Human rights volunteer jobs

Lead a pioneering organisation transforming refugee lives through employment

Chief Executive

Salary: £95k–£99k (including London Weighting)

Location: London | Regular travel to Birmingham, Manchester and other parts of the UK; minimum 60% office-based, with a greater office presence expected initially.

This mission-driven charity supports refugees to build new lives through meaningful employment. Since 2015, it has helped thousands of individuals gain skills, confidence and access to work—unlocking financial independence, purpose and long-term opportunity.

With over 500,000 refugees now living in the UK and facing significant barriers to employment, the need for high-quality, targeted support has never been greater. The organisation works with individuals, employers and partners to create pathways into sustainable employment while driving systemic change across the sector.

We are now seeking an exceptional Chief Executiveto lead the organisation into its next phase of impact.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a nationally recognised charity at a pivotal moment. With responsibility for strategy, operations, partnerships and fundraising, the CEO will work closely with the Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team to scale impact, deepen employer and funder relationships, and ensure the organisation continues to deliver high-quality, life-changing support.

As the public face of the charity, you will play a critical role in building influence, championing the power of employment to transform lives, and strengthening partnerships across business, philanthropy, government and civil society.

We are interested in hearing from leaders who bring:

• Significant experience as a Chief Executive, or as a senior leader within a large social impact organisation.
• Experience developing and implementing organisational strategy, including vision-setting and leading associated change management.
• Significant experience developing strategic partnerships with corporate funders and partner organisations to drive income growth and create employment opportunities for beneficiaries.
• The ability to motivate and inspire staff and volunteers at all levels to maximise their contribution to the organisation's mission.
• Outstanding communication skills, with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders and represent the organisation externally.
• A deep commitment to equity, inclusion and embedding lived experience in decision-making and organisational culture.
• Experience operating within charity governance frameworks and working effectively with Boards.

This is an opportunity to lead a talented and committed team, work alongside an ambitious Board, and make a profound difference to the lives of refugees across the UK.

To find out more about the role and how to apply, please view the appointment brief on Prospectus website.

Recruitment Timetable

Closing date: 9th August
Interviews with Prospectus: Week commencing 24th August
Interviews with Breaking Barriers: 11th September

Join Small Steps Project as our Executive Assistant 

Are you someone who loves bringing order to busy days, keeping people connected and making things happen behind the scenes?

We're looking for an exceptional Executive Assistant to join the Small Steps Project team and become the operational heartbeat of our award-winning international children's charity.

This is far more than a traditional Executive Assistant role.

You'll work closely with our Managing Director, Board of Trustees, project teams and volunteers, helping to keep the charity running smoothly while supporting fundraising, governance, operations, communications and events.

One day you could be preparing Board papers, the next coordinating our annual Celebrity Shoe Auction, supporting international projects or helping share the incredible stories that inspire our supporters.

If you're highly organised, naturally proactive and enjoy creating calm in a fast-moving environment, we'd love to hear from you.

What we're looking for

• An experienced Executive Assistant, Operations Manager, Office Manager or someone with similar experience.

• Someone who enjoys variety and thrives on managing multiple priorities.

• A confident communicator with excellent organisational skills.

• Someone who wants to use their skills to make a genuine difference.

What we're offering

• Full-time or part-time considered.

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.

• School-friendly hours where possible.

• Job share applications welcomed.

• A supportive, collaborative team.

• A varied role with real responsibility and opportunities to grow.

• The chance to work for an award-winning international charity changing children's lives around the world.

At Small Steps Project, we know that exceptional people don't all follow the same career path or work the same pattern. Our team includes working parents and professionals from a variety of backgrounds, and we're committed to creating a flexible and supportive working environment where people can thrive.

If you're looking for a role where organisation meets purpose, and where every day contributes to lasting change, we'd love to hear from you.

To apply, please send your CV and answer three short questions:

1. Why would you like to join Small Steps Project?

2. What experience would you bring to this role?

3. What excites you most about the opportunity?

Together, every small step creates lasting change.

