Director Jobs
Tutor The Nation (TTN) is looking for a new team member to lead their school partnerships and help grow our rapidly expanding charity. We are looking for someone who can manage our relationships with schools, overseeing the matching process of our pupils and volunteer tutors, as well as supporting other aspects of the day to day running of the charity.
Our Director of School and Pupil Partnerships will spend the majority of their time matching our pupils with a suitable volunteer for online tutoring, managing existing and new school partnerships, and pushing for growth. They will also be the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the charity, and have influence in ongoing safeguarding, pupil, and school policies moving forwards.
Alongside matching and growth work, the Director of School and Pupil Partnerships will also be supporting our wider team, working closely with our Executive to support the trustees.
Details
- Permanent, full-time (40 hours/week)
- Hybrid, 3 days a week in office in central London
Responsibilities
- Managing TTN’s existing school partnerships and forging new ones.
- Managing our tutor-pupil matching phases by supporting sign ups.
- Sole responsibility for matching our pupils with their tutors.
- Working closely with our team to solve any problems between pairs and reacting quickly and flexibly to situations.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead for the charity - responding to any safeguarding concerns quickly with our trustee for safeguarding and supporting any new safeguarding policies.
- Onboarding new TTN pupils.
- Monitoring of charity numbers in regards to schools and pupils.
- Support the Executive in working with the board of trustees, including but not limited to minute taking in board meetings.
- General volunteer recruitment and onboarding support.
- General team support and input into the ongoing strategy and future of TTN.
Desirable criteria
- Excellent time management and organisational skills.
- Strong communication and relationship building skills.
- Eye for detail.
- Strong problem solving skills and an ability to stay calm under pressure.
- Ability to use initiative to find solutions.
- Knowledge or experience of safeguarding and related issues.
- Willingness to go ‘above and beyond’ for the charity.
- An active interest in tutoring, social mobility, and education.
- An appreciation of the wide array of support a disadvantaged student needs to thrive (including appreciation gained through lived experience).
Benefits and Working provision
- 25 days base holiday allowance plus bank holidays. This will increase to 28 days after 2 years at the charity.
- A day off for your birthday.
- Flexible arrangements around Christmas for office closure.
Application process
- CV and Application Form Review
- First round interviews (anticipated w/c 17th June)
- Second round interviews (anticipated w/c 24th June)
Tutor The Nation is making education fairer, one tutoring session at a time.
Operations Director & Community Minister – Oasis Hub Waterloo
(a charity and church committed to community transformation)
Permanent, full-time post, 40 hours per week, inclusive of breaks
Salary: £44,320 per annum (Including London Weighting)
Oasis exists to create healthy thriving communities and reduce exclusion, through a holistic and Christ-centred approach to community development and social innovation. Our work is centred in local communities where we provide education; youth, children and families work; and community services.
We have an exciting opportunity to join Oasis Hub Waterloo, adding strategic leadership capacity to the Hub and holding the vision of Christ-centred community development, together with the Executive Director & Senior Minister.
We are looking to appoint an experienced, dynamic leader to work with the present Executive Director & Senior Minister on the leadership of Oasis Church Waterloo, on HR, team development and leadership, and on the Hub budget/finance strategy.
Alongside the Executive Director & Senior Minister, they will also have a focus on developing Oasis Church Waterloo, including developing and leading church services, nurturing discipleship, pastoral care, involving children and young people, and bringing creativity to our church activities. They will also have great interpersonal skills, be passionate about creating opportunity, will be entrepreneurial, innovative, and fully committed to the ethos, values and aims of Oasis.
What’s in it for you?
· A chance to work with a great team of passionate, supportive and holistically-minded advisors and community workers.
· The opportunity to make a real difference, materially improving people’s lives and impacting the local community.
· The chance to get involved in the wider life of Oasis Hub Waterloo, including community events and staff gatherings.
You will receive the support of a fantastic team of professionals in the community. As part of the package, Oasis offers:
· A pension scheme, currently offering 7% employer contribution.
· A generous holiday allowance.
· Flexible working where possible, with family friendly policies
Key responsibilities:
· Alongside the Executive Director & Senior Minister, providing strategic oversight and development of the community team and church.
· Operational management, including wider team systems, policies and procedures.
· Financial management.
· Risk management.
· Governance.
· Support the Executive Director & Senior Minister to lead the life of the congregation of Oasis Church Waterloo.
The successful post holder must have:
· Experience of leading community delivery.
· Experience of working for/being on the leadership team of a church.
· Experience of growing projects from the initial start-up phase through to maturity.
· Ability to act strategically and to be involved in direct delivery.
· Recent experience of working with young people and communities.
· Experience of strategic management within a school, statutory, voluntary or commercial organisation.
If you are interested in being part of this fantastic project and want to know more or for an application pack, please visit the Oasis Charity Jobs Website. We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups. In accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement for the successful candidate to be a committed Christian, as you will be expected to lead in some church community activities as part of your role.
Completed applications should be returned by 9am Friday 31 May, 2024.
Interviews will take place in Waterloo on either Thursday 6th or Friday 7th June, 2024.
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 and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.
Oasis supports Equal Opportunities. Registered Charity No. 1163889
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Can you inspire a movement of volunteers and staff to stand alongside families with young children?
Do you have the skills and experience to oversee the support and development for 180 charities working across the UK?
We are seeking an impressive, values-based leader with the energy, humility and compassion to equip the sustainability and impact of our Home-Start federation.
Job Title: Director of Network Impact
Location: Remote (travel to Leicester Office & other locations where necessary)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time (36 hours per week)
Salary: £75,000 (FTE salary)
Reports to: CEO
Manages: Head of Quality & Safeguarding, Head of Practice & Development, Impact Manager
About Home-Start UK
Home-Start is there to ensure that no parent or carer feels alone as they seek to give their children the best possible start in life. With our distinctive offer of volunteer-led home visiting support, Home-Start offers emotional and practical support to parents and carers with young children facing challenges in life such as isolation, poor mental health and poverty.
About The Role
At the heart of Home-Start is an inspirational network of 180 charities supporting over 43,000 families each year in communities across the UK. Home-Start UK is the central body in this network – supporting local Home-Starts and working to build national partnerships and profile. As a federation, we are a powerful combination of local charities close to the needs of communities alongside a UK-wide presence, voice and influence.
The last few years have been so intense for families. The pandemic left a long shadow on children’s development; the cost-of-living crisis is forcing parents to make the most impossible trade-offs; and there has been an erosion of services available at the earliest moments of a child’s life. As the Director of Network Impact at Home-Start UK, your role is to help equip our Home-Start network to face into all of these challenges.
