Charities assistant jobs
Battersea has entered an exciting phase of innovation and transformation as we embark on the second year of our new five-year strategy. With increased investment in income generation, we are strengthening our team to drive the growth necessary to achieve our organisational goals. We are now recruiting for two Philanthropy Manager opportunities to support this growth: a full time permanent position, and an 3 year fixed-term role focused on New Business. Both roles sit within the Philanthropy, Partnerships & Commercial (PPC) team, made up of Philanthropy & Trusts, Corporate Partnerships & Commercial, Special Events & Stewardship, and Fundraising Operations.
The focus of the Philanthropy & Trusts team is to build a solid base of support through excellent stewardship of existing trusts and major donors alongside cultivation of new prospects, reached through prospect research and the networks of senior volunteers.
The key purpose of the permanent Philanthropy Manager position is to meet both financial and strategic KPIs in order ensure the long-term health of the Philanthropy pipeline. They will do this by personally managing a portfolio of key individual relationships as well as line-managing the Philanthropy Officer to deliver against their targets. This role, together with Battersea’s other Philanthropy Managers, will also work closely with senior leadership, senior volunteers and other individuals to open up networks and introduce new major donors to Battersea.
The fixed-term Philanthropy Manager position is is a new role working within Battersea’s Philanthropy & Trusts team to seek and secure new income as part of a £4-6million pound capital fundraising appeal over the next 3 years. One of the key pillars of Battersea’s current strategy is to ensure that we continue to provide expert care for all the dogs and cats that come through our gates. One of the ways in which we do this is by investing in our facilities to ensure that they continue to meet the changing needs of the animals we care for. Our new capital fundraising appeal will help to achieve that aim. The key purpose of this Philanthropy Manager (New Business) is to meet both financial and strategic KPIs, by cultivating a pipeline of new major donor prospects to secure significant donations for this capital campaign.
What we can offer you:
In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:
- 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year
- Discounted gym membership and cycle to work schemes
- Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources
- Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution
- Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year
- Annual interest-free season ticket loans
We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.
Our hybrid working model:
We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.
Diversity and inclusion:
We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.
We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best. Greyscale copies of the recruitment pack are also available on request.
More about us:
At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.
Acceptable use of AI:
At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.
To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.
Closing date: 10th February 2026
Interview Date(s): Interviews will be taking place on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged, as the role will be closed once filled.
All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.
For full details on the role, please download the recruitment pack. Please specify in your application which of the two opportunities you would like to be considered for.
Battersea is here for every dog and cat, and has been since 1860. We believe that every dog and cat deserves the best.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
- £46,000 + Benefits
- Central London
- Fully on-site - flexible hours - Term Time 09:00 -16:30 School holidays 09:00 -16:00
- Interviews to be held on the 3rd or the 5th of February
- Closing date for applications - Thursday the 5th of February 2026.
- Interview date: Monday 9th February 2026
- Job reff 4763524
You will be part of a warm, supportive and forward-thinking community dedicated to nurturing young people academically, emotionally and spiritually. Seeking an ambitious, relationship-driven Development Manager to lead and grow our fundraising, community engagement, and alumni relations activity across our family of schools. This is an exciting opportunity to join a values-led educational trust and play a strategic role in supporting life-changing bursaries, major development projects, and the flourishing of our parent and alumni communities. Working closely with the COO, Heads, Governors, and our dedicated volunteer networks, you will champion a culture of philanthropy, belonging, and long-term support for our schools.
As Development Manager, you will:
- Lead the Fundraising Strategy - Design and deliver a long-term fundraising strategy, with a particular focus on bursaries and capital projects
- Build and nurture relationships with donors and prospects
- Develop a strong, sustainable donor pipeline
- Monitor fundraising performance and share regular progress updates with senior leaders.
- Line manage the Development Assistant
- Grow Our Alumni & Parent Communities
- Create a vibrant alumni programme shaped around events, storytelling, and engagement opportunities
- Oversee alumni data management and ensure GDPR compliance
- Coordinate high-quality alumni communications, reunions, and digital content
- Support & Empower Volunteers
- Act as the main liaison for parent-led groups, providing guidance and partnership
- Support community events such as fairs, auctions, uniform sales and fundraising initiatives
- Deliver Inspiring Communications & Events
- Work with Marketing to champion development of stories across digital and print channels
- Produce engaging content that demonstrates the impact of giving
- Plan and deliver stewardship and cultivation events, including receptions, legacy gatherings and giving campaigns.