Job Title: Fundraising Manager

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £40,000

Hours per week: 28 hours 4 days per week

Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (Pro Rota)

Role Description

The Senior Fundraising Manager will play a key strategic role in supporting the mission and ministry of St Edmundsbury Cathedral by developing and delivering a diverse range of fundraising activities, with a particular focus on Trusts and Foundations, major funding opportunities, donor stewardship and the growth of sustainable income.

Working closely with the senior leadership team, the role will identify and develop new funding opportunities, build strong relationships with Trusts and Foundations, and lead the preparation and submission of high-quality funding applications and reports. The postholder will also oversee the Cathedral’s Patron and donor relationships, legacy and regular giving activity, and provide strategic oversight of major fundraising events and initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Legacy and Appeals

• Support and develop the Cathedral’s legacy giving strategy, helping to encourage and secure gifts in wills.
• Work with colleagues and volunteers to develop appropriate legacy communications and stewardship activity.
• Provide strategic support for the delivery of fundraising appeals, including the biennial ‘Gift Day’.
• Review and evaluate fundraising appeals, identifying opportunities to improve engagement and income.

Trusts and Foundations

• Develop and implement a Trusts and Foundations fundraising strategy to increase income and diversify the Cathedral’s funding base.
• Research and identify new Trusts, Foundations and other institutional funding opportunities aligned with the Cathedral’s mission, ministry and strategic priorities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective Trusts and Foundations, ensuring effective stewardship and ongoing engagement.
• Lead the development and submission of high-quality funding applications, working with colleagues across the Cathedral to gather relevant information, budgets, impact measures and supporting evidence.
• Maintain a comprehensive pipeline of funding opportunities, applications, deadlines and outcomes.
• Ensure funders receive timely, accurate and engaging updates on the impact of their support.
• Develop compelling cases for support and funding proposals for a range of projects and priorities.
• Support colleagues with grant applications where appropriate, providing guidance on funder requirements, application development and reporting.
• Monitor changes in the funding landscape and identify emerging opportunities for the Cathedral.

Donor Acknowledgement and CRM Management

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in the fundraising CRM database, Donorfy, including donation history, communications and engagement activity.
• Ensure appropriate systems and processes are in place for effective donor stewardship and relationship management.
• Produce reports and analysis from Donorfy to support fundraising planning, decision-making and income monitoring.
• Ensure donors and Patrons are thanked and acknowledged appropriately and in a timely manner, including personal correspondence and letters from the Dean where appropriate.
• Use donor data and insight to identify opportunities for increased engagement, retention and income.

Planned and Regular Giving

• Work with the Planned Giving Committee to develop and implement a strategy for increasing regular giving.
• Develop communications that encourage supporters to become regular givers.

Patrons and Donors

• Manage and develop relationships with existing Patrons and key donors, ensuring high standards of engagement through regular communications, including e-newsletters, invitations and other appropriate engagement activities.
• Oversee the delivery of the Cathedral’s Patron events, including the Patrons’ Carol Service, Spring Trip and Summer Garden Party, working with colleagues to ensure events are delivered to a high standard.
• Monitor Patron membership, renewal dates and income, ensuring effective processes are in place for timely renewal communications.
• Work closely with the Finance Department to ensure Patron income and donations are accurately recorded and reconciled.
• Develop and implement strategies to grow the Cathedral’s Patron network and strengthen relationships with existing supporters.
• Identify opportunities to deepen donor engagement and develop supporters towards increased giving and longterm involvement with the Cathedral.

Major Fundraising Initiatives and Events

• Provide fundraising leadership and strategic oversight for major Cathedral fundraising initiatives and projects as required.
• Support the delivery team of the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn Project, providing fundraising expertise and advice as required.
• Oversee the fundraising strategy and income generation associated with major fundraising events, including the Grand Nave Autumn Ball, ensuring that events have clear fundraising objectives and deliver against agreed targets.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues responsible for event planning and delivery, providing strategic fundraising direction, supporter engagement and stewardship.
• Ensure that income and expenditure associated with fundraising events and initiatives are accurately recorded and monitored.
• Evaluate fundraising activity and provide recommendations to maximise future income and supporter engagement.

