Strategy and planning manager jobs

IPS – Employment support

For people who need mental health support, getting back into work is a vital step on their recovery journey. The evidence backs this up, but although 90% of people with severe mental illness want to work, only 8% of them are in paid employment.

If you would like to join our team and champion our mission and help people who need employment support to get back into work. You will be supporting clients who are under the care of Secondary Mental Health services to gain and retain paid employment and will be based within a clinical team.

This is an incredibly rewarding role.  You'll have the opportunity to transform the lives of clients, to give them hope, direction and support with their recovery journey alongside other key professionals. This is also a challenging role, so you’ll need to be empathetic, adaptable and dedicated to finding clients a role that’s right for them.

As an Employment Specialist, you’ll build a good rapport with your clients, gaining a real understanding of their key skills, their aspirations and their career goals and finding them opportunities to match. You'll also spend time building productive relationships with employers in order to identify and negotiate job opportunities in the hidden labour market.

Successful applicants for this post will receive training in the IPS approach, giving you the tools, you need to provide expert support and advice to clients, staff within your clinical team (e.g. Psychiatrist, Social Workers or Mental Health Nurse), while also building positive relationships with employers, opening doors and changing perceptions around mental health.

We welcome applications from people with personal experience of using mental health services.

Job Summary

To provide support into employment for people with mental health problems including:

· Managing a caseload of clients who wish to return to paid work, enabling them to find or retain employment by liaising with work and training providers, accessing benefits advice and by personally providing on-going support to clients in job search and after gaining employment, in accordance with evidence based supported employment practice such as the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment.

· Link with local employers and voluntary bodies in order to secure employment opportunities within the community

· Pro-actively support and motivate clients in obtaining employment opportunities

· Provide on-going support according to both the employee’s and employer’s needs to enable clients to both gain and retain employment.

Key responsibilities

 · To work in partnership with individuals to support them in finding paid employment, or taking steps towards this.

· To develop strong links with other agencies such as voluntary, statutory and businesses in the development of work opportunities for clients.

· To support Community Mental Health Team colleagues with information about work and training opportunities.

· To report on outcome measures for the service.

· To provide monitoring/audit information to the Senior IPS Employment Specialist responsible for Employment Services.

Main duties

 · Manage a caseload of people who have experienced mental health problems who wish to work.

· Prepare individuals for employment by assessing each person’s individual vocational needs which might typically include identifying strengths, help with benefits, support networks, travel to work plans, etc.

· Co create employment action plans with the individual, and provide this to the care co-ordinator and other professionals where appropriate.

· Assist individuals in job search and prepare them to apply for employment/education, liaising with colleagues as required e.g. Disability Employment Advisors, Jobcentre Plus, DWP contract providers and local colleges.

· Contact and meet with employers to identify job opportunities for individual clients.

· Have a proactive approach in developing jobs tailored to suit individual clients’ needs by contacting local employers, discussing mutual requirements and negotiating opportunities.

· Accompany job seekers to interviews if required.

· Provide education and support to employers, as agreed with the individual and provide job retention interventions to people at risk of losing their employment, negotiating adjustments to the job role with employers to enable the person to retain their employment.

· Support clients in the workplace by supporting them to learn the job role if necessary, and/or negotiating with employers to adapt the role at the start of employment or if difficulties arise in the workplace.

· Identify any barriers for return to work and develop appropriate strategies to overcome those barriers for clients who wish to gain or retain open employment maintaining a positive attitude to addressing challenges.

· Contribute to the opportunities for an individual’s increased social inclusion by developing partnership working with voluntary sector agencies, and linking with primary care employment and job retention initiatives.

· Promote the Mindful Employer initiative and best practice in mental health and employment within the mental health services and in other organisations in the local area.

· Maintain and develop close links with referrers, care co-ordinators and Community

· Regularly attend Team meetings.

· Complete data monitoring sheets and keep accurate caseload records.

· Maintain high standards of personal development and undertake further training as may be required.

· Undertake regular supervision and annual appraisal.

