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About Care4Calais
Care4Calais (C4C) is a volunteer-based charity providing essential aid and support for refugees in northern France and the UK. We support through on-the-ground assistance, and advocate for a fair asylum system - including safe routes to the UK with refugee rights on arrival.
We work alongside people seeking safety to ensure access to daily essentials, and fill gaps where state support is not provided. We are here for everyone attempting to navigate the complexities of claiming asylum in the UK - providing access to justice, and practical, welcoming support. We also communicate to the public the need for action in support of refugees. Our vision is an inclusive society where people seeking safety have a safe home and a bright future free from inequality.
In northern France we operate year round from Calais, providing warm clothing, shoes, shelter, services, and assistance to refugees living in appalling conditions.
Across the UK we collect and distribute clothes and other essential items, and provide social support and interaction including language lessons, sport and music workshops. We also help with vital access to legal, medical and educational services. We are a community with the shared goals of creating a just asylum system, and a fair and welcoming society for all refugees.
Our work involves organising successful campaigns against racist UK government policies, such as the Rwanda plan and the use of barracks as accommodation for people seeking sanctuary.
All of Care4Calais' operations are supported by a small, dedicated staff team, who supervise large volunteer teams to provide critical support to asylum seekers and people on the move in both the UK and France.
About the role
The UK Operations team provides essential psychosocial support to people seeking safety through practical services; such as running distributions, delivering English classes and drop ins, as well as activities to promote wellbeing such as trips and sports activities.
The UK Field Operations Manager will be responsible for managing our operations in London, working as part of the UK Field Operations Team to support large teams of grassroots volunteers to provide essential support to people seeking safety.
You will need to onboard and motivate volunteers through continuous engagement and support to ensure that proper safety procedures for effective distributions and activities are in place, well communicated, and consistently applied. The performance of each region and team needs to be regularly assessed and action taken to build capacity and skills where needed. Successful Field Operations Managers will build networks with local charities, community groups and Local Authorities to help grow and develop the operations of the local Care4Calais volunteer teams. As an operation, continuous improvement through research, learning and development of practices and policies will be critical. The successful candidate for this role will be proactive and hardworking with the ability to problem-solve and prioritise effectively. The role would suit someone who is a self-starter, a strong team player and excels working in a varied role. Candidates will need strong organisational skills and must have the ability to make numerous important and compassionate decisions each day.
You will be expected to demonstrate excellent judgement, initiative, integrity, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate with a diverse group of people. You will be part of Care4Calais’ core team in the UK and will report directly to the Chief Operations Officer.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a highly committed team dedicated to improving the lives of those seeking safety.
Key Responsibilities
Your responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:
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Providing core operations support for Care4Calais’ operations in the UK (specifically London), working to build capacity and support volunteers in their activities. This includes supporting with setting up and running clothing distributions, drop-in sessions, trips and activities as well as supporting volunteers offering guidance and information to individuals.
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Working alongside a small staff team to develop processes, procedures and documentation to support the effective running of Care4Calais’ humanitarian operations.
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Attending external meetings, building and maintaining relationships with partners and key stakeholders which allow Care4Calais’ operations to continue to run smoothly and effectively.
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Managing and supporting large teams of dedicated volunteers supporting people seeking safety.
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Being involved in ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed in your teams.
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Volunteer onboarding and induction, and continuous volunteer management.
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Develop and deliver training to volunteers.
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Regular in-person visits to the volunteer teams you manage in London.
Person Specification
Essential Skills and Experience:
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Clear leadership ability, with the capability to act with initiative and drive;
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Proven project management skills;
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Strong commitment to the rights of people seeking safety;
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Commitment to Care4Calais' values and mission, including anti-racism;
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Hands on, operational, dynamic and enthusiastic;
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Team worker with good communication and people skills;
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Self-motivated and used to managing multiple priorities to meet deadlines;
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Able to build positive relationships with a range of stakeholders including those from displaced communities, Local Authorities and other charities;
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Ability to respond to the fast-changing and dynamic nature of the UK asylum system, always prioritising the needs and desires of the communities we support;
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
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Ability to work on Google Workspace and Office 365.
Desirable Skills and Experience:
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Experience leading and managing volunteer teams from varied backgrounds
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Experience working/volunteering supporting people seeking safety
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Experience in making grant applications/fundraising experience and managing budgets
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Proficiency in one or more of the languages spoken within asylum seeking communities, such as, but not limited to: Arabic, Farsi, Pashto, Dari, Kurdish Sorani, Tigrinya or Amharic.
Please note: While day-to-day this is a remote role, you will be expected to conduct semi-regular visits to the local volunteer teams in the areas you manage (London). You must therefore be willing to travel, and you will be supported in doing so.
Applications
Please provide a short cover letter/personal statement that explains why you are suitable for this role and why you want to work for Care4Calais, and answer the short application questions.
The successful applicant will be provided with the induction and training needed for them to succeed in the role.
Please note that we receive a high number of applications and are a small internal team. If you do not receive a response in the first round, it means you have not been selected.
We understand that AI can be a useful tool, however we ask that you do not use it for this application as we want your application to be personal to you.
Equality & Safeguarding
Care4Calais is an equal opportunities employer. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals, disabled candidates, and those with lived experience of the immigration system.
