Director of service development jobs in selly oak, west midlands

For full information on this role, including the key responsibilities and person specification, please view the job pack.

Applications close at 23:59 on Sunday 6th July 2025.

The Organisation

ImpactEd Group supports education and purpose-driven organisations to maximise their potential. We do this by helping our partners to be consistently impactful and operationally sustainable. ImpactEd Group is made up of ImpactEd Consulting and its specialist practices, ImpactEd Evaluation, ImpactEd Philanthropy and our most recent practice ImpactEd Data and Artificial Intelligence. Drawing on our domain expertise and technical skills in these areas, ImpactEd Group aims to be the first port of call for leaders across the education ecosystem. Since being founded in 2017, ImpactEd Group has worked with thousands of schools and hundreds of organisations, serving more than a quarter of a million pupils annually. Our strategy commits to systemic impact by helping our partners to make better decisions. We also empower our team to make decisions on behalf of the organisation as part of our aspirations for employee ownership.

The Opportunity

The Director role is a new opportunity working across ImpactEd Evaluation. Our partnerships encompass education organisations such as charities, edtech organisations and government, and schools and multi-academy Trusts. Across all our partnerships, we aim to design and deliver high-quality research and evaluation projects that help our partners make better decisions for children using good evidence.

As a Director, you will be a senior leader of the evaluation practice and a statutory director on our Practice Board. Reflecting this, you will have a key role in the success of the practice, both commercially and in terms of social impact, and help to shape and deliver the strategy for ImpactEd Evaluation as a practice within ImpactEd Group, reporting to the Practice Lead.

The role will be a combination of business development, oversight and support of evaluation delivery, and strategic responsibilities. You will lead a number of sales and marketing campaigns, and support the design and delivery of our product offerings within those areas, as well as other priority strategic projects. You will also lead on a small number of high-priority partner engagements directly, and play a significant role in overseeing and quality assuring partnerships led by others.

The role would be ideal for a candidate with deep understanding of research and evaluation, a track record in business development, and the ambition to shape the leadership and direction of a growing social enterprise.

Why Us?

As an organisation we care about creating a meaningful place to work and supporting people to grow personally and professionally. These are reflected in our organisational values and our commitments to:

• Agile and flexible working: responsive management, flexible hours, hybrid or fully remote working

• Personal excellence: we invest significantly in professional development, including an external mentor, an individual CPD budget, and formal and informal training and support

• Mental health and wellbeing: access to health and wellbeing advice and free therapist support.

As a growing organisation we are committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a positive experience of work and maintain an annual EDI action plan, supported by a Board sponsor.

THINK Consulting Solutions is launching a brand-new data function and we’re looking for an experienced leader to bring it to life and drive it forward.

As our first ever Director of THINK Data, you’ll build a new team, new services, and new ways of helping charities harness the power of data. You’ll bring leadership, commercial savvy, and a real understanding of how insight can transform fundraising, strategy, and impact.

From day one, you’ll sit on our senior leadership team, working closely with the Managing Director to grow this into a high-performing, income-generating pillar of our business.

This is a big role with big scope — ideal for someone with deep experience in data analytics, business development, and team leadership, especially within or aligned to the not-for-profit world.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Comprensive experience in data/insight roles at a senior level

• Proven track record of building and leading successful teams

• Confidence in developing data strategies and commercial services

• Strong communicator with a collaborative, solutions-focused style

If you are interested, please check out the Candidate Pack and apply via the Expression of Interest form on the THINK Careers page.

We will be hosting a webinar on Thursday 26th June for interested candidates to find out more. You can sign up to the webinar on THINK's Careers page. 

Stage 1 interviews will take place on Wednesday 23rd and Friday 25th July

Second stage will take place on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th August

At Young Sounds UK our mission is to help musically talented young people from low-income families fulfil their potential. We're seeking our first Evaluation Director to join a small, thriving organisation and lead our evaluation strategy. Working collaboratively with colleagues, you will generate insights that strengthen programme delivery, and how we understand and share our impact.

For full information on this role, including key responsibilities and person specification, please view the job pack.

The closing date for applications is Monday 14 July 2025 at 12 noon.

About Young Sounds UK 

Young Sounds UK exists because musical talent is everywhere but opportunity isn’t: family finances and other obstacles too often get in the way. We’re here to change this in two key ways:

• We support young musicians from low-income families with funding and other help 
• We support music education through training, advocacy and research.

Established in 1998 we work across genres and across the UK. Our four programme areas are: 

• Discover: training teachers in how to spot young people’s musical potential 
• Connect: targeting and sustaining young people’s emerging talent through strategic support
• Thrive: funding young talent UK wide through annual grants and tailor-made help for individual musicians
• Innovate: leading new thinking and action on talent development

Role overview 

Young Sounds is a reflective organisation. We’ve always invested time and effort in seeking out, understanding and demonstrating the difference our programmes are making. We believe in learning from experience. This is what we mean by evaluation.

We have recently secured funding to build on our evaluation work to date, and it is a priority for us to more fully embed evaluation throughout our work – the Evaluation Director will be critical to us achieving this. The Evaluation Director is a new role and will lead the development and implementation of Young Sounds’ evaluation strategy, ensuring that our work is evidence-based and impactful.

Key areas of responsibility 

• Evaluation strategy and organisational learning 
• Programme evaluation 
• Organisational capacity and culture 
• Research and policy engagement 
• Quality assurance and reporting 

Role Purpose

Winston’s Wish is a digital first organisation leading the way in Digital Transformation across the Bereavement sector. This role is new and exciting and will play a vital part in helping Winston’s Wish turn up the dial across our high value fundraising.

