Training and development manager jobs

Effro is an innovative dementia project which is part of Platfform for Change. It seeks to promote and support the benefits of physical activity and mental stimulation in slowing the progression of a range of conditions that are under the dementia umbrella.

Building on a range of UK and international approaches we work in a person centred, individual way to help people living with dementia to regain a sense of their own identity whilst offering vital short-term respite to those who care for them. Effro offers a range of training and advice to professionals and the public to help them better understand dementia and support those living with it.

Case Workers in the Effro project have a wide ranging and diverse role, 2 days are rarely the same, you will be in the dementia community supporting individuals on a 121 basis to identify goals, draw up a bucket list and remain as physically active as possible. You will build relationships with the individual living with dementia and be able to spend quality time with the in pursuit of their goals.

Groups are carried out wherever there is a community of people living with dementia, primarily, but by no means limited to, nursing/residential home settings. Case workers will receive role specific training from our in-house training team as well as having access to a wide range mandatory and optional organisational training.

Quote from current caseworker: “Every day is different, it is a pleasure and a privilege to meet so many amazing people with so much knowledge, skill and expertise to share. Groups can be busy and varied but are always fun.” 

The Executive Officer to CEO (Maternity Cover) leads the effective running of the CEO’s office, providing strategic project management, coordination of leadership priorities, and hands-on delivery across strategy development, planning and governance.

This is a pivotal role within War Child, sitting at the heart of the organisation’s leadership and governance. Working closely with the CEO, Leadership Group, Chair and Board of Trustees, the Executive Officer to CEO plays a key role in enabling effective decision-making, organisational oversight and delivery of War Child’s ambitions for children.

Reporting to the CEO and acting as a trusted representative of their office, you will be an energetic, highly organised self-starter with the judgement and confidence to balance strategic coordination with high-quality executive support. The role combines project leadership, organisational planning and culture-focused initiatives with hands-on executive assistance.

As Company Secretary, you will also support excellence in governance by ensuring War Child meets its statutory and regulatory obligations, including compliance and reporting to the Charity Commission, Companies House and the Fundraising Regulator.

This is a hybrid role, with two days per week expected in the London office and up to three days per week working remotely. Occasional additional office attendance may be required to support meetings or key organisational activity.

This role is offered as a 12-month maternity cover contract, ideally starting in late-May 2026.

If you share our values and believe that children’s lives should not be torn apart by war, we want to hear from you. 

Below are some of the experiences and qualities we’re looking for. You can read the full job advert on our website.

• Experienced in providing high-level executive support at C-suite level, and in supporting a Board and/or charity governance processes, including the drafting of high-quality minutes, reports and formal papers.
• Possess strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the confidence and sensitivity to engage effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders, and to represent the CEO with professionalism, discretion and sound judgement.
• Exceptionally organised with the ability to manage competing priorities and produce high-quality outputs to tight deadlines.
• Experience of supporting or coordinating organisational strategy development, planning or review processes, or similar organisation-wide initiatives.
• Able to bring experience and learning from a range of dynamic projects, programmes or campaigns, applying best practice to improve ways of working and outcomes.
• Demonstrates strong end-to-end project management capability, with the ability to introduce clear, methodical and proportionate approaches that maximise efficiency and organisational impact.
• Comfortable working in a creative, fast-paced environment, with an interest in storytelling, communications and fundraising-led work.
• Highly resilient, with the ability to bring clarity, structure and momentum when working in ambiguous or evolving circumstances, and to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications, with superb document, spreadsheet and presentation skills (including Word, Excel and PowerPoint / Canva).
• Able to exercise sound judgement in relation to competing priorities, making decisions and recommendations where solutions are not always obvious and initiative, discretion and prudence are required.

 What we can offer you

At War Child, we genuinely value different ways of working. From day one, we’re open to discussing flexible options, including hybrid working and flexible hours. Our goal is to support our employees to do their best work while ensuring we continue to deliver for children affected by conflict. Some of our benefits include:

• Flexible working culture and flexible public holidays
• 28 days annual leave (pro-rata), plus bank holidays, which increases by one day per year on your work anniversary, up to a maximum of 33 days.
• Pension - 5% employer contribution (increasing to 6% after one year’s service), with minimum employee contribution.
• Health and wellbeing - employees may take advantage of a healthcare cash plan, a GP 24/7 helpline, cancer cover, and a range of wellbeing initiatives and training. All employees have access to free, confidential one-to-one wellbeing consultations with trained counsellors.

This role offers an incredible opportunity to make a tangible difference at a time of unprecedented need. Join us in standing up for children affected by war and help create a future where no child’s life is torn apart by conflict.

About Chapter One 

Chapter One's mission is to ensure that every child has 1:1 reading support at the time they need it most. We want a world in which all children have the literacy skills they need to thrive.

Our unique Online Reading Volunteer programme currently supports about 3,500 children a year. It pairs disadvantaged, struggling five to eight-year old (KS1) readers with reading support volunteers who come from over 180 local and national businesses. The volunteer task is very focused: readers commit 30 minutes a week to read with a child using a bespoke digital platform for an entire academic year. The results are transformative, boosting children's reading confidence and ability.

We have set ourselves ambitious targets and want to support 3,900 children by 2026/27, so this role, with responsibility managing, stewarding and nurturing our existing corporate partners, will be crucial to ensuring that we have sufficient volunteers and support to achieve this target. 2026 has been designated by the Government as the National Year of Reading, so we have a great opportunity to capitalise on this and secure business commitment for our work!

For more information about our programmes please visit our website. Please also take some time to visit our social media channels and watch our videos.

About the role 

Chapter One is seeking a proactive, energetic and enthusiastic Corporate Partnerships Officer to be an integral part of a team which aims to both maximise corporate income and deliver an excellent partner experience. 

Reporting to our Corporate Partnerships Manager, but also working closely with our Business Development Manager, you’ll support them both to deliver our annual volunteer targets and maintain our strong partner retention rate (currently 84%). This will involve supporting the account management of a portfolio of existing partners and the responsibility to nurture relationships to increase partner investment in Chapter One over time. The role involves collaborating across departments to ensure a seamless and positive experience for volunteers and partners.

This role represents a great opportunity for an early career professional to learn about charity-business partnerships in a dynamic, small charity which is flexible and agile.

Key Responsibilities 

Partner Stewardship

• As determined by the Corporate Partnerships Manager, lead the account management of a selected portfolio of corporate partners, achieving annual retention and growth targets for these partnerships.

• Focus, in all corporate partnership discussions, on maximising income and identifying opportunities to grow a partner’s support.

