Office assistant jobs in westminster, greater london

Executive and Finance Officer

We’re looking for a proactive and highly organised Executive and Finance Officer to play a vital role in the operations of Centre for Mental Health.

This varied and interesting role supports our CEO and Board, managing day-to-day operations and taking on key finance and HR responsibilities. This will include financial support: reconciling accounts, processing invoices, supporting our Board by organising meetings and helping with many aspects of recruitment, onboarding and assisting our staff team. In this role, you will be at the heart of our team’s success.

You will need to bring outstanding organisational skills, strong IT ability, and experience in financial processes (with knowledge of Sage 50). Experience of working in a charity is desirable.

About us
We’re Centre for Mental Health. We take the lead in challenging policies, systems and society, so that everyone can have better mental health. We do this by building research evidence to create fairer mental health policy.

By joining our small, friendly and dedicated team, you’ll help us create a fairer society and drive forward sustainable policy change, pursue equality, social justice and good mental health for all. 

The closing date for applications is 7th October 23:59.

Interviews will be held in person at our office in Elephant and Castle, on Tuesday 21 October between 10am and 5pm.

The Public Fundraising Administrative Assistant is key to the smooth running of the team. They’ll work closely with every person in the team to provide effective and efficient administrative support and ensure our supporters have an excellent experience of fundraising for us.

The right candidate will have excellent attention to detail and enjoy working through processes. You’ll be able to manage a busy workload which depends on meeting deadlines, and be a team player with excellent communication and people skills. Above all you’ll have a real desire to make a difference to the lives of people affected by bowel cancer.

Personal Assistant (PA) to the Directors of Strategic Partnerships and Performance & Insight

Contract type: Permanent, Full Time – 35 hours per week

Location: London, United Kingdom. Subject to right-to-work.

UK hybrid working – a minimum of 40 % of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person.

Salary: £39,358 – £42,500 per year with excellent benefits.

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the team

This role sits across two key departments within the Communications and Fundraising Directorate —Strategic Partnerships, which drives transformational partnerships to achieve our mission and Performance & Insight, which ensures our work across fundraising and campaigning is insight-led, data-driven, and delivering maximum impact.

About the role

As our PA to the Directors of Strategic Partnerships and Performance & Insight you will play a proactive and central role in enabling effective leadership and operational delivery across two high-impact departments and work closely with both Directors, senior stakeholders, project teams, and administrative colleagues to drive sustainable change.

In this role, you will:

• Proactively provide executive support to both Directors, anticipating needs, and managing diaries and preparing high-quality materials for internal and external engagement.
• Coordinate departmental and leadership meetings, ensuring agendas, logistics and follow-up actions are delivered efficiently and reported to key stakeholders including Board and Committee members.
• Support the delivery of strategic initiatives and transformation projects, maintaining oversight of priorities, deadlines, and departmental records, and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Lead internal communications planning and collaboration across SP and PID, managing SharePoint sites, induction programmes, and collaborating with other PAs to align processes and share best practices across the organisation.
• Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding.

Requirements

To be successful, you will need:

• Significant experience as a PA or high-level administrator in a complex organisational setting, with a proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure.
• A proactive, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused approach, with excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Strong collaboration and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and build effective working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting high-quality briefing papers, presentations, and correspondence on behalf of senior leaders.

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• Experience in the charity or international development sector.
• Familiarity with project management tools and techniques.
• Understanding of data protection principles and experience managing intranet content.

Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on 29 September 2025. Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 13 October 2025.

How to apply: Click Apply to complete the pre-screening question and upload your CV and cover letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

• 36 days’ holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days’ annual leave
• Employer pension contribution up to 10 %
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Season ticket loan
• Free annual eye tests
• ‘Give as you Earn’ charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity)
• Sabbaticals
• One paid volunteer day each year

Our Global Commitment:

Our people promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change !

