Employment jobs

Senior Research Officer

Bowel Cancer UK is the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. We support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.

We currently have employees working across four nations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re in a privileged position to be able to deliver our ambitious new strategy, On a Mission. There are huge challenges facing bowel cancer patients across the UK and our community needs us now more than ever. We’re building a strong and united team to bring us closer to a world where nobody dies of bowel cancer.
 

Job Summary - Senior Research Officer

We are seeking a confident and organised Senior Research Officer to join our small but ambitious Research Team. This is a hands-on role with real scope to contribute to how we fund and manage research, and to make a genuine difference to a programme that's helping to save lives.
 

The Senior Research Officer will lead the delivery of our grant funding processes from end to end - managing application rounds, overseeing the active portfolio, coordinating our scientific committees, supporting our research events and leading our approach to patient and public involvement in research. Working in a small, specialist team means you'll also have real scope to contribute ideas, help improve how we do things, and play a meaningful part in the development of the research programme beyond the day-to-day.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 16 April.

If you have a track record in grants administration, bring experience, confidence and good judgement, and are genuinely committed to making research funding work well, we want to hear from you.

 

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and at Bowel Cancer UK we are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates may be subject to either a satisfactory basic, standard or enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) dependent upon the role.

Interim Chief Executive Officer – North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (NSDAS)

Location: Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell and Spelthorne (hybrid; 2 days per week on-site presence

Salary: circa £60,000 FTE (PAYE)

Contract: Fixed term 18-24 months, 4 days per week

Are you a seasoned, compassionate leader ready to stabilise and strengthen a trauma-informed frontline charity supporting survivors across North Surrey?

About North Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (NSDAS)

NSDAS is a specialist, survivor-centred charity formed as an independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2024 following a period hosted by Citizens Advice. We provide confidential practical and emotional support to adults and children affected by domestic abuse across Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell and Spelthorne, delivering helpline and email advice, advocacy, safety planning, refuge and housing pathways, recovery programmes and targeted work for children and young people. Our practice is trauma-informed and feminist in outlook, foregrounding safety, confidentiality and the lived experience of survivors.

We are a small, specialist organisation with an average headcount of around 18 (approximately 15 frontline staff and three support roles), supported by a committed cohort of volunteers. Since independence our trustees have prioritised governance, compliance and capacity building; in our first independently reported year total income was c.£932k and trustees view the near-term financial position as stable while planning prudently for the medium term. This interim appointment offers the chance to lead NSDAS through consolidation and prepare the charity for its next strategic phase.

As our next Interim Chief Executive Officer, you will:

• Strategy & Impact: Develop and deliver a clear 12-month operational plan, with pragmatic milestones and measurable outcomes that align with trustee priorities and service needs.

• Governance & Finance: Strengthen governance and risk reporting to the Board, maintain oversight of day-to-day financial control and cashflow, and support the Treasurer in preparing budgets and regular management reports.

• Operational Leadership: Provide stable, visible leadership and day-to-day operational management, ensuring continuity and quality of frontline services.

• Income Generation: Lead practical income-generation activity alongside trustees and fundraising staff, identify suitable funding opportunities and support bid development to diversify income and build unrestricted reserves.

• Service Quality & Safeguarding: Ensure survivor-centred practice, robust case recording, up-to-date safeguarding and lone-working protocols, and quality assurance across services.

• People & Wellbeing: Prioritise staff and volunteer wellbeing by embedding clinical supervision, promoting psychological safety and improving supervision and development arrangements.

• Community & Partnerships: Maintain and build constructive relationships with statutory partners (local authorities, police), Surrey Domestic Abuse Partnership members and other key stakeholders; represent NSDAS at multi-agency forums.

• Brand & Profile: Advocate for local service needs, raise NSDAS’s profile within the local ecosystem and support trustee work to communicate impact and local value.

Who you are

• A seasoned senior leader with proven executive experience in a small to medium-sized charity or comparable organisation (c.8–20 staff; turnover circa £0.5m+).

• Demonstrable experience of leading organisations through change or transition while maintaining service continuity.

• Strong people leadership skills with experience managing sensitive HR matters, staff wellbeing and clinical/therapeutic supervision arrangements.

