Community programmes manager jobs

ID: 1826 Service Manager

Service: Wigan Crisis Space

Salary: Starting at £37,211 and rising to £41,518 FTE per annum

Location: Wigan Crisis Space

Hours: 37 hours per week (full-time) – flexible across the week, hours will include some weekend and evening work

We offer flexible working arrangements - please see below for more details.

Contract: Permanent

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:

At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities.

We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the

importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the service delivery our Wigan Crisis Space that operates in Wigan town centre. The service operates from 3pm – 10pm , 7 days per week. There is an expectation that the post holder will work flexibly to meet the needs of the service. Please see Job Description for additional information.

The Wigan Crisis Space forms part of the Greater Manchester VCSE crisis pathway, we are non- clinical alternative to A&E. The focus of our work is to offer timely support to adults who are experiencing mental and emotional distress and suicide ideation. The Crisis Space is an out of hours service that creates a safe space for adults to access timely compassionate support from trained recovery workers.

The Service Manager will have responsibility to line manage two Team Leaders, and overall leadership for the staff team working within the service. We are looking for a values driven leader who can work closely with the Operational Manager to support and develop the service to increase our reach to adults who are experiencing a MH crisis.

Main Responsibilities:

· working within the Wigan Crisis Space to provide leadership and management to the staff team to ensure the delivery of a safe, effective and appropriate service to adults living within the Borough of Wigan

· ensuring that the service is integrated, comprehensive and makes a difference to people using it, with clear focus on improving mental and emotional health and wellbeing and social outcomes meaning that people will be healthier, safer, happier, more resilient, more independent and better able to enjoy life opportunities.

· Facilitating opportunities for staff, volunteers and people who use the service to contribute to the ongoing development of the Crisis Space by sharing learning, listening and sharing and responding to feedback and by using the feedback from this to create and implement a continuous development plan

Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):

· Experience of managing and leading teams within health, social care, voluntary sector or community-based services, including supervision, performance management and staff development.

· Experience of working with adults experiencing mental health challenges, including safeguarding, risk management, partnership working and achieving positive service outcomes

· Strong interpersonal skills, with the confidence and ability to present and communicate information effectively both in person and using a range of mediums to internal and external stakeholders, adults, children, young people and funders.

·Appointments are subject to Family Action receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service – Enhanced

Benefits:

- an annual paid leave entitlement that commences at 25 working days, rising each April by one day, subject to a maximum of 30 working days plus bank holidays / of 30 working days plus bank holiday pro rata

- up to 6% matched-pension contributions

- flexible working arrangements and new starters have the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment

- enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions

- eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers

- cycle to work scheme

- investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.

To Apply:

· Click the “Redirect to Recruiter” link above and fill out our digital application form

· Closing Date: 20th July 2026 at 5pm

Interviews are scheduled to take place on: Friday 31st July 2026 in Bolton.

For direct queries or if you would like to discuss any aspect of the selection process or flexible working requests, please email Rita Croome.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community / particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support.

All candidates with a disability are welcome to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme and request priority consideration for an interview, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role. 

To help remove financial barriers to working with us, we will reimburse travel costs if you are invited to attend an interview in person. 

*Ordinarily Family Action appoints new starters at the starting point of the salary scale (with subsequent annual pay progression), unless you have experience that would justify appointment further up the salary scale or there are any other exceptional reasons.

Hybrid – within commuting distance of one of our campuses in Beckenham, Blackburn, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Doncaster or Redcar

Help attract and develop the teachers and leaders who will shape the future of education!

About us

The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) has an unswerving commitment to high-quality, evidence-informed teacher education and is on a mission to improve the quality of teacher and leader development across the system.

About the role

At the National Institute of Teaching, we are working to improve the quality of teacher and leader development at a system level. We believe teaching is a fundamental societal good, a privilege and a responsibility, and we are looking for a Senior Programmes Recruitment & Marketing Manager who can help us reach, engage and recruit the teachers and leaders who will make the greatest difference for children.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead national recruitment and marketing activity across our programmes, ensuring that our approach is ambitious, inclusive, evidence-informed and responsive to the needs of schools. You will oversee recruitment pipelines from initial interest through to programme commencement, using data and insight to improve performance, support regional teams, and ensure that the NIoT meets its recruitment targets across the country.

Working closely with the Director of Recruitment and Marketing, Programme faculties, Regional Principals, Associate Colleges and our Research and Best Practice function, you will play a key role in strengthening our national reach. You will lead strategic recruitment and marketing plans, support intervention in areas of need, champion inclusive and equitable recruitment practice, and ensure our messaging reflects the realities of schools, teachers and leaders.

We are looking for someone who combines strong strategic thinking with practical delivery. You will bring experience of leading recruitment, sales or income generation activity, designing and implementing strategy, working towards ambitious targets, and using data to drive improvement. You will also be an excellent communicator, confident working across teams and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-moving national organisation.

This is a hybrid role, with an expectation that the postholder will work from the office at least once a fortnight, and more frequently where required to meet business needs. The role also involves national travel, which may include overnight stays.

Key benefits

• Generous annual leave – 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays), rising to 33 days after five years’ service.
• Flexible working – we offer flexible start and end working times, with hybrid working in place for all roles.
• Pension – entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Salary sacrifice schemes – we offer salary sacrifice schemes for bikes, cars and tech!
• Lifestyle benefits – we offer discounts on gyms, cinema, retail and much more!
• Parenthood leave – we offer above the statutory minimum for maternity, adoption and paternity leave.
• Working environment – we have a stimulating, supportive and rewarding working environment with a dedicated team of like-minded professionals.
• Support – our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides confidential support for employees on personal or work-related matters.
• Development – we fully support the development of our staff and ensure that you have a high level of continuous professional development.

We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

For more information and to apply, please visit our vacancies page.

Closing date: 31 July 2026.
Interview dates: 10 and 11 August 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

As a condition of employment, this post requires a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with a Children’s Barred List Check and an Occupational Health Check.

The Senior Programme Manager will be responsible for  managing  FFRP, a London wide programme that supports families on low income to access good quality, free and independent advice, in order to prevent or alleviate financial hardship. The ideal candidate will be an experienced project manager, confident in relationship management and in evaluation and monitoring, with a strong understanding of the free legal advice sector in London. 

About the role

The Academy runs some of the most valued grant schemes and development programmes in UK biomedical and health research. Springboard Awards help researchers establish their independence. Starter Grants keep talented clinicians in research alongside their clinical work. Leadership programmes like FLIER develop people who can work across academia, healthcare and industry to tackle real-world challenges, and alongside these sit opportunities to spend time working in industry, the NHS or government. Moving between sectors should be a normal part of a medical research career (it is not yet), and much of our work is built with that belief: a more connected and mobile workforce is better able to turn discovery into benefit. Between them, these schemes change the course of people's careers, and the research they enable reaches patients across the UK and beyond.

This role leads that portfolio. The heart of the job is excellent delivery: schemes that are well designed and well run, and that make a real difference to the people they reach. You will work closely with the Fellowship, whose expertise and generosity run through the whole portfolio, and you will make sure the schemes serve the whole of the medical sciences community (across the devolved nations and the regions, in industry as much as academia), not just those already inside the most established institutions. And science is global, so this work is too: the portfolio draws on evidence and partnerships from around the world, and the mentoring and networks around the people we support reach well beyond the UK.

