Communications and policy officer jobs in Manchester

Starting Salary: £35,668 – £39,005 (Pro Rate to 14 Hours)

Contract: Permanent

Location: Home-Based Role (living within or very close to the area covered)

Hours: Part-time (14 hours per week)The area covered comprises the Catholic dioceses of Birmingham and Portsmouth & the post holder must be able to travel widely around the area covered.

Job Profile

CAFOD works with the Catholic community in England and Wales to tackle poverty and injustice.

As a Community Participation Coordinator (Education Focus), you’ll grow engagement across Catholic schools, parishes and communities in the Birmingham and Portsmouth dioceses. You’ll inspire people to give, act and pray, while recruiting and supporting volunteers and building strong relationships with clergy, school leaders and diocesan partners.

Working within CAFOD’s national Education Team, you’ll collaborate locally to increase school participation and strengthen volunteer networks. This role is primarily school-focused, with occasional parish engagement.

This is a home-based role that requires regular travel across the dioceses and occasional visits to CAFOD’s London office. Flexibility is key, with some evening or weekend work and occasional transport of resources (expenses and time off in lieu provided).

Role Responsibilities

Delivering participation plans

• Share accountability for delivery of annual participation plans for the region (a group of dioceses) with a primary focus on one diocese or area, and share in the delivery of fundraising, education, campaigns and media objectives and targets, as delineated by the participation plan for the region. This role will have a focus on schools’ engagement.
• Contribute to the development of activities to achieve objectives in support of and appropriate for local contexts. Through increased numbers and activity of school volunteers, more Catholic schools will be visited by a CAFOD volunteer.
• Maintain regular outreach, promotion and relationship-building with volunteers and key leaders in parish and school communities and Catholic church and education networks.

Managing volunteers

• Be the lead volunteer manager for an identified portfolio of volunteer roles locally and ensure effective coordination and communication.
• Match the offers, skills, experiences and expectations of volunteers with opportunities and needs in relation to CAFOD’s plans for schools.
• Organise and promote volunteer meetings and training opportunities online/offline to either to deliver themselves or by another member of the Education Section.

Managing relationships and promotion

• Represent CAFOD in the diocese and ensure CAFOD retains a diverse range of relationships including with priests, school staff, academy trusts and others within a diocese. 
• Ensure CAFOD is promoted via various diocesan communication channels, working with diocesan communications officers and school communities.

Job-specific competencies

I. A demonstrable commitment to volunteering and understanding of its potential as a force for change.

II. Experience of managing multiple relationships with volunteers and a wide variety of volunteers, including recruitment and retention, and managing volunteer performance.

III. Willingness and ability to travel extensively to all parts of the area covered and to travel to other parts of the region/country as needed. At times, it will be necessary to transport equipment and resources and to be flexible to work evenings and weekends.

IV. A proven ability to work within the Catholic education setting.

CAFOD is a welcoming, supportive workplace committed to a safe, inclusive culture where everyone is respected. CAFOD will make reasonable adjustments at every stage of the recruitment process to ensure candidates with disabilities or individual needs are fully supported.

Safeguarding for Children and Vulnerable Adults

CAFOD recognises the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect.  CAFOD, and all its staff and volunteers, undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse.  CAFOD is committed to acting at all times in the best interests of children and vulnerable adults, seeing these interests as paramount.  Any candidate offered a job with CAFOD will be expected to adhere to CAFOD’s Safeguarding policy and sign CAFOD’s Code of Behaviour as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. This post involves contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults, or has responsibility for people who will do, and applicants will be subject to specific checks related to safeguarding issues.  If based in the UK the post holder is required to present or obtain a Disclosure from the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service).  If the post is based outside the UK the post holder will be subject to a different checking process.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, and appropriate screening checks can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. CAFOD also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of, and consent to, these recruitment procedures.

Please click here for a full list of CAFOD’s Staff Benefits

Location: Fully remote with flexible working arrangements 

Salary: £51,500 FTE

Contract: This role is part time for 3 days a week (0.6FTE). 

Closing date for applications: 5th July

Due to high numbers of applications, prior to interview we plan to carry out initial screening calls with prospective candidates before selection for interview. We will be asking about your reasons for applying and how you think your skills and experiences align to the role.

