Position title: Operations Officer
Reports to: Director of Operations
Direct reports: None at present. Operations Assistant in the future, subject to funding.
Key stakeholders: Director of Operations, Finance Manager, Communications Manager, Membership Manager, Director of Income and Investment, UKMSA team, volunteers
Location: Remote (with occasional UK travel)
Salary: Level 3 – £30,000-£35,000
The Operations Officer is a vital enabler within UK Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA), supporting the Director of Operations and wider team to ensure that internal systems, communications, and events run smoothly and effectively. Operating as a competent professional with minimal supervision, the postholder brings a practical, solutions-focused mindset to help our staff and volunteers navigate UKMSA with confidence and ease.
Acting as both a systems fixer and first point of contact, the Operations Officer handles incoming queries, whether by phone, email, or other channels, making sure they reach the right person quickly and are followed up appropriately. They take ownership of the “how”, for example, ensuring platforms like SharePoint are clear and usable, templates and resources are easy to find, and everyday processes feel intuitive and joined-up.
They also play a key role in supporting the delivery of UKMSA events, helping to coordinate logistics, manage information, and ensure all activities are well-organised, inclusive and aligned with UKMSA’s values. Proactive in spotting friction points across systems and operations, they resolve them constructively and collaboratively, always aiming to make things easier for others.
This role will suit someone who is calm under pressure, friendly, and unflappable; someone who brings patience and clarity when others feel frustrated, and who sees their job as enabling others to succeed. A natural organiser with a service mindset, the Operations Officer keeps things moving, keeps people informed, and brings a steady hand to the fast-paced, values-led environment of UKMSA.
Key responsibilities:
1. Support to the Director of Operations
· Provide flexible and proactive administrative support to the Director of Operations across a range of operational functions.
· Maintain and update Breathe and all HR records and internal trackers, ensuring information is accurate, current, and securely stored.
· Assist with project coordination, document preparation, supplier management, and other operational tasks as delegated.
· Ensure tasks are completed in a timely and organised manner, helping the Director manage priorities and maintain momentum.
2. Systems and process support
· Help the entirely remote staff and volunteers navigate UKMSA’s systems and tools (for example, platforms like SharePoint) with clarity and confidence.
· Work with other UKMSA staff to make systems more straight-forward. For example, work with the Finance Manager to help volunteers find easier ways to claim expenses.
· Act as a practical, approachable source of support for system-related queries, ensuring others can easily find what they need to do their job. Adapt systems considering their experiences.
· Identify pain points in internal processes and work constructively with others to improve them, streamlining structures, simplifying workflows, and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes.
· Maintain and update shared systems and spaces to ensure they are accessible, user-friendly, and fit for purpose.
3. First point of contact
· Receive, triage and manage incoming phone calls, emails, and letters to UKMSA, ensuring they are passed on promptly and appropriately to the right member of staff or volunteer.
· Maintain clear systems for logging, redirecting, and following up on incoming queries to support accountability and responsiveness.
· Identify and suggest ways to make it easier for people, both inside and outside the organisation, to get the information or help they need efficiently. For example, work with the Membership Manager and Head of Volunteering to develop a bank of frequently used resources and materials.
4. Events co-ordination
· Support the Director of Operations, colleague and external consultants in the planning and delivery of UKMSA events including conferences, online webinars, training sessions, and member gatherings.
· Liaise with venues, suppliers, speakers, and internal colleagues to ensure smooth and timely event logistics.
· Manage practical event delivery tasks such as attendee registration, materials preparation, evaluation collection, and post-event communications.
· Contribute to the creation of inclusive, safe, well-organised events that reflect UKMSA’s values and create value for members, volunteers, and partners.
Key expertise required:
· Strong administrative and organisational skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy across a range of operational and logistical duties.
· Experience supporting senior leaders or operational functions, ideally in a charity, membership organisation or similarly values-led environment.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence and professionalism to liaise effectively with staff, volunteers, suppliers, and members of the public.
· Proficiency with digital systems and platforms, including file storage systems (e.g. SharePoint or Google Drive), spreadsheets, document templates, and basic CRM or event tools.
· Experience supporting events coordination, including handling logistics, communicating with participants, and ensuring smooth delivery.
· A practical and solutions-focused mindset, with the ability to spot inefficiencies or confusion in systems or processes and work constructively to improve them.
· Ability to work independently, using initiative to solve problems and manage priorities, while also being a supportive and collaborative team member.
· A calm, friendly and patient approach, especially when supporting colleagues or volunteers who are frustrated or unfamiliar with systems or processes.
· Understanding of confidentiality and data protection principles, with experience handling sensitive information responsibly and professionally.
· Experience working with volunteers, and a respectful, enabling approach that recognises the contribution and centrality of volunteers within the Shedding movement and wider charity.
· Commitment to UKMSA’s mission and values, with an appreciation for the volunteer-led nature of the Shedding movement and the culture it reflects.
