Information officer jobs

If you’re a purpose‑driven CEO with a deep passion for animal welfare, this is your opportunity to steer a trusted charity as it transforms for a sustainable future.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue is embarking on an exciting phase of strategic revitalisation. As a leading animal welfare charity with a proud history since 1965, we are seeking a visionary and dynamic Chief Executive Officer to lead us into our next chapter. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our charity and ensuring the animals in our care receive the very best support.

As Chief Executive of Margaret Green Animal Rescue, you’ll lead a proud organisation delivering rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming, and providing lifetime care for animals with complex needs across Dorset and Devon since 1965. You’ll harness the charity’s tangible local footprint across three rescue centres and a network of retail shops to elevate outcomes, scale supporter engagement, and embed operational excellence.

You’ll be the catalyst for significant strategic change—partnering closely with the Board of Trustees to set bold transformational objectives and KPIs. You’ll transform our operating model to meet current and future needs, oversee a data and IT modernisation programme to strengthen insight, efficiency and compliance (from donor management and welfare tracking to retail operations), steward budgets and risk with rigour, and act as the charity’s primary spokesperson to media, partners and the wider community.

The role is full‑time, based at Head Office in Church Knowle, Dorset, with regular travel across centres and shops, and offers a competitive package including 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays. We welcome experienced CEOs and senior leaders who bring strategic planning, change delivery and inclusive leadership.

The Role

As CEO, you will provide inspirational leadership and strategic direction, working closely with the Board of Trustees to deliver our mission and vision. You will be responsible for:

• Leading the development and implementation of a revitalised strategic plan, ensuring alignment with our values and ambitions
• Driving operational excellence across all areas, including animal welfare, fundraising, retail, and administration
• Championing a ‘One Charity’ culture, embedding consistent ethics and best practices across all teams and locations
• Acting as the primary spokesperson, enhancing our profile and engagement with supporters, partners, and the wider community
• Overseeing financial stewardship, risk management, and the effective use of data and technology to support organisational goals
• Ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and charity governance requirements

About You

We are looking for an exceptional leader who is passionate about animal welfare and ethical leadership. The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven senior leadership experience, ideally within the charity, animal welfare, or related sectors
• Demonstrable experience in strategic planning, organisational development, and change management
• Strong financial acumen and experience in budget management and income generation
• Experience in data and IT management, including digital transformation
• Excellent communication, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement skills
• A commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare

Experience in retail operations, fundraising, and working with Boards of Trustees is desirable.

What We Offer

• Full-time role (37.5 hours per week) with flexibility for additional hours as required
• Competitive salary (£65-80k depending on experience) and benefits, including 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), business expenses, and mobile phone provision
• The chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of animals and the communities we serve

Join us at this pivotal moment and help shape the future of Margaret Green Animal Rescue. If you are ready to lead with vision, compassion, and drive, we would love to hear from you.

Smart Works is looking to appoint an experienced Finance Officer to join our finance team of six at a time of significant growth for the charity.

The successful candidate primarily will be responsible for the day-to-day transactional processing on Xero, coordinating payment runs and managing all the finance related administrative tasks for Smart Works Charity and all our regional centres.

The Finance Officer will work closely with our two Finance Managers and the Director of Finance to ensure there is appropriate financial management across the charity.

Apply via our online portal by Wednesday 17th December.

About SPANA

SPANA (The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) is the global charity for the working animals of the world. Since our foundation in 1923, we have worked where they work, to support the welfare of working animals, including horses, donkeys, mules, oxen, dogs and camels.

About this role

SPANA is investing in its Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) function. We have established an independent MEAL team within the Global Programmes Directorate (GPD), led by a Head of Data Insights and MEAL. The MEAL team plays a critical role in ensuring that SPANA’s programmes are effective, responsive and continuously progressing to improve the welfare of working animals globally. The MEAL team works closely with SPANA partners based in different countries and with SPANA colleagues across departments.

Reporting to the MEAL Manager, the Data Management Officer is a key role in SPANA’s MEAL team. The role oversees the full data cycle, including supporting partners with consistent data collection, improving data quality assurance, maintaining data systems, setting standards, co-ordinating consolidation of programme data and producing clear analysis and visualisation. The role contributes directly to better use of evidence in programme design, learning and accountability across the organisation.

