Humanitarian policy officer jobs

About Us
Action Village India (AVI) is a small UK based organisation that since 1989, has been supporting Indian partner organisations who work alongside villagers in some of the most remote parts of rural India so they can improve their lives, livelihoods and resilience. We work towards an India which is just, fair and inclusive, where all people regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, caste, religion can benefit from the country’s economic development and lift themselves out of poverty.

At the heart of our work, are our partnerships; many of which have spanned decades.  Our partner organisations are led by Indians and whether these are large or small organisations, or social movements, all work directly at the grassroots level across rural India – from Bihar and Jharkhand in the North, in Odisha and down to Tamil Nadu in the South. The communities they work with, are some of the poorest in India. They are experts in their fields and work hand in hand with local people to design and inform projects to best serve their local communities and secure rights and social justice for women, men and children.

We accompany our partners for the long term, solidarity with our partners and their communities is at the core of how we work. This means we have developed relationships over the years, based on mutual respect, reciprocity and transparency. We are not governed by donor funding cycles and agendas but are led by our partners and the needs they identify and are committed to shared learning and collaboration. We keep our UK costs to a minimum with core staff and rely on an active and engaged set of Trustees, volunteers and supporters.  Both staff and Trustees of Action Village India have relationships with staff from our partner organisations, created through ongoing dialogue, partner and community visits and participation in learning forums.

Key details

• Salary: £30,000 pro rata
• Hours: 14 hours per week (2 days), ideally Wednesday and Thursday
• Strong possibility of increasing to 21 hours (3 days) in future
• Option to work up to 8 additional paid event days per year (e.g. WOMAD), reviewed annually
• Reports to: Executive Director
• Contract: Permanent, subject to successful 6-month probation
• Annual leave: 25 days (pro rata)
• Pension: Auto-enrolment after 6 months, with 3% employer contribution
• Right to Work check required

Accessibility

We regret that due to the office being on the second floor with a narrow staircase and no lift, this role is not currently suitable for applicants with additional accessibility needs. We will update this if circumstances change.

Key responsibilities

Fundraising and donor management

• Research, develop and submit fundraising proposals to trusts, foundations and major donors
• Maintain accurate fundraising trackers for applications and reporting deadlines
• Coordinate partner inputs for monitoring and donor reports
• Support the Executive Director with fundraising and reporting to trusts and individuals

Events

• Plan and manage Action Village India events across the year
• Attend fundraising events (including evenings and weekends, as agreed)
• Attend WOMAD festival and support delivery of Action Village India’s stall and presence

Individual giving

• Plan and deliver regular appeals and supporter communications
• Develop new ways to engage supporters and grow individual giving income
• Build strong supporter journeys to retain and deepen engagement

Communications and development

• Create compelling fundraising and supporter communications
• Contribute to newsletters, annual reports and appeals
• Coordinate content for events and exhibitions, including WOMAD
• Work with partners to generate stories, updates and visual content
• Manage organisational content such as leaflets, webpages and reports
• Work closely with the Communications and Administrative Officer on social media and CRM content

Person specification

Essential experience

• Minimum three years’ experience in fundraising (trusts and foundations, events and individual giving)
• Proven success securing funding from UK trusts and foundations
• Strong proposal and report writing skills
• Experience co-organising fundraising events

Knowledge and skills

• Knowledge of UK trusts, foundations and institutional funders
• Understanding of the international development and solidarity sector
• Knowledge of Charity Law, Data Protection and the Fundraising Code of Practice
• Excellent written communication skills for diverse audiences
• Proficiency in Excel

Personal qualities

• Passion for social justice and supporting marginalised communities in India
• Highly organised, self-motivated and able to manage competing priorities
• Comfortable working independently in a small team
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural relationship-building skills

Desirable

• Experience working with NGOs, particularly in Asia and India
• International development experience
• Photoshop and InDesign skills
• Clean driving licence

