Education engagement manager jobs in Belfast

The Policy and Campaigns Manager leads ADUK in championing reforms that pave the way for better access for all disabled people partnered with a highly trained assistance dog. Through dynamic campaigns and impactful initiatives, this role is pivotal to how ADUK amplifies the voices of those whose lives are transformed by these life changing dogs, ensuring that their rights are protected for years to come.

Key Responsibilities

• In partnership with the Executive Director (ED), continue to develop a compelling case for taking a standards-based approach to the training and welfare of assistance dogs.
• Gather, analyse and apply robust evidence to strengthen ADUK’s credibility, influence and voice on key policy and campaigning issues.
• Work with the ED to identify and progress opportunities for ADUK and its members to engage with policymakers, regulators and other decision-makers, and to support positive policy change.
• Develop and deliver written and in-person reports and briefings for different audiences, including politicians, policy officials, and other decision-makers.
• Collaborate with the ED and Head of Education and Allyship to develop relationships with key stakeholders.
• Lead, manage and convene the ADUK Advisory Panel, ensuring it operates effectively and informs ADUK’s policy and campaigning work.
•  Monitor legislation and policy developments relevant to assistance dogs and dog welfare and communicate these as appropriate to members.
• Support the ED with the delivery of ADUK’s policy function, including the preparation of policy statements, briefing papers, media responses, and submissions to consultations and inquiries.
• Provide informed policy advice to the ED on priority issues affecting ADUK and its members.
• Represent ADUK externally, articulating its policy positions at meetings, events and forums, where appropriate.
• Take responsibility for projects, with the support of the Executive Director where appropriate, including joint work with partner organisations.
• Organise meetings, policy roundtables, expert workshops, policy training and other events.
• Provide information and support to service providers on assistance dog policies to promote access rights for disabled people with assistance dogs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

Essential – applicants will:

• Have experience working in a policy, public affairs/campaigning role, with a solid understanding of how the policy development process works and how to influence national policy.
• Experience in convening and facilitating advisory groups, panels or stakeholder forums to support organisational decision-making.
• Experience in planning and delivering events, workshops or meetings that support policy, stakeholder engagement or organisational aims
• Have the ability to analyse and interpret information from a range of sources.
• Have strong interpersonal skills including being able to develop positive and effective working relationships with a diverse range of people and organisations.
• Have the ability to act on your own initiative and develop new work.
• Be comfortable maintaining existing policy positions and relationships.
• Have experience in communicating complex ideas or processes to a range of diverse audiences.
• Have excellent writing and verbal communication skills and experience in producing briefings, consultation responses and other communications on behalf of an organisation and for a wide range of audiences.
• Represent ADUK with credibility and authority in all external communications

Applicants should be aligned with ADUK’s values of championing a standards-based approach to the training and welfare of assistance dogs.

See recruitment pack for full job and person spec. 

Location:  Flexible: remote, hybrid or office-based (Horsforth, Leeds) 

At the Bone Cancer Research Trust, we exist because families refused to accept a world where primary bone cancer had no hope, no answers and almost no research. Today, we’re the UK’s leading bone cancer charity and every supporter you engage helps push vital research forward and provides comfort to families who need us. 

About the role 

As Relationship Manager, you’ll build genuine, lasting connections with our Special Funds - our named funds created in honour or memory of someone affected by primary bone cancer, community supporters and local businesses. Your relationship-led approach will help create the family feel connections we’re known for, inspiring long-term support and raising vital income for people affected by primary bone cancer 

You will: 

• Grow and manage Special Funds, our named funds created in honour or memory of someone affected by primary bone cancer. 

• Build strong, meaningful relationships with all our supporters, ensuring every person feels valued and connected. 

• Secure and steward regional corporate partnerships 

• Meet a regional income target of approx. £300,000 

• Represent BCRT in your region, strengthening awareness and community connections at meetings and events. 

About you: 

• A natural relationship builder with 3+ years’ fundraising experience and a genuine passion for supporter care. 

• Compassionate and professional, especially when working with families personally affected by primary bone cancer. 

• Organised, proactive and confident working independently, able to balance a varied workload. 

• A clear and engaging communicator, bringing warmth and positivity to every interaction. 