Contract, location and salary

This is a full-time (34.5 hour per week), permanent role based in the UK. SPANA works on a hybrid basis, and staff come into our office in London for approximately 1-2 days per month (or more if preferred). 

The salary for this role is c.£35k per annum, subject to skills and experience. SPANA provides employee benefits including a generous company pensions scheme and healthcare cashplan with Medicash. 

Full details and how to apply

Please review the job description for full details including a person specification and information on how to apply.

The deadline for applications is 23:59 GMT on 04 January 2026. 

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

Designed by families, for families, The Ark was opened in September 2019 by the Mayor of London. The grounds offer wheelchair accessible outdoor experiences, including a Woodland Walk through a 7-acre nature reserve, a hydrotherapy pool and overnight suites for families to be close to their loved ones. At The Ark we are able to provide Specialist Care and Nursing for babies, children and young people, supporting their full clinical, emotional, social and practical needs. We have created a space where children who are seriously unwell are accepted as they are, safe to play, explore, express themselves and build confidence.

Rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, the charity has had a sustained period of growth over the last two years and we are looking for high quality employees to come and be a part of that success.

Our expert staff and trained volunteers provide clinical, emotional and practical support for families across North and Central London and Herts Valley. We carefully adapt our support for every child and offer it wherever it is required - whether in their home, their community or at our state-of-the-art children’s hospice building, The Ark, in Barnet.

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice helps babies, children and young people who are seriously unwell, and their families, make the most of every day. The charity aspires to become a centre of clinical excellence for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

We’ve been on a major upward trajectory in recent years, with more children being supported, more major hospitals being partnered with and more supporters donating. We’ve transformed from being an enthusiastic start-up delivering care in the community, to a serious player delivering major impact both in the community and at our state-of-the-art hospice building, The Ark, opened in 2019.

Philanthropy, which covers Grants, Trusts & Foundations and Major Donor fundraising streams, is pivotal to Noah’s Ark, typically accounting for around 50% of the charity’s voluntary income. This is an area of real expertise for Noah’s Ark, with much scope for further refining. The successful candidate will therefore enjoy opportunities to manage and add to an exciting portfolio and gain further training and support, working as part of a high-performing and super supportive team, ready for its next exciting growth phase.

The Philanthropy Officer will work closely with and report to the Grants, Trusts & Foundations Manager and Head of Philanthropy to develop the Trust and Major Donor pipelines, along with instrumental cross-team work on applications and reporting processes for other income streams. Whilst we work towards developing a more diverse funding model and navigate changes to the external Trust and HNWI environments, sustaining and growing income from both of these income steams will remain vital.

The post-holder will be key in taking the Trust and Major Donor programmes to the next level, securing new grants, building relationships, increasing multi-year gifts and improving both quality and volume of applications. They will also support the Grants, Trusts & Foundations Manager, and the wider team, to the same end with their respective portfolios.

ABOUT YOU

You will be a highly organised, dedicated and reliable individual ready to play a significant role in income generation. An exceptional and eloquent communicator, excellent at managing your time and a natural relationship builder. You will have a collaborative mindset, and be willing to engage with colleagues across the fundraising team and wider charity to create the greatest outcomes for the children and families we support.

At this stage in your career, we would not necessarily expect you to have direct experience of fundraising from Trusts or Major Donors. We encourage you to apply if you consider yourself to have an emphatically strong transferrable skills and experience and believe you could thrive in a nurturing environment.

Please refer to the job description for further information on this role. 

Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from groups who are currently under-represented in our staff.

Our diversity council is working hard to construct positive changes within our organisation. We are a disabilty confident employer and part of our commitment is to interview all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and consider them on their abilities.

Chief Executive Officer

Salary:     c.£75 - 80,000 per annum

Hours:      Full time 35 hours per week

Contract:  Permanent

Location:  The role is, of necessity, office based, although flexibility for home working is expected where appropriate. Evening and weekend work will be required to attend networking and other events.

