Admin jobs for the International Development sector

The Organisation

Together We Learn is a charity registered in England and Wales, working in close partnership with Together We Learn Ethiopia, a registered NGO in Ethiopia. Operating as two distinct legal entities, the organisations work as sister charities with a shared mission and vision: to enable disadvantaged children to access high-quality education.

While Together We Learn in the UK leads fundraising, governance and international engagement, Together We Learn Ethiopia is responsible for implementing and delivering programmes on the ground.

Our approach focuses on improving both access to education and the quality of education systems, while supporting the wider wellbeing of students, families and communities. We work in partnership with state education systems to deliver sustainable, long-term impact.

By addressing educational needs both in and beyond the classroom, Together We Learn aims to create lasting change for children and communities across Ethiopia.

The Role

As CEO, you will lead the UK team of Together We Learn and work in close partnership with the Ethiopian team, providing guidance and support to enable them to deliver programmes to a high standard. You will provide overall leadership for the charity, with responsibility for fundraising and stakeholder engagement, oversight of programmes, and management of finance and operations.

The annual turnover of Together We Learn is £350,000, and you will be responsible for line managing two staff in the UK and occasional interns, as well as supporting our Ethiopian partner, who has 15 programme and 8 support staff working across two regional offices: Gondar in the Amhara region and Addis Ababa in the Oromia region. The charity is managed by an experienced board of 5 trustees who meet quarterly and provide ad hoc support in their professional areas of expertise.

The charity is in a stable position with funds secured for the current year and a fundraising plan in place for the year ahead. You will have a detailed handover to enable you to carry out the varied functions required by the role and will be supported in these by the Programmes Manager and Sponsorship Coordinator. You will report to the board on a quarterly basis.

Our current three-year strategy focuses on building the capacity of our Ethiopian partner so that they can take a greater role in leading the organisation. This runs through our approach in all aspects of our work, and specific targets have been identified to help us achieve this goal over the strategic period. You will have the opportunity to advance our strategy using your unique skills.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership

• Line manage the Programmes Manager, Sponsorship Coordinator and interns.
• Collaborate with the Ethiopia Country Director and the staff or Together We Learn-
• Ethiopia on programme delivery.
• Deliver the organisational strategy.

Deliver High Quality Programmes

• Monitor delivery of activity plans related to projects, sponsorship and school linking.
• Track programme finances against budgets.
• Support the UK staff in their programme roles.

Finance and Operations Management

• Steward Together We Learn’s finances, including reconciling accounts, managing the finance database and tracking performance against the forecast and fundraising plan.
• Due diligence checks on Ethiopian partner finances.
• Prepare annual accounts for examination and develop the annual report for Charity Commission submission.
• Governance duties and other finance admin.

Fundraising

• Reporting and applications to trusts and foundations.
• Stewardship of donors and fundraisers.
• Oversight of the annual online fundraising campaign.

Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

• Quarterly supporter newsletters.
• Posting regular updates on our social media platforms.
• Maintaining the website content, including blog updates and basic SEO management.

The job of a CEO is hard to define, especially in a small charity, so the list above covers the key areas but is not exhaustive, and other duties may be required.

Person Specification

This role requires someone with excellent time management and interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate will have experience managing teams in a development or small charity environment, as well as significant experience managing finance systems, fundraising and having oversight of multiple programmes.

Essential Experience & Competencies

• Energetic and self-motivated individual who shares our mission.
• 3+ years of team leadership or experience in a senior management role directly responsible for staff and high-level reporting. Ability to provide positive, hands-on leadership to a small team of experienced and motivated individuals.
• 3+ years of financial management, including full-cost budgeting, tracking and reconciling finances, and reporting against forecasts and spending plans.
• 3+ years of proven experience in fundraising, a successful track record of securing and reporting on significant grants as well as maintaining positive funder relations.
• Experience working overseas in an international development or education context or working closely with overseas partners in the same sectors.
• A practical, collaborative and adaptable approach with good problem-solving skills.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Strong and adaptable communication skills, both written and verbal, to support sensitive cross-cultural working and inspire funders and supporters.
• Fluency with MS Office programs, gmail and shared drives.

Desirable Experience & Competencies

• Lived experience of Ethiopia, or of a comparable context, such as the Horn of Africa or East Africa, or a strong personal or professional connection to Habesha or other African cultures.
• Degree or master’s in international development, or similar field of study.
• Office management experience.
• Project delivery or programme management experience, especially in a small charity, international development or education context.
• Experience reporting directly to board level.
• Experience increasing online engagement or driving new donor recruitment.
• Familiarity with a CRM system (e.g. Salesforce).

