Jobs for the Human Rights sector
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Location: Hybrid working. Our flexible working policy requires everyone to be in our east London office for 25% of the time as a minimum because building in-person relationships is important to us (for this role we ask that you come to the office every week for the minimum of one day), but you’re welcome to be there more as many staff are.
Salary: £48,524 p.a.
Hours: Permanent, full-time, contract. At NEON, we work a 28 hour week - the equivalent of a 4 day standard work week. This can be done over 4 or 5 days.
Benefits: a 28-hour week, 7.5% employer matched pension, genuinely flexible working, 20 days holiday per year (25 days pro rated for a 4 day week), plus bank holidays and Christmas break, a progressive Parenting Policy, Sabbatical Policy, and a generous staff development budget
Reporting to: Director of Operations
Application deadline: Sunday 19th July, 11.59pm
Interview dates: First round of interviews (online): Mon 3rd - Weds 5th August 2026, second round of interviews (in person): Thursday 13th August 2026
This role requires that you are resident and have the right to work in the UK
About NEON
NEON is a capacity and infrastructure building organisation that seeks to accelerate the transition to a new economy by building the power of social movements - because without strong social movements we lack the power we need to win. We deliver trainings, develop resources, facilitate collaboration and work in partnership with key movement allies, especially in the climate, housing and migration movements. Our focus is on strengthening the organising, communications and strategy skills of social movement organisations, as well as deepening movement alignment, as we believe these are key to building collective power. As part of our work, we are looking to change the starting point in social movements from “what do we agree on” to “what can we win together?”
Purpose of this role
This role is the main point of contact for staff for all people & operations support. It is crucial in providing the systems and support that NEON staff rely on to do their best work by:
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owning NEON people and operations policies and ensuring they are understood and applied consistently and equitably across the organisation;
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guiding staff through people processes;
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overseeing the smooth running of operations systems across the organisation.
What you’ll be doing:
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Lead the full lifecycle of NEON staff, including recruitment, contracts, onboarding, ongoing management, and offboarding, while overseeing and supporting the Ops Assistant to run these processes. Lead on reviewing and improving people processes and ensure anti-oppression is embedded within them.
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Manage HR systems and records, including contracts, payroll inputs, leave, training, appraisals, probations and policy implementation, ensuring processes are accurate, well maintained and completed on time by line managers.
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Act as first point of contact for HR queries, taking ownership of NEON’s policies, processes, culture and employee relations. Advise staff and line managers on policies, accommodations, and support needs, conduct relevant HR meetings and escalate to the Director of Ops and People when appropriate.
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Manage monthly payroll, submitting updates to the outsourced provider, checking accuracy of pension and other deductions, implementing pay increases and paperwork, and addressing staff payroll queries or signposting them to financial guidance.
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Line manage the Operations Assistant to a high standard using the full spectrum of management tools and approaches e.g. mentoring, coaching, challenge and feedback using the feedback guidelines, more formal performance processes. Empowering them to thrive at NEON and perform their role excellently.
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Oversee day-to-day operational support functions delivered through the Ops Assistant, including IT and systems, GDPR processes, office and facilities coordination, health and safety, staff event logistics and board logistics, ensuring tasks are completed on time and to a high standard, following NEON’s values.
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Support the Director of Ops and People in developing and updating people policies, procedures, and practices, staying across emerging trends, and embedding a caring, anti-oppressive culture through organisational development projects such as internal comms, team guides, manuals, and frameworks.
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Maintain core organisational administration, including Companies House filings, insurance renewals, subscriptions, and shared organisational inboxes.
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Participate or lead on Operations projects as agreed, (e.g. HR systems, data protection, health and safety), with clear scope and prioritisation.
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Actively lead on the enhancement of the Ops Peer Support Network’s community of practice as part of implementing the network strategy.
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Play an active part in the whole NEON team, contributing to organisation-wide plans
Who you are:
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HR & people ops experience: You’ve worked in HR or people operations before and are confident managing the full employee lifecycle — recruitment, contracts, onboarding, performance, leave, payroll coordination and offboarding. You can hold these processes end-to-end and keep them accurate, consistent and compliant, whilst ensuring they align with the values and ways of working.
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Operational systems & improvements: You’ve held responsibility for systems like HR platforms, shared drives, IT tools or project management software. You’re confident in improving how things work and embedding changes so they actually stick and work for people.
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Strong organisation & reliability: You’re highly organised, detail-focused and someone who gets things done. You can manage multiple recurring processes (like payroll cycles, HR records and compliance tasks) and keep everything on track without things slipping.
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Line management experience: You’re a skilled and confident line manager, and able to support with feedback, development and performance. You know how to balance care with clarity and accountability.
