Policy and communications assistant jobs

Job Title: Employment Adviser

Line Reports: Client Services Manager

Location: Manchester

Salary:  £26,000 - £29,000

Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours per week, with occasional evening or weekend work (TOIL provided)

Contract: 2 Years Fixed-Term Contract

Overall purpose

The Employment Adviser (EA) plays a key role in supporting refugees and people from refugee backgrounds to progress towards and secure sustainable employment. The EA provides tailored employment advice and guidance, helping clients build the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to navigate the UK job market. This role will work with clients at various stages of their employment journey, with a particular focus on those in the earlier stages of understanding career options, developing employability skills, and exploring education, training, and volunteering opportunities.

The EA will deliver one-to-one and group-based employability support, collaborate with employers and volunteers to source opportunities for clients, and maintain strong relationships with referral and support partners to ensure a holistic approach to employment support.

To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack.

Other considerations

• As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out preemployment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.
• Some travel between our different areas of operation (including London, Birmingham and Manchester) will be required. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required. Time off in lieu would be provided in this case.
• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.

How to apply

If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. To apply, please submit a CV and statement (up to approximately 500 words/1 A4 page) outlining:

• Why you are interested in the role
• What skills you would bring to be successful in this role
• Any experience you would like to highlight
• Any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process
• Disclosure of disabilities if you wish to do so (as a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role)

Please note that applications without a covering letter will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is 11:30pm on Wednesday 23 July. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background. 

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach out to HR Manager Rebecca Hughes for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert, but you can find contact details on the final page of the attached recruitment pack).

Join Affinity Trust as Director of Quality Improvement and Compliance

• Location: Hybrid with frequent travel to our Head Office for Executive Meetings, and national travel to our support locations.
• Head Office: Thame, Oxfordshire
• Salary: £100,000 per annum
• Car Allowance: £6,200
• Governance: You will be the Nominated Individual and Caldicott Guardian

With the right support, anything is possible

We are looking for a collaborative and visible leader—ideally from within social care or a closely related sector—who has significant experience leading a Quality or Operations function across a large and diverse set of services. 

Through your engagement with regulators, networks, and professional bodies, you will bring external insight into the organisation and help us stay at the forefront of best practice in quality and compliance.

About us

We are Affinity Trust, a national charity with over 30 years' experience supporting children, young people, and adults with learning disabilities, autism, and other needs. 

With nearly 2,500 colleagues and services across England and Scotland, we are values-led, financially strong, and driven by a single purpose: supporting people to live their life, their way.

Why this role matters

This is a pivotal, high-impact role. As Director of Quality Improvement & Compliance, you will play a central part in shaping how we continuously raise the standard of support across Affinity Trust. 

You will lead our approach to quality, improvement and co-production — ensuring we have the systems, insights, and culture needed to deliver consistently excellent, person-centred support.

You will influence practice across our services by working in close partnership with operational leaders, providing the challenge, guidance, and support needed to embed sustainable improvements. 

You’ll also champion innovation—harnessing the potential of digital tools and outcomes measurement to improve how we understand, assess, and enhance the lives of the people we support.

Above all, your work will be vital in helping us live out our core belief: that with the right support, anything is possible. This role is key to Achieving More Together.

What you’ll bring

We're looking for:

• A proven, senior leader from social care or a similar regulated sector.
• Deep understanding of quality, compliance, and safeguarding in complex service environments.
• Strategic acumen paired with empathy, collaboration, and a values-driven approach.
• Passion for co-production, data-informed improvement, and empowering people to thrive.
• Experience engaging with regulators (CQC/Care Inspectorate), driving innovation, and leading high-performing teams.

 Benefits

• £100,000 salary + £6,200 car allowance
• 30 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Private healthcare, enhanced pension, life insurance, and Blue Light discounts
• Hybrid flexibility, national influence, and deep local impact

Ready to be part of something extraordinary?

Apply by: 27 July 2025
Interviews: 28 August 2025

For more information, please refer to the candidate pack attached to this advert. 

Are you an experienced leader with a passion for delivering high-quality care and making a real difference in people's lives? Do you have the skills and dedication to drive excellence in social care? Then we want to hear from you.