· Undertake other duties as may reasonably be required by the organisation

Person specification

Qualifications and experience

Essential

· Educated to degree level or equivalent experience

· Experience/understanding of working with people with mental health support needs, or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector

· Experience of working with someone on a one-to-one basis

· Experience of managing multiple tasks at any one time

Desirable

· Trained in IPS approach

· Experience of supporting people to obtain or keep work

· Experience of working within health, social services or voluntary sector with people who have experienced mental health problems.

· Experience of working assertively to influence decision makers

· Own personal lived experience of recovery from mental health difficulties

· Previous experience of delivering a service using the IPS model is a bonus

· Proven experience of meeting and exceeding outcomes and targets

Skills and knowledge

Essential

· An understanding of the employment needs, and challenges faced by people who experience mental health difficulties

· Developing a knowledge of a broad range of occupations and jobs

· Able to use IT systems, databases and tools such as MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel

· Strong motivational, communication and listening skills

· Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with a range of people

· Good organisational ability

· Natural ability to build close, trusting and productive relationships with people

· Team orientated and able to work collaboratively within a mixed-disciplinary team

· Ability to work independently and use initiative to develop and promote a service

Desirable

· Knowledge of DWP and disability/employment related benefits

· Knowledge of good practice in employment legislation protecting Disability and Equality

Interviews will take place on 14th, 16th and 21st April 2026. 

Can you help us develop an outstanding service for young people in Surrey?

Do you have a passion to support young people's emotional health and wellbeing?

Barnardo's are seeking to recruit a full-time (37 hours a week) Community Wellbeing Mentor who shares our commitment and vision to develop an outstanding service and embed Barnardo's basis and values in all we do. This position sits within the Surrey Community Wellbeing Team (CWT) covering Waverley, Woking, Surrey Heath and Spelthorne.

As a Wellbeing Mentor, you will hold a rolling caseload of up to 15 children and young people (6-18 years old) and will provide early intervention/support to them who are experiencing low emotional health and wellbeing. This may present itself in many different ways such as feeling lonely, isolated, unhappy, or anxious, having low mood or experiencing stress and can come from multiple causes. Wellbeing Mentors will provide a hybrid model of support involving direct face to face and virtual sessions, working collaboratively with a solution focussed strength-based approach to support children and young people to improve their emotional wellbeing and resilience.

Part of this role will involve supporting the school-based community wellbeing mentor to co-facilitate one of our B-Connected 6-week courses that take place within local schools. This course covers: Anxiety, Emotional literacy & regulation, Confidence and self-esteem, Friendships/relationships, Low mood, Anxieties around school attendance or transition and Resilience.

The Community Wellbeing Team operates within a Thrive Framework where choice and shared decision making is fundamental. It is a relational model, and we hold a non-judgmental and trusting relationship between the staff member, children, young people, and parents, which is crucial to their ongoing wellbeing. You will receive training on the Thrive model at the start of your employment.

To be successful in this role you will:

• Have experience in working with and supporting children and young people to implement strategies to manage their emotional health and wellbeing.
• Have experience in planning, delivering and evaluating 1:1 and groupwork wellbeing interventions, assessments, including risk assessments.
• Have experience of advising and developing pathways necessary to support. sustainable long-term improvements of the young person after CWT support has ended.
• Deliver solution focussed, goal based strength interventions for children and young people with emotional health and wellbeing needs.
• Have an understanding of how to work within a trauma-informed framework;
• Have experience of safeguarding issues and working within multi-agency frameworks.
• Demonstrate the ability to engage and communicate with both children, young people, their families, schools, and other professionals during the working day or at various meetings/networking events representing Barnardo's.
• Have good time-management, organisational, numeracy and literacy skills including competency on IT software.
• Have a full UK driving licence and access to a roadworthy and taxed car.

The office base (Surrey Wellbeing Hub) for this role is in Leatherhead in Surrey. Although the role is office-based with the ability to work from home, it is essential to meet the needs of the service to travel around Surrey (Waverley, Woking, Surrey Heath and Spelthorne) when necessary. Due to this, access to a vehicle and a valid driving licence will be essential. Car insurance must include business use and be in place before starting with the service. The office base (Surrey Wellbeing Hub) for this role is currently in Leatherhead, Surrey and there is a requirement to regularly attend meetings and collect resources from this location. This base determines your normal deductible commute.