- Oversee development administration, correspondence, databases, and budgets
About You
- Proven success in fundraising, development, alumni relations or stakeholder engagement
- Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills
- Strong written and verbal communication, including ability to create persuasive content
- Experience managing multiple projects strategically and efficiently
- Confident using CRM systems and working with donor/alumni data
- Experience leading or mentoring staff
- A proactive, collaborative approach with the ability to work independently
- Experience working with senior leadership or major donors
- Knowledge of GDPR and charity sector compliance
- Understanding of donor stewardship, major gifts or planned giving
If this role is of interest, please apply ASAP with an up-to-date word version of your CV highlighting all your relevant experience. Please do feel free to get in contact to discuss this role in detail or if you have any queries.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk
ommunity Fundraiser
Hours: 35 hours per week (full time)Contract type:
Permanent subject to a probationary period
Salary: NJC SCP 23 to 25 (£34,434 to £36,363)
Based: Home working, with regular travel across Greater Manchester and to our offices in Liverpool, Leeds, Wakefield and Coventry.
BHA is a leading health and social care charity that works to challenge health inequalities and support individuals, families and communities to improve their health and well-being. We offer a range of unique services delivered at local, regional and national level in the areas of health promotion, community health education and engaging and involving communities in health and social care decision making.
The Community Fundraiser role is responsible for establishing and developing community fundraising systems and activities. This is BHA's first dedicated fundraising position, offering a unique opportunity to build sustainable income streams whilst building trusted relationships with Ethnic Minorities communities in and around Manchester, and others interested in supporting our cause. You will plan and deliver culturally appropriate fundraising events, develop digital fundraising campaigns, establish donor databases and create fundraising systems that align with our values and mission. The successful applicant should bring proven experience in community fundraising with our target audience.
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate success in generating income through community engagement, has experience planning and delivering fundraising events, and understands the principles of community-centric fundraising.You will be comfortable establishing systems and processes as needed, working independently whilst collaborating across teams. Cultural competency and sensitivity when working with diverse communities is essential, along with the ability to build trust and rapport with different community groups. Strong communication skills, attention to detail regarding compliance and data protection, and creative problem-solving abilities will be crucial to your success in this role.The post holder will have the following essential criteria:
- Experience in successfully generating income through community fundraising activities
- Demonstrable experience working and building relationships with marginalised communities, particularly LGBTQ+ and/or Ethnic Minorities communities
- Experience planning and delivering fundraising events
- Experience establishing or developing fundraising systems and processes
- Understanding of the challenges and opportunities in fundraising within diverse communities
- Prepared to abide by the values and ethos of BHA For Equality
- Prepared to regularly work unsociable hours, including evenings and weekends for community events
- Must have the right to work in the UK at the time of appointment. We are not able to offer visa sponsorship. We carry out right to work checks fairly and without discrimination.
Benefits of working with BHA
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays pro rata
- Birthday leave
- Employee Assistant programme (includes income protection)
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Cycle to work scheme
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
- Flexible working
If you would like to discuss this role, please contact Aydin Djemal to arrange an informal telephone discussion.You can apply by completing the Application Form on our website and submitting it in line with the instructions provided.Your application MUST DETAIL how you meet the points asked for in the person specification. CVs will not be accepted, and applicants must be eligible to work in the U.K.
Appointment is subject to a Basic DBS check. We only request information we’re legally entitled to and assess it in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and DBS filtering rule.
The closing date for applications is 23rd February 2026
Interviews will be held w/c 2nd March 2026
Reasonable adjustment: We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications that represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve. As a disability confident employer, we actively seek to remove any barriers. Therefore, if you have a disability and have any particular requirements to enable you to participate in the application process, please email us.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
For more than 30 years, War Child has been driven by a single goal: to ensure a safe future for every child affected by war. We work in some of the world’s most challenging contexts, reaching children as quickly as possible when conflict breaks out and remaining long after the cameras have gone. Through protection, education, community support and advocacy, we help children heal, learn and rebuild their lives. One child caught up in conflict is one too many, and we exist to make sure they are never forgotten.
We are now seeking an Interim Director of Finance & IT (maternity cover) to join our Leadership Group at a pivotal moment for the organisation. Reporting directly to our CEO, this role is about continuity, momentum and leadership. You will take responsibility for two critical functions and play a central role in shaping how War Child UK is funded, governed and enabled to deliver impact, both independently and as part of the wider War Child Alliance.
