Food coordination assistant jobs

Job Title: Policy and Advocacy Manager

Position Type: Maternity Cover

Reports to: Founder/Chief Executive

Based at: School Food Matters, Blackfriars Settlement 9 Rushworth Street SE1 0RB

Salary: £40,500

Working Hours: 9am-5pm (flexible)

Pension: School Food Matters pays pension contributions at 7% of pensionable earnings

Holiday: 31 days including bank holidays

School Food Matters is closed between Christmas and New Year

Job Purpose

· To lead and shape School Food Matters’ policy and advocacy strategy, ensuring our voice influences national and local decision-making on school food and food education

· To design and deliver campaigns that support and advance SFM’s mission

· To line manage the Policy and Communications Assistant and Press and Communications Officer

Key Tasks

· Lead and provide strategic input to campaigns, convene groups and partnerships

· Represent SFM at external meetings and coalitions such as the School Food Review

· Monitor, analyse and interpret relevant research, policy developments and news, identifying implications or opportunities for SFM

· Oversee the strategic direction of SFM’s external affairs and communications, ensuring all policy, campaigns, and public messaging align with the charity’s mission and priorities

· Provide policy research and analysis to support the activities of the School Food Review

· Oversee meetings and governance for the School Food Alliance

· Provide policy and communications expertise for the Food Education Network workstreams

· Represent SFM at relevant policy consultations, meetings and conferences to influence and inform policy discussions, and deliver presentations as required

· Lead drafting of responses to government consultations

· Working closely with the Press and Communications Officer, provide insights to inform timely media responses to policy developments

· Ensure colleagues are regularly briefed on policy activities, priorities and messages, and run internal workshops to keep them up to date with the school food sector

· Provide strategic input to meeting content for the School Food Review, and support the Policy and Communications Assistant to organise meetings for workstreams

· Oversee the development web content, articles, blogs and newsletter content by the Press and Communications Officer and the Policy and Communications Assistant

· Keep up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures

· Maintain the ethos of the charity and positively promote our work at all times

· The Policy and Advocacy Manager will also undertake any other tasks relevant to the affairs of SFM that may arise from time to time.  Therefore, being flexible and approaching the job with an open and positive mindset is essential!

Person Specification

Essential

· Experience of research and analysis, ideally in a policy environment

· General knowledge of issues around school food, children’s health and food education

· Comprehensive understanding of the UK’s political system

· Experience of coordinating policy/research-based projects

· Experience designing, coordinating and delivering campaigns

· Experience of working in coalitions

· Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain relationships with a range of individuals and organisations

· Confident and competent IT skills across Office suite of programmes

· Exceptional oral and written communication skills in fluent spoken and written English, with strong attention to detail and the ability to translate complex data and policies into accessible language and engaging stories and communication materials

· Strong understanding media landscape and social media platforms to oversee the communications activity of the organisation

· Ability to work independently, with high levels of self-motivation

· Good project management, time management and organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines

· Energy, enthusiasm, creativity and tenacity

Desirable

· Strong knowledge of the public health, food and education policy landscape

· Experience managing others

· Experience managing projects

· Experience managing meetings

· Experience of working with Drupal CMS

· Experience of working within a network or coalition of campaigning organisations

· Established contacts with media outlets/journalists/bloggers

· Digital campaigning and social networking skills

· Experience writing news articles and blog posts with clear structure, purpose and an engaging narrative

· Experience managing or supervising team members to deliver communications projects effectively

Coeliac UK is looking for an enthusiastic and organised Community Events Assistant to support the delivery of engaging events for people affected by coeliac disease.

