Peer support volunteer volunteer jobs
At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Recovery Worker to play a pivotal role in our Medway Recovery House in Kent.
Sounds great, what will I be doing?
The role involves supporting service users from referral through admission, ensuring their physical and emotional needs are met while collaborating with clinical teams for smooth transitions. Staff provide activities and interventions to help reduce crises, identify triggers, and create safety plans that promote mental health and prevent hospital admissions. One-on-one sessions are conducted to develop wellness recovery action plans, set SMART goals, and build social networks, alongside practical life skills training such as food preparation. Staff also liaise with statutory and voluntary agencies, deliver post-admission welfare support, and maintain high living standards between admissions, all while engaging in professional development to address challenges like self-harm and substance use.
The position emphasizes teamwork, co-production, and administrative duties. Staff collaborate with Recovery Workers and management to deliver a team-based approach, promote services, and support user engagement in peer-led activities and forums. They are responsible for maintaining accurate service user records, monitoring service upkeep, ensuring health and safety compliance, and working with multi-agency providers under governance protocols. Additionally, they contribute to developing service standards, follow policies and legislation, report maintenance issues, and undertake additional duties as required, always upholding health and safety rules and procedures.
What do I need to bring with me?
You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.
Here's what the team will be looking for
The role requires demonstrable experience supporting people with mental health and complex needs, along with a strong understanding of recovery approaches and co-production. Staff should be able to design and deliver activities that reduce anxiety, build confidence, and support individuals in creating their own recovery journeys. This includes engaging service users in assessments, co-producing and reviewing support and safety plans, and maintaining accurate monitoring records for internal use and external reporting. A good knowledge of legislation, including welfare reform, the Care Act, and housing pathways, is essential, as well as the ability to handle financial transactions accurately and use IT systems, including MS Office and case management tools.
Flexibility and resilience are also key, with the need to work evenings, weekends, and bank holidays, while maintaining high service standards in unpredictable or challenging situations. The role requires excellent stakeholder relationship skills and the motivation to deliver consistent, high-quality support. An understanding of basic building safety issues and the ability to identify repairs is desirable. Overall, the position combines strong technical knowledge, administrative accuracy, and interpersonal skills to ensure effective support and recovery-focused care for service users.
Interview Steps
We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.
- Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
- Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.
Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.
We are a disability confident employer
Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.
Safeguarding Statement
Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.
Important Information for Candidates
If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.
We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.
Registered Charity
0
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Citizens UK
Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.
Purpose
The Head of People & Culture ensures that Citizens UK has the people, organisational capacity and enabling culture required to deliver its mission of building people power and strengthening civil society. The role plays a central part in securing a workforce that is capable, motivated and aligned with Citizens UK’s values, enabling the organisation to build strong alliances, support local leadership and achieve lasting social change.
Working as part of the senior leadership team, and under the direction of the Executive Director, Finance & Operations, the role strengthens organisational effectiveness by embedding fair, inclusive and well-governed people practices. Through sound employment frameworks, statutory compliance and a culture that supports engagement, performance and wellbeing, the Head of People & Culture safeguards Citizens UK’s resilience, reputation and ability to deliver impact at scale.
Main Responsibilities
Working as the Head of People & Culture for Citizens UK, reporting to the Executive Director, Finance & Operations, your main responsibilities will include:
People & Culture Strategy
Ensure Citizens UK has the people, capability and organisational shape required to deliver its mission and sustain impact over time.
· Analyse organisational strategy, change priorities and external context to identify their implications for people, capability, structure and ways of working.
· Carry out workforce planning to assess current and future capacity and capability, identifying gaps, risks and realistic options to address them.
· Develop, maintain and refresh the People & Culture strategy so it responds directly to organisational needs and provides clear priorities for action.
· Provide expert people and culture advice to the Executive Leadership Team and Board, informing strategic discussions, trade-offs and decisions.
Talent Management
Develop and implement talent management processes that ensure Citizens UK attracts, retains and sustains the people needed to deliver its work.
· Lead recruitment, selection and onboarding to bring in people who can perform effectively in their roles and are aligned with Citizens UK’s values.
· Develop and maintain retention approaches focused on the key drivers of retention, including meaningful work, effective management, development opportunities, wellbeing, inclusion and fair treatment.
· Identify critical roles and critical talent and put in place practical succession and risk-mitigation plans, including knowledge transfer, handover planning and interim cover where needed.