• A track record of successful income generation and relationship management with funders, commissioners and statutory partners.

• Financially competent with experience of budgetary control, reading management accounts and reporting to trustees.

• Excellent communicator, credible at both operational detail and strategic discussion, with highly developed stakeholder engagement skills.

• Knowledge of domestic abuse and trauma-informed approaches is essential (practical experience in the VAWG sector strongly preferred).

• Commitment to equality, diversity and survivor-centred practice and the ability to travel across the boroughs and work flexibly.

• Essential occupational requirement: This post is open to female applicants only as this is deemed a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

• Desirable: experience of working within statutory commissioning environments and experience of accreditation/standards (for example Women’s Aid) or practical organisational transition/partnership development.

Why NSDAS?

• Lead a values-driven, trauma-informed charity delivering critical local services and making a tangible difference to survivors’ lives.

• Join a small, committed team with a clear focus on staff wellbeing, clinical supervision and psychologically safe practice.

• A visible leadership role during an important phase of consolidation and strategic development, with clear 12-month priorities and trustee support.

• Hybrid and flexible working (3–4 days per week), regional travel as required and a meaningful, high-impact interim appointment.

• Opportunity to strengthen governance, diversify income and build unrestricted reserves for longer-term resilience.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 30th March 2026

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via the apply button  with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications for this role from women from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Manager (Chief Executive) – Chorlton Good Neighbours
Location: Chorlton, Manchester
Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, full time

Could you be the steady, friendly, hands-on leader who helps more people in Chorlton feel connected, fulfilled and valued?

About Chorlton Good Neighbours
Chorlton Good Neighbours is a small, well-loved neighbourhood charity with roots back to the late 1960s, working to reduce loneliness and support older people across Chorlton and adjacent neighbourhoods. Our work is local, practical and volunteer-led: befriending, home visits, transport, weekly activities, monthly teas, intergenerational groups and occasional day trips are all delivered with warmth and care.

Our volunteer base is extraordinary - around 100 volunteers support drivers, befrienders, activity leads, admin roles and trustees - and in 2024–25 we supported 474 people in total. Funding is a mixed model of public grants, local donations and modest earned income and the charity holds healthy funds to deliver our work.

This is a practical, hands-on, delivery-focused leadership role: you will lead a neighbourhood organisation through planned transition, preserving the community culture that makes CGN trusted, while introducing proportionate systems and succession approaches that secure its future. You will also spend substantial time supporting and supervising volunteers and facilitating activities alongside strategic duties.

As our next Manager (Chief Executive), you will:

• Strategy & Impact: Lead the development and delivery of a clear long-term strategy that sustains CGN’s neighbourhood impact and reduces social isolation amongst older people.

• Governance & Finance: Strengthen proportionate financial controls, grant monitoring and reporting while working closely with trustees including the Treasurer.

• Operational Leadership: Manage day-to-day delivery of volunteer-led services and introduce accessible procedures and safeguarding arrangements.

• Income Generation: Support fundraising and bid activity to secure multi-year funding and diversify local income streams.

• Community & Partnerships: Act as CGN’s visible ambassador, maintaining and developing relationships with Manchester City Council, NHS partners and local organisations.

• Volunteer Development: Recruit, induct and support volunteers and facilitators, building a resilient volunteer pipeline and clear role pathways.

• Brand & Profile: Promote CGN’s offer across local channels to maintain footfall, attract new supporters and celebrate members’ stories.

• Premises & Risk: Work with trustees on lease and premises issues and maintain a robust risk register to protect continuity of service.

Who you are

• An experienced, hands-on manager with significant experience of running small, community-facing charities or local services and a hands-on approach to operational delivery.

• Demonstrable expertise in recruiting, supporting and retaining volunteers, with confidence in DBS/safeguarding practice and volunteer supervision.

• Highly organised with strong event/activity planning skills, practical problem solving and attention to detail.

• Financially literate - comfortable with budgeting, grant monitoring and basic financial controls and able to work with volunteer finance leads.

• An excellent communicator: approachable, diplomatic and skilled at building trust with older people, volunteers, trustees and statutory partners.

