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An exciting opportunity to join our staff team and assist in providing funding that helps transform lives.
The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society – “The Shipwrecked Mariners” for short – was founded in 1839 and operates throughout the British Isles. Our primary purpose is to provide financial help to fishermen, merchant mariners and their dependants, both retired and of working age, who are in need. The Society has over 1,200 regular beneficiaries and receives over 600 applications for assistance each year.
To help us continue to provide a great service to mariners and their families, we have an exciting opportunity for someone to join us in the role of Grants Officer.
Our grants provide practical support for individuals and families that are experiencing severe financial distress and help them stabilise their situation during times of crisis. All our grants are means tested and exclusively focussed on those on low incomes (with little or no savings). A significant number of our grants are provided to those in retirement, however we also support those who are unable to work because of accident, illness, disability, or for compassionate reasons, as well as those who struggling to find employment. Our grants are used to cover a wide range of needs but are primarily aimed at helping people maintain a reasonable and dignified standard of living. We also help those who are struggling with debts as well as providing immediate support to the dependants of seafarers who have died at sea or during accidents ashore.
We are offering this role on a full-time basis, with a minimum of 2 days per week (Tues and Weds) working from our Chichester office, but potential for home working at other times. Some travel will be required for the role, including occasional overnight stays.
To be our ideal candidate, you will be an experienced, self-starting administrator with excellent communication and IT skills and a great eye for detail. But, above all, you will have a clear understanding of and empathy for the challenges and vulnerabilities faced by those we are here to support. If you want to be part of a highly dedicated but relaxed and friendly team, who take great pride in supporting an often-neglected sector of UK Society, then we would love to hear from you.
To apply for this post, please click the ‘apply’ button below where you can send your CV and a supporting letter of no more than two pages of A4 (size 12 font).
Your supporting letter should be focused on:
- Demonstrating how your personal qualities and experiences are closely aligned with the person specification for this role and have previously contributed to positive outcomes in your place(s) of work.
- Examples of your experience related to the key duties and responsibilities of this role.
- Helping us understand how you align with our organisational purpose and have a genuine empathy for the individuals that we support.
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 5th July 2026. We will notify those shortlisted for an interview by end of business on Sunday 12th July 2026 and hold face to face interviews on Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st July 2026. The preferred start date for this role is 24th August, but we’re happy to be flexible about this for the right candidate.
Candidates must have permission to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visa applications.
The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society strongly believes in building a diverse team which understands the issues facing its beneficiaries, including those which most affect the quality of life and aspirations of vulnerable individuals and their families.
About Toynbee Hall
Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.
Directorate background
The Advice Services directorate at Toynbee Hall is central to our commitment to address and alleviate poverty in London and beyond. Specialising in debt, welfare benefits, legal support, and generalist advice, our directorate has proven instrumental in significantly enhancing the financial wellbeing of those we serve. Last year alone, our efforts helped individuals and families to be over £23 million better off, showcasing the direct impact of our work.
Job purpose
The Director of Advice Services provides strategic leadership for Toynbee Hall’s Advice Services Directorate, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, accessible and impactful services that support people experiencing poverty, financial hardship, social exclusion and inequality.
Scope of role
The Interim Director of Advice Services is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of all Advice Services delivered by Toynbee Hall.
This includes direct delivery services, partnership programmes, grant-funded projects and commissioned contracts delivered across community, healthcare and criminal justice settings.
The postholder will oversee a complex portfolio that includes:
- Debt advice and financial wellbeing services
- Welfare benefits and generalist advice services
- Legal advice services including employment and housing
- Welfare benefits services for customers with cancer
- Ministry of Justice-funded prison-based advice services
- Future commissioned, grant-funded and partnership programmes
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the strategic direction and development of the Advice Services Directorate.
- Contribute to organisational strategy and planning as a member of the Senior Management Team.
- Ensure services align with Toynbee Hall’s mission, strategic objectives and organisational priorities.
Financial Planning and Performance
- Work with Finance colleagues to develop budgets, forecasts and financial plans across the Directorate.
- Ensure services operate within agreed budgets and deliver value for money.
- Monitor financial performance across contracts, grants and programmes, identifying risks and opportunities.
Business Development and Growth
- Lead the development and delivery of the Directorate’s growth strategy.
- Identify new funding, commissioning and partnership opportunities.