As a Registered Manager, you will lead and develop your team, ensuring they feel supported, motivated, and equipped to provide exceptional, person-centred care. You will be responsible for overseeing recruitment, supervision, and performance management while fostering a positive and collaborative workplace culture. Additionally, you will take ownership of financial management, ensuring budgets are effectively managed and financial processes are followed.

You will be instrumental in ensuring the service remains fully compliant with all regulatory and safeguarding standards, maintaining the highest levels of quality and safety. As the CQC registered manager, you will oversee quality assurance measures and key performance reporting. You will also build strong relationships with internal teams, external agencies, and the wider community to enhance the support and opportunities available to the people we support.

We’re looking for a proactive and capable People Operations Manager to manage the day-to-day HR and volunteer operations at our charity. You’ll play a key role in supporting our staff and volunteers, ensuring smooth processes, legal compliance, and a welcoming, well-run office environment.

What You’ll Do:

- Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and support for staff and volunteers

- Manage HR systems and workforce data

- Coordinate learning and development, ensuring compliance and CPD

- Act as site manager for our office, ensuring H&S and legal compliance

What You’ll Bring:

- Experience managing people and processes with professionalism and care

- Strong organisational and communication skills

- A proactive, can-do attitude and ability to juggle priorities

- Knowledge of HR, H&S, and volunteer best practice

HR Project Administrator

We’re looking for a proactive and detail-oriented HR Project Administrator to support the smooth running of the charity’s flexible workforce model, ensuring efficient recruitment, onboarding, and staffing coordination across national services.

Position: HR Project Administrator (Flexible Workforce)
Location: London or Manchester (with hybrid working)
Contract: Fixed Term Contract – 12 months
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £30,057 incl. London Weighting / £29,557 incl. Manchester Weighting plus pension and benefits
Closing Date: Sunday 20th July 2025

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

About the Role
As HR Project Admin (Flexible Workforce), you will play a key role in supporting the national flexible staffing model. You’ll be responsible for coordinating temporary worker recruitment, managing workforce records, and helping ensure compliance across all casual staffing processes. Working closely with hiring managers, external agencies and the HR and Finance teams, your work will help ensure effective and cost-conscious staffing across services.

This is an exciting opportunity to support a major operational transformation project, gain exposure to senior leaders, and develop valuable HR and project coordination skills.

Key Responsibilities

· Support recruitment and onboarding of bank and agency staff, including compliance and document checks

· Coordinate and monitor the use of the workforce system (CentralAxis), ensuring managers and workers are fully trained

· Maintain accurate and confidential workforce records in line with GDPR and data protection standards

· Support budget monitoring and reporting on staffing ratios, costs, and agency usage

· Help prepare reports, dashboards and presentations on flexible workforce activity

· Resolve staffing issues including absence, rota conflicts and performance concerns, escalating as needed

· Provide general admin support to the HR and project teams, including scheduling meetings, organising files, and minuting key sessions

About You
We’re looking for someone who:

· Has experience supporting HR or recruitment processes

· Is confident using digital systems and managing accurate workforce data

· Has strong communication and customer service skills, with the ability to build good relationships across teams

· Is highly organised, detail-focused and able to manage multiple tasks and priorities

· Understands the importance of confidentiality and compliance when working with sensitive information

· Brings energy, initiative and a commitment to the charity’s values

Key Note: DBS check required. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

In return you will receive:

· 26 days annual leave, rising to 30 after five years’ service

· Family-friendly policies including enhanced parental leave

· Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%

· Flexible and hybrid working (where appropriate)

· Access to 24/7 GP appointments and Employee Assistance Programme

· Discount scheme across retail, leisure and wellbeing

· Cash plan for dental, optical and healthcare costs

· Death in service benefit (4x salary)

· Full induction, ongoing training and development

· Opportunity to lead on meaningful operational change and gain exposure to senior leadership

Other roles you may have experience of could include:
HR Administrator, Workforce Coordinator, Recruitment Assistant, People Operations Admin, Resourcing Officer, Project Support Officer, Staffing Coordinator, Talent Acquisition Administrator, Onboarding Coordinator.

#INDSCP

Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week

Area of work: Predominantly in the London area

Are you passionate about connecting people with nature and empowering communities to protect rivers? Do you have experience delivering engaging volunteering and citizen science programmes that inspire real environmental action? Join us and play a pivotal role in restoring London’s rare urban chalk streams.