Equal Opportunities

We value the benefits of a diverse team and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of the Ethiopian context, or from the African diaspora, for the knowledge and cultural insight they can bring to our work.

Flexible Working

Together We Learn operates a hybrid working style, where you will spend at least one day a week in the office. We find this regular face-to-face time beneficial as a small team, enabling positive collaboration, peer support and engagement with all areas of the organisation’s work. Other hours can be worked remotely or in the office according to individual preference.

You will be responsible for your own time management but must complete the majority of your work within office hours to ensure consistent management and collaboration with colleagues. This includes staff from our partner charity in Ethiopia (time zone GMT+3/ BST+2).

Ideally, we are looking for a candidate to work full-time; however we will consider an 80% part-time role or job share applications, for the right candidate. If you are applying for a job share, please clarify which responsibilities are best aligned with your abilities.

Please note that this post is subject to a satisfactory DBS check, and the successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK.

Application Process

To apply for this role, please submit a cover letter and CV by midnight on 8 March 2026.

The cover letter should explain how your experience and skills meet the criteria required for the role.

First-stage interviews will be held online during the week commencing 16th March, with second-stage in-person interviews at our London office during the week commencing 23rd March.

Role to start date from 13th April 2026.

We regret that we are not able to provide feedback on applications that are not shortlisted for interview.

Use of AI

We understand that AI may sometimes be useful in helping you clarify your ideas or check grammar. However, we want to learn about your voice and approach, so please ensure that the application submitted is written by you and a true reflection of your professional experience.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Contract Type: Full-time, fixed term until 31 December 2026, with the intention of extending, depending on funding. 

Location: Hybrid (2 days per week in the London office) 

Reports to: Senior Consultant 

Salary and Benefits: £28k, plus discretionary annual bonus, 35 days leave per annum (inclusive of bank holidays), a 6% employer pension contribution, the option to work from any location for up to 25 working days per year.

Career Progression: We want our people to flourish and grow whilst working for us, helping to contribute towards Future Advocacy’s continued success and impact. This is why we place a big emphasis on learning and development. There are potential future pathways for the right candidate to quickly progress into a Junior Consultant role and beyond.

Why join us?

Future Advocacy is a global agency, based in London, Brussels and Berlin. We put cutting-edge advocacy, campaigning and communications tools into the hands of individuals and organisations working to create a better future. 

We are highly skilled at:

• Designing winning advocacy and strategic communications strategies 
• Mobilising targeted and powerful campaigns for change
• Securing strategically important media coverage
• Digital and creative campaigns
• Research, analysis, policy development and writing 
• Training in all aspects of strategy, government relations, campaigning, and media work

We are proud to work for some fantastic clients seeking to make the world a better place. Current and previous clients include the Jamie Oliver Group; Movember; the Elton John AIDS Foundation; Brave Movement ; Centre for Democracy and Technology ; ECPAT International ; Which? ; WaterAid; Bite Back 2030; World Food Programme; Islamic Relief; Sarah Brown’s TheirWorld charity; Wellcome Trust, and the World Wide Web Foundation. 

Our small but mighty team is made up of people from 8 countries around the world, with experience in government, politics, NGOs, foundations, and the private sector - all motivated to drive positive change. Our Founder/CEO previously was Director of the ONE campaign across Europe for seven years, responsible for all ONE’s policy, campaigns, digital, media, and advocacy work. He was a key architect of the Make Poverty History Campaign; Movement Director for the anti-slavery organisation Walk Free; and an Executive Director of the UK Labour Party. 

The Role

Future Advocacy is seeking a Research, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator. This is a great opportunity to be thrown in at the deep end in a small but growing, dynamic organisation that places a strong focus on team and personal development. The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience in a range of skills, including research, advocacy, writing, and communications. They will work closely with, and learn from, our energetic and talented team at all levels, contributing directly to our campaigns and initiatives from day one. 

Responsibilities will include:

• Researching key policy issues and stakeholders relating to consultancy projects
• Using monitoring tools to help the team spot opportunities 
• Supporting advocacy, campaigns, digital and communications work
• Supporting business development
• Supporting project management
• Other tasks as required

Requirements

We would love to hear from you if you meet the criteria below:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent 
• At least one year of work experience in research; advocacy; or communications.
• Ability to deliver work accurately in a fast-paced but supportive environment
• First-class  writing  and verbal communications skills in English at native level or equivalent 
• Digital skills, including experience in and excitement about using AI tools ethically
• Experience of using social media effectively 
• An excellent eye for detail and quality 
• Politically engaged, with a keen interest in following the news agenda
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Enthusiasm, flexibility, and ability to manage competing priorities 
• Willingness to undertake routine admin tasks 

Our Culture

Our culture and values are very important to us, allowing us to thrive in a fast changing world. The key values that drive us at Future Advocacy are:

• Always Learning: We constantly strive to improve the work we do, as a team and as individuals.
• Impactful: We define success in terms of the impact our work has on making the world more equal, sustainable and more prosperous.
• Supportive: We are open, responsive, positive and supportive to each other and to others.

