Advice and support team leader jobs
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis?
Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?
If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.
Community Outreach Worker (ConnectU St Albans)
Reference: 322
Salary: £26,000 - £27,000 per annum, pro rata
Hours: Part-time, 15 hours a week over 3 days (Flexible) (Friday is mandatory)
Contract: 1 Year
Reports to: Community Support Service Team Leader
Working base: St. Albans
About the Service
The ConnectU St Albans programme is a partnership-led initiative designed to address key social, economic, and health needs primarily those in Park Street and London Colney, as well as Chiswell Green, Sopwell and Cottonmill. Provide primary and secondary contact details to ensure continuity and responsiveness. Through a coordinated and targeted approach across Health and Wellbeing, Employment, and Community Engagement, the programme will expand vital services into underserved areas, while strengthening existing support to vulnerable groups.
The purpose of the Hertfordshire Mind Network Community Outreach Worker ConnectU St Albans role is to:
- Expand employment, health and wellbeing, and community engagement services into priority areas: Sopwell & Cottonmill, Park Street & Chiswell Green, and London Colney.
- Strengthen existing service provision for financial advice, food security, and homelessness support.
- Build strong local partnerships, volunteer networks, and stakeholder relationships.
- Deliver measurable outcomes for residents, with a focus on those experiencing deprivation and marginalisation.
- To provide advice, information, onward referral and holistic support to clients with coexisting drug and alcohol difficulties, mental ill-health, these will be clients who are presenting to the Police, Anti-Social Behaviour, Tenancy Enforcement, Housing and Environmental Health Services within Hertfordshire.
- To ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the client is monitored and reviewed regularly.
- To remain a source of independent support for all clients.
- Embed a person centred and solution focused approach in all aspects of the role.
- To raise greater awareness of complex needs and the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) amongst local service providers. Supporting them to gain confidence in working positively and consistently with people who have multiple needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Encourage and support clients to participate in group activities, workshops, and community-based mental health programs.
- Provide employment-related support as part of mental health and wellbeing recovery services, including goal setting, job readiness, and workplace adjustment support.
- Assist clients in developing CVs that reflect their strengths, skills, and recovery goals, supporting confidence and readiness for employment.
- Engage individuals with early-stage mental health needs or employment barriers through accessible, community-based support delivered in partnership with local organisations near client’s homes.
- Encourage and support clients to access volunteering opportunities that build skills, confidence, and community connection.
- Work from the local food bank every Friday from 10:00am–12:00pm as a point of contact for individuals to access support and information, including referrals and signposting to appropriate services.
- Hold a caseload proportionate to working hours, delivering support through home visits and community-based interventions.
- Provide practical support by transporting clients to external appointments to reduce barriers to access and promote wellbeing.
We offer:
- Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
- An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
- Ongoing training relevant to your role.
- An Employee Assistance Programme.
- Eligibility for blue light card.
- Health cover (after 6 months employment) - compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.
Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle (or equivalent) is essential for this role.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 30th January 2026
Interviews to be held on a rolling basis at our Watford well-being centre
N.B. Please quote reference number 322 when completing your application for this role.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.
Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.
No agencies please.
Shape the Future of a World-Renowned Institution.
Director of Development
Employer: King’s College, Cambridge
Salary: Starting salary in the region of £90,000 – £100,000 with scope to go beyond for a leading professional with outstanding experience and track record.
Location: Cambridge, UK
King’s College, Cambridge is embarking on the next chapter of its long and influential history and is seeking a Director of Development who can imagine, articulate and drive a bold philanthropic vision for the College.
For more than five centuries, King’s has been a place where ideas, discovery and creativity flourish. Its Chapel stands as one of Europe’s great architectural achievements; its Choir is recognised globally; its students and scholars have shaped culture, science and society. The College is now looking for a development leader who can help secure the resources that will enable it to thrive for generations to come.
Joining King’s at a moment of real momentum, you will build on the achievements of the recent £100 million campaign and design the next strategic phase of fundraising. This will include championing initiatives that broaden access, strengthen support for students, enhance academic excellence, and protect the unique historic fabric of the College.
You will have substantial experience in securing major gifts, a confident and motivating leadership style, and experience of cultivating deep, lasting relationships. A key member of the leadership team, you will work closely with a vibrant global community of alumni and build new partnerships with individuals and organisations who share King’s commitment to excellence, inclusivity, innovation and positive societal impact.
King’s is a place that encourages independent thought, creativity and meaningful contribution to society. Among our alumni are Nobel laureates, world-changing scholars, and trailblazers. Central to our mission is ensuring that exceptional students, whatever their background, can flourish.
As Director of Development, you will be elected to a Fellowship of the College, joining a vibrant, diverse and dynamic community. This position offers more than professional advancement - it represents a rare opportunity to make a lasting contribution to an institution whose commitment to education and innovation has shaped the world for over five centuries.
Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 1 February.
First round interviews are expected to be held the week of 23 February with second round interviews the week of 2 March 2026.
Interested?
Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.
King’s College, Cambridge is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.
Download the candidate pack and send your tailored CV and cover letter no later than Midnight on Sunday, 1 February.
Purpose of the role
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure BDC Mind delivers high-quality mental health services, achieves organisational sustainability, and fosters a culture aligned to the charity’s values.
The CEO works closely with the Board to set strategic direction, leads the Executive Leadership Team, ensures effective governance and financial stewardship, and represents BDC Mind across local, regional, and national forums.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic and Courageous Leadership
1. Lead the development and implementation of the organisational strategy.
2. Build trust and confidence with the Board, ELT, staff, and external partners.
3. Provide transparent and values-driven leadership aligned to BDC Mind’s mission.
4. Build strong, productive relationships with commissioners, funders, strategic and corporate partners.
5. Engage in media engagement, advocacy, and public speaking responsibilities.
Innovation, Growth & Sector Influence
6. Foster a culture of innovation, learning, and continuous improvement.
7. Develop new or enhanced service models, including pilots and strategic partnerships within Bradford and Craven and across West Yorkshire.
8. Position BDC Mind as a leading service provider for current and emerging mental health needs through identifying service gaps and opportunities.
