Organisational development and change lead jobs

DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE – OXFORD ARCHAEOLOGY

Join the Executive Team of a growing archaeology charity and develop a modern people function, shaping the culture and capability behind some of the UK's most significant archaeological discoveries.

• Salary: £80,000 - £90,000 (plus benefits, including a 17.2% pension, and 28+ days of annual leave, plus public holidays)
• Location: Oxford Archaeology has three main bases: Oxford, Cambridge and Lancaster. The organisation offers hybrid working, with a minimum of 2 days per week within one of OA’s offices.

Oxford Archaeology (OA) is one of the UK's leading archaeological practices, and a charity which has been connecting people with their shared past for more than 50 years. From single house extensions to national infrastructure projects such as HS2, the team of almost 500 archaeologists, scientists and specialists work across sites throughout the UK from their offices in Oxford, Cambridge and Lancaster, uncovering, preserving and sharing what lies beneath the ground for the benefit of everyone.

This is a newly created role at a genuinely pivotal moment for OA. As the organisation has grown in scale, reach and impact, its people, culture and organisational systems now need to be strengthened to match. You'll join the Executive Team, with a mandate to build the people function OA needs for its next decade of growth.

As Director of People and Culture, you will:

• Provide strategic leadership on people, culture and organisational development, working closely with the Executive Team, Board of Trustees and HR team
• Develop and deliver a People and Culture Strategy that supports OA's charitable mission, commercial ambitions and long-term strategy
• Lead organisational change and transformation, strengthening structures, systems and governance across a complex, growing organisation
• Build a distinctive employer value proposition and an inclusive, high-performing culture that attracts, engages and retains talented people
• Act as OA's Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Lead and develop the HR and Learning & Development teams

We're seeking an experienced, values-led senior HR leader with a track record of leading organisational change and building people strategies within complex, growing organisations. CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent) and Designated Safeguarding Lead experience are essential, alongside the credibility to influence at executive and board level and the pragmatism to build strong foundations from the ground up. Please note: the majority of the HR and L&D team work from the Oxford office. Regular travel, as well as some out of hours attendance at events will be required, through the UK.

Please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include a comprehensive CV and a supporting statement (no more than two pages), explaining how you meet the requirements of the role.

Key dates

• Closing date: 7 September
• 1st stage interviews with Oxford Archaeology: 18 September 
• 2nd stage interviews with Oxford Archaeology: 28 September
• Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by EOD on the 14 September ahead of the longlist submission on 15 September.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

As a Service Manager, you will lead the day-to-day delivery and ongoing development of the Newham Together Cafe, ensuring the service provides safe, high-quality, recovery-focused support to people experiencing or approaching a mental health crisis.

What you'll do 

• Lead the operational delivery and development of the service, ensuring it meets contractual requirements, quality standards and the needs of the local community
• Provide effective leadership, line management, supervision and support to staff and volunteers, promoting a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture
• Monitor service performance, outcomes, capacity, safeguarding and risk, using data and feedback to drive continuous improvement and ensure effective service delivery
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with NHS services, commissioners, local authorities and community organisations, representing the service at partnership meetings and multi-agency forums.

Please see the job pack for more information. 

This is an exciting new opportunity to help empower young people aged 8–16 to take action, build confidence and develop new skills through our youth-led programmes in schools.

The Programmes Executive will play a key role in supporting our community of primary and secondary schools throughout the school year. You will help design and deliver Bite Back in Schools, ensuring a positive and engaging experience for young people, their teachers and their schools whilst making sure the programme achieves meaningful impact.

Alongside day-to-day programme delivery, you will contribute to a range of initiatives across the organisation, including supporting an exciting collaboration with the School Food Project and helping to coordinate and support wider organisational events such as our youth residentials.

This role would suit someone who enjoys working with young people, is proactive and adaptable, and is ready to learn and grow at a leading youth-led health charity. You’ll be motivated by helping young people turn their ideas into action and seeing the difference that makes in schools and beyond.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme delivery 

• Schedule and organise visits to schools, agreeing agendas with the schools in advance to include meeting pupils and teachers, leading feedback sessions and focus groups and supporting the development of their social action campaigns. 