At Sussex community Foundation we are approaching our 20th anniversary. As we celebrate this milestone, we are looking for an ambitious and dynamic chief executive to lead us into the next 20 years, enabling us to make Sussex a fairer and more equal place.

At Sussex Community Foundation we bring inspirational people together to create the change Sussex needs. In our first 20 years we have built a reputation across the county as an authoritative voice in local philanthropy, attracting and retaining new Fundholders to the Foundation.

As a leading grant maker in the county, our reputation within the voluntary sector is incredibly important to us. We want to ensure that our future Chief Executive builds on these trusted relationships.

We have an experienced and influential Board who will support you in your role, backed up by an enthusiastic and committed team of experts in both fundraising and grant making.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Mark Spofforth OBE FCA - Chair of Trustees

Closing date: Monday 5 January 2026 - noon
We are using the Charity Job anonymous recruitment process - please ensure that you apply through the portal.

For full Persons Specification please refer to the pack below.

**No Agencies please**

#Chief Executive Officer #CEO #Executive #Leadership 

Job Summary 

The Health Information Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day management of our patient and public information about bowel cancer and will work closely with the Senior Health Information Officer and Health Information Manager in the development of information content.

This role is an excellent development opportunity for a proactive person with strong administrative and prioritisation skills who is looking to develop their career in health information. Experience in an information or communications role would be beneficial.

The position offers you a unique and exciting opportunity to make a direct difference for people affected by bowel cancer, ensuring all of the charity’s information meets patient needs, is of the highest quality and has a strong evidence base.

Please note we may interview on a rolling basis before the closing date as applications come in.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Fundraising Officer to join the fundraising team at the Batten Disease Family Association CIO (BDFA).

The BDFA, founded in 1998 is the only patient organisation in the UK for families affected by Batten disease, a rare and terminal neurodegenerative condition that affects children and young adults. The BDFA offers informed guidance and support to families and the professionals who work with them, as well as actively raising awareness, and promoting research into the management of Batten disease to improve patient care pathways and ultimately find a cure.

This is an exciting time to join the charity, which has grown to offer additional support services for families affected by Batten disease and to implementing a long-term strategy to develop its advocacy, education and research capabilities. Come and join our supportive team as we continue to build and develop the organisation and strengthen our financial resilience.

We’re looking for an individual who has some experience in fundraising, particularly leading on all aspects of community fundraising, developing and nurturing relationships with volunteer fundraising groups and individual supporters. The successful candidate will work under the guidance of our CEO to develop community fundraising maximising the funds raised by volunteer fundraisers and developing supporter engagement. The successful candidate will also work alongside our Trusts and Foundations Fundraising Officer to support our Trusts and Foundations income generation.

The Ideal Candidate for this role will have:

- Experience in all aspects of community fundraising including events, assisting fundraisers to develop imaginative fundraising ideas and inspiring new supporters to raise funds whilst maintaining relationships with existing supporters

- Experience in building and sustaining long-term relationships with fundraising groups and individual supporters

- Experience in managing effective and creative fundraising communications on social media and the website

- Ability to contribute to the overall Trusts and Foundations income stream, including proactively researching and identifying grant funding opportunities 

- Ability to lead on creative fundraising campaigns around key events such as Batten disease awareness day and Christmas

This job requires a motivated individual who has a passion for all those within our Batten community and a strong desire to support the development and financial growth of the BDFA. The role is full time (35 hours per week) and is home based with occasional travel around the UK to meet donors and support fundraising events.

The BDFA recognises the positive value of diversity and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive team.  We encourage applications from all suitably qualified or experienced individuals, regardless of their race, gender, biological sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

Salary £27k - £34k PA dependent on experience

Upload a CV and covering letter to apply

Apply by: Monday 15th December

Interviews for this role will take place on Monday 22nd December

About You:

· You are a professional and enthusiastic HR and Operations practitioner with experience spanning people management and day-to-day organisational operations.

· You have a strong track record of developing, motivating, and supporting both staff and volunteers.

· You have the ability to manage a wide range of operations – including health and safety, policy compliance, quality, governance, contracts, and contractor oversight – to support service delivery across the Centre’s diverse functions.

·You are experienced in building and maintaining effective organisational systems.