• Plan and conduct a regular cycle of partnership meetings, including mid and end of year reviews, proactively seeking out new opportunities that will maximise income and retain and grow partner support. 

• Support the Corporate Partnerships Manager to produce high quality written communications, reports and pitches as per the requirements of each partner, collaborating with the Data and Systems Officer and other teams as needed.

• Advocate effectively, with passion and enthusiasm, for Chapter One’s programmes in a variety of internal and external settings.

• Ensure, in conjunction with the HR and Finance Assistant, that partners are invoiced for their Chapter One donations accurately and in a timely manner. 

Partner/Volunteer Onboarding and Experience

• Work closely with the Corporate Partnerships Manager, Head of Corporate Partnerships and Volunteer Support Team to ensure that partner and volunteer onboarding is a smooth and positive experience. 

• Lead volunteer recruitment meetings as requested by partners, including presenting the programme to prospective volunteers and creating excitement and interest. 

• Alongside the Corporate Partnerships Manager, use internal systems to assign partner teams and volunteers to specific schools and ensure that their needs are met.

• Build proactive, supportive relationships with Volunteer Coordinators across partner organisations, providing timely, high-quality data and insights, and delivering an excellent partner experience to foster long lasting relationships.

• Work with Programme Manager team, Volunteer Support Team and IT team, to troubleshoot any issues that arise. 

• Support the Programme Management team to liaise with partner contacts about the organisation of in-person school/office visits and virtual meet and greets.

• Attend Chapter One’s internal Volunteer Experience group and Corporate Engagement Group.

Marketing and Communications

• Work with the Marketing and Communications team to ensure that companies and volunteers have access to an array of promotional assets and recruitment materials.

• Contribute content for the regular volunteer and corporate partner newsletters, including working with partners to gather volunteer testimonials and partner profiles.

• Encourage corporate partners and volunteers to promote Chapter One through their own social media and channels.

• Support the organisation of online and in person partner and volunteer recognition events.

General

• Oversee and maintain specific Account Management related processes, including stewardship plans, recording of activity on the Salesforce CRM and internal spreadsheets and platform databases.

• Regularly use Microsoft Excel / Google Sheets to analyse data and support decision-making.

• Conduct administrative duties as required to support the Head of Corporate Partnerships and Corporate Partnerships Manager.

• Attend conferences and events to represent Chapter One and talk about its work to existing and potential new partners.

We are looking for some of the following attributes, though you might be more experienced in some areas than others: 

• .A commitment to Chapter One’s mission and values. 

• Experience of account management of Corporate Partnerships or equivalent relationship-based roles in a fundraising, events, sales or marketing environment

• An ability to create compelling written pitches, ensuring messaging and brand are consistent 

• Outstanding presentation skills, with the ability to excite and inspire an audience 

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with business professionals at all levels 

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail 

• An understanding of CSR/social value and employee engagement 

• An understanding of social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn. 

• Able to take personal accountability for own workload and for delivery of targets 

• A ‘can do’ and flexible approach with an ability adapt to changing priorities 

• Awareness of the importance of data security best practice and GDPR regulations when processing a range of stakeholder data 

• Highly computer literate, particularly in Excel, with hands-on experience of using Google suite and platforms and tools such as Salesforce CRM, PowerPoint and more. 

You’ll be more successful in the role if you have: 

• Experience of using digital marketing platforms 

• Experience of working in the charity/non-profit sector 

How to Apply 

Please send your CV (maximum 2 A4 sides) and a covering letter via Charity Jobs. Your covering letter (maximum 1 side of A4) should: 

1) Detail your relevant experience, including clear examples.

2) Tell us about a partnership that you have initiated or been involved with and what you did to make it succeed. 

3) Tell us about how our organisational mission is in line with your values. 

Applications that fail to meet these criteria will automatically be discounted. We understand that you may use AI to help craft your application, but do remember that we will be looking for individuals who write a letter that stands out. We want you to have every opportunity to shine and to show us your talents - please let us know if there is anything we can do to make sure the assessment process works for you.

Chapter One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and celebrate diversity in backgrounds and experience and are deliberate about the kind of inclusive teams we are building. Literacy is a universal concern, and we need people from all backgrounds to maximise our innovation, creativity and impact. We especially welcome applications from persons who have experienced disadvantage and/or from those who are of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities who are currently underrepresented in the organisation.

Chapter One is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure. Copies of our Safeguarding Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy are available on request.

Role Details & Staff Benefits

Salary: £51,500 gross per annum

Duration: Fixed-term until 31st July 2027

Hours: 0.8 - 1 FTE (4 – 5 days per week)

Location: Hybrid – NASP has an office space at London's Southbank Centre which can be used by staff at any time. The role will be expected to work up to 2 days per week in the office with the remainder at home. There may also be additional occasional travel required for staff days and other events.

NASP offer a range of core benefits for staff on payroll, including:

• 30 days paid annual leave per annum, plus Bank Holidays

• An additional day of paid leave per year on your birthday

• Opportunities for Volunteering & CPD days each year

• Opportunity to request flexible working arrangements, including compressed hours

• Contribution to annual eye test, eyeglass purchase, and flu vaccination

Purpose of This Role:

This is a strategic role, funded by the Sir Halley Stewart Trust, to shape future policy and practice in how faith communities support social prescribing for the benefit of local communities. This includes exploring the role of faith as a strategic partner in the government's neighbourhood health agenda. Building on the work of the current postholder, and previous work by NASP and organisations like Theos and the Good Faith Partnership, this role will take the lead at a national level by influencing, shaping and convening partners to unlock and unleash the significant resources of faith groups in contributing towards holistic healthcare delivered within the community.

The purpose of this role is to lead and co-ordinate NASP’s work on social prescribing with partners across the faith sector and enable a better understanding of how to work effectively with faith communities through social prescribing, and the role that faith and belief plays in supporting good health and wellbeing. The role will work to improve accessibility of community support through social prescribing by exploring the barriers and opportunities in faith communities and the health sector. The role will have a particular emphasis on health inequalities and explore opportunities for faith groups’ reach into deprived communities and ethnic minority communities, recognising that faith communities may be most trusted precisely where health inequalities are most acute.

The role sits in the National Leads & Evidence team, led by the Executive Director of Strategy and Partnerships. The postholder will work alongside NASP colleagues who lead on Healthcare integration; Evidence and Insights; International Social Prescribing; and connections with sectors that provide community activities and support such as the natural environment, physical activity, historic environment and arts and culture.

Person Specification:

Experience & Knowledge:

• Excellent knowledge of the health sector and/or the VCFSE (Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise) sector 

• Experience of working in a senior level role at the health and community interface that has included involvement with different faith groups or an understanding of their perspectives. This might be in a delivery or policy role.