• Schedule and deliver assemblies with primary and secondary schools participating in the programme, coordinating with our Bite Back ambassadors.

• Support the School Ambassadors with travel logistics as they deliver assemblies in schools across England and Scotland.

• Deliver training and webinars for schools where necessary. 

• Maintain and regularly update programme management software and associated data to ensure accurate and up to date information for all participating primary schools.

• Ensure successful end-to-end support for the 5+ primary schools participating in the programme throughout the 26/27 school year.

• Celebrate and share examples of best practice and impactful social action projects amongst our community of schools. 

Relationship management 

• Provide ongoing support to both primary and secondary schools throughout their time on the programme, building strong working relationships with participating schools. 

• Support communication with all primary schools, providing a point of contact for the coordinator and lead teacher in each school. 

• Support monitoring and evaluation through creation of surveys, ensuring completion of baseline and end of year surveys, and analysis of data submitted (working with our Impact & Evaluation Manager).

• Provide timely responses to school queries and alert the Programmes Manager of any potential risks.

• Proactively seek feedback from teachers and young people on our programmes.

• Ensure opportunities for schools to engage in at least two one-on-one meetings with our team during the school year. 

• Build productive relationships with programme partners.

Project support 

• Help coordinate our relationship with our partners in The School Food Project, including Chefs in Schools, School Food Matters, Food Foundation & Jamie Oliver’s Group.

• Support the national rollout of the Bite Back in Schools Primary programme, translating insights and evidence from two successful pilot programmes into engaging assemblies and high-quality resources that drive effective programme delivery and impact.

• Provide support to Programme Manager in the delivery of projects, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and scope.

• Provide ad hoc input to evolving organisational requirements as directed by senior team members.

Event support 

• Support the planning, coordination and delivery of Bite Back events throughout the year, including travelling as required to meet the operational needs of the Youth teams.

• Coordinate the logistical arrangements for youth residential events, including travel, accommodation and other practical requirements.

• Contribute to event planning and preparation, including resource ordering, coordination and ensuring all materials are organised and available in advance.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate would have the following:

Essential

• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders at the individual level and in representation of the organisation.

• Strong organisational and project management skills, with excellent time management, ability to manage competing priorities and attention to detail.

• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to adapt messages and language to resonate with different audiences.

• A willingness to build relationships across sectors, with young people and adults.

• Experience of creating resources which are engaging for young people.

• Experience of youth facilitation and/or delivering training.

• Experience in presenting and delivering content, ideally to young people such as an educational, heritage or other  setting, for example such as leading assemblies and workshops.

• Demonstrated experience planning and coordinating events, including logistics, stakeholder communication, and on-the-day delivery.

• Confident public speaker or willingness to learn.

• Ability to travel across England and Scotland when required (occasional).

Desirable

• Proven experience coordinating programmes in partnership with external stakeholders, fostering strong collaborative relationships to ensure successful delivery and shared outcomes.

• Experience of working with CRM systems.

• Strong understanding of the education sector and experience of working with schools and teachers.

• Experience in drafting compelling copy and uploading content to digital platforms.

• Understanding of youth social action and extracurricular programmes.

• Interest in campaigning, social justice, food, and child health.

• Experience with design tools like Canva. 

The Senior Youth Inclusion Officer is a key role within the Youth Inclusion team, helping to connect insights and champion young people’s voices throughout our work.

You will be one of two Senior Officers leading on the day-to-day delivery of the Future Voices Group (FVG) – our flagship youth engagement programme bringing together young people with lived experience of facing barriers to employment. 

This will involve working across the organisation to support teams to work with young people, in line with our strategy.

• You will ensure our youth ambassadors meaningfully and authentically shape our activity, in particular through our engagement and influencing of key audiences and decision-makers across the youth employment system.
• You will bring awareness of the youth employment policy landscape, alongside experience of supporting young people with lived expertise to influence policymaking, programme design or service improvement through youth voice approaches.
• This role requires availability for regular evening sessions and occasional weekend commitments.

We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.

