Finance and support services manager jobs in waltham abbey, essex

Citizens UK 

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

Our Sponsor Refugees team fits within our ‘Migrants and Refugees’ theme of work, which combines place-based and multi-issue organising through our Migrants and Refugees Organising (MARO) team, and effective national campaigns, alongside the pioneering community sponsorship of refugees. Staff joining Sponsor Refugees are joining a thriving team that works collaboratively with the wider Migrants and Refugees theme and with a range of other Citizens UK teams.    

Our MARO team fits within our ‘Migrants and Refugees’ theme of work, which combines place-based and multi-issue organising, with effective national campaigns, and the pioneering community sponsorship of refugees through our Sponsor Refugees team. Staff joining MARO are joining a thriving team that works collaboratively with the wider Migrants and Refugees theme and with a range of other Citizens UK teams.  

Living Wage Foundation 

The Living Wage is an independent movement of businesses, organisations and people who believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. The Living Wage campaign was launched by London Citizens in 2001 and aims to ensure low paid workers have enough money to get by and enough time for community and family life. 

The Living Wage is an hourly rate calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK that employers choose to pay on a voluntary basis. The Living Wage Foundation recognises and celebrates employers that pay the real Living Wage through an accreditation programme which awards the Living Wage Employer Mark. 

The independently-calculated rates are announced during Living Wage Week each November when we celebrate our growing network of Living Wage employers. There are now more than 15,000 accredited Living Wage employers across the UK which has secured pay rises for over 475,000 employees. 

The Living Wage Foundation is part of Citizens UK – a community organising charity which works with a broad base of institutions across the political spectrum. At the Living Wage Foundation, we take a deliberately broad-based approach and accredit all organisations who pay the real Living Wage to their directly and indirectly employed staff and are committed to tackling in work poverty. As a team we work across a range of industries and sectors to achieve this mission. We seek pragmatic coalitions in order to progress specific campaigns, and partnership around a particular issue such as Living Wage, does not imply an endorsement of broader purpose and policies. 

Purpose 

At Citizens UK, our organisers and project staff work within communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. There are various project roles and operational, communication, finance and HR roles that support the organisation and project staff and organisers to deliver on this mission and work. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training. 

The Living Wage Foundation has an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic team as an Operations and Data Officer. We are looking for a highly motivated and organised individual to help maintain, develop and continuously improve our data and systems. The role will be an integral part of the Living Wage Operations and Insight Team, providing technical support to ensure the integrity of our systems, and supporting with development projects. 

The Operations and Data Officer will need to be highly numerate and have great analytical skills to support our monitoring and evaluation functions, working with the Head of Operations and Insight on financial and budgeting management, reconciliation and forecasting for the Living Wage Foundation. The suitable candidate will be detail-oriented, be able to demonstrate their ability to seek out improvements and problem solve creatively and have experience working with Salesforce or equivalent CRM systems. 

Main Responsibilities 

Working as the Operations and Data Officer– LWF for Citizens UK, reporting to Senior Data & Operations Manager, LWF, your main responsibilities will include: 

Project Management 

Deliver work targets on time and to standard to support the Foundation’s data and systems: : 

•  Support the day-to-day operations and management of all systems within the Living Wage Foundation designed to enable the functioning of Living Wage accreditation schemes. 

•  Proactively seek out systems improvements to make our processes more efficient so the Living Wage Foundation continues to provide an excellent service to the Living Wage network. 

•  Provide operational support for all aspects of the accreditation and recognition systems, including identifying and fixing errors. 

• Maintain integrity of Salesforce database; identify and source incomplete information within the database; take responsibility for tidying, cleansing and backing up existing data. 

• Support maintenance of integrated systems, including syncing data to Act-On and the website. 

• Work with Operations and Data Manager to keep templates, forms and related communications materials up to date 

• Manage merchandise administration including email inbox, day to day queries, and Shopify administration. 

• Support Operations and Data Manager to manage budgets for external contracts (e.g. with developers and suppliers). 

  Learning and expertise 

• Keep up-to-date with functional good practice and technical updates to all our systems, including within the third sector. 