Delivering High-Impact Services
9. Ensure services deliver measurable, high-quality outcomes for people and communities.
10. Embed Service Member voices at the heart of Service developments.
11. Oversee service performance, quality assurance, and impact reporting.
Building an Inclusive and Diverse Culture in line with our Antiracism Commitments
12. Drive the delivery of our commitments to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), Anti-Racism and the Patient Care Race Equality Framework (PCREF)
13. Promote a culture of inclusion, psychological safety, and respect across the organisation.
14. Strengthen workforce diversity and embed anti-discriminatory practice.
15. Ensure services are accessible, inclusive and culturally competent.
Inspiring, Supportive and Accountable Leadership
16. Provide clear, motivating leadership to the ELT and wider workforce.
17. Promote staff wellbeing, professional development, and collaborative working.
18. Ensure effective line management, appraisals, and succession planning across ELT.
19. Communicate consistently, openly, and effectively with all members of the workforce, Maintaining visibility and accessibility across teams and services.
Governance, Finance, Safeguarding & Risk
20. Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations.
21. Maintain robust safeguarding practices for children and adults at risk.
22. Oversee robust health and safety procedures and risk assessments.
23. Ensure strong governance, effective decision-making, and accountability across the organisation.
24. Maintain robust organisational risk management processes.
25. Support the Board’s effectiveness through high-quality reporting and engagement.
26. Ensure strong financial controls, financial planning, management, and statutory compliance.
27. Drive income generation and diversification of funding streams for long-term financial sustainability.
General Duties
28. Foster and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, facilitating effective communication channels.
29. Lead the team ensuring all key people processes are engaged with meaningfully to enable strong performance and transparent communication, addressing issues proactively and sensitively should they arise and in alignment with our aims, policies, core values and Employee Handbook.
30. Fully participating in all relevant training to develop and maintain your performance in the role.
31. Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to our values: Caring Always, Working Together, Supporting Everyone, Enabling All and Continually Improving.
32. Performing other duties as reasonably required within the role.
It is BDC Mind’s policy to make reasonable adjustments to enable those with disabilities to undertake the above. We are committed to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for people with mental health challenges. We value diversity, inclusion, and the importance of lived experience as a source of knowledge and expertise. Our values are:
Person specification
Bradford District and Craven Mind is committed to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for people with mental health challenges. We value diversity, inclusion and lived experiences when recruiting our staff and volunteers.
Qualifications & Knowledge
Essential
· Senior leadership experience within one or more of health, social care, charity, or related sectors.
· Strong understanding of mental health services and challenges faced by service users.
· Knowledge of charity governance, safeguarding, quality standards and regulation.
· Good financial literacy and experience overseeing budgets and financial strategy.
· Strong understanding of EDI principles and inclusive leadership.
· Engaging with a Board of Trustees.
Desirable
· Relevant degree or professional qualification (e.g., management, social care, health).
· Knowledge of commissioning, procurement, and tendering processes.
Leadership Skills & Behaviours
Essential
· Courageous, transparent, values-driven leadership approach.
· Ability to inspire, motivate and develop high-performing teams.
· Strategic thinker capable of turning vision into deliverable plans.
· Skilled communicator and relationship-builder internally and externally.
· Effective decision-maker, particularly in complex and challenging situations.
· Commitment to equity inclusion, diversity, and psychologically safe working environments.
· Collaborative and partnership-oriented working style.
· Person-centred leadership, able to exercise discretion.
Experience
Essential
· Senior paid role with a charity of turnover of more than £3.5 million.
· Demonstrable experience in strategic planning, organisational development, and change management.
· Delivering organisational strategies and measurable outcomes.
· Managing growth, innovation or service transformation.
· Strong financial acumen including overseeing financial sustainability, compliance, budget management and income generation.
· Excellent communication, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement skills including Representing organisations publicly and influencing stakeholders.
· Experience of working within a wider system of charities and infrastructure.
Desirable
· Experience of working within a federated or charity network.
· Leadership experience within mental health or wellbeing services.
· Demonstrable commitment to Anti-Racism.
· Evidence of public policy influence.
Personal Attributes
· A strong passion for the mission of BDC Mind and alignment with our values, including inclusion for all
· Resilience and the confidence to challenge constructively.
· Ability to foster trust, credibility and positive relationships.
· Passion for improving mental health outcomes across communities.
· Commitment to learning, improvement and reflective practice.
Additional Information
· The CEO may be required to work flexibly, including occasional evenings or weekends.
· Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
To make the best possible difference to the mental health and wellbeing of the greatest number of people.



Opportunity to lead the development of a small but vital York charity in its 25th year
Older Citizens Advocacy York - Support and advocacy for over 50s in York
Here at OCAY we are very proud of what we do
- 520 people supported in the last year
- Provide assistance with benefits, finance, health, complaints and more
- Help people to navigate bureaucracy, financial hardship and communication barriers
- Empower individuals to have their voices heard and access the right information
Our current director is taking the next step in her career and we are commencing the search for a new director. The role is full-time at 37 hours per week (also open to part-time at 30 hours minimum). This is a hybrid role with home working and an expectation of at least 2-3 days a week in our office at the Priory Street Centre, York.
Why join OCAY?
- Financially sustainable charity with funding secured until 2029 and exciting funded projects and partnerships in the pipeline
- Highly regarded organisation with an active and visible local presence
- Established relationships with partners, funders and the public sector
- A talented, ambitious team
- Committed to building on our income generation strategy and service development
Main responsibilities
- Be at the heart of the charity’s strategic development over the next 3 years, driving exciting initiatives and growth.
- Lead and co-ordinate all aspects of OCAY’s services, ensuring a high quality of provision for its clients and maintaining a continuous improvement focus.
- Develop and broaden excellent relationships and work collaboratively with volunteers, funders, partners and Trustees.
- Build and maintain a sustainable financial basis for OCAY’s future development.
- Take the lead in writing and submitting fund raising bids and submissions. • Managing a small but highly effective staff team while recruiting, expanding and supporting local volunteers to deliver personalised one-to-one support.
About OCAY
OCAY is a niche charity founded in 2001 offering people over 50 in the York area, advocacy and practical support to access services and benefits. Our dedicated, knowledgeable and compassionate volunteers and staff provide prompt, personalised one-to-one support.
OCAY believes in a world where every older citizen is able to access the help and support they need
About Us
Freeways and Freeways Trust are linked local charities that supports adults with learning disabilities.
Freeways is a highly regarded provider offering a range of social care support services and Freeways Trust owns and manages a portfolio of properties which support the work of Freeways. Both charities are passionate about helping people to become as independent as possible by supporting them to make choices, learn new skills, and make links with their local community.