Please download our recruitment pack for more information on this opportunity.

Due to receiving high volumes of interest in our opportunities, this vacancy may close earlier than the advertised deadline. To ensure your application is considered, please submit it as soon as possible.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Finance Director with a social enterprise on a full-time, permanent basis. As Finance Director, you will lead the Finance function, providing high-quality financial planning, reporting, control, technical accounting and decision support that enables the COO, CEO, Leadership Team and Board to manage financial sustainability, risk and performance across the organisation.

The role has a particular focus on property finance, including the financial stewardship of the organisation’s mixed-use estate property portfolio, service charge arrangements, long-term asset planning and accounting for land and buildings, alongside senior oversight of charity / and social enterprise accounting and long-term financial sustainability. Please note, the COO retains senior executive ownership of financial strategy, capital allocation and organisation-wide financial sustainability.

Please note, there is hybrid working in place with this organisation with 3 days per week required in their London office.

As Finance Director, you will:

- Lead on organisation-wide budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes, balancing operational requirements with long-term financial resilience and sustainability

- Maintain an effective framework of financial governance, delegated authorities and internal controls that protects organisational assets and supports sound decision making

- Lead on the performance, capability and continuous development of the Finance function, ensuring effective delivery of finance services across the organisation with a business partnering ethos

- Provide strategic financial advice, challenge and recommendations to the COO, Leadership Team and Board on organisational performance, investment decisions and financial risks

- Contribute to organisational strategy, performance management and transformation initiatives

by ensuring financial considerations are embedded within major decisions and change programmes

- Lead a team of 3

The successful applicant will:

- Have significant demonstrable experience in finance within the not-for-profit sector, in a similar role (evidence of continuing professional development in charity / social enterprise finance, property finance, VAT, audit, treasury or systems improvement)

- Be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA etc)

- Have more than 3 years’ experience leading a finance function or senior finance team in a complex organisation

- Be able to work confidently across multiple entities with property ownership within the group (knowledge of, or experience working with asset-owning, organisations and that own, manage or account for mixed-use property subsidiaries assets, including commercial, community or residential elements)

- Have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

If this sounds like you and you're keen to hear more, please do get in touch ASAP!

Please note, only successful applicants will be contacted with further information.

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

We’re looking for a highly skilled individual who will help build on our relationships and networks across Westminster, to deliver ambitious political leadership on a range of issues. The post holder will be responsible for leading advocacy interventions and providing political support to our policy experts, with a focus on Transport and Resources policy.

As a senior political adviser within the politics team, you will also be involved with, and lead on, major projects or themes of work across the political leadership theme (including the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Environment (APPG), which Green Alliance holds the secretariat for), managing and developing key external relationships and supporting the Director of politics as they lead the politics team.

You will need to be an exceptional communicator, adept at bringing people together around a shared vision and have the interpersonal skills to inspire and work across Green Alliance and liaise with our extensive network of partners.

You will be a highly organised, capable multi-tasker with experience managing projects and able to think on your feet, while managing multiple relationships and advocating plans concurrently.

The role entails identifying and leading on opportunities for the UK government to achieve environmental progress and implementing advocacy strategies to secure it. You will have direct access to senior policy makers and environmental leaders, so will need to articulate recommendations succinctly and persuasively.

The role requires excellent understanding of UK political processes (especially in Westminster, parliament and Whitehall) and experience of using it to influence policy effectively. Experience of operating within the system or of working directly with politicians and the media to achieve policy change would be a distinct advantage.

This is a new role at High Trees, created because we believe Lambeth’s voluntary and community sector (VCS) is one of the borough’s greatest assets – strong, skilled and rooted in the communities it serves. Place-based organisations like ours play a vital role in supporting individuals, strengthening communities, growing local economies and shaping the policy decisions that affect the people we work with. We want a dedicated Manager who can help make that case, loudly and effectively, both within High Trees and across the wider system.

A key part of this role is our contract to deliver capacity building support to Lambeth’s VCS, commissioned by the local authority and delivered through the Lambeth Hubs Partnership – but this is one strand of a much bigger picture. We want this role to think beyond any single contract, taking a long-term view of what Lambeth’s VCS infrastructure support needs to look like, and leading the development of new approaches, including peer support models and a more circular economy across the sector.

