Lead the launch of the UK's first Refugee Employment Marketplace and help transform how displaced people connect with jobs, employers and employment support. This is a remote, home-based role for candidates currently based in Wales.
The Refugee Employment Network (REN) is the UK's national network dedicated exclusively to refugee employment. We bring together employers, charities, local authorities, government and refugee-led organisations to improve employment outcomes and create a more inclusive labour market.
About the role
We are seeking an experienced Digital Product Lead to lead the implementation, rollout and continuous improvement of the Refugee Employment Marketplace and wider digital systems across the Refugee Employment Network.
The Refugee Employment Marketplace is a digital platform connecting displaced people in the UK with jobs, employers and employment support.
Working closely with developers, partners and users, you will help ensure the Marketplace is successfully implemented, accessible, adopted and scaled across Wales and the wider REN network. We're looking for someone who enjoys turning ideas into practical solutions, building partnerships and using digital to create social impact.
Purpose of the Role and Key Responsibilities
1. Digital Product Development & Delivery
· Lead the implementation, customisation and continuous improvement of the Refugee Employment Marketplace to meet REN’s organisational goals and user needs.
· Work with external platform providers and developers to coordinate product delivery, customisation, timelines and ongoing improvements.
· Build and maintain project plans, documentation and delivery processes to support successful implementation and rollout.
· Coordinate platform testing, user feedback and troubleshooting to improve functionality, accessibility and user experience.
· Support the integration of REN’s wider digital systems, including website and CRM.
2. Co-design & Partnerships
· Convene and coordinate REN’s Digital Advisory Group to inform the design and continuous improvement of the Refugee Employment Marketplace.
· Facilitate focus groups, user testing and feedback sessions with refugees, employers, charities, local authorities and employment advisers to improve platform design, accessibility and user experience.
· Ensure experts by experience are meaningfully involved in shaping and testing the platform.
3. Platform Rollout, Training & User Support
· Lead the rollout and adoption of the Refugee Employment Marketplace across Wales and the wider REN network.
· Develop onboarding processes, training and guidance materials to support effective use of the platform.
· Act as the first point of contact for user support, including account setup, login support, troubleshooting and user journey guidance.
4. CRM, Website & Digital Infrastructure Management
· Lead the scoping, procurement and implementation of a new CRM system
· Oversee the integration and continuous improvement of REN’s website and wider digital systems to ensure they are integrated and accessible.
5. Data, Reporting & Digital Compliance
· Lead on data protection, GDPR compliance and digital security across REN’s digital platforms and systems.
· Maintain accurate, secure and effective data management practices, including user records, permissions and data quality.
6. Marketplace Growth, Sustainability & Impact
· Build relationships with employers, industry bodies and strategic partners to grow platform adoption, secure opportunities and strengthen the value proposition of the Marketplace.
· Support the matching of displaced talent to jobs, opportunities and employment support, including manual interventions where needed to improve outcomes and user experience.
· Track and report on employment outcomes, employer engagement and platform impact to inform growth, improvement and sustainability.
Person Specification
We recognise that no candidate is likely to meet every criteria listed below. We encourage applications from people who can demonstrate the skills, knowledge and potential to succeed in this role, even if they have gained their experience in different sectors, countries or through voluntary, community or lived experience.
We welcome transferable skills and experience gained through paid work, voluntary roles, community leadership or lived experience, in the UK or internationally.
Essential
Digital Product & Project Management
· Experience managing or supporting the development, implementation, rollout and continuous improvement of digital products, platforms or technology-enabled projects.
· Experience managing external developers, contractors or digital suppliers to deliver digital products or systems.
· Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to work independently, use initiative and manage competing priorities.
·Ability to support the implementation and adoption of new digital products, platforms or systems.
Partnerships & Training
·Currently based in Wales, with the ability to build relationships and engage with employers, partners and stakeholders across the country.
· Strong relationship-building skills, with experience developing partnerships and growing engagement with employers, charities, government or sector organisations to support the adoption and growth of a digital product, platform, project or service.
·Ability to facilitate workshops, focus groups or training sessions to support the adoption of digital tools or systems, or equivalent transferable experience.
·Ability to communicate digital information clearly to non-technical audiences through training, onboarding and user support.
Digital Systems & User Support
· Experience developing, managing or supporting digital platforms, CRM systems, websites or other online tools.
· Ability to provide day-to-day user support, including onboarding, troubleshooting and helping users engage confidently with digital platforms.
· Understanding of user-centred design, accessibility and digital inclusion.
Data and Compliance
· Experience using data, analytics or reporting to inform digital improvements and decision-making.
· Understanding of GDPR, data protection and digital security best practice.
Values & Commitment
· Commitment to REN’s mission and passion for improving refugee employment outcomes, equity and inclusion.=
Desirable
· Lived experience as a refugee, asylum seeker, displaced person or migrant, or direct experience of the UK immigration or asylum system.
· Experience of CRM procurement, implementation or data migration.
· Knowledge of refugee employment barriers and the wider migration or asylum landscape in the UK.