Today much of the portfolio's focus is research talent and careers. That will always be a substantial part of the portfolio, but over time we plan to expand it further. That expansion could go in several directions, and what matters is that we are taking an evidence-based approach to ensure that our efforts are responding to what the medical sciences sector needs. Whatever we launch next, the same principles apply; good design, sound funding, proper governance and solid evaluation, with our effort concentrated where it delivers the most impact. So, the job is twofold: run today's portfolio brilliantly and build the future portfolio. It is a role where you can see your work land in people's lives, with real scope to shape what comes next. And none of it stands alone: what we learn from the people we fund sharpens our policy voice, the community our programmes build strengthens our engagement and public trust work, and insight flows back the other way to shape what we design next.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will share in the leadership of the Academy as a whole, working closely with the other directors: the Chief Operating Officer and the Directors of Policy, Communications and Engagement, and Translation and Enterprise. The relationship with Translation and Enterprise matters especially. That team will shape new partnerships and initiatives that your team is best placed to deliver, so the two of you will work in very close partnership.

What we are looking for

These are the six areas we will explore with candidates. They match the six parts of the role above, so you can read straight across — and your supporting statement can follow the same structure if that helps. We do not expect anyone to arrive with every part fully formed, but the strongest candidates will be convincing across most of them.

1. Excellent delivery

A strong track record of running grant schemes or of significant programmatic delivery. Much of this is operational: holding an annual cycle to time and budget, catching problems early and getting stuck things moving again. It is also about making sure the portfolio adds up to a coherent whole rather than a collection of separate schemes, with the governance discipline — sound contracts, clean compliance, rigorous oversight — that sits behind delivery done well.

2. Building partnerships and negotiating well

A track record of building and sustaining partnerships with funders, delivery organisations and industry, and the skill and pace to turn them into agreements where appropriate. We will want to hear how you have handled a complex negotiation and brought it to a close. The Chief Operating Officer leads the Academy’s income strategy, so we will also explore how you develop partners in concert with colleagues.

3. Range and credibility across the community

This role runs from Fellows (some of the most eminent scientists in the country) to researchers at the very start of their careers, and from government and funders to industry partners. We are looking for someone with the range to work well across all of them, and the credibility to be taken seriously at every level. We will also explore how you have widened access and drawn talent in from beyond the usual places.

4. A focus on impact

A commitment to looking at what difference the portfolio you lead makes. We are looking for someone who treats evaluation as a source of learning and uses what it shows to decide what the Academy should do next, keeping sight of the people and patients the work is for.

5. Leading and empowering people

A brilliant leader of people: someone who gets the best from a talented team by giving them space and ownership, backing them with real support and coaching, and building a culture where people thrive and develop.

6. Collective leadership

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you would share responsibility for the Academy as a whole, not only your own directorate. We want someone who takes that seriously, brings challenge where it is needed, backs colleagues when it counts, and helps make the Academy a brilliant place to work.

Benefits

We offer a competitive and evolving benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, development and work–life balance, including:

• Competitive salary and pension
• 26 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Option to buy or sell annual leave 
• Additional paid closure between Christmas and New Year
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Health, wellbeing and employee support programmes
• Cycle-to-work scheme and everyday benefits
• Structured learning and development
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity leave
• Enhanced occupational sick pay

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button.

Closing date for completed applications: Midday on Monday 17 August 2026.

First interviews will be held 25-26 August 2026 with the CEO, Roz Campion, and the COO, James Lawrence, and focused on two competencies – leadership and delivery.

Second interviews will be held on 1 September 2026 with an external panel.

Grade: NJC Point 23 - £34,434 per annum

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (excluding a 30-minute break each day)

Days: Monday to Friday (core hours are worked between 8am – 6pm)

Contract: Full-time, 12-month contract (possibility of extension subject to funding)

Responsible to: Grants Manager

Place of work: Based at Salford CVS’ offices in Eccles, Salford, M30 0FN, and in community settings

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Salford CVS to support our grants and investment programmes.

We are looking to recruit a full-time (37.5 hours per week) Grants Development Worker on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

You will assist the Grants Manager and Grants Co-ordinator in the development and delivery of a large grants and investments programme, aimed at voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and schools, in excess of £2m per year and largely focused on addressing health inequalities in the city of Salford. The role will be based in both the office and community settings.

To be successful, you will be able to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds, from small community groups to large charities, schools and public sector commissioners. This will include tailoring information, advice and guidance to the needs of the VCSE sector.

The Benefits of Working for Salford CVS

• 28 days’ holiday - rising to 30 days (after five years), plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part-time)
• Enhanced company sick and maternity pay, subject to terms and conditions of service
• Pension scheme - with 7% employer contribution (and 1% mandatory employee contribution)
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Membership of the Hospital Saturday Fund via an employer subsidised scheme (optional and non-contractual)
• RHS family membership (optional and non-contractual)
• Development opportunities - we support and encourage our staff to progress in their careers (including formal training)
• A supportive working culture - we respect and support one another to do the best we can

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the ‘apply’ button.

Closing date: 9am, Monday 17th August 2026.

Interviews will take place in person at Salford CVS’ offices in Eccles on Thursday 27th August 2026.

About the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

For over 50 years, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has been at the forefront of wildlife conservation in Kenya. Founded on the extraordinary work of Dame Daphne Sheldrick, we are best known for our orphaned elephant rescue and rehabilitation programme – the most successful of its kind in the world. Our work has grown to encompass anti-poaching, habitat protection, community conservation and long-term field programmes across East Africa.

We have a global community of passionate supporters, a powerful brand, and a cause that genuinely moves people. Our UK charity facilitates the global elephant adoption programme, leads on UK fundraising, and connects supporters everywhere with the animals and landscapes they love.

The Opportunity

This is a new and significant appointment for SWT UK. We are looking for a Director of Development to develop and lead our UK fundraising strategy – taking ownership of income generation across all streams, donor communications and supporter stewardship, and managing a team of three talented fundraising professionals.

Our individual supporter base is large globally – growing in UK – loyal and deeply engaged: many give through our elephant adoption programme, which connects them directly with named animals in our care. We are now ready to build on this engaged supporter base and develop it into a structured individual giving programme – with mid-level giving pathways, major donor cultivation, systematic stewardship and deeper philanthropic relationships. That is the central challenge and opportunity of this role.

We also have active corporate and trust relationships, a legacy programme in development, and real potential to grow income from European and international funders. The Director of Development will take ownership of all of this – hands on and strategic in equal measure.

What You Will Do

• Develop and implement a new UK fundraising strategy, establishing clear priorities, income targets and programmes that will drive growth through to 2030 and beyond
• Develop and implement a UK individual giving programme – building on our adoption base to create structured giving journeys, mid-level and major donor cultivation, and meaningful stewardship
• Manage the UK fundraising budget, set and monitor income targets across all streams, and report regularly to the Executive Director on performance and ROI
• Take day-to-day ownership of corporate and trust relationships, writing reports, proposals and partner communications
• Build a major donor programme from the ground up, identifying and cultivating high-value individual prospects
• Develop legacy marketing activity, working alongside our existing legacy administrator and Freewill partnership
• Manage and inspire a team of three: Communications and Fundraising Manager, Retail Manager and Supporter Care Officer, and Fundraising Support Officer
• Oversee the donor database (Donorfy), ensuring data quality and insight-driven decision making
• Explore opportunities to grow income from European and international donors
• Contribute to the global income picture, including through improved donor stewardship and deeper supporter engagement
• Support the growth of SWT's profile and visibility in the UK through press opportunities, social media, and other channels.

About You

We are looking for a fundraiser who loves the craft – someone who is energised by building relationships, writing a compelling proposal, developing a giving programme from scratch, and ensuring every supporter feels genuinely valued. This is a hands-on role as much as a leadership one, and the right person will be comfortable doing both.

