Jobs for the Community Development sector

We’re looking for someone passionate about community engagement to help build and strengthen relationships across Medway and Swale. In this role, you’ll connect with local audiences, carry out research to reach new communities, and collaborate with our team to deliver an inclusive and inspiring cultural programme.

Key Info:

● Full-time, 5 days per week (37.5 hours), and due to the nature of this programme, some weekend and evening work will be required
● Hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days per week in the Chatham-based Ideas Test office and regular travel to events/meetings at other locations.
● Salary: £28,000
● Holidays: 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays.

As Audience Engagement Officer, your role will be to liaise, communicate and deepen relationships with our local communities. You will also carry out the necessary research and monitoring to reach our target audiences. You will work closely with the whole team, as we deliver a compelling, inclusive cultural programme for and with the people of Medway and Swale. We are seeking someone who shares our commitment to socially engaged practice and co-creation. Our work spans multiple art forms and ranges from small, intensive programmes to large-scale public works. We want to create authentic, impactful work with communities over the long term, experimenting and learning as we go. 

Key responsibilities:

• Working with Ideas Test Senior Producers to engage people in our neighbourhood programmes.

• Attend Ideas Test’s events: providing practical support to ensure a quality event, carrying out surveys and encouraging people to join the mailing list.

• Develop and maintain good relationships with community advocates and partners

• In collaboration with the Operations Manager and external evaluator, ensure that audience capture data and evaluation materials are collected and input.

• Maintain a social media presence with active engagement across a range of platforms.

• Ensure information about Ideas Test’s event is updated on the website and listed widely online and via newsletters. 

• Attend professional development training and other relevant opportunities

• Attend regular team meetings and contribute to the development and implementation of Ideas Test’s programme.

• Along with the rest of the team, help to develop, test, pilot and share learning across the programme partners and CPP peer learning networks and community networks (evaluation, audience data, models, case studies, toolkits and strategic documents)

• Be an enthusiastic advocate for the organisation and its work.

Essential:

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• The ability to communicate well across a variety of mediums

• The ability to work independently and with team members and partners

• Ability to work effectively under pressure, to multiple deadlines.

• Enthusiasm and commitment to inclusive and socially engaged arts practice

• Experience of using e-marketing / social media channels.

• Experience of managing and submitting online and offline event listings

• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail

• IT and digital skills

• Experience of working in similar or related environments

• Willingness to learn new skills and accept training.

• Prepared to work occasional unsociable hours (evening & weekend).

• Ability to travel across Medway and Swale

Desirable:

• Knowledge of analytic and insight tools to develop reach and engagement across digital platforms

• WordPress or similar content management systems to create, edit and maintain webpages

• Knowledge of Mailchimp, Canva, Adobe

• Knowledge and experience of CRM systems and databases

• Practical knowledge of data protection legislation

• Awareness of social inclusion strategies and issues

Applications must be received by the deadline of 12pm on Monday 18th May.  Interviews Monday 1st June. 

Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with a range of partners, we offer a number of activities from our wellbeing centres and local venues to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, and our aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Title: Blended Team Service Manager
Post no: 659
Working base: Biggleswade CMHT (Community Mental Health Teams) SG18
Area covered: Bedfordshire, Luton
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday
Salary: £29,355.00 per annum

About the Service and the Role

This role is an exciting opportunity to work with the Operational Services Manager (Blended Teams) to manage the daily operations of our Blended Teams functions.

This includes managing a core team of workers in a diverse range of projects and services often in partnership with the NHS and other VCSE and community groups. The role will involve multi-agency working and ensuring the continuous development of our services to ensure that they meet the needs of the community and blended team outcomes.

Ideally, you will be required to have knowledge of managing remote teams who may be imbedded in NHS services and the ideal candidate would have the skills to support staff with the complex challenges that come with blended working as well as maintaining and building relationships with key stakeholders. You will also be required to hold your own caseload, supporting the teams with more complex service users and cover gaps in services.