Equity and inclusion at the Refugee Employment Network
The Refugee Employment Network values equity, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and we encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity status, or socio-economic background.
We are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we work with. We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as experts by experience and recognise the valuable insight that lived experience of forced displacement, migration and the UK asylum and immigration system brings to our work. Please note that candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
We respect that people’s identity is not defined by their past experiences and do not expect candidates to describe their lived experience during the application or interview process unless they wish to do so.
How to apply
Application, CV and Cover Letter
To apply, please complete the application Type form by 5pm on Sunday, 9 August. You will be asked to upload your CV and a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) when completing the Typeform application. Link in the JD.
In your cover letter, please outline how you meet the criteria listed above and how your experience is relevant to the role. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all the requirements listed in the person specification. We value experience from both paid and voluntary roles, in the UK or overseas, and encourage you to demonstrate your passion for the role, as well as the unique perspectives and skills you bring.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Job Purpose
Sequence ME & Long Covid is one of the most ambitious whole-genome sequencing studies ever undertaken into ME and Long Covid, co-led by Action for ME. Building on the success of DecodeME, this proposed £20 million study will use large-scale, long-read whole-genome sequencing to analyse the entire genetic code of 9,000 people with ME and 9,000 people with Long Covid - making it the world's largest 'long-read' whole-genome sequencing study of any disease.
Current funding supports project mobilisation, partnership development, and the development of the Long Covid arm of the study, including agreeing case definitions and gathering expressions of interest from people with Long Covid. Phase 2 has recently been confirmed, backed by £4.75m from the UK government and a further £174,414 from the WE&ME Foundation, and will focus on sequencing 6,000 ME/CFS samples previously collected through DecodeME using Oxford Nanopore's long-read sequencing technology, running alongside Phase 1.
You will play a pivotal role supporting the Sequence ME & Long Covid project in several different ways. Working closely with the project's management team and other team members, you will help ensure the smooth day-to-day running of this landmark study, providing administrative support to the various people and partners involved in delivering it.
As a self-starter, you will manage a range of tasks including meeting scheduling, taking meeting minutes, preparing governance documents, event administration, and broader project support - no two days will be the same.
You will need to maintain a high level of confidentiality at all times, particularly when supporting governance meetings and handling sensitive project documentation.
As a team player, you will provide comprehensive, confidential and organised administrative support, developing a deep understanding of the project and building strong, effective working relationships with colleagues, researchers and external partners.
Remote working at home can be challenging for some and works incredibly well for others. You will need to be able to work independently, use your own initiative, and remain proactive in maintaining good levels of communication with colleagues.
Key Duties
- Help monitor inboxes and respond to routine project enquiries in a timely and sensitive manner, escalating more complex matters as appropriate
- Assist the project's management team and other team members with meeting scheduling and diary coordination
- Take accurate minutes at project, management and other project-related meetings, and follow up and track resulting actions to completion
- Prepare, format and proof-read governance documents and papers
- Maintain and update project databases including the Teams channel, ensuring documents are saved correctly, other management information/recording systems to ensure accurate and timely record-keeping. Help with the tracking of expressions of interest from potential study participants.
- Provide administrative support for project events - from planning and logistics through to on-the-day support
- Help prepare presentations, slide decks and briefing materials for internal meetings, funders, partners and participant-facing communications
- Support the drafting, formatting and coordination of project communications, such as updates for partners, funders or the wider ME and Long Covid community
- Support coordination between internal teams and external partners, including research and funding partners
- Maintain project files and documentation in line with agreed communication operating procedures with internal and external partners ensuring information is well organised, up to date and easy for the team to access
- Maintain confidentiality at all times and in line with relevant policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with GDPR and that all data consent processes have been followed in relation to data protection
- Positively promote the work of the Sequence ME & Long Covid project and Action for ME at all times
- Undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post, as requested by the CEO, Business Development & Partnerships Manager, Senior Research Manager or the project's Management Team
Person Specification
Essential skills and experience
- Organisational skills - Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple tasks across a fast-moving research project, with attention to detail and accuracy maintained under pressure
- Communication - Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse audiences including researchers, funders and people affected by ME and Long Covid
- IT literacy - Proficient with common office software, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint), and able to quickly learn relevant project management, database or communications systems as needed
- Problem-solving - A creative and solution-focused mindset to address challenges and find innovative ways to improve processes
- Adaptability - Capable of managing changing priorities, working flexibly, and adapting to the needs of a fast-paced, ambitious research programme
- Initiative - A proactive approach, with the ability to work independently and take initiative, while also following clear instructions when given
- Teamwork - A collaborative team player with a proven ability to work effectively as part of a team, including a remote-working team spanning multiple partners and stakeholders
- Interest in the sector - A genuine interest in health research, the Third Sector, and a desire to take action to improve the lives of people with ME and Long Covid
- Experience - Demonstrable ability to be an effective administrator, ideally within a charity, research, or project environment. Experience supporting governance processes, events, or communications would be an advantage but is not essential
Desirable skills and experience
- Experience providing administrative support for scientific or research-related projects
- Experience writing and communicating with non-specialist or general audiences
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Our mission is to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.