Executive Assistant | £35,000 - £38,000 + benefits | London | Hybrid | Permanent

On behalf of a nationwide faith-based charity based in London, we are recruiting a permanent Executive Assistant to support the Company Secretary and other Executives. The Executive Assistant with work with a wider executive support team to provide PA support and to ensure the smooth-running of the day-to-day administration, dairy management and travel bookings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as first point of contact for the Company Secretary
• Manage the Executive's diary, in confidence, including appointments and travel
• Act on behalf of the Company Secretary, interpreting and prioritising requests via email, written correspondence and by telephone
• Provide documentation and schedules are required
• Organise and execute key events and meetings and arrange bookings of venues, overseeing arrangements with support colleagues - act as host for meetings as appropriate
• Provide support for the wider senior management group, arranging arrangements for regular meetings including booking meeting rooms, preparing agendas and supporting documents, liaising with guests and taking notes
• Supporting the work of the Conference Office
• Managing the processing of expenses and invoices against budget codes
• Compliance and data protection legislation and associated regulations

What you'll offer us:

• Proven experience of providing EA / PA and diary support to senior executives
• Able to juggle the requests from competing deadlines and senior executives
• Experience of managing and organising a wide-ranging workload
• Ability to read budget spreadsheets and prioritise invoices
• Ability to manage complex diaries
• Experience of dairy management and travel booking systems

What we'll offer you:

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays, plus three extra closure days over Christmas
• Contributory pension scheme
• Season ticket loans and cycle to work scheme
• Desirable Central London office

________

As an employer, we are committed to ensuring the representation of people from all backgrounds regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps, we can take to ensure that your recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable.

Join Us in Bringing Stories to Life at Union Chapel!

Are you passionate about arts, culture, and community?

Do you thrive in creative spaces and love supporting people to get involved?

We’re looking for a motivated and organised individual to join our Sunday School Stories Project team as Administrative Support to the Participation Manager.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a project that celebrates heritage and empowers communities—from refugees and asylum seekers to local families, young people, and older residents.If you’re ready to make a difference, gain hands-on experience, and be part of an inspiring, supportive team, check out our job pack for full details and how to apply!

The Vacancy

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is a faith-based humanitarian relief and development organisation working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.  Established in 1984, with an active presence in over 45 countries, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for those affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters. IRUK’s focus is strengthening effective funding, mobilising for change through advocacy and awareness-raising, and strengthening programme development and delivery. IRUK works with various partners and institutions, from governments, non-governmental organisations and local authorities to grassroots communities.

Islamic Relief UK (IRUK) is recruiting for the position of ‘Supporter Relations Assistant’ to be based from its Waterloo Office, London. This position is being offered on a fixed-term contract basis for 6 months. The organisation is currently operating to a hybrid working model.

To manage IRUK’s switchboard and phone enquiry system and to administer the entry of data on the fundraising database. This will include processing donations, updating supporter details, maintaining supporter records, and ensuring that information held is accurate, appropriate and up to date.

The successful candidate must have:

• Demonstrable experience in a similar role
• Experience of using databases
• Excellent customer service experience
• Experience of working with sensitive information
• Experience of and passion for, delivering excellent supporter care
• Good levels of computer skills with experience of working with databases and competent in Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel.
• Fast and accurate data entry skills
• Good standard of numeracy
• Proven administrative skills
• Excellent communication skills by phone, email, and post
• Experience of delivering timely and accurate responses
• Experience of multi-tasking and effectively prioritising workload. Ability to work in a methodical manner with attention to detail
• Must be a team player as well as being able to work on own initiative
• Strong empathy for the aims and work of Islamic Relief
• Knowledge of Data Protection Act/GDPR

For more information, please click on the Documents tab above to view the full Job Description.

If you are talented, reliable, service-minded, resilient and a highly motivated professional looking for a meaningful career, with a strong commitment to IRW’s mission and values of sincerity, excellence, compassion, social justice and custodianship, please apply by completing our online application form.

For more information on the excellent company benefits we offer our employees, please visit our website.

PLEASE NOTE: Interviews are expected to take place on an ongoing basis until a suitable appointment is made. We therefore may close the advert sooner than the advertised date.

Pre-employment Checks:

Any employment with Islamic Relief will be subject to the following checks:

• screening clearance
• proof of eligibility to live and work within the UK
• receipt of satisfactory references

Please note, for UK-based roles, we are only able to accept applications from candidates who are eligible to work in the UK. We are unable to progress applications which would require sponsorship.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

IRW is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom IRW engages. IRW expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer

We are delighted to be supporting an international environmental organisation in their search for a Communications Assistant to join their External Affairs team. This is a full-time role, offered on a temporary basis, for 3-months in the first instance and 1-day per week onsite in Central London.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with excellent communication skills and a passion for using strategic media to support purpose-led campaigns.

Key Responsibilities for this role include:

• Supporting the communications and digital teams with campaign materials, media monitoring, and process documentation.
• Assisting with the creation and updating of briefing documents, guidelines, and key messaging.
• Researching journalists and media outlets to support high-profile legal cases.
• Setting up and managing media monitoring platforms and dashboards.
• Responding to supporter enquiries and contributing to year-end appeal efforts.