We provide support for up to 115 people across North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire in accommodation based services and also individuals in their own homes and a small number of respite placements in South Gloucestershire.
We also run other types of services including community day services, building based day services, hydrotherapy and warm water sessions in our own hydrotherapy pool, support to become self-employed or look for employment, and support living.
The Role
Freeways is looking to recruit a Head of Finance who will manage a small finance team.
This role is responsible for preparing the monthly management accounts and associated report for both charities: providing high quality financial insight, analysis and advice to support informed decision making.
The Head of Finance is also responsible for ensuring the efficiency, accuracy and compliance of the day-to-day financial activities (including accounts payable, accounts receivable and cashbooks) for both Freeways and Freeways Trust.
This includes responsibility for the integrity and ongoing development of the accounting and payroll systems, ensuring transactions are processed accurately and in a timely manner to enable the production of accurate financial information for the management of both charities.
You will also deputise and work closely with the Finance Director playing a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of both Freeways and Freeways Trust, responsible for advising on financial strategies that align with the charities’ objectives.
About you
To succeed in this role you will:
- Be a qualified accountant with substantial financial and management accounting experience.
- Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and demonstrable experience of leading and engaging with finance and other corporate functions to develop a mature and rounded service.
- Have an excellent understanding of financial and management accounting processes, financial reporting and audit planning as well as being adept at managing both your own and your team’s priorities.
- Be a strong leader able to communicate well with your peers and teams members and have resilience to adapt quickly to changing priorities and demands from internal and external stakeholders.
- Enjoy using technology to make processes simpler and more efficient.
In return for your hard work and dedication you will enjoy a wide variety of benefits including:
- 35 days (pro-rata) annual leave entitlement (including public holidays)
- Company sick pay
- Company pension scheme
- Life assurance cover of twice your annual salary (subject to rules of the scheme)
- Free parking on site
- Family-friendly/work-life balance policies
- Free DBS check every 3 years
- Occupational health provision
- Employee Assistance Programme – 24-hour access to a counselling and legal helpline
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS and Adult Barred List check.
Supporting adults with learning disabilities across Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and B&NES


Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Community Hub Manager
Based: Parcel Terrace, Derby
Salary: £18,579.60 (£15.88ph)
Hours: 22.5 hrs per week
This is an exciting opportunity for you to join the YMCA; a charity at the heart of the community in Derby and Derbyshire. We are committed to helping people at times of need, regardless of gender, race, ability or faith/belief. Our values to Protect, Trust, Hope and Persevere underpin all of our services across the county.
We’re looking for someone who is passionate about people and community—someone who thrives on creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels they belong. You’ll be driven by a genuine desire to make a difference, helping to bring YMCA Derbyshire’s vision of thriving individuals and communities to life. You’ll have a natural ability to connect with others, inspire your team, and build strong partnerships that help the Hub reach its full potential.
You’ll be a hands-on and proactive leader who can balance heart with head—just as comfortable supporting a person using our community pantry as you are managing budgets or ensuring we are compliant with Health and Safety.
Someone with a keen eye for detail, great organisational skills, and the confidence to make things happen. Above all, you’ll share our belief that everyone deserves the chance to flourish in body, mind, and spirit—and you’ll bring energy, empathy, and positivity to everything you do.
Senior Building Safety Manager
Location: London
Salary: £70,000 - £75,000 per annum
We are recruiting on behalf of a large, well-established Housing Association in London for a Senior Building Safety Manager to lead and oversee the organisation's building safety framework across a complex residential portfolio.
This is a senior role with clear accountability for compliance, assurance, and continuous improvement under the Building Safety Act. The successful candidate will play a critical role in protecting residents, supporting executive decision-making, and ensuring the organisation meets its statutory duties as an Accountable Person.
The Role
As Senior Building Safety Manager, you will provide strategic leadership on building safety, fire safety, and structural risk management. You will work closely with senior leaders, operational teams, and external regulators to ensure robust governance, clear accountability, and effective safety management systems.
Key responsibilities include:
Acting as the senior lead for building safety across higher-risk and complex residential buildings
Developing, embedding, and maintaining the organisation's building safety strategy and assurance framework
Overseeing the production, maintenance, and submission of Safety Case Reports
Ensuring the integrity and ongoing management of the Golden Thread of information
Leading engagement with the Building Safety Regulator, Fire and Rescue Service, and other statutory bodies
Providing expert advice and challenge to executive leadership, boards, and committees
Managing building safety risks, controls, and remediation plans
Supporting resident engagement and transparency on building safety matters
Leading, influencing, and supporting internal teams and external consultants
About You
You will be a confident senior professional with strong technical expertise and the ability to operate in a highly regulated and politically sensitive environment.
You are likely to have:
Substantial experience in building safety, fire safety, or compliance within social housing or a similarly regulated property environment
Strong working knowledge of the Building Safety Act, Fire Safety Act, and associated regulations
Proven experience managing higher-risk buildings and safety case regimes
The ability to influence at executive and board level
Excellent stakeholder management, leadership, and communication skills
Relevant professional qualifications in building safety, fire safety, construction, surveying, or risk management are highly desirable.
What's on Offer
Salary of £70,000 - £75,000 per annum
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Salary: up to £50,000 depending on experience and qualifications
40 hours per week including evenings, weekends and bank holidays
Contract: Permanent
Location: East Croydon (Sanderstead Station)
We have a fantastic opportunity to join St Christopher's fellowship as a Deputy Manager for our new specialist Children’s home in Croydon. You will work alongside the Registered Manager to lead and support a professional team of staff committed to transforming young lives and creating positive outcomes. You will be supported by Team Leaders, experienced Residential Practitioners, as well as our Wrap Around and Education Teams.
Visit our website to watch our short video to gain an insight into our working life here at St Christopher’s
About Us
Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future.
St Christopher's is a leading charity for children and young people. We are proud of our history of providing fostering, children's homes and innovative leaving care services across the UK & Isle of Man. We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do. We provide positive life experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home.
We are an equal-opportunity employer keen to develop an inclusive workforce where people feel they belong. We hope to attract applications from under- represented groups, including people from different cultures, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, disabilities, religions, faith, sex, orientation, childcare responsibilities, and gender-diverse identities.
