It service desk manager jobs in wellingborough, greater manchester

Every day, the TSA’s small support and information team make a real difference to people affected by the rare genetic condition Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) and their loved ones. In this vital role, you will help to maintain our high support standards at the TSA, including through operating on the TSA Support Line, developing content for a wide range of platforms and needs, and occasionally attending virtual and in-person TSA events.

You'll be part of a flexible, passionate, welcoming and wholly home-based team, who know they improve the world every single day. The role includes (pro-rata) 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays and the working days that fall between Christmas Day and New Year.

On the TSA Support Line, you will provide support and information regarding TSC via telephone, email and webchat. You will offer an informed, non-judgemental and empathetic listening ear to individuals and families at every step of their journey. The type of enquiries we receive are wide ranging, covering matters such as health, social care and education. You will also engage with professionals supporting people with the condition.

You will have a key role in researching, developing, and updating information across our various platforms including (but not limited to) content for our website, social media, support line materials, leaflets, e-newsletter and our community magazine. The primary audience of the materials will be the TSC community. Materials used by NHS clinics and clinicians are also developed by us, which you will have a central part in developing.

You will help to ensure that our internal processes are effective, and the information that we provide to the TSC community is timely, up-to-date, and relevant.

You will attend TSA events (virtually and in-person) to market the TSA Support Line services, participate in sessions and assist in support-related issues.

We are a small but very impactful charity, where roles are wide-reaching. Although this role is focused on support and information services, the successful candidate should also expect to get involved with projects from other TSA teams including communications, research and fundraising.

Responsibilities

1. TSA Support Line

1.1 Through the TSA Support Line, you will provide information and support to individuals living with TSC, their families and professionals by telephone, email and webchat, ensuring that:

• All enquiries received through the TSA Support Line receive a response based on high quality, up-to-date and evidence-based information.
• You log, triage and respond to enquiries received by telephone, email, post and webchat in line with agreed timelines, policies and procedures.
• You direct non-support related enquiries to appropriate TSA staff, taking messages where necessary.
• You are sensitive and responsive to the needs of the individuals living with TSC, family members and health, social care and education professionals using the TSA Support Line.
• You provide time-limited, structured support through formal case management processes for a small number of individuals and families who are most vulnerable and who need regular help and support. This includes individuals with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs, and families who face a wide range of challenges accessing health, social care and education services for their loved ones.
• You collect and accurately record data enabling the TSA to monitor and evaluate the performance of the TSA Support Line, including usage data (such as number and length of calls), qualitative information (feedback from service users) and data collected in conversation (such as logging broad categories of issues that service users are facing).
• You support individuals and families who wish to apply for financial support from the TSA Support Fund, helping them to complete the relevant application forms, ensuring that they supply documentary evidence, and logging their application appropriately for audit and compliance.
• Your support demonstrates best practice and complies with the law on safeguarding (making sure we are working appropriately with vulnerable adults and children) and data protection (making sure that we are handling all sensitive data appropriately).
• You proactively engage with regular reflective practice and supervision to safeguard your own health and wellbeing and support individual and team learning. This will include individual supervision through regular 1-2-1s with your line manager and team supervision through weekly calls for all those working on the support line.
• You will contribute your expert insight into the challenges and issues that the TSC community are facing to help colleagues across the organisation develop information materials, online resources and event agendas for communications channels including the TSA’s community magazine ('Scan'), our website, social media and events.
• You will ensure that internal processes for recording TSA Support Line enquiries, and signposting information on the support line, are maintained to a high standard and kept up to date.

1.2 You will play a key role in the TSA’s safeguarding as part of your work on the TSA Support Line and in supporting other members of staff with any questions that they have.

1.3 You will ensure confidentiality in the provision of the TSA Support Line, managing conversations and relationships tactfully and diplomatically with members of our small community who may also interact regularly with the charity at face-to-face and virtual events and through our social media channels. 