• An appreciation of the role of the VCFSE sector in the health and wellbeing of the population and ideally an understanding of the changing healthcare landscape in England at national or local level.

• Understanding of the challenges and opportunities for faith organisations, health and care agencies, local authorities, VCFSE organisations and community groups.

• Excellent partnership building and interpersonal skills with experience of building trusting long-term relationships with partners and experience of inspiring, convening and supporting organisations to work in partnership.

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, both internally with peers and senior management, and externally with partners and stakeholders.

• Experience of planning and leading successful and innovative projects. Able to produce project plans and budgets and co-produce delivery plans with colleagues and partners, identifying risks and managing them together.

• Able to work independently in the role, while harnessing, contributing to, and shaping the work of the wider team, and the organisation.

• Experience in writing funding applications and developing new donor relationships to secure new funds would be an advantage. Willingness to do so will be essential.

Skills & Attributes:

• Affinity with NASP’s Values as defined in the NASP Strategic Plan

• A self-starter with a collaborative mindset.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to be proactive and spot new opportunities.

• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise work and be flexible in delivery.

Responsibilities:

Role Overview:

• Act as the faith lead within NASP, being the point of contact and key advocate for faith communities’ involvement in social prescribing, across all major traditions.

• Represent and develop faith groups’ engagement in NASP’s existing activities, programmes and events including workstreams in NASP to build the capacity of Social Prescribing Link workers (SPLWs); support the community assets that SPLW’s harness in their work; and connecting across different Government Departments to explore how social prescribing connects with strategies related to employment, youth, education and community cohesion.

• Have a specific focus of how faith communities can work with social prescribers to support those experiencing health inequalities.

• Support and inform the development of NASP’s wider workstreams and the implementation of its strategy.

• Lead and co-ordinate NASP’s national work on social prescribing with partners across the faith sector, including the Good Faith Partnership.

• Build understanding and awareness within NASP and across other sectors of what is required to support the effective provision of services, activities and information in the faith sector to promote health and wellbeing through social prescribing.

• Liaise with, and support, new and existing initiatives to build an evidence base for faith-based social prescribing.

• Convene and lead a national Faith and Social Prescribing Advisory Group, drawing together faith leaders, health system partners and VCFSE organisations to advise on priorities and act as ambassadors for social prescribing within faith communities.

• Ensure engagement of faith communities themselves in developing social prescribing strategy and policy, working with relevant partners.

• Provide high quality advice and insight on faith activity and services in support of NASP’s strategy development, communications and external briefings and meetings.

• Enable NASP’s healthcare integration team to support the strategic development of social prescribing into faith assets at Integrated Care System level and make the case for place-based investment.

• Map current tools, resources, guides and evidence and work with the Communications team to publish and promote these and to develop new resources.

• Build consensus on the key policies required for the scale and spread of social prescribing for faith communities across stakeholders; a joint vision of ‘good faith based SP’.

• Identify and shape partnership opportunities to secure additional funding and resources to help build capacity to enable future social prescribing activity to better support people’s health and wellbeing outcomes.

• Enable awareness raising, shared learning, training and best practice within the faith and health sector. This includes working with NASP's workforce development team and the Link Worker Advisory Group to integrate faith and social prescribing into information and training for Social Prescribing Link Workers.

• Support other areas of NASP’s work and strategy development. In particular, identify and harness commonalities with other sectors supporting social prescribing e.g. nature, arts and culture and heritage.

• Brief and advise the Board and Executive Leadership Team as needed.

• Budget Management - including day-to-day management, raising and processing payments and reporting.

Reporting To: Executive Director of Strategy & Partnerships

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We have embarked on our 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.

Location: Crisis Skylight Edinburgh, 271 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BQ

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £39,372 per annum

About the role

Working at Crisis Skylight Edinburgh, you will lead on the delivery of our volunteer programme. You will be responsible for the recruitment of new volunteers, the support of existing volunteers and volunteer to maintain a positive volunteer experience. You will work across teams to ensure volunteers’ experience of volunteering is positive and play a key role in volunteer retention. You will be collaborative and dynamic in working with the team to identify and develop new volunteering opportunities.  You will have the ability and confidence to increase the diversity and variety of our volunteering opportunities to reflect our local community and better serve our members. You will be flexible and innovative in reaching a diverse group of people from across the local community.   You will also lead on the delivery of events that involve our members, build networks and increase awareness of Crisis’ work in Scotland.

You will have experience of working with people who are socially excluded or with support needs. You will understand the importance of delivering equitable services and can empower our members to share their experience and contribute to continuous service adaptations and improvements. You will be creative and inclusive in establishing service-specific member involvement opportunities so members can influence our service locally. You will work across teams to ensure we deliver our service with people experiencing homelessness, instead of delivering a service to people experiencing homelessness. You will work with the central Crisis team to respond to member involvement opportunities, influencing policy and providing members with the opportunity to share their story with the wider public and media.  

About you

• Experience of developing and implementing volunteer programmes.
• Experience of organising successful events.

• Experience of working with socially isolated and excluded groups.

• Awareness of psychologically informed approaches.

• Person-centred, sensitive, and empathetic to the needs of members.

• A track record of successful partnership working.

• Flexible and adaptable to change. 

• A strong team player, able to use own initiative and reflect on own practice.

Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.

Working at Crisis

Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.

Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:

• A competitive salary. Please note our salaries are fixed to counter inequity and we do not negotiate at offer stage
• Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy.
• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%
• 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
• Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly
• And more! (Full list of benefits available on website)

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career.

When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.

How do I apply?

Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.

Closing date: Monday 13th April 2026 at 23:59

Interview process: Competency based interview

Interview date and location: Thursday 23rd April, in-person at Crisis Skylight Edinburgh

AI in Job Applications

We understand some candidates use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we want to learn more about you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences

Accessibility 

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Talent Acquisition team to discuss how we can help. 

Registered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC040094 

Salary: £62,651 per annum

Contract Type:                         Fixed Term Contract – Maternity Cover (up to 12 months)

Closing date:                         12 April 2026 at 11pm

Interview date:                      4 – 15 May 2026

About CARE

CARE International is a global humanitarian organisation leading the fight to end poverty in the world’s most challenging situations. Women and girls are at the centre of our work, because we cannot overcome poverty and inequality until all people have equal rights and opportunities. We know that when a crisis erupts, women are often the first to pick up the pieces, so we work alongside women, so they have the power to make change where it’s needed most. Founded in 1945, CARE currently works in over 100 countries and last year alone reached 53.4 million people through nearly 1,500 projects.