• Able to travel across the region (car required). 

Why you’ll love working with us 

You’ll join a small team that works collaboratively and keeps our community at the centre of everything we do. We’re supportive, friendly and you’ll have the flexibility to manage your work while seeing the direct impact of the relationships you build. 

What we offer 

• Flexible approach to working hours

• 30 days annual leave per calendar year (Pro-rata for part time staff) plus bank holidays 

• Private Health Insurance (following successful probation) 

• 6% employer pension contributions

• Life Assurance of 4x annual salary

Use your communication experience to build the migration justice movement’s defiance and strength at a pivotal moment.

About Right to Remain

Right to Remain is a national migration justice organisation, working with hundreds of communities and groups across the UK. As a key anchor organisation within the migration justice movement, we uniquely combine sharing public legal education that democratises knowledge, facilitating strategic convenings that harness radical solidarity, and campaigning and community organising that builds power, further empowering people to establish their right to remain and collectively challenge injustices of the immigration and asylum system.

About the role

This role is for an experienced Communications Officer who wants to put their skills to work supporting Right to Remain to build knowledge, radical solidarity and power in the face of escalating attacks on the rights and dignity of migrants, refugees, and people seeking asylum.

You will use strategic, thoughtful communications to amplify lived experience of the asylum and immigration system, showcase grassroots organising, and promote our expert public legal education resources and training. Your work will empower more people to understand and exercise their rights, and support grassroots community groups and allies to guide, and stand in solidarity with, people navigating the hostile asylum and immigration system.

You will have experience building and engaging communities around social justice through targeted digital communications. Day to day, you will collaborate within our small team to produce email, social and web content that demystifies public legal knowledge and showcases community power. You will also co-create content with These Walls Must Fall campaigners to share their stories, and help set out the impact of political decisions in the press. 

About you

You are an experienced communicator with excellent written skills and a strong ability to develop clear, engaging messages for different audiences.

You bring a genuine commitment to migration justice and care deeply about centring the voices of people with lived experience.

This is not an entry-level role. You are confident working independently within a small, collaborative team, taking guidance while proactively identifying priorities, opportunities, and risks. We’ll give you creative freedom, and your work will have a tangible impact in helping our organisation develop at a crucial time.

This is a senior, hands-on delivery role at the heart of our ambition. We are looking for someone who is results-oriented, able to think strategically, and translate ideas at pace into high-quality, impactful delivery. You will turn strategy into action, coordinate complex activity across partners, and ensure programmes deliver tangible outcomes.

Strategic Project Delivery Manager

Salary: c. £55,000
Contract: 12-month fixed term
Hours: 36.5 hours per week (part-time considered)
Location: Remote (UK-based), with occasional travel (mainly London)
Reports to: COO
Right to work in the UK required

About FutureDotNow

FutureDotNow is a charity uniting business to close the UK workforce’s essential digital skills gap. We are the leading authority on workforce essential digital skills, with over 230 organisations signed up to the Workforce Digital Skills Charter and direct reach to more than 2 million people. Yet over 22 million working-age adults still lack at least some digital basics. Closing that gap requires coordinated, high-quality delivery at scale.

FutureDotNow is bringing focus to the digital upskilling needs of working age adults, raising awareness and bringing specificity to the action required whatever sector or role people might work in.We work with business and government to surface and solve systemic issues and provide scalable solutions every organisation can use. 

Why this role matters

FutureDotNow is entering a new phase of growth and delivery. Our priorities are to engage more businesses and provide practical tools and solutions that help organisations take action on workforce digital skills.

This is a senior, hands-on delivery role at the heart of that ambition. We are looking for someone who is results-oriented, able to think strategically, and translate ideas at pace into high-quality, impactful delivery. You will turn strategy into action, coordinate complex activity across partners, and ensure programmes deliver tangible outcomes.

You will work across a cross-sector delivery community including organisations such as the NHS, Accenture, Salesforce, Amey and Gateway Qualifications. With around 50 external contributors involved in each Sprint, clarity, pace and strong delivery discipline are essential.

For the right prson, this is a defining opportunity to strengthen FutureDotNow’s delivery capability and accelerate progress towards closing the UK’s workforce digital skills gap.