Key Responsibilities and Service Delivery

• Operate a service and ensure outcomes which support individuals with mental health and wellbeing needs in line with Mind BLMK’s and blended team model and contract requirements.
• Work with the Operational Services Manager (Blended Teams) and senior managers to ensure the management of an effective workforce including recruitment and performance management challenges
• Ensure that services with complex partnerships and remote teams are effectively managed and maintained, through effective relationship building and multi-agency working.
• Ensure regular involvement of service users, volunteer and staff on local service delivery, organisational matters and wider mental health strategies.
• Assess suitability for community connection support as part of a blended team approach and support individuals to access the service by utilising in depth knowledge of local voluntary and community services and networks.
• To work with individuals to coproduce a plan to address their mental health and wellbeing goals. Enable people to achieve these goals through facilitating access and connecting with appropriate resources.
• Enable people to access community resources which may include accompanying them.
• Offer support, guidance and help where possible to people to gain confidence, overcome initial fears and seek solutions to any barriers inhibiting attendance.
• Take a holistic approach, based on the individuals’ priorities and wider determinants of health that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, being unemployed, loneliness and caring responsibilities.
• To work as part of an integrated team to ensure the best outcomes for each person accessing the service.
• Maintain an effective workforce for the service in line with Mind BLMK’s HR policies, procedures and guidance (recruitment, line management, workload planning, support and development of crisis workers, peer support workers and volunteers).
• Hold responsibility for health and safety, data collection and cash handling in line with Mind BLMK’s policies, procedures and guidance.

The successful candidate will have experience of managing diverse staff resources, multi-agency working, 2 years’ experience working with people with mental health and managing remote teams. Level 3 Social Care (or equivalent) and Management and Leadership qualifications are desirable.

Entitlements/benefits:

• 25 days (pro rata) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Auto-enrolment NEST pension scheme (employer contributes 3%, employee contributes 5%)
• Health Plan with a wide variety of benefits
• Discounts available through Blue Light Card & Tickets for Good
• In-house and external Learning and Development as appropriate for the role.
• Flexible Working On request (in line with Mind BLMK policy on Right to Request Flexible Working)
• If you have a passion for working in mental health and possess the required skills, we would love to hear from you.

Closedown: 5pm on Friday 8th May 2026
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if enough suitable applicants apply
Start date: ASAP

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Mind BLMK has been committed to the Mindful Employer charter and the Disability Confident Employer Scheme since 2008.

Please note: Mind BLMK follows Safer Recruitment practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Therefore all our roles are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

No agencies please.

The Living Wage Foundation is seeking an experienced and driven Senior Media and Communications Manager to join our team for a 12-month contract. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly organised and proactive communications professional with a strong background in media relations, public messaging, and team leadership. The ideal candidate will be experienced and confident in working to tight deadlines, responding to last-minute changes, and prioritising competing demands in a high-profile environment. They will be motivated to amplify the Living Wage Foundation’s mission of tackling low pay and insecure work.

The postholder will lead all media, messaging, and external affairs work, developing and implementing a proactive media strategy that supports our mission and key campaigns, such as Living Wage Week and the annual Rates announcement. As a skilled media professional, you will oversee all communications outputs, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment, while delivering media training and refining key messaging to maximise reach and impact. 

In this role, you will be instrumental in advancing our political engagement efforts, building cross-party support and working with political leaders, mayoral teams, and other key stakeholders to promote our initiatives. You’ll manage two direct reports (Events Manager and Media Manager) who each hold line management responsibilities, and you will play a critical role within our Senior Management Team, collaborating closely with the Head of Communications to shape the overall direction of our communications work. This role will work closely with Citizens UK colleagues, including the Citizens UK communications team on cross-organisational priorities.  You will report to the Head of Communications.

As a senior leader, you will be responsible for managing and allocating part of the communications team budget, expanding team capacity, and driving the team’s effectiveness. In collaboration with other senior managers, you will help foster a culture that values creativity, innovation, and strategic impact.

EVENTS MANAGER (Foodbank)

OASIS HUB WATERLOO

Hours: Up to 32 hours per week (0.8FTE)

Contract: 1-year fixed term (with view to extend)

Salary: £26,980 per annum (including London Weighting) £33,725 for 1FTE

 We are looking for a person with:

· Great character, chemistry and competency.