Why work for CARE International UK?

CARE International UK is currently developing its new 4-year Strategy working within the CARE International Vision 2030, which will launch in July 2026. The strategy will build on our focus on women’s leadership in crisis, seeking to work more directly with women’s rights/women-led organisations. The post-holder will be joining us just as we begin implementing the strategy, and this will be an exciting time to shape new and evolving ways of working with women’s rights activists from across the globe. The Advocacy and Influencing team are central to achieving the goals of the strategy by encouraging the UK  Government and other UK-based stakeholders to use their power on the world stage to counter the rollback on women’s rights.

The Head of Advocacy and Influencing is a key organisational leadership role and will be part of the CIUK Extended Leadership Team working with other heads of team and the senior leadership team to help run the organisation effectively and deliver the 4-year strategy.

About you

You will have significant experience of advocacy and/or public affairs with a track record of driving strategies that achieve measurable policy, attitude or legislative change. You will be a strategic thinker with excellent communication skills in English, and the ability to translate complex issues into plain English. You will have experience of project management and preferably budget management, particularly team or donor-funded project management. You will be media trained and confident speaking to and influencing a range of external senior stakeholders.

In past roles, you will have line managed colleagues and may have managed teams, and will know how to work with others, including in coalition with other organisations, to design and deliver advocacy campaigns. You will understand how to motivate your team to deliver against an organizational strategy. Your leadership style will be aligned with CIUK’s feminist leadership principles and values. You will have strong understanding of, and preferably experience working on, international development issues, in particular with reference to gender equality.

About the role

 

The Head of Advocacy and Influencing is a leadership role with significant responsibility for external analysis and positioning for CIUK - including through regular updates to the board Impact and Transformation Committee. The role is responsible for providing strategic direction for CIUK and CI’s advocacy and influencing and leading the team to deliver UK and globally facing advocacy campaigns. The role is responsible for ensuring high quality publications and managing sign off and profile risks as part of CIUK’s risk management strategy. The Head of Advocacy and Influencing will also act as a senior external spokesperson for the organization to the media, parliament and public events. The role has significant responsibility for positioning and meeting expectations of donors who fund the team’s work.  The Head of Advocacy and Influencing is critical for ensuring the CEO and SLT have up-to-date power analysis, political analysis and policy lines for external engagement with high level targets.  

As the manager and contract holder for the Centenary Action Group campaign and fundraising coordinator and a standing member on the Steering board of the Centenary Action Group, the role also manages CARE UK’s role as a convener and ally of the UK women’s rights movement in line with our global commitment to shift the power and localization.

The role covers four main areas of responsibility:

Strategic Leadership & Delivery

Play a key role in the delivery of CIUK’s new 4-year strategy. Lead cross-organisational teams to deliver high quality policy analysis, advocacy and campaign strategies to UK government, parliamentary and private sector targets. Work with communications to design and deliver integrated campaign plans.

External representation and relationship management

Build the visibility and reputation of CIUK by building and managing key external relationships in government, parliament, private sector and across the sector, including in coalitions and alliances. Provide strategic advice on political developments, external opportunities, and risks, ensuring timely and well-informed positioning, and prepare the CEO/SLT for high-level external engagements. Serve as a senior spokesperson for CIUK in political, media, and public forums. Work with the CARE confederation to develop advocacy lines and approaches.

Thought leadership and Policy Development

Provide strategic leadership of the Gates Foundation partnership, delivering against expectations and securing further funding from this and other donors. Ensure a rigorous evidence base for CIUK’s policy agenda, both by working with CIUK’s team of thematic experts, as well as commissioning and managing research projects where needed. Prepare and approve briefings, position papers, op-eds and other communications in support of CARE UK’s influencing goals. Oversee CIUK’s strategic role in Centenary Action, including representation on the Steering Group and overall coordination. 

Team and line management

Set and drive the advocacy and influencing team’s annual plans and contribution to the organisation’s strategic priorities. Be accountable to delivering on team KPIs and organisational KPIs that link to the team’s work, and for managing the team’s budget. Play a key role in the leadership of the Programme and Policy department. Provide strong line management to direct reports and demonstrate a strong personal commitment to CIUK’s equity, diversity and inclusion goals and feminist leadership principles.

Right to Work in the UK

All applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of appointment. Proof of right to work will be required as part of the recruitment process. For more information, please visit the UK Government's guidance on right to work. Where you do not have current right to work in the UK, then this will be discussed with you as part of the recruitment process. Please note that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship and further information (should you require sponsorship to work in the UK) on eligibility can be found here.

Safeguarding 

CARE International UK has a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse to, sexual harassment of or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners. CARE International UK expects all staff to share this commitment through our Safeguarding Policy (link here) and our Code of Conduct (link here). They are responsible for ensuring they understand and work within the remit of these policies throughout their time at CARE International UK.

Safeguarding our beneficiaries is our top priority in everything we do, including recruitment. All offers of employment at CARE International UK are subject to: 

· Satisfactory references. CARE International UK participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (link here).  In line with this Scheme, we will request information from successful applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. 

· Appropriate criminal record checks (including a Bridger check, link here).

By submitting an application, the applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures. 

Equality and Diversity

We are committed to Equality and value Diversity. We are a Disability Confident Employer and particularly welcome applications from disabled people. We guarantee interviews to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role (see person specification). If you require the candidate brief or need to submit your application in an alternative format, because of a disability, please do get in touch by sending an email to HR.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We particularly welcome applications from people of underrepresented backgrounds, including those from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority communities, and individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.

If you seek a fresh and rewarding challenge, look no further than Open Country! Seeking to help disabled people to access and enjoy the countryside, we embrace a wide range of fundraising methods, so this role could be adapted to suit either full-time or part-time work. We are also able to cater for your particular skill set, though core duties would likely include: 

• Researching and writing grant applications to charitable trusts, grant-making bodies and other funders.
• Developing and delivering new and imaginative community fundraising activities.
• Encouraging appropriate corporate sponsorship and fundraising.
• Developing and delivering Open Country fundraising events and third-party events.

This is a hands-on, dynamic role requiring creativity, insight and panache, coupled with great communication and relationship-building skills.

You will work collaboratively with our Finance and Fundraising Manager at our Head Office in Harrogate, though an element of home working can be considered.

Appointment to this post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check. 

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?

Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Leeds. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our prison-based reading and numeracy programme, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.  

Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach. 

This role is a fixed term role until 31/03/2027 with the opportunity to be made permanent subject to contract renewal.

The role will be prison-based. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

?We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.