What you will do

Lead delivery across our Sprint programme and delivery community

FutureDotNow runs three 10-week Sprints each year. You will lead end-to-end delivery of the Sprint programme, ensuring activity is well structured, well-coordinated and delivers real outcomes.

You will:

· Plan and deliver Sprints end to end, including kick-offs, check-ins and in-person workshops developing agendas, content and facilitation materials

· Coordinate the setting of sprint and year-end goals, milestones and priorities aligned to FutureDotNow’s strategy

· Track actions, risks and interdependencies across sprint teams, maintaining momentum and resolving blockers

· Grow and energise the delivery community, fostering collaboration and accountability

· Produce core delivery outputs such as plans, dashboards, reports and briefings

· Update the Membership Growth and Marketing Manager on new insights, tools and solutions being created through the Sprint programme, which may form part of the FutureDotNow member offer

Lead delivery of our sector strategy to engage more businesses and drive action

Working with Marsh (our sector strategy sponsor) and sector leads, you will help turn engagement strategies into practical action across sectors.

You will:

· Support the onboarding, development and coordination of sector leads and the delivery of clear action plans

· Drive delivery against agreed sector plans and milestones

· Track progress against growth and engagement measures, including Charter signatories and membership

· Ensure sector activity connects into FutureDotNow’s wider programme, so learning is shared and amplified

Lead delivery of the Workforce Digital Skills Summit

You will play a central role in delivering FutureDotNow’s flagship annual event, bringing together around 200 senior leaders from business, government and civil society.

You will:

• Lead development and delivery of the Summit programme and content
• Work with the CEO to shape the agenda and speaker line-up
• Brief and support speakers, facilitators and contributors
• Oversee on-the-day delivery, ensuring a high-quality participant experience
• Ensure strong post-event outputs that extend impact beyond the event

Content development and commissioning

Where workstreams are led by FutureDotNow (rather than partners), you will play a key role in content creation. Working closely with the COO, you will be involved in developing core content for deliverables, which may involve analysing data from partners, producing reports, or creating tools/resources.

You will:

· Draft, shape or edit content, such as guidance, tools, playbooks and insights, using templates, existing material or raw inputs from partners

· Commission and manage suppliers where specialist expertise is needed

· Lead and coordinate delivery through a clear milestone plan, ensuring alignment of output delivery with events and campaigning activity

· Maintain high standards of quality, consistency, evidence and accessibility ensuring all content meets FutureDotNow’s brand and tone.

· Design and run pilot activity to test and refine tools before wider rollout

Skills, experience and attributes

 Essential

· Proven experience delivering complex projects in multi-stakeholder or cross-sector environments

· Strong end-to-end project delivery skills, including planning, risk management and reporting

· Excellent written communication, with the ability to turn complexity into clear, practical outputs

· Experience designing and coordinating workshops, events or programmes

· Confidence working with senior external stakeholders and partners

· Ability to manage multiple workstreams and priorities

· Comfortable working in a small, fast-paced organisation with evolving priorities

· Strong digital capability and confidence using collaboration and CRM tools

Desirable

· Understanding of the digital skills landscape or related policy areas

· Experience of coalition, membership or not-for-profit environments

· Familiarity with employer engagement, sector bodies or government

Values and mindset

· Purpose-driven, collaborative and action-centred

· Strongly results-oriented, with the ability to translate strategy into high-quality delivery at pace

· Comfortable taking ownership and solving problems independently

· Values clarity, structure and high-quality delivery

· Motivated by FutureDotNow’s mission and improving outcomes for working-age adults

Application Process

Our application process is designed to be straightforward and proportionate, while giving candidates a clear opportunity to demonstrate their skills.

· Stage 1: Submit a CV and short cover note outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience.

· Stage 2: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a short initial interview.

· Stage 3: Candidates progressing from the first interview will be asked to complete a short practical task, reflecting the type of work involved in the role.

· Stage 4: A final shortlist will be invited to a final interview.

We aim to keep the process clear, fair and respectful of candidates’ time.