• Support with network data enquiries, including analysing data, creating Salesforce reports and dashboards for colleagues. 

• Work with colleagues to identify learning & development needs and support Operations and Data Manager to develop and deliver inductions, training and guidance to meet requirements. 

• Keep internal training manuals up to date to ensure the Foundation’s team can access clear and consistent information about our systems and processes. 

•  Support Operations and Data Manager to monitor the impact of internal trainings, support, resources and guidance – update and improve internal support offer as required. 

Communications 

• Create and write dashboards and reports to support the analysis of our performance. 

• Champion systems throughout the organisation and advocate for systems-based solutions. Offer ad hoc guidance to the team and help communicate any changes to systems. 

• Run systems surgeries for colleagues to answer ad hoc enquiries and support learning. 

Develop and manage external relationships 

• Communicate effectively with our external contractors (e.g. merchandise suppliers) to ensure contracts are fulfilled in a timely manner. 

• Help identify suitable new suppliers to meet organisational need. 

Develop and manage internal relationships 

• Support Operations and Data Manager to identify technical solutions to meet organisational requirements. 

• Monitor and respond to operations and data enquiries from colleagues. Work effectively with colleagues across Citizens UK, actively participate in the team and organisational wide events. 

Income and resources 

• Maintain Salesforce data integrity to support accurate and timely invoicing. Help ensure the integrity and safety of our data advising wider organisation on best practice where appropriate. 

• Support Operations and Data Manager to track expenditure for Shopify and merchandise suppliers. 

• Contribute to plans and proposals to grow sources of income or resources. 

Contribute towards Citizens UK’s strategic objectives 

• Responsibility for delivering agreed areas of the Foundation’s work plan. 

• To work collaboratively with the LWF team and across Citizens UK to ensure that we are meeting the expectations of our network and stakeholders. 

• Display self-awareness of DEI issues and good practice, considering impact on direct reports and stakeholders. 

• Understand how your role contributes to the purpose of the Foundation and the core mission of Citizens UK. 

• Implement Citizens UK’s and the Foundation policies, procedures, and values in own work and that of the team. 

Personal Specification 

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential 

Qualifications 

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification or experience (D) 

Experience 

• A minimum of 2 years proven, comprehensive experience in an operations role (E) 

• Experience of analysing business requirements and turning them into technical solutions (E) 

• Experience of providing technical support to a team (E) 

• Experience of administrating and updating Salesforce or similar databases, and using database integrations such as Zapier, QuickBooks, Form Assembly and email marketing platforms (D) 

Key skills and knowledge 

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret large quantities of data to evaluate and improve performance (E) 

• Interest in and good understanding of database and systems management and integration (E) 

• Ability to take in and interpret information and communicate in a succinct manner (E) 

• Demonstrable ability to find creative solutions to complex problems and implement new systems (E) 

• High levels of numeracy with strong attention to detail (E) 

• Excellent time management skills with the ability to juggle a wide range of competing demands (E) 

• Strong IT skills to include MS Office and database software (E) 

• Sound knowledge of data protection regulations and GDPR (E) 

• Understanding of the policy and campaign landscape in the UK (D)

Personal qualities & values 

• A proactive approach to all areas of work with a ‘can do’ attitude and a flexible approach to work demands (E) 

• A strong commitment to the Living Wage campaign and the principles of Citizens UK (E) 

About the application process 

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role.

Interview date: W/C 4th August

Want to find out more about us and the role?

If you would like further information on the role, the organisation, or our commitment to addressing under-representation and the development and progression of all colleagues, we would be happy to answer any questions.

Join us for a 45-minute lunchtime webinar to learn more about working at the Living Wage Foundation/Citizens UK. Anyone can attend to find out more about the role, all enquiries welcome. In the past, candidates have found this a helpful space for understanding whether the role is right for them.

The webinar will take place on Monday 7 July from 13:00-13:45 on Zoom. Sign up here.

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of students and equip them to put their faith into action?

SCM is looking for a recent graduate to spend a year working with us to help us to continue to build on the work of our successful Faith in Action project. 

