Disability Jobs
Imagine being told that you, or someone you love, is losing their sight.
In that moment, two profound questions demand urgent answers:
- Can this be stopped?
- How will I live my life?
At Fight for Sight / Vision Foundation, we pursue positive answers to both questions. We do this by funding the brilliant minds and bright ideas that put change in sight.
Our researchers are at the forefront of eye research, making breakthroughs and discoveries that will prevent and treat eye disease. The partnerships we build and initiatives we support are changing life for blind and vision impaired people: from tackling loneliness to supporting people who have survived domestic abuse.
We have a clear ambition, led by our CEO, Keith Valentine, who has valuable lived experience of vision loss. We’ve secured well-respected and highly engaged ambassadors and patrons, from Sir John Major to Marsha De Cordova MP.
This is an exciting time to join us, as we activate our new brand and five-year strategy.
If you share our mission and have the skills, experience and drive to contribute to our dynamic team, we’d love to hear from you.
Role Description
The Head of Research and Programmes is a new role, leading and overseeing the delivery of our grant-making activity across eye research and social change: delivering first class grant programmes that respond to need as our organisation scales up. The role will lead on key strategic projects and relationships that will increase the Impact of our funding and the value we add to the sectors we work in. This role will also develop and own an appropriate impact framework to ensure we're able to amplify the work we fund and demonstrate the value of our approach to funders and supporters.
Responsible to
Director of Impact and External Affairs
Direct reports
Senior Programme Manager (Research): Programme Manager (Social Change): Impact and Evaluation Manager
Working hours and contract
This is a permanent full-time role, 35 hours a week.
Salary
Circa. £60k
Location
Aldgate E1 and hybrid working. Minimum two days in the office and external meetings and events as required.
Start date
As soon as possible
Role Responsibilities:
Overseeing our Grant Programmes
· Driving work in areas where our organisation can add value and meet need, including scoping new potential programmes and partnerships as well as ensuring our current programmes evolve
· Lead on delivering high quality funding programmes that meet regulatory (AMRC) requirements as appropriate and provide an excellent experience for applicants, both successful and unsuccessful
· Be responsible for the financial management of budget associated with our funding programmes, working closely with the Finance Team
· Lead and manage the programme teams to analyse the external environment, identify unmet need and how we can add greater value in the sectors we work in
· Proactively disseminate insights from our funded research and project partners, gather sector knowledge, e.g. through delivering presentations, networking and representing our organisation externally with other grant makers/philanthropic organisations and sector partners.
Impact, evaluation and learning
· Work with the Director of Impact and External Affairs to develop and deliver an appropriate impact framework for our organisation, ensuring that we’re able to amplify the work we fund and demonstrate value to our funders and supporters
· Work closely with the Head of Communications and External Affairs to ensure that the narrative around our impact is powerful and consistent
· Initiate and facilitate new partnership opportunities, e.g. for co-funding grants, or for co-creating innovative project ideas for consideration through our funding programmes.
Strategic projects and relationships:
· Act as the primary point of contact for scientific advisors and subject matter experts, supporting the programme managers by providing senior stakeholder and relationship management support, e.g. with funded researchers, institutions, sector partners and potential future partners
· Commission relevant evidence gathering, project or development work to support the evolution of our funding programmes, specifically our focus during 2024/25 on the North East of England .
· Work with fundraising colleagues to provide support and information to develop cases for support, including pitching alongside the fundraising team when required.
· Work closely with colleagues in communications to ensure that the scope and impact of our work is widely understood and communicated
· Lead on specific initiatives to support our research strategy and to enhance our social change funding programme, e.g. developing a network for early career researchers and involvement of experts by experience across our work.
Leadership and Management
· Lead the team to deliver high quality funding programmes, ensuring that impact is embedded and widely shared
· Provide leadership to the team to support Its ongoing and future development, including creating ways to build skills and expertise within the team
· Work alongside other senior managers in the organisation to provide leadership that ensures our organisation is able to make the most of opportunities, increase its profile and credibility.
· Deliver strong and effective grant-making through our decision-making and governance structures
· Deputise for the Director of Impact and External Affairs as appropriate.
Person specification:
Skills, knowledge & experience
Essential
· A postgraduate degree in a biomedical sciences, health or social sciences subject or equivalent work experience
· Experience of working in a funder organisation, ideally supporting research or social change programme delivery including patient and public involvement and/or other co-production methods.
· Enthusiastic about vision research with strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret, analyse and summarise evidence, including from technical scientific papers, for a variety of audiences.