Other requirements

• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends and attend WOMAD (late July)
• Ability to travel to rural India if required
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to Action Village India’s values

How to apply

Please email:

• Your CV (with two contactable references)
• A supporting statement or cover letter (around two sides of A4, maximum three)

Closing date: Sunday, 8 February 2026

Role details

Start date: TBC

Salary: £42,225 pro rata (actual salary: £25,335 inclusive of £3,990 South East weighting)

Location: Hybrid with an expectation to be available for in person meetings in London

Working hours: Part time: 21 hours per week (job sharing)

Contract: Permanent

Annual leave: 30 days plus statuatory bank holidays (if full time). All Women in Prison staff also receive an additional 3 days of leave between Christmas and New Year.

Pension scheme: Women in Prison provides an auto-enrolment pension scheme with 5% contributions from the employer and 3% from the employee.

Job purpose

You will be joining Women in Prison’s new fundraising team which secures funding from a range of sources including individual donors, corporate supporters, and charitable trusts and foundations. This role will set the foundations for Women in Prison’s ambitious fundraising plans leading on securing gifts from trusts and foundations and ensuring that all secured grants are well managed and effectively reported on. The post holder will identify new funding opportunities and ensure these are assessed and responded to in collaboration with staff across the organisation.

Key Responsibility Areas: 

1.      Develop a trusts and foundations strategy for Women in Prison and ensure its implementation

2.      Fundraising research, proposal writing and income generation

3.      Donor reporting and administration

4.      Build positive relationships with funders

For the full list of responsibilities, please download the recruitment pack.

To apply

Applications close: Thursday 22nd January 2026 at 9am

Interviews: TBC 

To apply: Submit a CV and cover letter

If you require reasonable adjustments to support you during the application process, please contact the HR team on hr@wipuk .org.

We are happy to invest in developing the right person, so you are welcome to apply even if your professional experience does not fully meet the job description or person specification.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minoritised women, and women who have personal experience of the criminal justice system.

In line with legal requirements and the nature of our work, this role:

• Is restricted to women only as a genuine occupational requirement
• Requires the right to work in the UK
• Is subject to a Basic DBS check
• Requires that the post holder is not automatically disqualified by (or can obtain a waiver from) the Charity Commission

Role details

Start date: TBC

Salary: £48,750 per annum (inclusive of £3,990 South East weighting)

Location: Hybrid: need to be available to work from London Office and occasional national travel

Working hours: Full time: 35 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Annual leave: 30 days plus statuatory bank holidays (if full time). All Women in Prison staff also receive an additional 3 days of leave between Christmas and New Year.

Pension scheme: Women in Prison provides an auto-enrolment pension scheme with 5% contributions from the employer and 3% from the employee.

Job purpose

This role will lead and coordinate Women in Prisons’ external communications, platforming the voice of women with lived experience of the criminal justice system to raise the organisation’s public profile and awareness of the criminalisation of women.

Key Responsibility Areas

1. Lead and develop comprehensive communications strategies to raise WIP’s profile for influencing, fundraising and impact and that align with our vision and mission.
2. Build public engagement and awareness, leading on campaign development and delivery
3. Oversee the production of Women in Prison’s publications.
4. Platform the voice of women with lived experience of the criminal justice system in all external communications.
5. Manage WIP’s Spokesperson network
6. Develop, build and contribute to high quality and authentic partnerships and relationships with stakeholders including journalists.
7. To be a member of the extended leadership of Women in Prison, modelling feminist leadership, anti-oppression and empowering, values-led, collective leadership for the organisation.

For the full list of responsibilities, please download the recruitment pack.

To apply

Applications close: 2nd February 2026 at 9am

Interviews: TBC

If you require reasonable adjustments to support you during the application process, please contact the HR team on hr@wipuk .org.

We are happy to invest in developing the right person, so you are welcome to apply even if your professional experience does not fully meet the job description or person specification.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minoritised women, and women who have personal experience of the criminal justice system.