About the Role
As Deputy Manager, you will lead and support a professional team of staff committed to transforming young lives and creating positive outcomes. You will be supported by a Registered Manager, Deputy Manager, Team Leaders, and the team of residential staff.
Key aspect of the role:
- To assist the manager in safeguarding and ensuring every child and young person receives high quality care as measured by Ofsted in the social care common inspection framework.
- To assist the manager in the management of the home, including the staff, external relationships, the budget, the resources and fabric of the building.
St Christopher’s Academy
Our 'St Christopher’s Academy' ensures our staff is continually developing. We will support you to map out your career trajectory and help you achieve your professional ambitions. If you want to learn more about St Christopher’s Academy, please visit our website
The successful candidate will have:
- A degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health Nursing, Youth Work etc)
- A willingness to undertake a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, if possessing only a Level 3 qualification relevant to the role
- At least 2 years’ experience in residential children’s homes
- At least 1 years’ experience of staff supervision and management responsibility.
- Ability to develop appropriate one-to-one relationships with young people and employ mentoring skills that empower young people to achieve their goals.
- Numeracy skills to manage budgets efficiently and contribute to the budgetary process.
- An understanding of the regulatory framework relevant to the provision of residential services for children and young people.
- Awareness of issues facing young people such as bullying, gangs and exploitation and how these impact on behaviour.
- An understanding of trauma informed practice
- Ability to work shifts including weekends and bank holidays and undertake sleep-ins.
- Ability and willingness to be part of an on call rota overseeing multiple Homes.
In return we offer:
- Starting salary up to £50,000 per annum depending on experience and qualifications
- Opportunities to develop your career and become a Registered Manager.
- A friendly working environment, a fun, open and honest culture.
- 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
- Industry leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, children’s right and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and social pedagogy.
- Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.
- UK Life Assurance (Death in service) to the value of 3 times your annual salary.
- BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Bluelight card; discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
- Discretionary funded training programs.
- Employee awards based on performance and length of service.
- Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.
Recruitment Process:
At St Christopher’s we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care. During the recruitment process you will be expected to complete an online application form to ensure we capture essential information to meet legislation, best practice and vetting requirements.
Applicants will ideally already be on the DBS Update Service; if this is not the case St Christopher's will carry out a DBS (police) check prior to starting.
Your online application must include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification. For the full Job Description and Person Specification please visit our website. CV’s will not be accepted.
For more information or assistance during the application process, please contact us via our website.
Please note:
- This post has a minimum age restriction of 21 year for roles working directly with children and young people in our residential and supported accommodation Homes in line with the Equality Act ‘occupational requirement’.
- It is illegal to apply for any role that involves working with children and young people under the age of 18, if you know you are barred from working with children.
- All shortlisted candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit a Self-Declaration and Disclosure form which will need to be returned prior to an interview being booked.
We are a leading charity for children and young people, providing fostering, children's homes and leaving care services across the UK and Isle of Man



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Location: London
Location type:Hybrid
Reporting to: Director of People and Operations
Annual salary: £60K - £70K GPB
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Candidate level: Manager
Closing date: Monday 9th February 2026, at 9:00 am CET
Background
Lumos Foundation works to realise every child’s right to a family by transforming care systems around the world. Our vision is a world in which all children grow up in safe and loving families within supported communities. Founded in 2005 by author J.K. Rowling, Lumos partners with governments, civil society, and young people with lived experience to transform care systems globally and advocate for family-based solutions that help children thrive.
We ensure that families receive the support they need to stay together or reunite, and that children grow up in family-based settings such as foster or kinship care, not institutions. Despite clear evidence of the harms of institutionalisation, more than 5 million children worldwide continue to live in institutions. And a much larger number of children are at risk of family breakdown and separation – those living in poverty, experiencing domestic violence and abuse, and living in countries affected by conflict.
We are ambitious for children. In the next 10 years, Lumos will enable 500,000 children in care to return to family-based care and prevent 10 million children from experiencing family breakdown and separation – so that they can thrive in their own families. Working with local, national, and global partners, Lumos supports government-led transformation of childcare systems across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America- driving systemic and sustainable change. Lumos’ ambition for children is significant and will require the organisation and its partners to work in new ways – with a pace, drive and urgency that this moment demands – and that children everywhere deserve. Lumos’ success will continue to be based not just on what we do, but on how we do it – our values. We embrace collaboration. We strive for excellence. We show respect. We always care. And we are passionate. We are Lumos.
Purpose of role
This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role at Lumos at a time of organisational strengthening and global growth. As a member of the wider leadership team, the Head of People will be central to building and embedding high-quality, values-led, and risk-aware people practices that enable Lumos to deliver its mission and long-term ambitions.
Working closely with Country Directors and HR focal points in country offices, the role supports the consistent application of global people frameworks while enabling appropriate local practice. The Head of People will play a key role in supporting Lumos to grow and operate safely across existing and new geographies, ensuring that people practices underpin organisational readiness, duty of care, and sustainable impact.
In close partnership with the Director of People & Operations, the Head of People provides expert insight into People strategy and organisational priorities and is accountable for translating agreed direction into consistent, effective delivery across the organisation. The role combines strategic thinking with strong operational leadership, ensuring that people frameworks, systems, and practices are embedded, trusted, and fit for purpose, and that values, culture, and ways of working are reflected in how work is done every day. This role will suit an experienced senior HR professional who enjoys shaping and embedding sustainable people practice, exercises sound judgement, and enables others to lead well. You will be motivated by values-led work, long-term impact, and the opportunity to grow with an organisation, strengthening organisational capability within a complex, international environment.
Primary responsibilities
People strategy contribution & execution
- Contribute expert insight, options, and analysis to the development of the People strategy, operating model, and organisational priorities.
- Translate the agreed People strategy into clear frameworks, plans, and delivery across the organisation.
- Ensure people initiatives are prioritised, resourced, and implemented effectively.
- Monitor impact and effectiveness, recommending adjustments based on data, risk, and organisational need.
Full employee lifecycle ownership (global)
- Own and oversee the operational delivery and quality assurance of the full employee lifecycle across all geographies.
- Ensure consistent, values-led, and safer recruitment practices are embedded across Lumos.
- Lead the design and delivery of high-quality induction and onboarding, embedding EDI, duty of care, and organisational culture from the outset.
- Oversee probation, performance cycles, development, progression, and exit processes.
