Actively Interviewing
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About the ESU
The English-Speaking Union delivers high-quality oracy education programmes and projects across England and Wales. We believe every child should be able to make their voice heard and that oracy – speaking and listening – skills play a key part in this. Our debating, public speaking, and cultural exchange programmes aim to embed sustainable cultures of oracy in schools, and empower young people to engage with the world, to speak more confidently, and to listen to and understand different points of view.
Role Overview
ESU Competition Leads host our ESU competitions, including the ESU Schools’ Mace Debating Competition, the ESU Public Speaking Competition and the ESU Performing Shakespeare Competition. The ESU Competition Lead is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of events (heats) throughout the competitions, with duties including Zoom hosting and MCing. If required, Competition Leads may sit on the judges’ panel and provide constructive feedback to students and teachers participating. You will also support and provide guidance for our volunteer judges, ensuring they have a positive experience while volunteering with the ESU. NB The ESU is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Therefore, we expect all contractors to share this commitment. All contractor appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Disclosure.
Responsibilities
For all competitions you will:
- Support and promote the charitable objectives of the ESU, acting as an ambassador for the organisation
- Assist the ESU Competitions Team in ensuring competition heats run smoothly and act as point of contact for schools and volunteers on the day of heats
- MC or compere Zoom and in-person heats, engaging both students and audience whilst following ESU scripts
- Be the technical host for Zoom ESU competition heats, setting up and hosting Zoom meetings, creating break-out rooms and acting as tech support throughout heats
- Provide accurate heat results in a timely manner to the ESU Competitions Team
- Support volunteer judges and ensure they have a positive and rewarding experience
- If required, be part of judging panels at ESU competition heats (which may include acting as chair judge) offering fair, positive, constructive and unbiased feedback based on our judging criteria
- Follow the ESU’s safeguarding policies and provide oversight of safeguarding and equity requirements, in line with ESU policies
- Signpost teachers and volunteers to resources, other ESU programmes and additional support, such as through the ESU website
- Undertake training sessions for continual professional development
Person Specification
Essential criteria:
- Be over 18 years of age and have the right to work in the UK
- Be confident in engaging with and motivating young people of different abilities and backgrounds
- A passion for education, social mobility and/or developing young people's oracy skills
- Fully proficient in the English language with excellent spoken language skills
- A confident and engaging public speaker with experience hosting events or judging
- Technically competent, with experience in using Zoom professionally, ideally as a meeting host
- The ability to engage with and motivate young people of different abilities and backgrounds
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines
- Commitment and ability to deliver a minimum number of ESU events between November - June
- Able to participate in mandatory training days
- Have access to a vehicle or be willing to travel via public transport
- Commitment to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults
Desirable criteria:
- Experience in debate, public speaking or the performing arts
- Experience of teaching or professionally coaching groups of young people of any age
- Experience in teaching oracy, performance, public speaking and/or debating
- Experience of participating in ESU programmes and/or competitions
- Experience of judging ESU programmes and/or competitions
- Experience of working with UK schools (state or independent)
Application Process:
1. Following application reviews, suitable candidates will be invited to attend an online interview.
2. Following this, you will then be invited to attend either an in-person or online training day. This will be a skill-enriching, interactive session on the ESU, Competitions, judging and day of management.
3. The ESU takes safeguarding very seriously. Following a successful and complete interview process, all applicants will be expected to complete a basic DBS Check and ESU safeguarding training.
4. Once you receive your DBS certificate, you will be fully onboarded as an ESU Competition Lead.
5. You will be sent our competition diary so that you can sign up and start judging, MCing and leading competition heats!
Note
This Job Description is not a contract but is provided for a contractor’s guidance on the way in which the duties of the post are to be carried out. The content of the Job Description may change from time to time and the contractors will be consulted over any substantial changes. Other services, in line with the general scope of this role, may be requested as necessary."
Registered Charity 
21 - 50
Thank you!
About Us
Reading Community Learning Centre (RCLC) is a vibrant and inclusive charity supporting migrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking, ethnic minority women in Reading. We provide a safe and welcoming space for learning, advocacy, and community building — empowering women to thrive and fostering social equality.
The Role
We’re looking for a passionate and experienced Centre Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our Centre. This is a rewarding opportunity for a motivated woman with a strong background in community work, education, or charity management who is ready to make a meaningful impact.
