War child jobs

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.

Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life and we are focused on one goal – that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. We offer more than just a career, we offer the opportunity to support our global movement in a dynamic and inclusive environment with a real focus on personal development.

We are looking for a Regional Development Officer for Glasgow. In this role, you will be a warm, visible ambassador for Mary’s Meals – igniting enthusiasm, inspiring action, and helping people across your region join our mission and help feed more children. We require someone to be based in or a short commutable distance to cover the region.

By building genuine, values‑driven relationships and using insight to guide your priorities, you’ll nurture local networks, identify high‑potential opportunities, and confidently grow income, participation, and supporter engagement. Through strategic, outward‑facing work, you’ll turn first conversations into committed, long‑term support that strengthens our movement and fuels our mission.

Working closely with the Head of Scotland you will co-create and deliver a tailored local growth plan that reflects your region's communities and opportunities. You will represent Mary’s Meals across schools, churches, corporates and community partners and playa pivotal role in activating supporters, mobilising volunteers, and sharing compelling local stories.​

Operating with high autonomy, you will use insights and data to focus on high potential and growth areas, and collaborate closely with our Philanthropy & Partnerships, Supporter Experience and Communications teams to deliver seamless supporter journeys and strong storytelling. Everything you do will reflect Mary’s Meals’ warmth and dignity, helping us reach more children through relationship-led growth.

To apply for the role of Regional Development Officer based at Mary’s Meals UK, please follow the apply instructions on Charity Job and you will be directed to our website.

Applicants must hold full right to work in the UK.

We welcome applications from candidates of all different backgrounds and identities to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse charity providing a supportive place for you to do the best and most rewarding work of your career.

Closing date for applications is Thursday, 2 April

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Please note: If you have any special requirements or adjustments before an interview, please let us know.