· Recent and proven experience managing events that have raised significant funds.

· Progressive and successful experience and approaches in fundraising.

· First class team spirit and cohesion.

Is this you? Great – read on.

Oasis Hub Waterloo co-develops and co-delivers a wide range of integrated community services including a community centre, primary and secondary Academies, adult and further education opportunities, early years support, a Foodbank, advice services, a community farm, and well developed and diverse programmes for young people.

Purpose of job

This role will lead on Events management for Oasis Hub Waterloo with a focus on securing funds for Lambeth & Croydon Foodbank (which is part of Oasis Hub Waterloo) and our associated services.

To apply please email your CV (max of two pages) and a Supporting Statement.

Your Supporting Statement (max of two A4 pages) must share specific and relevant examples demonstrating how your qualities and experience will enable us to increase our income generation through events.

Inspire and impress us!

Return your CV and Supporting Statement by 5pm on Sunday 10th May 2026

Face to face Interviews will take place in Waterloo on the 14th May 2026.

If you want an informal chat about this role, get in touch with Stu (Head of Youth Services and Fundraising at Oasis Waterloo). Please visit the Oasis Charity Jobs Website for further details. 

As part of the package, Oasis offers:

· Flexible working where possible with family friendly policies

· A non-contributory pension scheme, currently offering 7% employer contribution

· A generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year (plus 8 Bank Holidays)

We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups.

Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks. 

The successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK.

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities. Registered Charity No. 1136965

Ready to lead a finance function and play a pivotal role in shaping an organisation’s future?

Finance Manager
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Full Time - 37 hours per week
Salary: £45K - £50K per annum, negotiable dep on experience
Location: Head Office - Newton Aycliffe, DL5

About Us

Groundwork NE & Cumbria is a long established environmental and community charity with over 30 years of experience creating greener, healthier and more resilient places across the region. Our mission centres on Creating Better Places, Improving People’s Prospects, and Promoting Greener Living, helping communities thrive no matter the challenges they face.

We deliver hundreds of locally led projects each year, including initiatives that support young people and adults into education, training and employment, helping them overcome barriers, build life skills, and reach their full potential.

About You and The Role 

We are now seeking a forward thinking Finance Manager to lead our finance function and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organisation. 

This is more than a finance role, it’s an opportunity to guide, influence and strengthen the financial sustainability of a charity creating meaningful, lasting change. The role requires strong financial management experience, including statutory reporting and VAT. Experience of charity accounting and SORP is desirable, but candidates from the private sector with the ability to learn charity‑specific requirements are welcome, further requirements of the role are provided below. 

As our Finance Manager, you will: 

• Provide financial leadership across the organisation, working closely with the Chief Executive, Trustees, and Senior Leaders. 

• Lead on financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial risk management. 

• Ensure robust financial controls, compliance with charity accounting standards (SORP), and oversee VAT, statutory requirements, and audits. 

• Manage and motivate the finance team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement. 

• Strengthen financial systems, reporting, and automation to support operational efficiency. 

• Support project managers with financial planning, grant management, and contract delivery. 

• Drive improvements that support long term organisational sustainability. 

This is a high impact role that blends hands on leadership with strategic influence. 

We’re looking for an experienced and dynamic finance leader who brings: 

Essential 

• A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent). 

• Experience delivering a wide range of finance duties, including management accounts, budgeting, strategic analysis, payroll and year end processes. 

• Experience managing finance teams. 

• Outstanding analytical, organisational, and financial planning skills. 

• Excellent communication skills, able to present complex information clearly to colleagues and trustees. 

• High integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the values and mission of the charity. 

Desirable 

• Experience in community-based grant funded projects. 

• Experience strengthening financial controls and supporting fundraising or contract bidding. 

• Knowledge of procurement procedures or state aid regulations. 

• Familiarity with Sage Intacct. 

Closing Date: Thursday, 14th May 2026
Interview Details: To be confirmed after the closing date. 
Please note: should we receive a high volume of applications, we may look to close the role early, therefore we recommend an early application. 