• Values driven, emotionally resilient and committed to inclusivity and dignity in later life.

• Desirable: experience of Age-Friendly programmes or befriending schemes and local credibility or knowledge of Manchester/South Manchester.

Why Chorlton Good Neighbours?

• Meaningful local impact - lead a well-regarded neighbourhood charity with deep community trust and a broad activities programme.

• Strong volunteer culture - join an organisation supported by around 100 committed volunteers and an engaged trustee board.

• Secure footing to build from - healthy funds and a clear focus on securing multi-year funding and premises.

• Hands-on role with strategic scope - keep delivery at the heart of the job while developing proportionate systems and succession planning.

• Supportive transition - trustees have planned a careful handover and you will be supported through induction and the subsequent recruitment of a part-time assistant.

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via the apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 13th April 2026

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Detention Action is a small organisation with a big impact. Since 1993, we have worked to improve the welfare of people in detention centres and tirelessly campaign alongside our beneficiaries to reduce the use of immigration detention. We work on the frontline with people in immigration detention, as well as challenging injustices in asylum, detention and deportation systems in the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to campaign for a just and humane immigration system. The post holder will work across our communications and campaigns activities, helping to develop and achieve our campaigning goals, engaging with stakeholders and providing policy and parliamentary support. They will take a lead role in managing our social media channels and contribute to our press office function.

They will also work closely with our Casework and Fundraising teams.

The postholder will have the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge to allow them to lead campaigns and/or supporter and stakeholder engagement.

We are looking for someone who is able to develop compelling campaigns messages for a range of audiences and build strong relationships with our stakeholders. Candidates must have well-developed research and analysis skills, excellent organisational skills and be able to manage our social media accounts. Full details of the essential and desirable criteria for this role are provided in the Candidate Information Pack.

TO APPLY 

Please use the Apply Now button to upload a CV and Cover Letter to the CharityJob portal by 9am BST/UK time on 07 April 2026.

Please read the Candidate Information Pack carefully, including the instructions on how to apply, which explain the requirements for your CV and Cover Letter. We will not accept incomplete applications.

We welcome and encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, including those from minority groups that are underrepresented in the workplace. We strongly encourage those with lived experience of the asylum, deportation and/or immigration detention systems to apply.

This role sits within our Connecting Communities service, which is an element of the larger Mental Health and Wellbeing Service in Tower Hamlets. The post holder will be committed to supporting our clients through their recovery and developing greater resilience and wellbeing. This role will offer a personalised approach to accessing welfare and housing-related advice and information, through casework, workshops and advice surgeries.

What you’ll do 

• Provide welfare benefits and housing advice to support people with mental health challenges to live independently in the community.
• Help clients understand and resolve issues related to welfare benefits and ensure they receive their correct entitlements.
• Run workshops, groups, and advice surgeries on welfare benefits and related topics, such as money management.
• Work collaboratively with the Connecting Communities team, mental health services, housing associations, and other providers to support welfare benefits enquiries, referrals, and training needs.

Personal Independence Coordinator

Salary £29,571.20 Full Time 35 hours per week

Do you want a job that makes a positive difference in people’s lives?

Age UK Croydon’s very successful PIC service for older people in Croydon is recruiting for a new Personal Independence Coordinator.

PICs work alongside health and care professionals within a neighbourhood team, adopting a multidisciplinary approach to working with people who have long term health and social care needs. The PICs provide critical links between formal health and social care services and the wider community support networks. We have adapted our way of working in response to COVID, helping older people to access technology and connect in new and exciting ways.

Full training will be provided; the important qualities we are looking for are:

• Excellent communication and listening skills
• A positive attitude and the ability to problem solve
• A cheerful, friendly, outgoing personality
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• The ability to work flexibly, alone and as part of a team.

We regret we shall not be able to contact applicants who are not shortlisted for interview.

Closing date for applications: 9am Wednesday 1st April 2026

Interview Dates: Wednesday 8th April 2026

Our new Learning Coordinator will be an outstanding teacher who believes in learning as a vehicle for change. We work with a diverse group of people who may have experienced trauma, problems with mental health, and discrimination that has limited their opportunities. Our ideal person therefore needs to be patient, kind, and inclusive with an aspirational approach to support members to build their self-worth and achieve their potential.