Barnardo's offer their staff regular supervision, external clinical supervision and give all colleagues access to at least three learning days a year. Barnardo's University (BU) facilitate a range of opportunities which will be available through B-learning online and the BU prospectus. However, staff can use this time in a way that works for them – for instance to spend a day shadowing another team.

When completing your application please refer to your skills, knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification and Job Description. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described. Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Reporting to: Community & Challenge Events Manager

Hours: Full time, Monday to Friday, normal office hours are 9:00 to 5:00, 37.5 hours per week.  Flexibility is available around start and finish times

Location: Hybrid working – Minimum 40% of working time to be spent in the office based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Includes occasional local, regional and national travel.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious fundraiser with a track-record in income generation. This role forms an integral part of the Community & Challenge team, a small team that works with supporters including individuals, local businesses, schools, our beneficiaries, and community groups.

Job purpose

• To develop community fundraising activity and campaigns to support Willow’s strategic income goals.
• To work across Community and Challenge Events to deliver agreed financial and non-financial targets.
• To proactively develop relationships within the community including companies, schools, groups and organisations to raise income and awareness.
• Develop innovative fundraising initiatives with the Senior Community Fundraiser informed by sector insights and trends.
• Contribute to the successful delivery of Community, Challenge, and wider Fundraising Team targets.

Main duties/responsibilities

• To support and deliver the Community Fundraising strategy within agreed budgets to achieve financial and non-financial targets.
• To raise awareness of our work and to inspire support through the following activities:
  • To steward our network of fundraising supporters to maintain engagement and build loyalty, by providing a highly personalised approach to supporting Willow’s fundraisers ensuring our supporters receive a positive experience throughout their fundraising activity, including sending thank you communications and ongoing stewardship. 25%
  • To develop proactive relationships with various organisations within the community setting, including, schools, societies, community groups and companies. 25%
  • To deliver presentations to a variety of community audiences. 5%
  • To organise and deliver a calendar of fundraising activity that creates opportunities for supporters to help Willow. Ensure participation and income targets are achieved.  10%
  • To develop the charity’s social media fundraising activity in collaboration with the wider team.10%
  • Collaborate closely with the Communications Team, to help plan and develop multi-channel campaigns including on and offline activity that inspire and engage people. 5%
  • To work with the Communications Team to produce campaign materials, share interesting stories and fundraising updates. Prepare content for newsletters, website, and social media. 5%
  • To develop a team of volunteers to support fundraising activity. This could include delivering talks, attending events, and promoting Willow at community events. 10%
  • To foster relationships with Willow’s network of charity shops and explore collaborative opportunities to mutually support each other's initiatives. 5%
• To ensure accurate recording of supporter information and reporting on activity through:
  • Updating the charity’s database, Raisers Edge (RE) recording all donor contact and fundraising activity.
  • Using RE as a tool to aid fundraising using data insight and reporting
  • To prepare end of campaign reports to improve results for future campaigns and capture learnings.
  • To prepare regular income reports and updates as required.
• To keep up- to- date and comply with the rules as set by the Fundraising Regulator, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and other relevant legislation and codes of practice and good practice.
• To keep up to date with changes and trends in the UK fundraising environment
• To undertake any other tasks required.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in Community Fundraising
• Proven record of accomplishment in delivering and meeting targets
• Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative
• Well organised with attention to detail
• Ability to inspire and influence others to support Willow
• Ability to develop, motivate and manage individuals and groups of individuals
• Ability to manage several projects and tasks simultaneously and skilled at prioritising
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills
• Effective negotiating and influencing skills
• Strong numeracy skills
• Decisive problem solver with the ability to adapt easily to change
• Innovative outlook and a willingness to suggest new ideas.

Desirable

• Experience of producing fundraising reports for activity and outcomes
• Experience in delivering fundraising campaigns and initiatives
• Fundraising database experience – preferably Raiser’s Edge
• Experience of working in the charity / fundraising sector.