· Monitor employee experience across the employment lifecycle, using insight from feedback and people data to improve people practices and ways of working.
Performance, Leadership & Capability
Strengthen organisational effectiveness by enabling teams to perform well, grow in capability and contribute consistently to shared goals.
· Maintain and operate performance management processes, including objective setting, regular feedback and reviews, ensuring that staff are clear on expectations and accountable for results.
· Support managers to address performance issues constructively by clarifying expectations, strengthening feedback, building capability and resolving barriers to effective performance.
· Coordinate and deliver learning and development activity that supports managers and staff to build skills, leadership capability and confidence in their roles.
Organisational Culture, Engagement & Wellbeing
Foster a working environment where people feel engaged, supported and able to do their best work together.
· Promote Citizens UK’s values in everyday people practices, supporting managers to translate values into consistent behaviours, decision-making and ways of working.
· Design and operate staff engagement and feedback mechanisms, ensuring staff voice is heard, themes are analysed, and practical actions are taken in response.
· Develop and maintain wellbeing approaches that support psychological safety, healthy workload management, early resolution of concerns and sustainable working practices.
· Support constructive relationships with the Trade Union and enable effective consultation and dialogue on people-related matters.
EDI & Safeguarding
Ensure Citizens UK is equitable, inclusive and safe for all by embedding fairness, care and accountability into how the organisation operates.
· Develop and implement Equity, Diversity and Inclusion priorities, using clear measures to monitor progress, identify gaps and support accountability across the organisation.
· Embed EDI considerations into recruitment, progression, policy development and everyday people decisions, working closely with relevant colleagues to ensure consistency in practice.
· Act as the People & Culture lead for safeguarding, ensuring responsibilities are clear, processes are understood, and concerns are handled appropriately, sensitively and in line with agreed procedures.
· Support managers and leaders to recognise and address inclusion or safeguarding issues early, escalating concerns where required and ensuring appropriate follow-up.
Governance, Risk & Compliance
Ensure Citizens UK has a clear, effective and trusted people governance framework that supports lawful decision-making, fair treatment and organisational confidence.
· Develop, review and maintain People & Culture policies and procedures, ensuring they are legally compliant, values-aligned and understood by managers and staff.
· Provide day-to-day advice and guidance on people-related risk and compliance, identifying emerging issues early and supporting proportionate, lawful responses.
· Manage disciplinary, grievance and other formal employment processes, ensuring fairness, consistency, appropriate documentation and timely resolution.
Systems & HR Operations
Ensure the efficient, reliable and compliant administration of people processes and systems.
· Operate and maintain HR systems, payroll processes and core people administration, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and compliance with organisational and legal requirements.
· Review and improve people processes to reduce duplication, minimise manual work and improve efficiency, making best use of available technology and automation.
· Maintain accurate and up-to-date people records and data, ensuring information is accessible, secure and fit for reporting, audit and operational needs.
Functional Leadership & Resource Management
Build and manage CUK’s People & Culture function, ensuring that staff and resources contribute effectively to achievement of CUK’s mission.
· Plan, prioritise and sequence People & Culture work to ensure available capacity is focused on the organisation’s most important people risks and priorities.
· Manage the People & Culture budget, including payroll, monitoring spend and applying value-for-money principles in line with organisational policies.
· Manage People & Culture staff and outsourced service providers utilising an engaging leadership style to support effective delivery of expectations.