What success looks like:
· People across the organisation feel supported, informed, and able to get things done. Staff and volunteers know who to go to for help, and when they do, the experience is clear, calm, and constructive.
· Systems and processes feel intuitive and smooth. The bumps have been ironed out, key resources are easy to find, and internal tools support rather than frustrate.
· Enquiries and issues are handled efficiently and appropriately. Whether it’s a public query or a board member request, it reaches the right person quickly and nothing falls through the cracks.
· Events are well organised, well attended, and well received. From logistics to follow-up, the Operations Officer plays a dependable role in making UKMSA events run smoothly and reflect the organisation’s values.
· The Director of Operations is well supported and can delegate confidently, stay focused on strategic work, and trust that operational details are being managed with care and follow-through.
· Colleagues describe the Operations Officer as calm, responsive and dependable. They are appreciated for being steady under pressure, friendly when others are stressed, and always looking for ways to make things easier.
· The role continues to evolve. As systems improve and the organisation changes, so does the shape of the role, with the postholder identifying new ways to add value and solve problems.
This job is not:
· This is not a strategic or senior leadership role. While the Operations Officer supports cross-organisational functions and works closely with senior staff, they are not responsible for setting strategy or making high-level decisions.
· This is not a purely administrative role. Although administration is an important part of the job, the role goes beyond task-based support, requiring initiative, systems thinking, and confident engagement with people across the organisation.
· This is not a technical IT role, though the postholder should be confident using digital systems and helping others navigate them.
· This is not a passive or isolated role. The Operations Officer is expected to proactively work closely with colleagues, volunteers, board members, and external contacts, often representing the operational “face” of the organisation and playing a key role in how things function day to day.
· This is not a static or routine-only role. As systems improve and the organisation evolves, the challenges and priorities will shift especially if the postholder is effective at smoothing processes and solving problems. The role requires adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to respond to what’s needed.
Closing date: 1200hrs 9th October 2025
Interview : 24th October 2025
Registered Charity
11 - 20
We are the support body for Men’s Sheds across the UK. We work hard to inspire and support the development of Men's Sheds.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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UK-based/ Colchester or Home-based with monthly travel to Colchester office. Overseas travel with trips lasting from 10-14 days.
This post requires the candidates to have independent rights to live and work in the UK
Background
Lepra is dedicated to addressing leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF) and their consequences through direct support, advocacy, and the promotion of inclusive communities. We work in Bangladesh and in India, through our sister organisation, LEPRA Society. We work in partnership with people affected by leprosy and LF to improve detection, ensure access to treatment and care, and promote inclusion and wellbeing. Last year we finalised our new Global Strategy for 2024-30, which will guide us in our efforts to accelerate progress towards global targets for leprosy and LF, and towards our vision of a world free from leprosy and LF.
Job Context
Our Global Strategy marks a significant evolution in our organisational direction, introducing innovative approaches and renewed priorities. This includes our first-ever global Theory of Change (ToC), our most comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework to date, a Research and Innovation strategy, and a dedicated Advocacy sub-strategy to guide our influencing efforts.
With the Lepra Advocacy Strategy, we will be working over the next 6 years to strengthen our approaches to our advocacy efforts. The post holder will play a key role in supporting the roll out of the Advocacy strategy working closely with the Director of Programmes and Advocacy, the Head of Research, the Senior Programme Manager, the Programme Officer and the teams where we work.
Job Purpose
This role is an exciting role within the programmes team in response to evolving needs. The incoming post holder will work within the 5 person UK’s Programme and Advocacy team and will drive, advise and support the team in relation to Lepra’s advocacy profile. We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, strategic and creative person who has outstanding skills to engage and work with a diverse team. We are looking for someone to work with a clear strategy and then develop, grow and successfully shape the future of Lepra’s advocacy efforts.
Working Relationships
Reports to Lepra UK’s Director of Programmes and Advocacy (DPA)
Works closely with the Programmes and Advocacy Team
Close working links with colleagues in India and in Bangladesh and the UK’s communications team
International travel as needed for programmes oversight and support, and external representation.
Key responsibilities
Advocacy Delivery (50%)
Under the supervision of the DPA implement Lepra’s global Advocacy strategy and coordinate advocacy initiatives.
Serve as the driver of advocacy efforts, facilitating the transitional year of implementation including coordinating the Advocacy Steering Group; advocacy toolkit development; action planning.
Represent Lepra in specific fora and advocacy networks and within the broader leprosy and NTD community in close coordination with the DPA.
Produce quarterly advocacy newsletters
Maintain quarterly reports on flagging areas of concern and actioning steering committee advice.
Assist in the preparation of policy documents and the presentation of papers for publication, conferences, or specific institutions and/or individuals - identifying and targeting the most appropriate audiences.