As Philanthropy Manager you will be responsible for growing income from major donors and Trusts and Foundations through excellent donor stewardship. Leading a team of committed Trust fundraisers, you will focus on identifying prospective individual donors and foundations and develop lasting relationships with them. You will also support the management of relationships with existing donors, ensuring all donors have an excellent experience of supporting Winston’s Wish and understand the impact of their support on the lives of grieving children.

Main Responsibilities

Leadership

• To lead and inspire the Philanthropy team fostering a collaborative and high culture that delivers against income and objectives.
• Provide clear and supportive leadership that motivates staff to achieve, develop and grow in their roles.
• Undertake quarterly reviews for all direct reports.

Philanthropy Fundraising

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with high-value donors, ensuring effective solicitation, stewardship, and follow-up to secure significant contributions (six-figure gifts).
• Build and maintain a portfolio of Trust & Grants supporters. Responsible for researching, approaching and developing compelling applications with a focus on ensuring Trusts & Grants provide a long-term, diverse and sustainable income stream.
• Lead the development and stewardship of the Philanthropy board to identify and secure transformational (6-7 figure) gifts and the development of the Business development Board to open opportunities with Corporate Partners.
• Write and design a compelling case for support that is tailored to our High Value audiences.
• Lead on planning and delivering successful high value cultivation events.
• Represent Winston’s Wish at fundraising events and meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
• You will identify new major donors and Trusts and Foundations who have the potential to make a significant difference to the lives of grieving children. You will develop and implement cultivation strategies to turn prospects into supporters.
• You will work with the Individual Giving Manager to identify mid-level donors who could be stewarded into the major donor pipeline.

Strategy, Planning and reporting

•  You will work alongside the Director of Income Generation to support the development and implementation of a new Philanthropy strategy covering development of a prospect pipeline, building a culture of peer referrals, annual targets and personalised engagement plans.
• Lead on developing and delivering effective stewardship journeys and cultivation plans.
• Produce regular reports on fundraising activity, analysing performance against targets, and identifying areas for improvement and growth.
• Work with the Director of Income Generation to develop the annual budget, including leading on monthly performance reports and contributing to quarterly reforecasts and reporting against KPI’s and milestones.
• Undertake research and make use of tools to identify potential High Value partners.

Collaboration

• Work closely with the Director of Income Generation, SLT and other teams to maximise high value fundraising opportunities.
• Where appropriate, you will involve Winston’s Wish senior staff and the Board of Trustees to make the most of opportunities to engage and build relationships with existing and potential supporters.

All Staff

• Contribute to the vision and mission of Winston's Wish; whilst embedding the values into your daily work activities.
• Promote equality of opportunity and diversity in accordance with Winston’s Wish policy.
• Contribute to the overall success of the charity’s fundraising needs by providing case studies, attending events and adding value to the experience of our supporters as required.
• Contribute to the brand and reach of the charity by working alongside our Marketing & Communications Team when relevant press opportunities arise or when required for social media and online content (including the use of photography).
• Work to objectives, targets and work plans agreed with your line manager.
• Undertake specific projects and other ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager, fulfilling any deadlines, reviews and reporting procedures required.
• Take an active part in the quarterly review process and participate in training agreed with your line manager.
• Recognise and champion the lived experience of children and young people with bereavement within your work.
• Ensure the health and safety of all colleagues, volunteers and visitors in accordance with Winston’s Wish policy.

Person Specification

Essential

• A proven track record in high-value fundraising, including securing 6-7 figure donations from high-net-worth individuals, trusts, foundations, and businesses.
• Track record of converting cold prospects to planned gifts of 6-7 figures.
• Experience in effectively developing, managing and reporting complex income and expenditure budgets.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels and excellent written skills.
• Experience of successfully engaging trustees and/or senior volunteer committees to drive philanthropic income.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive and results-driven mindset.
• Experience of researching and prospecting.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate with senior stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Highly professional, flexible and committed to achieve and exceed KPIs.
• Ability to manage projects and associated budgets.
• A self-starter with strong team working skills.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise work, handle conflicting demands and meet tight deadlines.
•  A creative thinker and quick to respond to opportunities.

Desirable

• Understanding of child bereavement.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Experience of using Salesforce CRM System.

Recruitment Timetable

Application deadline: Tuesday 1st July 2025

Interview date: Wednesday 9th July 2025

Interview location: MS Teams

Winston’s Wish reserves the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications for the role before the closing date.

Managing Director - Green Finance / Rothbury Conservation Trust 

Salary: up to £90,000 per annum  

Location: Home Based, Office facilities available, some UK travel will be required.  

Full time (35 hours per week)  

Permanent contract 

Closing date for applications: 20th July 2025  

First interview: 1st August 2025  

Second interview: 8th August 2025 

About Us 

The Wildlife Trusts are a grassroots movement of people from a wide range of backgrounds and all walks of life, who believe that we need nature and nature needs us. We have more than 944,000 members, over 38,000 volunteers, 3,600 staff and 600 trustees. There are 46 individual Wildlife Trusts, each of which is a place-based independent charity with its own legal identity, formed by groups of people getting together and working with others to make a positive difference to wildlife and future generations, starting where they live and work. 

Every Wildlife Trust is part of The Wildlife Trusts federation and a corporate member of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, a registered charity in its own right founded in 1912 and one of the founding members of IUCN – the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Taken together this federation of 47 charities is known as The Wildlife Trusts. 

The next few years will be critical in determining what kind of world we all live in. We need to urgently reverse the loss of wildlife and put nature into recovery at scale if we are to prevent climate and ecological disaster. We recognise that this will require big, bold changes in the way The Wildlife Trusts work, not least in how we mobilise others and support them to organise within their own communities. 