·You demonstrate outstanding communication skills, attention to detail, and discretion, and you excel at managing a varied workload with competing priorities and tight deadlines.

· You are highly organised and thrive in dynamic environments where flexibility, initiative, and sound judgement are essential.

· You are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive culture; You are proactive and comfortable working independently, while also able to build strong, collaborative relationships across all levels of the organisation.

 Key Responsibilities and accountabilities:                

· Be directly responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient day-to-day functioning of the centre including the management of the Brazelton Centre UK premises and IT, where applicable.

· Understand the legal and reporting obligations of the Brazelton Centre UK as a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and be responsible for ensuring the Centre meets these obligations including for example filing of annual accounts.

· Work with the Board of Trustees, Director, fundraising colleagues and partner organisations to increase voluntary income to the Centre to fund and trial innovative new services and research opportunities in line with our strategy

·Ensure HR policies are reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with employment laws, regulations and best practice. Develop new policies that are fit for purpose, legally compliant, and embedded within the team. 

·Update, maintain and develop employee handbook, HR templates, processes, and systems to support the delivery of an effective HR function. 

·Manage HR systems ensuring all records are maintained accurately and comply with GDPR.

·Day to day line management of a number of the Brazelton Centre staff including the development of objectives, work plans and monitoring ongoing performance, the management of annual leave and sickness and absence monitoring.

·Oversee the entire employee lifecycle - from induction to exit - while implementing talent retention strategies, performance management systems, and succession planning. 

·Oversee organisational volunteer management, ensuring compliance with policies and alignment with strategic objectives 

·Manage grievances and disciplinary actions in accordance with policy. 

·Lead on delivery of annual training plan and annual appraisal process. 

·Oversee day-to-day office management to ensure a warm, inclusive, and safe working environment. 

·Ensure health and safety, compliance, and quality standards are consistently upheld across all HR and operational practices, fostering a safe, legally sound, and high-performing work environment

Support the planning and further development of the Brazelton Centre UK, working to continually extend the reach of our existing NBO and NBAS courses.

·Work with the Director and Board of Trustees, to develop and implement the Brazelton Centre UK’s long-term strategy, and be responsible for the development and delivery of the supporting business plan.

In line with our strategy, where relevant, support the Director to seek new projects, research and funding opportunities related to the aims of the Centre

Promote the activities of the Brazelton Centre UK in enabling the highest standards of service delivery

As required support the Director with engaging with the appropriate resources and media to promote and develop services offered by the Brazelton Centre UK.

 General

This job description describes the major responsibilities and accountabilities associated with the post of Operational Manager.It is not intended to be exhaustive and it should not be assumed that other duties of a similar level/nature appropriate to the role of Operational Manager are excluded simply because they are not itemised.Similarly, it should be recognised that the duties of the post may alter due to changes in legislation or policy or the business needs of the charity.Where such changes occur, training may be given where reasonable to enable the post-holder to undertake the new or varied work.

The Operational Manager is a key advocate for The Brazelton Centre and is expected to display the highest levels of personal and professional integrity at all times and to always act in a way which reflects positively on the organisation. 

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK and be able to provide evidence of this.

Candidates should also submit the names and contact details of at least two referees, one of whom must be their most recent employer. (We can include an optional third reference if preferred.)

The start date will be agreed upon with the successful candidate, but we are aiming for a start date of 1 March 2026.

Closing date for Application submission is 12th December 2025 and Interview date will be in person in Cambridge on the 15th January 2026. 

For more information about the post and informal discussions, please contact Inge Nickell, Director of the Brazelton Centre UK.

We are seeking a Community Development Officer to lead a major in-progress project improving recognition, support, and care for people with smell and taste disorders at a local level across England. 

This three-year, volunteer-led programme, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund has achieved significant success in its first eighteen months. We are now recruiting a new postholder to take this strong foundation forward through the next phase of delivery. 

Over the past eighteen months, we have recruited and established a thriving network of volunteers and local groups across England. This momentum is expected to continue. The Community Development Officer will work closely with existing volunteers and groups, primarily remotely, while also attending in-person events and meetings in different parts of England as needed. 