· Experience of monitoring, evaluation and learning within a grant making environment, including facilitating opportunities for grantees to come together, either through structured development programmes or sharing best practice
· Proficient in the use of standard IT packages including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and ideally familiar with Grant Management Systems or able to learn how to use these quickly.
Desirable
· An advanced research degree (PhD) in biomedical sciences, health or social sciences subject or equivalent work experience
· Experience of working directly in or supporting vision and sight loss research or funding programmes.
· Understanding of the wider research and programme funding landscape and initiatives for responsible funding activities
Personal chararteristics and behaviours:
· A confident and clear communicator, both orally and in writing, with an ability to articulate our impact with internal and external stakeholders
· A collaborative approach, able to problem solve and work with colleagues to generate ideas or overcome barriers
· A focus on quality, attention to detail and accuracy in content and presentation
· A strong project manager with the ability to work independently and within a team to plan and prioritise activities across multiple projects.
· Commitment to the research that will prevent, treat and cure eye disease and the change that is needed to improve life for blind and vision impaired people.
· Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Flexibility
· The role description is a general outline of duties and responsibilities and may be amended from time to time.
· The post holder may be required to undertake other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time.
Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements. If you are unfamiliar with MS Teams and would like to do a tech run-through before the interview, we can also coordinate that.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Head of Fundraising & Partnerships (British Home)
British Home is a Royal Charter charity with over 160 years’ experience of providing specialist residential care, therapy, support, and hope for adults living with neuro-disability. We have a bold ambition to be recognised as Outstanding by the CQC by 2024 for providing safe and patient-centred care and, ultimately, then aim to be recognised for having Level 2 Rehabilitation Centre status after 2025.
Our new three-year strategy focuses on achieving our ambition by raising our capabilities in neuro-disability care provision and concurrently helping ensure the sustainability of the charity in the long term.
We are recruiting our next Head of Fundraising and Partnerships to revitalise our fundraising strategy and lead the implementation to help deliver our strategic goals.
This is a great role with huge potential and an opportunity to build a small team.
Key Experience:
You will be an experienced fundraising professional working at a senior level with strong strategic and team leadership experience.
With demonstrable experience overseeing diverse income generation activity, you will lead a capital appeal project to refurbish our iconic building and to introduce new technologies and specialist equipment to improve the lives of British Home’s beneficiaries.
At British Home, our strong reputation for high-quality care and innovation is your canvas to paint success, fostering robust relationships that translate into impactful income through corporate and trust fund partners.
By working closely with our committed CEO, you will identify funding priorities, develop project requirements and produce tailored applications for a diverse range of trusts and foundations, and nurture strong relationships with corporates and high-net individuals to support our work.
This is a great opportunity for a senior fundraising professional who is a self-starter and passionate about creating a meaningful impact on the lives of our residents and their families. Here, you'll have the freedom to put your own stamp on the role and be a driving force behind our ambitious mission. Every team member plays a crucial role, and your enthusiasm and dedication will be key to our success. If you share our commitment towards ensuring that everyone with neuro-disability is able to live as full and independent a life as possible, then we would love to hear from you.
Why should you join us?
In the words of one staff member, we are ‘simply not a big brand provider’. We take pride in being a charity, offering a unique environment with a staff-centred approach. Here, we provide our residents with the time and individual support they need. Experience first-hand the positive impact your fundraising expertise will have on transforming the lives of our residents. Make a difference with British Home!
How to apply
Eastside People is supporting British Home in the recruitment of this role. Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter.
Please respond to the following areas in your cover letter:
- Evidence of a track record of developing and delivering income generation strategy and the activity required to deliver against targets.
- Experience in planning and launching a capital appeal project
- Experience in fundraising through various approaches such as corporate and high net-worth individuals, trusts & foundations, individual giving and community fundraising and legacies.
- Experience/knowledge in relation to the other relevant skills and experience specified in the person specification
The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 1 May 2024, and longlisting interviews held by Eastside People will take place the following week. We recommend you apply at the earliest opportunity, as we will be shortlisting and interviewing on an ongoing basis.
Interviews with British Home for shortlisted candidates will be on 15 or 17th May 2023.
We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please get in touch with us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help make the application process work for you.
With over 160 years of experience, British Home is a Royal Charter charity committed to providing specialist residential care, therapy, support, and hope for adults living with neuro-disability. Our ambitious goal is to achieve recognition as "Outstanding" by the CQC by 2024 and, beyond that, attain Level 2 Rehabilitation Centre status after 2025.