A core part of this role is designing and delivering new and inspiring courses and activities in keeping with the needs and interests of members and key themes including wellbeing, culture, and citizenship.  You will support the day to day running and quality assurance of the learning programme and capture impact for members.

We deeply value diversity, lived experience and what those can bring to the team, and we welcome applications from people who have faced the disadvantages our members experience in their lives.

For all the details of the role and how to apply please download the application pack below.

The application deadline for this role is Wednesday 9th March at 9am.

Head of Asset Management & Development

Based: Derby (with travel across YMCA Derbyshire sites)
Salary: £51,000 – £54,000 (dependent on experience)
Hours: 35 hours per week

At YMCA Derbyshire, our buildings are homes, safe spaces and community hubs where young people and families rebuild their lives. You’ll lead how we grow, manage and future-proof these spaces for the next decade.

You will shape and deliver our 10-year Development Strategy, build a strong pipeline of viable opportunities through partnerships and Homes England funding, and ensure our estate is safe, compliant, efficient and delivering real value for money.

Alongside development, you’ll take strategic ownership of asset management, planned and major works, compliance, property data, utilities, risk management and sustainability performance across the organisation.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll provide the financial oversight, governance and direction that ensures our property portfolio supports long-term resilience, growth and community impact.

Driving licence and access to a car essential.

Interested?
Learn more and apply, please go to our website

What we’re looking for

A strategic thinker who can turn property data into action.
A confident leader with experience managing a significant property portfolio.
Someone who understands housing regulation, development viability, risk and value for money.
A professional who is passionate about sustainable development and community impact.

What we offer

37 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
Your birthday off every year
Life Assurance (2x salary)
Health & wellbeing support
Recognition awards, celebration events and long-service rewards
Training, development and genuine career impact
…and a role where your work truly matters every single day

YMCA Derbyshire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to references and an enhanced DBS check.

YMCA Derbyshire is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer.

Closing date: Ongoing
Interviews: Please note that interviews will be scheduled as applications are received. We encourage early submission of applications.

Purpose of the post

The Financial Planning & Analysis Manager will support the Associate Director of Finance to provide insightful analysis of financial trends and oversee the recoverability of funds.

They will coordinate the month-end process and work with Finance Business Partners to coordinate the quarterly forecast and the 2026/27 budget.

They will also act as Finance Business Partner to a number of teams, working closely with Budget Holders and external partners to provide effective management of resources and risk, and monitoring of quarterly partner reporting.

Main responsibilities

Financial Planning & Analysis element of role (60%):

• Coordination of month-end process: overseeing the month-end checklist and coordination of FBPs; production of monthly management accounts using JET reports
• Coordination of quarterly forecasting and annual budgeting across cost centres and funds: preparation of forecasting templates; coordination of FBPs; upload and review of forecast onto finance system
• Coordination of long-term (high level) forecasting across all cost centres and funds to end of current Core Funding cycle
• Oversee the cost recovery process of new and existing funds (overhead recovery and monitoring of funding gaps)

Finance Business Partnering element of role (40%):

• Work with Budget Holders to manage financial performance, forecasts, and budgeting including understanding financial opportunities and risk for the area of business partnership.
• Provide donor reporting and analysis as required to funders of specific programmes.
• Consolidation of quarterly partner reporting

Experience

• CCAB qualified with a minimum of 5 years practical experience in financial analysis or business partnering roles

Desirable

• Experience of fund management
• Experience of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
• Experience of JET reports 
• Experience in the academic or scientific research sector
• Experience working with UKRI and/or Research Councils
• Experience of funding under Full Economic Costing (FEC) model
• Experience of managing stakeholder relationships within an academic or not-for-profit environment

Skills

• Excellent quantitative skills, use of Excel and finance systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively and confidently with people at all levels.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to handle sensitive issues positively
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment and to working in an agile, flexible and pragmatic way
• Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new environments
• Ability to lead and work as part of a team
• Ability to work autonomously and make decisions without supervision
• Ability to process complex information and present targeted messages to different audiences.