As an established senior leader, you will have with a track record of managing complex relationships – possibly, but not necessarily, within a federated or networked environment. You will have achieved significant impact in relevant aspects of the role, bring credibility in relevant fields, and professional experience of safeguarding and child protection.
This is a compelling opportunity to join Home-Start UK and help build the sustainability, quality and impact of local Home-Starts. You will be joining a committed talented team at Home-Start UK, ambitious for growth and a supportive, flexible working environment. We are excited to hear from you in this exciting leadership role at such a crucial time for families and children.
Closing date for applications: Monday 27th May 2024.
First round interviews will take place the week commencing the 10th June.
A final second round is scheduled for 17th/18th June.
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 Horizons is committed to equality of opportunity and diversity. We wish to encourage applications from all parts of the community we work in, irrespective of race, colour, gender, disability, age or sexual orientation.
This is a UK wide role and applicants are eligible to apply from across the UK. We will be flexible to your working needs. Should you have any difficulty completing an application please contact us so that we can find a solution that will enable you to apply. Should you be invited to an interview all your interview questions and/or tasks will be sent to you beforehand so that you can prepare and we will aim to be as flexible as possible to accommodate an interview time that suits you.
Home-Start UK, a charitable company limited by guarantee. Company No. 5382181. Charity No. in England and Wales 1108837 and in Scotland SCO39172.
No agencies please.
Job Title: Assistant Director Activism & Advocacy
Location: Flexible - Home-based, Shelter Office-based, or combination with regular travel to London and other locations
Contract Type: Permanent Full Time
Salary: £78,414 per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week (pro-rata if part-time)
Leave: 30 days holiday per annum + Exceptional Benefits
Closing Date: 27th May 2024 at 23.30pm
About Shelter
A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination, and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home.
We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent.
We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.
About the Team
This role is part of the Communications, Policy, and Campaigns (CPC) team, which drives Shelter's ground-breaking campaigning efforts.
The CPC team leads initiatives advocating for social housing, renters' rights, and ending the housing emergency.
As our Assistant Director Activism & Advocacy, you'll work alongside other Assistant Directors, contributing to a collaborative, non-hierarchical decision-making environment.
About the Role
As Assistant Director Activism & Advocacy, you will provide strategic direction to the heads of Digital campaigning, Community Organising, Policy, Research, and Public Affairs teams.
You'll support the development of high-profile campaigns and drive continual improvement to achieve Shelter's strategic goals.
This role involves building strong relationships across Shelter, promoting collaboration, and acting as a spokesperson when required.
You'll need excellent political instincts, campaign experience, and the ability to oversee the production of high-quality policy and research.
About You
We're seeking candidates with experience in matrix management environments, senior leadership skills in project/change management, and a track record of impactful campaigning, policy, research, or public affairs activities.
You should demonstrate the Shelter Behaviours, including collaboration, prioritising diversity, enabling decision-making, creating change, openness to risk, and learning from experiences.
How to apply
You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement. The supporting statement should include why you’re interested in the role and address the following 3 questions. The supporting statement should be no more than two A4 pages.
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Can you provide examples of your experience leading and implementing high-profile campaign strategies that have resulted in significant political impact, particularly in influencing complex policy decisions at the highest levels?
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Please provide an example of how you have successfully worked across different teams/departments and delivered on cross-organisational objectives?
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Considering Shelter's commitment to being an anti-racist organisation, can you outline how you would integrate anti-racism and equity principles into your leadership approach within the context of driving strategic change and delivering impactful activism and advocacy initiatives?
Please note any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension, and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support, and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing, and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Saint Paul’s Hammersmith – Director of Operations Job Description
Job Title Director of Operations
Responsible to Senior Leaders of the Church (Pete & Sarah Wynter)
Saint Paul’s is a dynamic church at the centre of our capital city, London. We have a vision to Encounter God and Awaken the City. Our desire is to become a white-hot centre of faith, where people can meet with God and learn what it means to be empowered by His Spirit in their everyday lives. We inspire our congregation to see God’s Kingdom come here on earth as it is in heaven, wherever He has called them to live, work and play their part in awakening our city with the good news of Jesus. If we have any particular emphasis after being a community who honour and seek God’s presence, it’s to empower the emerging generation as we pass on the baton of faith and raise up disciples who will lead and influence in every sphere of society.
Overall Purpose of Role
This role will lead the operational team at Saint Paul’s with inspiring and effective line management to release ministry in the wider team and congregation. This is a hands on leadership role, supporting and working closely with the Senior Leaders to ensure effective operations and business continuity. You will lead on all operations functions including Finance, HR, Facilities, Procurement and all other operations that help our team thrive and carry out the vision of Saint Paul’s. Reporting in to boards and other management bodies, as well as experience running and leading teams, you will have an eye for detail with the ability and experience in carrying out change. You will carry the vision and mission of Saint Paul’s and lead the team in a way that supports the vision, balancing both strategic and operational goals. Saint Paul’s is a constantly changing environment and one where supporting and empowering team is at the forefront of this role.
Key Responsibilities
Finance
- Lead and manage Finance and Procurement, ensuring value for money, maximising financial efficiency through accurate and timely financial reporting and analysis to inform decision making and projections related to the operational and financial functioning of Saint Paul’s.
- P&L reporting and responsibility.
- Managing and supporting the Finance Manager.
- Managing Payroll alongside Finance Manager.
- Overseeing gift days.
- Managing and monitoring team budgets ensuring compliance with financial protocols.
- Timely preparation, monitoring and communication of monthly accounts, budgets and forecasts for Finance Committee and PCC.
- Assisting in the preparation and reporting of financial accounts for HMRC, Auditors, Diocese and Charity Commission.
- Preparation of financial information for grant funding and financial reporting for successful bids.
HR & Team
· Line Managing the Operations team including the Finance Manager, Operations Manager, LCL Manager, Receptionist and Bookings Manager and Facilities Manager.
· Ensure the overall smooth running of HR, ensuring we are using best practice and are up to date with knowledge at all times.
· Monitoring of Citrus HR to ensure all team are using the programme to its full ability.
· Governance of payroll, overtime and leave.
· Running annual appraisal processes and updating where needed.
· Meeting with wider team members as and when needed to ensure health of team.
· Being a first point of call for any HR issues that arise and advising on these.
· Overseeing and leading of recruitment processes.