- Lead the development of bids, tenders and funding proposals.
Contract and Partnership Management
- Provide strategic oversight of all contracts, grants and service agreements.
- Lead negotiations with commissioners, funders and delivery partners.
- Ensure effective contract management processes are embedded across the Directorate.
Service Portfolio Leadership
- Provide strategic oversight across all advice services including debt, welfare benefits, generalist advice, legal advice, Macmillan services and prison-based advice programmes.
- Ensure services are integrated where appropriate and provide a seamless client journey.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement across all service areas.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria:
- Experience of leading large-scale advice, support, health, justice or community services and projects.
- Proven experience of business development, income generation and securing funding or contracts
- Experience of leading complex partnerships / multi-agency programmes.
- Experience of negotiating and managing significant contracts, grants and service agreements.
- Strong understanding of service quality, governance, compliance and risk management.
- Experience of budget management, financial planning and working with finance colleagues to support effective financial oversight.
- Ability to build relationships and influence at senior level with funders, commissioners, regulators and strategic partners.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience of working within or alongside the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS)
- Experience leading within a senior Advice Services Directorate
- Experience in developing or delivering advisor training and technical supervision.
- Understanding of criminal justice or mental-health service environments.
Our Benefits
Annual Leave
- 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays)
- After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave
- After 3 years: +1 additional day
- After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3-day Christmas shutdown
Pension
- Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%
Additional Perks & Support
- Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness
- Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families
- Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health
- Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support
- Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being
- Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home
- Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting
- Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel
- Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking
- Westfield Health Cash Plan to cover your healthcare needs specified in the Policy
- Perk Box
- Life Insurance
Please refer to the attached job description for more details.
Since 1884 Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice and inequality to build a fairer East London
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The AI Engineer is a hands-on role where you’ll work across the full development lifecycle, from shaping ideas and building prototypes through to deploying production-ready solutions. You’ll play a key role in applying AI and modern software engineering practices to real-world service challenges.
As AI Engineer, you’ll be part of a small, collaborative team, working closely with product, user experience and operational colleagues to deliver impactful, user-focused solutions.
This role is predominantly home-based with occasional attendance at our Birmingham Office (minimum of four days per year). However, during probation more frequent office attendance will be required to ensure you receive full support.
What You’ll Be Doing
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Designing and building applications and tools using modern engineering practices
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Developing integrations, APIs and automation to support key services
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Translating business and user needs into working technical solutions
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Exploring where AI and automation can add value to real workflows
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Building and testing prototypes, then iterating based on feedback
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Supporting deployment and early-stage live running of new solutions
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Collaborating with non-technical stakeholders to shape and refine ideas
What We’re Looking For
Core Experience
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Strong background in software or application development
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Experience working with Python and/or Microsoft technologies
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Experience building and integrating APIs and services
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Ability to deliver solutions end-to-end (design through to deployment)
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Confident communicating technical concepts to non-technical audiences
AI & Innovation
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Good understanding of AI / Generative AI concepts and use cases
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Interest in applying emerging technologies to solve real problems
Nice to Have (but not essential)
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Experience building AI-enabled features or tools
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Knowledge of technologies such as RAG, vector databases or LLMs
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Background in regulated, public sector or customer-focused environments
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Experience working with CRM, contact centre or case management systems
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Awareness of accessibility, data protection or service design principles
What We Offer:
We believe in taking care of our people, and we offer a great range of benefits, including:
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29 days annual leave plus bank holidays
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A contributory pension scheme
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Flexible hybrid working arrangement
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Generous Life Insurance
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Wellbeing days to support your mental health
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A healthcare cashback scheme
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Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
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Working outside the UK (up to 30 days in a 12-month period)
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Free on-site gym
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Enhanced maternity pay
Recruitment Process
*We will review all applications after the closing date and contact shortlisted applicants thereafter**
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Stage 1: informal chat
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Stage 2: interview
Accessibility and Adjustments
We want every candidate to feel confident and supported. If you need any adjustments or have specific preferences during the recruitment process, just let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
Important Information
We will only use the data you supply to us for recruitment purposes, and it will be held for twelve months. For further details, please see our Privacy Notice for Job Applicants on our vacancies page.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
We take diversity seriously and are committed to creating a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. Our values: ‘We put people first, We support each other, We solve problems’ underpin our vision to be a place where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We warmly welcome applications from all backgrounds.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.