Run in partnership with Project Bonhoeffer, a small charitable trust, the project began in 2012 with a vision that Christian students in Britain would have a greater awareness and understanding of Bonhoeffer’s radical approach to faith and discipleship, and its implications for Christian living in the modern world. 

The project has helped to run over a dozen campaigns from Food Poverty to Peace, and had an immeasurable impact on thousands of students through blogs, resources, and relationships. All of this is bringing to light many ‘Bonhoeffers’ of today negotiating the implications on Christian living in the world.

In 2021 we developed the Faith in Action project as a graduate scheme by employing two graduates to work on the project; one to lead on theology bringing a depth of learning and theological refection, and the other to be a campaigns lead, taking us always back out into the world to make a difference.

The project has been very successful, and now we are looking to grow it for further. We are looking for a passionate graduate to join the project for the 2025-26 academic year.

In this role, you will be a theologian to make other theologians, and will provide the framework for students to be able to reflect theologically on their life and modern Christian Living. You will be responsible for growing the breadth of SCM’s Faith in Action resources, and discovering new ways of connecting with the current membership via the trends of social media or engaging in face-to-face reflections. An activist to make other activists, you will coordinate social action for SCM, engaging the membership in social justice projects that maximise our impact in society and the world.

You will work to build relationships between SCM communities and members to equip students with the skills they need to become faith-filled agents of social and political change and lead them in theological reflection to discern their involvement in local and national campaigns. You will also work to develop relationships with other Christian social justice and campaigning organisations to create opportunities for students to put their faith into action. In all of this, you will be supported by our small but perfectly-formed team, who will share your values and fully understand your aims in this project.

The role will require some travel within Britain, as well as semi-regular visits to the office in Birmingham, which may also include an overnight stay. All reasonable expenses for travel and accommodation will be reimbursed. Some evening and weekend work may be required for which time off in lieu will be given.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and LGBTQ+ individuals who are currently underrepresented in the organisation. Due to the nature of this role and the responsibilities of the successful post-holder, a genuine occupational requirement to be a committed Christian is in place for this role in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010.

Please use the forms provided; CVs will not be accepted. Applications should be submitted electronically in Word format by email to the address provided in the application pack.

Student Christian Movement is a registered charity in England and Wales, number 1125640, and in Scotland number SC048506

Sense has a fantastic opportunity for someone to join our Philanthropy and Partnerships  team as our Trusts Officer. This is a 12 month fixed term contract, based between home and our offices in Kings Cross, London.

Sense has a strong track record in Trusts fundraising over many decades, with a talented, supportive fundraising team in place. We have six- figure and multi-year partnerships with leading UK grantmakers, and a portfolio of dedicated Trust supporters, but there is room to grow, and space to make your mark. 

The successful candidate will play an important part in delivering Sense’s strategy to reach 50,000 people with complex disabilities by 2026. Central to this strategy is securing the income needed to deliver and grow charitable services, covering children’s, arts, sports and capital projects, helping to bring forward the day when no-one is left of life.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and identify potential Trust and Foundation funders for priority projects
• Write funding applications, coordinating inputs and creating budgets as needed
• Work closely with operational and finance colleagues to maximise success
• Maintain accurate database records and monitor personal performance
• Secure income from a range of Trusts and Foundations to meet agreed income targets
• Steward a portfolio of funders to strengthen relationships, including thanking, reporting and organising visits
• Contribute to wider team and organisational goals by working with other members of the wider Philanthropy and Partnerships Team (which includes Philanthropy, Special Events, and Corporate) 

Key skills and experience

• Researching, approaching and establishing relationships with Trusts and Foundations
• Managing a pipeline, making sure opportunities are identified, and taken forward
• Creating compelling communications to engage prospects and supporters
• Working closely with operational colleagues to identify funding opportunities, develop propositions and report on funding
• Able to use Microsoft Word and Excel effectively
• Comfortable doing research to develop new leads and relationships
• Able to write clear, persuasive narrative for proposals and reports
• Numerical skills, including budgeting skills
• Able to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders to achieve shared goals

For a full job description and person specification, please see the link below.