About the Role

SERT’s ambition is to reach as many people as possible in the South East, to teach and show them the importance of rivers in the environment, and how everyone can play a part in restoring them. We also want to be more reflective of the diverse communities who live in the South East, and build partnerships within these communities to reach a broader audience.

This role will lead the development and delivery of volunteering and community outreach activities that connect people with their local rivers. Activities will include practical volunteering such as river clean-ups, planting days, and invasive species control, as well as citizen science, guided walks, and community workshops.

A key focus of the role is supporting the Chalk Streams in the City project - a major initiative to restore London’s rare urban chalk streams through community involvement. The postholder will help shape and deliver a programme of inclusive and engaging opportunities that inspire people to care for these unique and threatened habitats.

This project is made possible with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.

Working at the South East Rivers Trust is rewarding, fulfilling and fast-paced. We collaborate with energy and professionalism, guided by our values of delivering high-quality work, using expertise and science, building strong relationships, and bringing positivity and integrity to everything we do. If this sounds like the right environment for you - we’d love to hear from you.

Please see the full Volunteering and Engagement Officer job descriptions for more information.

How to apply:

Please send us the following documents, more information can befound on our website.

• Your CV
• a completed application form
• Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form (optional)

The deadline for application is 11:59pm on Sunday 20th July 2025.  We reserve the right to close the recruitment early.

Interviews will be potentially w.c. 28th July 2025.

About The Job

At the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), we’re on a mission to tackle the climate emergency and end the suffering caused by cold homes. From community energy projects to national policy work, we support people and organisations across the UK to take practical action and shape a fairer, zero-carbon future.

We’re looking for a Senior IT Manager to help us deliver secure, sustainable and people-focused IT systems, and support more than 140 colleagues to do their best work. If you’re someone who thrives on solving problems, improving processes, and helping others feel confident with tech, this is a role where your skills can make a real impact.

The role

As Senior IT Manager, you will lead on all things IT across CSE and our subsidiary, Retrofit West CIC. From supporting staff day-to-day to managing our infrastructure and external support partner, you will ensure our systems are secure, fit for purpose, and evolving with our needs.

You will sit within the Finance & Operations team and be part of CSE’s Senior Management Team (SMT), working closely with our Director of Finance & Operations. While you won’t directly manage staff, you will collaborate with the Operations Officers and support colleagues across every part of the organisation.

Your responsibilities will include:

· Managing our internal IT systems, tools and infrastructure.

· Being the main contact for our external IT support provider.

· Supporting colleagues with advice, onboarding, and day-to-day tech issues.

· Acting as CSE’s effective Data Protection Officer (training provided).

· Maintaining cyber security and overseeing our Cyber Essentials compliance.

· Supporting our bespoke in-house databases and CRM systems.

· Advising on IT procurement and platform decisions.

· Contributing to business continuity planning and risk management.

· Promoting sustainability and best practice across IT operations.

· This is a practical, hands-on role where you’ll help us run smoothly, safely, and sustainably - while also contributing to longer-term planning and improvements.

Who you are

You are calm under pressure, process-minded, and focused on making things work better. You enjoy working across teams, finding simple solutions to complex problems, and supporting others to use technology with confidence.

You will bring:

· Experience managing IT systems, infrastructure and external providers.

· Working knowledge of GDPR and cyber security best practice.

· Familiarity with platforms such as Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and cloud services.

· Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage risk and prioritise effectively.

· A people-focused approach- patient, clear and collaborative.

What success looks like in this role

This role is central to keeping our systems secure, stable and supportive of colleagues across CSE. We are looking for someone who can confidently take ownership, work independently, and continuously improve how we deliver IT.

In the first 6–12 months, success might include:

· A clear, well-documented overview of CSE’s IT systems and infrastructure.

· Smooth and reliable day-to-day IT support across the organisation, with positive feedback from staff.

· Effective working relationship with our external IT provider, with clear processes and expectations in place.

· Cyber Essentials accreditation maintained and compliance confidently overseen.

· Risks, dependencies and continuity plans identified and managed.

· Practical support provided to colleagues across departments, especially around internal databases and platforms.