- Ensure leaver processes, exit interviews, and data capture support organisational learning.
Performance, capability & leadership development
- Lead the implementation and embedding of Lumos’ performance management framework.
- Oversee annual objective-setting, performance reviews, and development planning.
- Build leadership and line manager capability through training, guidance, and coaching.
- Enable managers to take confident ownership of people management, feedback, and performance conversations.
Pay, rewards & progression
- Lead the delivery of pay and reward activity, including time-bound pay and reward reviews and job evaluation processes.
- Ensure reward approaches are equitable, transparent, affordable, and aligned with organisational values.
- Work closely with Finance and the Director of People & Operations to align reward activity with budgets and governance.
- Support the implementation of progression frameworks and guidance.
Employee relations, policy & legal frameworks
- Oversee the review, update, implementation, and monitoring of people-related policies, ensuring they are accessible, legally compliant, and consistently applied, while allowing for appropriate local context.
- Provide senior HR oversight and judgment on disciplinary, grievance, and complex employee relations matters.
- Act as an escalation point for managers and the Global HR Advisor, supporting proportionate and defensible decision-making.
- Ensure people practices reflect relevant legal frameworks across all countries of operation.
People risk & governance
- Lead the development and embedding of people-related risk frameworks across existing and new geographies.
- Ensure people risks are identified, mitigated, and monitored.
- Work closely with safeguarding, security, and operations colleagues to support joined-up risk management.
- Contribute to organisational governance and assurance through clear documentation and reporting.
Global partnership & country support
- Work closely with Country Directors and HR focal points to embed global people frameworks in country offices.
- Provide guidance, support, and constructive challenge to ensure consistent application of people policies and practices.
- Balance global consistency with appropriate local adaptation in line with legal and cultural contexts.
- Build HR capability and confidence across country teams.
EDI, culture & engagement
- Ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion are embedded across the employee lifecycle, policies, and people practices.
- Lead staff engagement activity, including surveys, analysis, and action planning.
- Support the development and reinforcement of a healthy, inclusive, and values-led organisational culture.
HR systems, data & insight
- Oversee people systems, tools, and workforce data to ensure accuracy, consistency, and insight.
- Work with the Global HR Advisor to strengthen tracking, dashboards, and reporting.
- Use people data to identify trends, risks, and priorities to inform effective decision-making.
- Ensure compliance with data protection and confidentiality requirements.
Leadership of the people function
- Line manage and develop the Global HR Advisor, providing clear direction, prioritisation, and support.
- Oversee time-bound HR consultancies, ensuring clear scope, value for money, and effective knowledge transfer.
- Act as a close partner to the Director of People & Operations, providing trusted judgment, operational leadership, and space for strategic focus.
- Deputise for the Director of People & Operations in people-related matters, as required and appropriate, including representing the People function in internal and external forums.
- Ensure the People function operates with professionalism, consistency, and strong internal credibility.
Profile
The postholder will:
- Strengthen Lumos’ ability to attract and retain talented people through fair and transparent rewards, clearer progression, and a positive employee experience aligned to our mission and values.
- Embed consistent, values-led people approaches across the organisation, while supporting appropriate local context and delivery of impact in country offices.
- Improve safer recruitment, induction, and onboarding to support safe, sustainable growth across existing and new geographies.
- Embed clear performance expectations and accountability that link individual and team contribution to organisational impact for children.
- Strengthen a values-led culture by reinforcing behaviours that support collaboration, trust, inclusion, and operational excellence.
- Build manager confidence and capability to lead people through change, manage performance well, and support development and wellbeing.
- Strengthen people-related risk management and the use of people insight to support sound decision-making, duty of care, and organisational resilience.
- Bring thoughtful, evidence-informed people practice into Lumos, drawing on best practice while ensuring approaches are proportionate, values-led, and appropriate to a complex international context.
- Operate as a trusted senior People leader and deputy to the Director of People & Operations in people-related matters, providing continuity, sound judgement, and credible leadership.
Essential experience:
- Experience operating at a senior level within a People/HR function, with experience of/or readiness to lead at the Head level.
- Experience owning and overseeing the delivery of the full employee lifecycle.
- Experience leading performance management, pay and reward, and employee relations.
- Experience building and embedding people policies, frameworks, and systems.
Desired experience:
- Experience working in international or multi-country organisations.
- Experience working closely with Country Directors or senior operational leaders.
- Experience overseeing outsourced or consultancy-based HR support.
Essential knowledge/skills
- Senior-level HR/People expertise across the full employee lifecycle.
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- Ability to translate strategic direction into practical, high-quality people delivery.
- Sound professional judgment and confidence in handling complex people matters.
- Understanding of pay, reward, and progression frameworks.
- Ability to build and embed a values-led organisational culture.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills at a senior level.
- Ability to use people data and insight to inform decision-making.
- High standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity.
Desirable knowledge/skills
- CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent professional learning and experience).
- Experience applying HR practices across multiple international jurisdictions.
Essential personal characteristics
- Strong alignment with Lumos’ mission and values.
- Calm, pragmatic, and thoughtful approach to complex situations.
- Ability to build rapport and trust with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Strong influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively.
- Sound judgment in identifying, managing, and escalating people-related risk appropriately.
Desired personal characteristics
- Collaborative and credible working with senior stakeholders.
- Ability to balance consistency with flexibility and local context.
- Comfortable working in evolving or ambiguous environments.
- Curiosity and openness to learning across cultures and contexts.
Benefits
Alongside the opportunity to contribute to a truly life-changing mission, you’ll enjoy excellent benefits, a supportive and inclusive culture, and a genuine commitment to your personal and professional development. Some of the benefits we offer include:
- Direct impact on operational systems supporting our global mission, with exposure to senior decision-making during a transformative period.
- Hybrid and flexible working with occasional international travel opportunities.
- 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Enhanced family-friendly leave (maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental) and enhanced sick pay.
- Competitive employer pension scheme.
- Learning and development opportunities.
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support and advice.
Safeguarding statement
Lumos recognises that the rights of safety and security are aligned with its core mission for children, families, and communities. Effective and robust safeguarding sits at the heart of our mission and values, and accordingly, Lumos is committed to ensuring the safety and protection of children and adults at risk in all of its work. We expect all staff, associates, and volunteers to share this commitment. Lumos has a zero-tolerance approach towards all forms of abuse, bullying, harassment, and sexual exploitation. Lumos is a member of The Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will carefully screen all applicants. Offers of employment are subject to checks and suitable references.