Please note this role is subject to contract award.

We reserve the right to withdraw this role early if a suitable candidate is found  

?Interviews are planned for week commencing 27th April 2026.

REF-227 633

Hours per week: 37.5 hours per week

Shift Pattern: Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, flexibility required

Work Base: Service based with travel as required

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for driving meaningful change? Do you thrive on shaping services that make a real difference in people’s lives? If so, this is your opportunity to step into a pivotal role at the forefront of homelessness support.

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Homelessness Services to provide both strategic direction and operational leadership across our northern homelessness services. This is a senior role with wide-reaching impact, overseeing performance, quality, safeguarding, financial sustainability, and contractual delivery, ensuring every service is safe, effective, and truly person-centred.

You’ll act as the vital link between organisational strategy and frontline delivery, you will inspire and empower regional teams, ensuring services are psychologically informed and shaped by lived experience. Your leadership will directly influence how support is delivered and how lives are transformed.

As part of our senior leadership community, you will play a key role in shaping the future of homelessness provision. You’ll contribute to strategic planning, drive organisational development, and work in partnership with commissioners and stakeholders to respond to local needs and influence the wider system.

What you’ll bring:

• Proven senior leadership experience within homelessness or related services
• A strong track record of delivering high-quality, compliant, and sustainable services
• The ability to inspire, motivate, and lead diverse teams across a region
• Strategic thinking with a hands-on approach to operational excellence
• A passion for collaboration, innovation, and system-wide impact

Why this role matters:

This is more than a job; it’s a chance to shape services that change lives. You’ll be at the heart of a mission-driven organisation, influencing not only how services are delivered today, but how they evolve for the future.

If you’re ready to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you.

About us:

Established in 1972, P3 Charity is a modern, forward-thinking organisation providing support services to people facing social exclusion across the UK.

We offer a wide range of services, including homelessness prevention, supported housing, mental health support, community advice, hoarding support and services for young people.

We’re a person-centred organisation who works alongside people to improve lives. We do this by strengthening communities, unlocking potential and creating new possibilities. We tackle challenges others won’t and we go the extra mile. We believe in collaboration – both within our teams and with the local community – to achieve the best outcomes. Our values-driven approach means we recruit for values and train for skills.

What we offer:

• Enhanced Annual Leave Entitlement – 27 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays.
• Commitment to Mental Health and Wellbeing – people are at the heart of what we do; you’ll also have access to our National Wellbeing Lead and Regional Wellbeing Champions.
• EDI Focus - an opportunity to join other colleagues to raise awareness and steer initiatives, contributing to our inclusive culture. 
• Paycare Health Cash Plan – you can claim back costs for a wide range of everyday health expenses, including optical, dental, physiotherapy, and more, within an annual limit.
• Employee Assistance Program – access to 24/7 GP appointments, 1-1 counselling and health assessments.
• Bike2WorkScheme - the Bike2Work Scheme is part of the Government’s Green Transport Plan, designed to encourage healthier, more sustainable travel.
• Discounts – access to Paycare Perks and Tickets for Good.
• Reward and Recognition  – such as team away days, P3's Annual conference and Colleague Awards Ceremony.
• Personal Development Opportunities – including mentoring, training, secondments, job shadowing, and more.
• Colleague Volunteering Programme –one day paid leave per year to volunteer in the community
• Enhanced Sickness Pay – based on your length of service.
• Earning Potential – optional overtime and refer a friend bonus scheme. 
• Additional Equipment Provision – some employees may be provided with additional equipment including workwear, tools and use of a company van or car

The successful candidate must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle. Please note, this post is subject to an enhanced check made by the Disclosure & Barring Services, paid for by P3.

P3 reserve the right to close this advert earlier than the stated closing date.

P3 is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to combating all forms of discrimination.

P3 have committed to achieving ‘Net Zero’ Carbon emissions by 2050. Our Carbon Reduction Plan is available via the P3 website.

In partnership with Treeapp, for every new employee, we plant a tree at one of their planting sites worldwide.

Head of Centre Operations

We are seeking an experienced senior leader to drive operational excellence across multi-site services, ensuring high standards, efficiency and impact.

Position: Head of Centre Operations
Salary: Circa £60,000 plus £5,000 car allowance
Location: Watford with hybrid working and regular travel
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 29th April 2026

About the role

This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing operations across multiple sites, leading large teams and ensuring high standards of service delivery.

You will be accountable for delivering strategic objectives through operational excellence, strong leadership and effective performance management across a geographically dispersed workforce.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering operational strategy aligned to organisational goals
• Leading and managing multi-site teams through direct reports
• Driving performance through data analysis, KPIs and continuous improvement
• Overseeing day to day operations to ensure consistency, quality and compliance
• Managing budgets, financial controls and identifying efficiencies
• Ensuring high standards of customer service and stakeholder engagement
• Leading on health and safety across all sites and ensuring full compliance
• Overseeing facilities, estates and maintenance planning
• Building partnerships with external organisations and stakeholders
• Supporting organisational development through coaching, training and leadership

You will play a key role in shaping operational systems, improving efficiency and ensuring services meet both current and future needs.

About you

We are looking for a confident and experienced leader with a strong track record of managing large, multi-site teams.

You will have:

• Significant experience in multi-site operational management
• Strong leadership skills with a focus on coaching and team development
• Experience driving performance, analysing data and improving systems
• Knowledge of health and safety management and compliance
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage complex workloads
• Confidence using IT systems including Microsoft Office
• A full driving licence and willingness to travel regularly

Experience within a relevant sector is beneficial, but not essential. More important is your ability to lead complex operations and deliver results.

About the organisation

The organisation is a rescue and rehoming charity with four rehoming centres and six charity shops operating across the south of England. They are a charity that never stops caring for its animals and people, working towards a world where every pet thrives in a loving home.

Other roles you may have experience of could include; Operations Director, Head of Operations, Regional Manager, Area Manager, Service Director, Head of Service Delivery, General Manager, Operations Manager

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting on behalf of the client, Not For Profit People.

We’re looking for an interim Social Media Officer to lead on engagement with our online communities. This is an exciting 12 month opportunity to shape the social media presence for Samaritans across a range of channels and join a high performing team.​

In this role you’ll monitor and respond to a wide range of enquiries over our social media platforms. You will be responding to those who have used our services or are struggling with their mental health, so the ability to communicate with sensitivity and empathy is key.​

You'll help colleagues across the organisation feel confident in how they use social media and play a vital role in ensuring our content and conversations reflect our brand and tone of voice. You will develop and maintain social media guidelines and standard response templates, as well as providing training and support when needed.​

You’ll also take the lead with our moderation agency to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our audiences, through quality checking and continuous improvement.​

If you’re an experienced Social Media Officer, who is passionate about meaningful online engagement, then we’d love to hear from you.