Facilities Management
· Ensure the historic fabric of the church and associated buildings is maintained and developed in line with prescribed regulations and standards and where appropriate that the historical and heritage aspects of the buildings are appropriately profiled and made available to the community and general public.
· Manage all operations budgets and external contract relationships in line with forecast ensuring value for money and delivery is in line with agreed project scope/specifications and high-quality service.
· Proactively agree (and monitor) standards for buildings maintenance and adherence.
· Leading on our Carbon Net Zero journey.
· Business Continuity and Disaster Management Plan reviewing to ensure risk management/mitigation.
Other
· Strategic management of the Saint Paul’s Centre and all business related to it, ensuring we meet our targets and ensuring good working relationships with clients to help secure repeat business from large clients.
· Oversight of the café, helping to improve our offerings and ensure management of the team and operational effectiveness.
Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience
You will be flexible and able to work dynamically to respond to needs as they arise, whilst keeping a strategic eye on upcoming opportunities and challenges. You will bring strength to the day-to-day running of St Paul’s, as well as be planning for the short-term and long-term future health of the team and church.
· 5+ years experience in operations management, with a proven track record of line management.
· Strong finance capabilities and experience.
· Strong HR experience and understanding of the function.
· Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
· Leadership and management experience in a diverse team.
· Personal maturity, wisdom, and discretion.
· Flexible, adaptable, ‘can do’ attitude, offers solutions to problems.
· Ability to seek clarification, adapt approach to resolve (or avoid) conflict and manage complaints.
· Strong attention to detail.
· Advanced skills in IT and MS Office.
· Active engagement in Saint Paul’s Hammersmith church life/community.
Working Requirements
- Proof of right to work in the UK according to UK Legislation.
- Days of work: 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday with occasional evenings required
- Work hours: 9am – 6pm with a one-hour unpaid lunch break.
Key church services and events
· Annual Parochial Church Meeting, Church Weekend, and some evening events
· Easter and Christmas services
· Staff events: Staff retreat (typically 1 week in January)
· Attendance at Tuesday morning staff meeting
· Attendance at PCC, Finance Committee and Standing Committee
Package
· Annual salary of £45k – £50k depending on experience
· 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
· Pension
· Annual staff retreat at an offsite location
We're Hiring! Green Space for Health Programme Director (Maternity Cover)
This is an exciting senior role for an environmentally committed leader to cover maternity leave. We are looking for someone who can take strategic oversight of our Green Space for Health programme and provide effective management of the project and its staff.
- Home-based with monthly travel to Oxford (expenses covered)
- Full time (37.5 hours per week)
- Salary: £42,230 per annum (plus contributory pension)
- Fixed term for 8 months (with potential to extend to 12 months subject to funding)
- Apply by midnight 19th May 2024, interviews will take place w/c 3rd June
About the role
This is an exciting senior role for an environmentally committed leader to cover maternity leave. We are looking for someone who can take strategic oversight of our Green Space for Health programme and provide effective management of the project and its staff.
Our Green Space for Health programme helps to realise the value of green space for physical and mental health, both at healthcare sites and in the wider community. Our flagship project, the NHS Forest, promotes tree planting and woodland creation at NHS sites, supporting and encouraging sites to plant and maintain trees through offering free trees and advice. We support NHS sites to develop their greenspace for the benefits of patients, health staff and communities, while improving biodiversity and combatting climate change. We do this by encouraging green space enhancements such as meadow areas, vegetable growing, orchards and therapeutic gardens, as well as supporting the delivery of nature-based interventions for health.
The Green Space for Health Director will oversee the development of the NHS Forest and other Green Space for Health projects, delivering the programme strategy. This will include managing the Green Space for Health team, overseeing the delivery of our funded projects including budget management, coordinating reports to funders and trustees, and taking a strategic lead on the development and funding of the Green Space for Health programme in consultation with other stakeholders. See the full roles and responsibilities below.
The Green Space for Health Director will deliver our programme strategy through fulfilling the following responsibilities:
- Provide line management for the Green Space for Health Team’s 5 staff members. This will include one-to-one meetings, appraisals and regular team meetings.
- Oversee the delivery of the Green Space for Health funded projects, including NHS Forest tree planting projects and our Nature Recovery Ranger programme.
- Raise income for, monitor and oversee the programme budget in consultation with CSH’s fundraising and finance team.
- Coordinate reporting on the programme, including liaising with funders and producing reports for funders and for CSH’s board of trustees.
- Oversee the development and delivery of Green Space for Health training course, working with Green Space for Health staff and with administrative and strategic support from CSH’s education team.
- Work with the team to coordinate the NHS Forest Advisory Group.
- Build partnerships that will further the development of the programme and contribute to fundraising in line with the programme objectives.
- Act as a spokesperson for the programme, including making presentations, responding to media requests and participating in relevant national policy fora, including for the purposes of wider policy development.
- Be an active member of CSH’s senior management team, helping to develop CSH as an organisation, including strategy, employment and oversight.
For more information, please see the full job description and person specification attached or visit our website.
Closing date: 19th May 2024
Interviews: w/c 3rd June 2024
Transformation Cornwall is a small and entrepreneurial faith based charity that supports and develops social projects run by communities, churches and faith based organisations.
We operate as a ‘brokerage’ and ‘signposting’ agency to support people turn their ideas into reality. Our expertise is in organisational networking, information sharing, idea generation and connecting communities, funders and sector experts together, to increase capacity for social action.
The Operations Director is responsible for all aspects of the development and running of the charity.
This post requires a high level of self-motivation and imagination, together with a passion for faith based social action.
Proven people management and organisational skills are essential, together with an in-depth knowledge of the voluntary and grant funding sectors and the ability to help community groups turn ideas into impactful projects.
Full job description and person specification can be found on our website. To apply send you CV, Cover letter and Monitoring Form.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Internews seeks an experienced Project Director for a four-year European Commission (EC)-funded project to advance the global response to increasing the resilience of at-risk independent media. The Project Director will lead and manage a consortium of four international NGO and academic implementing partners, overseeing and coordinating the design and implementation of a diverse portfolio of activities in multiple countries worldwide, as well as project monitoring and evaluation and a robust learning agenda. Strong skills in project financial management and communications are required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
· Lead the Inception Phase of the project, working closely with consortium members, the EC, and other awardees to finalize target country selection, select research initiatives, draft the project workplan and monitoring and evaluation plan, and determine country-based activities.
· Serve as Internews’ primary point of contact with the European Commission, establishing and managing strong partnerships and dialogue with EC representatives in Brussels as well as country-level delegations.
· Effectively manage the project consortium, ensuring transparent communication processes and protocols.