All staff and associates must:
- Carry out all duties with an awareness and understanding of Lumos safeguarding and PSEA requirements
- Ensure work complies with all safeguarding and PSEA policies and procedures
- Ensure that their behaviours and actions support the safeguarding of children, young people, and adults at risk as appropriate.
Equality, diversity, and inclusion statement
Lumos is wholly committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and against all forms of discrimination.
We are committed to creating and sustaining a positive working environment that encourages, supports, and gives a voice to all, so that we can best support the children we serve.
We must ensure that all staff are equally valued, included, empowered, and respected across the organisation and in everything we do. Lumos is fundamentally built on diverse, multi-national and multicultural teams.
This is something we cherish as a key strength and an integral part of our identity. Our organisation values and celebrates the diversity, culture, and experience of each member of staff, provides equality of care, and support to everyone.
We pledge to listen carefully, to educate ourselves continually, to promote open dialogue, and to seek out and deal with discrimination and prejudice wherever it occurs in Lumos.
· The deadline for applications is Monday 2nd February, 9:00 am CET ·
Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
To realise every child’s right to a family by transforming care systems around the world.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
A leading UK professional membership organisation is seeking an experienced and strategically minded Senior Finance Business Partner to play a pivotal role in strengthening financial performance, supporting organisational growth, and enhancing long-term financial sustainability.
The opportunity
This is an influential position at the heart of a respected, mission-driven organisation. You will lead on management accounts, budgeting, forecasting and financial planning for a complex group structure, while providing insight, challenge and high-quality advice to senior leaders and operational teams.
You will work closely with the senior finance leadership team, acting as a trusted partner in shaping financial strategy, improving processes, and driving informed decision-making. The role also includes line management of a small team and the opportunity to influence business planning at a critical time for the organisation.
The role:
- End-to-end production, analysis and presentation of monthly management accounts.
- Annual, in-year and medium-term financial planning, budgeting and forecasting.
- High-quality financial insight, modelling and business case development.
- Support and constructive challenge to budget holders and senior decision-makers.
- Line management, coaching and development of finance business partnering staff.
- Contributions to annual and interim audits and financial statement preparation.
- Improvements to financial systems, reporting, processes and data quality.
- Support for risk management, governance and compliance activities.
About you
You will be a confident communicator and relationship-builder who can translate financial information into clear, accessible insight. You’ll bring:
- Experience in finance business partnering within a charity, membership body or commercial organisation.
- Experience managing and developing staff in a hybrid or multi-site environment.
- Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and communication skills.
- Commercial acumen, problem-solving ability and a continuous-improvement mindset.
- Ability to present complex data clearly and support robust decision-making.
- A proactive, self-starting approach and commitment to excellent delivery.
- A collaborative style and commitment to inclusive, values-driven teamwork.
Why join?
You will work within a forward-thinking, purpose-led organisation with a strong professional ethos, a collaborative culture, and a commitment to innovation, integrity and impact. The role offers significant scope to shape financial strategy, influence senior stakeholders, and support meaningful organisational outcomes.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the vacancy may close early if sufficient interest is received.
Placing Talent. Creating Impact. Giving Back



Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Ipswich, IP1 1UQ
Diocesan Director of Education
£75k-£79k per annum
Full-time – 35 hours per week
Permanent appointment from September 2026
Our mission is to support the 87 Church of England schools throughout Suffolk. As a diocese, we work closely with our schools which, together, educate 14,000 pupils. We are looking for an experienced education professional with successful senior leadership experience to lead our team from September, following the retirement of the current postholder. Based in Ipswich, but with travel throughout Suffolk, this post is both rewarding and varied and involves:
· Providing a range of support, training and advice to Headteachers and Governors
· Leading a small and highly effective team
· Leading the work of the Diocesan Board of Education, developing policy as the national education landscape changes
· Promoting education in Suffolk and representing the diocese as the lead on education
· Working across the diocese more widely as a senior member of diocesan staff
· Working with the Department for Education and local authority on a range of school issues
· Working as part of a strong and supportive network of national and regional Directors of Education and with the Church of England’s National Society for Education on policy development and issues
If you love schools and can demonstrate the following criteria we would love to hear from you:
· Successful experience as a senior leader in education
· Collaborative leadership and management skills
· The ability to think strategically and solve problems creatively
· A deep commitment to Church of England schools
We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Closing date: 9th February 2026 at 5pm
Interview date: 2nd March 2026
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Advert
JOB TITLE: Strategic Communications Lead
SALARY: £44,000 (pro rata)
LOCATION: LSE Students’ Union, Central London Office, Saw Swee Hock Building
WORKING HOURS: Part time: 30 hours per week (0.8 FTE)
CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed Term – 12 months.
As Strategic Communications Lead, you'll shape how LSESU tells its story during a time of significant change and growth. You'll work at the heart of the Union, crafting the narrative that connects students to the work of their elected Sabbatical Officers and the transformation underway across the organisation.
In this role, you'll translate complex policy objectives, organisational priorities, and student-led change into compelling stories that build trust, drive engagement, and strengthen the Union's reputation. You'll work closely with Sabbatical Officers and Senior Leadership to ensure LSESU's communications are clear, consistent, values-driven, and always focused on our impact for LSE Students.
This is both a strategic and hands-on role – and is an opportunity to make a real difference. You'll develop the narrative framework that guides all our communications, while also delivering excellent copy, content, and multimedia assets across newsletters, social media, web, reports, and events. You'll bring creativity, political sensitivity, and a talent for storytelling to one of London's most dynamic student organisations.
Who are we?
LSESU is a vibrant, student-led organisation committed to helping LSE students make the most of the life-changing experiences open to them during their time at university.Our communications and engagement work is central to amplifying student voice, driving participation in democratic and community initiatives, and supporting the success of our commercial services.
Founded in 1897, LSE Students' Union is one of the oldest Students' Unions in the UK. We provide support, representation, and opportunities to help students thrive during their time at university. Everything we do is shaped by our members and guided by our values to be bold and inclusive, working collaboratively to create a welcoming community built on integrity and respect.
Who are we looking for?
We're looking for an experienced communications professional with a strong track record in stakeholder engagement, reputation management, and narrative development. You'll bring proven expertise in creating compelling content across multiple channels—from newsletters and social media to speeches and impact reports—and the ability to translate complex information into accessible, engaging stories.