To be considered for this position, you should possess:

• Fluent English (CEFR level C2) and strong written communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and design tools such as Canva.
• Knowledge of the media landscape and excellent attention to detail.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage confidential information.
• A genuine interest in environmental issues and alignment with the organisation's values.

If you're looking to contribute to meaningful campaigns and thrive in a collaborative, purpose-driven team, we'd love to hear from you.

CVs will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are strongly encouraged to avoid missing out. If you're interested, please apply ASAP with your CV in Word format.

As a specialist Recruitment Practice, we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.

Finance Assistant

We are seeking an experienced Finance Assistant with strong bookkeeping skills to join the central finance team of a growing international charity working at the intersection of cultural heritage and community development.

Position: Finance Assistant
Location: Remote (UK-based)
Contract: Fixed-term, 6 months (with possibility of extension)
Hours: Part-time (0.4 FTE / 15 hours per week – must be available on Mondays)
Salary:Circa £30,000 per annum, depending on experience

Closing Date:21st September 2025 at 11.59pm

About the Role

Working as part of the charity’s central finance team, the Finance Assistant will help ensure the integrity of financial records and play a key role in maintaining accurate and timely bookkeeping for the UK.

You will be responsible for recording and reconciling transactions, processing invoices and payments, maintaining ledgers, and assisting with audit schedules. This is a highly detail-oriented role, requiring excellent accuracy, organisation, and the ability to work independently in a fully remote environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Recording USD and GBP bank, MoneyCorp, and PayPal entries in QuickBooks
• Monthly reconciliation of all UK bank, MoneyCorp, and PayPal accounts
• Reviewing and processing supplier invoices and expense claims, including setting up payments
• Setting up multi-currency payments for international offices and maintaining creditors ledgers
• Maintaining UK debtors and creditors ledgers
• Recording and reconciling corporate credit card transactions
• Reconciling specified balance sheet accounts monthly
• Assisting with audit schedules and financial reporting

About You

The ideal candidate will be methodical, accurate, and proactive, with significant bookkeeping experience and strong QuickBooks skills. You will be comfortable working remotely, with excellent communication and organisational skills, and the ability to manage your workload effectively.

Key skills and experience required:

• Significant bookkeeping experience with excellent understanding of double entry
• Strong experience using QuickBooks
• Understanding of multi-currency accounting
• Methodical approach with outstanding attention to detail and high accuracy
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong organisational skills, able to work independently in a remote environment

Desirable:

• Understanding of charity finance regulations and practices
• Cross-cultural understanding and experience working with dispersed teams

How to Apply
To apply, please send a CV and a statement (no longer than 2 pages) outlining why you are the right person for this role.

About the Organisation

The employer is a British charity founded in 2006 that believes artisanal heritage matters and has the power to transform lives. The charity supports artisans to thrive, revitalise endangered traditions, and connect people across the world through heritage.

The organisation is fast-growing, with offices in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, and the Levant, and employs over 400 staff worldwide. With both charitable and trading operations, they deliver an ambitious, wide-ranging programme of work in complex and sometimes conflict-affected regions.

You may have experience in areas such as: Finance Officer, Bookkeeper, Assistant Accountant, Accounts Assistant, Finance Administrator, Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Finance Assistant
£15.13 per hour – Temporary role
Hybrid – 2 days per week in London office

Are you a detail-oriented finance professional looking for your next opportunity to make a difference? We’re looking for a Finance Assistant to join a dedicated finance team within a national charity, supporting vital work that has a real impact.

In this role, you’ll play a key part in ensuring the smooth running of financial processes, from maintaining purchase ledgers and processing payments to reconciling accounts and supporting colleagues across the organisation. Reporting to the Financial Accountant, you’ll provide essential support during busy periods such as month and year end.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the purchase ledger, ensuring accurate recording and VAT treatment

• Maintaining the invoice system and supplier records

• Reconciling bank accounts and company credit cards

• Setting up weekly BACS payments

• Posting fundraising income and creating sales invoices

• Providing support with debtor management and credit control

• Managing finance inboxes, responding promptly to queries

• Supporting the finance team with year-end and ad-hoc tasks

About you:
We’re looking for someone who combines strong technical skills with a proactive and collaborative approach. You’ll ideally have an AAT qualification (or be working towards one) and experience within a charity, not-for-profit, or VAT-registered organisation. Experience with SUN accounting software is desirable but not essential.