· Pro-actively coordinate activity design and management with Internews Regional and Thematic Directors who manage Internews programming in key geographic regions and technical areas.
· Provide strategic, operational and representational assistance to ensure that activities are meeting their goals and targets, recommending program adjustments when necessary to keep the project on track;
· Regularly travel to London and Brussels, as well as target countries, for project and donor management purposes;
· Cultivate and strengthen relationships with local partner organizations and ensure that implementation is responsive to the needs of partners and beneficiaries;
· Track and report project progress and activities monthly against work plans;
· Oversee program monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective implementation and to measure activity impact;
· Working with the Monitoring and Evaluations specialist and team, ensure a robust learning agenda and deliver a learning symposium at project’s end with the consortium and EC.
· Maintain a thorough knowledge of key issues affecting independent media (print, broadcast, digital), and a general understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing independent media globally;
· Ensure the project is in compliance with all grant and cooperative agreement rules, requirements and regulations as well as with Internews internal policies and procedures;
· Serve as the primary budget authority over the project, responsible for ensuring all costs charged to the project are allowable, reasonable and correctly allocated;
· Accept fiduciary responsibility for all funds advanced for the purpose of the project;
· Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to upholding Internews’ Core Values.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Manage and oversee all project staff.Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
QUALIFICATIONS
· At least 10 years of experience in media and program development, including senior-level management of personnel and financial administration;
· Donor grant management experience with EU funding and wider donor experience is essential;
· Professional experience in the media sector is an asset; experience managing assistance programs supporting media and/or civil society required.
· Experience as a manager or trainer with professional capacity-building programs for journalists and media outlets an asset.
· Demonstrated knowledge and experience in some or all of the following areas:traditional, digital, and social media; media and internet law and policy; information disorders/ disinformation; and/or sustainability models for media;
· Excellent soft skills, including diplomacy, interpersonal and communication skills, with a problem-solving attitude and as a self-starter who works both independently and as a collaborative team player;
· Willingness to travel regularly to London and Brussels, as well as target country visits;
· Additional language skills are a plus;
· University degree or equivalent experience.
Vacancy Timeframe:
Deadline for applications: 09 May 2024
Candidates must submit a succinct cover letter of no more than 2 pages explaining how they satisfy the requirements of the role, and a CV highlighting relevant experience. Successful candidate will also be asked to provide three professional referees, one of whom must be from their most recent employer.
The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the associate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of their position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position.
This position will be located in the United Kingdom and therefore a successful applicant must both be present in the UK for the duration of the assignment and be able to demonstrate their Right to Work in the UK in order to commence employment.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
District Secretary for Administration and Compliance
Do you have the skill, experience and vision to lead in building and maintaining good practice for a newly amalgamated District of the Methodist Church? We are a collaborative, justice-seeking family of churches, looking for a skilled senior administrator.
lf so, this post may be for you.
This is a senior leadership position in a merged organisation.
- Collaboration with the District Chair and the District Secretary for Ministries & Vocations in the leadership of the District, and promoting the values of the District in all work practice.
- Collaboration with the Mission Area Leads to facilitate support of the circuits in relation to the responsibilities of administration and compliance issues.
- Responsibility for compliance with all relevant legal, financial, and governance matters, including compliance with the relevant parts of The Constitutional Practice and Disicipline of the Methodist Church, including:
- budget and accounting, in partnership with the District Treasurer;
- data protection;
- lay employment processes;
- safeguarding.
- Working with the District Safeguarding Officers, the District Safeguarding Group and others to ensure safeguarding processes for the District are robust and effective.
- Responsibility, together with relevant District officers and bodies, for strategy for property and finance across the District, and for its implementation.
- Enabling the District Property Consents group to fulfil their responsibilities regarding property matters within the District.
- Coordinating the District Grants Policy and its implementation through the District Grants Committee.
- Ensuring that the District’s responsibilities for Reconciliation and Complaints are fulfilled, including liaising with the other District Leaders and ensuring the appointment and functioning of the District Local Complaints Officer and District Reconciliation and Complaints Support Group(s).
- Collaboration with the District Chair and others to ensure good practice in internal and external communication, including through the District Communications Officer.
- Engagement with the District Policy Committee and the District Scrutiny Group processes and meetings.
- Fostering good and collaborative working relationships with holders of relevant district volunteer posts.
- Other areas of responsibility as agreed and assigned by the Trustees.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Why Access Social Care Exists
Everyday millions of older and disabled people are denied the social care they need. Most local authorities can’t meet the growing demand for care, none are confident they can meet their legal duties in the future. This affects all of us, we will all need social care at some point.
We all have a right to hold public bodies to account. But most of us cannot afford lawyers so rely on legal aid. The 77% drop in community care legal aid cases since 2010 means we have nowhere to turn. Without access to justice, our rights do not exist. The rule of law is broken.
What we do
Access Social Care provides free legal advice and information for people with social care needs, helping achieve a better quality of life. We work with communities to increase knowledge of the law and our rights. We highlight the gap left by cuts to Legal Aid and provide advice for those who can’t afford it.
With a 98% success rate, our network of lawyers and barristers ensure fair access to justice when things go wrong. We collaborate with social services whilst ensuring legal obligations are met. We are working towards a future where social care is adequately funded, and we all get the support we need.
About the role
This is an exciting time to join our organisation. We have a new strategy and are growing quickly including across our senior leadership team. We have nearly tripled in size and income since we started operating in April 2020 and we anticipate that this strong growth will continue for the duration of our next strategic period. Access Social Care are an organisation of thirty-six people, and this is a new role in the People team coming at a period of growth to drive a thriving charity and help shape its future.
