Reporting to: Director of Policy and Engagement
Direct reports: 1 x Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager and Legislative Lead, 2 x Policy and Public Affairs Officers, 1 x England Policy and Public Affairs Manager
Location of work: Home-based. The post holder must be easily and quickly commutable to London and will require frequent meetings in London. The role may involve some irregular travel throughout England and Scotland to attend events and meetings.
Contract type: Full-time, 35 hours per week, flexible hours may be considered. The role may require occasional evening and weekend work
Contract Length: Permanent
Salary: £54,500 - £56,500
BACKGROUND
Our work has never been more needed. The latest research suggesting that the number of children and young people at risk of hunger has rocketed to 2.6 million* means that one in five children don't have enough to eat.When a child is too hungry to learn, when they’re aching for something to eat, they can’t concentrate. They can’t absorb information. Big feelings and worries can be impossible to control. They fall behind in their studies.
Magic Breakfast provide a nutritious and filling breakfast to over 300,000 children and young people every school day. We work with schools in areas of high disadvantage, helping staff target the children most in need without barrier or stigma. Magic Breakfast are ambitious to grow our impact to remove hunger as a barrier to learning for all children and young people in the UK.
This is an exciting time to join Magic Breakfast if you wish to make a difference to the lives of children as we work to influence both policy implementation, with the national rollout of primary-aged universal school breakfast, and legislative change, through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. There has also been commitment from the Scottish Government for a national breakfast scheme and we are seeking to expand our advocacy work into Wales. Magic Breakfast’s influence will be instrumental to ensuring school breakfasts are implemented in a way that is hunger-focused and barrier free.
In addition, thousands of secondary school children are at risk of losing their free school breakfasts from September next year. For many of these students, this is their only opportunity to have a nutritious meal before facing a demanding school day, including taking exams. And for the very youngest, we know that the disadvantage gap begins before they even reach reception. With the Government commitment to another 100,000 places in school-based nurseries, early years is also a critical part of our advocacy work.
Being part of the work of Magic Breakfast is your chance, together with parents, teachers and people across the UK, to demonstrate the power of school breakfasts and to shape the way forward to end morning hunger for good.
*Food Foundation Insecurity Tracker Jan 2025
JOB PURPOSE
The Head of Policy & Public Affairs will review, develop and implement our advocacy strategy and lead a team to influence the devolved legislatures across the UK to address child morning hunger, with a view to the underlying systemic causes of child poverty and hunger, by driving change through policy and legislation. The role operates at our ‘Head of level’ which is the most senior operational specialist level and provides both operational and strategic leadership.
This role will also provide wider leadership across the charity and input into organisational strategy development and planning as part of the Core Management Group. This role will ensure that the Policy and Public Affairs function is aligned to the wider strategic aims and outcomes of Magic Breakfast as well as the internal operational systems and delivery.
The strategic leadership will ensure an external and long term view, with an outward looking and forward thinking approach that builds thought leadership, relationships and partnerships, with positioning to anticipate and build on new opportunities to end child morning hunger for good.
It will require an experienced Policy and Public Affairs professional, with significant experience of high impact and demonstrable outcomes at a senior level in the field. The postholder will lead the policy and public affairs team to influence the Early Adopters Scheme, the national rollout of primary school breakfast provision in England and breakfast legislation in the Children’s Wellbeing Bill (CWB).
They will also develop, guide and lead plans to influence the Scottish government, particularly in the run up to the election in May 2026 and the influencing of manifestos; and will lead Magic Breakfast’s upcoming influencing work in Wales.
In the external leadership that the role provides they will build relationships with politicians, political influencers, special advisors and civil servants to establish long-term, sustainable solutions to child morning hunger in the UK.
As a compassionate, people centric and inspiring leader they will work to enable their team to grow and develop in their skills ensuring they can step away from the detail whilst retaining accountability, build effective resource management and progression pathways. This role may manage external consultants where necessary, and work collaboratively with external organisations to amplify our voice and asks and strengthen our position as a thought leader.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
· Review and define the advocacy strategy for 25/26 in line both with moving political environment and Magic Breakfast’s influencing agenda, considering the systemic barriers to ending child morning hunger for good.
· Develop and maintain close relationships with the Department for Education and other key departments including Department for Health and Social Care and Treasury, to secure hunger and child focus as key priorities for breakfast provision.