Job Title: Community Events Assistant
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time
Location: Head Office, High Wycombe (office based, requiring some travel around UK & occasional weekend working, with some flexibility for hybrid working.)
Salary: Circa £23,000 per annum
Salary Band: (GA 6.1)
Benefits: 36 days holiday (including bank holidays), enhanced parental leave, private counselling service
Closing Date: 19th February 2026

About the Role

You will help plan, promote and deliver events led by staff, volunteers or external partners. Working closely with teams across the Audience Engagement Department and the wider charity, you’ll ensure events run smoothly and provide a positive experience for all involved. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience and build a career in events or the charity sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the administration and planning of Coeliac UK events, including staff-led and volunteer-led activities.
• Set up and manage event ticketing platforms, including event emails, tracking links and monitoring marketing performance.
• Coordinate event promotion, including printed event supplements, website listings and volunteer event communications.
• Support event logistics such as venue selection, travel and accommodation bookings, equipment hire and supplier liaison.
• Respond to event enquiries from volunteers, members and the public via phone, email and online channels with professionalism and empathy.
• Support on-the-day event delivery, including set-up and representing the charity at events across the UK, with occasional evening, weekend and overnight work.

About You

We’re looking for an organised and enthusiastic team player who enjoys working with people and managing detail.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a varied workload, and excellent attention to detail, particularly when handling data and event information.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with confidence engaging with volunteers, staff and the public.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); experience with databases, ticketing platforms or WordPress is an advantage.
• A proactive, flexible and positive approach, with a willingness to support events outside normal working hours when required.

About Coeliac UK:

Coeliac UK is the charity for people who need to live without gluten. For over 50 years, we’ve been supporting those with coeliac disease and related conditions by providing trusted advice, funding vital research, and campaigning for better access to safe gluten free food. Our work ensures that no one’s life is limited by gluten.

Closing date: Thursday 19th February 2026 (We may close this vacancy early if we find the ideal candidate.)

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.

Candidates may also be searching for similar roles such as: Events Assistant, Community Engagement Assistant, Fundraising Events Assistant, Charity Events Coordinator or Volunteer Events Assistant.

No agencies please.

We are seeking an Assistant Manager to play a key operational role at our Sunderland Hub. Supporting the day-to-day running of services that help people facing social exclusion rebuild confidence, skills, and stability.

This is a mission-driven, hands-on role combining coordination, leadership and frontline delivery. You will work closely with the Hub Manager and wider team to ensure the hub operates smoothly, safely and with purpose, while supporting individuals to engage in meaningful activity and community life.

About Handcrafted

Handcrafted works with people who have experienced exclusion, homelessness and disadvantage, offering practical opportunities to rebuild confidence and independence through creative projects, training, and community.

Our work is rooted in values of:

• Creativity everyone can make something to be proud of

• Empathy walking alongside people through challenge

• Empowerment supporting people to take back control

• Community building belonging and shared purpose

These values shape how we work with residents, trainees and one another.

The Role – Assistant Manager (Sunderland Hub)

As Assistant Manager, you will be central to the smooth running of the Sunderland Hub. You’ll support the Hub Manager in coordinating staff, activities and services, while maintaining a welcoming, organised and supportive environment.

This is a varied role combining operational oversight, hands-on delivery, administration and people support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Hub Manager in the day-to-day operation of the Sunderland Hub

• Help coordinate staff, volunteers, activities and community sessions

• Provide hands-on support to residents and trainees as needed

• Assist with planning and delivery of workshops, shared meals and group activities

• Act as a welcoming and reliable point of contact for people accessing the hub

• Support record keeping, reporting and compliance requirements

• Assist with ordering supplies, processing expenses and basic financial administration

• Help oversee housing-related processes and liaise with relevant teams

• Promote a safe, inclusive and well-organised environment at all times

(Full responsibilities are detailed in the recruitment pack.)

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is organised, proactive and people-focused, with the confidence to take responsibility while working collaboratively.

You will ideally bring:

• Experience working in a support, community or care-based setting

• Strong organisational and communication skills

• The ability to manage competing priorities calmly

• Confidence supporting people with complex needs

• An understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries

• A values-led approach aligned with Handcrafted’s ethos

Experience in housing, support services or community delivery is desirable but not essential.