Experience with media handling, crisis communications, and working in politically sensitive environments is essential, as is the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders including student leaders, senior staff, and external partners. You'll be confident producing multimedia content, including coordinating filming, photography, and graphic assets.
You'll be resilient and adaptable, able to thrive in a fast-paced, democratic environment while managing multiple priorities and tight deadlines. Strong copywriting, editing, and strategic thinking skills are key, as is a commitment to accessibility and inclusive communication.
Above all, you'll share our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and bring integrity, creativity, and a passion for supporting student-led democratic organisations.
Why apply?
As our Strategic Communications Lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Union and supporting thousands of students at one of the world’s leading universities. We offer:
- 25 days of holiday per year (pro rata)
- Additional closure periods at Christmas and Easter
- Free LSE Students’ Union gym membership
- Opportunities for professional development and growth.
- Access to TOTUM (NUS) card, which provides a wide range of discounts
- Flexibility for work-life balance
How to apply
We want to ensure that all systems, policies and processes are free from bias or discrimination and are fair and accessible. Therefore, we ask that all candidates complete our application process by uploading the following three documents:
Part 1: CV – Outlining your skills and experience to date.
Part 2: Supporting Statement – A two-page statement explaining your suitability for the role. This will be used to determine if you are shortlisted for an interview. Please do not include any personal information (e.g., name or date of birth). Use the attached job description and person specification to help with this.
Part 3: Equal Opportunities Monitoring and Contact Form – This includes personal information so we can contact you if you are shortlisted for an interview. It also allows us to gather and analyse demographic information about our applicants. This form will only be seen by HR and will not impact shortlisting.
Want to apply?
To apply for this role, please complete an online application.
Job Application Timeline
Closing date: Sunday 1st February 2026
Intended interview dates: Wednesday 11th February 2026
Compulsory Requirement - The UK Government sets the legal regulations that we are required to follow. As an employer we must ensure that everyone is eligible to work in the UK and this is done by us checking and making a copy of the correct original identification/documentation before your first day of work. Currently we require you to have the right to work in the UK, as we are not a Home Office approved sponsor.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Primary Purpose:
The Head of Services is a key member of Age UK Cheshire’s Senior Leadership Team, designated Safeguarding Lead, and leads all aspects of the organisation’s service operations.
Following the successful integration of existing services, this role will work closely with a supportive CEO and board on the next phase of development of our new organisation, building on the strong history and reputation of two charities, to meet the needs of a growing ageing population across Cheshire.
The successful candidate will understand the strategic need to combine impactful data with storytelling, influencing internal and external stakeholders to join us in our mission.
The role involves representing Age UK Cheshire externally, championing the voices of older people, to influence decision makers and commissioners to help ensure older people aren’t forgotten in a challenging funding environment.
Additional Information:
Rising poverty, digital exclusion and rural isolation are creating a perfect storm of loneliness for thousands of older people. Age UK Cheshire is a local, independent charity dedicated to supporting older people across the whole of Cheshire. We offer a lifeline for people in later life to access the information and support they need.
If you embody our values of respectful, honest and person centred, and are passionate about supporting those who built the world we now live in, we’d love to hear from you.
You’ll be joining Age UK Cheshire at a pivotal time following the merger of Age UK Cheshire and Age UK East Cheshire in July 2024. Following the successful integration of existing services, you’ll work closely with a supportive CEO and board on the next phase of development of our new organisation, building on the strong history and reputation of two charities, to meet the needs of a growing ageing population across Cheshire.
You’ll have a strategic vision for developing and future proofing services, whilst staying close to operational realities. You will lead the delivery of measurably impactful services, and ensure our resources are directed where they can make the greatest difference for older people across Cheshire.
You’ll understand the strategic need to combine impactful data with storytelling, influencing internal and external stakeholders to join us in our mission.
You’ll represent Age UK Cheshire externally, championing the voices of older people, to influence decision makers and commissioners to help ensure older people aren’t forgotten in a challenging funding environment. You’ll build strong relationships and partnerships across the local authorities, NHS, and voluntary sectors.
This is also a people leadership role. You'll develop and manage a team, creating a high-performing culture where accountability and support go hand in hand. You'll role-model best practice, share knowledge freely, challenge constructively, and coach colleagues to develop their own approach.
This role offers a unique chance for an experienced service-delivery leader to shape the future of a respected local charity, drive innovation and impact — in a supportive, values led culture with an ambitious and passionate team.
Together we can make Cheshire a place where older people are not only seen, but respected and valued every day.
Role outline and purpose
The Senior Policy & Public Affairs Manager will be accountable for overseeing public affairs activities, policy development and supporting influencing activity to advance the goals of the Supportive Communities programme. The role will plan and lead public affairs activities, policy development and support influencing strategy and activities, providing in-depth expertise across the programme with a specific focus on our emerging community design priorities and our work with a range of stakeholders, local/regional decision-makers and national policy-makers in the communities space.
This role is part of Trussell’s Supportive Communities programme, the goal of which is to enable local communities to become places where people at risk of needing to use a food bank are supported and are using their agency to bring about meaningful changes that prevent anybody from needing emergency food. This role is focused on the successful delivery of the overall programme outcomes, contributing to the fulfilment of our long term vision of a UK without the need for food banks.
Role responsibilities
· Lead public affairs activities linked to the Community Design portfolio within the Supportive Communities programme, including developing and delivering an effective public affairs strategy reaching key decision-makers including parliamentarians, mayors and local authority leaders.
· Work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders from the sector and among policymakers to shape and deliver the programme’s policy strategy.
· Lead policy development to achieve the goals of the Supportive Communities programme.
· Establish and maintain momentum in policy development across the programme, ensuring the creation of credible proposals and building a strong case for policymakers to implement asks.
- Support with wider strategic development as part of Trussell’s policy and influencing strategy, including working with colleagues to align policy development and asks within the programme across the UK, nations and regions.
· Provide advice and line management, including regular 1:1s and assessment against objectives, and identify development needs.