· Develop, monitor and evaluate influencing plans for each devolved nation
· Support the development of influencing plans with coalition groups and organisations to influence school breakfast policy, commitments and implementation
· Review policy positions in Wales and Northern Ireland and define our advocacy approach, gaining external insights and analysing available research and data to shape the plan
· Develop a vision for advocacy beyond current demands, considering political appetite and gaining insight from lived experience communities and relevant sectors, to ensure that we are clear on future asks, and can build the foundation towards them.
· Work with Impact and Insights team to define future research needs to meet our longer-term advocacy plans
· Enhance and establish internal processes and ensure good internal information dissemination
· Work closely with key internal stakeholders to shape advocacy work and support broader organisational objectives
· Embed learnings and develop a fail fast, learn fast culture in the team
· Coach, support and lead direct reports enabling increased professional development, strategic decision making, proactive project management and robust political influencing
· Contribute to and help shape the work of the Core Management Group to ensure ongoing alignment for in year implementation of the strategic plan and create integrated future year plans which meet organisational goals
· Monitor and review KPIs to monitor and measure both team and cross organisational performance, using the results to guide teams and surface learnings
· Assess areas of risk and escalate where necessary and according to policy
· Develop and monitor annual team budgets
General
• Work collaboratively across the organisation, building good working relations and providing ad-hoc support to other teams and members of staff
• Passion and commitment to Magic Breakfast’s aim of alleviating morning hunger as a barrier to learning for children in the UK.
• Help to maintain a positive working environment; keeping the vision of Magic Breakfast at the heart of everything we do.
• Share Magic Breakfast’s commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
• Establish and ensure existing Ways of Working are adhered to across team
• Adhere to all Magic Breakfast policies and procedures and ensure that all activity is compliant with current legislation, GDPR, data protection and child safeguarding requirements
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
· Strategy development, demonstrating a deep understanding of how to craft, implement, and evolve strategies that align to operational outcomes for the Policy and Advocacy function as well as enabling our organisation strategy in our aim to end child morning for good.
· Stakeholder management and partnership building with extensive experience of engaging, influencing, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including senior political figures, policymakers, funders and sector leaders.
· Ability to confidently and flexibly deal with volatile political environment, anticipating potential developments and adapting to emerging situations to meet aims
· Highly experienced in developing and shaping policy positions, using insights, research and data sets to inform and guide decision-making
· Understanding and experience of the role of the broader external environment to shape policy asks and political influencing, including the implications of a policy ask in one sector on another.
· Experience of influencing key political events such as budgets, national elections and the legislative process.
· Significant experience of coaching, supporting and managing the development of a team, with the ability to make difficult decisions and challenge where needed to deliver the organisational strategy.
Desirable
· Experience of education, food insecurity, child poverty or childcare sectors
Skills and Abilities
• Effective leadership mentality with confidence to step away from the detail and delegate responsibility, enabling others to use judgements, make decisions, learn from failures and continuously improve.
• Analytical and evidence based decision making, with the ability to turn data and analysis into policy and advocacy related recommendations or outcomes for action.
• Effective planning, prioritisation and project management skills. Able to organise self and team to meet planned objectives and strategic direction with the ability to pivot and manage the unexpected.
• Strong, influential and impactful interpersonal and communication skills and to advocate for own specialism, department and Magic Breakfast's mission, effectively conveying the organisation's impact and needs to a wide range of audiences.
• Operational and financial acumen and analysis: understanding and practical application of knowledge as required around funding considerations, budget development and management, risk management, and ensuring systems in place for efficiency by setting and maintaining policy and procedural frameworks.
• An outward looking and forward thinking approach that drives a sense of curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement. Always thinking what can we learn from others, what new developments can be explored and what are the opportunities for the function to improve and grow with others too.
WHAT WE OFFER
At Magic Breakfast we value our employees and work hard to develop offer a supportive, respectful culture which enables everyone to bring their whole self to work.
Please find attached our job pack
APPLICATION PROCCESS
Should you wish to discuss the role before applying please email our People and Culture Team, recruitment @ magicbreakfast. com
Shortlisting - w/c 5th May
Interview 1 - 15th and 16th May
Interview 2 - w/c 21st May
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.
Thank you!
Everyone deserves a decent place to live. Join Habitat for Humanity Great Britain as our new Finance Manager and support people to find a safe, affordable home.
Are you an experienced and effective finance professional looking to make a difference in the charity sector? Habitat for Humanity is seeking a Finance Manager to take day-to-day responsibility for our financial systems and procedures, and so promote the long-term sustainability of our organisation.