1.4 You will work closely with colleagues from across the TSA to ensure that our support and information services are joined-up with and informed by other services offered by the TSA more broadly across our website, social media channels, Scan and face-to-face and virtual events.

1.5 You will help to ensure that the TSA Support Line demonstrates best practice in the provision of support and information. You will work with the Joint Chief Executive and Support and Information Manager to develop proposals to develop and market the service that are joined-up with the support provided across our website, social media channels, Scan and face-to-face and virtual events.

2 Support, information and signposting

2.1 Ensure that high quality, up-to-date and evidence-based information is available to individuals and families living with TSC, and the professionals that support them. Regularly review, draft and develop new materials to support people affected by the condition.

2.2 Work with the Joint Chief Executive and Support and Information Manager to develop appropriate and consistent information to signpost TSA Support Line service users to external partner organisations that can provide specialist support for specific aspects of TSC (such as autism or mental health issues) and living with TSC (such as finding a job or facing bereavement).

2.3 Initiate and maintain regular contact with NHS TSC clinics across the UK to encourage greater communication and support between the TSA and TSC clinics. This could include encouraging clinics to join the NHS TSC Rare Disease Collaborative Network (RDCN), liaising with TSA Medical Advisers about medical support line enquiries, or working with clinics to better understand how the TSA can best help them.

2.4 Work closely with the rest of the TSA including communications, research and fundraising, to demonstrate current knowledge of the work of the organisation and developments in TSC.

2.5 Keep up to date with external events and news and draft relevant content for social media, physical media, e-news and the community magazine, Scan, to support and inform the TSC community.

2 TSA events

2.1 Attend TSA face-to-face and virtual events each year to market the TSA Support Line to people living with TSC, their families and professionals (up to approximately seven face-to-face events per year). General events assistance for the event on the day of face-to-face events will also be expected (for example, this could include time on the reception desk or directing attendees between sessions). Face-to-face events could include Outlook (for adults living with TSC), Big Day (our annual meeting for everyone in the TSC community), Family Fun Days (for younger families), TSA Togethers (regional events) and events for NHS TSC clinicians. Time off in lieu will be given for evening and weekend events, or events outside of your usual working days.

2.2 Help to generate ideas for sessions at TSA events by identifying any trends in information and support needs through the TSA Support Line.

4 Supporting health, social care and education professionals

4.1 Develop and maintain training and education materials to help health, social care and education professionals to better understand the impact of TSC.

4.2 Act as a point of contact for professionals who contact the TSA, working with colleagues to build credibility and strong working relationships with them.

Other requirements of the post

The post holder must be prepared to work flexibly to meet the needs of the organisation. This will entail occasional evening and weekend work. Regular travel within the UK will be needed for team meetings, TSA events and training provision. This would normally require access to a car (mileage will be paid) or travel by public transport (tickets will be paid).

The post holder will be expected to have adequate homeworking facilities to allow them to fulfil the role to the best of their abilities.

A DBS disclosure will be required prior to taking up post.

Training on helplines from the Helplines Partnership and on the Virtual Call Centre and database, Beacon, by the in-house team can be provided.

Consultancy work (Afghanistan Programme)

Terms of Reference for a Final Evaluation and Report

ToR

Consultancy work: Final Evaluation and Report

Commencement date

4 July 2025

Duration

c. 8 weeks (subject to change)

Accountable to

CAFOD Afghanistan team – Grace How and Kitty Chevallier

Overview: Conduct a Final Evaluation for a project entitled ‘Provision of humanitarian and livelihood support’, also known as ‘HELA’ (Humanitarian and Economic Livelihoods Assistance’). The 3-year project is funded by Misereor / Katholische Zentralstelle für Entwicklungshilfe (KZE), with co-funding provided by CAFOD. It is implemented by two local partners in Afghanistan, in three provinces, between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2025.

CAFOD has been supporting local organisations in Afghanistan, including the two implementing partners for this project, since the 1980s to help tackle issues of poverty and injustice and to respond to humanitarian emergencies.

