Head of operations and safeguarding jobs

Salary: £29,000 – £34,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Location: Reigate, Surrey (Wayside Community)
Contract: Full-time
Occupational Requirement: Female, practising Christian
Closing Date: 23rd December 2025
Start Date: Early February 2026 (notice periods considered)

Do you have the compassion, resilience and leadership potential to support women on their journey out of homelessness?

Keychange is a Christian charity with over 100 years of experience supporting people facing vulnerability. Today, we provide specialist housing for women and young people experiencing homelessness, alongside residential care for older people across the South and Southwest of England.

We are seeking a dedicated Deputy Manager to join our specialist women’s homelessness service, Wayside Community in Reigate. This community is a 19 bed, 24-7 supported housing for women experiencing homelessness. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong frontline experience who is ready to step into management within a highly supportive and mission-driven team.

About the Role
The Deputy Manager plays a key role in the leadership of Wayside Community, supporting the Women’s Homelessness Lead in the day-to-day running and development of the service.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assisting the Women’s Homelessness Lead in Surrey in ensuring the smooth daily running of the Service at all times and deputising in her absence for all matters relating to the management of the Service.
• Ensure that Wayside Community complies with all statutory regulations relating to supported housing, health and safety, fire precautions etc.
• Working with the Women’s Homelessness Lead to develop performance targets and quality control measures for the benefit of the team, and monitoring team members’ work to ensure that these are met.
• In conjunction with the Women’s Homelessness Lead ensure that effective assessments and action plans are updated for all residents through a key worker system and on case files.
• In conjunction with the Women’s Homelessness Lead ensure that all safeguarding concerns, incidents and complaints are managed robustly.

Who We’re Looking For
You will bring:

• A high-performing individual who is an excellent networker that builds effective internal and external working relationships.
• Experience in delivery of support to clients.
• Agrees with Keychange mission, vision, values.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, interpersonal, and time-management skills.
• Competent computer skills using Microsoft applications and organisational systems.

Desirable experience includes:

• Prior experience working with non-profit organisations, particularly those involved in social care and/or homeless work.
• Experience of services for women and/or young people experiencing homelessness.
• Experience of motivating and empowering colleagues, staff and/or volunteers to take responsibility for delivering a high-quality service.
• Knowledge of the range of services available to homeless people who may have complex needs or other support needs.

Occupational Requirements
This role is subject to legal Occupational Requirements under the Equality Act 2010. The postholder must both a woman and a practicing Christian. These requirements are essential due to the nature of the role, including spiritual support, trauma-informed care for women, and active church partnership development.

What We Offer

• Salary of £29,000 – £34,000
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working (with 4 days regularly site or community based)
• Employee Assistance Program and Life Insurance
• Contributory Pension Scheme with matched employer contributions
• Ongoing personalised learning and professional development
• A compassionate, faith-centered, values-driven culture

For more comprehensive details about the role and how to get in contact with us for an informal discussion about the opportunity, please view the job pack for this advert. 

 
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter clearly addressing the essential and desirable criteria and an up-to-date CV focused on relevant experience.
 

Recruitment Timeline

• Application deadline: 23rd December 2025
• First stage interviews (remote): First week January 2025
• Final interviews (in person): Mid-January 2026
• Start date: Early February 2026

Role Context

At Gaddum, we treat everyone as individuals. We really get to know those we help, understanding their world to offer a range of support that’s right for them. Our promise of tailored support is made possible by our breadth and depth of knowledge, through our unwavering commitment to the local people of Greater Manchester.

Our experience listening to generation after generation, for nearly 200 years, has taught us the importance of considering not just the individual but also the relationships around them. Our innovative approach means we can, not only build resilience, but identify further risks and offer preventive support now and in the future. At Gaddum, we believe that by supporting individuals, we ultimately help support entire communities.

Our aim is to empower and enhance the lives of people in Greater Manchester.

We currently work in four Greater Manchester authorities, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford and Stockport.

Role Purpose

The role of the Outreach & Development Worker is to ensure carers of all ages and backgrounds are aware of their rights and know how to receive support from Gaddum and other services they need at the right time for them.