The postholder will lead the ongoing recruitment, training, and support of volunteer groups, working with them to identify opportunities for local outreach and engagement. Together, you will ensure that more people affected by smell and taste disorders access the information, support, and recognition they need, while continuing to raise awareness of these often-unrecognised sensory impairments. 

Our volunteer groups bring together people with lived experience alongside experts from the food, beverage and fragrance sectors, and other relevant fields. 

We are looking for a motivated, forward-thinking individual with experience in leading and inspiring others. You will bring energy, creativity, and excellent communication skills to drive the project forward and help build an innovative, sustainable programme of volunteer-led activity, supporting our volunteers to influence change within their communities. 

You will empower volunteers to play an active role in transforming public understanding of how essential smell and taste are to our lives, whether they are running peer support groups, organising local events, delivering talks in community settings, or representing the charity at information days. 

You will join a small, friendly and ambitious team committed to your professional development as the charity continues to grow. 

If you are passionate about making a difference, enjoy working with people, and want to contribute to a pioneering and collaborative organisation that values and empowers its community, we would love to hear from you. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. 

The Funding and Development Officer will play a key role in identifying, securing, and managing income streams through grants, partnerships, donations, and fundraising initiatives. This role will also support organisational growth by developing strategic relationships, improving funding processes, and enhancing the charity’s visibility and impact.

The Funding & Development Officer will work closely with the Centre Manager to identify a strategic funding & finance plan to ensure sustainability for all the charities projects.

LYCC is a youth and community organisation (registered charity) dedicated to empowering young people, adults and strengthening local communities. We provide inclusive programmes, opportunities, and support that help individuals develop confidence, skills, and a sense of belonging. Our name change in 2011, to Litherland Youth & Community Centre, and our building redevelopment in 2014/2015 reflects how our organisation had shifted from a traditional “boys club” and “youth centre” to now a youth and community centre. Taking a holistic approach in relation to our services facilitated and support offered. LYCC identified the need for this holistic approach and has worked since to provide services and support for individuals of all ages within our community. The Funding & Development Officer, will help LYCC be proactive to local identified need and help to source and secure funds to faciltiate support. 

Current charity turnover approx. £300k. 

Role Purpose 

We are seeking a Senior Digital and Information Security Specialist to join our small dedicated team of risk experts. In this role you will lead the development, delivery, and continual improvement of Kamara’s digital security offering and support a team of digital security specialists, review and refine their work, and ensure our approaches remain current with emerging trends and methodologies. You will also play a key role in administering and strengthening Kamara’s internal IT security and information management systems, working closely with the leadership team to ensure robust, resilient, and practical systems that align with our organisational goals. 

Who we are looking for 

We are looking for a technically skilled and people-centered digital security professional who combines deep technical expertise with excellent communication and facilitation skills. You will have a track record of providing pragmatic, context-sensitive digital security guidance to organisations operating across diverse budgets, capacities, and geographies. We particularly welcome candidates with experience supporting social justice or civil society organisations, especially those working in higher-risk environments. 

Key Responsibilities 

Project Design and Delivery 

- Design and deliver digital and information security assessments, management plans and protocols for a range of partner organisations 

- Facilitate engaging workshops (both virtual and in-person) to support partners in implementing and embedding digital security practices 

- Represent Kamara in meetings with partners 

Team and Curriculum Development 

- Support a small team of digital security specialists, reviewing and contributing to their learning and development 

- Contribute to the ongoing development and refinement of Kamara’s risk management methodologies and tools 

- Stay informed about emerging threats, technologies and best practices, using insights to strengthen our digital security offering 

Internal Digital Security and IT systems 

- Oversee and administer internal IT and digital security systems, working in close collaboration with the leadership team

- Conduct regular internal audits and risk assessments, recommending and implementing improvements as needed 

- Design and deliver digital security training sessions for staff, as required. 