Reporting to the Director of Finance and working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and colleagues across the organisation, you will be a key person ensuring that our financial data is complete and accurate, overseeing reporting to our programme funders and our international network, and ensuring best practice in all aspects of financial management. You’ll supervise the Database and Income Processing Officer and the Finance Assistant (position currently vacant).
Job Title: Finance Manager
Department: Finance, Operations & Compliance
Reports to: Finance Director
Budget responsibility: Yes
Line management: 2 direct reports
Location: Home-based with regular travel to internal meetings and team events, and occasional travel to our registered office in Slough
About Habitat for Humanity Great Britain
Habitat for Humanity Great Britain (Habitat GB) is part of the global Habitat for Humanity network fighting global poverty and homelessness. We believe that a decent home helps to permanently break the cycle of poverty and allows families to achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance.
Habitat GB has recently completed a strategic review, resulting in a new National Strategy and an organisational restructure, to ensure the charity is able to deliver the Strategy with impact, efficiently and effectively. This has included the integration of a subsidiary entity (GB Homes) into Habitat GB. As a result, the Finance, Operations & Compliance team has been expanded to ensure the right capacity and capability for these crucial functions.
Habitat’s turnover for the financial year ended 30 June 2023 was £3.0m with net assets of £2.5m: for the year ended 30 June 2024, it was £3.5m with assets of £2.1m.
Job Purpose
As our Finance Manager, reporting to the Director of Finance and working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and colleagues across the organisation, you will be a key person ensuring that our financial data is complete and accurate, overseeing reporting to our programme funders and our international network, and ensuring best practice in all aspects of financial management. You’ll supervise the Database and Income Processing Officer and the Finance Assistant (position currently vacant).
Key responsibilities
Ensure the integrity of financial data and controls, including budgeting, forecasting, Treasury and cash flow management
· Prepare data ready for monthly accounts, reports, and financial statements. This will include the normal monthly journals, reconciliations, and checks
· Support financial planning, risk management, and decision-making
· Liaise as necessary with colleagues in Habitat for Humanity’s international network for reporting and efficient transmission of funds to overseas affiliates
· Manage payroll, tax returns, and financial reporting for funders
· Provide leadership to finance team members and develop financial policies
Accountabilities and Responsibilities
Purchasing / Expenditure
· Administering commitment and invoice approvals in line with our Delegation of Authority
· Coordinating and verifying expense coding by non-finance staff
· Administering transfers to international partners according to policy
· Other ad hoc payments, including foreign currency transactions
· Reconciling supplier accounts each month
· Ensuring VAT records are accurate and returns made on time
· Maintaining auditable financial records
Income / Donations
· Manage income processing team
· Working with fund-raising teams to ensure all income is appropriately coded and documented
· Importing grants and donations from the CRM system (Raiser’s Edge) to the accounting system and reconciling to bank
· Regular reconciliations between the accounting and CRM systems
· Coding, processing and reconciling other income
· Assisting with Gift Aid claims
Bank
· Administering weekly payment runs and coordinating on-time authorisations
· Processing international transfers
· Currency and treasury management
· Bank account reconciliations
General queries
· Dealing politely and efficiently with questions from inside and outside the organisation
· Dealing assertively and effectively with cases of any deviations from policies and procedures
Record keeping
· Complete and accurate record keeping bearing in mind detailed level of audit compliance
· Logical filing of evidence of transactions, primarily electronic.
Month- and Quarter-End processes
· Preparing nominal journals, such as accruals/prepayments, payroll allocations, depreciation
· Monthly reconciliations of balance sheet accounts.
Other duties
· Checking Employee Expenses Claims (processed by the Office Manager) and final processing
· Assisting Director of Finance and other relevant staff with finance-related questions
· Assisting with the annual audit and preparation of financial statements
· Additional finance admin duties as required
· Run donor budget reports for the Europe region office and internal stakeholders
What we’re looking for
· A qualified or part-qualified finance professional with at least 3 years’ experience in charity finance, including fund accounting
· Skills in financial control, compliance, management, and reporting
· Knowledge of accounting software (Sage50 and Sun ideally) and downstream spreadsheet and similar tools; a willingness to learn new ways of handling data
· Good summarising and communication skills with the ability to influence colleagues and senior leaders
· A pragmatic, efficient character with a dedication to accuracy and reliability
· A questioning mindset, finding opportunities to improve every day
The role and responsibilities will be carried out in a way that reflects
· Habitat GB’s commitment to safeguarding children in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy
· A commitment to Habitat GB’s vision, mission, values, and approach
· A commitment to effective management of risk, by operating within the Charity’s code of conduct, policies, procedures and controls and by carrying out the risk management and assurance responsibilities of the role as set out in relevant Policy and Procedures
We offer a flexible and supportive working environment with options for hybrid working and training and other arrangements to help you thrive in your role.
