Independent advocate jobs in derby, england

Exciting Opportunity

Fixed Term until the end of January 2027

Regional Manager, North East & Cumbria (0.8 FTE)

We are pleased to offer a fixed-term opportunity within the Lloyds Bank Foundation due to the current Regional Manager taking a secondment.

This is a part-time (4 days per week) position, working from home, with regular travel across North East & Cumbria and to London. The post holder must live in the North East or Cumbria.

About the Role

Are you passionate about supporting local charities and driving community-led change? The Lloyds Bank Foundation is seeking a Manager for the North East & Cumbria region to play a pivotal role in our evolving strategy.

As Manager for North East & Cumbria, you’ll:

• Build trusted relationships with local charities, helping them grow stronger and more resilient.
• Support organisations to identify and overcome challenges, connecting them with resources and opportunities.
• Champion community-led change and ensure our work is shaped by the communities we serve.
• Collaborate with partners, stakeholders, and colleagues to maximise the impact of our investments.

About you

You’ll have extensive knowledge of the voluntary sector, experience supporting local charities, and excellent relationship-building and organisational skills. You’ll be proactive, collaborative, and comfortable navigating change.

You’ll be responsible for managing a portfolio of relationships with charitable partners and collaborating with other charities.You will support our charity partners in becoming more resilient and stronger, enabling them to thrive beyond the duration of their relationship with us.  You will do this by building trusted relationships with them, supporting them to identify their most pressing organisational challenges; and help them overcome the challenges by building the knowledge, skills and capabilities of staff and trustees.  You will work with charities, CICs, and partnerships to identify the most appropriate form of support to respond to the identified priorities.  Further information about LBFEW and our approach to supporting charity partners can be found on our website under the 'Development' section. 

You’ll be the face of the Foundation in the area, able to build strong and trusting relationships and be an advocate for community organisations across the patch. You’ll have a good understanding of the operating environment in the North East & Cumbria with well-established networks across the patch. You will also play a pivotal role in sharing learning, intelligence and insights to ensure the Foundations’ strategy development, delivery and relationship with the Lloyds Banking Group considers regional needs and the operating context of our funded partners.

If you have experience working with or in the voluntary, community or social enterprise sector and are creative, adaptable, resilient, flexible in your approach, keen to learn and hungry for change, then this could be the role for you! 

About the Foundation

We’re an independent charitable foundation funded by Lloyds Banking Group. We work in partnership with local charities and community-led organisations, connecting people, and providing money and resources so that communities can thrive. 

This is an exciting time to join Lloyds Bank Foundation. We are coming to the end of our strategy period and, under the leadership of a new CEO, we are developing and rolling out our new strategy, brand and values. We believe this will enable us to turbocharge our work, allowing us to have an even bigger impact to create social change and cohesion and ensuring people in England and Wales are in a good place.

We encourage applications from all sections of our diverse community, irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion or belief, or because someone is married or in a civil partnership. We want an inclusive organisation that reflects our community and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We believe our organisation will be a better, more creative and innovative place to work if we can harness the benefit of different perspectives.

The Foundation is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as inclusive as possible for everyone. This includes making adjustments or changes for people who have a disability or long-term health condition. If you need any adjustments such as our application form in an accessible format such as a Word document, or for any part of the recruitment process, please email us in confidence to discuss this.

How to Apply

· Closing date: 23:59  on 18 December 2025

· 1st Interview (Newcastle, venue to be confirmed) 13th January 2026

· 2nd Interview (online) 19th January 2026

Libraries Connected is seeking a Research and Evaluation Manager to join our newly formed Policy, External Affairs, and Research Team. This is a unique opportunity to shape and deliver impactful research and evaluation across the public library sector.

You’ll lead internal research and data projects, provide in-house evaluation for programmes, and manage external research partnerships—including with academic institutions. Your work will directly inform advocacy, communications, and strategic decision-making.

We’re looking for someone with strong research and analytical skills, experience in managing complex data, and the ability to translate findings into accessible outputs. You’ll be collaborative, detail-oriented, and confident working independently across multiple projects.

The Degrees Initiative is a UK-based NGO that strengthens the capacity of the Global South to evaluate solar radiation modification (SRM), a controversial proposal for reducing some impacts of climate change by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth. Degrees is neutral on whether SRM should ever be used, but we believe that the Global South should be empowered to conduct their own research and to play a central role in SRM discussions. The initiative has been working in different forms for over a decade, and our work receives worldwide coverage and widespread acclaim. 

This is a unique opportunity to inform conversations on SRM in Africa. Rather than lobbying for outcomes, Degrees aims to support informed, independent policymaking by fostering connections between researchers and policymakers and strengthening institutional expertise. Degrees promotes regional research, creates spaces for policy-science dialogue, and supports the dissemination of Global South research.