This is a role for someone who wants their expertise to matter. You will lead our finance and IT functions, ensuring our systems, processes and data provide the clarity and confidence needed to make bold, informed decisions. Your insight into income, cost and performance will directly influence how we invest, grow and maximise our fundraising potential.
Alongside this, you will play a key role in long-term financial planning and cross-Alliance collaboration, helping to build robust frameworks that support sustainable growth and accountability. Working with fellow directors, you will help steward the organisation as a whole, ensuring War Child UK remains resilient, ambitious and ready to meet the scale of the need we exist to address.
You will be a qualified accountant with significant strategic and operational experience. While prior international development experience is not essential, you will need to demonstrate the ability to build trusted relationships across cultures and geographies. Experience in a complex, fundraising-led organisation will be highly advantageous.
We are keen to hear from both experienced directors and senior leaders who are ready to step into their first executive role. If you are motivated by purpose, thrive in complex environments and want your leadership to create real change, we would love to hear from you.
Tall Roots is acting as an employment agency partner to War Child UK. For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Mark Crowley at Tall Roots.
Job Title: HR Advisor
Location: Home Based or Hybrid (with 1 day per week in the London Office)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract type: Permanent
Salary:£30,290 per annum (home based) - £33,320 per annum (hybrid)
What we do: We help young people through cancer
How we work: We’re Determined, United, Spirited and Kind
What we’re looking for:
- Someone who is approachable, reliable and enjoys collaborating with others to provide outstanding advice
- You’ll be confident working with databases and systems and understand the importance these things play in delivering an effective and efficient HR service.
- An organised and methodical approach to working, someone who can keep on top of tasks and take ownership of their work.
- Confident in advising managers on best practice, recruitment, HR policies and processes to ensure a fair and consistent approach
What we offer:
- Leave: 25 days of annual leave, which increases with service, in addition to bank holidays and a 3 or 4 day closure over the Christmas period. We also have finish early Fridays in August and quarterly rest days to step away from day to day work and refocus.
- Flexible bank holidays: the option to swap five UK public holidays (except 25th, 26th December, and 1st January or any substitute bank holidays for these dates) for other dates off.
- Paid Carer and Compassionate Leave: paid time off to care for family members or dependants.
- Paid Parental Leave: enhanced pay for parental leave such as maternity leave, paternity leave or adoption leave.
- Paid Volunteering Leave: support your community by taking paid leave for volunteering activities.
- Health Cashback Plan: access a health cashback plan to cover medical expenses.
- Life assurance and Income Protection: financial support if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.
- Discount scheme: access exclusive savings at various high street retailers and gyms.
- Flexible Working: we care about your wellbeing and encourage flexible work arrangements to promote work-life balance.
How to apply:
You’ll need to register on our portal, complete a short application form and answer questions about your skills and experience in relation to the role.
Key dates:
Applications by 01 February 2026, 1st stage interviews on week commencing 09 February 2026 online and 2nd Stage interviews on week commencing 16 February 2026 potentially in person.
Our commitment to inclusion and accessibility:
At Teenage Cancer Trust one of our key focuses is around equity and making sure our services are accessible and inclusive to all young people with cancer, with no-one left behind. We have the same goal for people working with us. Teenage Cancer Trust is committed to recognising and valuing individual differences and the contributions of all people.
Should you require any assistance or adjustments to support your interview process, such as additional time for tasks, meeting the panellists beforehand, information in another format or a different interview format (online/offline/in person), please don’t hesitate to get in touch the HR Team and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
We are a Disability Confident employer which means we have committed to offering interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role listed under the 'What you'll bring to the team' section of the job description and shortlisting questions. If you would like to opt into this scheme, please tick ‘yes’ on the application form.
Please note in recruitment campaigns with a high volume of candidates opting into the scheme, interview offers will be made only to those who best meet the essential criteria and provide the strongest responses to the shortlisting questions.
Please note we’re unable to offer individual feedback at the shortlisting stage.
Privacy and Safeguarding:
At Teenage Cancer Trust we take our commitment to safeguarding seriously and work to protect and promote the rights of the young people who we support. Our safeguarding responsibilities extend to the children and adults who work to support the charity, who we also have a duty of care to protect. Safeguarding is at the forefront of each activity we carry out. In line with our approach, this role is subject to a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service).
For information on how we collect, store and process personal data please get in touch with the HR Team.
We’re here to give every young person facing cancer the best care and support.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Operations Director is a senior leadership role at St Stephen’s, helping turn vision and strategy into effective day-to-day delivery. A highly relational role, combining strong operational leadership with collaboration, trust-building and a genuine care for people. The person we are looking for will lead across people, finance, systems, buildings and operations helping the church respond to the Holy Spirit and deliver our mission well.