The Wildlife Trusts are on a mission to bring about a people-powered nature and climate recovery by empowering people to take meaningful action for nature, and to create an inclusive society where nature matters to everyone, everywhere. We are ambitious in our desire not just to slow, but to reverse the declines in nature. Together we have developed a bold, new collective strategy which outlines our vision and the actions we will take to restore nature over the next eight years. 

Central to our strategy are our three goals which set out what we are striving to achieve by 2030 in pursuit of our vision of a thriving natural world. Goal 1 is to put nature into recovery with abundant, diverse wildlife and natural processes creating wilder land and seascapes where people and nature thrive. Goal 2 is to inspire people to take action for nature and climate, resulting in better decision-making for the environment at both local level and across the four UK nations. And Goal 3 is to enable nature to play a central and valued role in helping to address local and global problems, such as by helping tackle climate change and supporting wellbeing and education. 

Achieving these ambitious objectives means that we must develop new ways of working which increase the scale and impact of our work. Therefore, we have embarked on a programme of strategic transformations that are essential to achieving our goals, and which will result in a stronger and more effective Wildlife Trust movement for the long term. RSWT is leading the transformation programme across The Wildlife Trusts including in community organising, equality, diversity and inclusion, and funding nature’s recovery. The Wildlife Trusts have existed for over 100 years thanks to a strong membership base and traditional fundraising activities. 

Now, to achieve the level of funding needed to reverse nature’s decline, we need to diversify and increase our income by exploring new ways of funding such as innovative finance. 

About You  

Do you want to lead the field in the development of private investment into nature’s recovery? 

Fundamentally, you will have worked at a senior level as a Managing Director/CEO and have financial investment and commercial leadership experience that translates into strong awareness and understanding of financial investment markets and how these financial mechanisms can be used to drive large-scale investment, in this case into a green finance vehicle(s) for the Wildlife Trusts. We need you to translate that experience into solutions that scale up nature’s recovery, by developing realisable business propositions that create revenues from corporate sales of nature-based services such as biodiversity net gain credits or voluntary carbon credits amongst many other possible services. 

An innovative problem-solver with an entrepreneurial spirit, you will need to develop compelling and practical commercial strategies which can be successfully delivered within the Wildlife Trust Federation. As such you will be a great communicator, with a personable style who can work with many different people across the wonderful variety of geography, size, scale, and activities of the 46 Wildlife Trusts. 

The Wildlife Trusts value passion, respect, trust, integrity, pragmatic activism and strength in diversity. Whilst we are passionate in promoting our aims, we are not judgmental and are inclusive. We particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within our sector, including people from minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. 

RSWT take our Safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously. Please click here to read our commitment statement. The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. For applicable roles, applicants must be willing to undergo checks with past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks at the eligible level. 

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to offering an interview to anyone with a disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible. 

RSWT are committed to increasing the diversity of its staff through its Levelling the Field recruitment pledge and will put any ethnic minority applicants that meet all the essential criteria for the post through to the next stage of recruitment. 

Please be aware we may not accept applications if we have reason to believe they have been wholly produced using generative AI tools. 

About the Role

As Director of Devolved Nations, you will:

• Lead Carers UK’s work in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, driving strategic impact and ensuring alignment with the UK-wide mission.
• Shape and deliver national strategies that bring about real improvements in carers’ lives.
• Collaborate with government, public bodies, the voluntary sector, and other stakeholders to influence policy and secure statutory funding.
• Provide inspirational leadership to the Carers Scotland, Carers Wales, and Carers NI teams.
• Contribute to UK-wide senior leadership and organisational development.

You’ll need to be flexible, with travel across the UK, including overnight stays and occasional weekend work.

About You

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Significant senior leadership experience in policy, public affairs, or charity leadership.
• A deep understanding of the political and policy landscapes in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• Strong governance knowledge and experience working with Boards or Committees.
• A track record of building influential relationships across sectors, including with senior government officials and funders.
• Excellent people management skills and the ability to lead dispersed teams.
• Commitment to Carers UK’s values of being Attentive, Ambitious, and Achievers.
• Experience working with or understanding the needs of unpaid carers is highly desirable.

And who:

• Is passionate about caring and can inspire their teams to deliver new and innovative ways to campaign for and support carers as we close our 60th anniversary in 2025 and move towards our strategic review in 2026.
• Will be an active member of the Senior Management team working collaboratively across the organisation, ensuring consistent messaging and support across all four nations.
• Who is able to proactively represent the charity, engaging a wide range of stakeholders.

For more information please download the full job description

What We Offer

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 28 days with long service) + bank holidays
• An additional 3 paid days leave over Christmas and New Year
• Up to 10 days paid care leave
• 6% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance cover (2x salary)
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Free Health Cash Plan with a free, unlimited and confidential 24 hour advice, support and information line; free, unlimited and confidential GP line access; a wellbeing portal and app plus cash back to set limits for dental, optical and therapy treatments, plus kids cover and retail and restaurant discounts
• Paid Special Leave
• Organisational sick pay scheme
• Paid volunteer leave
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion staff network groups
• A recognition scheme including a values winner of the month
• Season ticket, cycle, and technology loans
• A learning and development culture with access to a Learning Management System

We are proud to be a Living Wage Employer, a Carer Confident Employer, a Carer Positive employer, and part of the Happy to Talk Flexible Working scheme. We have signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge and have achieved the Disability Confident Employer (level 2).

Diversity and Inclusion

Carers UK is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects our community. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and particularly from those with lived experience of caring. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Head of Retail and FOOD Services

Department: Directorate of Development and External Affairs

Salary: Starting at £47,264, rising to £54,728 FTE per annum + £480 home-based allowance FTE per annum

Location: Homebased with weekly national travel 

Hours: 37 hours per week (full-time)

We offer flexible working arrangements - please see below for more details. 