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Sense are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer.

Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.

To apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly.  We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying.

Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential.

Join Us as Our Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Salary: £50,000 – £60,500 (depending on experience) 
Location: Fulham, London SW6 (1 day a week remote optional) 
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week (Mon–Sat, mostly 9am–5pm)

The Organisation

Action on Disability (AoD), one of London’s leading Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations, is seeking an experienced, values-driven Chief Operating Officer to join our leadership team.

The Post

You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our ambitious 5-year plan, supporting and deputising for the CEO, managing service leads, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations across our Youth, Employment, and Independent Living services.

We’re looking for someone with a strong track record in senior management, financial planning, people leadership, and securing funding. You’ll need to be highly organised, strategic, and committed to disability rights and the Social Model of Disability.

This is a hands-on, in-person role at our accessible Centre for Independent Living in Fulham, with occasional Saturday work and flexibility to work remotely one day a week.

We actively encourage applications from Disabled people and people with lived experience.

Any prospective candidates who would like an informal chat with CEO David Buxton about the job, can drop him an email - details available at the next stage on our website.

Closing Date: Friday 18 July 2025, 12 noon
Interviews: 23 and 24 July 2025

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website where you can complete your application for this position.

Action on Disability prides itself on being an accessible and equal opportunity employer.

No agencies please.

St Mary's Church is a vibrant, charismatic and inclusive church located in Marylebone, W1. As a Co-ordinator, you will play an important role in the life of the church.

In this position, you will be responsible for providing administrative support and practical assistance to our team, as well as taking an organisational lead on some of our courses and events. This is a role that offers a mix of behind-the-scenes organisation and front-end operations, making it an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced and varied environment. As a team player who can also work effectively on your own, you will help ensure the smooth running of our church activities and events, and contribute to our goal of building a welcoming and supportive community that aims to follow where God may be calling us in all that we do. 

 Job Title: Strategic Funding Project Officer

 Salary:£31,716.00 per annum plus £1760.00 Outer london Weighting, Band E level 3

 Location:   Gilwell Park (Hybrid), Chingford, London. 

 Contract Type: Fixed term unitl  10th April 2026

 Working Hours: 35 hours per week

Join Us as a Strategic Funding Project Officer

Are you ready to take on a varied and rewarding role that gives you real insight into how Scouting is delivered across the UK? We’re looking for a Strategic Funding Project Officer to join our team—someone who’s eager to make a meaningful impact.

In this role, you’ll work closely with the Strategic Funding Team and colleagues across the organisation to build a deep understanding of Scouting—how it works, the challenges it faces, and the innovative ways we overcome them. You’ll also play a key role in delivering our small trusts mailing programme, helping to generate vital income from smaller trusts and foundations.

No two days will be the same—and you’ll be part of a team that’s passionate about enabling more young people to gain skills for life.

As the Strategic Funding Project Officer, your Key Responsibilities will include:

Process management and enquiries; this will include managing grant and corporate donations across the different areas working with legal and finance to manage legal grant agreements, contracting, preparing invoicing and funder queries. You will be the first point of contact for enquiries from Local Scouting,  Funded Project Managers, Trusts, Foundations and Corporate partners.

Database Management: This includes managing the pipeline, updating records, creating a variety of monthly internal reports, monitoring timelines and investigating any communication queries from funders. You will ensure all due diligence processes are recorded and segment data to maximise Trust, Foundation and Corporate income.

Skills & Abilities

• Works effectively with those within the team, the wider organisation and external stakeholders
• Recognises the benefits of empowering and collaborating with volunteers and young people, and can demonstrate the empathy, ability to give and receive constructive criticism and political acumen to do this well.

Knowledge & Experience

• Able to effectively communicate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Understanding of managing grants and contracts

• Comfortable with quickly understanding and navigating internal governance and sign-off processes, and seeking efficiencies where possible.

??Benefits:

• We are an award-winning Charity of the Year (Charity Times Awards 2022) with over 400 employees across multiple locations across the country.
• 28 days holiday and going up to 32 days after 2 years’ service plus additional days at Christmas
• Flexible working hours

For a full list of our benefits, click .