To apply:

Please send the below information 

· Your CV, and

· Short supporting statement (max 500 words) covering:

• Why you are interested in the role
• A brief example of delivering a complex project or programme across multiple stakeholders
• Experience producing or shaping content (not just managing it) for example analysing data producing reports, or creating tools/resources

The closing date for applications is 27 March 2026.

We are keen to fill the role as soon as possible, so applications will be reviewed as they are received and shortlisted candidates may be contacted before the closing date. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is identified.

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy and numeracy levels amongst people in the criminal justice system?

We’ve made substantial progress in recent years, with improvements and expansions to our delivery model and significant growth in our staff team. In Spring 2026, we will launch our refreshed organisational strategy, which will shape our work over the next three years and beyond. To support this growth, we are recruiting for a full time Director of People to help provide strategic people leadership to our growing team of staff and volunteers.

In this pivotal leadership role, you will shape and deliver our People and Culture strategy, ensuring an inclusive, values‑driven and high‑performing environment for our people. You will lead organisation‑wide strategic workforce planning, oversee the full employee lifecycle, and champion initiatives that strengthen engagement, wellbeing and belonging. As a core member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will advise on all workforce matters, drive leadership development, and support our managers to build capability and confidence. You will ensure our HR, volunteering and people operations run smoothly and efficiently, modernising processes and maintaining compliance with employment law, safeguarding requirements and best practice. You will also provide strategic oversight of EDIB work, reward and recognition frameworks, and organisational risk, while leading a dedicated team covering HR, learning and development, and volunteering.

The role requires excellent communication and organisational skills, strong knowledge of employment law, the ability to coach and influence senior leaders, and the capacity to work autonomously while managing multiple priorities effectively. You must be IT literate, with a good working knowledge of the commonly used Microsoft business tools, and be able to work independently. The role calls for a hands-on, collaborative, people‑centred leader with strong emotional intelligence, an inclusive and values‑driven mindset, and the ability to think strategically while remaining performance‑focused and learner‑centred.

We want to hear from applicants who are as committed to the cause as we are.

This is a home-based role but may require occasional travel around the UK including overnight stays. This role is 5 days per week (35 hours) with working days/hours to be mutually agreed in line with business needs.

Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions.

Interviews, which will be held online, will take place on 31st March and 1st April 2026

THINK Recruitment are working with AMR Action UK to recruit an experienced Trusts & Grants Fundraiser to help secure vital funding that will support life-changing services and research. AMR Action UK is the leading UK patient charity for Antimicrobial Resistance provides research, education and support for people affected by the condition. 

This role is an exciting opportunity for a relationship-driven fundraiser to manage and grow a portfolio of charitable trusts and foundations. Working remotely as part of a smalland collaborative fundraising team, you will play a key role in developing compelling funding proposals and building long-term partnerships with funders.

The Role

The Trusts & Grants Fundraiser will be responsible for developing and delivering a trusts and foundations income stream, identifying new funding opportunities and nurturing relationships with existing supporters.

You will research prospective funders, craft persuasive applications and proposals, and manage reporting requirements to ensure strong stewardship of grant funders.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and identify new grant-making trusts and foundations aligned with the charity’s mission
• Develop and submit high-quality funding applications and proposals
• Manage and grow a portfolio of existing trust and foundation supporters
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders
• Prepare compelling impact reports and funding updates
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to gather project information and outcomes
• Maintain accurate records of applications, income and reporting deadlines

About You

You will be a confident communicator with strong written skills and a proven track record of securing income from trusts and foundations.

You will bring:

• Experience securing income from charitable trusts and foundations
• Excellent proposal and report writing skills
• Strong research and prospecting abilities
• The ability to manage multiple applications and deadlines
• A proactive and organised approach to relationship management
• A passion for improving health outcomes and supporting charitable work

  What’s on Offer

• Permanent, full-time position
• Remote working (UK-based)
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a health-focused charity
• Supportive and collaborative fundraising team

The Vacancies

We are seeking to appoint one registered medical practitioner and one business registrant (Companies Committee), one lay member (Education Committee) and one optometrist (Standards Committee) to our Advisory Panel Companies Committee.

About the GOC
We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance, and conduct.  For more information about us please visit our website.

