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This is a unique opportunity to join Practical Action at an exciting and pivotal point in our journey. We are seeking an exceptional Executive Assistant to provide dedicated support to our Interim CEO during a period of transformation, growth and strategic development, while we recruit and appoint our permanent CEO.
Working at the heart of the organisation, you will play a key role in ensuring continuity, maintaining momentum and supporting the successful transition to new leadership. This highly visible position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the next chapter of Practical Action's impact and ambition.
We are looking for an experienced, highly organised and proactive Executive Assistant who can provide outstanding strategic and operational support to the CEO of a respected international development organisation. Acting as a trusted partner, you will enable the CEO to focus on organisational leadership, external engagement, fundraising and the delivery of strategic priorities.
The role encompasses complex diary and inbox management, preparation of high-quality briefings and correspondence, Board and governance support, and coordination with senior stakeholders across the organisation and internationally. You will work closely with colleagues, partners and supporters across multiple countries, cultures and time zones, ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the Executive Office.
This is a demanding and rewarding role that requires exceptional judgement, discretion and attention to detail. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a fast-paced, complex environment, able to manage competing priorities with confidence, and skilled at building effective relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, trustees, partners and external representatives.
If you thrive on enabling others to succeed, enjoy working at the centre of decision-making, and are motivated by the opportunity to support an organisation delivering meaningful global impact, we would love to hear from you.
Accountabilities:
Executive and CEO Office Support
• Proactively manage the CEO's diary, inbox and correspondence, exercising independent judgement in prioritising requests and protecting time for strategic priorities.
• Prepare and commission high-quality briefings, background notes, talking points and presentation materials to ensure the CEO is fully prepared for all meetings and engagements.
• Draft, review and quality-assure outgoing correspondence, reports and communications on behalf of the CEO.
• Coordinate and manage complex domestic and international travel arrangements, itineraries, visas and logistics for the CEO and COO, ensuring efficiency and value for money.
• Manage the CEO and COO’s expense reporting and the Executive Office budget, maintaining accurate records and flagging issues proactively.
• Serve as the first point of contact for the CEO's office, managing enquiries from staff, partners, donors and stakeholders with professionalism and discretion.
• Work closely with the Internal Communications and Social Media team lead to ensure CEO internal and external communications are delivered well.
Board and Governance Administration
• Lead the end-to-end administration of Board of Trustee meetings and sub-committees, including scheduling, preparation of Board papers, agenda coordination and minute-taking, utilising AI. The majority are virtual due to the international nature of the board. In-person meetings take place approx. every 18 months.
• Maintain the governance calendar and ensure all regulatory and statutory reporting deadlines are met in coordination with the Company Secretary, CEO and COO.
• Support the onboarding of new Trustees and maintain up-to-date records of Board membership, terms of office and declarations of interest.
• Build strong working relationships with Trustees, acting as a responsive and reliable point of contact between Board meetings.
• Assist with the organisation of the Annual General Meeting and other governance events.
Leadership Team Coordination
• Coordinate the Global Leadership Team (GLT) meeting cycle, including agenda-setting, papers, actions and follow-up, working closely with the CEO and members of GLT.
• Support the CEO in tracking GLT action items, strategic priorities and key commitments, flagging issues and ensuring accountability.
• Co-ordinate with Regional and Country Directors on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meetings, including agenda-setting, papers, actions and follow-up,
• Assist with the preparation of materials for all-staff communications, leadership away-days and organisational events.
• Build effective working relationships across Practical Action's global offices, navigating time-zone differences and cultural contexts with sensitivity.
Stakeholder and Partnership Support
• Support the CEO's engagement with major institutional donors, trusts and foundations, bilateral agencies and high-value partners, including managing contact records and briefing materials, liaising closely with the business development and philanthropy teams.
• Coordinate logistics for high-level external visits, delegations, conferences and events involving the CEO.
• Assist with donor stewardship activities and the preparation of materials for fundraising and partnership development.
• Represent the CEO's office professionally in interactions with government officials, international organisations and peer NGOs.
Project and Research Support
• Take on research and project management tasks as directed by the CEO
• Continue to test and utilise AI tools to increase efficiency and effectiveness and share learnings with other members of Practical Action
• Support the delivery of special initiatives and cross-organisational projects led from the Executive Office.
• Maintain confidential files and records management systems for the CEO's office, ensuring compliance with GDPR and information governance policies.
To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:
Essential
• Significant experience (typically five or more years) as an Executive Assistant or Personal Assistant supporting a Chief Executive or equivalent senior leaders in a complex and or charitable organisation.
• Demonstrable experience of Board and governance administration, including minuting meetings and managing trustee or director-level relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft high-quality correspondence, briefing papers and presentations to Board or senior stakeholder standard.
• Outstanding organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain quality under pressure.
• High degree of discretion, confidentiality and professional judgement in handling sensitive information about people, partners and organisational matters.