• Proven track record in fundraising, with demonstrable success securing income from individuals, trusts or corporates – including five-figure gifts and above
• Experience developing individual giving programmes, including mid-level or major donor cultivation
• A hands-on practitioner – comfortable writing proposals, reports and donor communications yourself
• Experience managing a small fundraising team with warmth, clarity and accountability
• Strong relationship management and stewardship skills
• Experience working with a donor CRM and using data to inform fundraising decisions
• Comfortable in a building role – excited by developing programmes that don't yet exist
• Experience managing fundraising budgets and producing income forecasts and performance reports.
• Genuine passion for wildlife conservation – this role is for someone who cares about the cause
• Committed to in-person working – we believe day-to-day presence and collaboration produces better outcomes for our donors and our team, and ask for a minimum of three days per week at our Billingshurst office

Why Join Us

• A mission that genuinely matters – 50 years of life-changing conservation work and a cause that moves people around the world
• A large, loyal and warm supporter base with significant untapped potential
• Real scope to build something – this is a new role with genuine influence from day one
• A small, close-knit team with shared purpose and a genuine commitment to each other's wellbeing
• Direct line to the Executive Director and member of senior leadership team
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (33 days total)
• Salary exchange pension with 5% employer contribution
• Salary of £55,000 – £60,000 depending on experience

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages – telling us why you are interested in this role and how your experience meets the person specification – by 16th August 2026.

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and may appoint before the closing date, so early application is encouraged.

All applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom. We are unable to sponsor visa applications for this role.

ABOUT US

We are SPEAR, a charity working tirelessly to end homelessness across South West London and beyond. We believe homelessness should be rare, brief, and non-recurring, and we work every day to make that a reality. Our services include street outreach, assessment hubs, supported accommodation, and tenancy support, helping people move off the streets and into safe, secure housing. We take a person-centred, trauma-informed approach, building trust and supporting people to achieve long-term stability and independence. You will be part of a passionate, skilled team dedicated to ending homelessness. We offer a supportive environment where you can grow your career while making a meaningful impact.

Help lead a high-quality supported housing service and make a real difference to the lives of people experiencing homelessness. Join SPEAR as our Hostel Manager and play a key role in supporting residents to achieve stability and move towards independent living.

THE ROLE

We are looking for an experienced and motivated manager to lead a 14-bed, 24-hour supported hostel service in Richmond. You will oversee the day-to-day running of the service, ensuring it operates safely, effectively, and in line with SPEAR’s values, while delivering high-quality, trauma-informed support to residents with complex needs.

This is a practical leadership role where you will:

- Lead and manage a team, including a Team Leader and Support Workers
- Ensure safe staffing levels and effective rota management
- Oversee safeguarding, risk management, and incident response
- Drive high standards of service delivery and resident support
- Build strong relationships with local authorities and partner agencies
- Ensure compliance with health and safety, including fire safety and building standards
- Support residents to progress towards independence and move-on opportunities

You will combine operational leadership, staff management, and service development to create a safe, respectful, and recovery-focused environment.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for someone who:

- Has experience working with people experiencing homelessness or complex needs
- Has managed or supervised staff in a supported housing, hostel, or similar setting
- Has strong knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment, and trauma-informed practice
- Can lead and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment
- Is confident managing complex and high-risk situations
- Has excellent communication and organisational skills

YOUR BENEFITS

- Generous holiday – 26 days plus public holidays, rising to 31 days with length of service
- Wellbeing & EAP – 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme with free counselling, money and legal advice
- Health support – Occupational health service and free annual eye test (with contribution towards glasses if required)
- Cycle to Work – Save on a new bike and accessories through salary sacrifice
- Season ticket loan – Interest-free loan for annual travel passes
- Moving house day – Extra day’s leave when you move home
- Financial security – Life assurance (4x salary) and interest-free emergency staff loan
- Family-friendly policies – Enhanced maternity and adoption pay, plus flexible working options
- Career development – Ongoing training, learning and progression opportunities
- Blue Light Card – Discounts across a wide range of shops, restaurants and services

Shortlisting Date: 7th August

Vacancy Closing Date: 5th Aug

First Interviews W/C: 12th, 13th and 14th August

Second Interviews W/C: 19th, 20th and 21st Aug

Want to know more about the role? Read the full Job Description now!

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a senior hands-on role accountable  to the Wolves Lane Consortium board who hold the 25-year lease for the Centre, and reporting to co-managing steward Ubele Initiative CIC whose investment has made this role possible and is the employing organisation.

This results-oriented role is pivotal to strengthening the Centre’s long-term financial resilience while maintaining its strong community ethos and aligning with the vision and mission.   This to be achieved through identifying, developing and securing new income streams and expanding existing to generate gross profit, to contribute to overall running costs, and to generate sufficient yield for Consortium’s reserves and on-going investment.

Income streams to include from business to business, and retail sales; from increasing venue hires and event revenues; expanding value-partnerships with different sectors, and joint ventures; and at all times ensuring robust financial and performance oversight.

The postholder will be required to develop an Income Generation Strategy for approval by the Board and will be responsible for all its commercial elements. You must be community and values-driven, outcome-focused, an inspiring and collaborative leader and manager, and motivated by the Consortium’s vision and mission, and those of its co-stewards OrganicLea CIC and Ubele CIC.At all times you will be an ambassador for the Centre.

CO-LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Working on behalf of the Wolves Lane Consortium, informed fully by and reporting to co-stewards Ubele CIC, and sharing the leadership and management of the Centre with the Facilities & Operations Manager, together you will be relied upon for the Centre’s success in pursuing its strategic and annual plans, and in what it does and how it does it. 

The Facilities and Operations role is primarily to ensure the Centre is fit for all of its many different purposes; provides all users and visitors with a safe environment for their operations and activities, and a pleasant, rewarding, inspiring experience that results in return visits, longer dwell time.  And in so doing reaches and attracts new audiences and more custom.

The Community Enterprise role is predominantly outward facing - to create, attract and secure new and increased income streams through more sales of its products, services and offer; to co-create with entrepreneurs’ new community-based enterprise models and for joint ventures; to secure more investment from philanthropic and individual donations, and for funded programmes from new and existing partners.

These two distinct and overlapping roles will work collaboratively creating synergies to optimize the Centre’s income generating potential, the revenue and investment it secures, and at the same time increase its reputation, reach, and value as a vibrant community asset and contributor to community wealth building.

Together the two senior roles will deliver a seamless, compliant, and inspiring Centre offer, will co-lead and motivate the Centre team through a people management approach that fosters a culture of ambition, collaboration, care and success. Individually and together you will be accountable to the Consortium Board’s for ensuring all regulatory and customer standards are applied and met consistently, pursuing its vision through the strategy for the Centre’s good health, sustainability, and continuous growth in accordance with the Consortium’s values and ways-ofworking.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Wolves Lane Consortium Board – represented by the Consortium’s two comanaging stewards, OrganicLea CIC and Ubele CIC, and to whom this role is accountable

Ubele CIC – one of the Consortium’s two co-managing stewards, employer and funder of this role, and to whom this role reports

Wolves Lane Centre Facilities & Operations Manager - close collaboration as coleaders & co-senior managers of the Centre, jointly responsible to the Board for the Centre’s successful pursuit of its vision and mission

Direct reports: Hires & Events Manager; Senior Grower (Enterprise)

Wolves Lane Centre staff team - who you will jointly lead with the Centre’s Facilities & Operations Manager

Businesses, their associations, and sectors - with whom to do business; Value Stakeholders including existing and new £ funding partners, public sector commissioners; Venue Hirers - commercial, private & community; Local / subregional / regional stakeholders including government

Community organisations, groups & their members; local residents and other local stakeholders

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Enterprise and business development

Develop and implement a Board approved 2-year enterprise and income generation strategy and action plan aligned with the Centre’s mission and that, Identify and secure new, and increase and expand existing, commercial and retail sales income for produce and plants grown at Wolves Lane Centre, Pasteur Gardens and other growing sites.

Develop and increase the Centre’s venue hires & events offer including markets;

Co-create and support new community-based enterprise models that can operate within and / or be part of Wolves Lane Consortium eco-system, with a particular focus on increasing representation of those from Black and Racially minoritised communities

Support the Facilities & Operations manager in the development of financially viable business cases for the cafeteria and the retail offer and  that contribute to Centre surpluses

Grow and diversify earned income streams to improve financial sustainability.