Background and Context

Project Brief: This project is a result of partnership and joint work between CAFOD and the consortium members. The project builds on CAFOD’s existing programming in Afghanistan which strengthens the capacity of at-risk households by diversifying their livelihood options. The project focuses on meeting basic needs as well as promoting inclusive development, with the objective of strengthening resilience, particularly for the most vulnerable. As the project approaches the final few months of implementation, CAFOD is seeking to engage an external consultant to conduct a participatory final evaluation for this project. This will evaluate how effectively the project has been implemented, its major impacts and lessons learned, and recommendations for future similar programming. It is expected that the final evaluation will have a particular focus on the consortium partners’ ways of working: the strength of their collaboration, the efficacy and suitability of monitoring and evaluation approaches, and the benefit of learning events and strategies used through the project.

CAFOD and our partners are working with the same target group throughout the duration of the project, not only providing humanitarian and livelihood support, but also raising awareness amongst participants of families' rights from an Islamic perspective. Over the past two decades, much work has been undertaken to empower Afghan households and enable them to exercise their agency. Partners are taking a variety of approaches to further these aims in the project.

Ultimately, the project aims to support and ensure that the rights of poor and vulnerable people in Bamyan, Kabul, and Kunduz provinces are upheld and they have increased agency in their social and economic development.

Directly, the project has been planned to achieve programme outcomes:

1. The basic needs of targeted households are met.
2. Targeted participants have improved resilience through diversified livelihoods.
3. Targeted community leaders and members (male and female) are equipped and empowered with the knowledge and skills to promote and uphold their rights from an Islamic perspective.

Project Target Group and Location: The project will reach a total of 350 participants in three provinces of Afghanistan (Bamyan, Kunduz and Kabul) with a combination of humanitarian assistance, livelihoods training and other activities.

Project Duration: September 2022 – August 2025 (36 months)

Scope of the Final Evaluation:

The purpose of this final evaluation is to assess the overall performance and objectives of the completed project, in relation to the specified objectives, logical framework, and work plans. The evaluation will examine the extent to which project outcomes have been achieved, the quality and sustainability of results, and the relevance and appropriateness of strategies employed and ways of working. This participatory evaluation will analyse not only what has been achieved, but how it was achieved, how it was measured, and what could have been improved. This will include an examination of accountability measures, and how participants and other stakeholders were engaged throughout the implementation process, including how participants were given the opportunity and encouraged to share feedback and help shape the design of the project. The consultant will make and explain recommendations for consideration in implementing future projects of a similar nature.

The evaluation should include a review of the project’s monitoring data, secondary documents, a workshop with staff, and some direct data collection from key stakeholders including targeted participants taking part in the livelihoods training activities, as well as their relatives and community members. Findings of the evaluation will be used to guide and improve future project design and implementation. They should be written up into a final evaluation report (no more than 30 pages) which will be made available to CAFOD, Misereor and both partners.

As well as assessing progress towards logical framework indicators, the evaluation should focus on capturing, documenting and assessing lessons learned to inform future project design and implementation.

The assessment will be conducted in close coordination with CAFOD’s Afghanistan team, including the Country Programme Representative, Programme Officer, and Programme Support Officer.

Objectives of the Final Evaluation:

1. To assess the project and its effectiveness in meeting its three outcomes and supporting targeted Afghan households, through material assistance, livelihoods skill training and associated support, advocacy initiatives, and other activities.
2. To evaluate the strength and appropriateness of the projects MEAL systems:
   1. To what extent did project monitoring and evaluation help track project progress and achievements?
   2. How effectively was participation and accountability built into project design and implementation, and partners’ ways of working with stakeholders?
   3. How effectively were learning opportunities used throughout the project (including peer learning and exchange visits, learning workshops, regular progress workshops, etc.)?
3. To assess and review consortium functionality, partnership dynamics, and collaboration.
4. To capture and assess key lessons learned from the project from various stakeholders including project staff, participants, civil society groups involved in the project, community leaders and other community members.
5. To assess the sustainability and impact of project achievements, including:
   1. Changes in participants’ social and economic agency and participation
   2. Shifts in community attitudes and behaviours
   3. Capacity built among local partners and stakeholders.
6. To produce a high-quality report, no longer than 30 pages, which will be shared with CAFOD, Misereor and implementing partners.