Other

• Regular travel across the county (occasional national travel) will be required. Willing to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends as required.
• Full driving license and access to a car

 Special Conditions

Essential

• Able to work irregular (unsociable) hours and weekends where necessary.

Project & Fundraising Support Officer

Are you looking to start or grow your career in the charity sector? We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Project & Fundraising Support Officer to assist with our UK and international work preventing and treating needless disability.

Location: Haywards Heath (office-based, with some travel in West Sussex)
Salary: £24,000–£26,000 (35 hours/week)
Contract: Fixed-term (12 months, with intention to extend depending on funding/performance)
Benefits: 25 days holiday + bank holidays, 5% pension, enhanced sick pay

About the role
This is a varied, entry-level role offering hands-on experience across programme delivery, fundraising, communications and administration. You will support our UK nutrition project - the IMPACT Tasty Team - helping deliver community sessions, recruit volunteers, liaise with partners, monitor activities and support fundraising and reporting.

You will also contribute to IMPACT's wider international work, including assisting with fundraising proposals and donor engagement, supporting communications and social media, and helping manage relationships with international partners in Asia and Africa.

About you
We are looking for someone highly motivated, proactive and eager to learn. You will have strong communication and organisational skills, a flexible approach and the ability to work both independently and as part of a small team. A genuine interest in nutrition, community projects, international development and fundraising is essential.

Some relevant experience (paid or voluntary) is desirable but not required.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain broad experience and play a meaningful role in a small, impactful charity.

Eligibility to work in the UK is essential.

Can you help us develop an outstanding service for parent/carers in Surrey?

Do you have a passion to support young people's emotional health and wellbeing?

Barnardo's Parenting Wellbeing Service (PWS) are seeking to recruit two reliable and motivated individuals to join our team who share our commitment and vision to develop an outstanding service and embed Barnardo's basis and values in all we do. Barnardo's PWS offers advice, guidance and support to parents and carers across the county of Surrey.

The contracted hours for these two positions are 26.75 hours per week. Flexibility can be discussed about how these hours are completed within the working week. It is essential that Tuesdays are a working day and there will other occasions where early evening working (up to 6pm) will be required however this would be planned in advance to cater for our parent/carer schedules.

As a Parenting Wellbeing Practitioner, you will hold a rolling caseload and provide support to parents/carers whose children/young people are experiencing difficulties with their emotional health and wellbeing. PWS aims to upskill parents/carers and empower them to explore new strategies to make effective change. PWS encourages parents/carers to use a solution focussed, goal-based strength approach, building on their existing knowledge to support their child(ren) to thrive.

Parents/Carers are offered a hybrid model of support over a number of sessions which are continuously assessed to measure progress. This is usually provided through one 60-minute session per week which can be received either online, over the phone, at home or out in the community.

The Parenting Wellbeing Service operates within a Thrive Framework where choice and shared decision making is fundamental. It is a relational model, and we hold a non-judgmental and trusting relationship between the staff member and parents. You will receive training on the Thrive model at the start of your employment. 

To be successful in this role you will:

• Have experience working with and supporting parents/carers whose children and young people are experiencing difficulties with their emotional health and wellbeing.
• Have the ability to plan, deliver and evaluate 1:1 and groupwork wellbeing interventions with a solution focussed, goal-based strength approach.
• Be able to engage and communicate online and in person with parent/carers, schools, and other professionals or stakeholders representing Barnardo's.
• Have an understanding of how to work within a trauma-informed framework.
• Have knowledge of safeguarding issues, working within multi-agency frameworks and conducting risk assessments.  
• Have good time-management, organisational, numeracy and literacy skills including competency on IT software.
• Have a full UK driving licence and access to a roadworthy and taxed car.

Although the role is hybrid with the ability to work from home, it is essential to meet the needs of the service to travel around Surrey when necessary. Due to this, access to a vehicle and a valid driving licence will be essential. Car insurance must include business use and be in place before starting with the service. The office base (Surrey Wellbeing Hub) for this role is currently in Leatherhead, Surrey and there is a requirement to regularly attend meetings and collect resources from this location. This base determines your normal deductible commute.