Monitor market trends and identify opportunities for innovation and growth.

Partnership development

Attract and build strong customer relationships with wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, concessions etc., and other businesses who will buy produce from Wolves Lane’s growing sites

Develop and maintain strong relationships with commerce to whom we will sell, community organisations, funders and public sector bodies and identify opportunities for sales and hires.

Act as an ambassador for the Centre, representing it at networking events and stakeholder meetings including the local Business Improvement District (BID).

Develop collaborative programmes and initiatives that enhance community impact and income potential and bring new communities onto our site.

Venue Hire and Events

Develop and implement a Board-approved Hires Policy, ensuring alignment with the Centre’s values as both a community and income-generating asset.

Working with key colleagues, maximise income from venue hire through proactive marketing and relationship management.

Oversee the planning and delivery of events that generate revenue and increase footfall

Ensure effective systems are in place for bookings, contracts, invoicing and customer service. Ensure effective use of the space-rental software, platforms, optimising functionality and user experience.

Ensure compliance with safeguarding requirements and GDPR.

Customer experience 

Jointly with the Centre’s Facilities & Operations manager set centre-wide customer and visitor service standards applicable to all areas, facilities and services, ensuring these comply with all regulatory and health & safety requirements, and are consistently applied and visible.

Financial management and budget oversight

Jointly with the Centre’s Facilities & Operations manager develop annual budget in collaboration with and for the approval of the Wolves Lane Board

Working with the finance team, monitor income and expenditure, producing regular financial reports and forecasts for the areas of responsibility.

Ensure financial controls and reporting processes are robust and transparent.

Oversee the development of funding applications and business cases to attract income and to generate a significant net contribution

Leadership & People Management

Jointly with the Centre’s Facilities & Operations manager, to provide leadership to the Centre, motivating, inspiring and involving the Centre based team including its volunteers, and in a manner and style that is participatory whilst retaining accountability

Manage and coach direct reports in a participatory style, that inspires and motivates for the team members’ and team’s high-performance

Reporting & Governance

Be accountable the Wolves Lane Consortium Board on performance, risks and opportunities.

Report to Ubele Initiative CIC, the role’s employer and manager

Support the Consortium board in its strategic and action planning, within the context of  its long-term business planning.

Ensure compliance with all relevant internal policies and procedures of Ubele and Wolves Lane Consortium; regulatory and legal requirements; industry-sectorprofessional recognised good practice in the areas relevant to this role.

Other Any other duties commensurate with this role’s status and purpose and as required by management.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Proven and successful experience in enterprise development, income generation, or running a business.

Strong sales, marketing and customer service skills, with a track record of meeting income targets.

Demonstrable success in developing partnerships and securing earned income.

Experience of budget management and financial reporting.

Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

Entrepreneurial mindset balanced with a commitment to community values.

Senior-level experience of people leadership, people management and decisionmaking.

Ability to work independently and take responsibility and accountability for decisions made.

Experience of working collaboratively with shared responsibilities and accountabilities for decision-making.

Ability to lead and motivate teams to engage and perform, ideally using participatory approaches.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a collaborative approach.

Resilience, creativity and the ability to work in a dynamic, hands-on environment.

Commitment to the Consortium's and co-managing stewards' vision and mission to reduce economic, environmental, food, land, racial and social injustices through its work and decision-making, and to community wealth-building.

Desirable

Growing experience of plants, fruit and vegetables.

Experience of promoting or managing venue hire or events, ideally in a multi-use or community setting.

Experience of managing retail sales.

Experience of working with Black and racially minoritised communities, ideally widening opportunities for participation where there has historically been underrepresentation.

About Pathway Fund

We are the UK's first Black and Ethnic Minoritised (BEM)-led impact investment wholesaler, dedicated to catalysing opportunities for Black and Ethnically Minoritised communities across the UK. Our mission is to address structural inequalities within the UK’s investment ecosystem by providing bespoke and subsidised capital to BEM-led organisations, making it more affordable and accessible to those underserved by existing infrastructure. We act as a funder, convenor, and knowledge builder, bridging gaps between communities, finance, and policymakers to drive systemic change and foster inclusive growth and community wealth building.

Following the receipt of our Dormant Assets funding, we have moved into full delivery mode, with the first wave of Investment Management Organisations (IMOs) already applying. This is a key role for Pathway Fund; the successful candidate will embed existing structures and systems within the organisation while ensuring we remain a learning-led team that constantly strives to improve. As we work to deliver systemic change, this role will serve as a key face of the organisation, embodying our culture of excellence, practicality, and flexibility. We are a small, collaborative team with an ambitious remit and a strong commitment to public value, working closely with partners to ensure we achieve our mission.

Role Summary

The activities of the Programme Manager are key to the deployment of Dormant Assets funding, in alignment with Pathway Fund’s strategy 2026-2029. Reporting to the Head of Programmes, you will act as an operational lead for the Programme team. In this role, you will build upon and embed the existing structures for end-to-end delivery of Pathway’s funding programmes and oversee the effective management of our investment portfolio, ensuring continuous improvement, timely delivery, high-quality outputs, and robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning. This includes the ongoing development of programmes, managing application and selection processes, acting as secretariat for Pathway Fund’s Social Investment Committee, overseeing intermediary contracts, managing stakeholder relationships, monitoring and reporting, and ensuring programme outcomes are met.

 Reports to: Head of Programmes

Location: Kennington, London (hybrid or remote working)

 Contract: Permanent, Full-time (1.0 FTE)

Key Functions

Programme Design, Launch and Governance

• Support the Head of Programmes in further developing and communicating key policies and guiding documents for the deployment of Dormant Assets capital.
• Support the Head of Programmes in refining and scaling Pathway’s key funding programmes.
• Manage outreach to key stakeholders including national and regional intermediary organisations, and potential co-investors.
• Provide pre-application support to BEM-led intermediary organisations.
• Conduct application review and assessment.
• Act as secretariat for Pathway Fund’s Social Investment Committee, collaborating with the Executive Assistant (or relevant office support role) to ensure all committee coordination, paper distribution, and logistical support is effectively managed.

Programme and Portfolio Management

• Deliver specific funded programmes aligned with agreed objectives, budgets, and timelines.
• Support the Head of Programmes in planning and coordinating programme activities.
• Manage day-to-day delivery of specific projects or programme strands.
• Oversee contracting, due diligence, and reporting processes, focusing on continuous improvement of these workflows.
• Liaise with intermediary and delivery partners to ensure compliance with funding agreements, quality standards, and performance expectations.
• Track budgets, milestones, and outcomes, ensuring timely and effective delivery.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation

• Maintain and improve accurate programme records, data, and systems.
• Support preparation of financial and performance reports for the Head of Programmes, CEO, and funders.
• Contribute to data collection, learning, and impact reporting across programmes.
• Support the ongoing refinement and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems.

Marketing and Promotion

• Work with internal colleagues and external partners to promote Pathway Fund's programmes, funding opportunities, and impact.
• Contribute to the development of programme communications, case studies, events, and promotional materials.
• Represent the organisation at stakeholder meetings, networks, and events to raise awareness of Pathway Fund's work and strengthen relationships.
• Support the dissemination of programme learning, outcomes, and success stories through appropriate communication channels.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage relationships with intermediary, delivery, and regional partners.
• Support stakeholder and regional engagement activities to strengthen collaboration and visibility.
• Act as a point of contact for programme-related enquiries and communications.

Administrative and Operational Support

• Coordinate meetings, events, and workshops to support programme delivery.
• Work closely with the Executive Assistant (or relevant office support role) to ensure the smooth operational delivery of programme-related administrative tasks.
• Support policy, governance, and assurance documentation for programme delivery, building on established foundations.