Deliverables and proposed deadlines:

• Develop a short inception report with proposed methodology, plans and tools for collecting data from stakeholders, for the final evaluation (1st and 2nd week of contract), to be discussed and agreed with CAFOD and partners.
• Gather data from relevant stakeholders (3rd and 4th week of contract)
• Submission of draft report (6th week of contract)
• Review and revision of report based on feedback (6th and 7th week of contract)
• Submission of final report (8th week of contract)
• Presentation of report to CAFOD and partners– date to be confirmed.

Methodology:

• The evaluation should adopt a participatory mixed-methods approach, beginning with a desk review before integrating quantitative and qualitative methods to ensure that data collected is triangulated and can be communicated, explained and contextualised.
• It is expected that the consultant will combine surveys/questionnaires with structured interviews, FGDs and KIIs. Note that to enable the open and unrestricted sharing of opinions and information, the data can be anonymised where relevant and appropriate.
• Evaluation team members are encouraged to use innovative methods to collect and analyse data. The qualitative component will allow for more in-depth data gathering to gain more insightful findings from relevant target groups regarding their experience of the project and its impact.
• Data is expected to be gathered from key project stakeholders, including:
  • Targeted participants (in vocational training, first aid training, and Local Leaders Committees).
• The midterm evaluation will be supported by two workshops: an initial developmental workshop in which the data collection methods will be discussed with CAFOD staff and representatives from partners to obtain feedback and input; and a feedback and validation workshop after submission of the draft report, to obtain input on findings and recommendations.
• The consultant(s) are expected to propose the most suitable method of sampling/randomisation and the sample size will be determined in collaboration with CAFOD and partners. Information shall be collected from across specified beneficiaries, partners and stakeholders.
• All data collected during the baseline study will be disaggregated by age, gender, disability, and location.

Ethical Considerations

The below ethical considerations will be adhered to during the midterm evaluation:

• The evaluation will be conducted by an independent and impartial external consultant.
• Quantitative data will be obtained from a randomly selected representative sample. 
• Participation in the study will be voluntary, and individuals must be able to curtail their participation in the study at any time. 
• The safety of participants and implementing partner staff will be paramount.
• Anonymity, confidentiality and safeguarding of study data (both during data collection and for data storage) will be guaranteed. 
• There will be no risks and benefits for individual participants.
• The culture, norms and traditions of study populations will be respected and laws of the country upheld.
• Participation in the evaluation will involve no additional security or safety risks for participants, in light of the current context in Afghanistan.
• The content of the evaluation will be treated confidentially and only shared with CAFOD, partners and Misereor.

Required Competencies:

• A minimum master’s degree in social sciences or relevant field;
• Other training/certifications in thematic areas relevant to the project will be an asset (livelihoods, gender, behavioural change communication etc.);
• Other professional training on Research Methodology, Development Evaluation, and Impact Evaluation from recognised institutes/universities would be an asset;
• A proven track record of an ability to pragmatically apply in-depth knowledge and experiences of issues and practices in the fields of humanitarian, livelihoods and gender in Afghanistan;
• Strong computer and analytical skills with ability to write and review technical documents/ reports, conduct interviews as part of background research.

Demonstrable Skills and Experience:

• Record of publication of social research documents, evaluation reports, survey reports, study reports on livelihoods and rights issues is a strong asset;
• Experience of carrying out mixed-methods studies and evaluations and in producing high quality analytical reports (at least 2 recent reports should be submitted with the RFP);
• Strong background of statistical data analysis skills and strong proficiency with data analysis packages (in Stata or SPSS);
• Member of professional societies/forums (e.g. evaluation society) will be an asset;
• At least 6 years’ experience managing evaluations, baselines and/or assessments for community-based programmes, including since August 2021;
• Experience in delivering high quality assessments, research or evaluations for institutionally funded projects such as FCDO/DFID, EU or USAID;
• Experience working with and/or evaluating the work of national NGOs and CSOs in Afghanistan;
• A gender-balanced team (at all levels) is highly desired;
• Ability to adapt plans and approaches, sometimes at short notice;
• Fluency in English essential; ability to conduct interviews in Dari and Pashto essential.