Closing date for applications: 11:59 pm Tuesday 15th July 2025

Interviews will be in person on Wednesday 23rd July 2025

Strictly no agencies!

The Scouts is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. We offer flexible working arrangements to support diverse needs and lifestyles, ensuring that our teams can thrive both professionally and personally. We welcome and encourage applicants from all walks of life, believing that varied perspectives strengthen our innovation and community. Your unique experiences and ideas are essential to our success, and we look forward to hearing from all voices.

Executive Assistant

Location: Remote (UK), with approximately monthly travel to Stroud

Contract type: 12 months, with aim to make permanent

Salary: £31,000- £35,000 pro rata, depending on experience (plus benefits)

Working pattern: Full time or part time (minimum 4 days/week (0.8 FTE)

Closing date: 6 July 2025

Commencement date: Negotiable, preferably week commencing 18 August 2025

How to apply: Submit your CV and a short covering letter via CharityJob 

Introduction

Iswe is a social impact foundation dedicated to finding ways to put people at the heart of social and political decision-making to solve some of society’s greatest challenges. We are looking for a dedicated and experienced Executive Assistant to play a pivotal role supporting our CEO and leadership team. 

We know that building a team representative of wider society fosters creativity and innovation. We welcome people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences and are committed to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly welcome applications from candidates who are disabled, Black, Asian or from other minority ethnic backgrounds, who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community, or identify as from a lower or disadvantaged socioeconomic background as these groups are currently under-represented on our staff team.

Role Purpose

The Executive Assistant is an important role within our organisation, working closely with the CEO and leadership team. This is a dynamic, fast-paced position at the heart of a globally significant initiative. The successful candidate will be a key partner to the CEO, helping translate vision into action and ensuring high-level stakeholders receive timely, professional and thoughtful communication. 

We’re seeking an experienced Executive Assistant who is flexible in approach, adaptable to changing priorities, and shares a belief in our vision.

If you believe in the wisdom of everyday people, are values-driven, self-reflective, creative, curious, agile, flexible and enthusiastic, if you want to do work that learns and grows from all the richness each of us brings – where we welcome learning from a diverse array of life experiences, cultures, and backgrounds, if you can bring positivity and accountability to your work, if you strive for brilliance, challenges excite you and if you would speak with authenticity and dedication about our work, we want to hear from you!

Main duties

• Proactively manage the CEO’s diary, inbox and meeting schedule to ensure strategic alignment and use of time

• Draft, edit and manage correspondence, briefing notes, and presentations on behalf of the CEO and leadership team

• Coordinate and support internal and external meetings, including logistics, agenda preparation, taking accurate minutes and tracking decisions and actions that arise

• Support the CEO to track progress on key priorities, ensuring deadlines are met and decisions are followed up

• Provide administrative and organisational support for events, travel and itineraries (UK and international) and other logistics

• Manage the CEO’s social media accounts as directed, posting content and responding to key contacts

• Financial Administration - gather and provide financial information to Finance co-ordinator, gather and co-ordinate receipts etc

• Maintain relationships with senior stakeholders, partners and board members with professionalism and tact

• Assist the CEO and leadership team with additional administration/ organisational tasks at their discretion 

• Assisting with research of projects, e.g. potential partner research 

Essential skills and experience

• A minimum of five years of experience providing high-level administrative support in a busy organisation

• Proficient in workplace software including Google Workspace, Zoom, Slack, Trello and able to learn to navigate new systems quickly 

• Experience of upwardly managing senior leaders with limited time and high responsibility 

• Experience managing external communications with senior stakeholders 

• Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records and produce coherent reports and minutes 

• A proactive, self-starting attitude with the ability to anticipate needs and adapt to changing priorities 

• Excellent time management skills: the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines is key

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence

• Confidence to constructively challenge when necessary, including speaking openly about conflicting viewpoints or workload balance

