Independent mental health advocate jobs in glasgow
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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.
Registered Charity 
101 - 500
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
POST
Manager (NUMbrella Lane)
RESPONSIBLE TO
Chief Executive Officer
RESPONSIBLE FOR
Management and oversight of all programming at NUMbrella Lane, with line management responsibility for the Scotland-based team.
SALARY & HOURS OF WORK
Full Time – 4 days a week (30 hours)
Salary: Gross £35,000 pro rata £28,000
Term - Permanent
Annual Leave Entitlement - 31 days including public and bank holidays Pro Rata
Pension: Workplace pension contributions of 5% per month will be paid by NUM
LOCATION OF THE POST HOLDER
The post holder will be required to work from our drop-in space and office in Central Glasgow and will have flexibility to work from home. There may be occasional travel throughout Scotland and the UK as part of the role, including to NUM’s main offices in Manchester. All equipment required for remote working will be provided and costs for travel outside of normal working spaces will be reimbursed by NUM.
ROLE SUMMARY
We are looking for an outstanding organiser and communicator to manage NUMbrella Lane (NBL) in Glasgow. NUMbrella Lane has been operating since 2022 after NUM took over aspects of the programming from the charity that ran Umbrella Lane. Since then, the project has evolved to provide in-person health and wellbeing support to Scotland-based sex workers and host events and outings within the community with a focus on community connectivity, reducing isolation and addressed root causes of interpersonal and intersectional violence. NBL is one of few sex worker-led services in the region and we seek innovative leadership that will execute our framework for change, build on partnerships, increase financial resources, and improve the service to the quality requested by communities of sex workers who live in or tour Scotland.
The post holder is a key point of contact who will further develop health testing services and other material support with, by and for sex workers. The NBL manager will co-design service delivery plans based on the needs of the community and NUM’s larger strategic vision; support the work of the Victim Support Case Worker based at NUMbrella Lane, the Mental Health Support Service Coordinator, and a new post, the Vocational Support Worker. The manager will be required to ensure the delivery of regular drop-in sessions, outings and events, and digital services in consultation with sex workers in Scotland and collaborate with the Manager of Support Services to support Victim and Vocational case work services to Glaswegians.
To be successful in this role, you should have at least 2 years’ experience as a manager in a position of public trust or in other leadership roles, have an excellent track record in program management and community development. Experience in or knowledge of adult industries is highly desirable. We value lived experience and welcome applicants with insight into the sector, but we do not require applicants to disclose personal histories. Experience with charity sector fund development and community development among marginalised communities are an asset.
The NBL manager must be knowledgeable about sex workers’ lived experiences, the socio-legal and political contexts within which sex workers and NUM are situated, and the ability to navigate a difficult terrain towards improving the systems, structures and services that influence the health and wellbeing of sex workers in Scotland in service to our mandate to 'end all forms of violence against sex workers' and eliminate the conditions that lead to poverty and survival sex work.
ABOUT NUM
National Ugly Mugs (NUM) is a UK-wide charity providing victim/survivor support and violence prevention services to sex workers, to ensure greater access to justice and protection. We serve sex workers of all genders, backgrounds and modes of work. We offer a digital tools reporting and alerting mechanism to warn sex workers about dangerous individuals who may target them; online screening tools; and individualised support for those who experience harm from a specialist team of Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA) and other experts. Some of this victim support work is done within formal partnerships with sister organisation. We run a wellbeing drop-in service in Glasgow and other in-person services and events in Manchester and London. We have developed Vocational Support Services for those exploring careers both in and outside of sex industries and we run a Racial Justice project that visibilises the lived experiences of harm among racialised sex workers towards systems change. We are currently enhancing services for sex workers who are 18-25 years of age and those under 30.
NUM values those with lived experience in sex industries and work with them to shape services and responses, conduct research, develop education packages, and participate in policy advocacy to change the conditions that lead to survival sex work, gain rights and recognition, and improve the safety of UK-based sex workers.
NUM is run by our CEO and governance is provided by a board of Trustees.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
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At least 2 years' work experience as a manager or coordinator leading implementation of projects and services to marginalised populations with experience being responsible for environments and services.
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Proven people management skills, including line management, supervision and coaching of staff and volunteers
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Experience in project and partnership development, budgeting and fundraising.
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Monitoring and evaluation skills, including data collection and reporting to funders.
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Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, and the ability to problem-solve and be proactive, within busy and challenging work environments.
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A deep understanding of marginalisation and the health, safety and rights issues confronting sex workers in Scotland, as it relates to programming priorities, advocacy and partnerships.
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High quality administrative skills and experience working with digital programs to document activities, deliver tasks on time and on budget. Specifically, proficiency with CRM systems, applications and digital platforms and services, particularly Google Workplace, the Microsoft Office Suite, as well as Slack, Trello, and other project management programs and tools.
If you are passionate about NUM’s mission to ‘end all forms of violence against sex workers’ by providing high quality health and wellbeing services to sex workers in Scotland, and you would like to be part of leading change within a passionate work environment, we would love for you to join our team.
