Development director jobs

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Salary: £45,068 to £51,242 (Negotiable)

37 hours per week – Flexible throughout the week, including some evenings and weekends

We are seeking to appoint a Chief Executive Officer with a proven commitment to survivor-led practice, outstanding organisational leadership capability, and relevant therapeutic competence, to provide strategic and inspirational leadership for the organisation’s future.

Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service (LSLCS) exists to provide compassionate, person-centred, trauma-informed crisis support to people across Leeds and West Yorkshire.  Founded in 1999 by individuals with lived experience of mental health crisis, the organisation has grown to deliver a range of services for adults, children and young people while remaining rooted in survivor leadership and empowerment. LSLCS has a long history of innovation and excellence; receiving multiple national awards.

The CEO holds overarching responsibility for the current service provisions, with the support of operational directors and service managers.  LSLCS challenges and shapes current practices; aligned with the needs of those accessing crisis services, with a strong emphasis on gaining and reviewing service user and team feedback to inform decision-making.  The CEO must be able to review feedback openly, regularly and with genuine curiosity in shaping the future of the organisation.

The CEO provides strategic leadership to ensure that LSLCS continues to deliver high-quality, values-led crisis services.  Working closely with the Board of Trustees, the CEO ensures the organisation operates in alignment with its survivor-led ethos, trauma-informed principles, and person-centred philosophy.  The post-holder champions the mission of LSLCS, strengthens its culture, and maintains the organisation’s reputation as a trusted and innovative provider of crisis support.

The CEO must ensure that the organisation’s governance is compliant with Charity Commission requirements, contractual obligations and all other relevant legislation and guidance, and works closely with the Operations Director (Central Services) to ensure the organisation’s financial sustainability and the appropriate, responsible use of its resources.

Are you a volunteering or alumni relations professional looking for your next challenge? Do you have a passion for engaging volunteers and for bringing people together? Are you looking to develop your career at a prestigious organisation?

We are looking for an International Engagement Manager to join our team to refine and expand a bold and innovative alumni volunteering programme to support both the priorities of the University and the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO). The post holder will deliver volunteer and engagement opportunities in key markets including China, India, Hong Kong, USA, Dubai, and many others, and will join nine other volunteering professionals as part of the wider team. The role will be responsible for developing a range of volunteering opportunities for international alumni, which support Birmingham 2030 targets around graduate employability, student recruitment, student experience, research and influence. You will be responsible for growing the number of international alumni volunteers and reporting on the impact of your work internally. 

A key component of this role will be developing relationships with colleagues across the University to include alumni engagement and volunteering across the University’s international strategic themes. The International Engagement Manager role will be a point of contact for international matters into the Development and Alumni Relations Department amongst other University departments, including International Student Recruitment, Birmingham Global and Careers Network. As the lead on international engagement activity for the department, you will be expected to travel overseas for events and alumni activity in key strategic regions.

You will be provided with a robust induction and an ongoing training program that will include support from the University as well as expert external providers.

The University has global reach, including several partnerships with other leading universities around the world, and is grounded in our local community, having opened the first fully comprehensive University secondary school in the country in 2015. We are an ambitious and successful research-intensive University (one of the top 100 research-led universities globally) and have produced 10 Nobel Prize winners, including three who received their awards in 2016. Academics here are exploring the impact of climate change, helping to address global health epidemics, and changing our understanding of Shakespeare. Our students come from nearly 150 countries and our flagship outreach programmes mean that almost 25% of our student population come from underrepresented backgrounds: one of the highest proportions in the UK. 

DARO exists to support this academic and student community by engaging, inspiring, and celebrating alumni, individuals, and charitable funders who give their money, time, and networks to support the University’s strategic priorities. The Office, which is comprised of five teams, is focused on fundraising and volunteering from alumni, organisations and individuals who are passionate about changing lives, through funding various research projects, supporting student bursaries, mentoring students, and providing internships, as well as providing a versatile programme of engagement opportunities for our global alumni community.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone

About Variety

There are 1.8m children living with disabilities in the UK with 600,000 children living in poverty. Variety exists to improve their lives. We believe every child has a right to live their best life and reach their full potential, whoever they are. We fund and deliver life-changing programmes that enhance their quality of life and give children and young people across the UK a better future. Over the past 75 years we have supported over one million children by funding almost 6,000 Sunshine Coaches, almost the same number of wheelchairs, and giving thousands of grants to individual children, schools, youth clubs and other organisations for specialist equipment. In addition, each year thousands of children take part in day trips, special events and educational activities as part of our Variety Great Days Out programme, and every single day we are improving more young lives. We do it with practical, tangible help, that makes a real and immediate difference.