Health and wellbeing is increasingly shaping where funding and investment in our sector flows, and we want Lambeth’s VCS to be ready and well-positioned to respond to this shift. You will play a leading role in this, working with partners including the SEL VCS Alliance to develop shared practice across South East London boroughs, and ensuring our sector’s voice is heard as these opportunities develop.

This role is as much strategic as it is operational – we’re never too far from the ground at High Trees, and you’ll be expected to lead on much of the day-to-day delivery yourself. That means designing and delivering workshops and one-to-one capacity building support, developing resources and toolkits, and running networking events that bring Lambeth’s VCS together. You’ll also build a network of trusted delivery partners – freelancers and facilitators, ideally drawn from within our own sector – helping to keep skills, income and opportunity circulating within Lambeth’s VCS.

As VCS Capacity Building Manager, you will lead High Trees’ work to strengthen Lambeth’s voluntary and community sector, acting as an advocate for High Trees and a champion for the wider sector, while managing funded contracts and programmes that support local organisations to grow their skills, systems and impact.

The role combines strategic leadership – shaping High Trees’ contribution to the future of VCS infrastructure support, and representing the sector within key partnerships – with hands-on operational delivery, including direct capacity building support, training and events. You will be confident managing multiple work streams, and equally comfortable working strategically and on the ground.

Terms and Conditions

Job title: Advocate South London Women’s Hubs

Reports to: Programme Manager – South London Women’s Hubs

Direct reports: N/A 

Start date: TBC – subject to successful MOJ vetting

Salary: £31,173 per annum (inclusive of £3,990 Southeast weighting) 

Working hours: Full time – 35 hours per week 

Contract: Fixed Term until 31 March 2027 (with the possibility of extension, subject to funding)

Location: Across South London 
 

Job Purpose

To deliver high-quality, trauma-informed, independent advocacy for women in communities and in prisons, which focuses on early intervention, and holistic provision as part of a ‘whole system’ multi-agency response that looks to address the root causes of women’s offending. 

The primary purpose of this role is to provide in-depth, ongoing support to a caseload of women across the South London boroughs. 
 

Key Responsibility Areas

1. Provide high-quality, trauma-responsive advocacy and emotional and practical support to women in contact with, or at risk of being in contact with the criminal justice system

2. Development and maintenance of professional relations in prison and the community 

3. Ensure clear, timely and effective communication and record keeping 

4. Proactively seek to develop your personal and professional practice, and contribute to wider organisational development

5. Contribute to building a feminist leadership culture and positive working environment for Women in Prison 

Please download recruitment pack for the full job description

The Haven is seeking an experienced and motivated Finance Manager to play a pivotal role in supporting the financial sustainability of our organisation and the life-changing services we deliver for 30 hours per week.

We welcome applications from CCAB-qualified or part-qualified professionals (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA), or AAT Level 4 qualified candidates with significant experience in a Finance Manager or similar role.

Reporting to the Head of Business Services, as Finance Manager you'll lead financial management, reporting, budgeting and forecasting, providing the insight and assurance needed to support strategic decision-making. You'll oversee payroll, strengthen financial controls, support audit and compliance activities, and help drive continuous improvement across our finance systems and processes.

What you'll bring

• A recognised finance qualification or significant equivalent experience
• Experience producing management accounts, budgets and forecasts
• Strong knowledge of financial controls, compliance and statutory reporting
• Experience overseeing payroll and financial operations
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to turn data into meaningful insight
• The confidence to communicate financial information to non-finance colleagues
• A proactive approach to improving systems, processes and ways of working
• Experience managing or developing finance staff and building strong working relationships across an organisation

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to use your financial expertise to make a genuine difference as a Finance Manager. You'll play a key role in shaping the organisation's financial future, influencing decision-making at all levels and helping ensure we can continue delivering vital services to those who need them most.