In line with legal requirements and the nature of our work, this role:

• Is restricted to women only as a genuine occupational requirement
• Requires the right to work in the UK
• Is subject to a Basic DBS check
• Requires that the post holder is not automatically disqualified by (or can obtain a waiver from) the Charity Commission

Are you detail-focused, analytically minded, and have experience of working with Gift Aid? MSF UK is looking for a Gift Aid Manager to lead and develop our Gift Aid team, helping unlock vital additional funding for our lifesaving medical work around the world. In this role, you’ll:

• Oversee the management and administration of Gift Aid, and other forms of tax-efficient giving, to maximise MSF UK’s income
• Manage Gift Aid income across multiple income streams ensuring that MSF UK remains compliant with HMRC regulations
• Lead on delivering regular Gift Aid communications to supporters following HRMC best practice; identifying opportunities and developing strategies to increase Gift Aid income.

You’ll be part of a fast-paced, ambitious team with a big impact. Join us and be part of the world’s leading emergency medical aid organisation - Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Mon Fri

Duration: Permanent

Location: London - Hybrid, 2 days per week in London office (Including Wednesdays)

Salary:  £46,784.49 - £57,181.04 per annum

Salary is offered in line with our pay framework and typically starts at the entry point of the band. Salary increases are considered annually and are subject to our appraisal and performance review process.

Job Purpose:

The primary responsibility of the Gift Aid Manager is to oversee the management and administration of Gift Aid, and other forms of tax-efficient giving, to maximise MSF UK’s income. This includes responsibility for managing the Gift Aid and tax reclaim processes across multiple income streams, ensuring claims are submitted in a timely manner, and that MSF UK remains compliant with HMRC regulations. This role requires a specialist understanding of Gift Aid regulations.

They also act as the main point of contact with HMRC on complex matters relating to Gift Aid and reclaiming tax, providing solutions or advice on more complicated Gift Aid queries to the wider Fundraising team. The Gift Aid Manager will lead on planning and delivering regular Gift Aid communications to supporters.

Please download the full job and person specification below for further details.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Previous experience in managing end to end Gift Aid claims and processes within the charity sector.
• Strong working knowledge of HMRC Gift Aid regulations, practices and procedures and other relevant HMRC guidelines.
• Knowledge and understanding of Gift Aid compliance in charity environments.
• Experience of working with 3rd parties on Gift Aid claims and processes.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Microsoft Excel to an intermediate level including the ability to produce and manipulate pivot tables.
• Experience of working with Power BI KPI dashboards.
• Working knowledge of a fundraising database or CRM system (preferably Microsoft Dynamics CRM or similar CRM) and managing large datasets.
• Proven experience of monitoring and checking processes and developing process improvement and project management experience.
• Experience in providing Gift Aid training and support to staff or volunteers.
• Experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite. The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Yammer.
• An excellent level of numeracy, combined with accuracy, attention to detail and an ability to follow defined processes is a must
• Excellent time management skills with a proven track record in managing a busy workload to deadlines whilst maintaining a systematic and organised approach
• A proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in line with established schedules ensuring accuracy in the information provided
• An excellent communicator with training experience and the ability to deliver complex information to a variety of internal stakeholders in an accessible and relevant way.
• Ability to build excellent working relationships with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders, including senior management.
• Self-motivated, flexible and able to work without close supervision within a team environment
• A responsible attitude to dealing with sensitive and confidential information
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and other relevant software tools
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Commitment to the aims and values of Médecins Sans Frontières.
• Proactive, resourceful, and adaptable with a solutions-focused approach.
• A positive team player with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across different departments.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply on our website by submitting a copy of your CV together with a letter of motivation by the closing date.

Please apply as soon as possible as MSF reserves the right to close the vacancy early, or on the appointment of a candidate.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Recruitment timetable:

• Closing date for applications: 15 February 2026, 11.59pm (GMT)
• First round interviews: 04 & 05 March 2026
• Projected Start Date: 06 April 2026

MSF UK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from all sections of our diverse community. 