Screening calls: 16th/17th July

Panel interviews: 22nd July 

Start Date: ASAP

About the Warm Welcome Campaign

Founded in 2022, the Warm Welcome Campaign wants everyone in the UK to find a place of belonging and reconnection at a Warm Welcome Space near their home. We have a bold ambition to enable a more deeply connected society where we all have free access to welcoming community spaces. 

We resource, connect and champion a network of over 6,300 Warm Welcome Spaces and bring together a growing coalition of local, regional, and national partners representing the worlds of charity, faith, business, government, and philanthropy. By working together, we can unlock the power of community spaces made by and for everyone, creating a thriving network of hope and reconnection fueled by human warmth. 

We’re working hard to reach everyone with the message that a Warm Welcome is waiting for them just around the corner, all through the year. 

Throughout all our work and within our team we live out our values of being inclusive, collaborative and courageous and our personality that is friendly, adventurous and uplifting.

It’s an important moment for us – we are now in our second year of our five year strategy which shows a clear picture of the path we have set ourselves ahead to continue to deliver and deepen our impact. We now have approximately 3.5 million visitors to Warm Welcome Spaces each year. In January we delivered a hugely successful second ever Warm Welcome Week in collaboration with a wide variety of partners. 

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for a purposeful and proactive individual to work within a small (but growing), friendly and dynamic team in a varied role. If you are brilliant at leading and developing complex multi-stakeholder processes and systems, and passionate for your input to shape work that makes a genuine difference to people’s lives, this could be the role for you.

To support ongoing growth and development of the Warm Welcome Campaign, we are looking for a Head of Operations to be responsible for supporting the Senior Leadership Team in the effective and efficient running of the Campaign and the coordination and development of our ambitious 5-year strategy. The role will sit within Warm Welcome’s Senior Leadership Team, which also includes the Campaign Director, Director of Communications, Director of Programmes and Development, and will report directly to the Good Faith Partnership Operations Director. 

The purpose of the Warm Welcome Senior Leadership Team is to:

• Own and develop the Warm Welcome strategy, ensuring sustainability and delivery

• Lead, direct, engage and inspire the Warm Welcome team, setting the tone and culture

• Be accountable for significant decisions, challenges and risks.

The Head of Operations role will help to support and co-ordinate the work of the Senior Leadership team to be as effective as possible in achieving this purpose.

We’re looking for someone who thrives on fast-paced and varied work, organisational growth and development and has demonstrable experience of making things happen. The ideal candidate will be highly organised and solutions-oriented, while also bringing a creative, innovative and forward-thinking approach. 

At Warm Welcome, we value diversity and we recognise the enormous benefits and the social imperative of bringing together diverse groups of people. We therefore warmly welcome applications from a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Responsibilities

The role will be responsible for:

• Supporting and coordinating the Warm Welcome Senior Leadership Team to function as effectively as possible

• Supporting the Warm Welcome team to ensure that our 5-year strategy is delivered on time and to budget, including coordinating our annual workplan of activities against our strategy

• Developing our internal set up, processes and systems during a period of growth

• Overseeing the Warm Welcome financial, compliance and risk management

• Coordinating the Warm Welcome team growth, culture and performance

• Overseeing long term financial planning and forecasting for Warm Welcome

• Supporting the delivery of other Warm Welcome efforts, as appropriate

Person specification 

Strategy Oversight and Development

• Experience in coordinating workplans linked to a strategy to ensure that progress is being made and any areas of concern are identified and acted on quickly

Developing internal processes and systems

• Ability to create and develop high functioning, accessible systems for the whole team’s use

• Highly organised with accurate record keeping and ability to prioritise work to ensure deadlines are met and opportunities are maximised

• All candidates will need to be competent with CRM Systems, Google Suite and Microsoft Office

Financial, Risk and Compliance management 

• Experience of financial management, including budget setting, owning and developing budgets, and reporting processes

• Experience of overseeing risk management and mitigation within a team

• Experience of overseeing compliance i.e. reporting to the Charity Commission, reporting related to GDPR, developing and reviewing policies etc.

Team growth and performance

• Experience of line management, leading and developing high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment.