This is a fast-paced role whose emphasis is on policy / process / systems improvement as well as advising colleagues and managers across the organisation regarding all aspects of the employee lifecycle. You will work with people at all levels of the organisation supporting the People Director on strategy work streams as the organisation continues to grow and evolve.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for all day-to-day HR processes within the employee lifecycle to ensure staff are supported appropriately and legislative responsibilities are fulfilled
- Work alongside the People Director to map or review processes across the employee lifecycle, identify blockers and seek to implement solutions that create efficiency and clarity
- Advise on employee relations and discuss complex or sensitive cases with the People Director to decide the best course of action, ensuring that cases are resolved in a timely manner or be a trusted advisor to our managers with their people challenges
- Coordinate the delivery of projects, process and policy improvements as defined and prioritised within the People Plan, leading on workstreams as outlined by the People Director
- Support the People Director in sourcing training and learning solutions, and evaluating training
- Provide practical upskilling and training to managers and employees in HR practices and policy
- Coordinate recruitment efforts at Access Social Care, ensuring compliance with employment laws and providing guidance to managers. Manage the recruitment cycle and administration process from job ads to onboarding
- Support staff engagement activities across Access Social Care in conjunction with the People Director. These may include but are not limited to the following initiatives: staff survey coordination, and wellbeing events
- To be a super user and actively promote the use of the HRIS system (Bright HR) and ensure that electronic staffing records are updated and maintained accurately in accordance with GDPR
- Dealing with cyclical and ad-hoc data reporting and requests for information including data analysis
- Contribute to effective payroll administration ensuing information is shared with the Finance Officer in a timely manner, and collaborating with the People Director to address and rectify any issues and process improvements
- Work within the parameters of GDPR, ensuring data and information is protected and handled correctly
- Support the People Director as required in any duties which you could be reasonably expected to perform in line with this job description
Please see full Job Description for personal specification.
How to apply
We hope that having read this far; you still want to apply!
Please ensure that your CV and supporting statement do not include your name – use initials only. This will ensure that we avoid unconscious bias in our shortlisting process. To apply, please provide the following documents:
- An up-to-date CV
- A completed diversity monitoring form - found within the Job pack.
- A supporting statement of no more than three pages, addressing: The essential requirements of the person specification
If you want support applying, please contact us directly.
Timeline for the recruitment process
Closing date: 23.59pm on Tuesday 14th May 2024
Interview and assessments on Thursday 23rd May 2024 and Friday 24th May 2024
Please ensure you keep these dates free.
At Access Social care, we aren’t interested in tokenism. We know that if we are to make the biggest difference for the people that need us the most, we need to get Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and anti-racism right. Part of this is recruiting greater diversity in all our teams.
With this in mind, we particularly welcome applications from candidates with experience of the communities we serve, including people with direct experience of the social care system, and from marginalised groups, particularly Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, older and disabled people, and trans and non-binary people.
HALO has been working in Angola since 1994, and now employs over 1,400 staff (47% women) working in demining, explosive ordnance risk education, and conservation. There are over 70 different types of landmines in Angola from an estimated 41 years of minelaying during the war for independence and civil war which persisted from 1961 to 2002. The programme currently has twenty ongoing contracts from a diverse set of institutional, private, and corporate donors. As a signatory of the Ottawa Treaty, HALO supports the Government of Angola in reaching its treaty obligations. To date, HALO has cleared over 100,000 mines and made over 25km2 of land safe for use across the country.
This is a great opportunity to lead a dynamic and expanding team to deliver impactful projects. The Country Head will lead the strategy of the programme and have the autonomy to progress the programme through internal change and thematic expansion.
Job title: Country Head - Angola
Location: Luanda, Angola (regular travel required)
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Reports to: Regional Director Africa
About the role:
HALO is seeking a dynamic and solution-oriented Country Head to lead the strategic direction of the programme in accordance with HALO’s organisational mission and goals. The Country Head will lead a senior leadership team of six mid-level managers who work across mine action operational delivery, environmental project delivery, human resources, finance, strategy, support services and a Chief of Staff. They will work in partnership with the Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director, and other HQ functional leads. The Country Head will serve as the legal and primary HALO representative in Angola and be accountable for the programme’s staff and assets, the execution of donor projects and relations with local authorities and partners.
The Country Director is responsible for leading the strategic direction of the programme, including the design, review, and implementation of the programme’s strategy in accordance with HALO’s organisational objectives and charitable purpose. This includes establishing long-term strategic goals for the programme and developing the capacity and strength of the existing team. The Angola programme has projects spanning across two of HALO’s three strategic goals and is especially focused on the expansion of activities surrounding women’s empowerment and inclusivity, and the linkages between conflict, conservation and mine action. The successful candidate to this role will be a strategic thinker, who can demonstrate previous experience successfully building capacity to achieve strategic objectives.
The Angola programme currently has twenty ongoing contracts from a variety of governmental, private, and commercial donors with an annual turnover of circa $16 million. The Country Head will oversee and lead the two programmatic Heads responsible for execution and delivery donor projects: Head of Mine Action, and Head of Environment. The Country Head will ensure that the other senior managers provide the necessary support to the programmatic Heads to ensure they have the resources, capacity and support required to operate in an effective and compliant manner. The successful candidate will need to have exceptional liaison skills as they work closely with the Head of Strategy to maintain and foster critical stakeholder relationships in Angola, specifically with the Government of Angola as the programmes’ largest donor. The Country Head will also need exceptional organisational and financial acumen as they are accountable for the programme’s financial and legal compliance with internal and national policies and legislation.
The successful candidate will need to be an inspiring leader, capable of managing the large and diverse workforce with a focus on empowerment, communication, and professional development. The Country Director will be needed to work on improving processes and procedures with a desire to lead on implementing impactful systematic change. This role requires a candidate with strong coordination capabilities, and a commitment to lead by example to maintain high professional standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the programme and foster a positive culture aligned with HALO’s values and standards, protecting, and enhancing the welfare of HALO’s staff and beneficiaries.
- Provide strategic input and support regarding the development of emerging programme opportunities and thematic growth inline with the programme and organisational strategies.
- Design and implement the programme’s long-term strategy and annual strategic goals.
- Develop the capacity and strength of the existing team, ensuring the correct staffing structure, capacity and skills are in place to achieve the programme’s strategic objectives and contractual commitments.
- Manage the senior leadership team to ensure compliance across all departments in the programme in accordance with HALO policies and procedures, national regulations and legislation, donor contracts and regulations.
- Ensure robust systems and reporting across the programme to enforce compliance through a thorough system of checks, monitoring, and accountability.
- Oversee and coordinate the senior leadership team to ensure budgetary and project contractual compliance.
- Manage the Head of Finance and regulate financial reporting to enforce monthly, annual and project cycle deadlines and internal and external regulatory requirements are met.
- Lead the in-country team, building morale, and providing empowerment, clear communication, and professional development.
- Provide leadership and line management to direct reports, including ensuring the setting of clear objectives, regular feedback, and development opportunities, and completing annual performance appraisals.
- Ensure the programme operates in accordance with national labour law and HALO’s HR regulations including safeguarding, health and safety, and security. Ensure total adoption and integration HR policies and systems, and lead on implementing impactful and responsive systematic change.
- Inspire, mentor, and manage across direct reports and the wider team, providing support to performance improvement or disciplinary processes for staff as required.
- Maintain a detailed understanding of the political, military, economic and security situation in the country to understand and evaluate risks as well as needs and opportunities.