Role purpose

Variety, the Children’s Charity is looking for a Head of People and Culture to lead and deliver all aspects of the charity’s people strategy. Part of the Operations Team, this is an exciting role combining strategic leadership with hands-on operational HR management. The postholder will be experienced in driving forward new strategies, ensuring Variety has robust, compliant and people centered practices in place. This role will support a positive, inclusive, and high-performing culture which is aligned to Variety’s mission and values.

This is a new role at Variety during an exciting time as we develop and launch a new three-year strategy later this year and invest in our people and culture. The staff team at Variety has grown over the last year, reflecting the charity’s ambitious strategy to double charitable expenditure over the next three years. We are at an exciting point to recruit an experienced HR professional to continue our growth, developing our people while strengthening our collaborative culture, champion wellbeing, and leading Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

The Head of People and Culture will work with the CEO and Senior Management Team and contribute to strategic decisions at Variety. There is a separate support service which is outsourced for complex or specialist HR matters if required. Variety is a small, dedicated team of 30 staff, and this role reports to the CEO with a close working relationship with the Director of Finance and Operations.

Key responsibilities
Strategy and Performance
Building organisational capacity is one of the pillars of our three-year strategy which is in development. Variety is investing in recruitment, and retention of a high-performing workforce with harmonised contracts and policies.

This role will:

• Develop and implement a People and Culture Strategy aligned with Variety’s new three-year organisational strategy
• Lead workforce planning and organisational development
• Implement and oversee a clear and consistent performance managementframework
• Mange safe and inclusive recruitment processes
• Lead the annual appraisal process and support probation reviews for new staff
• Provide regular reporting to the CEO for Trustee meetings on people metrics and any risks to the people strategy
• Manage the outsourced HR provider to Variety

HR operations and recruitment

• Oversee and directly manage recruitment, onboarding, probation, performance management and exit processes at Variety
• Develop and support the investment in recruitment and retention of high-performing team members
• Manage the onboarding process for new staff, sending offer letters, taking up references and inductions, ensuring a good start at Variety
• Manage employee relations cases (if they arise)
• Maintain and update the staff handbook, HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with UK employment law
• Introduce and manage an improved HR portal which will improve Variety’s HR function
• Manage the HR budget and the annual salary review process with the Director of Finance
• Support managers and staff in all aspects of people management
• Oversee payroll and benefits management (if applicable)
• Ensure staff have updated contracts and keep HR policies up to date
• Support managers in people management
• Advise the CEO and Senior Management Team on people-related risks
• Maintain accurate HR records in accordance with GDPR
• Carry out DBS checks for staff and volunteers

Culture and wellbeing

• Work with the Senior Management Team on cultural development and values-led behaviours across Variety
• Lead the People Strategy at Variety to foster a positive working environment, where people feel engaged, supported and happy at work
• Lead on Variety’s learning and development programme for all staff
• Promote a culture of feedback and continuous improvement

Person specification
Essential

• CIPD Level 7 qualified (or equivalent experience)
• Significant experience in a senior HR/People role, ideally within the charity or not-for-profit sector
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
• Experience managing employee relations cases independently
• Experience advising Senior Management Teams and Trustee boards
• Ability to operate strategically while delivering operational HR hands-on
• High level of discretion and confidentiality

Desirable

• Experience working as a standalone HR lead
• Experience working in a small or medium-sized organisations
• Knowledge of safeguarding requirements for the charity sector
• Experience implementing HR systems and improving processes

Key competencies

• Resilient and confident decision-maker
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Values-driven and inclusive leadership style
• Comfortable working autonomously

Role scope and considerations
As this is a standalone, part-time position please consider:

• Clear prioritisation will be essential
• Operational HR tasks (e.g. contracts, letters, policy updates) sit within the role
• External HR advisers will be used for legal matters
• Administrative efficiency (templates, HR systems, automation) will be important to manage workload
• The role may include line management in the future