Barnardo's offer their staff regular supervision, external clinical supervision and give all colleagues access to at least three learning days a year (pro-rata). Barnardo's University (BU) facilitate a range of opportunities which will be available through B-learning online and the BU prospectus. However, staff can use this time in a way that works for them – for instance to spend a day shadowing another team.

When completing your application please refer to your skills, knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification and Job Description. This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Pay & Reward Framework

We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values.  We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people. 

For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay. 

Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours.  More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application. 

Benefits

Workplace Offer: What it means for you

Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these. Please read through the advert carefully to understand the remits of hybrid working that will be specific to the role.

• Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
• Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum, after 3 years Barnardo's service, 29 days per annum, after 5 years Barnardo's service and 30 days per annum, after 7 years Barnardo's service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata
• The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our Buy Your Leave scheme
• A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options
• Service related sick pay from day 1
• Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution
• Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension
• Cycle2work scheme
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Discounts and cashback from at high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal
• 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
• Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
• Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
• Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer

*T&C's apply based on contract

About Barnardo's

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Our basis and values

Global Canopy is a data-driven not for profit that targets the market forces destroying nature. We do this by improving transparency and accountability. We provide innovative open-access data, clear metrics, and actionable insights to leading companies, financial institutions, governments and campaigning organisations worldwide. 

About the Role

We are looking for two full-time Researchers to join the Corporate Performance team on fixed-term contracts, one for seven months and the other for twelve months. 

This role will be central to the Corporate Performance programme and strengthening our data. You will be responsible for carrying out thorough and detailed research and engagement on corporate performance, focusing on deforestation, ecosystem conversion and associated human rights abuses across a range of high-risk commodities and geographies. This work will bring greater accountability and transparency to companies and financial institutions exposed to deforestation, ecosystem conversion and associated human rights abuse risks.

You will be responsible for activities such as:

• Working with members of the Corporate Performance team and external consultants to complete assessments of companies and financial institutions on their commitments and reporting
• Locating, evaluating and cataloguing company and financial institution policies and other company-disclosed information (both qualitative and quantitative) relevant to their deforestation and human rights commitments
• Ensuring the data collected is accurate and reliable, and delivered to a high standard
  • Collating and cleaning the data from the assessments ready to be presented on the website and for analysis
• Working with the team to identify novel insights emerging from the data
• Provide support to data users
• Supporting, and occasionally leading on, engagement with assessed entities
  • Reviewing company and financial institutions comments on their finalised assessments, and working with other Researchers to respond accurately
  • Engaging assessed entities on their assessments and areas for improvement

• Supporting wider research tasks, including methodology reviews, selection of entities for assessment, and team coordination

Other duties:

• Play an active role in Global Canopy’s ongoing development as a member of a small, dynamic team.
• Contribute to Global Canopy’s other activities as appropriate.
• Other duties commensurate with the post and as required.

About You

To be successful in this role, these are the things that will matter the most:

• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, with excellent attention to detail
• Clear and effective communication skills
• A commitment for data quality, accuracy and consistency
• A strong drive to contribute to our mission, and a passion for sustainability
• A collaborative mindset and experience working effectively in a team
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks
• Proactive and independent approach to managing own work

Essential behavioural competencies:

• Positive and proactive approach to work
• Flexible team player, while also able to work independently
• Ability to work to deadlines and manage competing priorities effectively and support others to do the same

Skills and experience:

• Qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and management 
• Ability to apply methodologies to assess and evaluate data in practical contexts
• Experience with large, complex datasets, including data cleaning and processing
• Ability to distill complex data into clear, evidence-based insights and actionable findings
• Strong engagement and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex methodologies and research findings to non-expert audiences, both in writing and verbally
• Ability to problem solve and identify opportunities for improvement in existing systems, research approaches, and ways of working
• Confidence using relevant IT packages, e.g. Excel, Google Sheets
• Knowledge and experience of working on deforestation, human rights, supply chains, or ESG topics

Desirable

• Fluency in languages in addition to English are an advantage, in particular Portuguese 
• Experience engaging corporate or financial institutions on topics relating to deforestation, sustainability, or ESG
• Knowledge and use of GIS, R-scripts, statistical testing/data analysis software would be an advantage. 
• Interest in the human rights and social dimensions of commodity-driven deforestation and environmental degradation

Benefits

Salary: £32,000 per annum full time equivalent. This role sits within Band E on Global Canopy’s remuneration framework.

