Please note: Clinks would welcome the opportunity to discuss potential secondments from locally or regionally based voluntary organisations.
About Us
Clinks supports, promotes and represents the voluntary sector working with people in the criminal justice system and their families. Our vision is of a vibrant, independent and resilient voluntary sector that enables people to transform their lives.
Job purpose
To identify, communicate and engage with the range of voluntary sector organisations working with individuals and their families within the CJS across a geographical area ensuring Clinks provides effective support to help voluntary organisations better meet their aims. To enable Clinks to share information about the sector with HMPPS and other stakeholders
Job summary
This role will increase awareness and understanding of the criminal justice voluntary sector operating within across the Midlands area. The post holder will undertake an initial analysis project to identify place-based voluntary sector organisations and the range of, and types of services and support provided to people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families. They will identify place-based needs and lead on the collation and sharing of information across the Clinks team and with stakeholders, to highlight the challenges and opportunities. The post holder will need to build new, and nurture existing relationships, with key partners and a range of agencies across sectors.
The post will work within the Area Engagement & Partnerships Directorate and with other Clinks’ staff to identify new members and engagement opportunities, deliver events and training, and provide opportunities to support the capacity and capability needs of the voluntary sector, with a focus on place-based small and specialist organisations working in the CJS.
The post will deliver activity to meet funder requirements, aims and objectives.
Reports to: Area Engagement and Partnerships Manager
Responsible for: N/A
1. Duties and key responsibilities
Area Engagement and Impact
- Identify and increase awareness of voluntary sector organisations based in the Midlands, the range of and types of services and support provided to people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families, where they deliver and how they are funded.
- Understand the work of local and regional voluntary sector infrastructure organisations in a geographical area to identify and increase partnership working and collaborative approaches to strengthen the support offered by Clinks,
- Gather intelligence from the sector to identify and understand the needs of place-based organisations and share feedback with HMPPS and other key stakeholders to develop operational processes and influence future commissioning opportunities.
- Work alongside the National Influencing & Networks team to use this intelligence to influence key decision making at a local and national level.
- Provide support to voluntary sector organisations, keeping the sector informed and up to date and capturing the support provided and its impact.
- Respond to requests from voluntary sector organisations in need of support and signpost or consider what assistance Clinks (and others) can provide.
- Work alongside the Area Insights and Impact Officer to capture the needs of the sector to influence and inform future activity.
- Provide regular area specific communications to organisations utilising Clinks communication channels to share good practice, resources and publications.
- Produce regular blogs, case studies and social media activity to showcase the work of place-based voluntary sector organisations.
- Develop and build upon existing place-based networks to support collaboration and co-ordination between the voluntary, statutory, and private sectors in the criminal justice system.
- Provide information to help statutory partners and key stakeholders to understand the voluntary sector, its structures and how to work with it.
External Relationships
- Identify and explore opportunities to develop relationships with area-specific agencies working within criminal justice including Probation, Prisons and local statutory agencies to increase knowledge of locally based voluntary sector services and establish, and embed Clinks’ support
- Provide representation at various meetings, both internally and externally with partners and stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively to ensure effective information flow across directorates and to and from the sector and stakeholders
- Develop relationships with regional and local infrastructure organisations to widen Clinks reach and identify joint working opportunities.
2. General responsibilities
- Represent and be an ambassador for Clinks
- Work to support the mission, ethos, and values of Clinks
- Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position
- Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace
- Work collaboratively with others in all aspects of our work
This job description does not form part of your contract of employment and can be amended from time to time as the needs of the organisation require.
Person specification
Experience, Skills and Abilities
- Significant experience of working or volunteering in the voluntary sector in the Midlands area
- Relationship building and management with a range of stakeholders and networks.
- Good attention to detail and ability to maintain effective records, utilising a range of different methods.
- Ability to think strategically about the voluntary criminal justice sector, and to analyse and respond to change.
- Ability to prioritise, multi-task and work under pressure, juggling a busy and varied workload.
- Excellent IT and digital skills, including use of Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams and Zoom.
- Adaptability and flexibility in being able to deal with new situations quickly and efficiently.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and spoken, and ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders, at all levels of seniority.
- Convening meetings, arranging and chairing events both in-person and online.
- Ability to support and coordinate a complex network of organisations including representing diverse views, and promoting their work and issues.
- A collaborative approach to working with colleagues but also able to work alone.
- Highly organised with good project and time management skills.
Knowledge
- Role of the voluntary sector in addressing social exclusion.
- The criminal justice context and related policy.
- Understanding the role of national and local infrastructure organisations
- An understanding of the Midlands geographical area
Personal attributes and other requirements
- Able to travel extensively across the Midlands area with occasional travel across England and Wales.