Benefits

• Enhanced Pension (7% contribution from Variety with 2% employee contribution)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays. In addition, after one year's continuous service, an extra two days’ annual holiday for every complete year of service will be added, up to a maximum of five days' extra holiday (pro rata will apply for part-time).
• Three additional days between Christmas and New Year given as discretionary leave
• Membership to a health and well-being cash plan scheme
• Life Assurance scheme offering 4 x salary
• Company Sick Pay

Please note that this role may require travel within the UK, requires a DBS check and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

Variety, the Children's Charity is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Inclusion is one of our key values. It is our ambition to recruit great people from diverse communities. We welcome and encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment/identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy/maternity and or marriage/civil partnership status, race, religion or belief. Please let us know if you have any access requirements which we might need to consider in relation to the selection process.

How to apply

Please submit your CV with a cover letter explaining why you’d make a great candidate for this role and how you meet the job description. In your cover letter please include a people system or HR platform you have implemented that improved operational efficiency and employee experience. What was your approach and what impact did it have.

Applications will close at midnight on Sunday, 15 March 2026 with first round interviews w/c 23 March 2026.

Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments for the interview.

Director of Public Engagement

Location: London (Hybrid)
Salary: £90,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent

Every child deserves to be safe, loved, and free from abuse. At the NSPCC, that belief drives everything they do.

The NSPCC is one of the UK’s oldest and largest children’s charities, and today their mission has never been more urgent. From tackling the challenges of online safety to delivering vital frontline services, the organisation is responding every day to the changing world children are growing up in.

This is a pivotal moment for the NSPCC as they establish an Engagement & Fundraising Directorate to modernise how they connect with supporters and unlock new opportunities for growth. Key to that team is a visionary, and collaborative leader to join the charity as their Director of Public Engagement, leading work to engage and motivate public audiences to support their work.

What You’ll Do

As the new Director, you will lead the development and delivery of public engagement and income‑generation strategies and drive an insight‑led understanding of NSPCC’s public audiences, shaping segmentation, motivations and long‑term value plans. You will also oversee an integrated, multi‑channel marketing that grows and retains supporters and boosts sustainable net income. As well as creating engaging propositions and products, you will be responsible for leading an integrated supporter-development approach across all audiences and fostering a high‑performing, collaborative culture.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of the charity’s public engagement, leading bold, audience-driven strategies that unlock significant and sustainable funding to help protect children for generations to come.

Who You Are

You will bring a proven record of driving income growth at scale, with deep expertise in consumer marketing, fundraising and supporter engagement, including digital. You’ll be an experienced fundraising and marketing leader of large, diverse teams, skilled at guiding transformation with clarity and resilience, and inspiring public audiences. Strategic and able to make high-impact decisions quickly under pressure, you are an outstanding communicator who can inspire trust and build strong relationships at every level.

Above all, you’ll be driven by the belief that together, we can end child abuse.

Ready to Learn More?

Click below to view our full Candidate Pack for everything you need to know including how to apply.

Closing date: Monday 9th March, 9am

The Haberdashers’ Company is one of the ancient Livery Companies of the City of London, with a history dating back to 1371. While custodians of a remarkable heritage, we are firmly focused on the present and future. Our enduring purpose is to empower young people from every background to fulfil their potential through our schools and by supporting their communities.

Today, the Company is a thriving membership organisation of more than 1,000 members from a wide range of professions, united by a shared commitment to service and social impact. We are a modern, values-led funder, committed to flexible, relational and transparent grant-making, working in partnership with our schools, communities and charity partners to create lasting change.

Central to our approach is the Haberdashers’ Advantage, a distinctive funder-plus model that combines grant funding with member-led governance support, volunteering, mentoring and capacity building. Each year, the Company distributes over £5.6 million to support schools, young people, churches and charities across North London, Southeast London, South Wales and the West Midlands, with a primary focus on education and community resilience.

The Role

We are seeking a Director for Charities to lead and further develop the Company’s grant-making and philanthropy. This senior leadership role is responsible for shaping and delivering charitable strategy and ensuring the Company’s resources create meaningful, long-term impact for young people and communities.