Working closely with the CEO, the Centre Manager will help shape the delivery of our programmes, ensure smooth operations, and lead a team of volunteers and manage staff in the absence of the CEO.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the safe and inclusive daily operations of the Centre
- Support strategic planning and policy implementation
- Manage facilities and ensure health & safety compliance
- Coordinate learning programmes, outreach events, and community activities
- Maintain admin systems and contribute to financial oversight
- Build and manage external partnerships
- Recruit, train, and support volunteers
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience in centre/office/facilities/charity administration
- Knowledge of safeguarding, equality, data protection, and Prevent duties
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- Experience managing teams in educational or community settings
- A deep commitment to empowering women and marginalised groups
What We Offer
- Annual Salary of £21,000–£22,800 (based on 0.6 FTE)
- 28 days full time equivalent annual leave (17 days if working 21 hours per week)
- Pension scheme via The People’s Pension
- Flexible working (some work-from-home)
A supportive, purpose-driven environment
Thank you!
WHAT IS OUR SECOND HOME
We are a youth movement that empowers people with refugee backgrounds to build community, become leaders, and flourish into adulthood in the place that they call home.
We are looking for a highly engaging Leadership & Volunteering Manager to lead and grow our leadership training programming, and to lead on the recruitment, development and retention of our pool of volunteers. You will work across our various hubs to ensure all volunteers are well-supported, feel valued, and are making meaningful contributions to OSH’s mission.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership Training & Development
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Oversee and continue to codify OSH’s LIT (Leaders in Training) course, including in-person and online sessions, and mentoring LITs on their first residential. This will include hands-on delivery, managing logistics, and working with volunteers and facilitators.
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Co-design and develop other leadership programmes for young people.
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Support young people from refugee backgrounds to move from participants to leaders within OSH.
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Lead the delivery of training and induction for new and returning volunteers in hubs, at pre camp training days and leaders retreats. This includes safeguarding, group dynamics, facilitating groups, and OSH values, but will also include identifying gaps and trends in skills and experiences.
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Help shape the pedagogy and outcomes of OSH’s leadership programmes.
Volunteer Strategy & Recruitment
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Ensure there is an active pipeline of people signing up for the LIT course
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Design and implement a volunteer recruitment strategy to attract a diverse range of volunteers from within OSH and externally.
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Build partnerships with universities, youth networks, and professional communities to widen reach.
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Develop inclusive recruitment materials and accessible application processes.
Volunteer Engagement
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Develop progression pathways for volunteers.
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Ensure an active culture of feedback and reflection within leadership and volunteering.
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Track volunteer impact and progression.
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Coordinate check-ins, socials, and wellbeing support for volunteers.
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Work closely with the whole team to ensure volunteer experiences are safe, rewarding, and well-held.
Operations & Evaluation
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Maintain volunteer records and communications using Beacon (OSH’s CRM).
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Monitor data on volunteer recruitment, attendance, retention, progression, and impact.
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Contribute to fundraising work, for example by ensuring there is a regular supply of case studies for OSH programmes.
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Collaborate with colleagues to share impact and improve practice.
Other duties
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Getting involved in OSH events in the evenings and at weekends, including residentials. These are overnight trips from 2 to 5 nights
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Other duties as may be required from time to time
IDEAL EXPERIENCE
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Excellent facilitation, training, and communication skills.
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Strong experience managing volunteer programmes and/or leadership development.
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Experience designing leadership training or curriculum.
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Understanding of and training in safeguarding in youth settings.
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A deep understanding of inclusive, trauma-informed, and youth-centered approaches.
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Experience supporting young people from marginalised backgrounds, ideally those with lived experience of the asylum system.
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Experience volunteering or working in residential programming.
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Ability to build relationships across diverse groups and inspire trust and commitment.
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Organised and systems-minded, with good project management skills.
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Confident using digital tools (e.g. Google Workspace, CRMs)
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Passion for OSH’s mission and commitment to centering people with refugee backgrounds.
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Ability to speak in other languages relevant to our community, including Arabic, Pashto, Farsi, Tigrinya, Amharic, and Oromo.
On use of AI
We appreciate many use AI tools in applications, but encourage personal insight and genuine motivation. We may also use AI tools to support application sifting, under human supervision. Final decisions are always made by people, not machines.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
We know self-doubt can hold people back, especially if you don’t think you tick every box. But if you’re passionate about our mission and ready for a meaningful challenge, we encourage you to apply. We value diverse skills and experiences, and are committed to supporting the right person to grow and thrive with us. You might be exactly who we need.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.