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First point of contact for HR & ops support: You’re comfortable being a go-to person for staff questions on HR, people and operations. Supporting staff and managers with clear, practical guidance and handling sensitive issues with care, confidence and professionalism.
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Working knowledge of compliance areas: Good understanding of core compliance areas such as UK employment practice, data protection and health and safety. You know how to apply these in a proportionate, practical way that fits a small organisation.
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Self-directed and collaborative: You’re able to manage your own workload and priorities, whilst working naturally across teams, actively building relationships, sharing responsibility, and making sure work is joined up rather than siloed. You’re comfortable holding your own while staying deeply connected to the wider organisation and what others need from you.
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Proven understanding of anti-oppression work and commitment to tackling all institutional forms of oppression, bigotry and exclusion
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An affinity with NEON’s aims, objectives and organisational values of solidarity, generosity and respect.
We know that people from certain backgrounds and identities are often excluded in progressive movements and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this.
So:
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We particularly welcome applications from marginalised groups, especially people of colour and other ethnic minorities, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Disabled people and those who identify as working class or have done so in the past.
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We know the work goes way beyond "diversity", it's about making the space inclusive too. So we are continuously working on that at NEON. So far this includes tangible things like a flexible work policy so people have genuine flexibility around where and when they work and a 28 hour week as standard; a gender-neutral parenting/leave policy, an anti-oppression strategy which is held at senior level given how important it is to the organisation. It also includes the day-to-day work of creating psychological safety for everyone at NEON and celebrating the wisdom of black, indigenous, queer, Disabled and other cultures in the way we work and behave
There are no formal education requirements for this role. As long as you can show us you have the skills we don’t mind where you got them from! Also important to us is your potential to learn and grow in the role so even if you don’t have 100% of the skills listed we want to hear from you.
Non Charity Employer
21 - 50
We build capacity & infrastructure to accelerate the transition to a new economy.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Action for Refugees in Lewisham is a thriving, dynamic community charity supporting asylum seekers, refugees and migrants across South East London. This is an exciting new role to the organisation forming a senior management team alongside the Executive Director, Casework Manager and Education and Finance Manager. This key senior position combines line management of central staff, high level fundraising, grants monitoring and compliance, development of enhanced member co-production, oversight of operational systems and management of pilot projects emerging from AFRIL’s 2027-30 strategy.
Job Purpose:
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To manage and coordinate the operations of the organisation, overseeing high level day to day operations including IT and systems, GDPR, Health and Safety, volunteer management, operational policies and procedures.
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To provide leadership and line management to the Monitoring and Operations Officer, Experts by Experience Coordinator and Community Activities Coordinator. With possible additional line of other project staff as organisational capacity requires.
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Lead the enhancement of processes and systems which support AFRIL’s frontline systems to work effectively and holistically together, providing capacity and support to project managers and leads.
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Lead the development and delivery of AFRIL’s co-production work, supporting the Experts by Experience Coordinator to amplify members' voices at all levels of the organisation.
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Supporting the Director in delivering the organisation's fundraising strategy. Writing a range of funding applications, holding key funder relationships and developing new funding relationships, including the establishment of enhanced individual, community and corporate fundraising relationships.
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Leading on the management and oversight of the grants compliance and reporting cycles, producing monitoring reports for funders with the support of the Operations and Monitoring Officer. Overseeing and developing evaluations and impact measurement systems alongside the Director.
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Assist the Director with the implementation of AFRIL’s strategy, taking a leading role in the delivery of new projects and areas of work to advance the mission and vision of the organisation.
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Supporting the Director with the development and implementation of a communications strategy, enhancing awareness of the organisation's work and impact.
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To represent AFRIL at a range of stakeholder meetings, and develop and manage partnerships to benefit AFRIL’s service users.
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To work collaboratively and dynamically in a small team, following AFRIL policies and reflecting AFRIL’s values.
We are only accepting applications via Charityjob. Please submit your CV and a cover letter – no more than one side of A4 – detailing your motivation for applying and how you meet the person specification for the role by 23:00 on Monday 13th July 2026.
Please note that applications without a covering letter will not be considered. We appreciate that AI can be useful as a tool, particularly if English is your second language. However, we discourage the use of AI for writing cover letters as in our experience it results in a generic voice that does not communicate the unique strengths and motivations of candidates.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
We support asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
VIDERE
Videre is an award-winning, UK-registered NGO that exposes human rights abuses and holds perpetrators to account. We work directly with communities in stressed environments, equipping networks of activists and community leaders with the technology and training necessary to safely capture visual documentation of political violence, human rights violations, and other systemic abuses. Our aim is to ensure that the concerns and knowledge of affected communities drive advocacy, policy, and legal action.