Person Specification

Essential

• 5+ years of experience in managing or supporting grant funding or investment programme delivery.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with track record of managing multiple programmes and associated consistency on time, quality and budget.
• Ability to develop programme strategies and plans that align with Pathway’s overall strategy and impact objective.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities.
• Confidence working with budgets, contracts, and performance reports.
• Strong attention to detail and accountability.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and similar tools.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and proactive with a "can-do" attitude.
• Positively encouraging, conscientious and respectful as a team member working with a small but dynamic team.
• Commitment to Pathway’s mission and equity-focused values.

Desirable

• Knowledge of social enterprise, social investment, impact investment, or dormant assets.
• Experience working with Black and Ethnic Minoritised-led organisations or regional partnerships.
• Experience in contract management or monitoring and evaluation.
• Interest in data, learning, and impact measurement.
• Experience working in small organisations and/or in start-up environment.

What We Offer

• Holiday Entitlement: 28 days annual leave, 3 days office closure between Christmas and New Year (covering office closure), plus bank holidays.
• Flexible/Hybrid Working: We welcome applications from anywhere in the UK. We operate a remote working policy for long-distance employees where they will be required to attend the office twice a month with some flexibility for key events. Travel costs will be covered for remote employees. Employees based locally are expected to travel to the office 3 days a week.
• Pension Scheme: 5.5% employer pension contribution.
• Professional Development: Dedicated training budget or commitment to continuous learning.
• Culture: The opportunity to be part of a highly collaborative, mission-driven team dedicated to delivering systemic impact and racial equity in the UK social investment ecosystem.

Passionate about democracy, education and young people? 

Young Citizens is a national citizenship education charity with nearly 40 years' experience inspiring active citizenship among children and young people. 

As curriculum and policy change accelerates, including Votes for 16 reshaping how young people engage in civic life – we're focused on ensuring active citizenship sits at the heart of how the next generation is prepared to participate in and protect a thriving democracy. 

About the role 

We're looking for a Programme Leader to join our Education Team as we embark on an ambitious new phase of growth. This is a unique opportunity to help deliver inspiring programmes to schools across the UK while developing the skills, experience and confidence to build a successful career in the social impact sector. 

Designed as a two-year development opportunity, this role is ideal for someone early in their career who is ready to take ownership, develop their leadership skills and make a tangible impact. You'll be trusted with responsibility from day one, encouraged to contribute ideas and supported to grow through hands-on experience. 

Over the two years, you will develop your skills and expertise: 

Within your first few months you'll be: 

• Leading delivery of one of our flagship programmes. 

• Running your own events and managing relationships with schools. 

• Confidently using Salesforce CRM to manage data and drive engagement. 

• Developing your project management skills through real responsibility. 

As you continue to grow you'll have opportunities to: 

• Manage your own budget. 

• Build strategic relationships with partners and schools. 

• Represent Young Citizens at external events. 

• Shadow our senior leadership team. 

• Contribute to organisational strategy and help shape how we grow our impact. 

• Develop specialist interests across areas such as communications, impact, partnerships or programme development. 

We're looking for someone who: 

• Is passionate about democracy, education and improving opportunities for young people. 

• Delivers high-quality work and enjoys taking ownership. 

• Can build strong relationships and manage multiple priorities. 

• Learns quickly and enjoys solving problems. 

• Wants to develop into a well-rounded professional in the social impact sector. 

If you're looking for a role where you can develop your career, take on real responsibility, and help strengthen democracy through education, we'd love to hear from you. 

Download the full recruitment pack for more information about the role, progression with Young Citizens and how to apply. 

A Few Useful Notes When Applying 

If you are excited by the opportunity to build a thriving network of schools that helps more young people become active citizens, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter addressing the application questions in the full job pack, which also contains further details on the application process. 

Additional Information 

• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. 

• Offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and a DBS check. 

• We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. 

• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Job Description and Person Specification

Job title Participation Manager

Hours 35 hours per week. We are opening to discussing flexible arrangements – please highlight any requests when applying.

Length of contract  12 months

Location Hybrid work between home and our Vauxhall office. Please read more about our approach to hybrid working in the relevant section below.

Reports to Director of Evidence and Improvement

National Voices

Making what matters to people matter in health and care

National Voices is the leading coalition of health and social care charities in England. We have more than 200 members covering a diverse range of health conditions and communities, connecting us with the experiences of millions of people. We work together to strengthen the voice of people: patients, service users, carers, their families, and the voluntary organisations that work for them.

Our Vision: People shaping their health and care.

Our Mission: We advocate for more inclusive and person centred health and care, shaped by the people who use and need it the most.

We do this by:
 

· Understanding and advocating for what matters to people especially those living with health conditions and groups who experience inequalities.

· Finding common cause across communities and conditions by working with member charities and those they support.

· Connecting and convening charities, decision makers and citizens to work together to change health and care for good.

The Role

At National Voices, our aim is to make what matters to people matter in health and care. Too often, we see decisions made about the design of health and care services which don’t consider the people who use and need those services – especially those with long term conditions and from groups experiencing inequality. While the intentions of decision makers are usually good, they can unwittingly develop services which are difficult to access, stressful to experience and which don’t enable people to live life to its full potential.

We believe that if health and care leaders were better supported to meaningfully involve people living with health conditions, disability, inequality and their carers in decisions about how services are delivered then our NHS and social care services would be more equitable, and person centred.

At National Voices, we believe that this can best be achieved by connecting health and care leaders in health and care to key groups including:

· Leaders within the patient participation movement, who can support and advise health and care leaders on how to share power with people and communities using coaching and quality improvement techniques, and by acting as a critical friend.

· Leaders from voluntary sector organisations and community groups, who can bring insight into the needs, experiences and priorities of the communities they serve. They can identify opportunities to improve how services are designed and delivered, and help connect decision-makers with communities whose voices are often underrepresented.

· People with lived experience of inequality, particular conditions or services, who bring unique expertise based on their direct experience of care. They can provide timely insight into the impact of policies and services, helping decision-makers stay tuned to current needs, experiences and priorities, rather than relying on historical evidence or assumptions.

We are looking for a Participation Manager who can lead on the design, development and delivery of funded projects that generate insight, support improvement, and enable meaningful participation in health and care decision making. This will include end-to-end responsibility for project design, delivery, reporting and impact.

Projects may include designing and delivering activity such as workshops, coordinating lived experience advisory groups, coordinating coalitions of VCSE organisations, undertaking qualitative research, facilitation and engagement work. The postholder will need sufficient breadth of experience across these areas to confidently design and steer programmes, while drawing on colleagues, partners and associates for specialist input where needed.

You will be responsible for overall programme management - ensuring projects are well planned, appropriately resourced, and delivered on time, within budget and to a high standard. This includes managing risks, reporting requirements and funder relationships.

Projects may also include co-ordinating the delivery of Voices for Improvement coaching relationships and workshops on meaningful participation. We are open to a Participation Manager who has skills and experience around coaching theory and practice, however, we can also bring in external Associates with this subject matter expertise where needed to guide and supervise the coaching elements of the process.

You will also play an active role in identifying and developing new funding and partnership opportunities, contributing to the growth of National Voices’ portfolio of externally funded work.