#Finance #Management #Accounting #Financemanagement #Finance

Executive Assistant to the Operations Director, Head of Legal & Risk and the Head of Internal Audit

Are you an experienced Executive Assistant looking for an opportunity to work for a Christian humanitarian and development charity witha heart for seeing an end to extreme poverty? Do you have proven experience of providing EA support at Director level in a demanding environment? Then this may be the perfect opportunity for you!

As Executive Assistant you will provide strategic administrative support to Tearfund's Operations Director to enable them to operate effectively and meet the global objectives of Tearfund. This role also supports the Head of Internal Audit and the Head of Legal & Risk with timely and proactive administration of confidential and sensitive information. You will need to be able to work across different cultures, functions and time zones, being flexible and creative.

This role requires:

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills 
• A natural relationship builder with exceptional communication and intercultural skills
• The ability to prioritise and work under pressure with high attention to detail
• Proactivity and ability to coordinate across multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work with confidential and sensitive information
• Competency in travel planning
• Experience of Project Management
• Experience of managing the administration of organisational policies

All applicants must be committed to Tearfund's Christian beliefs.

We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and those from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds (in our UK workforce) as these groups are currently under-represented at Tearfund.

Hybrid working: This role is eligible for hybrid working and you will be required to work from the Teddington Tearfund office and from your home by agreement with the line manager.

Please note: This is a Full time permanent role - with some flexibility over the working hours/days.

The recruitment process will include specific checks related to safeguarding. In addition, personal identification information will be submitted against a Watchlist database to check against criminal convictions as a counter-terror measure.

Grade 4 Salary £37,160 per annum

Interviews will be scheduled for 10th and 11th September. 

We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and those from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds (in our UK workforce) as these groups are currently under-represented at Tearfund.

Applicants must be committed to Tearfund's Christian beliefs

This is far more than a traditional Finance Manager position.

As Finance Manager, you'll lead the day-to-day finance function while helping shape the future of financial management at British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS). Reporting to the Director of Business Operations and leading our Finance Assistant, you'll be responsible for delivering high-quality management accounting, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting that enables informed decision-making across the organisation.

Alongside ensuring excellent financial governance and control, you'll have the opportunity to modernise and transform the finance function. From improving management information and financial processes to leading the redesign of our purchase-to-pay process and supporting wider digital transformation, you'll play a key role in ensuring finance helps deliver our ambitious Strategy 2030.

We're looking for a fully qualified CIMA/CGMA accountant who combines strong management accounting expertise with a passion for continuous improvement. You'll enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, translating financial information into meaningful insight, challenging assumptions, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen financial sustainability and maximise the value of BUCS' financial resources.

If you're excited by the opportunity to build, influence and make a lasting impact within a values-led organisation that supports student sport across the UK, we'd love to hear from you.

Working at BUCS

BUCS prides itself on being an ambitious and challenging place to work, where staff enjoy work, embrace development opportunities, and have fun.

Benefits include:

• Generous Pension Scheme
• Paid Health Care Plan
• Tax-free - Cycle to work scheme
• Christmas Closure 
• Volunteering Day leave
• Flexible - hybrid working
• Wellbeing and Social activities
• Company-supported Learning and Development opportunities

How to Apply

Please apply via our recruitment platform Applied.

This will take you to the BeApplied platform which we use for our recruitment. 

Should you have any questions about the role, please contact Jude Edwards, Director of Business Operations.

Application deadline: 

13th August 2026, 22:00

Interview Information:

If successful candidate will be called to interview on the provisional date of 26th or 27th August 2026.

Candidates who successfully advance to the interview stage will receive further information about logistics and tasks via email. Some candidates may process to a second interview, which will be communicated accordingly. If any reasonable adjustments are required, please communicate them when accepting the interview offer.

Due to the expected high number of applications, it is likely we will only be able to provide feedback to those who reach the interview stage. If you don’t hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that, unfortunately, your application has not been successful. 

Applicants should have the right to work in the UK and will be asked to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the UK before employment is confirmed. 

