Dorset advocacy jobs
Our passionate Regional Casework Coordinators are SSAFA’s front line of support for members of the armed forces community in need. They are the first point of contact for all beneficiaries into the Regional Office, assessing needs and allocating the case to one of our volunteer caseworkers.
You will sometimes handle complex problems from individuals who may be distressed, identifying the presenting and potential underlying needs to determine the best way to support the beneficiary. You will have ownership of cases from beginning to end, coordinating the casework process in a timely manner and ensure that the beneficiary journey is at the centre of the Service. You will have the opportunity to shape processes and procedures within the office which will lead to improvements in the service offered to clients.
To help you establish yourself in this new post you will receive excellent training and induction to SSAFA.
Whilst the post is homebased, to be eligible for this role you are required to live in the South West region in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire or Somerset. There will be occasional travel around the South West Region, and you will be required to travel for quarterly face to face team meetings.
About the team
The team work remotely and pride themselves in maintaining a close working bond which ensures the smooth operation of the office. You will work closely with volunteers from the eight SSAFA branches in the South West, supporting them to administer casework for SSAFA beneficiaries. The successful candidate will work as part of a larger team of 10, which includes two Regional Casework Managers and a Regional Operations Manager.
About you
To carry out this role successfully you will have a track record of providing welfare advice in key areas such as housing benefits, debt, disability, mobility or immigration issues. You will have knowledge of safeguarding and GDPR and experience in dealing with sensitive information and people in vulnerable situations. You will be able to provide excellent customer service by telephone, e-mail and face to face. You will have used Microsoft Office 365 to a high standard. It is important that you have experience of planning and managing your own workload, with minimal supervision.
It would be advantageous if you have an understanding of the way of life for today’s Armed Forces, veterans and their families and if you have experience of recruiting and supporting volunteers. An understanding of the voluntary sector and preferably the military charity sector landscape across the South West would be valuable
About SSAFA
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing practical, emotional, and financial support to our Forces and their families since 1885. SSAFA, is a trusted source of support for the Armed Forces community in their time of need; last year our trained teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 53,000 people in need, including veterans, serving personnel (regulars and reserves) and their families.
SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. We are here for that person and their family – any time they need us, in any way they need us, for as long as they need us.
Diversity and Inclusion at SSAFA
SSAFA exists to support a diverse range of beneficiaries within the armed forces community, and we believe diversity within our teams is key to ensuring we can deliver our services effectively. We thrive on differences and believe it is critical to our success as a worldwide charity. SSAFA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business.
SSAFA is committed to using the Disclosure & Barring Service to ensure we, as an employer, safeguard those we serve.
No agencies please. Any unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate and no fees will be payable.
If you've applied for this role previously within the last six months, we encourage you not to reapply as we already have your details saved on our system and will contact you if a suitable position becomes available.
Closing date: Midnight on 19 January 2026. SSAFA reserves the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Interviews: 28 January 2026
Our vision A society in which the Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive.
If you’re a purpose‑driven CEO with a deep passion for animal welfare, this is your opportunity to steer a trusted charity as it transforms for a sustainable future.
Margaret Green Animal Rescue is embarking on an exciting phase of strategic revitalisation. As a leading animal welfare charity with a proud history since 1965, we are seeking a visionary and dynamic Chief Executive Officer to lead us into our next chapter. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our charity and ensuring the animals in our care receive the very best support.
As Chief Executive of Margaret Green Animal Rescue, you’ll lead a proud organisation delivering rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming, and providing lifetime care for animals with complex needs across Dorset and Devon since 1965. You’ll harness the charity’s tangible local footprint across three rescue centres and a network of retail shops to elevate outcomes, scale supporter engagement, and embed operational excellence.
You’ll be the catalyst for significant strategic change—partnering closely with the Board of Trustees to set bold transformational objectives and KPIs. You’ll transform our operating model to meet current and future needs, oversee a data and IT modernisation programme to strengthen insight, efficiency and compliance (from donor management and welfare tracking to retail operations), steward budgets and risk with rigour, and act as the charity’s primary spokesperson to media, partners and the wider community.
The role is full‑time, based at Head Office in Church Knowle, Dorset, with regular travel across centres and shops, and offers a competitive package including 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays. We welcome experienced CEOs and senior leaders who bring strategic planning, change delivery and inclusive leadership.
The Role
As CEO, you will provide inspirational leadership and strategic direction, working closely with the Board of Trustees to deliver our mission and vision. You will be responsible for:
- Leading the development and implementation of a revitalised strategic plan, ensuring alignment with our values and ambitions
- Driving operational excellence across all areas, including animal welfare, fundraising, retail, and administration
- Championing a ‘One Charity’ culture, embedding consistent ethics and best practices across all teams and locations
- Acting as the primary spokesperson, enhancing our profile and engagement with supporters, partners, and the wider community
- Overseeing financial stewardship, risk management, and the effective use of data and technology to support organisational goals
- Ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and charity governance requirements
About You
We are looking for an exceptional leader who is passionate about animal welfare and ethical leadership. The ideal candidate will have:
- Proven senior leadership experience, ideally within the charity, animal welfare, or related sectors
- Demonstrable experience in strategic planning, organisational development, and change management
- Strong financial acumen and experience in budget management and income generation
- Experience in data and IT management, including digital transformation
- Excellent communication, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement skills
- A commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare
Experience in retail operations, fundraising, and working with Boards of Trustees is desirable.
What We Offer
- Full-time role (37.5 hours per week) with flexibility for additional hours as required
- Competitive salary (£65-80k depending on experience) and benefits, including 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), business expenses, and mobile phone provision
- The chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of animals and the communities we serve
Join us at this pivotal moment and help shape the future of Margaret Green Animal Rescue. If you are ready to lead with vision, compassion, and drive, we would love to hear from you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.