Nature of contract: Full-time, fixed-term (7 months and 12 months) You will be asked to confirm which contract you are interested in when submitting your application. We are a flexible employer and welcome candidates wishing to work flexibly. 

Base: Our office is in Oxford. We offer hybrid working, with regular office attendance required for this role (details in role overview).

Holidays: 36 days (including bank/public holidays) for discretionary use across the annual leave year.

Pension: Employer pension contribution of 8%.

Healthcare cashback plan: Covering dental fees, eye-care, wellbeing, physiotherapy, chiropody and much more – for you and any children. 

Employee Assistance Programme: Which provides free, confidential advice on personal and legal matters.

Other: Huge range of discounts and cashback deals at gyms, restaurants, holidays, and much more.

How to Apply

To apply for the position, please follow the links and submit an up-to date CV and covering letter.

The covering letter should explain your motivation for the role, and how your skills and experience fit the person specification. (Please no more than 1 side of A4). 

All candidates are asked to complete an anonymous diversity monitoring form when they apply. 

Right-to-work in the UK is required for this position. 

The closing date for applications is Tuesday, 7 April at 9:00am BST. Interviews and written exercise assessments will be held virtually starting w/c 13 April. Depending on the volume of the applicant pool, we may begin the selection process with a first-round screening interview. We are looking for the successful candidates to start in May.

Applicant data will be managed in accordance with the candidate privacy policy available on our website.

Background and Contract

This is a role that promises good growth potential, with the chance to work across multiple geographies. The position of Junior Impact Analyst, at Bridges Outcomes, will support education projects funded by Sustainable Development Goals Outcomes Fund (SDG OF).

Reporting to the Operational lead, the primary focus of this position will be the successful delivery of the Sierra Leone Early Childhood Education (SLECE), the Rwanda Early Childhood, and South African Early Childhood initiatives. However, we also anticipate this role to support our work in the Ghana Education Outcomes Programme (GEOP), leveraging overlapping themes and collaborative opportunities across these impactful projects.

You will contribute to programme performance, data quality and evidence generation across initiatives in Sierra Leone, Rwanda, South Africa and Ghana. Across all programmes, we work with a mix of national and international NGOs.

Sierra Leone Early Childhood Education (SL ECE) 

A national initiative focused on expanding safe community‑based centres, improving access and attendance, strengthening structural and process quality, and enhancing holistic child development outcomes. Delivery is implemented through multiple lots with NGO partners. The programme is currently in implementation and runs from 2026 to 2029.

Rwanda Early Childhood Education Programme 

Launched in 2026, this four‑year programme focuses on strengthening early childhood development outcomes through evidence‑driven delivery and performance management.

South Africa Early Childhood Programme 

Initiated in 2026, this three‑year programme supports improvements in early learning quality and access through partnerships with national and international NGOs.

Ghana Education Outcomes Programme (GEOP) 

 Supporting the government’s GALOP strategy through outcomes‑based delivery across rural districts and major urban centres. The programme includes an Accelerated Learning Programme for out‑of‑school children and a Mainstream School Improvement Programme. Implementation runs from 2023 to 2026.

For more details visit Bridges Outcomes Partnerships website

Role Purpose

The Junior Impact Analyst will be accountable for:

· Providing hands‑on Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) guidance to in‑country delivery partners (national and international NGOs), ensuring practical, context‑appropriate monitoring systems that drive performance improvement.

· Coordinating closely with delivery partners to track milestones, validate outcome achievements, and ensure timely submission of evidence required by the Outcomes Fund commissioner.