Support and contribute to the development and implementation of initiatives that foster an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment across organisational programmes, policies, and advocacy efforts.
Support and contribute to initiatives that promote inclusion and equity, with a strong focus on developing the leadership and advocacy capacity of people with lived experience of leprosy, ensuring their voices are central in decision-making and programme design.
Knowledge management / Learning and Development (20%)
Support the preparation of Lepra advocacy and policy documents.
Disseminate knowledge so that it is integrated into Lepra’s portfolio to amplify the impact for target audiences and improve their outcomes.
Facilitate the new knowledge and learning hub and forge a clear path for its evolution.
Facilitate knowledge sharing through updating the communications team with relevant materials for the new programme folder on the website.
Organise and develop advocacy training.
Develop and take ownership of the new programme’ s team knowledge sharing approaches.
Develop a workplan of knowledge sharing events.
Support annual review meetings.
Communications (10%)
Assist the programmes team with the documentation of Lepra examples and models of best practice, at the same time identifying and developing mechanisms and avenues for the effective dissemination of this knowledge – internally and externally.
Assist the programmes team, DPO, Chief Executive and Country Programme staff in the synthesis of complex technical/scientific information adapting it to language and formats easily used by target audiences.
Contribute to content development of community engagement materials (public information, brochures, leaflets) that help explain the operations and impact of Lepra’s work to LF and/or leprosy affected communities.
Maintain good working links with Lepra’s UK Fundraising and Communications Team, contributing towards UK facing communications materials as and when required.
Prepare updates, papers, and reports for trustee meetings, funding partners, and wherever else applicable.
External representation (10%)
Support the Chief Executive, DPA and programmes team to maintain and expand existing strategic relationships with key international stakeholders to further Lepra’s advocacy strategy and advance Lepra’s agenda.
Ensure Lepra’s external profile is raised and become the go-to organisation for the leprosy community in terms of advocacy and policy briefings.
Support the preparation of documents for presentation, publication or dissemination at international fora.
Develop/support the development of country specific briefing notes/press kits with the communications team.
Represent Lepra at key events, conferences, and meetings to enhance our visibility and opportunity for impact.
Safeguarding (5%)
Promote a culture of respect, transparency, and accountability within Lepra’s implemented projects.
Ensuring that safeguarding mechanisms are in place and remain at the heart of all activities.
Support the integration of strong safeguarding and PSEA practices into project design and delivery.
Monitoring, evaluation, and impact (5%)
Ensure that all advocacy and knowledge transfer efforts are captured and embedded in appropriate results frameworks, objectives, outputs, indicators and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Provide inputs to Lepra’s reports, according to Lepra’s needs.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Relevant degree level of education in Public Health, Social Sciences, Global Health, Human Rights, Political Sciences or equivalent experience.
Desirable
Relevant post-graduate qualification
Relevant professional health-related qualification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
Minimum of 2 yrs experience of advocacy/campaigning/policy work with an overseas development organisation
Experience of working to advance the rights of excluded populations
Extensive knowledge of global health issues and an up-to-date familiarity with issues and practice in the international development sector
Experience in planning and implementing successful strategies/campaigns/advocacy in Asia.
Experience in programme/project planning, budgeting, M&E and reporting, within a non-governmental organisation, including the preparation of reports for institutional donors.
Ability to analyse and act on data.
Experience of working on issues in relation to disability, mental health, gender, human rights and social inclusion.
Experience in project coordination and management.
Desirable
At least two years’ experience as an advocacy manager, preferably gained with an overseas development organisation or in academia, in a similar health focused role.
Familiarity with data visualisation tools and packages.
Proficiency in one or more Indian languages (e.g., Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, etc.) is an asset.
Skills, Attitudes and Personal Qualities
Highly motivated individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal to build strong relationships, negotiate and persuade a wide range of audiences, with confidence at presenting and representing.
Proven strength in both written and verbal communication
Able to reach, network with and communicate to a wide range of stakeholders and potential stakeholders.
Excellent attention to detail, and organisational and time management skills
Ability to manipulate and analyse data to draw useful conclusions to improve programme delivery.
Ability to use databases, Word, excel, PowerPoint and other Office packages
Ability to work independently, be flexible and prioritise workload.
Ability to travel within the UK and overseas.
The right to work in the UK.
We operate a non-bias recruitment process and run our job advertisements through anonymous recruitment methods.
We offer a lot of flexibility in working practices and there is free reserved parking available at our Colchester office. We also offer 26 days annual leave plus public holidays (pro-rated), pension, Employee Assistance Programme and support from an in-house well-being team.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interview. Please check your email inbox and spam/junk mail folder for any email correspondence for this vacancy.
If you require any reasonable considerations such as access or information in an alternative format, please inform us soon as you are able so that we can make the appropriate adjustments.
Please do not use AI to help you write cover letters, CVs and responses to any screening questions. We want to hear your original voice.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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