• A strong team player who is flexible, positive and responds with strong influencing and negotiation skills and a commitment to the organisation and team working

• Experience of leading organisational growth, set up and design

Working Arrangements 

• Current members of the team are based across the UK, with some in London, Reading, Bristol, Manchester, York and Northern Ireland. Applicants must be able to travel to Bristol once a month for a Tuesday full team meeting. Given the nature of this role we would also expect the applicant to carry out a reasonable amount of travel to both Warm Welcome Spaces and partners across the UK. 

• This role is fully remote, with flexible working arrangements. 

• All employees, volunteers, partners, suppliers and consultants working with GFP are expected to adhere to our Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies. GFP’s commitment to safeguarding means we seek to ensure that no harm comes to people as a result of contact with the organisation’s programmes, operations or people.

• You will need to have the right to work in the UK.

Please refer to the attached job description for full details. 

About Care4Calais

Care4Calais (C4C) is a volunteer-based charity providing essential aid and support for refugees in northern France and the UK. We support through on-the-ground assistance, and advocate for a fair asylum system - including safe routes to the UK with refugee rights on arrival.

We work alongside people seeking safety to ensure access to daily essentials, and fill gaps where state support is not provided. We are here for everyone attempting to navigate the complexities of claiming asylum in the UK - providing access to justice, and practical, welcoming support. We also communicate to the public the need for action in support of refugees. Our vision is an inclusive society where people seeking safety have a safe home and a bright future free from inequality.

In northern France we operate year round from Calais, providing warm clothing, shoes, shelter, services, and assistance to refugees living in appalling conditions.

Across the UK we collect and distribute clothes and other essential items, and provide social support and interaction including language lessons, sport and music workshops. We also help with vital access to legal, medical and educational services. We are a community with the shared goals of creating a just asylum system, and a fair and welcoming society for all refugees.

Our work involves organising successful campaigns against racist UK government policies, such as the Rwanda plan and the use of barracks as accommodation for people seeking sanctuary.

All of Care4Calais' operations are supported by a small, dedicated staff team, who supervise large volunteer teams to provide critical support to asylum seekers and people on the move in both the UK and France.

About the role

The UK Operations team provides essential psychosocial support to people seeking safety through practical services; such as running distributions, delivering English classes and drop ins, as well as activities to promote wellbeing such as trips and sports activities.

The UK Field Operations Manager will be responsible for managing our operations in London, working as part of the UK Field Operations Team to support large teams of grassroots volunteers to provide essential support to people seeking safety. 

You will need to onboard and motivate volunteers through continuous engagement and support to ensure that proper safety procedures for effective  distributions and activities are in place, well communicated, and consistently applied. The performance of each region and team needs to be regularly assessed and action taken to build capacity and skills where needed. Successful Field Operations Managers will build networks with local charities, community groups and Local Authorities to help grow and develop the operations of the local Care4Calais volunteer teams. As an operation, continuous improvement through research, learning and development of practices and policies will be critical. The successful candidate for this role will be proactive and hardworking with the ability to problem-solve and prioritise effectively. The role would suit someone who is a self-starter, a strong team player and excels working in a varied role. Candidates will need strong organisational skills and must have the ability to make numerous important and compassionate decisions each day.
You will be expected to demonstrate excellent judgement, initiative, integrity, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate with a diverse group of people. You will be part of Care4Calais’ core team in the UK and will report directly to the Chief Operations Officer. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a highly committed team dedicated to improving the lives of those seeking safety.

 Key Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:

• Providing core operations support for Care4Calais’ operations in the UK (specifically London), working to build capacity and support volunteers in their activities. This includes supporting with setting up and running clothing distributions, drop-in sessions, trips and activities as well as supporting volunteers offering guidance and information to individuals.

• Working alongside a small staff team to develop processes, procedures and documentation to support the effective running of Care4Calais’ humanitarian operations. 

• Attending external meetings, building and maintaining relationships with partners and key stakeholders which allow Care4Calais’ operations to continue to run smoothly and effectively.

• Managing and supporting large teams of dedicated volunteers supporting people seeking safety.

• Being involved in ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed in your teams.

• Volunteer onboarding and induction, and continuous volunteer management.

• Develop and deliver training to volunteers.

• Regular in-person visits to the volunteer teams you manage in London. 