You’ll need to be confident with Excel and have excellent attention to detail, strong organisational skills, and the ability to manage your workload effectively. Just as importantly, you’ll be approachable, a great communicator, and someone who enjoys working as part of a team.

This is a temporary position, with hybrid working (two days per week in the London office). It’s a great opportunity for someone looking to use their finance skills in a supportive and mission-driven environment.

Library Assistant - Part time
Hours: Part Time. 0.6 FTE
Location: South Kensington, London
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £26,035-£26,675 per annum, £15,621-£16,005 pro rata depending on experience and qualifications
Probationary Period: 3 months

The Society

The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography and geographers. It is also a charity and a membership organisation. The Society was founded in 1830 and has been one of the most active of the learned societies ever since. It was pivotal in establishing geography as a teaching and research discipline in British universities and continues to play a key role in geographical and environmental education.

The Society is a leading world centre for geographical learning – supporting education, teaching, research, professional practice and scientific expeditions, as well as promoting public understanding and enjoyment of geography and providing advice to policymakers.

We are looking for a confident, proactive individual who enjoys teamwork and has some experience of working in a library or is interested in pursuing a career as a librarian to join our Collections team as a part-time Library Assistant.

Experience of working in a customer-facing office environment is highly desirable. An interest in geography and cartography would be advantageous.

The Library Assistant will be line managed by the Principal Librarian and work closely with other members of the Collections team, which includes the Deputy Librarian, the Cartographical Collections Manager, the Assistant Librarian - Archives and Periodicals, and the Assistant Librarian - Photographs and Artworks.

There are a range of benefits at the Society which include the following:

• 35-hour working week with core working hours between 10.00am-4.00pm.
• Flexible working arrangements are available with a mix of office based and home working.
• 25 days annual leave per annum plus public bank holidays.
• Society closure between Christmas and New Year, in addition to the basic annual leave allowance.
• Pension scheme - 3% employee, 7.5% employer.
• Group Life Assurance at four-times basic annual salary.
• Corporate eye care vouchers.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Free 24-hour Employee Assistance helpline with available counselling support

Closing date: 9.30am on 22 September.
Interviews are planned to take place on 29 September.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

The Society aims to be an equal opportunities employer.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. The Society is unable to offer work visa sponsorships.

No agencies please.

Harris Hill is looking for an interim Fundraising Assistant to support a national cancer charity for 2 months, starting ASAP, with 2dpw in the office and 3 from home.

Key tasks and duties

Communicate with supporters via email, offer tips for their fundraising, get to know them and build rapport.

Update records on our fundraising database.

Place orders for fundraising materials.

Respond to supporter queries 

Any other duties that are within the scope and remit of the role and as agreed with your manager.

Ideally, you would have previous experience of working in a fundraising team, supporter care, or similar.

If you are interested in this opportunity and would like to find out more, please get apply for more details.

Turn2us is a national charity tackling poverty and the structural causes of poverty. We work with co-producers and partners to provide people in financial crisis with the means and agency to get back on their feet, build resilience, move forward with their lives and thrive.

The vital work of the charity is partially enabled by income generated through fundraising; from supporter engagement and community events and activities, as well as philanthropic sources, such as trusts and foundations, and major donors.

As Community Fundraising Assistant you’ll play a key role in helping us to engage new and existing supporters as well as helping to deliver first-class stewardship to retain support and build trust. In addition, you will support and help to develop our volunteering programme establishing more connections across our community to raise more voluntary income.

Directly supporting the Community Fundraising Manager and working closely with all of the Supporter Engagement team it would be beneficial, but not necessary, if you have previous experience or an interest in fundraising. Being a confident communicator with a “can-do” approach is essential as well as being able to demonstrate proven administrative and interpersonal skills, the ability to manage a varied workload and be highly organised.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to equity, inclusion and diversity and the value people from different backgrounds bring to a team. If, like us, you believe everyone has the right to have enough to live on, and you are ambitious about eradicating financial insecurity, join us and build your career with a charity dedicated to ensuring dignity and equity for all.

Turn2us wants to enable an environment where everyone is kept safe from harm and can thrive. We are committed to safeguarding everyone involved in our charity and the work we do. You can read a safeguarding policy on the Turn2us website.

We offer flexible working patterns, both in terms of hours and remote working. Please note that this role will require the Community Fundraising Assistant to be in the office for a minimum of 2 days a week, to carry out regular posting of fundraising materials and weekly income and donation processing duties.