Why Join Handcrafted?

• Be part of a well-established, values-driven organisation

• Play a key operational role in a growing hub

• Work alongside a committed, supportive team

• Help create real change for people facing exclusion

• Access training and development opportunities

Safeguarding

Handcrafted is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

The purpose of this role is support the GWT catering manager at our Robinswood Hill and Crickley Hill cafes, ensuring our café operations are commercially successful, achieve income targets, and maximise profitability. Deliver first-class customer service and exceed visitor expectations. Identify opportunities for innovation and new income streams. Support the Catering manager in developing a strong, flexible and agile customer-focused café team that reflects the values of GWT. Collaborate with wider GWT team as required, supporting the delivery of GWT’s programme of events.

Responsible for line management of café catering assistants and where applicable catering volunteers and deputise for the Catering Manager in their absence as required.

To Understand the commercial drivers of cafés performance and identify opportunities to increase income, explore new revenue streams, and drive bottom-line contribution. To Support GWT’s wider activity across but not limited to RWH and CH and other sites as required, including delivery of GWT’s programme of events and activities, working in collaboration with the programming team to identify and realise opportunities to maximise income.

We show how we care for nature, our partners and each other through our values:
�� We’re ambitious and dream big — for people and for nature.
�� We collaborate, because we can achieve more together.
�� We’re inclusive and believe that nature is for everyone.
�� We act with responsibility for the work we do and the world we’re helping to shape.

Together, we’re growing hope for a wilder future.

This is a permanent full-time post working 5 days over 7, working pattern to include weekends with occasional evenings as required.
 

We are looking for a conscientious and skilled coordinator who understands how vital administrative tasks are to a well-functioning, smooth-running organisation. You are a big picture thinker with an eye for detail, someone who can support us in grounding our big ideas in reality, helping to ensure our work is clearly documented, replicable, compliant with relevant legislation, and that it contributes to making a big impact for the social sector. 

You love to collaborate cross-functionally and have a knack for understanding and maintaining the ecosystem of a cohesive and impactful organisation. You’re looking to join a small, friendly, and respectful team with an outsized impact, where your ideas and contributions are valued and where you are trusted to work in a way that suits you.

About DataKind UK

DataKind UK is a small infrastructure charity with a vision of a strong, thriving third sector that embraces data science to become more impactful. Effective data use has the potential to transform an organisation's impact by improving decision-making, maximising operational efficiency, and ensuring service delivery is evidence-based. A lack of access to responsible data science skills and techniques in the third sector means it isn’t having the impact it could.

We provide a variety of free and contracted support services to help third sector organisations achieve their missions, encourage innovation, and improve decision making, problem solving, and practices.

Since 2013, more than 2,200 DataKind UK volunteers have supported over 300 charities—from large organisations like St John Ambulance and Action for Children to local food banks and campaigning charities—helping them better understand their users, evaluate what's working, streamline routine tasks, and ultimately better tackle society's biggest challenges.

You'll be part of a kind and collaborative five-person staff team that works closely with a talented community of volunteer data scientists. This is an exciting and unusual opportunity to shape how the third sector uses data. Join us!

Essential qualities

• Proactive, can-do attitude - if in doubt, we’ll figure it out!
• A highly organised, process-driven problem solver.
• You are aligned with DataKind UK’s core values: curious, responsible, collaborative.
• You are self-directed and goal-oriented, and like working independently or managing without direct authority.
• You thrive in an environment where every day is a bit different, and are happy working flexibly and adaptably. You can switch between big-picture and detail-oriented thinking.
• You are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• You are a collaborative team player, and happy to jump in and help out when and where needed. You care more that good things happen than who gets the credit.