Apply for this Job

Please apply by submitting a CV and cover letter below. In your cover letter please demonstrate how you meet the criteria with relevant examples. The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Sunday, March 1st. 

If successful in your application, you will be invited to first round interviews (online) in the week of 16 March. 

If we’re both excited to proceed, second interviews will be held in person the week of 23 March in our office in London, where we will ask you to complete a written task.

Future Advocacy is committed to equal opportunities. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability. We particularly encourage applications from members of groups that are currently under-represented in our organisation, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic people. 

We are happy to discuss flexible working and other adjustments on a case by case basis.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

Location: Mostly at the Saïd Foundation office in central London, with some scope for remote working.   Occasional international travel to the Levant region where deemed safe.

Responsible to: The Chairman and Board of Trustees.

Line management: Scholarships Programme Manager, Financial Controller, Finance and Programme Administrator.

Salary: £80,000 - £85,000 pro rata.

Job type: Part-time (three days a week), permanent. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for an experienced organisational manager, who will mentor our small and highly motivated team and bring proven expertise around financial and people management and governance as well as of building relationships with different stakeholders and providing strong accountability to charity trustees.   You will have an understanding of the Levant region of the Middle East, a commitment to bridge building and respect across cultures and a conviction that education can change lives for the better, create enlightened and effective leadership and benefit wider society.

Our outgoing CEO originally came to the UK as a Saïd Foundation Scholar to study at Oxford University and has worked for the Foundation for over six years.  He is leaving to return to Syria.  We are looking for an experienced manager to carry on his work in leading our team, maintaining close relationships with our Trustees, partners and students and ensuring that the Foundation’s programmes are run to the highest standards. 

ABOUT THE SAÏD FOUNDATION

The Saïd Foundation was established as a non-sectarian and non-political charity in 1982 by Wafic and Rosemary Saïd to bring positive and lasting change to the lives of children, young people and the wider community with a focus on the Levant region of the Middle East and on the UK, and on education as a powerful tool to make change.  It is governed by a Board of Trustees and the Board’s Student, Projects, Audit and Investments Committees.  Khaled Saïd has just become Chair of the Board. 

Since 1984, our longest-standing programme, the Scholarships Programme, has offered opportunities to outstanding individuals with leadership potential to be drivers of positive change within our target countries of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. It brings these change agents to the UK to study for Master’s degrees at exceptional universities and maintains close contact with them during their studies and beyond.  Our amazing community of over 700 alumni have gone on to become outstanding leaders in many fields and to build bridges and respect across cultures. 

The Foundation’s founder, Wafic Saïd, is also the founder of Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, now one of the world’s leading business schools.  The Saïd Business School Foundation (SBSF), also an English charity, was established in 1998 to support the development of the School in its pursuit of excellence. Its Strategic Development Fund  provides grants in support of initiatives that will have strategic value to the development of the School.  SBSF is funded and administered by the Saïd Foundation. 

The Foundation’s humanitarian work has responded to the shifting needs of the region over immensely challenging times.  Since 2011, it has focused on supporting Syrian refugee communities in Lebanon and Jordan through grants to major international non-governmental organisations.  Most recently, it has provided support for Gazan children orphaned by the destruction of their homeland.  Before the conflict in Syria began, the Foundation ran a capacity-building programme across the country for those working to support Syria’s disabled children. It helped to set up a sister organisation in Syria, the Saïd Foundation for Development, which will take forward future work in Syria and is now considering how to support the needs of a post-Assad Syria.

In recent years, the Foundation has also worked to promote better health outcomes for people everywhere by making grants to innovative and impactful projects at world-leading medical research institutions based in the UK and known to the Saïd family. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job purpose:

To lead a small, motivated team in the best-practice implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Foundation’s programmes and grants and to build strong relationships with the Foundation’s Trustees, partners and scholars.

Responsibilities:

1. Programme and grant management

a) To oversee the management of the scholarships programme, ensuring the selection of outstanding students from the Levant region and the Foundation’s duty of care to them while they are in the UK.

b) To oversee the Foundation’s grant-making programmes, ensuring that grants agreed by the Trustees are informed by rigorous due diligence and are monitored effectively.

c) To provide guidance as necessary to the Board and staff of the Saïd Foundation for Development in Syria on governance and project management matters.

d) To oversee the evaluation of the scholarships programme periodically, and grant-funded projects as necessary, to ensure they achieve their intended objectives and apply learning to their improvement.