About the Advisory Panel
The Advisory Panel is a meeting of the four Council’s committees (Companies, Education, Registration, and Standards) in plenary session. They are established by statute for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to Council (whether or not in response to a request from them) on:

• matters relating to business registrants other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be referred to the Investigation Committee, the Registration Appeals, Committee or the Fitness to Practise Committee;
• matters relating to optical training, education, and assessment;
• matters relating to registration, other than matters required by the Opticians Act to be considered by the Registration Appeals Committee; and
• matters relating to the standards of conduct and performance expected of registrants or those seeking admission to the register.

Time Commitment and Remuneration

This role is part time with a commitment of approximately 2-3 days per year, including time spent preparing for meetings.  Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices in London or other suitable venues.

Members are paid up to £185 per meeting. This is taxable and subject to National Insurance (NI) contributions. This is in line with our member fees policy and member fee schedule.

How to apply

Please apply with the following:

• your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service, or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic, or vocational qualifications (please keep this to two sides of A4);
• the application form (attached), stating how your experience matches the essential criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and
• an EDI monitoring form (linked in the candidate pack) 

Please email your completed application quoting reference GOC01/26 to appointment@optical. org.

We would welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds, as these are currently under-represented on our Council and committees.

For more information about these roles please download the candidate information pack attached.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight Sunday 29 March 2026.

Online interviews will be held on 14,15,18 and 19 May 2026.

If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours. 

We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, and geographical locations outside of London.

Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life and we are focused on one goal – that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. We offer more than just a career, we offer the opportunity to support our global movement in a dynamic and inclusive environment with a real focus on personal development.

We’re looking for a strategic and dynamic marketing leader who is an expert at inspiring support and significantly growing income through Individual Giving or Direct Marketing programmes. The Head of Supporter Experience and Marketing is an exciting new role at Mary’s Meals UK, driving income and deep support for our school meals programmes through the development of warm supporter communications and excellent supporter care.​​

​The role will lead a newly formed team, therefore the successful candidate must have a brilliant track record of managing, inspiring and empowering teams to build a strong culture and create momentum against key objectives. You are someone who cares deeply about the people you lead and believe that how things are done is just as important as the end results.​​

The core focus is to lead the creation of holistic and dynamic supporter journeys, in collaboration with Growth and Partnership and Creative Communications colleagues, that deepen the connection with our supporters, reinforces the impact of their support, and builds lifelong support.​

In the marketing space, you’ll oversee the strategic direction and impact of our email and direct mail communications, with a focus on generating income, strong ROI and engagement. ​The Head also leads the Supporter Experience (supporter care) team who enhance supporter retention and satisfaction by ensuring supporters can easily contact Mary’s Meals, receive a warm and personal experience that aligns with the Mary’s Meals values, and process and acknowledge donations effectively.​​

We’re looking for an energetic leader who thrives on working in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple priorities while always keeping an eye out for incredible opportunities to grow supporter income and engagement. ​​

Innovative, agile and entrepreneurial – you’ll ensure that growing Mary’s Meals’ mission with urgency and passion, remain central to all Supporter Experience and Marketing work, while remaining true to our values and mission.​
 

Please follow instructions on the Charity Job website and you will be redirected to our website.

Applicants must hold full right to work in the UK.

We welcome applications from candidates of all different backgrounds and identities to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse charity providing a supportive place for you to do the best and most rewarding work of your career.

Closing date for applications is Wednesday, 18 March 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

We are a flexible and inclusive team and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds, including unpaid Carers and ex-Carers.

About Us: Established in 2014, Forward Carers is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise on a mission to create Carer Friendly Communities across the UK, places that understand and support unpaid Carers. We achieve this by developing partnerships with not-for-profit organisations who deliver our services. We also work directly with services, businesses, and employers to empower them to support the unpaid Carers in their communities.

Our current contracted services are Birmingham Carers Hub & Young Carers Service, Sandwell Carers Hub, Dudley Adult Welling being & Young Carers Service Walsall Carers Hub, Carer Friendly Wiltshire and delivering the Carer Friendly ID scheme in Dorset. We also seek charitable funding from organisations such as the Big Lottery. 