Contract: Permanent

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:

At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities. 

We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team as the Head of Retail and FOOD Services. This is a unique opportunity to lead and innovate in a role that combines strategic leadership, operational excellence, and community impact.

Main Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a multi-channel retail and food services strategy, including business planning, risk assessment, and performance management to increase net profit and service impact.
• Lead on budgeting, financial forecasting, and P&L management. Identify and develop new income-generating opportunities, including grants and tenders.
• Provide strategic leadership to geographically dispersed teams, ensuring effective recruitment, support and training of staff and volunteers.

Main Requirements 

• Educated to degree level or above in a relevant sector. 
• Demonstrable senior retail management knowledge and experience in managing complex projects, leading teams, and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Proven track record in income growth, financial planning, and managing budgets.

Benefits: 

• an annual paid leave entitlement of 30 working days plus bank holidays
• up to 6% matched-pension contributions
• enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions
• eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers
• cycle to work scheme
• investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.

To Apply:

• Apply via the Family Action Careers Hub linked to this advert 

• Closing Date: 7th July at 23:59

Interviews are scheduled to take place from 16th-22nd July 2025.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required.

We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role and will reimburse your travel cost if you attend an interview.

*Ordinarily Family Action appoints new starters at the starting point of the salary scale (with subsequent annual pay progression), unless you have experience that would justify appointment further up the salary scale or there are any other exceptional reasons.

Employer Policy Specialist

Working Hours: 0.6FTE (full-time equivalent 37.5 hours). There is a degree of flexibility surrounding the working hours which will be determined by the demands of the role.

Salary: 0.6FTE: £40,658 (the full-time equivalent salary is: £67,763).

Start Date: 1st September 2025.

Reporting to: Director of Public Affairs & Policy

Deadline for applications: Friday 18th July 2025, 5pm

Interviews: Interviews will be conducted online on Thursday 24th July

Overview

The DfE has nominated CST as the employer representative for academy trusts for specific purposes (for example, the school support staff negotiating body).  The postholder will be required to work directly with the Department for Education at a senior level to undertake the duties associated with this employer representative role.  CST also wishes to strengthen its support to members on wider matters of employer policy. There is significant scope to shape and develop this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Have a detailed understanding of the terms and conditions of employment of teaching and support staff and the workforce issues affecting the education sector, particularly those influencing recruitment and retention of staff.

• The ability to build relationships with key stakeholders (members, senior DfE officials and ministers) and work closely with other employer representative organisations.

• Working closely with the CEO and Deputy CEO, build relationships at senior level with trade unions (leadership, teacher and support staff unions).

• Lead on developing CST’s employer policy and guidance, working with our members and commanding their support and respect, and working closely with the policy team.

• Support the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Public Affairs and Policy to influence and respond to government policy in respect of employer policy, including drafting responses to government consultations and being our representative on the DfE’s formally constituted groups.

• Provide professional support and guidance to members on matters relating to employer policy, within the restrictions of what we are insured to do as a professional body.

• Support our HR professional community.

• Speak with authority at events and conferences as CST’s nominated representative on employer policy.

• Offer support to the wider CST policy team in other areas that fall within the postholder’s experience or expertise. This may include occasionally deputising for other team members for example covering for annual leave or sickness absence.

• Any other duties and responsibilities that may be delegated by the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive or Director of Public Affairs and Policy from time to time.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Likely educated to degree level (or holding a similar professional qualification or experience) with significant knowledge and experience of employment matters within the education sector and employer policy.

• The ideal candidate will have experience working at senior level likely within an educational, policy or consultancy setting. Knowledge of schools and the trust sector is essential as is the ability to respond to issues in a way which conveys the practical realities of working in schools.

• A sound understanding of the differences between academy trusts and the maintained sector.

• Secure knowledge of legislation, regulations and policy that affect school trusts.

• Authority and gravitas with the ability to speak up at meetings with senior officials with the required diplomacy and at all times with the members’ interests in mind.

• People-centred, with excellent relational skills, adept at forming and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, members and senior external stakeholders (including policy makers, employer representative organisations and trade unions).

• Output focused, able to execute a range of communications across channels efficiently.

• Fluent and precise, an excellent communicator who writes well.

• The ability to analyse detail and distil key points, identifying matters of concern or interest to school trusts.

• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines, including turning around high-quality responses to members and DfE in short timescales.

• Someone who embodies the Nolan Principles and acts with integrity and discretion.

• Aligned with CST’s aims to promote education for public benefit.

• Skilled at working remotely as part of a close-knit team. Whilst this position is remote (home-based) there will be the requirement to attend in person meetings from time to time.

In this exciting new role, you will support the delivery of our Individual Giving programme to help recruit and steward supporters through regular giving, lottery, payroll and cash giving programmes.

You’ll be responsible for creating compelling content that inspires people to support our work, while also working closely with suppliers and internal teams to ensure the smooth planning, delivery, and analysis of campaigns across multiple channels—including direct mail, face-to-face, and digital.

The ideal candidate will bring direct marketing experience, preferably within the charity sector, along with excellent creative and project management skills, and a genuine passion for helping to save and change children’s lives through medical research.

Chief Executive Officer

Coventry, flexible and hybrid working

4 to 5 days per week (0.8 to 1.0 FTE)

£48,000 – £55,000 pro rata, depending on experience

Lead an innovative, values-driven team making a real difference for people with muscular dystrophy (MD)

Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre is a user-led charity dedicated to supporting people affected by muscular dystrophy - rare and sometimes life-limiting conditions that impact 110,000 people in the UK. We are one of only two dedicated MD therapy centres in the country and the only one in the Midlands.