​

Contract terms:

£31,000 - £33,000 Salary per annum, plus benefits and £1000 on call allowance

12 month fixed term contract (maternity cover)

Full time (35 hours)

We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences

Linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office

In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. We work in person around 2 days or more per month

​

​What you'll do:

• ​Monitor Samaritan’s social media channels, ensuring content is appropriate for audiences
• Develop, maintain and update standard response templates and moderation guidelines
• Provide timely, appropriate responses to a wide range of people engaging with Samaritans over social media
• Develop social Q&As for key campaigns, policy positions and news events in collaboration with other teams
• Provide advice, support, and training to branches and volunteers managing their own communities via social media
• Work closely with our moderation agency, ensuring adequate out of hours coverage and quality check responses
• Analyse audience engagement and feedback to identify trends and areas for improvement

​

What you’ll bring:

• ​Experience of working on social media for a cause, campaign or high-profile brand, or in communications or marketing
• Great digital copywriting skills
• Strong understanding of digital marketing channels and techniques
• Experience in responding to a varied range of enquiries via social media
• Creative approach to creating and publishing digital content
• Ability to communicate sensitively, particularly around issues involving mental health and suicide
• Awareness of campaigns, news and trends within the charity sector and social media
• Ability to build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Familiarity with Sprout Social (desirable)
• Experience working with volunteers or within the charity sector (desirable)​

See full Job Description and Person Specification 

​

Why Samaritans?

At Samaritans, you’ll be part of a people-first organisation deeply committed to inclusion, compassion and learning. You’ll contribute to a team where your voice matters, your expertise makes a difference, and your work helps save lives.​

We welcome applications from individuals with lived experience and encourage those from underrepresented communities to apply.We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel seen, heard and supported.​

You’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.​

For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure available here. You can also visit our careers website to access this.​

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.

​

Apply now

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please apply. You will be asked to some answer short application questions and to upload your CV.​

Applications close: ​09:00am on Monday 13th April 2026

Interviews: w/c 20th April

​

At Samaritans, human connection is at the heart of everything we do.

We do not use AI at any stage during the selection process. Your application will always be carefully reviewed by the recruiting manager or a member of the Talent Attraction Team.

We kindly ask that you avoid using AI tools to generate your application or interview answers. We want to hear your own ideas, insights, and writing style so your unique strengths can shine through.

Job description

About KLS’ Future Foundations education team 

Future Foundations is an education programme of Katherine Low Settlement. Since 2004, KLS’ Future Foundations education team of 10 part-time staff and over 100 volunteers, have supported young refugees and their families in Battersea and the London Borough of Wandsworth to thrive in their education. Through mentoring, family support, casework and homework clubs, we provide the tailored support each young person and their family (if they have one) needs to overcome the barriers to education they face at home and school. 

Key Objectives for this Role

Working with the Senior Caseworker and Team Manager you will: 

Key Objectives and Details for this Role

Working with the Senior Caseworker and Team Manager your role and responsibilities include: 

•Support staff to liaise with families/carers to communicate information regarding our work

•Support staff to keep and maintain robust recording and monitoring systems

•Maintain, collect, edit and store documentation of our work including photos, case studies for Newsletters, funding reports and other records

•Support our senior case workers with weekly drop-in advice sessions at KLS, including completing forms with families, general admin tasks etc.  

•Support casework team with making and following up on internal and/or external referrals, signposting whenever relevant and according to adequate referral pathways and in response to the young people’s/family's needs – with support and guidance from staff

•Add information to our database – guided by team leads/managers - log all cases; monitor progress and ensure all identified actions are taken

•Support with casework tasks, guided by senior caseworker and manager, from initial contact to resolution, maintaining confidentiality throughout

•Liaise with external agencies and organisations on behalf of clients

•Respond to enquiries by telephone, email, referring on internally or externally organisations when necessary

•Ensure records are kept and information managed confidentially in line with the data protection legislation

•Supporting Refugee team with general admin, database, evaluation data

•Maintain excellent safeguarding practices

•Supporting with partnerships liaison work – keeping records up to date 

Teamwork and reporting

•Work with Future Foundations team members to coordinate work, refer young people and/or parents/carers to our casework and advice team.

•Contribute to reports for trustees and funders and attend periodic meetings with funders

•Communicate well with other teams within KLS to provide a high-quality service to our members

Other Duties 

•Participate in regular supervision and annual appraisals; help to identify your own job-related development and training needs.

•Always work with anti-discriminatory, empowering practice, ensuring everyone is treated with dignity andrespect.

•Adhere to Katherine Low Settlement’s code of confidentiality, safeguarding and equal opportunities policies. 

•Undertake your role in a professional manner and maintain a high-quality standard of work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of KLS.

The above job description reflects the position at the time of writing; it is not intended to be a task list but indicates the general level of work involved. It is expected that duties will be reviewed and revised as required.

Person Specification

The following skills and experience are required for this post:

Essential

·      Fluency in Arabic (spoken and written) to effectively support Arabic-speaking service users and families

·Experience of working with refugee communities and/or children/young people and/or vulnerable groups ensuring that clients’ needs are at the forefront of service planning and delivery

·Ability to manage an independent workload and support the wider team

·Ability to work as part of small team, whilst also working independently

·Personal attributes: hard working, organised, takes initiative, reliable, patient, high professional standards

·Excellent IT skills including MS Office suite and ability to use Internet, email and social media

·Committed to KLS’s mission, vision and values

·Passionate about social justice, education and championing the value of families from refugee communities

·Excellent communicating skills (oral and written) with refugee families, staff and partner organisations

 

Desirable

·Experience of planning, delivery and reporting in a similar voluntary sector project (preferably with refugee communities) 

·Experience and sensitivity working with vulnerable communities who are affected by mental health issues and past trauma. Empathetic, non-judgmental and able to form supportive but boundaried relationships with individuals

·Knowledge of up-to-date best practice as regards safeguarding the welfare of children and adults

·Excellent problem-solving skills and strong attention to detail

·A recognised casework/advice qualification

·Experience of collecting monitoring and evaluating data

·Aptitude for communicating in another language, particularly Somali, Farsi and/or Tigrinya

·Knowledge of Battersea / Wandsworth

Prostate Cancer Research exists to honour the men and families who have been through things no family should have to go through, and to work for a future where no one needs to fear a prostate cancer diagnosis. 