- Review and assess existing and emerging risks in the country and provide or recommend appropriate mitigation measures (to include the Foreign Terrorist Organisation threat and sanctions).
- Ensure operational safety, emergency response and crisis management response and preparedness in coordination with the senior leadership team.
- Represent HALO with key stakeholders to maintain relationships with partners and donor representatives in country and raise HALO’s profile by building complementary partnerships and securing new funding opportunities.
- Review operational, financial, safeguarding, or other major incident investigation reports as required, ensuring timely and sufficient corrective actions are taken.
- Implement programme communications strategy and raise HALO’s profile through engagement with the media and with potential private donors and supporters.
- Report regularly and as required to HALO HQ and the Regional Director.
- Where appropriate, act as representative for the Regional Director / Deputy Regional Director.
- Carry out any other duties as required or directed in support of HALO’s mission.
Essential Requirements:
- Significant senior leadership experience within the INGO/ Humanitarian sector.
- Significant senior leadership experience of full cycle project management including design, implementation, evaluation, and accountability with a track record of achieving results.
- Experience in managing compliance across project management, financial, labour law and other departmental functions.
- Experience in strategy building and implementation.
- Proven experience establishing and maintaining new stakeholder relationships.
- Financial management and compliance.
- Proven experience leading and managing teams, building capacity and creating an inclusive workplace.
- Experience assessing and managing risk as well as managing incidents and crises.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and an ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
- Clear written and verbal communication, including public speaking as an organisation’s representative.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills and fluency in English.
Desirable:
- Portuguese language skills or a strong willingness to learn.
- Experience of working overseas in low-resource settings and within complex political environments.
- Experience working with a variety of donor types, such as government, private, corporate and foundations.
- Experience in safeguarding management.
- Experience implementing professional development strategies for staff.
- Experience in mine action, weapons and ammunition management, and other related aid & development activity.
- Experience working on projects relating to gender and women’s empowerment.
Benefits:
- Annual Leave: 49 days rising to 56 after two years in HALO.
- $350 per month Local Overseas Allowance
- Non-contributory life assurance.
- Private medical health cover.
- Pension contributions matched by HALO up to 5%.
- Emergency medical insurance when travelling overseas.
How to Apply
Please submit a CV (no more than 2 pages) and a cover letter (no more than 1 page) in English outlining how your experience matches the key skills and competencies required by midnight 17th May 2024 (UK time). We reserve the right to amend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.
In addition to confirming that you can meet the essential skills, competencies and HALO’s values, job offers are subject to two satisfactory references, a pre-employment medical and a criminal record check.
The HALO Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
The HALO Trust is committed to a culture that is both diverse and inclusive and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
The HALO Trust is committed to ensuring that it provides a safe and trusted environment which safeguards and promotes the welfare and wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with, or is part of, the Charity, with a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours which challenge this.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the Youth Endowment Fund
We’re here to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence. We do this by finding out what works and building a movement to put this knowledge into practice.
The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) is a charity with a £200m endowment and a mission that matters. We exist to prevent children becoming involved in violence. We do this by funding great initiatives, leading cutting-edge research and working for change - scaling up and spreading the practices that make a difference.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) has a critical role in ensuring we succeed in this work. You have a key leadership role in overseeing the overall health of the Fund in partnership with the Executive Director. The role oversees our finances, people management and – for the right candidate –much of our grant-making and project management.
Key responsibilities
You’ll lead on key organisational governance processes and ensure the Fund makes wise decisions, by:
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Being a leading member of our Directors’ team, overseeing all elements of the Fund’s work.
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Ensuring that the Fund operates as efficiently and effectively as possible by prioritising the right activities and matching resources to deliver on our mission.
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Ensuring we have the right long, medium and short-term financial plans in place and that we maintain close control over our financial decisions and spend.
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Informing our Board and our Risk and Audit Committee on our financial performance and risk.
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Ensuring the Fund’s investments are well managed through supporting the Endowment Investment Committee (this does not require investment experience).
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Managing our Grants and Evaluation Committee (this decides which evaluations we should fund) and ensuring it operates effectively.
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Ensuring that any ambiguities in the organisation are identified and removed.
You make sure that the Fund has the people, tools and resources in place to excel. This will require us to:
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Hire, develop and inspire the very best people: Managing our Head of People, you will ensure that we hire the best possible staff, compensate them appropriately, provide necessary and effective training, maintain a strong focus on staff well-being, manage and develop staff effectively and address poor performance when required.
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Provide staff with the tools they need to perform: Managing our Head of Grant Operations, you will ensure that we have the tools we need to deliver, including management information, databases, systems and processes and office facilities.
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Track performance: Track performance against our goals efficiently and effectively, championing a system of accountability and action to review, identify and empower the right people to act on delivering according to the plan.
Working with colleagues, you’ll ensure we award grants, manage grantees and oversee evaluations efficiently and effectively. This will require us to:
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Make excellent decisions about our grants: Working with – and potentially managing1 - the Assistant Director for Programmes, Impact and Partnerships, you will help to ensure that our processes for assessing funding applications achieve our organisational priorities for evidence generation. This requires you to understand what partners are trying to do, whether it’s likely to work, whether it will help us build an accessible and trusted body of knowledge, and whether we can build on it to make long-term change happen.
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Evaluate our programmes: Working with - and potentially managing - the Assistant Director of Evaluation, you will help to ensure that we select and partner with high-quality evaluators to understand how well different activities work.
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Ensuring the team maintains effective monitoring processes: Working with your team, you will develop the necessary skills, processes and decision-making processes to identify when things aren’t going to plan and respond accordingly.
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Build strong relationships with your external partners: You and your team will build strong, trusting relationships with the projects the YEF funds and the evaluators that we work with. Your team will be known for being attentive yet assertive and measured and efficient in the reporting information we expect. You will become well connected in the sectors that we are working in.
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Identify opportunities to scale up projects: You will be proactive in identifying projects that would benefit from capacity development support or that may be ready to scale up their work, collaborating with Impetus to deliver on this.
In support of these goals you will also
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Lead and build a team that is so much more than the sum of its parts: Working with your direct reports you will build a culture that brings the very best of the different skill sets and approaches in your team. You will lead this team, providing exceptional direction, culture and clarity.
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Make it easy to be effective when working in your team: You will bring clarity, lean processes, clear accountabilities, timely decision-making and effective systems so that people working in your team comment on how easy it is to get things done.