Strategy, Planning and Reporting

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Cathedral’s overall fundraising strategy and annual fundraising plans.
• Set and monitor fundraising targets across relevant income streams, providing regular updates to senior colleagues and relevant committees.
• Use fundraising data, research and analysis to identify opportunities for growth and inform strategic decisionmaking.
• Prepare reports for senior leadership, Trustees and relevant committees as required. Work collaboratively across the Cathedral to ensure fundraising opportunities are identified and developed effectively.
• Ensure all fundraising activity reflects the mission, values and ethos of St Edmundsbury Cathedral and is undertaken with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
• Ensure compliance with relevant fundraising regulations, GDPR and data protection requirements, and best practice in donor stewardship.
• Support and develop a culture of fundraising across the Cathedral, encouraging colleagues to recognise and maximise opportunities for philanthropic support.

Person Specification

Essential Qualities

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in fundraising or a related field.

Experience

• Significant experience in fundraising or income generation roles, with a proven track record of securing income and meeting or exceeding fundraising targets.
• Proven experience of developing and managing relationships with Trusts and Foundations and other institutional funders.
• Demonstrable experience of researching funding opportunities and developing successful grant and funding applications.
• Experience of managing donor relationships and delivering effective stewardship and engagement programmes.
• Experience of developing and delivering fundraising strategies across a range of income streams.
• Experience of managing or overseeing fundraising campaigns, appeals or events.
• Experience of using fundraising data and CRM systems to support donor management, reporting and strategic decisionmaking.
• Experience of monitoring and reporting on restricted and unrestricted funding.
• Experience of preparing funding reports and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of Trusts and Foundations fundraising and the wider fundraising landscape.
• Good understanding of a range of fundraising income streams, including individual giving, Trusts and Foundations, major donors, corporate and community fundraising.
• Knowledge of fundraising regulations, GDPR, data protection and ethical fundraising practices.
• Understanding of budgeting, financial planning and monitoring in relation to fundraising.
• Understanding of effective donor stewardship, cultivation and relationship management.
• Knowledge of the principles and importance of legacy and regular giving.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce compelling funding proposals, cases for support, reports and donor communications.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build credibility and maintain positive relationships with funders, donors, Patrons and colleagues.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to identify and assess new funding opportunities.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and funding applications effectively.
• Ability to use data and insight to inform fundraising decisions, monitor performance and measure impact.
• Ability to manage and maintain accurate records using a CRM system such as Donorfy.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and influence colleagues to support fundraising objectives.
• Ability to oversee and provide strategic direction to fundraising activities and initiatives.

Personal Qualities

• Highly motivated, proactive and results-driven.
• Strategic and creative thinker, with the ability to identify and develop new fundraising opportunities.
• Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and take responsibility for delivering agreed objectives.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and build effective relationships across the organisation.
• Resilient, flexible and able to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Professional, trustworthy and committed to the highest standards of integrity and ethical fundraising.
• Commitment to the values and mission of St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
• Sensitive to the Cathedral’s core mission as a place of worship, outreach, welcome and care.
• Willingness to work varying hours for fundraising activities and functions, including occasional evenings and weekends, as required.

Desirable

Qualities Qualifications

• Relevant professional fundraising qualification, such as a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

Experience

• Experience of working with high-net-worth individuals, major donors or philanthropic supporters.
• Experience of securing significant gifts or grants from Trusts and Foundations.
• Experience of fundraising within the Church of England or another faith-based organisation.
• Experience of working in a heritage, cultural, charitable or not-for-profit organisation.
• Experience of overseeing fundraising events or major fundraising initiatives.

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of the funding landscape relevant to heritage, faith, community or charitable organisations.
• Experience of public speaking and presenting to donors, funders, committees or other stakeholders.
• Knowledge of legacy fundraising and planned giving.
• Experience of using Donorfy or a similar fundraising CRM system.