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

This role is subject to an Standard Disclosure endorsed by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Make yourself at home

We want you to be yourself at Groundwork and we value everything that makes you unique. We recognise and celebrate your difference and together we make Groundwork a special and great place to work. As a Disability Confident employer we offer a guaranteed interview to applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the role

At Groundwork we ensure that we provide a safe environment for adults, children and young people to take part in any activity or service that we organise. We are committed to creating a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk. Our safer recruitment practices support this by ensuring that there is a consistent and comprehensive process of obtaining, collating, analysing and evaluating information from and about candidates to ensure that all the people we appoint are suitable to work with our children, young people and adults.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

No agencies please.

CUF wants to build flourishing communities and tackle poverty, by partnering with churches and groups all over England, and we are looking for a Philanthropy Manager to shape and grow a major gifts programme which has been identified as a key opportunity for growth. You’ll be working closely with our Head of Fundraising and Communications in a small team that values fundraising creativity, and has some great partnerships and resources for you to build on.

We’re seeking a motivated self-starter, with a track record of initiating, managing and developing relationships with high net worth individuals and grantmaking bodies, and securing 5 figure donations and grants.

You will find, and nurture relationships with, philanthropists and non-statutory grant-makers. Some of these will be existing donors, and warm prospects, and others you will identify by research (we’ll provide some administrative help). You’ll also engage with Trustees, and senior staff, to identify and nurture Christian philanthropists and grant body decision-makers within their spheres of influence.

You’ll develop cases for support and write funding applications (helped by the wider staff team) and will build a robust income pipeline based on relational asks, including in person. Stewardship is key, so we want a skilled communicator with great organisational skills. You’ll have a passion for local social action, and will thrive in our collaborative team culture.

How to apply

For an informal conversation about this role and for more information, please contact our Deputy CEO, Adam Edwards (please see job pack for details). 

To apply, please email an up-to-date CV and covering letter (we will only shortlist CV’s with a covering letter!) outlining your relevant skills and experience as relating to the responsibilities and person specification to: HR Officer (please see job pack for details).

Closing date: 5:00pm on Monday 1st June with interviews to be held on 16th June; whether online or in person to be confirmed.

We are looking for someone with good knowledge of local communities and the barriers they face, with an enquiring mind to seek out opportunities, make connections, plan events and develop resources.

As the Social Action Officer, you’ll be a natural people person with the ability to quickly develop rapport, supporting and empowering people through your infectious enthusiasm and knowledge sharing.

You will have experience in:

• working with children, young people or families,
• organising and supporting events,
• working closely with community and statutory stakeholders,
• identifying opportunities and potential in people and/or places, and
• project planning and delivery.

Camden Community Centres' Consortium (C4) is a charity that brings together organisations leading and operating community spaces in the London Borough of Camden, for collective action and development.

C4’s mission is to harness the power of our network to ensure that Camden’s community spaces are deeply embedded in the borough’s social fabric, driving innovation, equity, and wellbeing.

The General Manager will be the key person responsible for the day-to-day operations of the charity and the management of the network and its activities. This is a flexible role for a charity management all-rounder: a multi-skilled self-starter, confident working both independently and collaboratively.

This General Manager role will be the first and only dedicated staff member in a long time, and will be key to enabling our collective ambition. It’s a role that has potential to expand for the right person, and grow with the ambition of C4 - and will be key to collaborating on making that possible.

The General Manager collaborates with the Executive Co-Chairs to deliver the Strategy and develop the impact of our network, convene and build our membership, develop the sustainability of the charity and communicate our impact with members and stakeholders.

The General Manager is the key person responsible for the day-to-day operations of the charity and the management of the network and its activities.

We’re offering this role in two forms: as a flexible freelance contract, or a fixed-term secondment opportunity, and are keen to explore options for the right candidate.

Pay: £2500 per month to deliver the work.

The fee is calculated based on approx. 3 days per week at £200 per day, but we are open to proposals for exact working pattern and rate.

Working hours: Up to 3 days per week (depending on agreement), worked with at least 1 fixed day and some flexibility welcomed.

Download the full Recruitment Pack for job description and how to apply.