Care4Calais is committed to safeguarding, so our selection process includes rigorous background checks and assessments to ensure post holders demonstrate attitudes and values that align with our commitment to an organisational culture that promotes safeguarding.
Lived Experience Inclusion
We are an anti-racist organisation and a proud member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network (EBE), which aims to create a charitable sector led by individuals with lived experience of the asylum system. As part of our membership, we are dedicated to creating inclusive employment practices that recognise and accommodate the unique circumstances and strengths of people with lived experience. We actively move away from a one-size-fits-all approach, ensuring our recruitment processes are fair, supportive, and accessible.
We warmly encourage applicants with lived experience to make use of the guidance and resources available on the EBE website (ebeemployment.). In addition, applicants with lived experience are welcome to connect with the EBE support team for tailored assistance with completing the application form and, where available, one-to-one interview preparation.
Importantly, we recognise the significant cultural, linguistic, and experiential insights that individuals with lived experience of the UK asylum system bring to this role. As such, all applicants from this background who meet the essential criteria will be automatically shortlisted and invited to interview.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About Adolescent Health Study
The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. Recruitment will take place mainly through schools. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.
Purpose of the post
The HR Officer plays a key role in delivering an effective, professional, and compliant HR service across the organisation. Supporting both operational HR processes and employee experience, the post holder will contribute to attracting, developing, and retaining talent in a collaborative and values-driven research environment.
Main responsibilities
HR Operations & Administration Support
- Lead recruitment campaigns in consultation with hiring managers, including drafting job adverts, short-listing and coordinating interviews.
- Manage employee life cycle process, including background checks, onboarding and offboarding.
- Maintain accurate and confidential employee records in compliance with GDPR and organisational policies.
- Administer HR systems, contracts, and employment documentation.
- Manage relationship with 3rd party suppliers including HR consultancy and DBS check providers.
- Support payroll preparation including monthly absence reporting and ensuring accurate data submission and coordination with Finance/Payroll.
- Support the wider central administrative team as required.
Employee Relations
- Provide first-line HR advice to managers and staff on policies, procedures, and employment matters.
- Support casework relating to absence, performance, disciplinary, and grievance processes.
- Support managers and the COO with complex people cases, working with the external HR partner as required.
- Promote a positive and inclusive working culture aligned with the organisation’s values.
Learning & Development
- Coordinate training activities and support professional development initiatives for research and support staff.
- Some delivery of internal people-related training
- Assist in identifying skills gaps and contributing to workforce development plans.
Policy & Compliance
- Ensure HR practices comply with employment legislation, charity sector regulations, and best practice.
- Monitor and assist with the development, review, and implementation of HR policies and procedures, including handbook updates.
- Support equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives across the organisation.
HR Projects & Continuous Improvement
- Contribute to HR projects such as staff engagement, wellbeing initiatives, and organisational development.
- Support the implementation of HR systems improvements and process efficiencies.
- Collect and analyse HR data to inform decision-making and reporting.
Knowledge, skills and experience
Essential
- Experience in an HR administrative or officer-level role.
- Sound knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- CIPD Level 3 or equivalent.
- Experience of supporting payroll and finance processes.
- Proven ability to establish and evolve people processes in a growing organisation.
- Proficiency in HR systems, such as BreatheHR or equivalent, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience of working in organisations with multiple staffing arrangements i.e. direct employees, secondees, contractors etc.
- Strong organisational and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Desirable
- CIPD Level 5 qualification (or working towards).
- Experience working in the charity, academic, or research sector.
- Experience supporting EDI and wellbeing initiatives.
- Familiarity with public funded and/or project-based staffing environments.
- Experience supporting or negotiating secondment arrangements, particularly within academic, charity or research environments.
Dimensions
- This is a full-time role, 37.5 hours per week, offered initially as an 18-month fixed-term contract with potential route to permanency.
- Flexible working across several geographical locations in the UK. Travel may be required to AHS locations and partner organisations.
- AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.
Application Process
All candidates are required to complete the application form which can be found when clicking 'Apply Now' via Charity Job.
Please refer to the ‘How to Apply’ section of the downloadable application form.
Please note that only applications submitted directly to Gravitate HR will be accepted for this position.
The closing date for applications is 11:00pm on Sunday 5 July 2026.
Interviews are currently expected to take place on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 August 2026.
Equal Opportunities Policy Statement
AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of:
- Gender, including gender reassignment
- Marital or civil partnership status
- Having or not having dependants
- Religion or belief
- Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins)
- Disability
- Sexual orientation
- Age
We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination. All job applicants and employees who work for us will be treated fairly and will not be unfairly discriminated against on any of the above grounds. Decisions about recruitment and selection, promotion, training or any other benefit will be made objectively and without unlawful discrimination.
Values
It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.
All candidates are required to complete the application form which can be found when clicking 'Apply Now' via Charity Job, within Supporting Documents.
Please refer to the ‘How to Apply’ section of the downloadable application form.
Please note that only applications submitted directly to Gravitate HR will be accepted for this position.
The closing date for applications is 11:00pm on Sunday 5 July 2026.
Interviews are currently expected to take place on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 August 2026.