About the Department
The Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership was set up in 2017 with the mission to 'develop inspirational leaders who are called, connected, committed to deliver the Church of England vision for education'. Since then, it has operated a wide range of leadership development programmes, networks, research, conference and events, and published a range of key leadership resources to equip school leaders at every level to put their vision into practice.
Part of this provision has been as a very successful national provider of NPQ programmes. Beginning in 2017 with the delivery of NPQs for Headteachers, our suite of programmes has now expanded to include programmes for Specialist Teachers, Senior Leaders and also Executive Leaders. More recently, a partnership between the Church of England and the Catholic Education Service is also enabling programmes to be delivered more widely as together our school provision represents around 34% of the sector.

In 2025, the department will launch three new national programmes: Flourishing Leaders, Flourishing Teachers, and Flourishing ECTs (in partnership with UCL). These programmes respond to growing demand for high-quality, values-led professional learning and represent a significant expansion of our work across the education sector.

About the role
As Head of Flourishing Programmes, you will lead the strategic and operational delivery and expansion of our growing suite of values-led professional learning programmes: Flourishing Leaders, Flourishing Teachers, Flourishing ECTs (in partnership with UCL), and Leaders Like Us. These programmes are designed to support the flourishing of educators at every stage of their journey, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, vocation, and leadership development. You will oversee a dedicated team and work closely with internal colleagues, delivery partners, and national collaborators to ensure these programmes are impactful, inclusive, and sector-leading. This role requires a visionary and relational leader who can manage complexity, inspire excellence, and drive continuous improvement across the programmes.

For an information conversation about the role, please contact

Closing date for applications is 8 March at 11:55 pm.

Youth Focus West Midlands (YFWM) is looking for a Regional Development Lead to work as part of the Network of Regional Youth Work Units to build an inclusive and equitable approach to youth voice and youth engagement, ensuring the most marginalised and under-represented young people have their voices heard and acted upon across the UK.

The Development Lead will manage the Amplify funded programme of work across the region. This will include the facilitation of learning networks, peer support groups and peer research approaches, overseeing of project communications and delivering training and support programmes. Along with the collation of best practice around youth voice and contributing to evaluation and impact reporting requirements.

This is a part-time (17.5 hours per week) role on a Fixed Term Contract of 4 years, offering £29,000–£30,000 per annum pro-rata depending on experience (£14,500 – £15,000 before deductions). The role is remote (equipment provided) but with frequent travel required across the West Midlands. Occasional evening and weekend working will also be required. 

To find out more please read the role description and person specification provided. To apply, please complete our official application form (CVs and cover letters will not be considered). The deadline for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 18th March. Interviews are expected to take place on 22nd April. 

The Wave Project is seeking a Trust & Grant Fundraiser to help secure the income that powers our life-changing Surf Therapy programme, supporting over 2,600 children and young people each year with their mental health and wellbeing.

As part of an ambitious fundraising team generating £1.7m annually, you will manage and grow a portfolio of charitable trusts and foundations, securing grants ranging from smaller awards to significant six-figure gifts. You will develop compelling, impact-driven applications and reports that clearly demonstrate how funders’ support transforms young lives.

Working closely with the Head of Fundraising, you will strengthen existing funder relationships while building a robust pipeline of new prospects. Using digital fundraising tools and research platforms, you will identify and qualify new trust opportunities, combining data-led insight with creative engagement approaches.

This role is ideal for someone who is a strong writer, confident relationship manager, and proactive prospect researcher — motivated by the opportunity to expand access to Surf Therapy for children and young people who need it most.

About the role

This is a senior leadership role and a key early appointment within EQUISS.

As Head of Advocacy and Safeguarding, you will lead the development of our advocacy and safeguarding work, shaping how EQUISS supports individuals navigating abuse, misconduct and safeguarding concerns across the equestrian sector.

You will establish and oversee the organisation’s advocacy service and support line, including recruiting and managing advocacy caseworkers, and ensuring individuals receive safe, informed and survivor-centred guidance. You will also lead the development of safeguarding frameworks, case management systems and organisational safeguarding practice.