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If this sounds like it could be a good match for you, please take a look at the Candidate Pack.
Please note: this role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK.
Start your Habitat journey here…
Applications comprising a CV and cover letter explaining how your skills and experience match the job requirements should be sent by email (referencing the job title in the subject line) to: (See candidate pack for email)
Tell us about the skills and experience you would bring to the role and your motivation for applying.
The deadline for applications is 11th May 2025 (at 11:59 pm).
Habitat for Humanity requires all employees to take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguard our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of our code of conduct. The employment of this position will be subject to a satisfactory reference check and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
At Habitat for Humanity GB, we aim to build, develop and retain a talented workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences. We welcome and actively encourage applications from anyone who feels they’d be a good fit for our organisation, regardless of race, religion, colour, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity or any other protected characteristics.
We’d prefer to hear directly from applicants – we won’t be working with third party recruiters on this role.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Habitat for Humanity Great Britain (Habitat GB) is part of the international Habitat for Humanity network, tackling housing poverty around the world.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About Respect
Respect is a pioneering UK membership organisation in the domestic abuse sector. Founded in 2000, we have built our expertise over the last 23 years in what was then a fledgling sector and recently have seen significant and rapid growth.
Respect supports frontline organisations across the UK, so that together we can end domestic abuse. Our work is wide ranging: we offer accreditation of specialist services; we provide training for individuals and organisations working in the sector; we work in partnership with others to innovate and develop practice; we provide two helplines to enable service users to get the help and advice they need; we lobby influencers to improve policy and practice; we support up-to-date research undertaken by specialists in the field; and we fundraise to ensure important work continues to happen.
Respect has seen rapid growth over the last few years, and we now have 60+ staff running a range of projects and core activities and have ambitious plans for further growth and influence.
Our vision
We want a world where everyone is free from domestic abuse. Where it is never ok to control, harm or cause fear. Where those who perpetrate domestic abuse are stopped, held to account and given the chance to change.
Our mission
We work with our members, partners and allies to stop the harms done by those who perpetrate domestic abuse. With innovative practice, robust research and quality data, we build evidence of what works, promote safe, effective practice and drive high standards. We use our voice, in collaboration with others, to call for a response to domestic abuse that matches the scale of the problem. We will not stop, until domestic abuse stops.
Our Focus
Respect was founded to focus on perpetrators of domestic abuse and this, including our vital work with young people who cause harm, will remain our key priority. Our work with male victims will continue as an important, distinct, project.
Our Values
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Pioneering - We explore innovative ideas and develop new approaches with curiosity and rigour.
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Collaborative - We work in partnership with our members, partners and allies to bring about individual, societal and systems change.
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Accountable- We listen to survivors and centre their needs in our work. We hold perpetrators to account for their behaviour and hold ourselves and our members accountable for ours.
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Respectful - We live up to our name. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. We are honest, compassionate and boldly challenge injustice.
Make a Change
Make a Change is a community-wide, early response approach to people using abusive behaviours (or who are concerned that they might be) towards a current or ex-partner. The model has been developed by Respect in partnership with Women’s Aid Federation England, drawing inspiration from their Change that Lasts approach. It includes three strands: expert support programme for perpetrators with parallel support for survivors, workforce development and community outreach.
Improving the safety, freedom and wellbeing of adult and child survivors of domestic abuse is a key outcome for our work with perpetrators. The Make a Change model is a multi-partner project offering local areas a framework for delivering perpetrator work. Where feasible, we aim to establish partnerships with local survivor domestic abuse service to deliver parallel support for survivors (referred to as Integrated Support Service) as part the expert support strand.
Purpose of the role:
The Senior Communications and Policy Officer will work with the Make a Change team at Respect to advance the development of communication and policy activities for the Make a Change model in project sites and nationally to encourage uptake in new areas. They will also work with Respect’s Communications and Influence leads to ensure alignment with the organisation's broader messaging and advocacy efforts, maximising the impact of Make a Change initiatives. The postholder will lead on developing and implementing communication strategies and plans in partnership with our delivery partners across the sites.
We would particularly welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and across all protected characteristics1, particularly from people from the following under-represented groups:
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Black and minoritised people
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Disabled people
We always welcome and support applications from those who have personal experience of domestic abuse.
Please follow the link to find out more.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.