Personal Specification
(D) Desirable, (E) Essential
Qualifications
· (E) CIPD qualification (Level 7) or equivalent senior-level professional experience in People / HR leadership
· (D) Degree or equivalent qualification in human resources, organisational development, management or a related field
Experience
· (E) Significant experience in a senior People / HR role, ideally within a charity, not-for-profit or values-driven organisation
· (E) Experience of leading and delivering people and culture priorities in complex, mission-led organisations
· (E) Experience of advising Executive and Board-level stakeholders on people, culture, governance and risk matters
· (E) Experience of operating as a senior, hands-on HR generalist, covering strategy, policy, employee relations and operational delivery
· (E) Experience of workforce planning, recruitment, performance management and organisational change
· (D) Experience of working with trade unions or staff representative bodies
Key skills and knowledge
· (E) Strong generalist HR expertise across employment law, compliance, safeguarding, performance management and people governance
· (E) Proven ability to design and implement practical people processes that support performance, inclusion and wellbeing
· (E) Strong coaching capability, with the ability to support managers to address performance, capability and behavioural issues constructively
· (E) Ability to manage complex employee relations matters with judgement, fairness and confidence
· (E) Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present clear advice and recommendations to senior leaders and boards
· (D) Knowledge of HR systems, people data and process improvement to support efficient delivery
Personal qualities & values
· (E) Strong commitment to social justice, inclusion and the values and mission of Citizens UK
· (E) Values-led and relational leadership style, combining empathy, integrity and pragmatism
· (E) Resilient and adaptable, able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced and evolving environment
· (E) Comfortable working within an accountable team culture, open to feedback, reflective practice and continuous improvement
· (D) Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends, and to travel when required to support organisational priorities
First round interviews to be held on W/C 16 March 2026
Second round interviews to be held on W/C 23 March 2026
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The role
We’re seeking a Research Funding Manager to join our fantastic research team on a 12-month contract to cover for our Research Funding Manager who will be going on maternity leave. The ideal start date for this role will be between 6-13th April 2026 to ensure a handover with our Research Funding Manager.
Key responsibilities of the role include:
- Leading on the development, delivery and oversight of Pancreatic Cancer UK’s research funding schemes including our Project Grants, Fellowships and Research Innovation Fund.
- Managing the governance of our funding schemes, ensuring applications are peer reviewed by technical experts and people with lived experience, and working with our Scientific Advisory Board to support them to make recommendations to our Board of Trustees on fundable applications.
- Supporting current patient and public involvement activities and shaping potential future activities by working with our Research Involvement Network made up of people affected by pancreatic cancer.
About You
- You bring a strong biomedical background with experience of navigating the full life-cycle of research funding — from running grant rounds to working with external committees — and have a proven track record of successful grant management.
- You understand the importance of patient and public involvement and can embed this thinking into research processes.
- You’re familiar with the UK cancer research landscape and/or research funding and the charity sector.
If this sounds like you – we’d love to hear from you!
About working for us
This is a fast-paced organisation that is committed to making a difference.
Being a part of our team is being part of a thriving, positive, dynamic, successful, and welcoming community that is making an impact. We will support you and develop you should you wish this, and you get the opportunity to be involved in activities outside the scope of your immediate role. We care about your health and well-being and your work-life balance, and you will feel that your contribution is valued and matters.
About us
We are Pancreatic Cancer UK. We go above and beyond for everyone affected by this disease.
Right now, half of people with pancreatic cancer die within three months of diagnosis. Families are left with only hope to hold onto. They need more. So we do more.
We bring more break throughs through research, more change through campaigning and more support through our expert nurses.
We make more noise because people have gone unheard. We are relentless because the disease is ruthless. We care more because people feel forgotten.
Because people with pancreatic cancer need more than hope.
Underpinning this vision are our three values:
- Courage
- Compassion
- Community
We cannot achieve our vision without employing people who are committed to our vision, strategy, and values.
At Pancreatic Cancer UK (PCUK) our ambition is to create an inclusive working environment that reflects the communities and audiences that we engage with and where everyone can be their true selves, where they feel respected, championed, heard, and supported. We want our workforce to achieve their potential, understand their contribution and feel proud of their impact by creating a culture and organisation that is genuinely inclusive by advancing equality, diversity, inclusion, and belonging through our policies and practices.
We believe diversity drives great outcomes by encouraging the different points of view that come from a diverse workforce. We want to hear from and engage with people whose experience of dealing with this disease may be very different depending on their individual circumstances and background. We can think of no better way to do this than by making sure this role fully represents our intent; therefore, we are especially keen to consider applications from suitable applicants who consider themselves to be in areas that appear underrepresented within the charity sector.
Safeguarding
PCUK is committed to safe and fair recruitment processes that safeguard and protect those we work with, support and serve. We make sure all our staff are selected, vetted (DBS/Criminal record checks where appropriate), trained, and supervised fairly and to a high standard so that they can provide safe, effective and compassionate care. Where we work with volunteers, we extend the same support in order to ensure that they are working within our ethos and standards.
Hybrid-working:
Our London office is a place to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. We are currently working hybrid with a minimum of 2-3 days in the office. This is an office-based role where you may be required to be in the office more frequently to attend activities and meetings depending on the needs of the role.
How to apply
- You can download the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role on our website. If you have any questions about this role that we’ve not answered, please get in touch by contacting our team (contact details are on our website).