We provide long-term, transformative physical therapies and community support to improve mobility, independence and quality of life. In 2025, we aim to support over 600 people through services at our Coventry HQ, satellites across the region, and online.

After a period of significant growth, we’re now focused on consolidating operations, improving systems, and preparing for the next stage in our development -guided by a new five-year strategy.

We’re looking for a compassionate, strategic and operationally-minded Chief Executive to lead us into this next phase. You’ll work closely with our Board, staff, volunteers, and service users to deliver sustainable growth, ensure operational excellence, and champion our community. We are a dynamic, supportive and committed team with a flexible working environment.

About the role

This is a hands-on leadership role, ideal for someone who thrives in a small but ambitious charity setting. As Chief Executive, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of our strategic vision and operational plan.
• Responsible for day-to-day operations and embed robust systems for monitoring and continuous improvement.
• Ensure accurate data collection and reporting to guide effective decision-making.
• Support and develop a collaborative and values-led team culture.
• Oversee finances and income generation, including statutory funding and voluntary income.
• Act as our lead spokesperson and build strong external partnerships across the health, charity, and policy sectors.

What we’re looking for

We’re open to candidates from diverse professional backgrounds, but we’re especially keen to hear from people who can demonstrate:

• Senior leadership experience in the charity, health or care sectors.
• Strong operational and team management skills – including experience improving systems and processes.
• Experience with strategic planning, income generation, and governance.
• A people-first leadership approach with a strong commitment to inclusion and user voice.
• A warm, grounded communicator with experience building trusted relationships with staff, volunteers, funders, and service users.

What we offer

• Employer-contributed pension scheme (contribution 3% qualifying earnings)
• 22 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata), with additional days of leave accrued with service
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free tea and coffee provided in the office
• Free onsite car parking
• Friendly and informal office environment

Why join us

• Opportunity to further shape and build a Charity and your role in a key phase of development.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of people with long-term, degenerative conditions
• Work with a supportive, passionate and collaborative team and Board.
• Experience first-hand the impact of our services and support on service-users and their families.

Do you have exceptional organisational skills, a proactive approach, and a passion for supporting inclusive leadership at the heart of a purpose-driven organisation? Then join us as an Executive Assistant and play a key role in supporting the Director and Senior Leadership Team of Shelter’s Equity, Inclusion and Culture Directorate. From coordinating key projects and meetings to managing communications and ensuring the smooth running of the Director’s office, this is a fantastic opportunity to help drive meaningful change across a dynamic and collaborative team.

About the role

The Executive Assistant is responsible for the efficient running of the Director’s Office and providing excellent administrative support and project coordination for the Director and EIC Senior Leadership Team (SLT), including document editing, key meeting coordination and recording, and liaison with teams across Shelter. The postholder will help ensure effective communication and collaboration between the SLT, other managers and people in the Directorate. 

Role specifics

We’re looking for someone to provide high-level support to the Director and Senior Leadership Team, acting as the first point of contact for the Director’s office and managing a busy inbox and diary. You’ll lead and support a range of quality and process improvement projects, help coordinate key activities, and ensure everything runs smoothly – from handling correspondence, preparing agendas and board papers, to drafting communications and booking travel. For the wider leadership team, you'll prepare high-quality documents and presentations, manage systems like SharePoint and the intranet, and ensure meetings and away days are well-organised and productive. You'll help monitor progress against strategic objectives, maintain the Directorate Risk Register, and keep projects on track and within budget.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits 

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

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

The Equity, Inclusion and Culture Directorate (EIC) was established in 2001 to look at the future with a true equity lens, across Shelter and Shelter Scotland, as a core part of our strategic aims. The Directorate consists of the following services: 

• Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism
• Learning and Organisational Development 
• Internal Communications and Engagement 
• Volunteering 
• Lived Experience Insight

About Shelter

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

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

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

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

Safeguarding statement

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

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

This is an exciting opportunity to use academic research to drive global affordable housing impact, working with a UK-based international charity to build thematic expertise and generate new income for its work.

Globally, there are 1.2 billion people without somewhere decent to call home. Reall’s vision is housing markets in Africa and Asia that work for people, prosperity and planet, which it seeks to achieve through investing in affordable housing, using research and data to build evidence, and leveraging this to advocate for change. Reall has been a global leader in promoting affordable housing in Africa and Asia for over 30 years. Their work has transformed the lives of over 3 million people, created 200,000 jobs, brought clean water to 500,000 people and expanded sanitation to over a million. 

This position is part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funded by Innovate UK, aimed at driving impactful collaboration between academic expertise and industry. This 2-year KTP project reflects Reall’s ongoing investment in academic collaboration and commercial development. It will use the development of specialist gender- and climate-focussed knowledge to support Reall’s shift from reliance on a single funding source to a more diverse income model, including expansion of Reall’s consultancy services. The Associate will play a crucial role in this transformation by working with Reall and University of Warwick staff to: 

• Lead the integration of gender and climate innovations and best practices into Reall’s housing work. 

• Lead the development of frameworks to evaluate gender and climate impacts. 

• Lead the production of thought leadership materials to enhance Reall’s commercial reach and elevate its influence and standing within the sector. 

• Support the positioning of affordable housing as a global solution to gender and climate challenges, and Reall’s role within this. 

• Support the creation of a strategic business development plan that leverages climate and gender expertise to rapidly increase Reall’s grant and consultancy contract income streams 

• Establishing methods to assess and demonstrate the impact of housing programmes. 