As a founding leadership role, you will help shape the safeguarding framework of a new independent organisation, providing strategic oversight of the EQUISS safeguarding training programme and contributing safeguarding expertise to the development of our standards and accreditation frameworks, ensuring learning from advocacy informs sector practice.

Working closely with the leadership team, you will help establish EQUISS as a trusted organisation driving stronger safeguarding, clearer reporting pathways and greater accountability across the equestrian sector.

As a developing organisation operating with a small and collaborative team, this role requires someone who is comfortable balancing strategic leadership with practical delivery. We are looking for a compassionate and inclusive leader who can support and develop others, foster a culture of trust and reflective practice, and contribute positively to building the organisation as it grows.

Key responsibilities

Strategic leadership and safeguarding oversight

• Provide strategic leadership for EQUISS’ advocacy and safeguarding work
• Establish safeguarding frameworks, case management processes and risk management structures across the organisation
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, providing oversight of complex safeguarding cases and ensuring appropriate referrals and partnership working
• Ensure EQUISS maintains robust safeguarding governance, confidentiality and data protection standards

Advocacy and support services

• Lead the development and delivery of EQUISS’s advocacy service and support line.
• Recruit, manage and support advocacy caseworkers, ensuring high-quality, survivor-centred support and safe case management practice
• Shape how EQUISS supports individuals navigating reporting processes, organisational complaints and statutory systems
• Oversee case management systems and triage processes to ensure safe, consistent and effective responses to safeguarding concerns

Safeguarding training and sector learning

• Provide strategic oversight of the EQUISS safeguarding training programme, ensuring training reflects the realities of safeguarding within equestrian environments and aligns with best practice across sport and safeguarding sectors
• Lead the recruitment, management and quality assurance of safeguarding trainers, including freelance trainers, consultants and subject-matter experts delivering EQUISS training programmes
• Work with trainers and external partners to develop and refine training content, ensuring consistency, accuracy and high standards of delivery
• Establish processes for trainer induction, guidance and quality assurance to ensure training is delivered in line with EQUISS safeguarding principles and standards
• Ensure learning from advocacy work informs training content, sector guidance and safeguarding practice

Contribution to standards and sector improvement

• Contribute safeguarding expertise to the development of EQUISS standards and accreditation frameworks, ensuring safeguarding expectations reflect best practice
• Use insight from advocacy and safeguarding work to inform sector learning, standards development and organisational guidance
• Support the development of sector resources that help organisations strengthen safeguarding practice

Sector engagement and partnerships

• Build relationships with safeguarding professionals, statutory agencies and specialist support organisations
• Represent EQUISS in sector conversations relating to safeguarding, welfare and organisational accountability
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing, policy discussions and initiatives aimed at improving safeguarding standards across the equestrian sector

Culture, learning and survivor-centred practice

• Ensure EQUISS’s work remains grounded in survivor-centred principles, independence and transparency
• Embed learning from lived experience into service design, safeguarding practice and training development
• Foster a culture of reflective practice, safeguarding vigilance and professional integrity within the organisation

Person specification

Qualifications

• A relevant professional qualification or degree in safeguarding, social work, psychology, law, education, criminology or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• ISVA, IDVA or CHISVA qualification, or willingness to work towards one
• Advanced safeguarding training, including Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training and Safeguarding Level 4 or Level 5 training, or equivalent senior safeguarding training
• Evidence of continued professional development in safeguarding practice

Essential experience and knowledge

• Significant professional experience in safeguarding, advocacy or victim-survivor support, ideally within violence against women and girls (VAWG), sport, welfare or related sectors
• Strong understanding of independent advocacy models, including ISVA and CHISVA frameworks, and how these operate alongside statutory services
• Experience overseeing complex safeguarding cases, including risk assessment, referrals and partnership working within multi-agency safeguarding environments such as police, social care and safeguarding hubs
• Experience leading and managing teams, including providing supervision or reflective practice support to staff working with complex safeguarding or advocacy cases
• Experience recruiting, supporting or overseeing trainers, facilitators or external practitioners, ensuring quality and consistency of delivery
• Experience supporting or working with individuals affected by sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, modern slavery or related forms of abuse
• Demonstrable understanding of trauma-informed and survivor-centred practice
• Strong knowledge of UK safeguarding legislation and guidance, including responsibilities relating to children and adults at risk, and experience contributing to organisational safeguarding policies, procedures or governance frameworks
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgement in complex safeguarding situations, maintaining confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries

Leadership and personal qualities

• A compassionate and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to support staff working with complex and sensitive safeguarding issues.
• Ability to work effectively in a small and collaborative team, contributing to the development of systems, processes and culture as the organisation grows.
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trust with colleagues, partners and those seeking support.
• A collaborative mindset and willingness to work flexibly in a developing organisation, balancing strategic leadership with hands-on delivery where required.