The Director for Charities will oversee our grant-making, steward key funding relationships and play a central role in developing fundraising within our warm, committed and engaged community of members, including growing individual giving, legacies and events-based income. The role is inherently relational, working closely with charity partners, schools, dioceses, Company members and colleagues. You will support and advise grant-making committees, convene learning and engagement events, and represent the Company within external funder networks to remain connected to best practice in modern philanthropy.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for a values-driven leader with strong experience of flexible and responsive grant-making and or fundraising in the charitable sector, and a clear commitment to improving outcomes for young people and communities. You will have excellent communication skills, a warm, engaging and reflective leadership style, and will thrive in a small but highly collaborative organisation. You will be comfortable engaging with grassroots charities, senior stakeholders, Company members and robust governance structures, combining an appreciation for heritage and service with a commitment to modern, progressive philanthropy.

To read more about the opportunity and our work, please download the full appointment brief.

Closing Date: 3 March 2026

People Beyond Profit Screening Conversations: 9-18 March 2026

The Haberdashers’ Company Panel Interviews:

• First Stage: 27 March 2026
• Second Stage: 13 April 2026

Harris Hill is delighted to be partnering with a leading international NGO working to accelerate the global transition to sustainable, plant-rich food systems. We are seeking a strategic and hands-on Global Director of Strategic Communications to lead a high-performing international team and shape a compelling global narrative that influences policymakers, businesses, media and partners.

Recognised internationally for its impact and collaboration with major global institutions, the non-profit organisation (NGO) combines evidence, strategy and advocacy to deliver measurable change. This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead a global communications function at a pivotal moment for food, climate and public health.

Reporting to the Global CEO, you will:

• Develop and deliver a global communications strategy aligned to organisational priorities
• Secure high-impact international media coverage (e.g. Financial Times, BBC, The Guardian, The New York Times)
• Provide senior counsel on reputation and crisis communications
• Oversee brand integrity, messaging and digital channels globally
• Build alignment and clarity across distributed international teams

You will bring significant experience influencing B2B and policy audiences, leading global communications functions, and delivering results within complex structures. An established international media network and strong crisis judgement are essential. It’s essential that you have a strong alignment with sustainability, food systems, climate and/or public health agendas.

• Location: Remote (UK-based). Travel required ad-hoc for meetings and conferences.
• Contract: Full-time, Permanent.
• Salary: £56,000–£63,000
• Fantastic benefits package: including enhanced family leave policies, increasing holiday allowance yearly, inclusive, values-driven culture, and dedicated professional development budget.

Firm closing date: Sunday 22^nd March. Please get in touch today to find out more!

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Director of Fundraising

Location: Hybrid working, with 1-2 days per week in London office - all staff in London office every Tuesday.

Salary: £85-90,000 per annum.

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Ovarian Cancer Action, the UK’s leading ovarian cancer research charity, is seeking an ambitious and strategic leader who can drive sustainable income growth and build high‑value partnerships and relationships that can change the lives of thousands of women and their families.  

Ovarian cancer hasn’t seen the scientific breakthroughs that some other cancers have, with survival rates that haven’t changed meaningfully in decades. Ovarian Cancer Action is working to address this, with an urgent mission that by 2032 at least half of women in the UK with ovarian cancer live for 10 years. To realise that goal, the charity is carrying out world-class scientific progress in prevention, early detection and treatment, funding more ovarian cancer research than any other gynaecological cancer charity in the UK.

This is an exciting time to be joining the charity, and the Director of Fundraising will play a key role capitalising on the huge potential of the charity’s current work to transform survival of ovarian cancer, including the possibility of a preventative vaccine this decade.

This is a senior leadership position responsible for driving OCA’s fundraising ambition and accelerating income growth, managing the development and delivery of an insight‑driven fundraising strategy and identifying major opportunities across mass fundraising, philanthropy, partnerships and influential networks. The post-holder will be responsible for personally cultivating and securing high‑value relationships with major donors, trusts, foundations and strategic partners, and leading and developing a high-performing fundraising team to secure significant multi‑year gifts and leverage milestone organisational moments to unlock transformational support.

The successful candidate will be a senior fundraising leader with a strong track record of securing significant 5‑ and 6‑figure gifts, partnerships and multi‑year commitments. You’ll bring deep experience managing high‑level philanthropic relationships and a track record of inspiring leadership, building high-performing teams. Strength in CRM systems, data‑driven pipeline management and cross‑organisational collaboration is essential, as is exceptional communication and influencing ability.