Voluntary Action Harrow is looking for a Champion & Volunteer Co-ordinator. 

We're looking for a confident and enthusiastic Champion & Volunteer Co-ordinator to join our team. In this role, you'll be at the heart of our volunteer programmes, bringing activities to life and supporting a diverse team of volunteers. From recruitment and training to event logistics and ongoing volunteer support, your organisational skills and passion for community engagement will ensure every initiative runs smoothly and makes a real impact.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day running of programme activities, ensuring smooth delivery and operational efficiency.
• Support volunteer recruitment campaigns to attract a diverse and skilled workforce.
• Develop, co-ordinate and deliver orientation and training for new volunteers.
• Provide ongoing support and recognition to maintain volunteer satisfaction.
• Plan and co-ordinate logistics for events, workshops, and community activities.
• Maintain volunteer rosters, schedules, and relevant administrative records.
• Support internal and external communications and outreach related to programme delivery.
• Take part in light physical activities (e.g. walks)
• Assist management with reporting, data collection, and other administrative tasks.

Skills, Competencies and Behaviours

• Skilled in recognising and addressing health inequalities
• Proficient in monitoring and evaluation.
• Strong communication skills with clients, colleagues, and agencies from diverse backgrounds.
• Experienced in working collaboratively within multi-professional and multi-agency settings.
• Capable of maintaining accurate records and documentation.
• Effective time and diary management skills.
• Competent in navigating complex local community relationships and politics.
• Able to liaise effectively with colleagues, ensuring clear communication and information sharing.
• Experienced in supporting and empowering staff and volunteers.
• Experienced in using databases (our system is Salesforce) 
• Strong ICT skills (Including Teams and Zoom), with adaptability to new systems and tools.

Listening, Verbal, Written and Presentation Communication Skills

• Mentoring skills, ensuring that participants have understood
• Able to communicate well with clients, colleagues and other agencies
• Able to work in partnership in multi-professional and multi-agency settings
• Able to keep accurate records
• Able to effectively manage your time and diary
• Ability to negotiate complex local community relationships and politics
• Effectively liaising with colleagues and ensuring others are kept informed
• Supporting and empowering staff and volunteers
• Strong ICT skills, including adaptability to new systems and tools

Who are we?

Voluntary Action Harrow Co-operative work with the local community providing information, training and guidance.

Based in Harrow, we are a not-for-profit co-operative owned by our workers. We have in-depth knowledge of the local area and of who’s doing what. 

Support available to the successful candidate

You will be working within the Voluntary Action Harrow, Stronger Communities, and Third Sector Service Team, which holds a vast amount of knowledge, maintains monitoring templates, and has strong relationships with charities and community groups across Harrow. 

Voluntary Action Harrow Co-operative aims to be an equal opportunity employer and is determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

This role description can be requested in large print. 

Application Process

• CV outlining related work experience, responsibilities and qualifications
• Cover letter covering why you want to work with us and the skills and knowledge in the job description.

If these documents are not received, we will not be able to progress with your application.

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We are scheduling interviews as applications come in. We're ready to hire as soon as we find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now.

Bexley Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) has been supporting the local Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Bexley for over 60 years. Throughout this time, BVSC has continually evolved in response to local need, sector challenges and wider changes in public policy. Today, BVSC plays a central role in strengthening the local voluntary sector, connecting organisations, amplifying community voice and enabling organisations across Bexley to be resilient, connected, and able to provide high-quality, impactful services to residents. 

Why Work for Us
• Hybrid working
 Additional Birthday Day off
• Flexitime and TOIL
• Pension employer contribution 6%
• Two volunteering days (pro rata)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Access to the Blue Light Card
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• A positive, inclusive team culture where your ideas are valued
• Enhanced maternity/paternity pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

This is a key coordination role at the heart of a multi‑partner programme, supporting referrals, triage, communications, data quality, and the day‑to‑day running of the service. Working closely with the Health & Wellbeing Coach Team Lead and coaches embedded across community organisations, you will help ensure residents receive the right support at the right time and that the service runs smoothly, consistently and efficiently across Bexley.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of local voluntary & community sector in Bexley.
• Experience within health, wellbeing, social prescribing or community-based services.
• Experience supporting services delivered across multiple organisations.
• Previous triage experience.
• Work in a way that supports a trauma-informed approach, including communicating clearly, responding appropriately to need, and recognising the impact of individual circumstances.