The job holder will provide outreach & support sessions, deliver groups and events for carers and other relevant partners across Salford. Creating exciting new opportunities for carers through networking and building partnerships.

The role will focus on the outreach provision, being based in different locations across Salford including hospitals, community venues, mental health settings and others accessed by people with caring responsibilities. The role will include supporting the continued development of the service, assisting with the creation of resources and training. The role will also support our involvement offer; ensuring carers are at the forefront of service change and service delivery.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

· Facilitate carers drop-ins in venues across Salford, including but not limited to hospital sites (both on wards and public areas), community venues (such as Gateways) and high footfall locations.

· Provide one-off, solution-focussed appointments to address the immediate needs of carers identified in the community or at the point of referral.

· Create networking opportunities throughout all wards of Salford to publicise the service and build/ maintain relevant partnerships.

· Complete Statutory Carers Assessments.

· To be able to travel to various locations in Salford, at times multiple locations per day – often carrying service promotional materials. Salford is a large city covering 37 sq. miles.

· Create and run exciting events and support groups for carers, organisations and stakeholders to attend.

· Create and deliver service presentations aimed at carers, to communicate the support and opportunities available from the service.

· Create and deliver service presentations aimed at community groups, educational bodies and organisations to raise awareness of how to identify and support carers, and to increase the visibility of the service.

· Develop ways to identify carers across Salford and let them know about support available to them and their needs.

· Invite Carers to be involved with the service and help us to coproduce/ codesign our service offer.

· Get to know Salford’s diverse communities and organisations, providing culturally appropriate information and support.

· Promote Carers Rights to carers, Salford’s communities and relevant organisations.

· Maintain a clear record of work completed by note taking and recording on our recording system.

· To meet regularly with line manager for supervision.

All staff are expected to work within all Gaddum policies and procedures. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Senior Communications Manager 

FCDO Research Commissioning Centre (3ie)

1.  Background 

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Research Commissioning Centre (RCC) has been established to commission and manage research to enhance development and foreign policy impact. The RCC, co-led by the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) and the University of Birmingham, provides support to FCDO teams for commissioning and delivering high-quality and impactful research. It addresses challenges associated with research bureaucracy by providing a streamlined process for commissioning and delivering FCDO-funded research.

This role is based at 3ie, working closely with colleagues at the FCDO, University of Birmingham and across the RCC consortium. This is a fixed-term position for the RCC, which is a pilot project that began on the 6th June, 2023, and is due to run until the 5th June, 2028. The role is linked directly to the project funding. 

The International Initiative of Impact Evaluation is a mission-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to using evidence to transform people's lives in low- and middle-income countries. We are the global leader in funding, producing, and synthesizing high-quality evidence of what works, for whom, how, why and at what cost. We believe better policy-relevant evidence will make development more effective. 3ie is a registered non-governmental organization in the US. It has offices in New Delhi, London and Washington, DC.  

2.  Position summary 

3ie is inviting applications for a Senior Communications Manager to join the FCDO Research Commissioning Centre (RCC) team at 3ie. With the RCC entering its third year of operation, this is an exciting time to join the project. 

The role will be responsible for the strategic management of RCC communications and for the oversight and management of the Global Research and Technology Development (GRTD) website .  The position will work closely with the team of the FCDO Chief Scientific Adviser and FCDO’s Deputy Head of Research to support the development and rollout of GRTD, suiting a strategic thinker with experience or knowledge of leading communications and engagement campaigns.

The successful candidate will be a highly organised, skilled communicator with excellent command over producing a range of communication and knowledge products such as blogs, policy briefs, infographics, impact stories and case studies, as well as editing technical writing. Prior experience in social media and event management, is desirable. They will be a self-starter with a can-do, team-player attitude.
The ideal candidate will be based in the UK and have the flexibility to travel to London for in-person meetings and events as required. The candidate will need to work according to UK office hours. The role will largely be remote working with dedicated in-person time with the RCC team and with FCDO. 