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See your primary team as the Directors team: As a core member of the Directors team, you will be part of making the most important decisions about the short-term and long-term strategy of the Fund. You will build and model the culture and values that we need to make a real difference. You will leave ego at home and look to make the rest of this team a great success.
Person specification
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You are excellent at leading on finance in an organisation: You find it easy and straightforward to develop and oversee, large organisational budgets and ensure timely preparation of management accounts. You’re excellent at financial forecasting and understand how to make judgements and recommendations based on future scenario planning. You have experience reporting to Boards on financial performance and health, and leading on organisational external audits.
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You are strategic about finance: You’ve got real skill in distilling complex financial information into simple, easy to understand reports and presentations that enable good decision-making. You see your knowledge of finance as a way to serve Director-level colleagues with overall decision-making. You also understand how to navigate competing priorities and how to calculate and articulate risk and reward, knowing few decisions are straightforward.
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You get teams to use data well: You understand that accurate data and excellent management information tools enable good decision-making. You understand how management information databases (like Salesforce) work and would be able to maintain and build a culture of recording data and maintaining data quality within big teams. Ideally, you have experience working directly with Salesforce.
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You get things done and are brilliant at improving things: In previous jobs, you have held significant responsibility for ensuring challenging projects are delivered on time. You like finding ways to make things operate better for everyone. You are excellent at designing and putting in place effective systems and processes.
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You are a low ego and effective leader: You have a track record of building and leading effective teams. You are thoughtful about how to get a team working well and people tend to warm to you and respect you. You are not afraid of managing someone brighter and better than you or of addressing poor performance. You leave ego at home. You work very well in a team. You like taking responsibility for things. You can balance the task, the individual and the team.
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You are interested and experienced in both staff development and financial planning: You are equally at home thinking about the processes and approach we need to recruit and develop great staff as you are thinking about how we control our expenditure and report our finances.
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You learn fast but remain humble: You are quick at getting your head around things. It wouldn't faze you to have responsibility for organising things that are new to you as long as you have an expert to ask advice from. You like learning and developing. You know how much you don't know as well as what you do.
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You are interested and thoughtful about grant-making and evaluation: You may not be an expert in grant-making, but you have experience of how charities think and approach applications for money. You have enough cynicism to know how these things can go wrong, but not so much that you can’t make them go right. You may not be an expert in evaluation, but you care about finding out what works.
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You are an excellent strategic thinker: People say that you are good at seeing the big picture as well as the detail. You have experience of wrestling into place a strategy for a project or organisation. You would be able to describe the strategy of the work you are leading at the moment. You are able to see things from different points of view.
While it’s not a criteria, we’re especially interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of youth violence.
It’s also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.
All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.
Additional benefits include
£1,000 professional development budget annually, 28 days plus Bank Holidays, four half days for volunteering activities.
If you’re interested
To apply, please send a CV and cover letter, and complete the monitoring form click on "Apply for this job" button by 5pm, Friday 31st May 2024.
We will plan to host the first round of interviews the week commencing the 3rd June 2024.
You’ll be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK. As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant. All options can be discussed at the interview stage.
Your data
Your personal data will be shared for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes our HR team, interviewers (who may include other partners in the project and independent advisors), relevant team managers and our IT service provider if access to the data is necessary for performance of their roles. We do not share your data with other third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and we make you an offer of employment. We will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you. We do not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.
The people we are looking for do not discriminate and we believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Task Ahead: Finance Manager
As The Difference moves from its early start-up phase into the delivery of our 2025-30 strategy, our programmes and sector-influencing work are expanding to reach more schools and to deepen our impact. Alongside this growth, our team - and the operational function which supports them - is also growing.
As Finance Manager, you will be a key member of the Finance & Operations team. You will hold end-to-end responsibility for the finance function, from reconciliations to budgeting. You will decide where and how our existing processes could be improved, as well as developing new systems that will underpin our work as a larger and more established charity. You will be supported by the Director of People, Finance & Operations, as well as our external auditors.
The Difference is still a small and growing charity. This means that our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being reactive and flexible, as the needs of the organisation evolve. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role and team for you!
Areas of Responsibility
The Difference is looking for a Finance Manager to lead our finance function in the following ways:
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Oversee our internal bookkeeping, payment, and accounting processes, and improve these systems ongoingly.
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Lead on budgeting and forecasting across the organisation, supporting teams to predict income and expenditure and make sound financial decisions.
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Lead on the production of management accounting information, including internal monthly management accounts, quarterly reports for Trustees, and financial reports for investors.
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Lead on The Difference’s audit process, with external auditors.
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Work with the Development & Impact Manager to update fundraising pipelines, and ensure the availability of high quality income projections for Trustees.
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Support accurate budgeting and reporting for grant funding, including tracking spend of restricted funds.
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Support business planning by working with teams to model potential future work - e.g. costs of expansion of an existing programme; modelling potential new programmes.
Person Specification
Essential – We are looking for the following skills, aptitude and experience; though you may be stronger in some areas than others:
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Values – Your experience evidences shared values with The Difference (see below) and a personal commitment to our mission to improve life outcomes for vulnerable people.
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Finance experience, operational and strategic – Experience across all areas of finance, from accurate invoicing, payments and record-keeping, through to setting and managing budgets, financial modelling and forecasting, and working with external accountants or auditors.
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Finance process development – Experience of developing finance systems; the ability to recognise how processes could be continuously improved, and enact this improvement.
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Leadership of self and others – Confident in identifying skills or information gaps within your team, and drawing on the expertise of others to address these gaps. Able to show how you've continually grown your own skills and those of your team members so that together you can efficiently cover workload and plan ahead.
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Proactive problem-solving – Ability to thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment and to problem-solve: from rolling sleeves up and diving into detail to working collaboratively to build capacity.
Desired – You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have one or more of the following additional experiences:
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Accounting qualification and experience - Some form of accounting qualification and post-qualification experience.
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Early-stage charity/social enterprise experience – You may have specific experience growing charities or businesses for social good at the early or start-up phase.
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Experience of charity finances – You may have worked for or supported other charities, and have experience of working with philanthropic grants, charity accounting, and governance.
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Insight into schools – You may have experience working in the education sector, whether that’s through working for a business or charities that partnered with schools, or through working in a school yourself.
Why Work for The Difference?
Schooling isn’t working for the children who need it most. Every week in England 109 children – equivalent to three full classrooms – are permanently excluded. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Since the pandemic, school suspensions have risen significantly, as has persistent absenteeism. 1 in 5 children are missing more than 10% of their time in school. Children who are excluded or persistently absent are much more likely to already be experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage. They are more likely to live in poverty, have additional learning needs, suffer mental health challenges, or experience a lack of safety outside school. Certain ethnicities are also disproportionately affected, notably Gypsy Roma Traveller and black Caribbean children.