On a personal level, you will thrive in a mission‑driven and fast-paced environment, bringing strategic insight and an entrepreneurial, optimistic and solutions‑focused approach to life. You will be energised by opportunity, resilient in the face of challenge, and comfortable testing, learning and innovating. Above all, you’ll be motivated by improving women’s health and committed to aligning fundraising ambition with organisational strategy and research impact.

Please download our Candidate Pack for further information [PDF], which includes details on how to apply.

Closing date: Monday 2nd March 9.00am.

PLEASE NOTE: We will be longlisting applications as soon as we receive them, so please apply early to register your interest. 

To provide high quality and comprehensive helpline advice, information, practical and advocacy support relating to violence against women and girls (VAWG) perpetrated against Black and minoritised women and girls.

To work alongside helpline Coordinator and helpline volunteers and ensuring the service is trauma-informed, safe, and effective.

Why work with Southall Black Sisters?

Southall Black Sisters is committed to providing a supportive working environment, where team members feel valued, empowered and safe. To that end, we provide an excellent package of employee benefits including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement 
• Hybrid working 
• Enhanced pension contribution
• Enhanced sick pay
• Subsidised public transport season ticket
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, including access to confidential support from MBACP therapists 
• Clinical supervision with an MBACP therapist to explore issues arising from casework
• A focus on continued learning and development through accredited training delivered by experts in their field
• Organisation-wide away days
• Career development pathways and support
• The opportunity to learn and grow within an organisation renowned for inspiring political activism and campaigning successes
• Employer eye care scheme

To Apply

Submit a completed application form along with the optional equal opportunities monitoring form by the application deadline. Please do not send us your CV as this will not be considered.

Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Head of Operations is responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of all operational functions of the Foundation to enable achievement of its global mission and strategic objectives.  The Head of Operations ensures that systems, people, processes and resources are aligned to support programmes across multiple countries while maintiaing high standardds of governance, risk management and financial stewardship.

This is a senior leadership role, working closely with the CEO and Members of the Foundation around the world, acting as the key bridge between strategy and delivery.

DIRECTOR FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

​​​​​​​Handcrafted seek their new Director for Young People.

• Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week and will consider part time/flexible hours
• Location: Based from one of the hubs in Gateshead or Durham with travel to other hubs 

Do you have significant experience at senior level working with vulnerable young people? 

Can you shape culture and strategy whilst carrying regulatory responsibility, strengthening systems, developing managers and representing our organisation externally?

Can you demonstrate the below?

• Strong strategic leadership skills with the ability to shape vision, drive improvement, and lead organisational development within young people’s services
• In-depth understanding of safeguarding, risk management, trauma-informed practice at senior level
• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage young people, teams and external partners

Do you have experience in the following? 

• Leading teams, supervising staff and developing professional practice
• Managing safeguarding concerns, coordinating multi agency responses and ensuring compliance
• Operational leadership within social care, education or supportive housing

You will also have the strong personal commitment to Christian ethos of Handcrafted through prayer, practical action and ways of working. 

Download the candidate pack for full details, responsibilities and person specification.

This role is subject to a DBS check, which will be carried out by the employer. 

If you feel you have relevant skills and experience, please submit your CV and supporting statement to Sandra Smith, via the Charisma Charity Recruitment website.

Key dates:

• Applications are being reviewed by Charisma on a rolling basis, so please apply without delay to avoid disappointment.
• Interviews with Handcrafted: TBC

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

This is a rare opportunity to lead at the heart of a respected charity during a pivotal moment as we embark on an ambitious programme to modernise our estate, expand services, and create a high‑quality environment for patients, families, and our team. 

As our new Finance and Facilities Director, you will balance long‑term capital investment with protection of core revenue and creation of new commercial opportunities. In addition to providing strategic financial leadership and overseeing key resources (finance, digital/IT, estates & facilities, and health & safety), you will bring clarity, insight, and innovation by being data-driven and helping us grow new income streams that complement our fundraising, retail, and lottery operations.

For the right individual, this is a career-defining role. You will make a lasting and tangible difference: securing our financial future, enabling a once‑in‑a‑generation capital project, and ensuring our estate and resources support outstanding care for generations to come.

If you are inspired by the opportunity to lead, influence, and deliver meaningful impact within a much‑loved local charity, we would love to hear from you.