Safeguarding

MSF UK/IE is dedicated to safeguarding everyone who comes into contact with the organisation, for whatever reason and however brief. All posts are subject to safer recruitment process which include robust reference requests, scrutiny of employment history and where applicable criminal record and barring checks.

Our safeguarding commitment is underpinned by policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the organisation. On joining MSF UK/IE you will be required to attend safeguarding training to ensure responsibility for and maintaining safe working practice and to safeguard our teams, beneficiaries, and communities.

Job title: Programme Assistant, Enquiries 

Line manager: Team Leader, Enquiries (Senior Officer, Enquiries in Team Leader’s absence) 

Salary: £30,000 

Type of contract: Permanent 

Start date: 16th February 2026 or shortly thereafter 

Benefits: 

• Challenging and rewarding work, always life-changing, sometimes lifesaving 

• Competitive salary 

• Team and individual training opportunities 

• Commitment to performance and personal development 

• Hybrid working, home and office (minimum 2 days each week in the office) 

• Eight hours each day Monday – Friday, with flexible working by arrangement around core hours of 10am – 4pm 

• 25 days plus Bank Holidays annual leave entitlement 

• 8% employer pension contribution 

• Convenient office location at Elephant and Castle, close to Tube (Bakerloo and Northern lines) and bus routes 

Role purpose statement: The Programme Assistant, Enquiries plays a vital role in the Fellowship Programme working directly with academics facing immediate risk in their home countries to carry out due diligence or signposting. This includes managing an individual caseload, dealing with prospective applications and general enquiries, providing administrative support to the Enquiries team as well as support across the Fellowship Programme when needed. 

Organisational Background 

The Council for At-Risk Academics is a UK-registered charity founded in 1933 under the leadership of William Beveridge, to rescue academics suffering persecution under the rise of Nazism and facilitate their continued work in safety. Sixteen Cara Fellows from the 1930s and 1940s became Nobel Laureates, and many more innovators in their fields, including, Nikolaus Pevsner, Lise Meitner and Karl Popper. A number of Cara’s founders and Council members also personally provided places and/or funds to help individual academics; and Cara, known in the 1930s as the AAC, later the SPSL, was closely involved in the successful effort in 1933 to bring to London the Warburg Institute art library, which had been prohibited by the Nazis, and six of its staff. The Fellowship Programme is the continuation of the rescue mission operation started in 1933. 

Cara has been a lifeline to academics at risk for over 90 years, as and when world events have placed them in the line of fire: Hungarian Uprising, Cold War, Apartheid South Africa, Iran, Latin American Juntas, Vietnam, Kosovo, DRC, Rwanda, Sudan, Zimbabwe etc. and, more recently Iraq, Turkey, Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Cara support is typically framed as temporary sanctuary offered at times of heightened risk. 

Cara Objectives ‘To assist academics who have been, or are, or are at risk of being, subject to discrimination, persecution, suffering or violence on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, to relieve needs among them and their dependants and ensure that their specialist knowledge and abilities can continue to be used for the benefit of the public.’ 

‘To advance education by supporting academics and their educational institutions in countries where their continuing work is at risk or compromised, to ensure that such academics and institutions can continue to fulfil their critical role as educators for the public benefit.’ 

This is a critical time to join our dedicated and friendly Fellowship Programme team as we expand our capacity to support at-risk academics from the Middle East, Sudan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia and many other countries. 

Role & Responsibilities  

Casework  

• Signposting prospective applicants to the application form. 

• Manage own caseload, preparing cases for eligibility review, including arranging calls to speak with applicants, booking English language tests, and gathering all relevant documentation.

• Escalating complex cases to the Team Leader as required. 

• Maintain accurate and GDPR-Compliant records of casework activity. 

• Researching international affairs to develop understanding about risks applicants face. 

• Researching potential hosts for academic placements and liaising with external stakeholders in relation to applicants. 