Exclusion and high rates of absence can have a dramatic effect on life chances. These young people are more likely to drop out of education or employment, become vulnerable to long-term mental ill health, or be at risk of criminal exploitation. The Difference believes that children and young people deserve better and that the education system has to change.
Our Organisation
The Difference is a young education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. By 2030, we want rates of exclusion and absence to be falling nationally and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, including those who may be vulnerable. The Difference was born out of a year of research into school exclusions with think-tank IPPR. This research identified a lack of inclusion expertise in schools and proposed a new leadership development programme to fill this gap. In 2018, Difference founder Kiran hired the team who took this idea from concept to reality, beginning work with our first schools.
The Difference is now a 22-strong team delivering multiple school leadership programmes, alongside a growing research and policy arm. The team is supported by our Youth Advisory Board, made up of young people who have experienced exclusion and who provide their expertise and insights on how school inclusion work should be done. This work is needed more than ever. Effects of COVID-19, coupled with the spiralling cost of living, have substantially increased levels of vulnerability. Schools serving excluded pupils face under-funding. The Difference has had excellent early impact but there is work ahead to capture this, share learning with schools and policy-makers, and grow our capacity to lower exclusions across England.
Our Values
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High Expectations - We are ambitious for excellence from young people, colleagues and ourselves. We don’t believe in writing off someone’s potential because of their identity or experience of crisis.
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Strong Relationships - We prioritise genuine relationships over transactional interactions, and know that this requires deliberate relational practice. We see colleagues and partners as people first and their roles second; and know this greater trust allows us to take more risks, gain more feedback and have greater impact.
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Internalised Locus of Control - We work hard to reframe difficult situations to discover what we have within our power in terms of solutions. We take it upon ourselves to walk towards challenges and can take a high level of ownership and agency in our work/
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Pragmatism - We believe leadership means recognising current limitations and striving for improvements within and beyond them. We develop consensus and chart new ways forward, challenging false and extreme positions like “zero exclusions” or “no excuses”.
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Scientific approach - We take a diagnostic approach to unpicking causes of problems. We are loud and proud of our failures, recognising failing fast and often is key to finding the best solutions. We test solutions and are willing to use data and feedback to make adjustments and choose new directions.
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Not Squeamish about Structural Inequality - We believe patterns of inequality can and should be disrupted. We strive to be clear-eyed about these inequalities, and both the individual practice and system-changes required to address them. We push ourselves to overcome awkwardness in talking about this; and begin by acknowledging our own biases and blind spots.
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Asset-based - We work hard to avoid deficit thinking and aim to start with what’s strong, not what’s wrong. We are careful not to frame our colleagues and stakeholders - particularly young people and families – as victims but instead to recognise their agency.
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Wise selves - To both enjoy work and do their best, we want to make decisions and work with others in our “wise” - or regulated - selves. We also want to bring our compassionate self to those we work with, externally and internally, to support one another through challenging times.
How To Apply
To apply, please complete all sections of the application form by midnight on Sunday 19th May.
First round interviews will be held during the week beginning 27th May, over video call. Please indicate if you would not be available to attend an interview during this week.
If successful in this stage, second round interviews (including a task to be completed the same day) will take place on the week beginning 3rd June, at our office in Bethnal Green.
We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector such as people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with experience in the care system, non-graduates and first-in-family graduates.
As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and any protected characteristics redacted.
Recommended Reading
If you’d like to understand more about The Difference and what we are trying to achieve, we would recommend the following:
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The research which underpins our organisation.
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Our latest Impact Report, sharing our work in 2023
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the role
Play your part in improving leadership in the health sector
This is an exciting time to join our Leadership and Organisational Development team. Our work enjoys an outstanding reputation in the NHS and beyond and you’ll play an important role in supporting this, working across a range of clients and projects.
As a Programme Co-ordinator, you will be responsible for managing the logistics of a range of different courses and programmes. You will work closely with the Programme Directors, who design and deliver the course and programme content.
Your role will include communicating with programme participants and clients, creating programme materials, managing budgets, booking venues, travel and accommodation, and event management.
You will be skilled at working across a suite of programmes and balancing multiple deadlines. You’ll enjoy taking personal responsibility for your own portfolio and also working with the team of Programme Coordinators to support each other’s work and drive continuous improvement.
Our business model includes online working alongside in person therefore you will be expected to provide online technical support and be proficient in Microsoft Teams, Zoom and other online platforms to support the delivery of client work.
To join us, you need to be exceptionally organised and methodical as well as an excellent team player with a collaborative approach. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must, alongside first-rate numeracy skills to be able to monitor programme budgets. We’re looking for someone who is confident with using Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and other online packages and databases too. With experience of working in busy environments, you’ll combine these talents with a keen eye for detail, a flexible approach and great client relationship skills.
The Fund has an ambition to increase the diversity of our workforce and introduce careers in health and care policy to a broader range of people. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community, including those from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We believe that diversity of background and experience contributes to a broader collective perspective that will improve the way we influence health and social care policy.
What you'll get in return
The King’s Fund is committed to a hybrid working model that meets the organisation’s needs, while giving staff flexibility to choose between office and home working. In keeping with our current policy, the post-holder will be required to work a minimum of two days per week from our central London office (pro rata, averaged over a month).
In addition to a competitive salary, The King’s Fund offers generous holiday entitlements, a £3 daily discount in our café and an on-site gym.
How to apply
To apply, please read our supplementary guidance documents below, then download and fill in our application form. If completing the application form presents any challenges, contact us by email so we can discussion options.
Please note that in order to apply, you must have existing documented proof of your right to live and work in the UK.
CVs will not be accepted as applications. Applications must be submitted using The King’s Fund application form.
Interviews will be held virtually on Thursday 6 June 2024 (role available to commence as soon as possible).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
For a job description and details of how to apply please visit our website.
This post will work closely with the Director of Participation, producing all shows which originate from the Participation team, setting up and managing participation projects and working closely with young people and community groups.
There is also an opportunity to instigate and creatively lead on participation projects.
The Participation Producer will manage the Participation Coordinator and the Participation Assistant, as well as any work placements and freelancers. They will manage show and project budgets and contribute to the writing of funding applications and evaluation reports.
Application deadline: 9AM, Wednesday 29 May 2024
Interviews will take place: Thursday 13th June & Thursday 20th June 2024.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.