3. Key job responsibilities
a)  GRTD website development oversight and strategy; FCDO GRTD communications, branding and development

• Work with FCDO to develop a coherent strategy and campaign for engaging with and communicating GRTD to external partners. Manage the relationship with FCDO communications counterparts in delivering the vision for GRTD
• Lead engagement with FCDO to determine design of enhancements and new features for GRTD; oversee these developments, managing external contractors (when required) and working with technical colleagues to ensure developments are fit for purpose
• Collaborate with FCDO teams to support the rollout and visibility of the GRTD brand
• Contribute to the development and implementation of editorial standards, templates, and guidance for GRTD content, in coordination with FCDO and RCC stakeholders
• Assist in the dissemination of impact stories and research outputs that align with GRTD branding and strategic objectives
• Support stakeholder engagement activities and campaigns led by FCDO to promote the GRTD platform, where relevant to RCC-funded research
• Monitor digital engagement with and develop KPIs to track performance, with a focus on continuous improvement and optimization

b)  RCC presence on GRTD

• Ensure the RCC is adequately presented on GRTD and that the design and structure of RCC pages is coherent and promotes the RCC vision
• Create, edit and post new website content for the RCC on GRTD as required
• Coordinate with the 3ie Strategic Communications Office to monitor the website regularly to ensure content is updated and bugs are identified.

c)  RCC Communications
       Strategy: 

• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the RCC’s overall communication and engagement strategy, including areas of thought leadership around best practice evidence led by the RCC. 

      Content: 

• Strategise on new communication products (including website content, impact stories, blogs, media articles, social media and multimedia content), launches, events, and online promotions Edit, manage and publish research commissioning call documents and participate and manage related events such as Early Market Engagements, FAQ sessions, etc.
• Work with RCC Grantees and project teams editing and publishing RCC publications and deliverables, including reports, briefs and other publications. 
• Create social media content and manage dissemination through 3ie’s social media channels, working with 3ie colleagues (NB: RCC social media channels may be established and in this case the role will directly manage these). 
• Events and engagement: Provide end-to-end support for workshops and events, including content, budget, logistics, communication and marketing
• Provide inputs for communication and implementation plans for research funded by the RCC.

d)  Project management: Ensure that RCC publications and communications products are processed in a timely manner and published on GRTD

• Maintain and update process documents, guidelines and templates for external communications for the RCC and for communications from grantees.
• Oversee the implementation of and improvements to RCC’s branding and logo suite as needed.

e)  Stakeholder support: Work closely with RCC staff to cultivate relationships across the research ecosystem, consortium and with grantees. This is likely to include RCC representation at external events.

f)  Support RCC grantees: Provide guidance and advise on dissemination activities to grant recipients. Review and approve the engagement and dissemination products and plans submitted by RCC grant recipients as part of their work on RCC-funded projects and support the wider RCC team to monitor engagement activities undertaken by grantees.

g)  Knowledge sharing: Collect and collate impact stories for the RCC to support both learning and reporting requirements

4. Qualifications and skills 

• Master’s degree in journalism, public affairs, marketing, or a field directly relevant to international development, including formal communication training. Exceptional candidates with a bachelor's degree and extensive work experience may be considered
• At least seven to ten years of experience in a communication role in development sector.
• Proven ability to plan and implement communication and engagement strategies for organizations and research projects
• Knowledge of tools for graphic design, content management, social media and event management is desirable (e.g., InDesign, Photoshop, Mailchimp, Canva, Drupal, etc.)
• Proven project management and coordination skills to ensure on-time delivery 
• Excellent English writing and editing skills; cross-platform writing experience is desirable
• Self-motivated, creative, and multi-tasker with a proven ability to work under tight deadlines accurately and professionally
• Excellent interpersonal skills and willingness to work in a matrix-organized team environment
• Experience working with UK government departments is desirable

5.  Eligibility
3ie is an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, ethnicity, disability, caste, religion or sexual orientation. We particularly encourage women, ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. 

6.  Terms of employment 
The salary range for this position is competitive and commensurate based on qualifications and experience. Our policies and procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse. We follow a zero-tolerance policy for any form of bullying or harassment in the workplace.

7. How to Apply 
Your application must include the following information*: 
•  A cover letter (not exceeding two pages) highlighting your qualifications and experience relevant to the terms of reference. 
•  Curriculum vitae along with names and contact information for at least three professional references. 

*Incomplete applications will not be considered. 
The deadline for receiving applications is 21 December, 2025. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.