We are seeking a forward‑thinking leader with a track record in changing organisations that have a good and loyal team in place with a commitment to our mission and values, and the imagination to explore new ways of meeting local needs. A track record of fundraising in the charity sector is needed. Whether you come with a background from the advice sector, the wider charity world, or another relevant field, if you have the vision and drive to steer CAEW into the future, we would love to hear from you.

• Salary: £36,500 - £42,500 gross per annum (full-time equivalent[KL1] ), dependent on experience.
• Working pattern: This is a full-time role, based on 5 days per week, 1FTE or 37.5 hours per week. Flexible working arrangements for 0.80FTE (30 hours per week) will be considered upon application.
• Contract: Permanent with 6 months' probation
• Member of: Campaigns and Communications Team, and Fundraising Team
• Reporting to: Head of Campaigns and Communications (Line Manager) and Head of Fundraising
• Direct reports: Digital Officer
• Location: This role can be hybrid, or office based. At a minimum, candidates will be required to work from the London office at least 2 days a week, as well as be able to attend ad hoc events and away days in person.

Safe Passage International (SPI) is recruiting a Digital Mobilisation Manager (Campaigns and Communications) part of both the Campaigns & Communications team and Fundraising team to support and to enable continuing and sustainable growth in our ground-breaking work to ensure that safe routes to sanctuary exist for all people seeking asylum. This role is crucial in enabling continued and sustainable growth in our groundbreaking work to ensure that safe routes to sanctuary exist for all refugees

The Digital Mobilisation Manager will lead Safe Passage’s digital programme, sitting within both our Fundraising and Campaigns teams. They will mobilise supporters through timely actions; manage, develop and grow our digital channels strategically; and be at the centre of meeting our fundraising and campaign goals. They will lead on the development of our digital strategy with oversight from the leadership team, implementing it through expert, hands-on content creation.  

This post is an exciting role, responsible for mobilising campaign actions and helping raise the money needed for Safe Passage to do its important work. You will bring a passion for digital developments and action, motivated to advance refugee rights and support the campaigns and fundraising team with team objectives.  The successful candidate will be proactively progressing digital opportunities and innovations. This is a crucial role for Safe Passage International and an opportunity for the successful candidate to help develop the organisation, mobilising supporter actions to support campaigns and fundraising goals. 

You will work as part of a collaborative Campaigns and Communications Team, Fundraising Team and closely with colleagues across Safe Passage International, including teams in the UK, Greece, and France.

We are looking for good transferrable leadership and organisational skills, as detailed in the

Person Specification. Experience in a similar role would be welcome, but this could also be your first paid position in the NGO sector, or you could be returning to work after time out. A full induction will be provided, alongside a dedicated training budget to support you to grow and develop within your role.

Our work is diverse across all the international locations in which SPI operates.

We value equity and diversity in our organisation and are striving to build a workforce reflective of the communities we work with. We encourage applications from people of all ethnicities, working ages, genders, sex, sexual orientations, faiths (or none), marital statuses (or none), and pregnancy status.

We also have full flexible working policies to support people with disabilities and caring responsibilities. People with refugee or asylum-seeking backgrounds are experts by experience and are particularly encouraged to apply.

As a refugee charity, we offer a guaranteed interview for people with direct lived experience of seeking asylum who meet most of the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification. If you have first-hand experience of applying for asylum in any country, please let us know in your application.

We respect that people’s identities are not defined by their past experiences and do not expect candidates to describe their lived experience during the interview process unless they wish to.

If you are excited by this role and working at Safe Passage International but do not have all the experience you think is needed, we would encourage you to apply anyway and reach out for an informal chat beforehand to discuss why you would like to apply for the role and what skills or experiences you think are relevant.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please email SPI Human Resources Team. Contact details can be found in the Job Description.

How do I apply?

Please read the full Job Description & Person Specification and our ‘Application Questions and Guidance’ document below.