Data Protection Statement

Any personal data submitted to BUCS in the course of this recruitment process will be held securely and processed solely for the purposes of recruitment. It will be held for the duration of the recruitment process, and if employed by BUCS, for the duration of the contract of employment and to fulfil the statutory, or recommended, retention periods when no longer an employee of British Universities and Colleges Sport. BUCS will comply with data protection legislation at all times and in line with BUCS Privacy Policy.

Our client is one of the UK's leading independent funders, committed to improving our natural world, securing a fairer future and strengthening the bonds within communities. Each year, the Foundation distributes around £50 million in grants and makes social and impact investments that help organisations create lasting social and environmental change.

Its strategy focuses on three interdependent aims: Our Natural World, A Fairer Future and Creative, Confident Communities. Alongside funding, the foundation uses its influence, convenes and brokers alliances, and commissions research to drive systemic change and maximise impact.

Prospectus is delighted to be partnering with the foundation to recruit a Lead Funding Manager for its Creative, Confident Communities team. This is a full-time role (0.8 FTE considered) and a rare opportunity to play a leading role in shaping place-based change across the UK.

Creative, Confident Communities seeks to strengthen the social, cultural and economic fabric of places by supporting local people to lead change themselves. The programme has three priorities: ensuring communities have the power to influence decisions that affect them, helping local economies work better for local people, and enabling culture and creativity to build thriving communities.

The role
Reporting to the Director of Creative, Confident Communities, you will provide strategic leadership for the foudnation's Community-Led Arts and Creativity priority. You will lead the development and delivery of funding strategies, manage a portfolio of significant grants, assess high-value and strategically important proposals, and build influential relationships across the sector.

This is a role for someone who wants to do more than fund good work. You will identify opportunities for change, convene partners, commission learning and research, and help shape the Foundation's response to emerging opportunities and challenges within the community-led arts and culture sector. As a visible ambassador for theh foundation, you will represent the Foundation across networks, partnerships and sector forums, helping to advance its mission and influence. Work will include resourcing community-led activity that gives local people agency through community co-design, decision-making and leadership. The role will also work with others to ensure local authority cultural strategies are shaped by local people and to catalyse opportunities from them.

The culture at the foundation is collaborative, ambitious and deeply values-driven. You will join a supportive team that encourages curiosity, learning and shared leadership.

The person
We are seeking an experienced and strategic funding professional with a strong understanding of community-led arts, creativity and place-based approaches. You may have gained this expertise within a funder, charitable trust, community organisation, local authority or wider voluntary sector environment. Experience of leading impactful work in the arts and cultural sector, community development and strategic design experience will be important.

You will bring excellent judgement, strong analytical skills and the ability to assess complex organisational and financial information with confidence. An accomplished relationship builder, you will be comfortable convening diverse stakeholders, influencing at a senior level and turning insight into action.

Most importantly, you will be motivated by the foundation's mission and share its commitment to social justice, equity and community-led change. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a tangible contribution to one of the UK's most influential foundations and help shape stronger, more creative and more confident communities across the UK.

 

Hope for Justice is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic professional to join our team as an Independent Modern Slavery Advocate® (IMSA®) (Trainee) to join our Advocacy team and work within the IMSA® model pilot. This is an in-role trainee position which requires successful completion of the IMSA® PG Certification in order to progress to the full IMSA® role.

Since September 2025, the IMSA® Model Development Project has been pioneering a national pilot. Hope for Justice is working in partnership with 14 other organisations, together employing 28 IMSAs® and Senior IMSAs® who are working alongside adult survivors of human trafficking. Hope for Justice leads the central IMSA® Model Hub within the pilot, supporting IMSAs® and their employing organisations throughout the UK. 

To achieve our collection aim of a standardised national model of accredited independent advocacy for adult survivors of modern slavery, all IMSAs® are required to successfully complete the IMSA® PG Certification with St Mary's University. This opportunity will fully fund and support you to complete the IMSA® PG Certification, whilst working as a Trainee IMSA®. Upon successful completion, you will progress into the full IMSA® role. Throughout your training we will support you in the following ways:

·Released in-work time for PG Certification attendance and study

·Reduction in caseload and/or complex cases

·Additional supervision and support for casework

IMSAs® work alongside survivors to help them understand their rights and to navigate the complex systems and support services available in the UK. By working with an independent advocate, survivors can overcome barriers and make informed decisions about their recovery.