· Enhancing the data capabilities of delivery partners, with a strategic emphasis on effective decision-making.

· Developing practical performance‑management tools and forecasting models that help anticipate delivery risks and guide course‑correction.

· Creating and disseminating actionable insights and learnings to support delivery partners and internal teams, emphasizing strategic problem-solving to enhance outcomes.

· Ensuring that delivery partners within the programme adopt data-driven approaches to continuously refine and improve service delivery.

· Leading and standardizing data analysis efforts across programmes, driving improvements in services, systems, and processes through collaborative work with the team.

· Spearheading the development of templates and process frameworks that empower delivery partners to achieve operational excellence.

· Overseeing and fulfilling comprehensive reporting requirements, including the preparation of impact assessments and reports for commissioners and the board.

· Ensuring MEL systems meet programme‑level compliance requirements, including data quality assurance, verification readiness, and alignment with commissioner standards.

· Strategically supporting financial processes by overseeing invoicing and budgeting to enhance financial efficiency and sustainability of projects.

Key responsibilities

Delivery Impact

· Co‑develop MEL frameworks with delivery partners, ensuring indicators, tools, and data flows are realistic for community‑level implementation and aligned with programme outcomes

· Facilitate collaboration among data analyst teams from delivery partners to proactively address challenges and co-create solutions aimed at enhancing service delivery

· Follow up with delivery partners on activity completion, milestone progress, and evidence submission, ensuring timely and accurate reporting into programme systems.

 Process Improvement

· Lead strategic initiatives to enhance team efficiency and effectiveness.

· Refine and adapt existing working files and tools to optimize usability and performance, while evaluating current practices and identifying opportunities for substantial improvements.

· Identify opportunities for process automation and improving utilisation of management data

· Strengthen MEL processes within delivery partners, including data collection protocols, field supervision routines, and feedback loops for continuous improvement.

 Data Analysis

· Deliver high-quality statistical analysis and comprehensive impact reports to engage diverse stakeholders and provide meaningful insights that include short, medium, and long-term projections for enhanced programme impact.

· Ensure the relevance and effectiveness of data dashboards by integrating early warning systems to highlight priority areas for action.

· Translate data into practical performance insights for delivery partners, highlighting operational bottlenecks and recommending corrective action

· Provide mentorship and strategic oversight to M&E teams within delivery partners, ensuring the effective completion of roles and responsibilities.

· Maintain meticulous attention to detail and ensure high standards of grammar and accuracy in all documentation.

Data Integrity

· Collate and update volumetric and programme data and systems, continually developing and refining data collection processes.

· Strengthen data reliability by enhancing data flow from beneficiaries through to final reporting.

· Conduct periodic data quality checks with in‑country CSO teams, ensuring accuracy of field‑level data and alignment with verification requirements

· Ensure compliance with data protection legislations when retaining and sharing information.

· Identify opportunities for process automation and ease of access to information.

Impact Presentation

· Deliver consistent, aggregated representations of project performance against targets, ensuring clear and compelling presentations.

· Partner closely with the Programme Director and Manager to create and deliver engaging and accurate programme outcome presentations.

· Tailor communication to suit varied audiences, including formal presentations for high-level stakeholders.

Relationship Management

· Collaborate with Analyst colleagues to streamline data processes, minimizing manual interventions where possible.

· Build strong working relationships with in‑country CSO teams, providing supportive, capacity‑building engagement that strengthens MEL practice and operational delivery

· Work collaboratively with finance and investment teams to monitor programme invoicing and maintain awareness of the intersection between outcome achievement and the financial status of the project.

· Actively contribute to stakeholder meetings and forums, demonstrating focus and attentiveness to discussions

· Support the Operations Lead and Senior Impact Analyst in ensuring delivery partners meet commissioner compliance requirements, including documentation, evidence standards, and reporting timelines.

Experience, Skills & Abilities

To take on the above responsibilities, we will be looking for you to demonstrate strengths in the following competencies:

· 1 to 2 years relevant post-graduate professional experience in education, international development, consulting, or similar sectors.