· Recommendations in place for any long-term system or hardware improvements.

We are looking for someone who can build on strong foundations, while helping us work smarter and stay secure as we grow.

About us

CSE is a national charity based in Bristol with a clear mission: to tackle the climate emergency and end the suffering caused by cold homes. We believe in a future where everyone can live in a warm, healthy home powered by a fair and sustainable energy system - and we work with people, organisations and communities to help make that a reality.

Our team of over 140 staff brings together a wide range of expertise, from energy advice and community engagement to software development, data science and policy advocacy. We collaborate across teams and disciplines to deliver practical change, and we’re proud of our independence, integrity and commitment to social justice.

We’re always looking for people who care deeply about social and environmental justice and who enjoy working collaboratively to make practical change happen.

What we offer

Working at CSE means being part of a supportive, purpose-driven team, where your skills contribute to real social and environmental change. We offer:

· Salary: £47,508 – £55,953 (Salary Grade I)*

· Pension: Ethical company pension scheme - 8% employer / 6% employee contributions

· Holiday: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

· Flexibility: TOIL (time off in lieu) for out-of-hours work, and flexibility to support work–life balance (role dependent)

· A commitment to supporting your career progression and continued development

· A range of staff-led groups, including our Employee Voice and EDI working group

Wellbeing:

o Health Cash Plan

o Life Assurance

o Enhanced sick pay

o Access to retail discounts and discounted breakdown cover

o Employee support programme

o Staff activities like yoga at lunch and a book club

Financial support & lifestyle benefits:

o Tech Scheme

o Cycle to Work Scheme (promoting sustainable commuting)

 A values-led workplace:

o Friendly, collaborative team culture

o Purpose-driven work that supports people and the planet

o We are a Living Wage Employer and a Disability Confident Employer

* The salary for the post will be on Scale I (£47,508– £55,953). Starting salary is expected to be at the lower end of the range with precise level depending on skills, relevant experience, and qualifications.  A suitably qualified and experienced applicant should expect to find themselves closer to the middle of the range following successful completion of their 6-month probationary period.  Subsequent movement is dependent on annual appraised performance against the defined job description for the post.

Our office is based in central Bristol, close to public transport links.

Our culture and values

At CSE, our values shape how we work together and with others. We look for these qualities in all our staff and expect them to guide day-to-day work and relationships. These include:

Commitment to CSE: Reflecting our charitable purpose, vision and strategic objectives in your work, and contributing to a culture where everyone feels welcomed, valued and able to belong.

Collaboration: Sharing knowledge and experience generously, valuing others’ contributions, and communicating with openness and respect.

Conscientiousness: Taking responsibility for your work, delivering to the best of your ability, and working to improve while caring for CSE’s resources and reputation.

Initiative: Looking for ways to improve outcomes, solve problems and try new approaches, while responding flexibly to change and supporting others to do the same.

Application procedure

To apply, please complete CSE’s application form, available at our website. We will also consider CVs (maximum 3 pages) accompanied by a supporting letter, if preferred. However, all applications should clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the person specification outlined in the job description. CSE anonymises all applications prior to shortlisting.

Application deadline: 9am, Monday 28th July 2025

If you do not hear from us by the 6th of August 2025, please assume your application has not been successful.

Interviews:

Initial online interviews will take place during the week commencing Monday 4th August 2025.

Candidates invited to a second round will be interviewed in person at our Bristol offices during the week commencing Monday 11th August 2025. 

Applications should be sent:

By email to our jobs @ cse .org .uk email

By post to: Reception, Centre for Sustainable Energy, St James Court, St James Parade, Bristol BS1 3LH

If you require any reasonable adjustments to take part in the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting spaces), please let us know and we’ll be happy to accommodate your needs.

CSE is committed to being an inclusive, diverse and non-judgmental workplace. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of background or identity. We particularly encourage applications from people whose experiences or communities are underrepresented in our organisation or the wider workforce - including people from racially or ethnically minoritised backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

We know that people sometimes hesitate to apply for roles unless they meet every requirement. If this role excites you but you’re not sure you meet every single point in the person specification, we’d still love to hear from you.

Please note that at this time we do not require assistance from recruitment agencies.