Candidate Profile 

Essential: 

- A minimum of 8 years’ experience in IT and digital security roles - Experience providing direct digital security support and training, ideally to social justice or civil society organisations, and/or in higher-risk contexts - Excellent communication, facilitation and cross-cultural collaboration skills - Hands-on experience managing Windows/Linux/or macOS infrastructure and cloud-based environments (Azure, Google, Amazon) 

- Strong understanding of vulnerability assessment, mitigation, and hardening techniques 

- A pragmatic approach to digital security, with the ability to translate complex concepts into accessible, actionable guidance 

- Strategic view and experience managing digital and information security risks, including the intersection between information security and legal and regulatory frameworks 

- Fluency in English (both written and spoken) and ability to work within Western Hemisphere timezones 

Preferred: 

- Relevant professional qualification or certification in digital security, IT, or facilitation 

- Experience managing and/or mentoring teams 

- Experience working in social justice organisations / movements and/or in high-risk contexts 

- Additional working languages (e.g., Portuguese) 

- Willingness and ability to travel internationally 

Terms 

Contract: One-year fixed term (O.8 FTE) with potential for renewal or transition into a permanent role for the right candidate. 

Our Midlands team has a new opportunity for an Executive Officer. You will be responsible for supporting effective grant-making across the region, helping us to distribute over £60m to good causes throughout the area.

As an Executive Officer, you’ll be part of a driven and passionate team, led by a Senior Head of Regional Funding. Within the team there is 1 Senior Grant Making Manager, 8 Funding Managers and 26 Funding Officers.

Reporting to the Senior Head of Regional Funding, you will work on a hybrid basis, working both remotely and spending some of your time in the Birmingham office (located near Five Ways). There will also be some occasional travel to other locations across the region throughout the year.

Organising will be at the heart of your role, and you will be in regular contact with the team across the region. The key duties of the role include:

• Supporting the Senior Head of Regional Funding, Senior Grant Making Manager, Funding Managers and their teams.
• Administration of our grant-making database using Salesforce.
• Diary management for the Senior Head of Regional Funding and Senior Grant Making Manager.
• Organising, supporting and minuting a range of regular online and face-to-face meetings.
• Responding to customer enquiries made to the region.
• Supporting teams with stakeholder engagement.
• ​General administrative and facilities support. 

​Interview Details:

• ​Date: 7th & 8th January
• ​Format: In-Person
• ​Location: Hybrid, flexible working, Birmingham based, with an expectation to be in the office around 1 day every 2 weeks.

We will be hosting a briefing session about the role on: Wednesday 3rd December 2025, 13:00 – 13:45 pm. To register or ask any questions about the recruitment process, please email the recruitment team.

​How to apply:

Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement (1000 words) with the following criteria, we will use this to score your application.

Essential:

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail with the ability to plan and proactively manage competing demands.
• Excellent customer service skills, with experience of working in a customer-facing role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work within a team but to also work independently, using your own initiative.
• Good IT skills (including Microsoft Office) with an ability to work across a variety of systems and platforms, interpreting financial information, arranging meetings and booking travel.

​Desirable:

• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and sensitivity.
• Previous voluntary or work experience in the charitable sector.
• ​Diary management experience

​Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition). 

Who are you

You are qualified chef or catering professional who is excited by the prospect of developing training, business partnerships and product development in conjunction with the staff and volunteers at our community garden, kitchen and nursery in Richmond.

About your values and strengths 

You will be someone who:

• Grasps new ideas and opportunities and runs with them
• Has the energy and skills to share their knowledge with others
• Is a powerful advocate for learning and development, particularly for people with learning disabilities
• Will be able to mobilise the skills and resources of staff, volunteers and users of the service to deliver work and the work of the kitchen and its development
• Will see the value of, and maximise the opportunities available to through the work of the community garden, its produce and the resources to be developed from it.
• Is confident in approaching other organisations and individuals to drive business and operational development

What we want you to do

Out "Kitchen at the Stud" project is a new initiative funded in partnership with the Royal Borough of Richmond. The Kitchen is a fully refurbished resource at the heart of our Horticultural Service based in grounds of Hampton Court Palace.

The Community Garden is an extensive horticultural resource and the kitchen project is an integrated part of our developing programme of learning and skills development. The Kitchen Lead will work with the garden team in building the kitchen into both a publicly accessible amenity, a training resource, seasonal cafe available on open days and for targeted group dining in addition to exploring the potential for product lines for public sale.