 · Curious and Inquisitive: You crave knowledge and consistently seek learning opportunities.  You look for patterns and ask questions that nobody else has thought to ask.

 · MEL and Analytical Skills: Demonstrated experience designing or implementing MEL systems, analysing programme data, and generating insights that inform operational decision‑making

 · Problem Solving: You can make sense of something complex and recommend practical solutions.

 · Adaptable:  You can adapt easily to changes in work. You are flexible and act as an advocate for change.

 · Communication: You can confidently communicate your ideas verbally and in writing. You can simplify complexities and adapt your communication so others can understand.

 · Autonomy: You take ownership of your tasks and can plan and manage your own time to achieve them.

 · Relationship Building and Teamwork: You can build credible and trusting relationships internally and externally, including with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

 · Attention to Detail: You are detail-focused and ensure the work you produce is accurate and of a high quality.

 · IT and Data Analytic Skills: You have a strong working knowledge and understanding of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and you embrace the opportunity to learn new IT applications.

 · Experience working directly with in‑country civil society organisations (not only HQ‑based teams), ideally in education, early childhood development, or community‑based programming

 · Experience supporting performance management processes—tracking milestones, monitoring delivery progress, and coordinating with partners to resolve delivery challenges.

· Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, follow up on partner deliverables, and maintain compliance with funder requirements.

 · Previous Power BI experience would be advantageous.

 · Ability and desire to travel to Sierra Leone and similar contexts.

Safeguarding Commitment: As part of Bridges, you will help create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for everyone we interact with. We believe safeguarding is a shared responsibility, where all colleagues play an active role in promoting wellbeing, identifying safeguarding concerns, and working together to ensure these are addressed promptly and respectfully. This includes maintaining professional boundaries, reporting concerns promptly in line with organisational policies, and completing all required safeguarding training.  All colleagues must remain vigilant, model safe practices, and contribute to a culture where people are valued, listened to and where safety, dignity, and wellbeing are prioritised at all times.

Data Protection Commitment

As part of Bridges, you will play an important role in protecting the privacy, rights, and personal information of the people we support, our colleagues, and our partners. We expect all team members to handle data with care, respect, and confidentiality, following our organisational policies and the requirements of data protection legislation. This includes using information appropriately, storing and sharing it securely, and reporting any concerns or breaches promptly. You will be supported with training and guidance to help you contribute to a culture where trust, transparency, and responsible data practices are embedded in our services and decision making. 

Benefits

To reward your hard work and dedication, we offer a competitive salary package and exceptional opportunities for growth, working alongside a global team of market leaders in outcome-based contracts.

What we will offer you

• We are a flexible employer and we will support you to ensure you achieve a healthy work life balance.

• You will be joining an incredibly dedicated, vibrant, dynamic and talented team of people who are deeply passionate about services which improve people’s lives and public sector reform.

• You will get 25 days’ annual leave plus 8 days for bank holidays plus a birthday leave day and 2 additional ‘gifted’ day/s between Christmas and New Year

• We offer a Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme

• We offer 4 x Life Insurance, Income Protection Insurance and wellbeing benefits & resources

• We also offer Private Medical Insurance on successful completion of your probation period

• You will be able to access Learning and development opportunities

Application process/next steps

Please click on the link to direct you to the Applied platform, where all our applications are managed. You’ll answer some questions that are related to the day-to-day job and will be asked to upload your CV. Your answers will go through our sift process: all answers will be anonymised, randomised and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers.

NB We value authenticity are looking for applications that genuinely reflect your own experience, skills, and motivation for the role. While we recognise that some candidates may use AI tools for light support (for example, to check grammar or structure), we ask that all answers and application content are predominantly your own work. This helps ensure a fair and meaningful assessment of every application.

If you are shortlisted, we’ll invite you to the next step, which will be first and second round interviews with the hiring team. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early. We may close the vacancy before the closing date if sufficient suitable applications are received.

Bridges Outcomes Partnerships is an equal opportunities employer and ensures that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process for candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role. Please note, for this particular role candidates will require Right to Work in the UK.