Location: Streatham, SW16 3JB. Hybrid. Three days in the office and two days working from home.
Contract: Permanent, Full time
Salary: £60,000 - £65,000 per annum. Dependent on experience
Benefits: Competitive
Closing date: 01-05-2024
REF-213 318
Blatchington Court Trust, based in Hove, is looking for a strategic, inspirational and experienced leader to join as our new Chief Executive Officer. As our new CEO, you will lead this well-regarded, financially secure local charity to further develop our work for children and young people with sight loss across Sussex.
With a highly committed team, Blatchington Court Trust (BCT) stands as a beacon of support and empowerment for young people under 30 with sight loss and their families across Sussex. We are a vital resource for our community, offering a diverse range of services aimed at informing, empowering, and enriching the lives of those we serve. These include educational advocacy, benefits advice, technology grants, wellbeing support, and running a wide range of events and activities.
Under the leadership of our new CEO, we are looking to develop our strategy, policies and processes, better measure our impact, and explore fundraising opportunities beyond our investment income so we can expand and develop our services.
Key details:
Role: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Blatchington Court Trust
Salary: circa £65,000
Location: Hove, Sussex
Contract: permanent, full time
As well as a clear commitment to our mission and values, you will demonstrate:
- Proven experience in senior leadership roles within the charitable sector, demonstrating the ability to lead change, inspire, motivate, and lead teams.
- Track record of developing and implementing organisational strategy.
- Business development acumen, with a track record of growing income and identifying and bringing in new funding.
- Experience in recruiting, developing, and managing high-performing teams, with a commitment to staff development and empowerment.
- Sound understanding of financial management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, networking and negotiating skills, with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including beneficiaries, donors, funders, and partner organisations.
- Strong understanding of impact assessment, with the ability to develop and implement effective impact assessment processes.
- Proven ability to create a positive and inclusive work environment where all staff feel valued, supported, and motivated.
- Lived experience of sight loss or a strong understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with sight loss would be advantageous but not essential.
If you would like to receive an Information Pack for this CEO role with full details, including how to apply, please send an expression of interest and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile in confidence to our consultant, Jenny Hills at Harris Hill, by clicking Apply. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny via the same method with suitable times to talk.
Closing date for applications: 9am Monday, 29th April 2024.
Harris Hill Charities Recruitment Specialists operates an equal opportunity policy and commits to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Clicking apply will send an expression of interest to Jenny Hills at Harris Hill. She will then send a full information pack with the job description and person specification, and details of how to submit a formal application.
Action for Deafness (AFD), based in Sussex, is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to guide the charity to new heights as Chief Executive Officer. As the CEO of AFD, you will play a pivotal role in steering this well-regarded charity to further enhance services for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals across the region.
With a dedicated team of professionals, AFD is committed to serving the needs of the Deaf and hard of hearing community in Sussex. The charity serves as a cornerstone of support and advocacy, offering essential services tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients. These services encompass audiology provision (provided via delivery of NHS contacts, which represents the majority of funding), as well as community support, advocacy and engagement initiatives.
As the next CEO, you would be responsible for shaping the future of this organisation, further strengthening relationships with commissioners, growing and diversifying services and income streams, and ensuring the charity meets the diverse needs of the community.
Key details:
Role: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Action for Deafness
Salary: £50,000 to £60,000
Location: Haywards Heath, with significant time to also be spent in Worthing, Sussex
Contract: permanent, full time
As well as a clear commitment to AFD's mission and values, you will demonstrate:
- Significant proven record of achievement in a senior position within a charity/not for profit organisation.
- Experience of effective partnership working and development and external relationship management.
- Experience of managing, motivating and developing staff.
- Experience of business planning, business development and fundraising.
- Experience of project management and service delivery across multiple functions.
- Financial management skills including budgeting and delivery of cost and income targets.
- Robust approach to governance, controls and definition/implementation of new processes
- Experience of financial and risk management.
As AFD is a user-led organisation, an understanding of the issues affecting Deaf and hard of hearing people, or ideally, lived experience, is highly desirable.
If you would like to receive an Information Pack for this CEO role with full details, including how to apply, please send an expression of interest and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile in confidence to our consultant, Jenny Hills at Harris Hill, by clicking Apply. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny via the same method with suitable times to talk.
Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 29th April 2024.
Harris Hill Charities Recruitment Specialists operates an equal opportunity policy and commits to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Clicking apply will send an expression of interest to Jenny Hills at Harris Hill. She will then send a full information pack with the job description and person specification, and details of how to submit a formal application.