, technology, strategy and performance, estates, and marketing, work alongside dedicated school improvement teams. By joining us, you will provide ongoing support to schools, ultimately improving the outcomes of our pupils.
United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.
We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.
Job description
We are looking for a confident and detail-focused Compliance Officer to support our apprenticeship provision on a part-time basis (7.5 - 15 hours per week)
The role will suit someone with strong experience in apprenticeship funding rules, data entry, and the use of apprenticeship and management information systems to make accurate funding claims. You will be the go-to person for compliance, working closely with Paddington Academy and United Teaching to build on the processes we already have in place. This is a key role ensuring our Teacher standard apprenticeships run smoothly and remains fully compliant.
The Role
United Teaching is United Learning’s national teacher training programme, offering high-quality school-based routes into teaching. Trainees learn from expert practitioners while working in our schools, gaining practical classroom experience alongside academic study. The programme is designed to develop confident, skilled teachers who make a lasting difference in the classroom from day one.
About You
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Compliance Officer with excellent communications skills and a sound knowledge of the apprenticeship funding rules. You’ll need strong IT skills and have experience working across a range of software packages such as Microsoft 365, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams. You will also excel with organisational skills, attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness.
Essential:
· Level 2 English and Maths qualifications (GCSE, A Level, or Functional Skills L2).
· Proficiency in data management and risk mitigation strategies.
· Experience of working in a Further Education MIS department.
· A sound knowledge of the Individualised Learner Record (ILR), funding regulations and audit requirements for further education.
· Ability to manage own workload with minimal supervision.
· Current knowledge of data and compliance requirements within public funding programmes including apprenticeships.
· Experienced user of FRMs, PDSAT software and other related software / reports for data cleansing and credibility related issues.
· Experience of planning and undertaking internal audits.
Desirable:
Experience of external funding assurance audits.
Rewards and Benefits:
· Competitive salary.
· Part-time.
· Contributory pension scheme.
· 26 days holiday FTE.
· Occupational sick pay, protecting you and your family.
· Competitive maternity, paternity, and adoption benefits.
· Group Life Insurance Scheme.
· Westfield Health cash plan and extensive range of employee benefits for eligible staff.
· Continuous Professional Development options that will be tailored to your needs.
· A supportive team across the country.
· We are open to requests for flexible working and we encourage open and regular conversations about work-life balance.
For a confidential discussion about this role or the process, please contact us.
Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a large volume of applications.
United Learning comprises: UCST (Registered in England No: 2780748. Charity No. 1016538) and ULT (Registered in England No. 4439859. An Exempt Charity). Companies limited by guarantee. VAT number 834 8515 12. Registered address: United Learning, Worldwide House, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB.
First Give
First Give is a national charity that partners with secondary schools to inspire and equip young people with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to drive change. Through our structured programmes, students explore social issues, connect with charities, and take tangible steps to improve their community.
Empowering and equipping young people to meaningfully contribute to their community is a first step to addressing many of the challenges we face at this time of social disconnection and division. Our vision is of a more generous society where everyone is willing and able to give their time, money and skills to the causes they care about.
The Route to a Million Campaign
This is an exciting time for First Give, as we seek to expand and diversify our fundraising streams into Corporate and HNWI. To support this, we are launching the Route to A Million campaign in March, aiming to raise an additional £1.5 million over the next 3 years on top of our forecast income. The campaign is supported by a newly recruited campaign board, and the new Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships will spearhead the work required to achieve this target.
Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships
We are seeking a dynamic, strategic and entrepreneurial Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships to supercharge First Give’s next phase of income growth. This is a pivotal role at the heart of our mission, offering the opportunity to shape and deliver a multi‑year fundraising strategy that fuels real, measurable impact for young people and society as a whole. First Give is a small charity, with a growing fundraising team and big ambitions. You will therefore be someone who thrives in a start-up environment, brings new ideas to the table and is comfortable leading a brand-new team.
As the senior leader for all income streams, you will own and drive our major donor programme; unlock new philanthropic partnerships; and build a talented team across other income streams to achieve ambitious goals. Working closely with the Director and our emerging Campaign Board, you will play critical role in growing our £1m+ annual income, deepening donor engagement and building the culture, systems and relationships that will propel First Give into its next phase of expansion.
This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional fundraiser who thrives in a values‑driven, high‑ambition environment and wants to make a lasting contribution to a fast‑growing education charity.
Contract: Full time (35 hours per week), Permanent
Salary: £60K (+£2K London weighting if applicable)
Location: This is a hybrid contract. The successful candidate will be expected to work from our London office or attend in-person meetings and host donors at school Final events as required. The remainder of the week can typically be worked remotely, with flexibility as required.
The students we work with come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and so do we. We want to foster a diverse and inclusive culture, to empower our teams to achieve our vision drawing on the broadest possible range of experiences. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates from minoritised groups currently underrepresented on our executive team, particularly black and minority ethnic and disabled candidates.
Please download the candidate pack for more details, and don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like a chat about the role or any reasonable adjustments we can make before applying: contact details provided in the candidate pack.
Creating opportunities where young people are inspired and empowered to give their time, money or skills to charities and causes that they care about