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trust and credibility with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of coordinating complex international travel and managing logistics across multiple time zones.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), AI tools and the ability to learn new digital tools quickly.
Desirable
• Experience working in an international NGO, development organisation or comparable mission-driven environment.
• Familiarity with funder relationships
• Experience supporting or working in an organisation with offices or programmes in the Global South.
• Knowledge of charity law and UK charity governance, including Charity Commission requirements.
• A second language relevant to Practical Action's programme geographies (e.g. French, Spanish, Arabic).
• Experience with CRM or stakeholder management systems.
Skills, Abilities and Competencies
· Problem-Solving
· Strong Communication & Diplomacy
· Adaptability
· Proactive organisation skills
To apply please submit a copy of your CV (no more than 3 pages) and a supporting statement/letter that includes the answers to the following questions:
Closing date for applications: 17th June 2026. Should we recruit a suitable candidate before the closing date, we will close applications earlier than the specified date.
Interviews: It is anticipated that interviews will take place W/C 22nd June 2026
If you do not hear from us within five weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful
Our vision is for a world that works better for everyone. We believe where there’s action, there’s hope.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Would you like to be the right-hand person to our passionate, award-winning Chief Executive, who was recognised with an MBE in 2025 “for services to charity and disadvantaged people”? Do you have the skills, experience, confidentiality and flair to be a step ahead to enable her to deliver her role effectively? Are you a keen multi-tasker, able to juggle that role with office and HR duties, meticulous stewardship of our individual donors and community fundraisers, and event management? This is a key position with Create, as the charity delivers on its ambitious plans to double its reach and impact by its 25th anniversary in 2028. The successful candidate will have extensive EA experience at a senior level, a passion and flair for managing multiple tasks seamlessly, outstanding people skills and an unstoppable drive to make a difference.
Create believes in the power of the creative arts to promote inclusion, empower lives and increase acceptance.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
ABOUT THE PASSAGE
Our vision is of a society where homelessness no longer exists, and everyone has a place to call home.
The Passage is based in the heart of Westminster, providing practical support and a wide range of services to help transform the lives of people who are, or are at risk of, street homelessness.
We are guided by our Vincentian values and offer our clients resources and solutions to prevent or end their homelessness for good, including routes to employment, benefits, and stable accommodation.
Our current 3-year strategy ‘The Art of The Possible’, outlines the innovative approach we will be taking over the next 3 years building on a foundation of collaboration and focusing on three goals: preventing, convening and sustaining.The Passage is in a secure and financially stable position and is viewed by central, regional and local government as a key strategic partner.
JOB PURPOSE
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and reporting directly to the CEO, this role is of critical importance in supporting The Passage to achieve its vision and mission.
The Executive Assistant provides dedicated support to the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, with key tasks including action tracking, minute taking, developing resources and materials for events, diary management and regularly being the first point of contact for individuals and organisations seeking to liaise with the CEO/Senior Leadership Team. We expect the post holder will have excellent relationship management skills, sound experience of using Office 365 products, strong organisational skills and the ability to support the smooth running of the Executive Team and governance functions.
The post holder will facilitate effective governance support systems, including organising meetings and supporting Trustees and Committee members to fulfil their roles where needed. They will also have excellent professional standards of confidentiality and discretion in all areas of work, including assisting and supporting high profile events at The Passage.
MAIN DUTIES
Support the effective governance systems of The Passage Group (P2000, Passage Housing Services and Passage Trading Services) by ensuring effective Trustee and Committee member recruitment, induction and continued professional development.
Support each Chair of Board with the implementation and ongoing review of a skills matrix system.
Act as the first point of contact for external bodies and individuals who wish to communicate with the Chief Executive, ensuring that the organisation is professionally represented and seen as accessible and responsive.
Liaise with Board members, teams and external organisations as necessary to facilitate the work of the Senior Leadership Team.
Assist the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team to project manage specific pieces of work and assist with the relationship management of key stakeholders.
Maintain professional standards of confidentiality and discretion in all areas of work.
Develop and manage systems that provide effective support for the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, including diary management, scheduling and servicing meetings, project planning and monitoring communications.
Assist in producing resources and other materials for the Senior Leadership Team as required.
Assist and support the CEO and Senior Leadership Team with the management and running of high-profile events as required.
Provide administrative support to Senior Leadership Team, Board and all Governance Committees including the production of annual governance meeting schedules, correspondence and minutes, and compiling and circulating papers.
Maintain an up to date and accessible filing system for the Chief Executive and ensure that all information is stored in an accessible manner on SharePoint, adhering to data protection requirements.
Arrange meetings for the Chief Executive providing links with those involved and preparing hospitality, papers, and all practical arrangements.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
In conjunction with your Line Manager, continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of The Passage.
Participate in internal/external meetings as required, and attend training events, conferences and other functions as necessary.
Participate in regular supervision, annual appraisal and identifying individual professional and personal development and training needs.