We are always working to provide resources to help, support and empower patients. Giving them the information they need to make better choices about their treatment, while working to identify and target specific unmet needs in the prostate cancer ecosystem, such as racial inequality and bone metastasis. 

Our dedicated staff team is the key to our success, expanding the amount of research that we fund five times over in four years. PCR won the Change Project of the year award in 2023 and has been shortlisted for the following awards for our Real Talk campaign in 2025: 

• Charity Times Award- PR Team of the Year 
• Third Sector Award- Best Large Charity Film 
• Third Sector Award- Communications Campaign of The Year 
• ​Third Sector Awards- Large Corporate Partnership of the Year 

Overview

Prostate Cancer Research (PCR) is seeking a highly organised and proactive Patient Engagement & Programme Officer to support the delivery of several key patient-focused initiatives, including the infopool and Prostate Progress. 

This role will sit within the Patient Projects team, providing operational, administrative, and patient engagement support across a range of programmes designed to support and empower men affected by prostate cancer. 

The postholder will play a critical role in ensuring the smooth delivery of patient communications, programme logistics, digital resource management, and recruitment support for the national Prostate Progress research platform. 

The role will be split approximately 50% supporting Prostate Progress recruitment and patient engagement activities, and 50% supporting wider programmes. 

Key Responsibilities 

Prostate Progress – Patient Recruitment & Support 

Provide support to patients and participants, particularly during the upcoming national recruitment campaigns delivered with NHS DigiTrials. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Managing and triaging incoming emails and phone enquiries from patients responding to recruitment invitations or having issues using the platform 
• Responding to patient queries using approved FAQ materials and support documentation 
• Escalating complex queries or complaints to appropriate internal teams 
• Liaising with our technical support team to resolve participant platform issues and triaging issues accordingly 
• Supporting the development and refinement of participant support materials and FAQs 
• Maintaining clear records of common issues, feedback, and participant concerns 
• Supporting on the development and delivery of Prostate Progress’ engagement and stewardship plan, ensuring they receive regular communications which maximise engagement and ensure retention 
• Ensuring all communications provide a professional, supportive and patient-centred experience 

Additional helpful responsibilities could include: 

• Monitoring recruitment engagement metrics and identifying emerging support issues 
• Flagging trends in patient questions that may require updated communications 
• Supporting participant follow-up communications where appropriate 

The Infopool 

Support the Head of Health Information in maintaining and improving the infopool, PCR’s digital patient information platform. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Managing routine website administration, including checking links, updating resources and uploading new content and materials 
• Ensuring patient resources remain accurate, current and accessible 
• Supporting the administration of Google Analytics and Hotjar surveys 
• Assisting with analysis of website usage data and patient feedback 
• Analysing simple infopool survey feedback data coming from three clinical sites.
• Liaising with the clinical teams to ensure that they have all the materials they need. 
• Supporting the maintenance and organisation of resource libraries and toolkits 
• Assisting with preparation for our annual Patient Information Forum (PIF) TICK reaccreditation.
• Ensuring that documentation is up to date, all clinician sign-offs are complete and accreditation forms are submitted on time. Processing invoices – sending to finance and completing budget sheets.
• Working with other teams to identify opportunities to use infopool patient stories more widely, including supporting case study development and ensuring appropriate permissions are obtained for reuse across PCR activities. 

Programme Administration & Operations 

Provide operational and administrative support to the wider Patient Projects team. Responsibilities include: 

Financial & Reporting Support 

• Processing invoices and submitting them to finance 
• Logging expenditure accurately within programme budget trackers 
• Supporting end-of-month reconciliation and reporting checks 

Materials & Resource Management 

Supporting the Senior Programme Manager in: 

• Managing stock levels for printed materials and patient resources 
• Coordinating ordering and reprinting of materials 
• Monitoring and maintaining inventory 
• Responding to general materials queries 

Administrative Coordination 

• Maintaining and updating the hospital adoption tracker
• Supporting shared inbox queries where required 
• Providing administrative support across the Patient Projects team 

Event & Conference Support 

Supporting the Senior Programme Manager and Health Equity Manager with PCR’s presence at conferences, meetings, and events and organisation of patient workshops and focus groups.

Responsibilities may include: 

• Coordinating logistics for event materials and shipments 
• Researching and booking suitable venues for workshops and arranging refreshments.
• Arranging online focus groups – liaising with patients and sending out pre-group materials.
• Processing patient expenses following focus groups and workshops. 
• Booking courier collections and managing delivery returns 
• Researching and booking suitable accommodation near conference venues 
• Supporting preparation of materials for events and exhibitions 

Providing on-site support when required, including: 

• Setting up conference stands 
• Managing printed materials and stock 
• Supporting delegate sign-ups 
• Directing queries to appropriate team members 
• Taking minutes at workshops and focus groups. 

Person Specification 

We are looking for someone who is: 

• Highly organised with strong administrative skills
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities
• Confident communicating with patients in a professional and empathetic manner 
• Digitally confident and comfortable managing web platforms and analytics tools 
• Detail-oriented with strong record keeping and data management skills 
• Proactive and able to work independently within a hybrid team environment 

Desirable experience includes: 

• Experience working in healthcare, research, or charity sectors 
• Familiarity with CRM systems, website CMS platform Drupal, and online analytics tools such as Google Analytics and Hotjar 
• Experience handling customer or patient enquiries 

For more information about the role, please contact our Head of Health Information, Sara Nelson for an informal chat. You can find contact details in the full job description attached. 

For more information about our organisation and what we do, visit the Prostate Cancer Research website, The Prostate Progress webpage, and the PCR online patient resource, The Infopool 

PCR is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. 

JOB TITLE:                         Centre Based Assistance Dog Instructor (Maternity Cover) 

LOCATION:                        Based at our Centre in Milton Keynes, with travel up to 3 hours 

SALARY BAND:                 £26K - £32K per annum, depending on experience. Line management experience desirable.

JOB TYPE:                          Full time and Part time applicants considered. Fixed Term of 12-18 months 

REPORTS TO:                    Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme 

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives. 

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving alert assistance dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.

We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small but fast-growing charity that is a world leader in its specialist innovative field. 

The Role 

We are looking for a passionate and driven person who has previous proven experience and skills working as an Instructor within an Assistance Dog organisation, who has worked with clients and partnerships. The role includes supporting both clients who have had a MDD dog placed with them and also our own dog applicants with their puppies and young dogs to ensure they receive the highest standard of socialisation and early training in terms of obedience, public access and developing an alert to the applicant’s condition, with the aim to reach an accreditable assistance dog partnership status. The role will also include carrying out client specific and odour training for MDD own dogs, placing these dogs with their new clients and looking after a number of established partnerships. This role would suit somebody residing up to an hour from our centre in Milton Keynes.  