Closing Date:

Sunday 29th March 2026 at 11.59 pm

We’re looking for an experienced and proactive Board Secretary to support our Chair, CEO and Board of Trustees.  In this key role, you’ll ensure the smooth running of all Board and committee activity, uphold high governance standards, and act as a trusted adviser on regulatory, statutory and best-practice requirements.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and maintain high‑quality governance processes across the organisation
• Coordinate Board and committee meetings, agendas, papers and minutes
• Oversee key governance documents, registers and annual reviews
• Support trustee recruitment, induction and development·
• Work closely with senior leaders to ensure consistent, best‑practice governance

What you’ll bring:

• Chartered Governance Institute qualification (or equivalent)
• Educated to degree level, a qualification in psychology would be an advantage
• At least 5 years’ experience working directly with a Board of Trustees
• Strong understanding of Charity Commission requirements and governance best practice
• Excellent communication, organisation and prioritisation skills
• Ability to build strong relationships and manage competing demands

If you’re an experienced forward-thinking governance professional who can confidently take the lead at senior level, we’d love to hear from you.

We offer a friendly, values led working culture with an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Agile & flexible working
• Generous leave entitlement
• Occupational pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme / free eye care vouchers / Winter flu vaccinations
• Tailored learning & development
• Employee Assistance Programme counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Discounts scheme with national organisation

Whilst the job can be predominantly home-based, applicants must live within a commutable distance from London, as in-person attendance will be necessary on occasions.

How to apply

The closing date for applications is 23:30 on 20 March 2026.  Shortlisted candidates will be contacted on 15 April. Interviews will be held in person in London on 27 and 28 April.

To apply, please send your CV and a supporting statement detailing how you meet the criteria in the job profile. Due to the seniority of the role, applications without a supporting statement will not be considered.

Previous applicants need not apply. 

The British Psychological Society is committed to a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, irrespective of your background or circumstances. We are only able to accept applications that can demonstrate a right to work in the UK; we are unable to sponsor people requiring a work visa.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, it is not possible to update you on the progress of the application until after the closing date.  If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We are seeking an exceptional leader who can act as a credible spokesperson and ambassador for the Catholic Union, building trusted relationships across the Church, parliament and wider society and helping to grow the Catholic Union’s influence and engagement in the years ahead.

Founded in 1870, the Catholic Union of Great Britain brings Catholic laity and Catholic social teaching to the public square across England, Wales and Scotland. Working in partnership with dioceses, parishes, MPs, MSPs, MSs, peers and Catholic organisations, our vision is of a society in which Catholic laity are informed, equipped and encouraged to engage in public life.

Our work is shaped by three key themes: engagement, education and encouragement. Through these we foster informed participation in public debate, help Catholics and the wider public understand contemporary social and political issues through a Catholic lens, and inspire greater confidence for Catholics to contribute to civic and community life.

In recent years the Catholic Union has developed from being largely volunteer-led into a more professional and strategically focused organisation, strengthening relationships across the Church and wider society. Our Weekly Briefing, now read by around 6,500 people each week, has become a key channel for parliamentary reporting, Catholic news and reflection.

As Director, you will lead the Catholic Union at an exciting moment in its development. You will represent the Catholic Union publicly, strengthening relationships with bishops, diocesan leaders, parliamentarians and Catholic organisations. You will act as a trusted ambassador for the Union, grow our channels of influence and engagement, and work with Trustees, Council and a small experienced team to support the organisation’s continued development.

If you are inspired by the opportunity to serve as a public voice for a respected Catholic organisation and help foster thoughtful dialogue and engagement in public life, we would love to hear from you.

For more information, please see the job pack attached. Closing date 10th April.

This role represents an opportunity to make a real difference to anti-poverty work at QSA and in the UK more broadly. Communications are increasingly central to developing our impact, and our intention is to generate more high quality, moving content that showcases:

• The deep impact of the support provided by QSA to people living on a low income or experiencing homelessness. Our services are created to fill ‘niches’ – the support people tell us that they need and is not being provided elsewhere. We aim to help people find dignity, comfort, connection and peace.

• The support provided by 4in10, London’s child poverty network hosted by QSA, and the impact of its collective action.

• Our campaigning and research work – and the changes it can bring about in policy and practice, with the goal of reducing poverty and alleviating its effects.

You will be helping thousands of people to access QSA’s life-changing services; to find resonance and community in our communications; to support life-changing anti-poverty work; to get involved in campaigns that move the needle; and more.