Ensure that all The Passage policies and procedures are being adhered to, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, Code of Practice and Confidentiality.
Contribute to the effective implementation of The Passage’s Diversity and Equality Policy as it affects both The Passage and its work with vulnerable adults.
Undertake your role in a professional manner at all times to maintain a high-quality standard of work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of The Passage.
Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role.
Note: The details contained in this Job Description summarise the main expectations of the role at the date it was prepared. It should be understood that the nature of individual roles will evolve and change as service, service users and commissioner needs change. Consequently The Passage will review and revise this Job Description as required in consultation with post holders.
Person Specification: Executive Assistant
The person speification sets out the essential abilities and qualities that will be used in the selection criteria for this post.When completing your application form, please address criteria E1 to E6 and K1 to K4 demonstrating your experience and knowledge, giving evidence of your experience and abilities.
EXPERIENCE
E1 Experience of working as an Executive Assistant or equivalent senior support in a similar context.
E2 Experience of devising and maintaining governance support systems (recruitment, induction, training and development and skills audit support).
E3 Experience of administering effective governance cycles; including minutes, action tracking and preparation of papers.
E4 Experience of diary management, inbox management and stakeholder coordination.
E5 Experience supporting strategic projects, programmes, or organisational planning.
E6 Excellent communication skills, with ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a range of diverse stakeholders, both internal and external.
KNOWLEDGE
K1 Knowledge of Office 365 products and project tracking tools.
K2Enhanced knowledge of governance and committee structures within a charitable organisation.
K3Knowledge of GDPR and Charity Commission guidelines for good governance.
K4Knowledge and experience of working as part of a senior leadership team or similar.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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.
You’ll carry out key administrative tasks, growing the support and development function of the Charity. This is an exciting opportunity to help Cambridge City Foodbank realise its vision of ending the need for foodbanks, through an ambitious strategy operating through networks of affordable food clubs, foodbank welcome centres, holistic support projects, and campaigning to change current systems which contribute to food insecurity.
Your tasks will include stewardship communications with individual donors and creating assets for community supporters to generate food and financial resources. You will assist the securing of income from grant giving trusts and foundations, and will undertake key executive assistant duties on behalf of the Development Director and CEO.
Main Duties:
● Develop strong individual donor relations through regular stewardship communications and powerful fundraising appeals, alongside establishing the associated data and systems;
● Create community development assets, which enables community groups to engage with and provide resources for the Charity, such as for charitable fundraising / food donation events.
● Together with the Development Director and CEO, secure income from, and maintain relations with grant giving trusts and foundations.
● Together with the Development Director and CEO, develop a team of volunteers who can support the work of the Charity’s development function.
● Support the Development Director and CEO, in their communication with supporters and corporate partners, to build good relations, gain and maintain corporate partner support.
● Liaise with colleagues across the Trussell Trust network; sharing best practice and participating in learning opportunities, to further the work of Cambridge City Foodbank.
● Other administrative activities may be requested from time to time by the CEO and Development Director, consistent with the needs of the Charity and role of Executive Assistant.
Personal Specification:
Technical skills and minimum knowledge:
● Strong administrative experience, highly organised, and able to effectively juggle multiple administrative tasks at the same time!
● Competent in the use of Zoom/Teams and MS Office software. Training will be provided to upskill in the use of Canva, Mailchimp, donor databases and social media (such as LinkedIn and Instagram).
● Excellent written and verbal communication and relationship management skills, you will inspire and motivate existing and prospective supporters, providing excellent stewardship and crafting compelling donor updates, applications and appeals.
NB. Experience of charitable fundraising is not essential when demonstrating the strong transferable skills above. Training will be provided.
Behaviours and competencies:
● Friendly, trustworthy and able to maintain confidentiality.
● Able to demonstrate empathy for people from disadvantaged, marginalised or socially-excluded backgrounds.
● Be committed to the vision, respect the ethos and uphold the values of Cambridge City Foodbank and Trussell Trust.
Our Vision, Ethos & Values:
Our Vision is to end the need for UK food banks. Each day we meet the need for emergency and affordable food, and tackle the causes of poverty, by harnessing the power of the community. We are an independent local charity and member of the Trussell Trust network.
We value dignity, justice, compassion, community and impact, in all that we do. We serve local people regardless of background, inspired by our Christian ethos and values.
As part of our commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity actively encourage applications from under-represented groups such as returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people who are LGBT+, from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, with a disability, impairment, learning difference or long-term condition, with caring responsibilities, from different nations and regions and those with a lived experience of poverty as well as any other under-represented group in our workforce. We are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of our employees from all forms of harm.
In 2026: our team of over 200 volunteers, will provide 250,000 meals to people across Cambridge through our network of Foodbank Welcome Centres and Fairbite Food Clubs.
We meet the need for emergency and affordable food, and tackle the causes of poverty, by harnessing the power of the community.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.