Duties that encompass the role of an Instructor include:  

• Be the first point of contact for the allocated partnerships in your area. To provide guidance and instruction to applicants who have applied to the charity to have their own dogs considered for the training programme guidance and instruction on handling, behaviour and obedience and odour training as well as newly placed partnerships.

• Alongside the Instructing team, to run puppy classes, public access training, recall sessions in small groups for applicant own dogs that are in line with the charity’s quality standards and in accordance with timescales and targets. 

• To also carry out support visits and home interviews for applicants and clients that have been allocated to you.  

• Regularly monitor progress of any young dogs and partnerships in training in your area and provide detailed, evidenced feedback to Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme.

• To carry out client specific training with any MDD owned dogs that have been matched, including the required odour scent training.

• Instructing, guiding and supporting new assistance dog clients in managing and handling a Medical Alert Assistance Dog effectively, via pretraining, placement training and aftercare visits.

• Supporting partnerships in training in successfully reaching an accreditation standard and in maintaining this standard throughout the life of the partnership.

• To support a number of established partnerships in the form of aftercare, refresher training and yearly re-accreditations, assisting further afield on occasions as required.

Responsibilities  

• To escalate issues and problems to the Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme as appropriate.

• To carry out scent assessments on any MDD dogs in socialising as and when required with the support of the rest of the Instructing Team.

• To plan, organise and deliver practical and theoretical training to clients, meeting their individual needs in line with agreed standards to include areas such as dog welfare, appropriate handling, commanding and overall management. This will involve working with the parents as Team Leader and child as Client and working with adult clients.
• Assess the team dynamics of the family & balancing the needs of all family members as well as those of the dog.
• Assess the individuals preferred learning style and amending as relevant to aid a client.
• To accompany the client into all regular environments that they will take the dog to, ensuring the dog behaves in an acceptable manner and that the client and others are aware and clear in terms of where they dog should reside and behave for e.g. public transport, place of work. To complete a check list of environments for any applicant own dogs in training who are on the programme to be assessed within.
• To support and advise clients in transferring the odour training from pot training and recognising alerting behaviours to establish real life alerting.
• To ensure all partnerships are in line with the ADUK regulations with regards to behaviour, obedience and welfare and branding.
• Due to the nature of the role, flexible working hours may be required in some instances to facilitate the effective delivery of the work e.g. working during the school holidays with school age clients.
• To monitor the correct and false alerting percentages of allocated partnerships via data analysis, advising where necessary until the correct alerting levels are achieved.
• To complete comprehensive reports and paperwork for any time spent with applicants or partnerships in training or established. Maintain accurate records by providing verbal and written information with agreed timescales about clients, dogs, applicants and apprentices as appropriate.
• To work alongside allocated partnerships with the aim of the partnership reaching an accredited standard and feeding back to the Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme if there are any concerns that the accreditation cannot be achieved.
• To provide clients with appropriate aftercare services at regular intervals in their own homes in the form of annual visits, support visits or at refresher workshops run at the Centre to agreed standards.  This will include continual re-assessment of the dynamics of family and dog, formulating and training on appropriate solutions, as well as offering additional dog training advice.
• To deliver handling days as part of an applicant’s pretraining to include ‘Introduction to Assistance Dog’ ‘Advanced Handling’ and Family Handling.
• To scent train and seizure proof advanced dogs in preparation to be partnered with an adult or child client and ensure that applicant own dogs have received this at the earliest opportunity.
• To maintain the ongoing public access training with any advanced dog in scent training that has been allocated to them.
• To liaise with Independent Contractors as relevant.
• To provide support to the Charity’s public relations and fundraising functions as required, specifically in your area.
• To act as the ‘contact’ person for the assistance dog programme in relation to training policy procedures with clients and their families, other professional service providers and members of the public.  This will include on-going research and development of the project.
• As required, to liaise and provide support for Volunteers of the Charity.

Other 

• Share best practice with colleagues across the charity.

• Any other duties or tasks that are required to ensure the successful running of the Medical Alert Assistance Dog Department and the Charity overall.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• High level of preparation, organisational and co-ordination skills
• Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills
• Experience of running puppy classes, carrying out public access training and recall sessions
• Able to develop training plans for any dogs in training under your care
• High level of self-motivation and planning
• Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life-threatening conditions
• Happy to travel alone within the UK to visit any clients as necessary
• Willing to be on call for partnerships as and when required
• Willing to stay away from home in local accommodation when client locations are too far to travel back home
• Happy and able to have Medical Alert Assistance Dogs in training reside in your home
• Good team player, but equally able to work independently
• Positive, empathetic and calm attitude
• Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation
• Flexible

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE 

Essential 

• Previous Assistance Dog Instructing and Dog Training experience
• Knowledge of AD(UK) and ADI regulations
• Law in relation to dogs 
• Knowledge of medical conditions relevant to puppies between 8 weeks and 2 years of age
• Knowledge of dog and human psychology
• Proven evidence and experience of dog handling and training skills
• Previous experience of teaching and instructing
• Sound dog training and dog behaviour knowledge
• IT literacy and report writing skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom and SharePoint
• Full UK driving licence
• Pass a DBS (CRB) check due to regular contact with children

Preferable  

• Knowledge of debilitating medical conditions and understanding of how they can impact people, both physically and psychologically, particularly when they are unstable and fluctuating
• Previous knowledge of odour/scent training
• Previous line management experience 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES ​

• Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills 

• Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life threatening conditions 

• Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation

• You should be supportive of the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs and capable of working as part of a team, as well as able to motivate yourself

• You should be adaptable and positively embrace change by not only being flexible towards the ideas of others but also putting forward ideas to colleagues. This will involve creativity in problem solving and making appropriate responses to new ideas and unexpected situations

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• You should be supportive of the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs and capable of working as part of a team, as well as being able to motivate yourself.
• You should be adaptable and positively embrace change by not only being flexible towards the ideas of others but also putting forward ideas to colleagues. This will involve creativity in problem-solving and making appropriate responses to new ideas and unexpected situations.

DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION

We are a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive Charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Charity Values

All employees are expected to uphold the charity’s core values in their daily work. This includes demonstrating respect through open and considerate communication, fostering cooperation by working collaboratively, maintaining honesty in all interactions and ensuring fairness through just and transparent decision-making.

Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to: 

• Hold a full UK Driving Licence 

• Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK. 

• Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check 

• Work some evenings and weekends 

• Be willing to travel to the Centre based near Milton Keynes