- To apply, please complete the online application form, setting out why you are interested in the role and how you meet the person specification criteria. This information will be used to select candidates for interviews.
- You will need to have the right to work in the UK as we are not able to provide sponsorship for this role.
- Please note that interviews will be held on the 10 March 2026.
No agencies/sales call please – as a charity we work hard to keep our costs down and therefore will not be engaging agencies to support this recruitment.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Citizens UK
Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.
Living Wage Foundation
The Living Wage movement began in 2001, after Citizens UK brought together communities in East London to discuss poverty and low pay. The campaign grew in momentum and soon required a mechanism to recognise employers who wanted to join the movement, which saw the establishment of the Living Wage Foundation in 2011.
Still part of Citizens UK today, the Living Wage Foundation continues to work with community organisations to make sure the voices of both workers and businesses are part of the Living Wage movement. We now work with over 16,000 employers, benefitting over 475,000 people and winning over £3bn of better wages for people who need it most.
Citizens UK works with a broad base of institutions across the political spectrum. At the Living Wage Foundation, we take the same deliberately broad-based approach and accredit all organisations who pay the real Living Wage to their directly and indirectly employed staff and are committed to tackling in work poverty. As a team we work across a range of industries and sectors to achieve this mission. We seek pragmatic coalitions in order to progress specific campaigns, and partnership around a particular issue such as Living Wage, does not imply an endorsement of broader purpose and policies.
Purpose
At Citizens UK, our organisers and project staff work within communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. There are various project roles and operational, communication, finance and HR roles that support the organisation and project staff and organisers to deliver on this mission and work. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training.
Main Responsibilities
We are looking for highly motivated and organised individual to coordinate our accreditation scheme. The role will work with our network of employers, and support new organisations through the accreditation process.
The Programme Officer will lead our work in Yorkshire and Humber support our Managers to grow and deepen engagement with Living Wage Employers through our associated schemes. You will help to ensure our resources and publicity materials are well written and up-to-date, and to coordinate events to grow our employer network.
Working as the Programme Officer for Citizens UK, reporting to a Programme Manager, your main responsibilities will include:
Contribute towards the achievement of CUK and LWF’s strategic objectives
Understand how the role contributes to LWF’s purpose and the core mission of CUK.
Reliably implement CUK’s and LWF’s policies, procedures, and values in own work.
Work with CUK community organisers and leaders to promote civic engagement with and ownership of the Living Wage campaign.
Feed into the LWF strategy and objectives development.
Living Wage Accreditation:
Support key contacts at potential LW Employers through the accreditation process, from dealing with initial enquiries to guiding them through the employer journey, to checking and processing their accreditation.
Develop rewarding relationships with key employers, industry, and campaign partners within our networks to build interest in the Living Wage and deliver a high-quality experience to our accredited employers.
With support from the wider team, develop plans and strategies to grow the number of accreditations in specific regions or industries.
Collate and disseminate Living Wage criteria and policy issues through both internal and external facing guidance, whilst reviewing and monitoring its suitability.
Support the development and implementation of projects to promote and grow Living Wage accreditations and develop the quality of service offered.
Build and manage projects and achieve work targets effectively
Successfully progress projects and tasks incl. tracking performance and expenditure.
Deliver agreed areas of the LWF’s work plan and leading on agenda items to report into team meetings.
Support the growth and development of new and existing Living Wage schemes incl. Recognised Service Providers, LW Funders, LW Places, Living Hours, Global Living Wage and Living Work Consultancy.
Deliver personal work targets on time and to standard:
Respond to telephone and web-based enquiries by providing advice and support to employers and supporters.
Provide administrative support for all aspects of the accreditation journey, incl. processing accreditations, recognitions, and renewals.
Maintain LWF data on systems, incl. Salesforce employer database.
Support the maintenance of our systems to ensure efficient processes and develop reporting mechanisms for effective monitoring and evaluation of our impact and progress against plans.
Coordinate and administrate Steering, Advisory or Leadership Groups as required, incl. coordinating agendas, sending out timely papers, taking minutes and following up on actions.
Learning & expertise
Keep abreast of new developments in the accreditation space.
Apply new learning to work and respond effectively to feedback.
Work collaboratively with the LWF and franchise teams to share learnings and experience and ensure that we are meeting the expectations of our network and stakeholders.
Develop and manage external relationships
Effectively develop and support a range of external relationships.