St Stephen’s is a vibrant Church of England church in East Twickenham.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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Actively Interviewing
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About the Orpheus Centre
The Orpheus Centre is a specialist college that promotes personal development through the arts for young disabled adults. Our work is underpinned by our core values of being joyful, bold, inclusive, resilient and determined, and we are passionate about creating meaningful opportunities that change lives.
The role
We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative Individual Giving Officer (including Digital) to help grow and develop our Individual Giving and Legacy income streams.
You will plan, deliver and evaluate inspiring fundraising activity, build long‑term relationships with supporters, and provide excellent donor stewardship. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping how supporters engage with — and feel connected to — the Orpheus Centre.
Salary: £27,000 – £30,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Location: Godstone, Surrey
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week (52 weeks per year) Flexible, hybrid and part‑time working options available
Reports to: Deputy Head of Fundraising
Key responsibilities
- Plan and deliver engaging individual giving digitalappeals across multiple channels
- Develop and manage regular giving and donor stewardship journeys to increase loyalty and lifetime value
- Lead on all aspects of legacy fundraising, including promoting gifts in wills and administering legacy cases
- Build strong relationships with supporters, case studies and internal stakeholders
- Develop and nurture a mid‑value donor programme, working closely with senior fundraising colleagues
- Create new and innovative channels of giving, including In Memory and Celebration Giving
- Manage individual giving and legacy budgets and track performance
- Use Salesforce CRM to manage data, analyse performance and produce reports
- Ensure Gift Aid claims are accurate and processed in a timely manner
About you
You will be an organised and confident fundraiser with a passion for building relationships and telling compelling stories.
You will have:
- At least 3 years’ experience delivering fundraising or supporter‑focused projects
- Experience of using databases/CRMs and Microsoft Office (Word and Excel)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage a varied workload
- High levels of accuracy and attention to detail
- An understanding of fundraising regulations, including Gift Aid and GDPR
Desirable:
- Experience in individual giving and/or legacy fundraising
- Experience using Salesforce
- Experience of digital or direct marketing, copywriting or donor communications
Why work with us?
- A supportive and values‑driven working environment where your ideas matter
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities
- Be part of a passionate team that celebrates creativity and makes a tangible impact on young disabled people’s lives
- Opportunities for professional development and training
Join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of young disabled people through the power of the arts.
Safeguarding and Equality
Orpheus is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and satisfactory references. This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
As part of our safer recruitment process and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, online searches may be undertaken as part of due diligence.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.
In order to be considered you must be eligible to work in the UK.
The Orpheus Centre is proud to be a disability confident employer.
We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure as required in consultation with the applicant to ensure no-one is disadvantaged because of their disability. If a disabled person is selected for a position, reasonable adjustments will be made to the workplace, including premises and equipment, work duties and practices or policies, as appropriate. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role as set out in the role profile and person specification will be considered for interview.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are:
- Challenging attitudes towards disability
- Increasing understanding of disability
- Removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
- Ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspiration
No agencies please.
We are focused on inspiring and empowering young disabled students to live fulfilling, independent lives



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is a centre-based role with some travel to other animal centres, branches and adopter’s homes. There will be a requirement to work with diverse teams and in potentially dangerous (due to the animals they may encounter) and emotionally demanding situations.
Role Purpose
Responsible for assessing and monitoring the behaviour and welfare of dogs, cats and small animals (depending on need and competence) in Danaher’s care. This will include devising behavioural plans, and carrying out or overseeing environmental and behavioural and training interventions in agreed circumstances, to maintain high standards of welfare, support successful rehoming and reduce return rates. The post holder will also be required to support and train other staff and volunteers in the care, management and behaviour modification of the animals in their care.
Behaviour, welfare and training plans for dogs and cats (other species depending on RSPCA need and professional competence). Decisions to escalate animals for RCAB attention (according to agreed criteria). Sign off of staff/volunteer competency to handle dogs with more complex behavioural needs (according to agreed criteria). Record-keeping.
We’re looking for a Creative Communications Lead to help shape how St Stephen’s communicates, both internally and externally. You’ll combine strategic oversight with hands-on delivery, creating high-quality design, social media, and film content that brings our vision and ministry to life.