If you’re highly organised, people‑focused, and motivated by making a positive difference in local communities, we’d love to hear from you.

User Support Officer

We are seeking a detail-focused User Support Officer to deliver high-quality support across digital public services in a fully remote, flexible role.

Position: User Support Officer
Salary: £28,000 to £30,000 FTE (pro rata)
Location: Remote, UK-based
Hours: Part time, 20 hours per week (4 hours per day)
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Sunday 3 May 2026
Interviews: Mid May via video

About the role

mySociety is a purpose-driven charity using digital tools to strengthen democracy and transparency. This role sits at the heart of user experience across key public-facing platforms.

You will manage a varied caseload of enquiries, ensuring users receive timely, clear and effective support while identifying and handling sensitive or high-risk cases appropriately.

Key responsibilities include:

· Managing incoming enquiries across services including FixMyStreet, TheyWorkForYou, WhatDoTheyKnow and WriteToThem

· Triaging, prioritising and responding to user queries efficiently

· Identifying and escalating high-risk, safeguarding or data protection issues

· Providing clear guidance to users, including those in complex or difficult situations

· Maintaining accurate records and ensuring enquiries are followed through to resolution

· Identifying trends or recurring issues to support service improvements

· Updating help content, guidance and internal documentation

· Working collaboratively with technical and programme teams

About you

You will be an organised and proactive individual with strong judgement and the ability to manage a high volume of enquiries.

You will have:

· Experience providing user support within digital or information-heavy environments

· Ability to recognise and manage sensitive or high-risk cases

· Knowledge of data protection principles in a support or case-handling setting

· Excellent written communication skills with a clear and empathetic approach

· Experience managing multiple enquiries and meeting deadlines

· Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

· Confidence working remotely within a collaborative team

Desirable:

· Experience using helpdesk systems such as Zendesk or Freshdesk

· Experience supporting digital platforms or public-facing services

· Experience contributing to user guidance or knowledge bases

· Interest in civic technology or public interest services

About mySociety

mySociety is a purpose-driven charity that builds digital tools to help people engage in democracy, improve transparency and strengthen communities. They are a fully remote organisation with a collaborative, supportive culture and regular in-person team meetups.

Other roles you may have experience of could include; User Support Officer, Customer Support Officer, Case Officer, Caseworker, Information Officer, Customer Experience Advisor, Complaints Officer, Service Support Officer, Public Services Advisor, Community Support Officer.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.

Join our team to help us build sustainable community-led social action in North Kirklees!

This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for someone looking to play a key role in a small but influential national charity building a positive legacy for the late Jo Cox MP.

We are looking for someone with experience of working on community building and organising initiatives, who is skilled in engaging and working collaboratively with diverse communities, with a self-motivated, action-oriented approach, and a genuine commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Through this role you will play a key part in continuing Jo Cox’s legacy over the years to come.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Community Action Worker will frequently travel across Batley, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike to support local people and groups to develop community-led social action initiatives that bring people together across lines of difference. Working in line with asset-based community development and community organising approaches, you will support local groups to start, build, grow and sustain projects that strengthen neighbourliness and bring people together around shared interests. 

You will also work as part of a local interdisciplinary team to develop arts-based activity through a More in Common Creative Collective. This would celebrate difference and challenge narratives of division through creative community work. You will also support the delivery of facilitated dialogue through the Let’s Talk programme, helping communities address division through conversation.

ABOUT YOU

We’re looking for someone who is deeply committed to building community power and supporting community-led change. You will bring experience in asset-based community development, community organising, movement building, or closely related approaches, which might include mentoring and coaching. Alongside this you will have a relational way of working that starts with listening, trust-building, and identifying the strengths, interests and leadership that already exist within communities. 