Finally, where needed, you will also work collaboratively with another Participation Manager who leads National Voices’ Lived Experience Partner programme, membership scheme and partnership programme. You will contribute to these areas where required, particularly where they intersect with funded projects, but they will not be the primary focus of this role.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and delivery of funded participation projects

Lead the end-to-end design, delivery and management of funded programmes and projects that generate insight, support improvement and drive meaningful participation in health and care, including:

· Lead on shaping, securing and delivering funded projects from proposal stage through to completion, ensuring clear outcomes and impact

· Design and oversee programmes that may include research, engagement and participatory activity, such as qualitative and quantitative research, stakeholder engagement and participation work

· Convene and coordinate a range of delivery approaches including advisory groups, workshops, events, VCSE engagement and system partner collaboration

· Ensure delivery is well planned, resourced and managed, including oversight of budgets, timelines, risks and funder reporting

· Draw on colleagues, partners and associates for specialist expertise where needed, while holding overall responsibility for programme design and coherence

· Translate insights and findings into clear, accessible outputs in collaboration with policy and communications colleagues to support influence and impact

· Develop and shape new funding opportunities and proposals to grow the organisation’s portfolio of externally funded work

Deliver coaching and engagement programmes

Manage the delivery of structured coaching and engagement programmes, including National Voices’ Voices for Improvement model, where included within funded projects:

• Oversee delivery of coaching and engagement activity including matching, coordination and participant support
• Ensure coaching relationships between people with lived experience and system leaders are well supported and of high quality
• Contribute to the design and facilitation of associated engagement or learning sessions where required
• Work with associates or external specialists to bring in coaching or quality improvement expertise where needed
• Capture learning, feedback and impact from coaching programmes and contribute to funder reporting, case studies and evaluation outputs

Contribute to wider participation programmes

Work collaboratively with another Participation Manager to support integration with National Voices’ wider participation infrastructure:

· Contribute where relevant to the Lived Experience Partner programme, membership scheme and partnership programme

· Support the involvement of lived experience partners, members and partners in funded projects and engagement activity

· Ensure alignment across programmes and share learning between project delivery and participation infrastructure

General

• Provide line management to one Project Officer within the team, if needed - quality assuring outputs, holding regular 1-2-1s as well as setting annual objectives and completing appraisals.
• Provide matrix management for other National Voices colleagues as and when required.
• Work in sync with other managers across National Voices, contributing to a joined-up, supportive team culture.
• Deputise for the Director of Evidence and Improvement, or other senior colleagues, when required.

· Follow organisational processes to measure, monitor and communicate the impact of our work

· Support good project, financial and data management

Person Specification

Values, attitudes and behaviours

· Passionate about National Voices’ mission and the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience

· Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and reducing health inequalities

· Proactive, flexible, and responsive, with a willingness to work in complexity

· Comfortable working both collaboratively and independently, taking ownership of delivery

· Calm under pressure and able to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines without compromising quality

· Confident engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including constructively challenging where appropriate

· Entrepreneurial - able to spot opportunities for growth, collaboration, and impact

· Energised by variety, able to work across diverse themes while identifying connections and opportunities

Skills and abilities

· Strong programme and/or project management skills, with demonstrable experience of leading complex, multi-stakeholder funded programmes from design through to delivery and completion

· Ability to shape ideas into deliverable programmes, including contributing to funding bids, designing delivery approaches, and translating proposals into practical delivery plans

· Strong analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to translate complex qualitative and quantitative insight into clear, structured outputs that inform decision making and drive action

· Excellent organisational skills, including planning, prioritisation, risk management and delivery of high-quality work to deadlines

· Confident stakeholder and relationship management skills, with experience working across partners, funders, subcontractors, commissioned work and multi-organisation collaborations

· Strong facilitation and engagement skills, including designing and delivering workshops, events and participatory sessions for diverse audiences

· Strong communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, accessible written outputs and presentations

· Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively, support others in delivery, and contribute to shared outcomes

Experience, knowledge and understanding

· Demonstrable experience of leading or delivering participation work with people with lived experience, ideally addressing inequality

· Strong experience of designing and delivering insight generation projects (qualitative and/or quantitative) that have led to real-world impact and improvement

· Experience of working meaningfully with people experiencing inequalities in safe and inclusive ways

· Experience of managing projects, budgets, and multiple stakeholders, working with a high degree of autonomy

· Experience of managing partnerships, funders, or commissioned work, including contributing to income generation

· Experience of facilitating workshops, events, or participatory sessions

· Understanding of the health and care landscape

· Good understanding of the participation landscape, with the ability to act as a credible contributor in the field (desirable)

· Experience of managing or contributing to coalitions or networks of VCSE or membership organisations (desirable)

· Understanding of mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) approaches to evidence generation and analysis (desirable)

· Coaching and/or quality improvement qualifications (desirable)

· Lived experience of disability, caring responsibilities and/or inequality (desirable)

Our approach to hybrid working

We recognise the importance of coming together regularly, in-person, as a team, so we can share learnings and spend social time with each other. We also recognise that people need flexibility, and that homeworking enables focused work and can fit well in people’s lives.

We ask all staff to take part in pre-arranged team meetings which take place every six weeks in our office space. We also might ask you to meet in-person with members of your team from time to time, or to be available for face-to- face meetings with clients and partners where this enhances the work.

We assume that this would usually not amount to more than one day per fortnight for people who work full time. We are happy to discuss how this sits in your life. This can be agreed by your line manager.

Please note that our offices are fully wheelchair accessible and that we are committed to making our workplace fully inclusive.

Application guidance

Please submit a CV and cover letter to apply. We are also recruiting a permanent Participation Manager role at the same time. If you would like your application to be for both roles, please make this clear in your cover letter.

You're welcome to use AI tools to help you prepare your application. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. We often see similar AI-generated writing styles, which can make applications less distinctive. As a charity, we're particularly interested in hearing why our mission matters to you and how your values align with ours.

Please specify any access or other requirements of which we need to be aware for the online interview.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 30th July.  

The interviews will take place in early August on Microsoft Teams. Details of an interview task and interview questions will be emailed to you in advance.

We are committed to diversifying our team in order to broaden the insight and experiences we can draw on, and to do our work more credibly. In particular, we would welcome applications from older people, disabled people and people who have experienced socioeconomic inequality. Our offices are fully accessible and we are a Disability Confident and an LGBT+ friendly employer.

Job purpose

To lead and manage the DadVocates project, a four-year National Lottery-funded programme training volunteer young dads as peer advocates for young fathers in children’s social care proceedings; delivering professional training to social workers; and working towards the embedding of father-inclusive practice across children’s social care teams in five local authorities.

Hours - Full-time (35 hours per week), Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, with some evening and weekend working expected to meet the needs of the project

Location - Hybrid, with travel across the North East required and activity based in Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Gateshead/Newcastle and County Durham

Key responsibilities

1. Project management

•Take day-to-day responsibility for the management and delivery of the DadVocates project across all strands of activity

•Manage the project budget, monitor expenditure and liaise with the CEO and Finance Officer

•Update and maintain NEYDL’s Evaluation Framework with DadVocates-specific indicators and methodologies within the first two months of the project start date

•Ensure the project meets its funder milestones and KPIs, maintaining accurate records of outputs and outcomes

•Produce quarterly progress reports for internal review and contribute to annual funder reports

•Commission and manage the external evaluator for the four-year evaluation

•Identify and escalate risks and challenges to the CEO, recommending solutions

2. Steering Committee

•Chair and manage the project Steering Committee, which meets every two months and comprises young dads, NEYDL frontline staff, the safeguarding lead, social work professionals and academic partners

•Induct Steering Committee members, including young dads, into their roles, providing tailored support to ensure they can contribute confidently alongside professionals

•Use Steering Committee meetings to review progress, identify challenges and agree recommendations for the next period of delivery

3. Co-creating the DadVocate training programme

•Work with training and research providers, young dads and Steering Committee members to co-create a 100-hour peer advocacy training programme for volunteer DadVocates

•Deliver the DadVocate training programme alongside NEYDL staff and delivery partners

•Lead annual reviews of the training programme and update content in response to learning and feedback

4. Managing and supporting volunteer DadVocates

•Recruit and train 10 young dad volunteers per year (40 over four years), all with lived experience of young fatherhood 

•Provide ongoing mentoring, supervision and wellbeing support to all active DadVocate volunteers: at least 50 hours per volunteer per year

•Set clear objectives for each volunteer, conduct regular appraisals and team meetings, and support their professional development and progression

•Recognise that DadVocates are young dads with lived experience rather than professional backgrounds, and provide the high level of structured support this requires, including supporting them to navigate professional environments with confidence