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Experience: 

• Clear leadership ability, with the capability to act with initiative and drive;

• Proven project management skills;

• Strong commitment to the rights of people seeking safety;

• Commitment to Care4Calais' values and mission, including anti-racism;

• Hands on, operational, dynamic and enthusiastic;

• Team worker with good communication and people skills;

• Self-motivated and used to managing multiple priorities to meet deadlines;

• Able to build positive relationships with a range of stakeholders including those from displaced communities, Local Authorities and other charities;

• Ability to respond to the fast-changing and dynamic nature of the UK asylum system, always prioritising the needs and desires of the communities we support;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;

• Ability to work on Google Workspace and Office 365.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Experience leading and managing volunteer teams from varied backgrounds

• Experience working/volunteering supporting people seeking safety 

• Experience in making grant applications/fundraising experience and managing budgets

• Proficiency in one or more of the languages spoken within asylum seeking communities, such as, but not limited to: Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, Dari, Kurdish Sorani, Tigrinya or Amharic.

Please note: While day-to-day this is a remote role, you will be expected to conduct semi-regular visits to the local volunteer teams in the areas you manage (London). You must therefore be willing to travel, and you will be supported in doing so.

Applications

Please provide a short cover letter/personal statement that explains why you are suitable for this role and why you want to work for Care4Calais, and answer the short application questions.

The successful applicant will be provided with the induction and training needed for them to succeed in the role.

Please note that we receive a high number of applications and are a small internal team. If you do not receive a response in the first round, it means you have not been selected.

We understand that AI can be a useful tool, however we ask that you do not use it for this application as we want your application to be personal to you. 

Equality & Safeguarding

Care4Calais is an equal opportunities employer. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, disabled candidates, and those with lived experience of the immigration system.

Care4Calais is committed to safeguarding, so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and assessments to ensure post holders demonstrate attitudes and values that align with our commitment to an organisational culture that promotes safeguarding.

Lived Experience Inclusion

We are an anti-racist organisation and a proud member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network (EBE), which aims to create a charitable sector led by individuals with lived experience of the asylum system. As part of our membership, we are dedicated to creating inclusive employment practices that recognise and accommodate the unique circumstances and strengths of people with lived experience. We actively move away from a one-size-fits-all approach, ensuring our recruitment processes are fair, supportive, and accessible.

We warmly encourage applicants with lived experience to make use of the guidance and resources available on the EBE website (ebeemployment.). In addition, applicants with lived experience are welcome to connect with the EBE support team for tailored assistance with completing the application form and, where available, one-to-one interview preparation. 

Importantly, we recognise the significant cultural, linguistic, and experiential insights that individuals with lived experience of the UK asylum system bring to this role. As such, all applicants from this background who meet the essential criteria will be automatically shortlisted and invited to interview.

An exciting opportunity has come up to oversee the operational management and delivery of our burgeoning volunteer-led music and mental health charity. We are looking for a new Community & Operations Lead who has a track record of working holistically and empathetically in line with best practice to effectively manage and grow our services at an operational level; support the ongoing safe recruitment and retention of volunteers through our volunteer pathway; build and support community engagement; manage our two studio sites; and design, develop and manage exciting projects informed by our community members’ vision in collaboration with the Strategy & Fundraising Lead.

Our new Community & Operations Lead will be a calm and reassuring presence with a track record of facilitating positive working relationships, co-productive and person-centred approaches, and intersectional working in order to support our work addressing local health inequalities and reducing the health, social and financial barriers to creativity and support that local people face.

Seed Studios is a music and mental health charity based at Old Trafford Wellbeing Centre and Broomwood Community Wellbeing Centre working with adults aged 18+. From our centres, we support positive mental health and culture in Trafford through...

• our weekly volunteer-led Community Music Wellbeing Workshops, in which adults learn new instruments and disciplines in sessions proven to improve confidence, skills, connections and mental & emotional wellbeing
• our 1-to-1 music tuition and peer support which compliments support that individuals receive from our Trafford, Manchester and Salford health partners
• our inspiring and community-building events such as Open Mics and our annual Celebrate Seed Studios event
• our innovative partnership programmes, like our monthly workshop series with older adults charity String of Hearts, and our fortnightly In Harmony workshops in partnership with Dementia Disco and Trafford Choices.

In 2025, We enabled over 800 hours of free volunteer-led sessions with an annual footfall of over 2500 as well as 24 hours of free, 1-to-1 music tuition support for referrals from our health partners every month.