For more information about this role and an application pack please go to the Job Opportunities page of the St Michael's Hospice (Hastings and Rother) website.

At St Michael’s Hospice we offer a friendly, team orientated work environment – a good pension scheme with the option to continue any existing NHS pension scheme membership, an Employee Assistance Programme (Benenden Healthcare), up to 33 days annual leave plus bank holidays, subsidised employee meals and free refreshments, free parking, supportive supervision along with a proactive Education Department to support with your development. Hospice employees also qualify for a Blue Light Card with access to a huge array of discounts.

To apply for this position, please send your CV and covering letter to our CEO - Dr Karen Clarke.

Candidates who require assistance with the application process due to a disability, should contact the St Michael's Hospice (Hastings and Rother) HR team to discuss alternative methods to apply.

You will provide day-to-day administrative support to the Managing Director (MD); editing and disseminating organisational materials for internal and external audiences; support preparation of Board of Trustee and Executive Team reports and meetings, and minute meetings; represent Afghanaid in coordination meetings. You will be required to work closely and effectively with all other departments of Afghanaid to achieve unity of purpose, results and optimal use of organisational resources. 

Main Duties

• Coordinate the MD’s daily diary, screen email, draft correspondence and prepare documents for meetings and professional appointments.  

• Provide preparatory materials and coordinate the MD’s external representation and fundraising engagements, draft talking points and speeches, visual presentation and workshop materials.

• Coordinate and support drafting of internal quarterly reports and other Executive Team reports, as well as the external Annual Report, and ensure appropriate distribution; edit other organisational strategic and operational documents as required.

• Minute Board of Trustee, Executive and other internal meetings attended by the MD.

• Research and write internal and external briefs and reports to be used in national and international level communications.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for managing requests from various departments to the Managing Director, ensuring efficient communication and follow-through on tasks.

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to schedule and organise meetings for the MD.

• Organise MD’s travel, trustees’ visits, annual retreat and other events as requested. 

• Represent Afghanaid in advocacy and influencing forums and meetings.

• Assist the MD in monitoring performance indicators against strategic and operational plans.

• Support the communications focal point in the Kabul office, including taking photos and collecting case studies. 

• Perform other relevant duties as assigned and approved by the MD. 

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Essential

Education: 

• Master’s degree in relevant research-based discipline (Development, Anthropology, Policy and Research, International Relations or similar subjects) or an undergraduate degree with relevant experience.

Experience: 

• Writing high quality policy and communications documents for public use

• Practical experience in a similar role

• Working with high levels of autonomy

• Voluntary or work experience within international development or charity sector

• Managing relationships with a variety of different stakeholders

• Coordinating research projects

Skills:

• Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint), and familiarity with relevant AI tools

• Excellent written and spoken English (to native standard) 

• Strong conceptual and analytical skills

• Integrity, honesty, transparency and a firm commitment to professional standards of confidentiality

• Sense of humour, initiative and self-motivation, excellent teamwork and communications skills, ability to work collaboratively with others

• Sensitivity to Islamic culture and respect of Afghan customs and traditions, able to live and work in a diverse environment

• Outstanding organisational skills, able to communicate and collaboratively manage competing priorities

• Drive to achieve results and get things done

• Ability to deal with difficult, challenging work situations and remain calm under pressure

Desirable 

• Experience living, travelling or working in isolated and conflict locations/countries

• Firsthand understanding of the operating environment of humanitarian and development work in Afghanistan (or a similar context)

• Basic fluency in Dari or Pashto

Other Information

Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness and honesty. Our staff are passionate about and proud of Afghanaid’s work. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others and taking on additional responsibilities and tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions. 

This position is based in Afghanaid’s head office in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Due to security considerations, this is an unaccompanied post. International employees are entitled to 22 annual leave days, 25 rest and relaxation days, 5 travel days and 13 public holidays per year. Afghanaid also provides a generous travel allowance for international staff to take R&R out of the country.

Our remuneration and benefits package is competitive with other similar organisations. 

You will be given a private room in the staff house where all Kabul-based international hired staff members live.

This position presents an excellent opportunity for someone who has the ambition and determination to gain a foothold in the international humanitarian relief and development sector and move up in their career.

