We are seeking a compassionate, visionary, and strategic Chief Executive Officer to lead Mermaids through the next stage of its evolution, dedicated to improving the lives of gender-diverse children and young people, and those who are important to them. As CEO, you will be responsible for driving the charity’s mission, shaping its strategic direction, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, affirming support services. You will act as a visible and credible advocate for trans and
gender-diverse youth, build strong relationships with stakeholders, and influence public policy and sector practice. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will oversee a small committed team, ensure robust financial management with the Chief Operating Officer, and lead fundraising efforts to secure a sustainable future. This is a unique opportunity for a values-driven leader who brings both strategic acumen and a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and lived
experience.
Service Delivery:
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across all service delivery areas, including support line services, group work, advocacy, external communications, and policy.
• Ensure services are high quality, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of trans and gender-diverse children, young people and the special people in their lives.
• Lead the continuous improvement and development of service delivery models, ensuring impact, effectiveness, and alignment with the charity’s mission.
• Champion a culture of safeguarding, accountability, and young person-centred practice throughout all service delivery.
• Act as the organisation’s Safeguarding Lead, with oversight of on-call, safeguarding training, and ensuring appropriate escalation mechanisms are in place.
• Oversee the design and implementation of advocacy and policy activities, ensuring the charity’s voice is informed by lived
experience and is impactful at local and national levels.
• Act as a visible and hands-on leader for frontline teams, providing support, supervision, and inspiration to staff and
volunteers.
• Monitor performance, outcomes, and feedback to ensure services are meeting objectives and delivering positive change
for beneficiaries.
Governance:
• In partnership with the board of trustees, set and articulate our vision, mission and strategy, and keep this under continual
review.
• Lead the development and implementation of Mermaid’s strategic plan, ensuring sustainability and growth.
• Liaise with the board of trustees to ensure the charity’s governance, structure, policies and procedures are appropriate
and effective, taking remedial measures and implementing change as necessary. This includes supporting board
development.
• Work closely with the Chair and Board of Trustees to support strong governance and informed decision-making.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting on organisational performance, risks, and impact.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidance and legislation, including the Charity Commission and the Fundraising
Finance & Fundraising:
• Working with the Chief Operating Officer and the Board of Trustees, ensure Mermaids has robust, deliverable fundraising
and finance strategies in place, and subsequent action plans are embedded throughout the organisation to support their
delivery.
• In partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, ensure Mermaids has robust finance, HR, IT, data privacy and governance processes and procedures are embedded.
People and Culture:
• Line manage senior staff including the COO and service delivery managers.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, inclusive internal culture that values lived experience and wellbeing.
• Continue work to embed a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion across the organisation, as well as a focus on accessibility.
• Work to define and drive trans-centred leadership across the organisation, including ensuring that the organisation is a trans-positive, supportive employer.
External Engagement and Advocacy:
• Represent Mermaids publicly, including acting as the key spokesperson and strategic policy stakeholder, ensuring
organisational awareness of the external landscape and the changing needs of trans children, young people and their
families, and advocating for these needs to be met.
• Lead communications strategy, and lead press engagement by responding to media inquiries, interviews, press conferences and media events.
• Lead on stakeholder engagement, including with funders, supporters, community partners, and policy influencers.
• Advocate for the rights and needs of trans and gender-diverse children, young people and the significant others in their lives at a national level.
Registered Charity 
21 - 50
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Salary: £36,910 - £44,160 per annum, dependent on experience, plus excellent benefits package
Hours: 35 per week
Contract: Permanent
Based: Home based with some travel to services required (estimated to be 1-2 days per month)
Ref: 1566
Cranstoun is a social justice and harm reduction charity, working in the areas of substance use, domestic abuse, criminal justice, housing and young people. We deliver world-class services that rebuild lives. We’ve been making a difference since 1969 by combining our expertise with new, innovative approaches, and putting people at the heart of everything we do.
The Bid Writer will work in our Business Development Team, planning, developing and writing high quality bid submissions that convey the organisation’s mission, values and expertise to commissioners and funders.
You will be responsible for coordinating strong tender submissions, resulting in successful outcomes. You will help ensure Cranstoun retains all existing contracts and wins new business, in line with the organisation’s strategic plans and targets for growth.
Within this role, you will work collaboratively with a variety of internal stakeholders, using exceptional writing and interpersonal skills to capture and convey Cranstoun’s approach to delivering services across a variety of areas.
We are seeking a confident self-starter, with demonstrable experience of high quality writing and clear evidence of successful outcomes in a business development context (70% success rate). The successful candidate will welcome the opportunity to tackle challenges and adopt a solutions-focused approach.
Above all, you’ll be interested in becoming part of a diverse, energetic team, committed to delivering innovative, person-centred services that make a tangible difference to people’s lives.
This post is subject to a Standard DBS Disclosure.
To download an application pack, please visit the website via the apply button.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept CVs.
Closing date: Sunday 3 August 2025.
Anticipated first interview date: w/c 11 August 2025.
Anticipated second interview date: w/c 18 August 2025.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Registered Charity No. 1061582.
Thank you!
Finance Manager
Are you an experienced finance professional looking to make a meaningful impact in education across sub-Saharan Africa?
Position: Finance Manager
Location: Remote (UK-based), with occasional travel as required
Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week), with flexibility for 70%–80% part-time arrangements
Contract: Two years, with possible renewal subject to funding
Salary: £40 - £55k per annum, depending on experience
Closing Date: Wednesday 30th July 2025 at 5pm GMT
About the Role
We’re looking for a motivated and detail-driven Finance Manager to join ESSA’s international team and lead our UK financial operations. This vital role will support both UK and global finance functions, ensuring high-quality financial reporting, audit preparation, budgeting and compliance.
Key responsibilities include:
· Preparing monthly management accounts and variance analysis
· Leading year-end and audit processes for ESSA’s UK operations
· Ensuring compliance with charity accounting standards and SORP
· Managing financial reporting for donor-funded projects, including the African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL)
· Supporting budget development, forecasting and reforecasting
· Strengthening finance systems and controls, and developing financial capacity across the team
About You
We’re looking for a qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent) with:
· At least 5 years’ experience in a finance role in a UK-registered charity
· Strong knowledge of UK charity accounting regulations and SORP
· Experience managing audits and supporting cross-border operations
· Advanced Excel and financial systems skills (AccountsIQ or QuickBooks an advantage)
· Excellent attention to detail and the ability to communicate financial information clearly
· The confidence to work independently in a remote, international team
Experience working in Africa or the international development or education sectors would be an advantage.
About the Organisation
Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) improves education outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa by using data and evidence to drive change. We work in partnership with researchers, educators, policymakers and employers to co-design solutions that strengthen education systems. Our values – evidence-driven, solutions-focused, building trust, and always learning – shape everything we do.
Other roles you may have experience of could include: Charity Finance Manager, International Finance Lead, Head of Finance, Programme Finance Manager, Accountant – INGO, Financial Controller, Grants & Compliance Manager, Remote Finance Manager.
PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.