•Support the progression of volunteers into employment, further training and community leadership roles

5. Matching DadVocates with young dads in CSC proceedings

•Build and maintain referral pathways with social services, midwifery, Family Nurse Partnerships, Family Hubs and other local networks across target local authorities

•Match 100 young dads over four years with a volunteer DadVocate (10 in year 1, rising to 40 in year 4)

•Work closely with NEYDL’s Senior Young Dads Workers, who hold cases, to coordinate peer advocacy support within CSC proceedings

•Maintain oversight of active advocacy arrangements, ensuring DadVocates are appropriately supported and that safeguarding obligations are met at all times

•Engage directly with young dad beneficiaries through steering committee meetings, evaluation sessions and project learning events

6. Professional training for social workers

•Co-create professional training content with social workers and young dads on the Steering Committee, drawing on national research and NEYDL’s practice experience

•Deliver half-day induction training to 15-20 social workers per local authority at the outset of each area’s involvement, co-facilitated by young dads or DadVocate volunteers

•Deliver annual refresher training in each local authority

•Facilitate quarterly case review and learning meetings with social workers in each local authority, involving DadVocate volunteers

•Co-design guidance on what father-inclusive practice looks like within children’s social care teams, with social workers and young dads (first version in year 2; updated version in year 4)

•Organise and host two information-sharing events for social care professionals in years 2 and 4 (approximately 100 professionals per event)

7. Monitoring, evaluation and learning

•Coordinate data collection with young dads, DadVocate volunteers and social workers using NEYDL’s evaluation tools and new instruments co-designed for this project

•Produce annual evaluation reports and disseminate learning through NEYDL’s wider networks, events and conferences

•Share learning through stakeholder events, professional networks and NEYDL’s regular sector-facing activity

8. Safeguarding

•Ensure robust safeguarding arrangements are in place for all project activity, particularly for DadVocate volunteers operating within CSC proceedings

•Work closely with NEYDL’s Safeguarding Lead to ensure policies and protocols relevant to the project are current, understood and followed by volunteers and partners

•Act as first point of contact for safeguarding concerns arising within the DadVocates project

9. Collaboration and partnerships

•Work closely with NEYDL’s Senior Young Dads Workers as case holders, ensuring a joined-up and consistent approach to supporting young dads involved in the project

•Build and maintain relationships with academic, statutory and voluntary sector partners

•Work with the Business Development Manager to help secure longer-term Local Authority funding for DadVocates, using evidence of impact from the project to support conversations with Local Authorities and expand the project’s reach beyond the areas and targets in the original funding bid

•Represent NEYDL and the DadVocates project at external meetings, networks and conferences

•Contribute to NEYDL’s wider communications and engagement activity

10. Other

•Deputise for the CEO as required

•Report to the Board of Trustees in person or in writing on a quarterly basis as required

11. Standard clauses

•The post holder must carry out their responsibilities at all times with due regard to NEYDL’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, policy and statement, and Safeguarding Policy

•The post holder is responsible for ensuring that policies and procedures relating to health and safety in the workplace are adhered to at all times

•The post holder must respect the confidentiality of data stored electronically and by other means, in line with NEYDL’s Data Protection Policy

•This role requires satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance prior to appointment

•This job description is not exhaustive. NEYDL reserves the right to reasonably add to or revise it at any time in agreement with the post holder.

Participation Manager

Job Description and Person Specification

Job title Participation Manager

Hours 35 hours per week. We are opening to discussing flexible arrangements – please highlight any requests when applying.

Length of contract  Permanent

Location Hybrid work between home and our Vauxhall office. Please read more about our approach to hybrid working in the relevant section below.

Reports to Director of Evidence and Improvement

National Voices

Making what matters to people matter in health and care

National Voices is the leading coalition of health and social care charities in England. We have more than 200 members covering a diverse range of health conditions and communities, connecting us with the experiences of millions of people. We work together to strengthen the voice of people: patients, service users, carers, their families, and the voluntary organisations that work for them.

Our Vision: People shaping their health and care.

Our Mission: We advocate for more inclusive and person centred health and care, shaped by the people who use and need it the most.

We do this by:
 

· Understanding and advocating for what matters to people especially those living with health conditions and groups who experience inequalities.

· Finding common cause across communities and conditions by working with member charities and those they support.

· Connecting and convening charities, decision makers and citizens to work together to change health and care for good.

The Role

At National Voices, our aim is to make what matters to people matter in health and care. Too often, we see decisions made about the design of health and care services which don’t consider the people who use and need those services – especially those with long term conditions and from groups experiencing inequality. While the intentions of decision makers are usually good, they can unwittingly develop services which are difficult to access, stressful to experience and which don’t enable people to live life to its full potential.

We believe that if health and care leaders were better supported to meaningfully involve people living with health conditions, disability, inequality and their carers in decisions about how services are delivered then our NHS and social care services would be more equitable, and person centred.

At National Voices, we believe that this can best be achieved by connecting health and care leaders in health and care to key groups including:

· Leaders within the patient participation movement, who can support and advise health and care leaders on how to share power with people and communities using coaching and quality improvement techniques, and by acting as a critical friend.

· Leaders from voluntary sector organisations and community groups, who can bring insight into the needs, experiences and priorities of the communities they serve. They can identify opportunities to improve how services are designed and delivered, and help connect decision-makers with communities whose voices are often underrepresented.

· People with lived experience of inequality, particular conditions or services, who bring unique expertise based on their direct experience of care. They can provide timely insight into the impact of policies and services, helping decision-makers stay tuned to current needs, experiences and priorities, rather than relying on historical evidence or assumptions.

We are looking for a Participation Manager who can manage our lived experience programme, our membership scheme and our partnership scheme. This role will ensure that where there are opportunities for people and communities to shape health and care, National Voices has the right relationships, processes and support systems in place to connect decision makers with our Lived Experience Partners, members and people with lived experience.

The Participation Manager will:

· Lead National Voices’ Lived Experience Partner programme by strengthening engagement and participation, investing in members’ knowledge, skills and confidence, and ensuring lived experience insights shape our work.

· Lead National Voices’ membership scheme by driving engagement, retention and inclusion, strengthening member relationships, embedding member insights across the organisation, and overseeing satisfaction, records and knowledge management.

· Lead National Voices’ scheme by managing partner engagement, retention and recruitment, overseeing delivery of the partnership offer, and ensuring partners receive high-quality advice, insight, connections and access to relevant people and communities.

· Develop and deliver funded projects, supporting income generation and securing resources to advance National Voices’ strategic priorities.

The Participation Manager will work in collaboration with:

· Policy and communications colleagues who have worked hard to ensure when we capture insights from people and communities, we have established relationships and ways of communicating with key players in health and care so that insights collected lead to impact.

· Research and insight colleagues who have expertise around qualitative research methods and inclusive engagement, who regularly deliver high quality qualitative research on a range of topics and on a range of topics – often focussed on surfacing the experiences of those least well served by health and care services.

· Colleagues across the organisation who lead and contribute to member and partner benefits, including policy forums, networking opportunities, events and other engagement activities.

The Participation Manager will play a central role in ensuring National Voices’ lives its values around meaningful participation so that in both our internal and external work people and communities are engaged in a timely and inclusive way, using methods that ensure their input is heard and acted upon, and their knowledge, priorities, and contributions are recognised and fairly valued.

Responsibilities

Lead our Lived Experience Partner programme

National Voices’ Lived Experience Partners are a group of 15 people who have significant experience of navigating the health and care system, expertise in meaningful participation and who have received training and support to enable constructive and strategic input into improving health and care. The majority of Lived Experience Partners have also accessed learning around coaching and are regularly matched into coaching relationships with senior leaders in health and care. Your role will be to:

· Deliver meetings where our Lived Experience Partners have opportunities for peer learning and opportunities to influence live pieces of work.