At QSA our values guide us to deliver services with compassion and dignity, and they also guide us in our workplace. Our small team is mutually supportive, conscientious and deeply committed to the aims of our work.

This role will involve building relationships with an extremely broad range of people, with a very strong focus on the people who participate in our services. An ethical storytelling approach is at the heart of QSA’s communications. Putting this into practice will involve bringing stories forward in deep collaboration with storytellers; with empathy, integrity, authenticity, and a commitment to amplifying voices that can go unheard. We want people to feel in control of how their stories are shared, as much as we want people to be moved by content that engages and inspires.

The communications officer role also involves many of the ‘bread and butter’ tasks of an effective communications function: content production, analytics, social media management and so on. We are currently in the midst of a full-scale overhaul of the QSA website.

More important than coming with experience in every part of these duties, however, is a curiosity and enthusiasm to learn and take on healthy challenges (in which we aim to give you the support you need); as well as a flair for getting to the heart of the story – not only in the content itself, but also in understanding the bigger picture of our communications and our direction of travel together.

Purpose of role

To develop the communications output of QSA across all platforms, supporting delivery of the aims of QSA’s organisational and fundraising & communications strategies. To centre QSA’s communications work in an ethical storytelling approach.

Duties & responsibilities

1. To contribute to a plan and timetable for QSA’s communications work. 
2. To uphold clear protocols on how we gather and share stories and impact, to hold ourselves to the highest standards around ethics and wellbeing.
3. To work in the community and across all QSA’s services, to get to know the people who access them, sensitively inviting people to share their stories or consent to photos. 
4. To compile and share ethical and compelling storytelling content across a range of media. 
5. To co-manage all of QSA’s communications platforms including social media (including community management), email marketing and website. 
6. To generate and publish regular digital communications and fundraising content (including video, audio and copy), across our owned and shared platforms, and printed materials. 
7. To pull together content into regular email briefings for QSA’s supporters and donors. 
8. To provide communications support to the wider QSA team. 
9. To engage with other QSA teams about website content, being responsible for adding in this content, liaising with our web agency as required.
10. To follow a GEO-first approach to QSA’s web development, to promote growth in traffic and engagement. 
11. To actively drive growth and engagement across QSA’s social media, website and email marketing. 
12. To work within QSA brand guidelines to provide recognisable and reliable content, while also keeping content fresh and engaging.
13. To work with third party suppliers or freelancers as required, eg. for graphic design or other communications assets.
14. To undertake event marketing of QSA’s fundraising events. 
15. To track analytics to evaluate the impact of the content we produce and promote across all our platforms. 
16. To plan and create content for individual giving campaigns and digital fundraising. 
17. To maintain an up-to-date awareness of best and emerging practice in non-profit communications, and to share new ideas for growth. 
18. To work within, and actively promote, the policies and procedures of QSA. 
19. Any other duties, as appropriate to the role, as agreed by the QSA director. 

Person specification

Experience 

1. Experience of working for or volunteering for a charity, especially if UK-based and community focussed, is highly desirable. 
2. Experience of communications work, in a paid or voluntary capacity, is highly desirable. 

Ability 

1. Excellent people-facing skills, able to confidently build rapport with people, and sensitively approach difficult topics.
2. Ability to build collaborative working relationships across a wide range of people, including team members, colleagues, and QSA donors.
3. Ability to confidently produce and share content online, such as stories, images, videos. 
4. Ability to produce engaging content for social media platforms, email marketing and web.
5. Ability to track and understand digital marketing analytics. 
6. Ability to be flexible and adapt and respond to new challenges/opportunities while maintaining attention to detail. 

Knowledge 

1. Knowledge of social media platforms and their different audiences, and how to tailor content appropriate to each.
2. Knowledge of poverty on families, households and communities in the UK and an understanding of/empathy for the impact of living on a low income.

Other 

1. Curiosity and enthusiasm for digital and offline communications.
2. Commitment to and understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 
3. A willingness to work within a Quaker ethos, as per the mission of QSA.

N.B. Please refer to the attached job pack for full details of this role.

Thank you for your interest.