• Discretion in handling confidential or sensitive information

• Self-reflective, open to feedback and committed to personal growth

• Enthusiasm for Iswe’s mission and dedication to its continued success

Desirable skills and experience

• A relevant tertiary qualification is advantageous but not essential for example Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), Exec PA Diploma, Certified Executive Assistant Professional (CEAP) etc 

• Experience of working within the charity or non-profit sector

• Experience of working in a startup environment

Salary, Benefits and Conditions

We are a supportive and purpose-driven team. We offer:

• Flexible working arrangements 

• Generous holiday allowance (35 days plus bank holidays, pro rata)

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

• A supportive, inclusive working culture built on trust and mutual respect

• Opportunities to contribute to globally significant work
   

About Iswe

We believe that many of the crises we face today - health, climate, the cost of living etc - are symptoms of failing governance structures, and that putting people in the driving seat of decision-making will transform our futures for the better. Our current strategy focuses on innovations around citizens’ assemblies (and similar deliberative processes), public services and the relationship between politicians and the communities they serve.

Our team has decades of experience in democratic innovation. Projects include Global Assembly for COP26, Good Help and The Future Armenian. Iswe is a fast-growing foundation, dedicated to empowering citizens to play a leading role in the decision-making that affects their lives. 

Our work is founded on strong values, including openness, transparency and humility. We believe that when ‘I’ (an individual) becomes ‘we’ (part of the collective), the results are transformational. We are actively working to build a healthy culture, rooted in care and characterised by being self-organising and self-reflective. We are committed to addressing the dynamics of oppression in ourselves and our work.

Citizens UK 

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

South London Citizens 

South London Citizens (SLC) is Citizen’s UK second oldest chapter, established in 2004. SLC has over 100 member institutions spread across seven south London boroughs, working together for the common good.

South London Citizens has developed 1000s of local leaders through training and action teams and won big national campaigns, for example delivering free school meals for children whose parents have no recourse to public funds.

The Living Wage campaign is part of SLC’s DNA and in the last 12 months a campaign to bring the Living Wage Campaign to the Southbank has delivered well over 1000 pay rises to south London workers. The Real Living Wage is currently £13.85 in London, compared with the National Minium Wage of £12.21 (for workers aged over 21).

Community Organising

Through our theory of social change, called community organising, we train thousands of everyday people to lead change in their communities, equipping them with the skills to hold politicians and other powerholders to account. We are made up of 500+ member organisations in powerful alliances throughout the UK. Our members include schools, universities, faith groups, parents’ groups, health practices, charities, trade unions and other civil society organisations. 

Purpose 

The principal responsibility of an Associate Organiser is their own development: learning the craft of Community Organising under the guidance of an experienced Community Organiser. They work intensively with a small number of member organisations under close supervision, growing their experience, skill and responsibility incrementally. An Associate Organiser is working towards becoming a competent practitioner of the craft of broad-based community organising methodology, and focuses on the building of relational power, the recruitment and retention of dues-paying institutions, the development of leaders, the strengthening of member institutions, leader-led public actions, and the winning of systemic change. 

This role is particularly to organise around the issue of low pay and precarious work and participate in Citizens UK’s flagship campaign, the Living Wage Campaign. We need someone who can speak Spanish as well as English, as south London’s Latin American communities are leading the work in South London. There is scope to involve leaders in campaigns around housing, health and migrants' rights, as we recognise that people affected by low pay are very often determined to take action on wider issues beyond work.     The purpose of the role is to develop leadership, especially grassroots leadership, workers from London’s lowest paid sectors, that can power the campaign. Crucially the Associate Organiser will work with colleagues in South London Citizens to build and execute a strategy that develops powerful leaders for South London Citizens and wins the Living Wage, Living Hours and other material gains for thousands of workers across the capital.

Main Responsibilities 

Working as an Associate Organiser in South London for Citizens UK, reporting to the Lead Organiser, South West, SLC, your main responsibilities will include: 

Build relational power to further the goals of CUK 

• Actively participate in the development of a comprehensive power analysis appropriate to the desired sphere of influence for each project/assignment 

• Establish working relationships with identified leaders and demonstrate ability to move them into action, including as part of the wider alliance; taking the initiative to establish new relationships as required 

• Conduct one-to-ones to develop relationships with leaders and understand their concerns. 