Respond effectively to queries or requests from stakeholders.
Engage with a diverse range of external stakeholders to support and develop projects as required.
Communications
Communicate effectively within the LWF; ensuring that messages are reliably passed to those who need to know.
Represent the LWF coherently in writing and verbally.
Events and Communications.
Plan and organise events to celebrate and grow our network of LW Employers, incl. playing an active role in the delivery of LW Week and assisting colleagues with event logistics
Represent and speak on behalf of the LWF at internal and external meetings and events.
Develop or feed into employer resources incl. marketing materials, blogs, reports, templates, and guides.
Develop and manage internal relationships
Work effectively with colleagues across Citizens UK.
Work collaboratively within the LWF team and actively participate in the team to ensure we meet the expectations of our network and stakeholders.
Generate income and resources
Contribute to plans and proposals to grow sources of income/resource.
Take personal responsibility for the careful stewardship of LWF’s resources.
Personal Specification
(D) Desirable, (E) Essential
EXPERIENCE:
Comprehensive experience in an administrative role (E)
Experience of building positive relationships (E)
Experience of managing and updating Salesforce or similar databases (D)
Experience of delivering a range of high quality communications materials, including websites, reports, newsletters (D)
KEY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Excellent time management skills with the ability to juggle a wide range of competing demands (E)
Understanding of database and systems management (E)
Ability to take in and interpret information and present in a succinct manner (E)
Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written, combined with the ability to liaise with senior stakeholders (E)
Ability to act on own initiative to introduce and develop new systems as appropriate (E)
Strong attention to detail (E)
Strong IT skills to include MS Office and database software (E)
Understanding of the policy and campaign landscape in the UK (D)
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
A proactive approach to all areas of work with a ‘can do’ attitude and a flexible approach to work demands (E)
A strong commitment to the Living Wage campaign and principles of Citizens UK (E)
About the application process
We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role.
For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us.
Interviews will be in person in Leeds, week commencing 30th March.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Salary: £46,587 per annum.
Location: Hybrid Work Culture. We are proud to promote a truly hybrid work culture, recognising that every role is different, and everyone has unique needs and preferences. Our Hybrid Work Arrangement empowers each team member to work with their manager to choose the most effective way to work that balances your needs and Hospice UK’s.
Our office is a short walk from King’s Cross station in London. Whilst we work flexibly, because we work with decision makers in Westminster, there will be an expectation that you can travel to central London at short notice if required. You will also be expected to come into the office at least one day a week.
Contractually this role is London-based.
Contract: Permanent. Full time role - 35 hours per week.
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 2 years (+ an extra 10 days on each 5th year). Pro rata for part time hours
- Matched pension scheme up to 7% of salary
- Healthcare plan
- Support for staff with caring responsibilities
- Family-friendly culture
How to apply: CV and supporting statement - using Hospice UK’s supporting statement document – available on our website to download
Closing date for applications: Midnight on Monday 23 February 2026
Interview dates: First interviews to take place week commencing 2 March - exact dates to be confirmed.
Second interviews to take place week commencing 9 March - exact dates to be confirmed.
We’ll send assessments and some questions to you in advance so that you can prepare. Let us know if you have any specific needs to be able to fully engage with the process.
Job Information
This exciting role in our award-winning External Affairs department will work across policy and public affairs work in England. You will fight for the hospice sector and people who need their support, helping us to create a country where no one misses out on the care they need at the end of their lives.
This is a significant time for hospice and end of life care.
Hospices across the UK are in the worst financial situation they have faced for 20 years. The funding crisis means hospices are cutting services and making redundancies.
Our campaigning efforts have recently led to £125m in short term funding for the hospice sector and a commitment to a Modern Service Framework for palliative care and end of life care. As well as a spotlight on hospices in the 10 year health plan and unprecedented parliamentary scrutiny of the way hospices are funded.
The momentum around palliative care and hospices mean there is no shortage of opportunities to influence the policy and political agenda.
We have strong influence in Parliament and have built significant interest in hospice care among policymakers. We are an important voice in the conversation around Assisted Dying, which will have a significant impact on palliative and end of life care.
With this momentum and opportunity, we are looking for a talented and committed Policy and Public Affairs Manager to help us shape the future of palliative and end of life care.
We are looking for a proactive and driven policy and public affairs professional. You will be curious about how best to improve people’s experiences of death, dying and bereavement and strengthen the contribution of the hospice sector to this.