What you can expect from us

Balance is a specialist provider of community based support and services across SW London to people with learning disabilities and enduring mental health support needs. We are:

• A charity that works hard to put its people, those who it supports and those who provide its services at the heart of what we do.
• A charity that takes its mission and values seriously in developing its services, operational approach and commercial relationships
• An organisation supports and encourages its staff to participate as partners in our development as a business, our outcomes and the delivery of our values.

• Entrepreneurial, outward facing, collaborative and embrace the testing of new ideas and initiative.

Additional Benefits of working for us

• A commitment to training and professional development to support internal progression in and beyond the charity.
• Inclusion in and a 3% employers contribution to the charity's pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days a year plus bank holidays and an additional day off for your birthday.
• Access to a range of discount schemes including Blue Light Card
• Access to the charity's employee assistance programme.
• Access to travel card loan, and bike to work scheme.

The Public Affairs Lead sits within our Policy and Advocacy Team, working to build support for The Food Foundation’s work amongst Parliamentarians and to influence the government to help deliver policies that will transform the food system. This is an exciting opportunity to join a small organisation delivering big impact on the political agenda around food.

The Public Affairs Manager reports to our Head of Policy and Advocacy and will be responsible for planning and delivering our public affairs activity. This includes: 

• Political engagement: meeting MPs and Peers in parliament and building relationships with their teams with a view to identifying potential new supporters 
• Policy and research: working closely with colleagues to share perspectives on which priorities it may be tactical to pursue and to understand what evidence is available to inform engagement.
• Networking: working with public affairs professionals in other organisations to deliver joint programmes of engagement work which leverage respective organisational strengths.
• Monitoring: You will have excellent political instincts and a strong interest in policy developments,
  monitoring closely what is going on in Parliament and in Government,in order to identify opportune moments to maximise political attention and to galvanise support for policy change.
• Communicating: building compelling narratives targeted at different political stakeholders about the impacts of the food system on our diets, our health and our planet, and the need for evidence-based solutions. 
• Developing briefing materials and reports for policy audiences and formulate responses on behalf of the organisation to policy development processes and Parliamentary inquiries.
• Events: ensuring our messages and priorities are noticed and heard by policy-makers in a very crowded policy space, including by working closely with our events manager to deliver impactful parliamentary events.

You will bring a learning mindset to the role, assessing the impact of our policy engagement approaches in order to make continuous improvements.

A week in the job

Meeting with a Peer that is new to our work to brief them on evidence we have published and our current political priorities, completing a political stakeholder mapping exercise for a new campaign on sustainable diets to identify a shortlist of MPs to engage with, spending an afternoon in parliament to engage informally with passing MPs, pitching a new idea for a
parliamentary inquiry to parliamentary staff from the Health and Social Care Committee, drafting an MP briefing for an upcoming debate on the Government’ s obesity prevention priorities, reviewing next week’s parliamentary calendar to spot opportunities for engagement, attending a roundtable to share intelligence and discuss priorities for political party manifestos with other NGOs working on food issues, ringing round parliamentary offices to confirm attendance for
an upcoming parliamentary reception, meeting with an MP that is closely involved with The Food Foundation’s work to refine messaging for an upcoming campaign.

Your experience
You will have a strong knowledge of the UK political landscape and be comfortable and confident in engaging with stakeholders in Whitehall and in Parliament across the political spectrum. Ideally you would also have a knowledge of policy related to the food system, public health or the environmental crisis.

Your skills

• Proven ability to influence decision makers
• Strong knowledge and experience of the mechanics of the UK policy-making landscape
• Ability to work diplomatically and professionally with external stakeholders
• Significant experience working in a role with a major focus on external engagement in a policy/public affairs setting
• A confident networker who enjoys building connections and relationships with new people.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex and highly nuanced subject matter in plain English.
• Confidence in working as part of a team, with experience of working collaboratively with colleagues to share ideas, find solutions and help ensure the successful delivery of projects.
• Proactive and independent worker with strong organisational and project management skills and demonstrable experience of delivering on competing priorities within a timepressured environment.
• Close attention to detail and ability to accurately monitor policy developments, stakeholder views and engagement activity.
• You have a commitment to building equitable, diverse and inclusive policy.
• An existing network of relationships with MPs, Peers, advisors and policy officials.