POSITION SUMMARY
This is a critical senior role in the organisation, reporting to the Senior Director-Programming. The role is responsible for managing the organisation’s programmes across 2 locations in Sub Saharan Africa and South East Asia, line managing three people. The position provides leadership on direct programming for community-led investigations and evidence gathering as well as our CSO partnership programme in two geographies. The Head of Programmes works closely with the Senior Management Team (SMT) on critical areas including fundraising and strategic development.
The priority for this role is the safe and high quality performance of projects. The balance between ‘doing’ and ‘managing’ in this role varies depending on available resources for each project, and the ability to create competent teams to delegate to.
Location: UK, France, Nairobi or Thailand preferred. Remote applicants considered.
Package: Pay is dependent on location. The UK salary of £62,000 plus pension contribution will be converted using ICSC scales. All locations receive 28 days annual leave, counselling support and annual wellbeing days.
Start date: 1st September
Duration: 7 months with possibility of extension
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Programme Leadership and Delivery
- Working closely with the Senior Director- Programming, lead the development and implementation of programme strategy and annual plans, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and priorities.
- Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Project Teams for both direct investigations and local CSO partnerships, ensuring programmes are delivered safely, effectively and to a high standard.
- Act as a member of the Management Team, contributing to organisational planning, decision-making, continuous improvement and cross-organisational initiatives.
- Work closely with the Senior Director – Programming and other colleagues to identify organisational risks, opportunities and areas for improvement.
- Work closely with the Head of Development and SMT to contribute to proposal development, programme design and concept note drafting in support of organisational fundraising efforts.
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with donors and programme partners throughout the project lifecycle, supporting effective communication, reporting and programme delivery.
- Ensure all aspects of programme design and delivery promote diversity, equity, inclusion and responsible partnership practices.
Civil Society Partnerships and Capacity Strengthening
- Provide strategic oversight of the organisation’s civil society partnership portfolio and approach in two geographic areas.
- Oversee staff responsible for partnership implementation to design, implement and continuously improve partnership and capacity strengthening activities, ensuring they have the guidance, resources and support required to deliver high-quality work.
- Ensure partnership activities are aligned with programme objectives, organisational strategy and donor commitments.
- Contribute to the development of organisational methodologies, learning and good practice relating to partnership working and capacity strengthening.
People Leadership
- Lead, support and develop a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative team culture.
- Provide ongoing management, coaching and mentoring to direct reports, including through annual performance reviews and regular development conversations.
- Support staff wellbeing and duty of care, ensuring teams have access to appropriate support and resources.
- Work with managers and staff to identify and facilitate learning and professional development opportunities.
Financial Management
- Oversee programme budgets and spending strategies, ensuring resources are managed effectively and in line with organisational priorities.
- Monitor programme expenditure and forecasts, ensuring appropriate financial oversight and accountability.
- Ensure compliance with organisational financial procedures, procurement requirements and donor regulations.
- Support the development of programme budgets for new funding proposals and organisational planning processes.
Security, Risk and Compliance
- Contribute actively to organisational security and risk management processes.
- Ensure programme activities are delivered in accordance with organisational policies, security procedures and compliance requirements.
- Support teams to identify, assess and manage operational, programmatic and security risks.
- Maintain oversight of security considerations affecting staff, investigators, partners and programme participants.
- Promote a culture of risk awareness, responsible decision-making and proactive risk management.
- Ensure the safety and quality of operational practices, including data collection, information management, secure data storage and transfer.
Skills, Experience and Characteristics
Essential
- Professional writing and speaking in either English or French, with at least effective operational efficiency in the other language (B2 or above).
- Experience managing teams or individuals across multiple international locations
- An understanding of risk management methodologies and experience applying them
- An understanding of human rights and a strong belief in their indivisibility and interdependence
- Excellent project management skills, with the ability to plan, organize, and prioritize tasks effectively to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality results.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, including experience working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams and building relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
- Flexibility and adaptability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with the ability to respond to changing priorities and requirements.
- Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of work.
Preferred
- Experience with human rights research, investigations or legal cases
- Experience with filming or documentary making
- Strong technology / IT skills and/or aptitude
- Experience with fundraising or confidence in public speaking and presenting
Application Process & Timeline
- Please submit your CV (maximum two pages) and a cover letter (maximum 400 words) describing your suitability for this position.
- Applications will close on Tuesday 7th July
- Interviews will be conducted remotely.
- We intend to complete the recruitment process by 31st July
- The successful candidate should be available to start work on Tuesday 1st September.
We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in the human rights sector and we are committed to doing what we can to correct this. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities that we serve. Therefore, we are particularly keen to receive applications from people who identify with minority and/or underrepresented groups (whether on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status). We also value diversity in terms of personal and professional experience; believing that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create stronger and more creative working environments.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.