- Able to work evenings and weekends and stay away from home overnight where necessary.
- Work well as part of a small team and independently, with a flexible approach to work.
- Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.
- Commitment to the values and ethos of supporting people in the criminal justice system
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Clinks is the national infrastructure charity dedicated to supporting voluntary organisations working with people in the criminal justice system
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About the Project
PKD Scotland: Outreach and Community Connections Project.
It is estimated that around 5,000 people in Scotland could be living with Polycystic Kidney
Disease. It is however often poorly understood and historically underfunded, meaning people
can leave clinic after diagnosis with little support beyond medical appointments. Many tell us
they don't know where to turn for emotional support or to meet others living with the same
condition. We want to change that and with support from a National lottery Awards for All grant
that is exactly what we are going to do.
The eighteen-month project will see us reach into hospitals across Scotland to try and ensure
that no one with PKD in Scotland has to manage their journey on their own. From diagnosis
onwards we want all to be aware of the charity, the array of services that we offer and foster
engagement. Two new volunteer led support groups will be established and a group of
ambassadors recruited to support the ongoing connections we make to ensure that PKD
remains in the spotlight.
As our Scotland PKD Engagement Officer you will be central to the success of the project.
Many people only reach us years after diagnosis, often when symptoms worsen, but we know
that early connection can make a real difference. PKD is lifelong and people face new
challenges at every stage. Having support around them helps them stay confident, informed
and connected.
About The Role
As PKD’s Scotland Engagement Officer, you will play a central role in delivering this ambitious
outreach project.
Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will raise awareness of the PKD Charity and its services,
ensuring that people diagnosed with PKD are informed about available support from the earliest
possible stage.
You will build and nurture relationships with NHS professionals and services across Scotland,
helping embed PKD Charity information and resources into patient pathways. Alongside this, you
will work closely with volunteers to establish two new PKD support groups and develop an
ambassador programme to maintain long-term local engagement and visibility.
This is an exciting opportunity for a confident relationship-builder who enjoys working
autonomously while contributing to a small and dedicated team. Your work will help ensure that
people living with PKD across Scotland feel informed, connected and supported throughout every
stage of their condition.
For more information and details on how to apply, please read the full Job Description.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The Woodland Trust is looking for an Engaging Communities Officer to join our exciting Sherwood’s Living Legends project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. A development grant has been awarded by Heritage Fund to help the Woodland Trust progress the project over 18-months to apply for a 5-year delivery stage grant. If this application is successful, the project will safeguard the future of ancient and veteran trees in Sherwood Forest and reconnect communities with this iconic landscape. This is a fixed term contract for 18-months, with the potential for an extension.
The Role:
- Lead the community-focused development of Sherwood’s Living Legends, shaping how people connect with the cultural, historical and ecological significance of ancient and veteran trees.
- Co-create imaginative engagement approaches with consultants, using storytelling, heritage and local myth to inspire urban and rural communities.
- Define target audiences and craft compelling key messages that will underpin the project’s delivery-stage communications.
- Promote the project across the Sherwood NCA through social media, local press, PR events and creative outreach activity.
- Ensure engagement plans are inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs of diverse communities and participants.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, community groups, landowners and Woodland Trust teams to support joined-up project development.
- Monitor and evaluate engagement activity, gathering insight and data to inform project design and future delivery.
- Represent the project internally and externally, sharing successes and supporting alignment with wider Woodland Trust communications.
The Candidate:
- Experienced in coordinating and delivering varied community events, including consultations tailored to different audiences and locations.
- Confident leading groups outdoors, with experience engaging children, schools and community participants in nature-based activities.
- Skilled in partnership working, able to collaborate with volunteers, community groups and external organisations to achieve shared outcomes.
- Strong communicator with excellent written, verbal and digital skills, including social media content creation and public-facing representation.
- Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, with an understanding of how to design accessible and welcoming engagement.
- Organised and proactive, able to manage multiple workstreams, prioritise effectively and work independently within a dispersed team.
- Competent with IT systems, particularly MS Office and collaborative platforms such as Teams.
- Professional, positive and adaptable, able to represent the Woodland Trust and partners with confidence and clarity.
- The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic DBS Check, as part of our pre-employment screening.
Benefits and Wellbeing:
Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
- Enhanced Employer Pension
- Life Assurance
- Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
- Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time)
- Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
- Enhanced Parental Pay
- Employee Assistance Programme
About Us:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.
Application Advice:
For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and CVs are redacted until after shortlisting is complete. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply.
Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools.
Apply Now:
If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.
Interviews to be held on April 21st 2026.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.