Job Title: Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Strategic Partnership
Reporting To: Deputy CEO/Director of Fundraising and Communications
Manages: Head of Trusts and Foundations, Head of Corporate Partnerships
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time (36 hours per week, flexible)
Salary band: £58,000 - £66,000 per annum
N.B. To ensure fairness and consistency across Home-Start UK, new colleagues usually join at the first point of the pay band for their role. This helps us maintain a clear and equitable approach to pay for everyone joining our team.

Location: Remote – with regular travel to meetings with donors, for events and to our central office in Leicester for collaborative meetings and team activities.

About Home-Start UK

Home-Start is a federated charity consisting of a central national office – Home-Start UK - and over 170 geographically dispersed local Home-Start organisations, all working together under the same identity.

We recognise that being a parent has never been easy. Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to work alongside parents to overcome the challenges they are facing. We work with parents to build on their strengths and give them the support that they tell us they need. We offer no judgement – just compassionate, confidential help and expert support. This peer-to-peer support is key to the difference Home-Start makes and often our volunteers have lived experience of the challenges their families are facing themselves.

About The Role

This is an important moment for us and for the families we support. Parents of babies and young children are facing huge pressures, and strong, values-driven partnerships matter more than ever. We’re looking for a senior leader who can help us meet this moment with confidence and ambition.

As Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Strategic Partnerships, you will help shape the future of our national work and support our federation of 170+ local Home-Starts working in communities across the UK. You will lead a talented team, build long-lasting relationships, and help make sure Home-Start has the funding, partnerships, and influence it needs to give every child the best possible start in life. This role will suit someone who is motivated by purpose, who values people and relationships, and who is comfortable working across a large and varied network.

We are looking for someone with a strong track record, someone who has already delivered high-value fundraising and partnerships at a senior level and is ready to take on a role with significant national influence. With responsibility for an annual income portfolio of circa £4 Million – with strong potential to grow this over the next 3-5 years to between £6Million-£8Million plus, you will work with a supportive Leadership Team and Board, who have already engaged external philanthropy expertise to develop a strategy and roadmap that you can build on. You’ll need to be confident working with high-value supporters: able to build trust, communicate clearly, and nurture long-term relationships with people who want to invest in families and early years support. You’ll bring the skills and confidence to grow a portfolio that is already strong and take it further, along with the ability to work well with others in a fast-moving environment.

You will be joining a warm, collaborative organisation that believes in the power of community, the strength of families, and the importance of early help. If you feel excited by the chance to make a national difference, to build partnerships based on trust and shared purpose, and to help shape the next chapter of Home-Start’s impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.

The people at Home-Start are its most important resource. Home-Start UK has been accredited with Investors in People since March 2005, which recognises the commitment we give to developing our staff.

Benefits of working for Home-Start

• Flexible working
• Family friendly policy
• PayCare health cash plan
• Enhanced employer contribution pension
• Learning and development
• DAS Employee Assistance

If it sounds like your type of challenge, we would be delighted to hear from you.

The closing date for applications is Friday 27th March at 4pm.
As part of our recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a full-day assessment centre at our Leicester office on Tuesday 14th April.
The assessment centre will include a mix of individual and group activities designed to understand your strategic thinking, relational approach, and leadership style.

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.

Home-Start UK is committed to Equality of Opportunity and Diversity. We wish to encourage applications from all parts of the community irrespective of gender, race, colour, age, sexual orientation or disability. 

No agencies please.

Ready to step into a national leadership role - and make an immediate impact?

Centre for Mental Health is seeking a highly experienced policy leader for a 6–9 month interim role at the heart of our organisation. We need someone who can operate confidently at senior level from day one.

You will:

• Lead and direct our national policy and campaigning work

• Translate robust research into influential, high-impact policy proposals

• Represent the Centre with ministers, parliamentarians and senior stakeholders

• Provide strategic oversight to the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition

• Contribute as a full member of our leadership team

We’re looking for someone with significant experience in a policy environment, deep knowledge of mental health and public policy, and a strong track record of producing influential analysis and building high-level relationships. You’ll be politically astute, credible in national debates, and committed to tackling inequality and promoting antiracism.

This is a great opportunity for an established mental health policy professional to take on a visible, strategic interim leadership role, shaping national conversations and advancing mental health equality at pace.

Please note that interviews will be held in person at our London office on Thursday 19th March 2026.

If you have the experience and confidence, with a readiness to deliver on the Centre's vision of mental health equality for all, we’d love to hear from you.