• Tell a wide range of Community Organising stories effectively to influence others and achieve CUK’s goals 

Identify and develop relational leaders prepared to act with others for the common good 

• Identify and discern actual and potential leaders with the passion and ability to drive change

• Proactively create opportunities for leaders to develop, in particular tertiary or new leaders; nominate for training on the core taster curriculum 

• Successfully deliver training workshops in local institutions and on the core taster curriculum at a local level 

Strengthen institutions and develop BBOs 

• Ensure good understanding of the basic interests and traditions of typical member institutions and worker leaders. 

• Organise a small number of member institutions or 1 strategic partner to work together for the achievement of common goals relating to the Living Wage campaign. 

• Support pre-existing core teams and create/develop new core teams to provide leadership 

Support leaders through the Cycle of Action in order to create change 

• Support leaders in running listening campaigns 

• Organise Living Wage actions; demonstrating increasing independence in working without the need for close supervision

• Take the lead in supporting groups of leaders through the cycle of action on the Living Wage; aiming to achieve new accreditations and other wins.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of actions; demonstrating ability to incorporate lessons learned into future actions 

  Contribute to CUK’s financial viability through effective fundraising & financial management  

• Recruit new dues paying institutions; work together with a more senior Organiser to negotiate annual membership fees and letters of understanding 

• Contribute substantively to fundraising to ensure the sustainability of the work 

• Liaise with the Finance & Operations team to update the membership database and ensure timely invoicing and fee collection 

Contribute to effective teamwork 

• Be proactive concerning personal professional development and wellbeing; i.e. by reading widely, developing a healthy work-life balance and demonstrating ability to reflect on own organising craft & improve on self-identified weaknesses 

• Demonstrate ability to work effectively with colleagues and participate in a team 

• Produce all required reports and follow CUK’s procedures on time and to the required standards 

Participate in the development of the craft of Community Organising and play a role in the Guild of COs 

• Schedule an average of at least three 1-2-1 relational meetings into your daily schedule as a core part of your professional practice 

• Commit 10 working days pa (pro rata for part-time staff) to the preparation, delivery and evaluation of Citizens UK National Community Leadership Training or other local or regional trainings; 

• Participate in a Guild Team and help it develop as a Community of Practice that enables Organisers across the UK to develop their skills and experience. 

Personal Specification 

(D) Desirable, (E) Essential 

Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree in any subject (D) 

Subject of relevance to community work or community organising (D) 

Experience 

• Previous campaign experience (D) 

• Evidence of having acted in a leadership role with peers or in local community activities (e.g., organising clubs or societies) (E) 

• Experience of project management; evidence of having delivered work on time and to standard (E) 

• Able to demonstrate previous experience of ‘learning by doing’ in a work or project environment; evidence of being open to feedback and comfortably coachable (E) 

Key skills and knowledge 

• Excellent interpersonal awareness – ability to listen well and appreciate a viewpoint or opinion that is different from one’s own (E) 

• Excellent concern for impact – ability to adapt own behaviour to address the needs or concerns of someone else (E) 

• Good communication skills – able to speak with conviction and passion; and to make a logical argument (E) 

• Fluent in Spanish and English – written and spoken (E) - other community languages, especially Portuguese (D)

Personal qualities & values 

• A self-starter with ability to take initiative and work independently (E) 

• A passion for justice (E) 

• A positive enthusiasm for working with faith congregations, trade unions, schools, and other community organisations (E) 

• An interest in and experience of politics and public life (E) 

• Able to work in a team (E) 

• Willingness to work within accountable relationships (E) 

• Self-motivated and adaptable (E) 

  Our Organisers and some project teams work closely with our member institutions and will be expected to attend member events that take place in the evenings and occasional weekends. We operate a Time Off in Lieu approach and have very flexible working arrangements to ensure a good work-life balance. 

The successful applicant will be required to undertake a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check. DBS checks are renewed on a 3-year cycle. 

About the application process 

We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role.

 Interview date: Tuesday 22nd July