You will have excellent influencing and communication skills and sharp instinctsthat enable you to quickly understand and analyse the impact of external developments. As well as a collaborative mindset and commitment to building coalitions to maximise our impact.
You will provide leadership but must also be willing to pitch in at all levels to get things done. Excellent project management skills will mean you can identify where our resource is best spent and how to delegate tasks.
This is your chance to play a key role in creating a country where no one misses out on the care they need at the end of their lives.
More information is available in candidate information pack (available on our website to download)
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We represent and champion the community of 200+ hospices across the UK.
Thank you!
WORKING WITH US
The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.
We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.
As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.
Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.
To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the page.
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ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY
We are seeking an organised, proactive and professional Personal Assistant to provide high-level support to the Director of Secondary Education at the Harris Federation. This 1-year fixed-term maternity cover role is central to ensuring the smooth running of the Director’s day-to-day operations, including diary management, stakeholder communication, meeting coordination and the preparation of key documents.
As part of our Head Office team, you will work closely with senior leaders and colleagues across our secondary academies, playing an important role in supporting the Federation’s mission to deliver an outstanding education for thousands of young people. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, and enjoys building strong, professional relationships.
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MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Your responsibilities will include:
- To present the professional and welcoming face of the Harris Federation and all secondary academies, to all visitors, staff and students, in person and on the telephone.
- To ensure that the Director’s diary is managed efficiently and effectively. This will involve liaising with a variety of external and internal stakeholders.
- To provide a daily/weekly diary and documentation and maintain an overview of approaching deadlines.
- To maintain the Director’s contacts.
- To maintain an exemplary professional environment for the Director at all times.
- To ensure that all visitors are welcomed and catered for in a professional manner, organising refreshments as appropriate.
- To exercise complete discretion when dealing with issues of confidentiality and sensitivity.
- To take all telephone calls, in the first instance, dealing with queries, passing on calls if necessary.
- To keep the Director’s meetings file and retrieve necessary paperwork as and when meetings arise.
- To be responsible for organising meetings and passing on messages between all stakeholders, parents/carers, external agencies and students and the Director.
- To liaise with clerks to Governors to ensure that all relevant paperwork and correspondence is efficiently managed for all the secondary academies.
- To support the Director with the preparation of paperwork and presentations for a range of meetings including interviews, disciplinary hearings, grievances, performance management, presentations, training sessions etc.
- To liaise with Federation admin teams, Data, HR, IT and Finance Business Managers, as well as PAs and Principals across the Federation as appropriate.
For a full list of responsibilities, please download the Job Pack.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We would like to hear from you if you have:
- Appropriate degree or equivalent experience in previous roles
- Trained in the use of a variety of ICT packages
- Knowledge of personal assistant roles and responsibilities
- Training in typing and formatting of a variety of documents including spreadsheets
- Experience of managing staff in relation to the PA role
- Some experience of human resources e.g. recruitment and/or monitoring attendance
- Experience of working to targets and deadlines
- Experience of managing meetings including preparation and circulation of papers, minutes and ensuring information is circulated as required
- Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing
- Ability to work to deadlines
- Ability to be flexible
- Ability to communicate exceptionally well with parents and carers as well as other stakeholders in the academy
For a full job specification, please download the Job Pack.
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APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION
If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.
Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.
When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application.
A reminder to check your junk mail for our email communications and add us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received.
OUR VISION & VALUES
Our vision, from the start, has been to provide the structure and services needed for our schools to amount to more than the sum of their parts, and to free-up our teachers and leaders to focus on one thing and one thing only: the outstanding education of all their pupils. Our young people and communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our core mission has always been to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. Our ambition is one where every child in London, no matter their background, has equal access to high quality education, giving them the same opportunities and potential to succeed.
We know there are many challenges facing our young people and the communities we serve, and that’s why we need determined people like you to help us tackle those inequalities. Whilst each of our academies has their own unique cultures and values; as a whole Federation, we have four core values which are central to successfully achieving our vision: Excellence, Collaboration, Support, and Innovation. We are proud of our values because they guide us in how we work allowing us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our young people, communities, and colleagues.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Safeguarding Notice
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Equal Opportunities
The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.
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WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:
- Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
- Annual performance and loyalty bonus
- Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
- 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
- Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
- Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
- Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
- Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
- 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
- Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans
For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.