Essential skills

• Personable and skilled at relationship building and communicating with a variety of people - we work in a small, hybrid team, and with a wide variety of volunteers, charity partners, and other stakeholders.
• Skilled at collaborating with/managing people who are not your direct reports (e.g. colleagues, volunteers, trustees).
• Comfortable juggling multiple projects and priorities and making decisions about what to prioritise accordingly.
• Familiarity with digital software - currently we use Google suite for email, diary management and documents; Beacon CRM; Monday for project management; and Slack for team and volunteer communications. You may not have used those exact tools but you are comfortable with learning new tools and processes, to the point where you can clearly document processes and train others.

Desirable

• Experience of working and/or volunteering in the UK charity sector.
• Knowledge of charity governance / legislation.
• An interest in the use of data to support decision making in the third sector.
• Experience of working or collaborating with volunteers.

What we offer

• Working in a small, flexible, hybrid team where you are trusted to manage your time and your projects. If you need to switch your hours one week, or take time out of your working day to go to a dentist appointment, sit an exam, or for your child’s school play, go ahead! We are focused on outputs over time spent at your desk. 
• 5% employer pension contribution.
• 11 days holiday (27 days pro rata).
• Employee Support plan including medical and dental assistance.
• We will provide you with a comprehensive onboarding plan, where we will identify any additional training needs to support you in your role and arrange for training at a time/place/pace that suits you.

Working hours and location 

This is a part-time role (14 hours per week). You can do this across two or more days, depending on your preferred work pattern. Working hours are flexible, but we ask that at least 75% of your working time is within the hours of 10am and 6pm UK time, in order to facilitate team working and real-time collaboration.

This role will ideally be hybrid / London-based. We can currently provide London office space on Mondays (Victoria), Thursdays (Shoreditch) and Fridays (Victoria). (Please note we don’t currently have any other staff members in the office on a Friday.) We will occasionally hold team days in London - you will be given advance notice of these dates. We may be able to offer remote working for an exceptional candidate, but our preference would be for a hybrid schedule with at least one day in the office (Monday or Thursday) per week - please note this could be a shorter day, e.g. 9-3 to accommodate other commitments.

You must have the right to work in the UK.

How to apply

The deadline for receipt of your application is 9am, Monday 23 February. Applications received after this time will not be considered.

Please send us your CV and a cover letter of no more than two single-spaced pages to explain why this role appeals to you and how you meet the experience, skills, and qualities listed above using the STAR (Situation Task Action Result) approach. We would also like to know:

1. What made you decide to apply for this role?
2. How do you stay organised? Again, this can be an example from your work, study or personal life.
3. Can you tell us about a time when you have had to step outside of your comfort zone or usual role, either in a job or an example from your life outside of work? What motivated you to get involved and what was the outcome?

All applications will be anonymised before shortlisting.

A note on use of generative AI

We know a lot of people use generative AI tools like Chat GPT to help them with job applications. We don’t encourage this, but if you do want to use it, we recommend asking it for suggestions on relevant things to include, get it to give you them in bullet points, then write the application yourself. We really want to hear from YOU, the human, in your authentic voice. It helps you to stand out, and helps us figure out if you're really and truly a good fit for the role. We do not use AI to assist us with reviewing and shortlisting applicants.

Equity & Diversity Monitoring

Please consider filling in the Equity & Diversity Monitoring Form linked in the Job Description attachment. This is entirely voluntary and anonymous and will not affect your application in any way.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background, and welcome applications regardless of age, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion/belief, race, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, or disability.

The data you provide will be used to monitor whether we are receiving applications from quality candidates across the whole of society. If there are differences in application rates it will enable action to be taken to ensure that no group is treated unfairly.

We particularly encourage applications from groups which are underrepresented in data science, tech, and/or the third sector, including people of colour and people with disabilities. We can make reasonable adjustments throughout the application process (both with the application and interview) and on the job. If you have particular accessibility needs, please get in touch and let us know any requirements you may have at contact at datakind dot org dot uk.

We will treat the data you provide in your application in accordance with our Privacy Policy.