Responsibilities

The Policy and Engagement Manager, Africa will strengthen the voice of the Global South in discussions and potential negotiations on SRM research and governance with relevance to Africa by connecting experts to policy processes. Accordingly, the successful candidate will: 

• Identify and engage key policy actors (e.g. national delegates and legislators, scientific advisors, intergovernmental officials) in Africa, connecting them to local SRM experts and providing them with information, where appropriate, while remaining neutral regarding the potential use and governance of SRM;
• Work with SRM researchers from the region to support the ongoing development of a coordinated community of experts; 
• Build informal and formal partnerships with like-minded organisations, helping to inform discussions and counter misinformation about climate and SRM.
• Share expertise and experience gained from Africa with staff and researchers and participate, as appropriate, in activities in Asia and the Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean to gain similar expertise;
• Identify the most impactful international forums and regional SRM discussions, and work to connect local experts into these; 
• Identify a core group of researchers interested in policy engagement, and facilitate and join their participation in governance fora such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNFCCC COP, UN Environment Assembly, and meetings of the Convention on Biological Diversity;
• Support the execution and coordination of the Degrees policy engagement strategy in collaboration with other policy and programmatic staff; 
• Contribute to budgeting and alignment with programmes;
• Support monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) activities by contributing to tracking, documentation, and reporting of policy engagement outcomes;
• In cooperation with the communications staff, ensure the development of clear, contextualised briefing materials for policy makers and other audiences. 

About the Foundation
We’re an independent charitable foundation funded by Lloyds Banking Group. We work in partnership with small and local charities, people and communities, changing lives and working towards a more just and compassionate society.

This is an exciting time to join Lloyds Bank Foundation. We are coming to the end of our strategy period and under the leadership of a new CEO, we are developing and rolling out our new strategy, brand and values. We believe this will enable us to turbocharge our work, allowing us to have an even bigger impact to create social change and cohesion and ensuring people in England and Wales are in a good place.

About the Programme
The Foundation has been awarded a £2.1m grant by the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) to deliver a pilot as part of its Grant Holder Support programme. This pilot, Investing in the Power of Civil Society (IIPCS), will support up to 640 charities across the Northwest, Southwest of England and Yorkshire and Humber.

Delivered in partnership with eight organisations — IVAR, Groundwork UK and local trusts, CAST, The School for Social Entrepreneurs, NCVO, Voice4Change England, the AVOCADO Foundation and Access (advisory) — the pilot will offer diagnostic-led, tailored and relational support to help organisations strengthen their work.

Support will focus on resilience, environmental impact, readiness for AI and digital technology, enabling participating charities to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world. With a strong emphasis on equity and access, the pilot is designed to ensure organisations of all sizes and backgrounds can benefit.

We will be using a test-and-learn approach — trying out new ways of supporting charities, learning from what works and what doesn’t, and using those insights to improve future programmes. This approach will help shape NLCF’s future support for both grant holders and grant seekers, strengthen the Foundation and partners’ own development practice, and contribute to wider learning across the sector.

About the Role

As Programme Lead, you’ll have overall responsibility for the successful delivery of this ambitious and collaborative pilot. You’ll lead a multi-partner consortium, oversee a £2.1m budget, and ensure that up to 640 charities receive high-quality, equitable support.

You’ll manage delivery, governance, performance, and learning, while championing a test-and-learn approach that generates insights for the Foundation, the National Lottery Community Fund, and the wider sector. You’ll also lead a small team and play an active role in the Foundation’s leadership group.

This is a strategic and hands-on role for someone who thrives in complexity, values collaboration, and is passionate about strengthening small and local charities.

The Benefits

• Salary of £56,501 per annum (FTE)
• There is flexibility as to where this role is based; however, regular travel to London and across England will be required, with some overnight stays
• A further list of benefits can be found here on the Lloyds Bank Foundation website. 

About You
You are an experienced programme leader with a strong track record of delivering complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives in the charity, social or funding sectors. You bring a deep understanding of the voluntary sector, particularly the needs of small and community-led organisations.

You are confident managing partnerships, budgets, and governance structures, and skilled at translating strategy into delivery.

You are a collaborative leader who can inspire and support a team, while championing equity, learning, and continuous improvement.

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• Proven experience leading complex programmes or partnerships with accountability for delivery, budget, risk, and reporting.
• A strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in programme design and delivery.
• Experience managing multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaborative delivery models.
• A solid understanding of how to support and develop small and community-led organisations.
• Excellent people leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Confidence in representing programmes externally and influencing funders or decision-makers.