This project is a unique opportunity to shape an innovative charity’s growth and global impact.  Designed to deliver meaningful impact for Reall, University of Warwick and the Associate themselves, the Associate will be at the forefront of driving real-world change and directly feeding into organisational decision making. With strong professional development support from Reall, University of Warwick and UKRI, this role is an ideal opportunity to grow in sectoral experience, raise an academic profile, and grow in leadership capacity. This is a chance to contribute to sustainable global development, shape the direction of an organisation, and support a high impact career. 

The KTP Associate will bring specialist knowledge and skills to investigate and integrate gender and climate considerations into affordable housing strategies. We are looking for a motivated and innovative individual, with the ability to apply academic insights to real-world challenges, and the potential to become a sector leader with the capacity to lead this project. 

Key attributes and skills of the ideal candidate include: 

• Expertise in gender studies, climate studies, international development, housing or a related field, with a strong understanding of these issues in global south contexts. We are especially interested in candidates with prior research or policy experience in international development and housing, and its intersections with climate and gender. 

• Analytical skills to design and evaluate frameworks that measure gender and climate impacts within housing projects. 

• Research experience, collaborating with academic researchers and development practitioners, with a proven track record of producing research that drives impact.

• Business development experience, managing or supporting business development activities (research grants or consultancy contracts), or working within the consultancy space. 

• Strategic thinking to create effective, action-oriented business development and impact evaluation methodologies. 

• Effective communication to present complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including stakeholders and funders. 

• Adaptability and problem-solving abilities to drive the project’s success in a dynamic environment. 

• A collaborative mindset to work closely with Reall’s team and academic partners, contributing to thought leadership and strategic initiatives. 

Primarily based within Reall and its Coventry offices, you will collaborate with a dynamic team of Reall staff and University of Warwick academics to embed new gender and climate knowledge across the organisation’s operations and partnerships. This will be achieved through staff training, collaborative working, and the development of impactful resources. University of Warwick’s Politics and International Studies (PAIS) and Global Sustainable Development (GSD) departments will offer specialized academic support and guidance to ensure Reall remains a forward-thinking leader in affordable, sustainable housing, underpinned by world-class research. UKRI will simultaneously facilitate professional development through mentoring and cohort support with other KTP associates. 

This is a unique opportunity for someone passionate about creating meaningful change through gender and climate-responsive development. 

PAIS and GSD are interdisciplinary departments that sit within the University of Warwick’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Arts respectively. Both departments share the view that the best research comes from looking at issues from a wide range of perspectives, inside and outside of academia, and from different fields of study. Together, both departments are committed to creating a supportive research environment where everyone can succeed. We believe that research is most impactful when it works towards improving lives around the world. 

Although based at Reall’s offices in Coventry, the Associate will be a University of Warwick staff member within PAIS. PAIS values diversity and is dedicated to promoting equality and challenging discrimination. The department has been awarded the Athena Swan Silver Award, a prestigious charter mark for the advancement of gender equality in higher education. We encourage applications from groups that are currently underrepresented in PAIS, including Black, Asian, and other ethnic minorities, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Our aim is to provide the support needed for all our staff and students to thrive in the department. 

The Opportunity:

Nigel Wright Group are proud to be partnering with a transformative and growing social impact organisation in their search for a Business Development Manager. Our client is a passionate, values-led charity and their mission is to bridge the gap between talented individuals and employers offering rewarding job opportunities, creating a thriving community where everyone has the chance to succeed. They deliver on skills shortages, push back on regional unemployment and contribute to a national reduction in reoffending. Following a significant inward investment, our client is positioning itself to embark on an ambitious nationwide scaling-up programme. The newly created Business Development Manager role can be based anywhere in the UK and carries the responsibility of contributing to the organisation’s overarching strategic plan, while also leading the development and implementation of the accompanying income generation strategy. 

Role Profile: 

• Lead and coordinate activities to position the charity for successful public sector contracts and tenders.
• Identify and pursue new and repeat business opportunities; attend market engagement events and monitor sector trends.
• Develop strategic partnerships to enhance reach and impact.
• Maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date pipeline of business development and grant opportunities.
• Prepare and submit high-quality, competitive tenders as a lead or subcontractor.
• Develop proposals aligned with service specifications, incorporating input from operational teams.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Finance Director to ensure accurate, fully costed and competitive bid pricing.
• Write and submit persuasive bids via relevant online platforms.
• Line manage a Grant Writer, overseeing the submission of high-value and multi-year trust and foundation applications.
• Support the CEO in cultivating relationships with major donors and securing significant contributions.
• Manage public donations, lead fundraising initiatives, and ensure compliance with fundraising regulations.
• Produce compelling quarterly impact reports to communicate the charity’s outcomes to funders.

Person Specification:

• Demonstrated success in writing and securing competitive tenders, particularly within the criminal justice or related sectors.
• Proven ability to develop high-quality bids for statutory funding.
• Extensive experience in generating significant income from charitable trusts and foundations.
• Strong background in designing or contributing to effective income generation strategies.
• Experience in leveraging social value commitments—especially through government procurement and Section 106 obligations—is highly desirable.
• Skilled in building and maintaining relationships with high-net-worth individuals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, network, and engage diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system or related fields is a strong advantage.
• Awareness of the employment challenges faced by people with convictions is desirable.

Behaviours:

• Maintains a non-judgemental approach when working with individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
• Committed to inclusive, anti-discriminatory practices.
• Demonstrates alignment with and respect for the organisation’s Christian ethos and values.

Other Information: 

• This is a full-time role offered on a hybrid/remote working pattern
• Occasional visits to the Newcastle head office plus business travel around the UK 
• Nigel Wright Group is retained on this search and as such, any direct third party supplied or referred applicants/CVs will be forwarded to Nigel Wright for consideration as part of our process.