• Attend weekly case review meetings with the team. 

Administration   

• Provide general administrative and logistical support, including answering phone enquiries. 

• Manage the general enquiries inbox, alongside another colleague, answering emails about the enquiries’ process, the Fellowship Programme and Cara. 

• Signpost enquiries to relevant colleagues internally and to other organisations where applicable. 

• Contribute to report writing. 

• Present and collect data on general enquiries and applications to the Programme. 

• Ensure safekeeping of confidential information. 

• Maintain excellent detailed records of correspondence, documents, and activities. 

• Provide administrative support to colleagues on projects as required.

Managerial Support  

• Contributing to Fellowship Programme policy changes and decision-making. 

• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues. 

Ad Hoc Responsibilities  

• Show adaptability and willingness to take on additional work when necessary. 

• Support the Fellowship Programme and Cara as a whole with ad hoc responsibilities.

Responsibilities also include related activities that might arise in relation to the Fellowship Programme as required by the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive & Fellowship Programme Manager, and other senior colleagues. 

Person Specification 

Essential:  

• Bachelor’s degree 

• Fluent English (spoken and written) 

• Proactive with a willingness to learn 

• Confident and empathetic with strong interpersonal and communication skills 

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment 

• Keen team player who is ready to support and help colleagues 

• Excellent record keeping and attention to detail 

• Ability to work independently and in a team 

• Good time management with ability to prioritise and independently work to deadlines 

• Understanding of issues of confidentiality

• Interest in and commitment to the work of Cara 

• Confident use of Microsoft package 

• Awareness of current global issues

• Ability to handle difficult conversations with sensitivity and resilience 

Desirable 

• Master’s or equivalent experience 

• Casework experience 

• Arabic language skills are desirable. Other foreign languages (such as Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian and Russian) will also be considered 

• Salesforce/CRM software experience 

• Experience in a supporting role with people with lived experience of forced migration or other forms of severe adversity 

Job Purpose:

WomenMATTA delivers innovative services to women in Manchester and Trafford who are in contact with, or at risk of being in contact with, the criminal justice system. This includes one to one practical and emotional support, advocacy and group work.  

This post is two-fold; the post holder will provide in-depth, ongoing support to a small caseload of complex cases, whilst they also support with the coordination of the WomenMATTA Hubs. The post holder will also provide administrative support, ensuring quality standards are consistently met, staff are effectively managed, and partnerships are maintained.   

Key Responsibility Areas

1. Provide high-quality, trauma-responsive support to women in contact with, or at risk of contact with the criminal justice system.  
2. Support effective service delivery, staff practice, and safeguarding across WomenMATTA services. 
3. Monitor case management systems to ensure accurate and timely data recording, aligning with contract KPIs and WIP policies.  
4. Develop and maintain effective partnerships with statutory and voluntary sector services to ensure coordinated, multi-agency support for women.  

For the full list of responsibilities, please download the recruitment pack.

Terms & Conditions:

Start date:February 2025

Salary: £30,702 per annum
Location: Manchester and Trafford, Greater Manchester

Working hours: Full time: 35 hours per week

Contract: Fixed term until 31st March 2026 (extension subject to funding)

To Apply:

Applications close: Thursday 29th January 2026 – 9am. We reserve the right to close the advert early.

Interviews with Women in Prison: Week commencing 9th February 

Submit a completed application form. Please note, we do not accept CVs.

If you require reasonable adjustments to support you during the application process, please contact the HR team on hr@wipuk. org.

We are happy to invest in developing the right person, so you are welcome to apply even if your professional experience does not fully meet the job description or person specification.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minoritised women, and women who have personal experience of the criminal justice system. 

In line with legal requirements and the nature of our work, this role:

• Is restricted to women only as a genuine occupational requirement
• Requires the right to work in the UK
• Is subject to an Enhanced + Adult Barred List DBS check
• Is subject to successful HMPPS enhanced vetting