CAFOD is committed to creating a safe environment for all project participants, especially children, young people and vulnerable adults, and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse. The consultant will be expected to follow these commitments and sign and adhere to all relevant policies and procedures.

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following by 29 June 2025. Please see CAFOD website to email the documents requested below

• Updated CVs (lead consultant and associates if any)
• Technical proposal with proposed methodology and detailed work plan
• 2 examples of similar assessments, evaluations, research, analytical report writing in English
• Financial proposal: Up to a maximum of USD 14,000. This fee should include all consultancy costs, including data collection costs (travel, accommodation, food etc.) as well as all applicable VAT and Tax.

Submissions will be reviewed and scored according to a) the criteria and considerations listed in this Terms of Reference, b) the suitability of the project plan/method statement and c) value for money.

Management and Reporting Arrangements:

The recruitment and initial briefing to the consultant will be managed by CAFOD, in consultation with the project partners.

Both in-country implementing partners will provide logistical and administrative support and guidance, including supply of relevant documentation, and help with the organisation of meetings and interviews (the financial costs of this will be covered by the consultant). Additionally required costs such as refreshments for FGDs will be paid for by partners. The consultant will be responsible for working with partner staff to arrange interviews and field visits ensuring all relevant stakeholders are available at the place and time agreed; the consultant(s) will provide facilitation of workshops, FGDs, meetings and field visits.

Deliverables will be reviewed, appraised and accepted by members of CAFOD’s Afghanistan staff, in consultation with the relevant partner staff members. 

Summary Timeline (subject to change):

19 – 29 June

Circulation of TORs and Invitation to Submit Quotations

29 June

Closing date for applications

2 July – 3 July

Interviews with short-listed consultants

4 July

Final consultant selection and contract signing

5 July – 4 August

Planning, document review and fieldwork

14 August

Submission of draft report to CAFOD

15 - 23 August

Review, feedback and revision of report

31 August

Presentation of report findings and recommendations to CAFOD, partners, and Misereor.

The selection consultant(s) will be expected to fully agree to comply with all relevant CAFOD policies during the contracted period including the Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct, and provide references.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced strategic lead to drive the next phase of our Right to Health campaign. This new role will work with our experienced and well respected team and our extensive network, to make the political case for the better legal recognition and real-world protection for the right to health. 

An ideal candidate

You will be a passionate and experienced advocate for health, human, social or environmental rights, committed to driving meaningful change in the UK. You will bring proven expertise in leading policy, advocacy, or parliamentary engagement work - ideally within health, human rights, social or environmental justice sectors - and thrive in building strong, strategic relationships with government, civil society, and community stakeholders.

You have a good understanding of the structural causes of health inequality and the power of human rights frameworks to address them. You will know how the UK political and parliamentary systems work, and you are skilled at influencing these processes through clear, compelling narratives backed by evidence.

You are able to communicate with clarity and impact, tailoring your message to diverse audiences - from policymakers to grassroots activists. You are confident working independently and collaboratively within a small, flexible team, balancing strategic vision with practical delivery. Your approach is solutions-focused, inclusive, and grounded in the lived realities of people affected by health inequalities.

Most importantly, you are motivated by the opportunity to join a dynamic and well respected organisation and lead a strategic campaign that challenges the status quo and contributes to a fairer, more just UK.

You have the right to work in the UK and be able to work from home in London or within easy reach of London.  A minimum of weekly attendance in London will be required.

This opportunity is open to applicants wishing to deliver the work on a self-employed freelance or employed basis.