2. Organisation and staff management

a) To devise and implement annual plans for implementation of the Foundation’s work, define the level and timing of human and other resources required to deliver the plans and develop key performance indicators to report progress against plans to the Board.

b) To foster a supportive work culture, managing staff in line with best human resource practice and ensuring high levels of motivation and strong performance.

c) To recruit staff, when necessary.

d) To oversee the effective operation of all office systems, including IT and the scholarships platform and database, and introduce improvements (for example, in the use of AI).

e) To ensure that health and safety aspects are taken into account appropriately when the Foundation’s staff, students and Trustees are travelling in connection with the Foundation’s activities.

3. Governance and Trustees

a) To meet regularly with the Chairman to ensure he is fully informed of developments and to support planning for Board and Committee deliberations.

b) To engage Trustees actively, drawing on their expertise to enhance the work of the Foundation, and report to them regularly on the Foundation’s work.

c) With the help of other staff, to make recommendations to the Foundation’s Committees on their focus areas and ensure high quality papers for Board and Committee meetings and timely follow up of action points.

d) To remain up to date with developments in charity governance and regulation to ensure that the Foundation follows best practice and is compliant with regulations.

e) To identify key risks to the Foundation’s funding, operation and reputation, ensuring that controls are in place for their mitigation and their inclusion in the risk register.

4. Financial, accounting and investment matters (with the Financial Controller)

a) To ensure that accurate annual budgets for the Foundation’s programmes, staff, administration and property management costs are approved by the Trustees and that cash flow projections support decision-making on the timely funding of the Foundation.

b) To ensure that monthly management accounts and annual statutory accounts provide all necessary information for accountability and management purposes.

c) To oversee rigorous internal controls for the Foundation’s payments and receipts.

d) To support the Investment Committee in ensuring the effective management and secure custody of the Foundation’s financial and property assets and monitoring of the performance of these investments.

5. Saïd Business School Foundation (SBSF)

a) To ensure that all Strategic Development Fund (and other) grants meet the objectives agreed with the School and monitor the impact of the grants through the School’s reporting.

b) To oversee high-quality reporting to SBSF’s Board of Directors and its Committees including on the overall development and performance of the School.

c) To monitor the continuing fulfilment of undertakings made to SBSF by Oxford University so that any departure from these undertakings can be assessed by the Board.

d) To ensure that all SBSF’s accounting and other regulatory requirements are met.

6. Representing the Foundation

a) To represent the Foundation externally at events and meetings and ensure that its own events provide a warm, welcoming and inspiring experience for invitees.

b) To build enduring relationships of trust with existing and new partners.

c) To ensure that the Foundation’s engagement with its students and alumni creates a strong sense of belonging to the Saïd Foundation “family”. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

a) Strong relationship building skills with a wide range of people (such as Trustees, partners and students).

b) Experience of managing, motivating and mentoring a team to achieve their potential.

c) Excellent and engaging communications and presentation skills, in person and in writing.

d) Strong experience of the UK charity sector and charity regulation and governance.

e) Proven experience in budget setting, financial planning, and financial management.

f) Excellent organisation and management skills, with the ability to manage a number of tasks at the same time.

g) An understanding, and personal experience, of the Levant region of the Middle East.

h) An existing and unrestricted right to work in the UK.

Desirable

i) Experience of recruiting exceptional students and of supporting their needs as overseas students.

j) Experience of developing, implementing and delivering educational and/or humanitarian programmes.

k) Experience in grant making, including due diligence, agreement management, monitoring and evaluation.

Attributes

a) A commitment to bridge building and respect across cultures.

b) A conviction that education can change lives for the better, create enlightened and effective leadership and benefit wider society.

c) An adaptable approach including the flexibility to undertake a wide range of tasks.

d) A “can do” attitude, enthusiasm, resilience and energy.

e) Integrity, humility and discretion.

OTHER BENEFITS

- Employer’s pension contribution of 5% of salary.

- 25 days’ holiday in addition to bank holidays.

- Private health insurance.

HOW TO APPLY AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

To apply, please email a CV outlining your relevant experience, including how it meets the requirements of the job description, along with a cover letter of no more than two pages explaining your interest in the role and addressing the criteria set out in the person specification. Please refer to the attached application brief for more information.

Deadline for applications: Monday 9 March 2026 at 10:00 UK time.

Interviews: First interviews on 19 and 20 March; second interviews on 23 and 25 March. First interviews will be in person in central London or, if necessary, by video call depending on candidates’ ability to travel. Second interviews will be in person in central London. 

We are happy to offer informal, pre-application conversations about the role.