Please note that all job offers are subject to 2 – 3 satisfactory references and a disclosure satisfactory to Turn2us from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

Closing date: 22nd September 2025 at 09:00AM

Interview date: 7th October 2025

London (Hybrid Working)
Client: Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Are you passionate about sustainability and ready to support leadership at the heart of a global mission?
Hays is delighted to be working with the Marine Stewardship Council to recruit a Personal Assistant to the Chief Standards Officer. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the health of the world's oceans by supporting a senior leader in a globally respected organisation.
As PA to the CSO, you'll be a trusted right hand, enabling strategic leadership by managing complex diaries, communications, travel, and meetings. You'll also coordinate across the Science and Standards leadership team, ensuring smooth collaboration and supporting senior colleagues with logistics and administration.
This role offers a dynamic and international working environment, with the chance to engage with internal teams and external partners across the globe. You'll be based in London, with flexible working arrangements available.

What you'll bring:

• Proven experience supporting senior leaders in a PA or EA capacity
• Exceptional organisational and communication skills
• A proactive, detail-oriented approach and absolute discretion, first-class organisational skills - able to plan ahead, manage competing priorities, and anticipate needs.

Working arrangements:

• Hybrid model: minimum 50% of the time in the London office each month
• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available)

About MSC: MSC's vision is for oceans teeming with life and seafood supplies safeguarded for future generations. With over 700 fisheries engaged in its certification program and products available in 66+ countries, MSC is a global leader in sustainable seafood.
Interested? Please apply here or send your CV and a covering letter to Matthew Sharman at Hays -

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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Job Title: Senior Programme Officer, Active Fellows

Line Manager: Team Leader, Active Fellows (Deputy Fellowship Programme Manager in Team Leader’s absence)

Salary: £36,062

Start date: 1 November 2025

Contract type: Permanent

Application deadline: 16 October 2025. Please note we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis

Benefits:

• Challenging and rewarding work, always life-changing, sometimes lifesaving

• Competitive salary

• Team and individual training opportunities

• Commitment to performance and personal development

• Hybrid working, home and office (minimum 2 days each week in the office)

• Eight hours each day Monday – Friday, with flexible working by arrangement around core hours of 10am – 4pm

• 25 days plus Bank Holidays annual leave entitlement

• 8% employer pension contribution

• Convenient office location at Elephant and Castle, close to Tube (Bakerloo and Northern lines) and bus routes

Role Purpose Statement

The Senior Officer, Active Fellows plays a key role in delivering high-quality support to Cara Fellows. This includes leading casework, coordinating Cara’s mentoring scheme to support Fellows’ placements, and contributing to strategic improvements across the Fellowship Programme. The role combines direct support to Fellows, operational oversight and delivery of casework, and collaborative leadership to support Cara to uphold its mission.

Organisational Background

The Council for At-Risk Academics is a UK-registered charity founded in 1933 under the leadership of William Beveridge, to rescue academics suffering persecution under the rise of Nazism and facilitate their continued work in safety. Sixteen Cara Fellows from the 1930s and 1940s became Nobel Laureates, and many more innovators in their fields, including, Nikolaus Pevsner, Lise Meitner and Karl Popper. A number of Cara’s founders and Council members also personally provided places and/or funds to help individual academics; and Cara, known in the 1930s as the AAC, later the SPSL, was closely involved in the successful effort in 1933 to bring to London the Warburg Institute art library, which had been prohibited by the Nazis, and six of its staff. The Fellowship Programme is the continuation of the rescue mission operation started in 1933.

Cara has been a lifeline to academics at risk for over 90 years, as and when world events have placed them in the line of fire: Hungarian Uprising, Cold War, Apartheid South Africa, Iran, Latin American Juntas, Vietnam, Kosovo, DRC, Rwanda, Sudan, Zimbabwe etc. and, more recently Iraq, Turkey, Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Cara support is typically framed as temporary sanctuary offered at times of heightened risk.

Cara Objectives ‘To assist academics who have been, or are, or are at risk of being, subject to discrimination, persecution, suffering or violence on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, to relieve needs among them and their dependants and ensure that their specialist knowledge and abilities can continue to be used for the benefit of the public.’

‘To advance education by supporting academics and their educational institutions in countries where their continuing work is at risk or compromised, to ensure that such academics and institutions can continue to fulfil their critical role as educators for the public benefit.’

This is a critical time to join our dedicated and friendly Fellowship Programme team as we expand our capacity to support at-risk academics from the Middle East, Sudan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Russia and many other countries.