This role is ideal for someone with a passion for creative communication, strong practical skills, and the ability to turn ideas into engaging, impactful content
St Stephen’s is a vibrant Church of England church in East Twickenham.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Working hours: This is a full-time role (35 hours per week) with the opportunity for hybrid working and flexible working. Attendance in person will be required at the Diocesan Office or venues within the Diocese for relevant committee meetings.
Part-time working may be considered for an exceptional candidate, with a minimum of 28 HPW (0.8 WTE).
Salary: £42,000- £46,000 per annum, subject to qualifications and experience.
Benefits: We offer a range of benefits including hybrid and flexible working, 11% non-contributory pension scheme, 25 days holiday rising to 29 after five years’ service.
ROLE DUTIES
- Act as the primary governance support for the COO, ensuring all governance activities align with strategic priorities.
- Lead and manage the administration of the Finance Executive, Audit & Risk Committee, and Property Committee
- Support the COO, Diocesan Secretary and Head of Service Delivery in managing risk processes, including risk registers and compliance reporting.
- Prepare governance and Committee reports and relevant dashboards for the COO, CEO and senior leadership, including the Management Team and Bishops Leadership Team.
- Acting as a liaison between governance bodies and internal/external stakeholders.
CRITERIA
- Degree or equivalent level of relevant experience in governance, business administration, or a related field.
- Relevant and substantial experience in committee administration and governance support.
- Experience of working with and familiarity with regulatory compliance and risk management.
- Experience of working with, alongside a strong understanding of governance principles and compliance frameworks
For more information please see the job description, and to apply please visit the Chelmsford Diocese website to complete a application form.
Closing Date: Midday Thursday 12th February
Interview Date: Tuesday 24 February
We reserve the right to invite candidates for preliminary interviews.
Please be advised we reserve the right to close the role early and we cannot consider candidates who do not complete and return a completed application form.
Please refer to the CDBF Privacy Policy found on the Chelmsford Diocesan website for guidance on how we will process your data.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Citizens UK
Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.
Citizens UK has played a pioneering role in introducing and developing community sponsorship of refugees in the UK. In response to the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015, we campaigned successfully for the introduction of community sponsorship in the UK. Citizens UK was then instrumental in proving the model can work in the UK and through training, advocacy, and coordination, we have helped hundreds of local groups welcome thousands of refugee families. In 2022, Citizens UK expanded its work by launching the Communities for Ukraine programme, matching Ukrainian refugees with UK hosts and most recently has run Communities for Afghans, resettling dozens of refugees. Throughout, it has combined grassroots organising with national advocacy to build a sustainable, community-led model of refugee resettlement. In 2025, we campaigned successfully to persuade the Government to introduce ‘named sponsorship’, giving communities greater choice in who they would sponsor. This creates a huge opportunity to grow community sponsorship and to enable UK civil society to step up and honour our proud tradition of offering sanctuary.
Head of Community Sponsorship Role
This is a rare opportunity to lead Citizens UK’s community sponsorship campaign and help build the movement that will be at the heart of a community-led welcome.
This new role comes at an exciting and crucial time, as we seek to build and embed this new form of named community sponsorship in the UK. As Head of Community Sponsorship you will lead on our strategy to develop named sponsorship as a transformative part of the UK’s approach to refugee resettlement and community power. This will involve building a broad-base of civil society partners ready to sponsor refugees and to add their voice to the campaign. You will lead on the campaigning and advocacy strategy as we ensure quality in the Government policy and cross-Party political support. Citizens UK acts as the Lead Sponsor for local community sponsorship groups and you will oversee their ongoing support and further engagement.
The role foster collaboration with Citizens UK Organisers and alliances, develop sustainable funding strategies, and ensure alignment with Citizens UK’s broader migration and transformation goals. The role will work alongside Citizens UK’s Migrant and Refugee Organising Team and will contribute to the efforts to build the power to create a more welcoming country. You will lead on relationships with senior stakeholders, policy makers, and funders, and support the creation of campaigns and resources to expand public awareness and support for community sponsorship. With responsibilities spanning communications, and external representation, the role is key to shaping Citizens UK’s refugee resettlement strategy and building its national impact as a driver of cohesion.
Working as the Head of Community Sponsorship for Citizens UK, reporting to the Assistant Director for Migrant and Refugee Organising (MARO), your main responsibilities will include:
Career Pathway Headings
Objectives
Contribute to Citizens UK and Project Strategic Objectives
• Build a broad and deep engagement across civil society in named sponsorship, demonstrating the potential for scale and the big tent of support.
• Develop and implement campaign approaches that secure policy goals and build cross-Party political support.