About Us

Inspire is a charity based in East London. We inspire children and young people across London and beyond, using data to understand the barriers they face and connecting them with a range of employers and opportunities to open doors to their success.

We have over 40 years of experience in delivering high quality services and programmes to children, young people, schools, local authorities and employers. Working alongside our large network of employer volunteers, our programmes inspire and support children and young people to create a positive future for themselves in their journey from the classroom to workplace.  We provide them with independent careers guidance, high aspirations and strong employability skills.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an organised, enthusiastic and confident individual to join us as Programme Manager to develop and manage delivery of Phase 2 of the Early Connect Programme. Following successful delivery of Phase 1, Inspire has been selected to deliver Phase 2 of this pilot programme alongside the GLA/DFE and lead partners Rinova.

This role has responsibility for developing and delivering work related learning activities for young people with the aim of enhancing their skills and understanding of future career opportunities and transitioning into apprenticeships.

All delivery is aimed towards enabling young people to learn about apprenticeship opportunities and how to position themselves to apply and move into employment as an apprentice. You will work closely with young people, employers and business volunteers to deliver fun, engaging and labour market-relevant careers related support and workshops to young people in both online and in-person formats. You will have the chance to be creative through planning, delivering and evaluating the programme to ensure services are current and meet the stakeholder needs.

Key responsibilities of this role include:

• Managing development, delivery and coordination of work related learning activities for phase 2 of the Early Connect programme.
• Accountable for achieving agreed outcomes, outputs and personal targets including recruitment, employability training and learner progression targets.
• Managing a caseload of participants requiring Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG), confidence building and employability training.
• Accurately managing data and reporting requirements of funders of the Early Connect programme.
• Maintaining and building effective relationships with programme participants and stakeholders.

Please see our job description for further details.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter.

Inspire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Closing date

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis. We will review applications as we receive them and aim to appoint as soon as we meet the right person.  We reserve the right to close the application process early if we find a suitable candidate. Therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment.

Interviews will include a skills based test.

The post-holder will be responsible for deliver a range of support interventions for people newly diagnosed with HIV, and those re-engaging in their HIV care, who may be identified via Emergency Department Opt-Out testing in Liverpool.

Collaboratively work with Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUFHT) to ensure people living with HIV receive practical, social and emotional support. The delivery of peer support in a clinic setting and, in the community, and onward referrals to relevant services.

Ensure that people living with HIV in vulnerable circumstances are supported to minimise the risk of them returning to ‘need to find’ status and remain engaged in services.

We seek someone with experience working with diverse communities. Knowledge and understanding of the common experiences and need of people living with HIV is essential.

The ideal candidate will possess a relevant qualification (such as an NVQ Level 3 or above in social work, health, education) or equivalent experience, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

We are looking for someone with strong interpersonal skills (working with staff, volunteers, and service users), excellent organisational skills, and enthusiasm.

The post-holder will be responsible for providing practical and emotional support to individuals living with and affected by HIV, and LGBTQ+ people living across the Liverpool City Region. This includes ensuring they have access to essential services, resources, and community networks. The post-holder will also support our outreach efforts, working alongside our wonderful partners to promote good sexual health.

This is a unique opportunity for a committed individual to develop their experience and expertise within an evolving regional charity.

The post will involve some travel across the Liverpool City Region (excluding Wirral).

We seek someone with experience working with diverse communities. Knowledge and understanding of the common experiences and need of people living with HIV, and the LGBTQ+ community is desirable.

The ideal candidate will possess a relevant qualification (such as an NVQ Level 3 or above in social work, health, education) or equivalent experience and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

We are looking for someone with strong interpersonal skills (working with staff, volunteers, and service users), excellent organisational skills, and enthusiasm.

The post-holder will be responsible for providing support and advocacy to LGBTQ+ refugees and people seeking asylum, ensuring they have access to essential services, resources, and community networks to enhance their wellbeing and integration.

This post is proudly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

We seek someone with experience working with diverse communities. Knowledge/understanding of some of the common experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ people, and people living with HIV.

The ideal candidate will possess a relevant qualification (such as an NVQ Level 3 or above in social work, health, education) or equivalent experience, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

We are looking for someone with strong interpersonal skills (working with staff, volunteers, and service users), excellent organisational skills, and enthusiasm.