Consultancy work (Afghanistan Programme)

Terms of Reference for a Final Evaluation and Report

ToR

Consultancy work: Final Evaluation and Report

Commencement date

4 July 2025

Duration

c. 8 weeks (subject to change)

Accountable to

CAFOD Afghanistan team – Grace How and Kitty Chevallier

Overview: Conduct a Final Evaluation for a project entitled ‘Provision of humanitarian and livelihood support’, also known as ‘HELA’ (Humanitarian and Economic Livelihoods Assistance’). The 3-year project is funded by Misereor / Katholische Zentralstelle für Entwicklungshilfe (KZE), with co-funding provided by CAFOD. It is implemented by two local partners in Afghanistan, in three provinces, between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2025.

CAFOD has been supporting local organisations in Afghanistan, including the two implementing partners for this project, since the 1980s to help tackle issues of poverty and injustice and to respond to humanitarian emergencies.

Background and Context

Project Brief: This project is a result of partnership and joint work between CAFOD and the consortium members. The project builds on CAFOD’s existing programming in Afghanistan which strengthens the capacity of at-risk households by diversifying their livelihood options. The project focuses on meeting basic needs as well as promoting inclusive development, with the objective of strengthening resilience, particularly for the most vulnerable. As the project approaches the final few months of implementation, CAFOD is seeking to engage an external consultant to conduct a participatory final evaluation for this project. This will evaluate how effectively the project has been implemented, its major impacts and lessons learned, and recommendations for future similar programming. It is expected that the final evaluation will have a particular focus on the consortium partners’ ways of working: the strength of their collaboration, the efficacy and suitability of monitoring and evaluation approaches, and the benefit of learning events and strategies used through the project.

CAFOD and our partners are working with the same target group throughout the duration of the project, not only providing humanitarian and livelihood support, but also raising awareness amongst participants of families' rights from an Islamic perspective. Over the past two decades, much work has been undertaken to empower Afghan households and enable them to exercise their agency. Partners are taking a variety of approaches to further these aims in the project.

Ultimately, the project aims to support and ensure that the rights of poor and vulnerable people in Bamyan, Kabul, and Kunduz provinces are upheld and they have increased agency in their social and economic development.

Directly, the project has been planned to achieve programme outcomes:

1. The basic needs of targeted households are met.
2. Targeted participants have improved resilience through diversified livelihoods.
3. Targeted community leaders and members (male and female) are equipped and empowered with the knowledge and skills to promote and uphold their rights from an Islamic perspective.

Project Target Group and Location: The project will reach a total of 350 participants in three provinces of Afghanistan (Bamyan, Kunduz and Kabul) with a combination of humanitarian assistance, livelihoods training and other activities.

Project Duration: September 2022 – August 2025 (36 months)

Scope of the Final Evaluation:

The purpose of this final evaluation is to assess the overall performance and objectives of the completed project, in relation to the specified objectives, logical framework, and work plans. The evaluation will examine the extent to which project outcomes have been achieved, the quality and sustainability of results, and the relevance and appropriateness of strategies employed and ways of working. This participatory evaluation will analyse not only what has been achieved, but how it was achieved, how it was measured, and what could have been improved. This will include an examination of accountability measures, and how participants and other stakeholders were engaged throughout the implementation process, including how participants were given the opportunity and encouraged to share feedback and help shape the design of the project. The consultant will make and explain recommendations for consideration in implementing future projects of a similar nature.

The evaluation should include a review of the project’s monitoring data, secondary documents, a workshop with staff, and some direct data collection from key stakeholders including targeted participants taking part in the livelihoods training activities, as well as their relatives and community members. Findings of the evaluation will be used to guide and improve future project design and implementation. They should be written up into a final evaluation report (no more than 30 pages) which will be made available to CAFOD, Misereor and both partners.

As well as assessing progress towards logical framework indicators, the evaluation should focus on capturing, documenting and assessing lessons learned to inform future project design and implementation.

The assessment will be conducted in close coordination with CAFOD’s Afghanistan team, including the Country Programme Representative, Programme Officer, and Programme Support Officer.

Objectives of the Final Evaluation:

1. To assess the project and its effectiveness in meeting its three outcomes and supporting targeted Afghan households, through material assistance, livelihoods skill training and associated support, advocacy initiatives, and other activities.
2. To evaluate the strength and appropriateness of the projects MEAL systems:
   1. To what extent did project monitoring and evaluation help track project progress and achievements?
   2. How effectively was participation and accountability built into project design and implementation, and partners’ ways of working with stakeholders?
   3. How effectively were learning opportunities used throughout the project (including peer learning and exchange visits, learning workshops, regular progress workshops, etc.)?
3. To assess and review consortium functionality, partnership dynamics, and collaboration.
4. To capture and assess key lessons learned from the project from various stakeholders including project staff, participants, civil society groups involved in the project, community leaders and other community members.
5. To assess the sustainability and impact of project achievements, including:
   1. Changes in participants’ social and economic agency and participation
   2. Shifts in community attitudes and behaviours
   3. Capacity built among local partners and stakeholders.
6. To produce a high-quality report, no longer than 30 pages, which will be shared with CAFOD, Misereor and implementing partners.

Deliverables and proposed deadlines:

• Develop a short inception report with proposed methodology, plans and tools for collecting data from stakeholders, for the final evaluation (1st and 2nd week of contract), to be discussed and agreed with CAFOD and partners.
• Gather data from relevant stakeholders (3rd and 4th week of contract)
• Submission of draft report (6th week of contract)
• Review and revision of report based on feedback (6th and 7th week of contract)
• Submission of final report (8th week of contract)
• Presentation of report to CAFOD and partners– date to be confirmed.