• Develop strategy that develops the leadership of local Citizens members and refugees, strengthens civic institutions and builds trust across difference.
Build and Manage Projects & Achieve Work Targets Effectively
• Oversee multiple work strands, working in partnership.
• Develop and manage project workplans, KPIs and budgets, ensuring delivery to time, standard, and impact goals.
• Establish systems for performance tracking, evaluation, and continuous improvement across project streams.
Learning, Expertise, Wellbeing & Inclusion
• Act as a senior expert in sponsorship strategy; coach and mentor staff and partners, and facilitate learning across departments and projects.
• Influence and lead the integration of equity, wellbeing and refugee voice into strategic decisions and delivery frameworks.
Develop and Manage External Relationships
• Lead high-level relationships with national and senior stakeholders, including government departments (e.g. Home Office), civil society institutions and funders.
• Build and manage partnerships that advance sponsorship reform and position Citizens UK as a sector leader.
• Ensure stakeholder experience is consistently excellent and take the lead on resolving reputational risks or tensions.
Communications
• Act as a senior spokesperson for Citizens UK’s sponsorship work in the media, at public events, and in government or civil society forums.
• Lead the design and implementation of a high-profile communications strategy to influence narratives on refugee welcome and community leadership.
• Ensure communications align with ethical storytelling principles and amplify sponsor and refugee voices responsibly.
Develop and Manage Internal Relationships
• Lead and develop high-performing cross-functional teams, with clear expectations, direction, and collaboration structures.
• Effectively line manage senior staff and foster shared leadership culture across sponsorship and Citizens UK team
• Ensure that the community sponsorship strategy is aligned with Citizens UK’s other campaigns and work closely with other members of Migrant and Refugee Organising team.
• Contribute to senior leadership structures, including strategic planning processes and transformation initiatives.
Generate Income and Resources
• Initiate and grow significant and sustainable income streams to fund Citizens UK’s sponsorship work.
• Develop and lead high-value funding partnerships with trusts, foundations and strategic donors.
• Demonstrate strong budget oversight and ensure effective use of financial and human resources in sponsorship delivery.
Personal Specification
(D) Desirable, (E) Essential
Qualifications
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Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as migration, social policy, international development, or community organising (D)
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Management or leadership qualification, or relevant CPD in project or programme management, public policy, or team leadership (D)
Experience
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Proven experience in leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes related to refugee resettlement, community organising, or social impact (E)
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Demonstrable track record of strategic leadership in a charity or community-focused setting (E)
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Experience of managing cross-functional teams to deliver against ambitious organisational goals (E)
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Experience of developing and sustaining strategic partnerships with civil society organisations, local authorities, or government departments (E)
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Experience in leading campaigning and influencing strategies to secure changes in Government policy (E)
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Experience of designing and implementing systems for monitoring, evaluation, and learning to track progress and report to funders and or government stakeholders (D)
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Demonstrable experience of driving collaborative campaigns or outreach efforts that engage diverse communities (E)
Key skills and knowledge
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Strong leadership and team coordination skills – able to motivate, direct, and support multidisciplinary teams across multiple workstreams (E)
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Excellent project and performance management skills – able to set strategic priorities, delegate effectively, and ensure accountability (E)
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In-depth knowledge of refugee resettlement systems, community sponsorship models, and UK migration policy, including recent developments affecting Afghan and Ukrainian pathways (E)
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Knowledge and skills in community organising and an understanding of how community sponsorship and campaigning connect with and support the method and aims of organising (E)
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Outstanding written and verbal communication – confident in producing compelling cases for support, policy communications, and public messaging (E)
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Ability to design and deliver stakeholder engagement strategies, with a clear understanding of influencing policy and public opinion (E)
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Skilled in developing and managing strategic partnerships with funders, policy-makers, and community groups (E)
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills – able to assess complex challenges, identify risks, and implement effective solutions (E)
Personal qualities & values
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A mission-driven leader with a passion for refugee rights, community empowerment, and social justice (E)
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Politically astute and able to navigate relationships with stakeholders from civil society, government, and grassroots communities (E)
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Collaborative and people-centred, able to work constructively across teams and with volunteers, refugees, and community leaders (E)
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Committed to embedding refugee leadership and lived experience into programme design and delivery (E)
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Resilient, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced and evolving policy environment (E)
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Comfortable working within an accountable team culture – open to feedback, reflective practice, and continuous improvement (E)
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Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends, and to travel when necessary to support programme delivery (E)
Note:
At Citizens UK, we work with communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.