Key Responsibilities

Fellowships

Casework

· Manage a caseload of up to 50 Cara Fellows, providing tailored support.

· Maintain accurate and GDPR-compliant records of casework activity.

· Liaise with Fellows to coordinate support and escalate complex cases to the Team Leader as required.

· Monitor, research and update visa guidance to reflect changes in complex immigration regulation.

· Keep up to date with relevant information regarding immigration laws, e.g. visas, legal procedures, etc.

· Liaise with independent legal advisors where necessary.

Finance

· Work with colleagues in finance to ensure accurate and timely payments to Cara Fellows and non-Fellowship related payments.

· Promptly issue relevant invoices.

· Understand financial processes – on Salesforce and Pleo – and update systems appropriately.

· Contribute to robust financial processes.

Support Mechanisms

Mentoring Scheme

· Project Lead for the Cara Mentoring Scheme.

· Coordinate rounds, delegate tasks to the team as required, and oversee delivery.

· Recruit mentors and mentees, and decide on a cap on number of participants if required.

· Lead on partnerships with organisations working in the mentoring world.

· Monitor the relevant budget and flag issues to the Team Leader.

· Lead on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for the Scheme, suggesting improvements to this, and ensuring accurate data collection and reporting.

Webinars and Workshops

· Lead on developing ideas for webinar topics relevant to the needs of Cara Fellows.

· Organise these webinars, contacting speakers and attendees, all with the close support of the Programme Assistant.

· Monitor and evaluate the success of these events, through clear feedback mechanisms.

· Aim to deliver approximately three webinars per year, subject to team capacity.

· Lead on the delivery of workshops for Cara Fellows with external partners, managing Fellow participation.

· Contribute to the development of accessible resources to share openly within the Cara network.

Strategic Development

Alumni Engagement and Impact Reporting

· Play a key supporting role to the Team Leader in improving Cara’s alumni engagement.

· Contribute to developing Cara’s alumni network, with involvement in strategic discussions on interacting with alumni.

· Keep track of Cara Fellows’ media preferences and support the Team Leader in inviting relevant Fellows to participate in public events and media engagements.

Monitoring and Evaluation

· Support M&E activities across the Fellowship Programme, suggesting improvements to data quality and reporting.

· Ensure accurate data entry on Salesforce and flag inconsistencies to relevant team members.

· Assist with compilation of required information, statistics and reporting to Cara’s Council & F&GPC meetings.

Management Responsibilities

Deputise for Team Leader

· Cover for the Team Leader when required – lead team meetings, make decisions on cases for the team, provide general guidance and leadership.

· Assist the Team Leader with line management within the team, mentoring junior staff and contributing to continued team development.

· Approve the Active Fellows team’s working hours.

· Provide input on policy and process improvements.

· Show adaptability and willingness to take on additional work when needed.

Training/Inductions

· Play a leading role on inducting new staff to the Active Fellows and wider Cara team.

· Train new staff on key processes and offer continued guidance on difficult/complex cases and tasks.

Partnerships

· Support key strategic partnerships in Cara’s Universities and Research Network.

· Support the Team Leader in organising webinars and events for Cara’s network representatives at host institutions across the UK.

Ad Hoc Responsibilities

· Show adaptability and willingness to take on additional work when necessary.

· Support Fellowship Programme with ad hoc responsibilities.

Responsibilities also include related activities that might arise in relation to the Fellowship Programme as required by the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive & Fellowship Programme Manager, Deputy Fellowship Programme Manager, or Team Leader, Active Fellows.

Person Specification – Senior Programme Officer, Active Fellows:

Qualifications

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Strong analytical and numeracy skills

Desirable:

• Master’s degree or equivalent

Knowledge & Experience

Essential:

• Understanding of UK immigration options for displaced academics
• Experience managing sensitive casework and maintaining accurate records
• Experience coordinating projects, events, or support schemes
• Familiarity with basic financial processes (e.g. payments, budget tracking)
• Confident use of Microsoft Office and Salesforce or other CRM systems

Desirable:

• Awareness of global issues affecting at-risk academics
• Experience coordinating mentoring programmes or similar initiatives

Skills & Attributes

Essential:

• Cultural sensitivity and commitment to Cara’s mission
• Ability to supervise and mentor junior staff
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong attention to detail and time management
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Adaptability, integrity, and problem-solving ability

Desirable:

• Foreign language skills (e.g. Arabic, Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Russian)