Experience with test-and-learn approaches, diagnostic tools, or equity-led programme design would be an advantage.

We are hoping for an immediate start for the position or as soon as possible thereafter.

So, if you’re looking to make a meaningful impact as a Programme lead, please apply via the button shown. 

• The deadline for applications is Sunday 7th December at 23:30
• Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be held online on Friday 19th December.

About the Foundation

We’re an independent charitable foundation funded by Lloyds Banking Group. We work in partnership with small and local charities, people and communities, changing lives and working towards a more just and compassionate society.

This is an exciting time to join Lloyds Bank Foundation. We are coming to the end of our strategy period and under the leadership of a new CEO, we are developing and rolling out our new strategy, brand and values. We believe this will enable us to turbocharge our work, allowing us to have an even bigger impact to create social change and cohesion and ensuring people in England and Wales are in a good place. 

About the Programme

The Foundation has been awarded a £2.1m grant by the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) to deliver a pilot as part of it's Grant Holder Support programme. This pilot, Investing in the Power of Civil Society (IIPCS), will support up to 640 charities across the Northwest, Southwest of England and Yorkshire and Humber . 

Delivered in partnership with eight organisations — IVAR, Groundwork UK and local trusts, CAST, The School for Social Entrepreneurs, NCVO, Voice4Change England, the AVOCADO Foundation and Access (advisory) — the pilot will offer diagnostic-led, tailored and relational support to help organisations strengthen their work.

Support will focus on resilience, environmental impact, readiness for AI and digital technology, enabling participating charities to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world. With a strong emphasis on equity and access, the pilot is designed to ensure organisations of all sizes and backgrounds can benefit.

We will be using a test-and-learn approach — trying out new ways of supporting charities, learning from what works and what doesn’t, and using those insights to improve future programmes. This approach will help shape NLCF’s future support for both grant holders and grant seekers, strengthen the Foundation and partners’ own development practice, and contribute to wider learning across the sector.

About the Role

As Relationship Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering this new, collaborative pilot programme. You’ll be the key point of contact for grant holders referred into the programme, guiding them through a diagnostic process, co-creating tailored development plans, and connecting them with the right support.

You’ll also work closely with National Lottery Community Fund Funding Officers, helping them make confident and effective referrals. Your work will ensure that learning from these relationships directly informs the future design of the programme and how the UK’s largest non-statutory community funder supports small charities.

This is a highly relational role that requires empathy, curiosity, and a deep understanding of the voluntary sector.

The Benefits 

• Salary of £48,240 per annum (FTE)
• There is flexibility as to where this role is based; however, regular travel to London and across England will be required, with some overnight stays
• A further list of benefits can be found on the Lloyds Bank Foundation website. 

About You

You are passionate about supporting small and local charities and have a strong understanding of the challenges they face. 

You bring experience of working directly with organisations to identify development goals, build capacity, and improve service delivery.

You are a confident relationship-builder, able to engage with a wide range of stakeholders—from charity leaders to funders and delivery partners. You are organised, adaptable, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• Strong knowledge of the voluntary sector, particularly small and local charities.
• Experience supporting organisations through capacity-building or development work.
• Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills, both in-person and virtually.
• Strong communication and critical thinking skills.
• Confidence using CRM systems and digital tools.
• A commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice.

Experience working in partnerships or consortia, or familiarity with test-and-learn approaches, would be a bonus.

So, if you’re ready to bring your expertise to a collaborative, test-and-learn programme as a Relationship Manager, please apply via the button shown. We are hoping for an immediate start for the position or as soon as possible thereafter. 

• The deadline for applications is Sunday 7th December at 23:30. 
• Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be held online on Thursday 18th December.

We are looking for someone who:

• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with key stakeholders
• Has experience of supporting the wellbeing of caring professionals, ideally with those in Christian ministry
• Is familiar with the Anglican diocesan structures and culture
• Is a strategic thinker with experience in partnership development
• Shares our vision to see flouishing clergy

This newly created role within St Luke's is supported by a generous grant from the Henry Smith Foundation to develop our wellbeing programmes over the next three years. The Associate Director will engage with dioceses and individual clergy as they explore and embed our wellbeing programmes. 

The post holder will represent St Luke's and our Christian ethos within senior diocesan teams and help shape and deliver our strategic vision for flourishing clergy. This role will support the advancing clergy reflection programme and support dioceses, other networks and communities and Theological Educational Institutions in establishing wellbeing practices.

The role is home based with travel around the UK as required. There will be a requirement to be in London at least once a month for team meetings. 

This role carries an occupational requirement for the postholder to be a practicing Christian, in accordance with Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010. The role involves representing and upholding the Christian ethos of St Luke’s in both internal leadership and external engagement.

Please see job pack for more information.