Person Specification
Technical skills and minimum knowledge:
· Significant experience of developing and delivering effective public affairs strategies and interventions with evidence of securing local or national policy-change
· Significant track record of successfully developing policy solutions and influencing politicians and/or key decision-makers to achieve policy change
· Strong communication skills (written and oral) with impact and for a range of audiences
· Experience of providing strategic input to support senior leadership
· Experience of line managing, including dealing with performance issues and supporting team development
· Self-sufficient use of IT, including proficiency in Work, Excel, PowerPoint, and experience in project management processes and software
Behaviours and competencies:
· Works collaboratively, managing challenges in a constructive manner
· Balances competing priorities and work to tight deadlines
· Demonstrates a dedication to the values of Trussell
· Demonstrates empathy for people from disadvantaged, marginalised or socially-excluded backgrounds
· Role models inclusive behaviour, values and leadership
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job title: Programme Assistant, Enquiries
Line manager: Team Leader, Enquiries (Senior Officer, Enquiries in Team Leader’s absence)
Salary: £30,000
Type of contract: Permanent
Start date: 16th February 2026 or shortly thereafter
Benefits:
• Challenging and rewarding work, always life-changing, sometimes lifesaving
• Competitive salary
• Team and individual training opportunities
• Commitment to performance and personal development
• Hybrid working, home and office (minimum 2 days each week in the office)
• Eight hours each day Monday – Friday, with flexible working by arrangement around core hours of 10am – 4pm
• 25 days plus Bank Holidays annual leave entitlement
• 8% employer pension contribution
• Convenient office location at Elephant and Castle, close to Tube (Bakerloo and Northern lines) and bus routes
Role purpose statement: The Programme Assistant, Enquiries plays a vital role in the Fellowship Programme working directly with academics facing immediate risk in their home countries to carry out due diligence or signposting. This includes managing an individual caseload, dealing with prospective applications and general enquiries, providing administrative support to the Enquiries team as well as support across the Fellowship Programme when needed.
Organisational Background
The Council for At-Risk Academics is a UK-registered charity founded in 1933 under the leadership of William Beveridge, to rescue academics suffering persecution under the rise of Nazism and facilitate their continued work in safety. Sixteen Cara Fellows from the 1930s and 1940s became Nobel Laureates, and many more innovators in their fields, including, Nikolaus Pevsner, Lise Meitner and Karl Popper. A number of Cara’s founders and Council members also personally provided places and/or funds to help individual academics; and Cara, known in the 1930s as the AAC, later the SPSL, was closely involved in the successful effort in 1933 to bring to London the Warburg Institute art library, which had been prohibited by the Nazis, and six of its staff. The Fellowship Programme is the continuation of the rescue mission operation started in 1933.
Cara has been a lifeline to academics at risk for over 90 years, as and when world events have placed them in the line of fire: Hungarian Uprising, Cold War, Apartheid South Africa, Iran, Latin American Juntas, Vietnam, Kosovo, DRC, Rwanda, Sudan, Zimbabwe etc. and, more recently Iraq, Turkey, Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Cara support is typically framed as temporary sanctuary offered at times of heightened risk.
Cara Objectives ‘To assist academics who have been, or are, or are at risk of being, subject to discrimination, persecution, suffering or violence on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, to relieve needs among them and their dependants and ensure that their specialist knowledge and abilities can continue to be used for the benefit of the public.’
‘To advance education by supporting academics and their educational institutions in countries where their continuing work is at risk or compromised, to ensure that such academics and institutions can continue to fulfil their critical role as educators for the public benefit.’
This is a critical time to join our dedicated and friendly Fellowship Programme team as we expand our capacity to support at-risk academics from the Middle East, Sudan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia and many other countries.
Role & Responsibilities
Casework
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Signposting prospective applicants to the application form.
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Manage own caseload, preparing cases for eligibility review, including arranging calls to speak with applicants, booking English language tests, and gathering all relevant documentation.
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Escalating complex cases to the Team Leader as required.
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Maintain accurate and GDPR-Compliant records of casework activity.
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Researching international affairs to develop understanding about risks applicants face.
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Researching potential hosts for academic placements and liaising with external stakeholders in relation to applicants.
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Attend weekly case review meetings with the team.
Administration
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Provide general administrative and logistical support, including answering phone enquiries.
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Manage the general enquiries inbox, alongside another colleague, answering emails about the enquiries’ process, the Fellowship Programme and Cara.
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Signpost enquiries to relevant colleagues internally and to other organisations where applicable.
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Contribute to report writing.
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Present and collect data on general enquiries and applications to the Programme.
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Ensure safekeeping of confidential information.
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Maintain excellent detailed records of correspondence, documents, and activities.
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Provide administrative support to colleagues on projects as required.
Managerial Support
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Contributing to Fellowship Programme policy changes and decision-making.
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Provide advice and guidance to colleagues.
Ad Hoc Responsibilities
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Show adaptability and willingness to take on additional work when necessary.
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Support the Fellowship Programme and Cara as a whole with ad hoc responsibilities.
Responsibilities also include related activities that might arise in relation to the Fellowship Programme as required by the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive & Fellowship Programme Manager, and other senior colleagues.
Person Specification
Essential:
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Bachelor’s degree
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Fluent English (spoken and written)
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Proactive with a willingness to learn
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Confident and empathetic with strong interpersonal and communication skills
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Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
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Keen team player who is ready to support and help colleagues
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Excellent record keeping and attention to detail
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Ability to work independently and in a team
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Good time management with ability to prioritise and independently work to deadlines
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Understanding of issues of confidentiality
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Interest in and commitment to the work of Cara
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Confident use of Microsoft package
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Awareness of current global issues
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Ability to handle difficult conversations with sensitivity and resilience
Desirable
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Master’s or equivalent experience
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Casework experience
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Arabic language skills are desirable. Other foreign languages (such as Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian and Russian) will also be considered
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Salesforce/CRM software experience
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Experience in a supporting role with people with lived experience of forced migration or other forms of severe adversity
Please send a CV and cover note in response to the four screening questions. Applications that do not follow this guidance will not be considered.
Please respond to the following questions in your cover letter.
1. What draws you to Cara and the work of supporting at-risk academics, and how does your experience and skills relate to this role? (max 500 words)
2. Tell us about a time where you had to balance multiple urgent tasks. (max 300 words)
3. Tell us about a time when you worked with sensitive personal data. (max 300 words)
4. Name 3 things you think it would be important to consider when working with people who've experienced war or displacement like those who apply for Cara support. (max 300 words)
Cara provides help to academics in immediate danger, those forced into exile, and those who remain and work in their home countries despite the risks.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.