Desirable

• Experience working within sport, equestrian environments or athlete welfare contexts.
• Experience contributing to sector standards, accreditation frameworks or safeguarding policy development.
• Membership of, or engagement with, a relevant professional safeguarding body or network.

About EQUISS

EQUISS is an independent organisation working across the equestrian sector to improve safeguarding, welfare and accountability. We support individuals affected by abuse and misconduct, work with organisations to strengthen safeguarding practice, and drive systemic change through training, standards and advocacy.

Our work brings together three key areas: supporting individuals navigating concerns, strengthening safeguarding practice across the sector, and campaigning for meaningful reform where systems are failing.

As a developing organisation, EQUISS is building the structures, services and standards needed to ensure safeguarding and welfare are prioritised across the equestrian world.

Please note: There will be a requirement to travel for this role.

Employment package:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• A personal pension plan provided through NEST after 3 months
• Private Healthcare insurance after successful completion of probationary period
• Reporting to CEO

Purpose and responsibilities of the post

Reporting to the DARE UK Director, the Deputy Director is a senior strategic leader responsible for shaping and delivering the programme’s next phase of impact.

The post-holder will provide intellectual and operational leadership across the programme, translating strategic ambition into executable plans while ensuring delivery at pace and scale. They will work across research communities, funders, infrastructure providers, technology partners and senior stakeholders across UKRI and government to embed community voice into the design of a UK-wide secure data research ecosystem.

This is a high-profile role requiring visible sector leadership, strong partnership-building capability and confidence operating at Board and executive level. The Deputy Director will deputise for the Director as required and play a central role in positioning DARE UK nationally and internationally.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

· Co-develop and evolve the DARE UK strategy, roadmap and future phases in response to emerging opportunities, policy developments and sector needs.

· Shape the long-term vision for a federated UK sensitive data research ecosystem, including shared standards for governance, ethics, metadata and interoperability.

· Identify strategic partnerships and funding opportunities to secure programme sustainability beyond the current phase.

· Represent DARE UK at senior forums, influencing policy, research and infrastructure agendas.

Programme Delivery and Oversight

· Lead end-to-end delivery of the programme, ensuring alignment between strategic objectives, commissioned work and measurable outcomes.

· Oversee commissioning, governance and performance management of programme activities and working groups.

· Ensure robust financial oversight, risk management and reporting in collaboration with HDR UK and UKRI partners.

· Maintain effective systems, governance structures and delivery frameworks across partner organisations.

Stakeholder and Community Leadership

· Build and sustain trusted relationships across UKRI councils, academia, government departments, devolved administrations, technical suppliers and public contributors.

· Convene and align diverse stakeholders to co-design standards, services and technical-social specifications.

· Lead strategic engagement and communications activity to secure sector-wide buy-in and adoption.

People and Organisational Leadership

· Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team spanning programme management, communications, public involvement and engagement, and community engagement.

· Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture aligned with HDR UK values.

· Provide clarity, direction and stability in a complex and evolving landscape.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

· Senior leadership experience in complex, multi-stakeholder environments spanning research, government, infrastructure and/or technology.

· Proven track record of delivering large-scale, strategically significant programmes in fast-paced and ambiguous contexts.

· Experience working with executive teams, Boards and senior stakeholders, demonstrating sound judgement and political awareness.

· Strong strategic thinking capability, with the ability to translate vision into structured delivery plans.

· Demonstrable experience influencing, negotiating and building consensus across diverse communities.

· Strong programme governance, risk management and financial oversight experience.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent programmes at national level.

· Effective line management experience, leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-impact outcomes.