Hate crime community engagement officer jobs
Imagine working alongside young people who've challenged Meta's hate speech policies, won national awards, and brought a sofa on wheels to a protest. Coventry Youth Activists (CYA) is the UK's only youth-led campaign group run by and for disabled young people—70% of members have learning disabilities—and they need a Community Organiser to help them take on one of their biggest fights yet: defending SEND rights.
This isn't traditional charity work. CYA doesn't lobby for disabled young people—they campaign as them. From Mad Hatter's Tea Parties outside Facebook HQ to high-level negotiations with decision-makers, their approach is bold, creative, and effective. As one member puts it: "Leadership doesn't have to look a certain way... That's what we do at CYA."
What you'll be doing
You'll support CYA members to challenge urgent threats to their rights—particularly government reforms affecting SEND (Special Educational Need and Disability) rights. This means:
- Developing campaign strategies and power mapping decision-makers with young activists
- Facilitating actions, media engagement, and high-level negotiations
- Coaching young leaders and building their confidence to take the lead
- Creating alliances and expanding CYA's reach and influence
- Ensuring everything is accessible, inclusive, and driven by lived experience
You won't be doing this alone. You'll be part of Grapevine, an award-winning charity with years of community organising expertise, working within a supportive team that believes in joyful organising.
Who we're looking for
We want someone with proven campaigning experience and strong facilitation skills—but just as importantly, someone with creativity, a passion for justice, and the ability to work inclusively with young people with learning disabilities.
Essential skills and experience:
- At least one year's community organising or campaigning experience with clear evidence of wins
- Ability to work collaboratively and inclusively, especially with people who have learning disabilities
- Strong facilitation and communication skills
- Experience building alliances and developing others
- Creative problem-solving and a genuine passion for justice
Benefits include:
- Flexible working arrangements
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
- 8% non-contributory pension (Grapevine pays the full amount)
- Employee Assistance Programme
- A culture of learning, reflection, and genuine support
Grapevine is a place where you'll have freedom with support, real opportunities to grow, and work that creates lasting impact. Our team describe it as a "powerhouse" that feels like a second home.
About Grapevine
We're an award-winning charity helping communities across Coventry and Warwickshire take collective action. We're nationally recognised for our community organising approach and we're accredited trainers for the National Community Organisers programme. We believe those who face challenges are best positioned to lead solutions—and we provide the support to make that happen.
"Grapevine is a fantastic organisation—bold, innovative and caring. It manages to balance positive outcomes for individuals and communities with system change—a very rare thing." — Tim, Community Leader
Equality and Inclusion
Fairness and inclusion are part of who we are—going back to our origins as a disability charity. We actively seek people from all backgrounds and AIM TO remove barriers to equal opportunity. We welcome applications from everyone.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Strengthening people, sparking community and shifting power in Coventry and beyond
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About African Rainbow Family
African Rainbow Family (ARF) is a UK-based, lived-experience-led grassroots organisation working with and for LGBTIQ+ refugees and people seeking asylum of African heritage and the Global Majority.
ARF was founded in 2014 in response to the criminalisation and persecution of LGBTIQ+ people across parts of Africa and the Commonwealth. The organisation provides advocacy, peer support, advice, training and counselling, while campaigning locally, nationally and internationally to challenge injustice and promote equality and human rights.
ARF operates from its head office in Manchester and has centres in Leeds, Birmingham, London and Swansea.
About the Role
The Operations Manager role is a new and senior position within African Rainbow Family and will play a key role in supporting the organisation’s strategic and operational development.
The postholder will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day running of the organisation, managing staff and volunteers, ensuring effective service delivery and leading on income generation and funding applications.
The role works closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Trustees, staff, volunteers and external stakeholders to ensure ARF operates effectively, sustainably and in line with its values and objectives.
Key Responsibilities
The postholder will be responsible for:
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Managing the day-to-day operations of African Rainbow Family, ensuring efficient and effective organisational delivery
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Line managing staff and volunteers, including recruitment, induction, supervision and performance management
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Overseeing service delivery across all ARF centres to ensure consistency, quality and compliance with funder requirements
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Managing organisational budgets and monitoring expenditure against agreed targets
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Leading on income generation, including researching funding opportunities and writing grant and funding applications
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Developing, reviewing and implementing organisational policies, procedures and systems
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Ensuring compliance with governance, safeguarding, health and safety and regulatory requirements
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Building and maintaining relationships with funders, partners, commissioners and key stakeholders
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Supporting strategic planning and reporting to the CEO and Board of Trustees
Person Specification
Essential
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Minimum of two years’ experience in an operations, project or organisational management role
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Proven experience of managing staff and volunteers
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Experience of managing budgets and financial reporting
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Demonstrable experience of researching and writing successful grant or funding applications
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Knowledge of charity governance, compliance and operational processes
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Strong organisational, communication and leadership skills
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Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
Desirable
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Experience working within the charity or voluntary sector
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Experience working with LGBTIQ+ refugees or people seeking asylum
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Knowledge of asylum, immigration or human rights policy
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Experience using databases or CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce)
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Experience in advocacy, campaigning or media work
Benefits
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28 days annual leave including Bank Holidays
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NEST pension scheme
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Flexible working arrangements
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Birthday leave and two wellbeing (duvet) days per year
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Cost-of-living support
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Paid sick leave after six months’ service
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Training, development and progression opportunities
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Salary review and employee reward scheme
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Free on-site parking
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Accredited Living Wage Employer
Equality, Diversity and Safeguarding
African Rainbow Family is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people with lived experience of the asylum system, LGBTIQ+ people and individuals from Black and Global Majority backgrounds.
This role is subject to a Genuine Occupational Requirement and is therefore open only to applicants who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex.
The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. ARF is committed to safeguarding and to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