Methodology:

• The evaluation should adopt a participatory mixed-methods approach, beginning with a desk review before integrating quantitative and qualitative methods to ensure that data collected is triangulated and can be communicated, explained and contextualised.
• It is expected that the consultant will combine surveys/questionnaires with structured interviews, FGDs and KIIs. Note that to enable the open and unrestricted sharing of opinions and information, the data can be anonymised where relevant and appropriate.
• Evaluation team members are encouraged to use innovative methods to collect and analyse data. The qualitative component will allow for more in-depth data gathering to gain more insightful findings from relevant target groups regarding their experience of the project and its impact.
• Data is expected to be gathered from key project stakeholders, including:
  • Targeted participants (in vocational training, first aid training, and Local Leaders Committees).
• The midterm evaluation will be supported by two workshops: an initial developmental workshop in which the data collection methods will be discussed with CAFOD staff and representatives from partners to obtain feedback and input; and a feedback and validation workshop after submission of the draft report, to obtain input on findings and recommendations.
• The consultant(s) are expected to propose the most suitable method of sampling/randomisation and the sample size will be determined in collaboration with CAFOD and partners. Information shall be collected from across specified beneficiaries, partners and stakeholders.
• All data collected during the baseline study will be disaggregated by age, gender, disability, and location.

Ethical Considerations

The below ethical considerations will be adhered to during the midterm evaluation:

• The evaluation will be conducted by an independent and impartial external consultant.
• Quantitative data will be obtained from a randomly selected representative sample. 
• Participation in the study will be voluntary, and individuals must be able to curtail their participation in the study at any time. 
• The safety of participants and implementing partner staff will be paramount.
• Anonymity, confidentiality and safeguarding of study data (both during data collection and for data storage) will be guaranteed. 
• There will be no risks and benefits for individual participants.
• The culture, norms and traditions of study populations will be respected and laws of the country upheld.
• Participation in the evaluation will involve no additional security or safety risks for participants, in light of the current context in Afghanistan.
• The content of the evaluation will be treated confidentially and only shared with CAFOD, partners and Misereor.

Required Competencies:

• A minimum master’s degree in social sciences or relevant field;
• Other training/certifications in thematic areas relevant to the project will be an asset (livelihoods, gender, behavioural change communication etc.);
• Other professional training on Research Methodology, Development Evaluation, and Impact Evaluation from recognised institutes/universities would be an asset;
• A proven track record of an ability to pragmatically apply in-depth knowledge and experiences of issues and practices in the fields of humanitarian, livelihoods and gender in Afghanistan;
• Strong computer and analytical skills with ability to write and review technical documents/ reports, conduct interviews as part of background research.

Demonstrable Skills and Experience:

• Record of publication of social research documents, evaluation reports, survey reports, study reports on livelihoods and rights issues is a strong asset;
• Experience of carrying out mixed-methods studies and evaluations and in producing high quality analytical reports (at least 2 recent reports should be submitted with the RFP);
• Strong background of statistical data analysis skills and strong proficiency with data analysis packages (in Stata or SPSS);
• Member of professional societies/forums (e.g. evaluation society) will be an asset;
• At least 6 years’ experience managing evaluations, baselines and/or assessments for community-based programmes, including since August 2021;
• Experience in delivering high quality assessments, research or evaluations for institutionally funded projects such as FCDO/DFID, EU or USAID;
• Experience working with and/or evaluating the work of national NGOs and CSOs in Afghanistan;
• A gender-balanced team (at all levels) is highly desired;
• Ability to adapt plans and approaches, sometimes at short notice;
• Fluency in English essential; ability to conduct interviews in Dari and Pashto essential.

CAFOD is committed to creating a safe environment for all project participants, especially children, young people and vulnerable adults, and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse. The consultant will be expected to follow these commitments and sign and adhere to all relevant policies and procedures.

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following by 29 June 2025. Please see CAFOD website to email the documents requested below

• Updated CVs (lead consultant and associates if any)
• Technical proposal with proposed methodology and detailed work plan
• 2 examples of similar assessments, evaluations, research, analytical report writing in English
• Financial proposal: Up to a maximum of USD 14,000. This fee should include all consultancy costs, including data collection costs (travel, accommodation, food etc.) as well as all applicable VAT and Tax.

Submissions will be reviewed and scored according to a) the criteria and considerations listed in this Terms of Reference, b) the suitability of the project plan/method statement and c) value for money.

Management and Reporting Arrangements:

The recruitment and initial briefing to the consultant will be managed by CAFOD, in consultation with the project partners.

Both in-country implementing partners will provide logistical and administrative support and guidance, including supply of relevant documentation, and help with the organisation of meetings and interviews (the financial costs of this will be covered by the consultant). Additionally required costs such as refreshments for FGDs will be paid for by partners. The consultant will be responsible for working with partner staff to arrange interviews and field visits ensuring all relevant stakeholders are available at the place and time agreed; the consultant(s) will provide facilitation of workshops, FGDs, meetings and field visits.

Deliverables will be reviewed, appraised and accepted by members of CAFOD’s Afghanistan staff, in consultation with the relevant partner staff members. 

Summary Timeline (subject to change):

19 – 29 June

Circulation of TORs and Invitation to Submit Quotations

29 June

Closing date for applications

2 July – 3 July

Interviews with short-listed consultants

4 July

Final consultant selection and contract signing

5 July – 4 August

Planning, document review and fieldwork

14 August

Submission of draft report to CAFOD

15 - 23 August

Review, feedback and revision of report

31 August

Presentation of report findings and recommendations to CAFOD, partners, and Misereor.

The selection consultant(s) will be expected to fully agree to comply with all relevant CAFOD policies during the contracted period including the Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct, and provide references.