Applications close on 1st October 2025 at 5pm BST.
Please submit a CV (max 3 pages) and a cover letter (max 2 pages) including:
- Why you want to manage NUMbrella Lane
- Prior work experience and suitability for the role
You can apply via Charity Jobs or by sending to admin[at]nationaluglymugs[dot]org with your name and ‘NBL Manager’ in the subject line.
Please also include two references (including your most recent employer or any organisations you currently or have recently volunteered for) and an indication of when they can be contacted. Please Note: We will not contact your referees until after an offer is made.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Job Title: Online Engagement and Inclusion Lead (Young People’s Services)
Organisation: Kids
Location: Remote work with occasional travel to London for in-person meeting
Hours: 36 hours per week
Contract: Fixed term for 2 years
Salary- £31,000 - £33,000
Purpose
This role leads the coordination of Kids’ online engagement and digital inclusion work for young people with SEND, including information provision, participation, and wellbeing support. You will deliver a two-year Online Wellbeing and Resilience Support Programme, including identifying and engaging digitally excluded young people to help them access vital digital tools and services. The role also drives collaboration across the Digital Services Consortium (a collaboration of 12 children’s charities), embedding shared learning, outcome measurement, and inclusive digital practices across Kids, and will create new capacity to work with young people to scope and deploy online campaigning activity.
Responsibilities
- To lead and coordinate Kids’ online engagement and inclusion work for young people with SEND. This includes Kids’ online information provision; voice/ participation and wellbeing work.
- To develop and deliver Kids’ two-year digital inclusion programme, Online Wellbeing and Resilience Support Programme* to ensure reach and impact is maximised.
- To work with the Digital Services Consortium Driving Digital Inclusion members on shared digital project outcome measures and community of practice, ensuring learnings and online engagement and digital inclusion principles are captured, shared and built into the organisation.
- To identify and recruit (working closely with colleagues from services across Kids) digitally excluded young people to the digital inclusion programme so they can become digitally included and access much needed support and guidance.
- To establish a holistic and joined up approach to Young People’s online engagement and digital inclusion with Kids.
- To create new capacity to work across all services and teams, and with a range of young people, to scope and deploy online campaigning capabilities in line with Kids’ Speak Up and wider national and local influencing work.
Key to your success in the role will be:
- Ensuring an audience-led approach, leading and championing an important collaborative way of working across Kids existing young people's services.
- Confidently working within the Kids digital infrastructure and context – understanding where we are at on our digital journey, building excellent problem-solving relationships with marketing, IT, change team and young people’s services colleagues.
- Helping to embed digital inclusion practices across the organisation.
- Applying strong digital, data and analytical skills to enable you to baseline, track and measure progress.
- Demonstrating excellent attention to detail whilst being flexible to adapt to the needs of a new programme.
- Influencing the broader Kids service teams to identify and engage digitally excluded young people.
- Centering the voices and needs of young people with SEND.
Person Specification
Experience
- Proven experience working in digital engagement initiatives, ideally with young people or vulnerable groups.
- Involvement in programmes that promote digital inclusion and wellbeing.
- Experience in outcome measurement, impact reporting, and using data to inform practice.
Desirable
- Experience in co-producing content or services with young people, including those with SEND.
Skills
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and meet deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, tailored to diverse audiences including young people, professionals, and stakeholders.
- Skilled in using digital tools and platforms to deliver services and measure engagement.
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and build strong internal and external relationships.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of safeguarding principles and practices in online environments.
- Awareness of current trends in digital engagement and youth participation.
- Knowledge of inclusive digital design and accessibility standards.
- Understanding of digital inclusion principles and the barriers faced by digitally excluded young people.
Personal Attributes
- Passionate about inclusion, equity, and empowering young people.
- Committed to co-production and user-led design.
- Growth mindset and proactive approach to problem-solving.
- Committed to continuous learning and sharing best practices.
- Flexible and adaptable, with a collaborative mindset.
*About the funded programme
Kids Online Wellbeing and Resilience Support Programme will help young people with SEND (aged 13 – 25 years) build resilience, positive self-regard and meaningful connections.
Our goal is to reduce isolation and protect mental health through a supportive, inclusive digital environment. We’ll begin by consulting directly with young people to understand what they need most. Together, we’ll co-create new online content and resources that truly reflect their voices and experiences.
What the Programme Offers:
- Online information with resources codesigned with young people with SEND.
- A series of interactive webinars and guided online activities.
- Free devices and data to improve access to those who need it most, plus the support to ensure everyone can participate.
We will reach over 1,800 young people over the two year funded period.
Partner Acknowledgements
Thanks to National Lottery players, the Digital Services Consortium (DSC) has received over £1.5 million over two years from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK. The DSC has also received a grant of £400,000 from BBC Children in Need for two years to provide digital support for disabled or seriously ill children and young people and their family members across the UK. Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone have generously donated devices and data through the Good Things Foundation National Databank and Device Bank which will help address affordability barriers.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.