You will be self-motivated and comfortable working on your own initiative, bringing organisational skills needed to contribute to planning, delivery of events, learning and reporting. Experience of partnership working, supporting community events or social action, and contributing to funded programmes would all be valuable. Furthermore, you will be confident working across culture, faith, ethnicity, class and other lines of difference. You will have good interpersonal skills and will be able to build relationships quickly while approaching this work with humility, ambition, curiosity and respect. 

Above all, you will bring values that align strongly with The Jo Cox Foundation’s vision and Jo’s ‘more in common’ ethos. This will be reflected in your belief in the strengths of communities, and your commitment to bringing people together across difference.

ABOUT THE JO COX FOUNDATION’S WORK IN WEST YORKSHIRE

The Jo Cox Foundation was established in 2016 by the friends and family of the late Jo Cox MP. The Foundation exists to make positive change on issues that Jo was passionate about. Just as she did, we believe in working together effectively with individuals and organisations that share the belief that we have more in common than that which divides us.

We build stronger communities and encourage more respectful politics. To date, our campaigns and initiatives have addressed a broad range of issues including tackling loneliness, bridging divides, and reducing abuse and intimidation in public life. Jo Cox’s career took her around the world, yet her sense of belonging and her identity were always firmly rooted in West Yorkshire.

Too often our politics and society emphasises our differences rather than our commonality. We believe that helping people to recognise that commonality allows us to feel more connected, build empathy and increase trust. It also builds understanding of the stark inequalities that many groups face within our society and strengthens the collective will to take action. Though we cannot address the root cause of all inequalities, we commit to championing change and advocating for action.

The Jo Cox Foundation continues to maintain its roots in West Yorkshire. We aim to generate and support community-led action - undertaken with local knowledge, credibility and evidence - to drive change alongside communities and to share success across national networks.

“I am Batley and Spen born and bred, and I could not be prouder of that. I am proud that I was made in Yorkshire and I am proud of the things we make in Yorkshire. Britain should be proud of that, too.”

Jo Cox, Maiden Speech 2015

ABOUT BRIDGING & BELONGING 

We have completed Stage 1 of Bridging & Belonging, which involved a series of local listening events. What we heard was clear: people in North Kirklees want more chances to connect with one another and to shape what happens in their neighbourhoods, using their own ideas, skills and experience to make a positive difference.

We are now moving into Stage 2, a four-year project funded through the National Lottery Community Fund’s Reaching Communities programme. This phase will strengthen neighbourliness, reduce division, and support community-led action that builds stronger, more connected communities. It is rooted in asset-based community development and creative, participatory community organising, with a focus on helping local people start, grow and sustain social action that brings people together across lines of difference.

Bridging & Belonging is already established, you will join a project with strong foundations, trusted relationships and a clear direction. Working alongside colleagues, residents and local partners, you will help shape the next phase of the project while keeping local people at the heart of its priorities and activities.

Over the coming years, the work will support community-led action that strengthens neighbourliness and hyper-local connection, creates new ways for people to connect across communities, and develops projects built around shared interests, shared places and shared concerns. It will also back activity that celebrates local strengths, makes space for difference, and builds a stronger sense of belonging.

Alongside this, you will also:

• help develop a More in Common Creative Collective with residents and partners, using arts and creativity to challenge division and share local stories;

• support the development of a Community of Practice that brings together staff, partners and community members to share learning and build relationships; and

• support Let’s Talk, a facilitated conversation series that helps people address tensions and divisions through careful, relational dialogue.

WORKING AT THE JO COX FOUNDATION

One of our core values at The Jo Cox Foundation is empathy, and we work hard to apply this to our relationships with our staff as well within the work that we do.

As a remote organisation, we recognise the challenges that this brings, so we carefully consider how we can build a team culture where everyone feels accepted and included. We do this through a combination of frequent team days (with a mixture of remote and in-person days) and through regular and ongoing ways for the team to connect, both for work and to socialise.

In our most recent staff survey:

• 100% of staff felt proud to work at The Jo Cox Foundation

• 100% felt that The Jo Cox Foundation actively supports their wellbeing

• 100% thought that the team at The Jo Cox Foundation works in a supportive and collaborative way