· Gather insights from our Lived Experience Partners on how they are experiencing working with National Voices and how they want to grow.

· Ensure our Lived Experience Partners are supported to grow in their knowledge, skills and confidence to influence decision making – through 1:1 catch ups, training and more.

· Lead our work matching Lived Experience Partners in high quality coaching relationships with senior leaders in health and care, ensuring that coaching duos have the support they need to gain value from the relationship.

· Diversify and grow our network of Lived Experience Partners as needed.

Lead our membership programme

National Voices’ members are a group of over 200 not-for-profit organisations who serve a diverse range of communities, including: condition-specific charities - such as Diabetes UK, Allergy UK and Lupus UK; equality charities - such as the Caribbean and African Health Network, Groundswell and National Ugly Mugs; other health, care and community based organisations – such as Compassion in Dying, Pain UK and Patient Information Forum. Our members include some of the biggest and smallest charities in England. They connect us with the experience of millions of people. Your role will be to:

· Direct the activities of our membership working group, taking lead responsibility for member engagement, stewardship, renewals, support and retention.

· Deepen the relationship with our membership, ensuring that we have the structures in place to understand their ambitions, insights, practice and ideas.

· Collaborate with colleagues across the team to ensure our members’ insights become more central to everything that we do.

· Diversify and grow our membership.

· Oversee our annual survey on member satisfaction.

· Oversee improvements in records and knowledge management.

Lead our partnership programme

National Voices’ Partners are a small group of impactful organisations who want to join National Voices in achieving our mission of making what matters to people matter in health and care, including the Nuffield Trust, the Kings Fund, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and others. Your role will be to:

· Take lead responsibility for engagement, stewardship, renewals, support and retention of organisations in our partnership scheme.

· Oversee the delivery of the partnership offer – co-ordinating requests which come from partners and collaborating with colleagues, members and Lived Experience Partners to ensure partners receive high-quality advice, insight, connections and access to relevant people and communities.

Develop and deliver funded projects

· Identify opportunities for collaboration, partnership and income generation that support our strategic priorities – leading on selected funding bids and supporting others as required.

· Develop ideas into clear, fundable proposals and secured projects. This may include designing and delivering activity such as workshops, coordinating advisory or lived experience groups, undertaking qualitative research, facilitation and engagement work.

· Plan confidently and realistically across lived experience workstreams, taking accountability for delivery, spend, and completion of agreed outcomes.

· Manage projects, programmes and budgets in partnership with colleagues and stakeholders, putting in place effective systems to ensure timely, high-quality delivery and reporting.

General

• Provide line management one Project Officer within the team, quality assuring outputs, holding regular 1-2-1s as well as setting annual objectives and completing appraisals.
• Provide matrix management for other National Voices colleagues as and when required.
• Work in sync with other managers across National Voices, contributing to a joined-up, supportive team culture.
• Deputise for the Director of Evidence and Improvement, or other senior colleagues, when required.

· Follow organisational processes to measure, monitor and communicate the impact of our work

· Support good project, financial and data management

Person Specification

Values, attitudes and behaviours

· Passionate about National Voices’ mission and the meaningful involvement of people with lived experience

· Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and reducing health inequalities

· Proactive, flexible, and responsive, with a willingness to work in complexity

· Comfortable working both collaboratively and independently, taking ownership of delivery

· Calm under pressure and able to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines without compromising quality

· Confident engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including constructively challenging where appropriate

· Entrepreneurial - able to spot opportunities for growth, collaboration, and impact

· Energised by variety, able to work across diverse themes while identifying connections and opportunities

Skills and abilities

· Strong project and/or programme management skills, with demonstrable experience delivering complex, multi-stakeholder work

· Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise, plan, manage risk, and maintain high-quality delivery

· Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate complex insight and evidence into clear, accessible outputs

· Confident relationship and stakeholder management skills, including working with partners, subcontractors, and commissioned work

· Excellent facilitation and presentation skills, including delivering workshops and events to diverse audiences

Experience, knowledge and understanding

· Demonstrable experience of leading or delivering participation work with people with lived experience, ideally addressing inequality

· Strong experience of designing and delivering insight generation projects (qualitative and/or quantitative) that have led to real-world impact and improvement

· Experience of working meaningfully with people experiencing inequalities in safe and inclusive ways

· Experience of managing projects, budgets, and multiple stakeholders, working with a high degree of autonomy

· Experience of managing partnerships, funders, or commissioned work, including contributing to income generation

· Experience of facilitating workshops, events, or participatory sessions

· Understanding of the health and care landscape

· Good understanding of the participation landscape, with the ability to act as a credible contributor in the field (desirable)

· Experience of managing or contributing to coalitions or networks of VCSE or membership organisations (desirable)

· Understanding of mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) approaches to evidence generation and analysis (desirable)

· Coaching and/or quality improvement qualifications (desirable)

· Lived experience of disability, caring responsibilities and/or inequality (desirable)

Our approach to hybrid working

We recognise the importance of coming together regularly, in-person, as a team, so we can share learnings and spend social time with each other. We also recognise that people need flexibility, and that homeworking enables focused work and can fit well in people’s lives.

We ask all staff to take part in pre-arranged team meetings which take place every six weeks in our office space. We also might ask you to meet in-person with members of your team from time to time, or to be available for face-to- face meetings with clients and partners where this enhances the work.

We assume that this would usually not amount to more than one day per fortnight for people who work full time. We are happy to discuss how this sits in your life. This can be agreed by your line manager.

Please note that our offices are fully wheelchair accessible and that we are committed to making our workplace fully inclusive.

Application guidance

Please submit a CV and cover letter to apply. We are also recruiting a 12 month fixed term Participation Manager role at the same time. If you would like your application to be for both roles, please make this clear when applying. 

Applications should be addressed to our Director Evidence and Improvement, Sarah Sweeney, and submitted through CharityJob.

You're welcome to use AI tools to help you prepare your application. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. We often see similar AI-generated writing styles, which can make applications less distinctive. As a charity, we're particularly interested in hearing why our mission matters to you and how your values align with ours.

Please specify any access or other requirements of which we need to be aware for the online interview.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 30th July.  

The interviews will take place in early August on Microsoft Teams. Details of an interview task and interview questions will be emailed to you in advance.

We are committed to diversifying our team in order to broaden the insight and experiences we can draw on, and to do our work more credibly. In particular, we would welcome applications from older people, disabled people and people who have experienced socioeconomic inequality. Our offices are fully accessible and we are a Disability Confident and an LGBT+ friendly employer.

Help build meaningful relationships with communities most impacted by the criminal legal system and ensure their voices inform research, policy and advocacy.

We're looking for a Community Engagement Coordinator to join UNJUST and support the development and delivery of community engagement activities that amplify lived experience, build trust, raise awareness and contribute to our research, policy and advocacy aims.

Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you'll build and maintain relationships with community groups, grassroots organisations and individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system. You'll design and deliver engagement events, facilitate workshops and listening sessions, promote opportunities for community members to get involved in UNJUST's work and help develop creative, ethical ways of gathering and sharing lived experience stories.

The role also includes co-creating programmes and materials with communities, supporting content creation for social media, recruiting interns and volunteers from impacted communities, and representing UNJUST in relevant forums, networks and coalitions.

We're looking for someone with experience in community engagement, organising or outreach, strong relationship-building and communication skills, and an understanding of racial justice and the UK criminal justice system. You'll be committed to UNJUST's mission, values and anti-racist working practices, and be comfortable working independently as well as collaboratively.

UNJUST is committed to tackling systemic racism and discriminatory processes, policy and practices within the criminal legal system. We work at the intersection of lived experience, research, law, advocacy and community power to expose the root causes of injustice, reimagine equitable systems and bring about transformative outcomes. Our work centres the voices of those most impacted and is guided by our values of realism, empathy, visionary thinking, activism, collaboration and trust.