This is a UK-based role within our UK Advocacy Team and a fixed term contract until December 2027 (in line with IMSA® Model Pilot timeframes).

This role is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the delivery and the development of a national pilot working towards a shared goal of every survivor of modern slavery and human trafficking having access to an Independent Modern Slavery Advocate®.

Requirements

1.Provide independent advocacy for survivors of modern slavery/human trafficking in the UK

• Empowering adult survivors by providing a clear overview of their rights and entitlements, in their own language, explaining and providing an overview of options and choices 
• Once a survivor understands their rights, producing a detailed initial assessment (legal and socio needs), an individual risk assessment and a safety plan 
• Anticipating and understanding the barriers that survivors face and how independent advocacy can help to overcome those barriers 
• Ensuring smooth transfer into safe accommodation and into the community, advocating for clear pathways to services and systems, in accordance with the non-statutory government endorsed, Slavery and Trafficking Care Standards 2025, produced by the Human Trafficking Foundation 
• Act as a single point of contact for the survivor, and relevant agencies through all processes. Providing a point of trust for the survivor and high-quality communication with all relevant agencies and professionals 
• Ensuring referrals to legal and support agencies are effectively managed and supported, including housing; witness support; health services; finance and debt organisations; education, training and employment services; immigration; civil compensation, public law and criminal law solicitors 
• Where necessary, and dependent on local support available, accompany a survivor (online or in-person) to advocacy related appointments, empowering and advocating for the survivor’s needs and wishes to be heard in all processes, supporting the survivor to negotiate these processes and overcome barriers 
• Working with the survivor, where appropriate, to develop confidence to do things for themselves, to foster independence and to advocate for themselves
• Ensuring the survivor’s voice is heard and if a survivor wishes to engage that they are well supported as a witness throughout criminal and civil proceedings 
• Work collaboratively with key agencies and services that the survivor routinely interacts with, e.g. support worker; social services, health care personnel, and other statutory and non-statutory agencies, to ensure they receive coordinated help and support
• Provide understanding and education for adult survivors at risk of re-trafficking including safety planning, understanding signs of exploitation, worker’s rights and financial inclusion to reduce the risk of re-exploitation
• Managing a caseload using a trauma-informed approach, that is person-led and ensuring all survivors are able to achieve their agreed outcomes 
• Working with IMSA Model Hub team to administer and process survivor referrals
• Ensuring that all case management is delivered to agreed standards, in line with the values of the IMSA Model and in line with organisational policies, procedures and best practice. 

2.Provide advice to professionals and individuals, building effective and collaborative relationships with other organisations and deliver training and information on modern slavery and human trafficking 

• To provide expert information and capacity strengthening to a wide range of professionals, stakeholders and organisations encountered when working as an independent advocate
• To promote and demonstratea trauma informed and person-centered response, ensuring conduct, language and behaviour is anti-oppressive, anti-racist and culturally intelligent
• To deliver training, awareness raising and capacity strengthening sessions on a range of topics relevant to modern slavery and human trafficking in the UK

3.Risk Management and escalation:  

• Following procedures, policies and guidance to ensure a safe, effective, and efficient working environment 
• Identifying and escalating safeguarding concerns appropriately and in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and practice 
• Rapidly identifying, managing and when appropriate, escalating risks and health and safety matters 

4.Data Management: 

• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date case management notes and data in accordance with organisational and IMSA Model policies, procedures and good practice 
• Ensuring that data protection and information sharing policies are upheld 

5.Team Member: 

• To actively participate in all team meetings, upholding and promoting a supportive environment throughout the IMSA Model Hub and the wider network of IMSAs 
• To work collaboratively across the IMSA Model Hub and wider network of IMSAs to support best practice
• To raise awareness of issues of modern slavery, human trafficking, and the experiences of survivors across a range of organisations and individuals, building capacity, knowledge and improving responses to modern slavery and human trafficking 
• Support the aims of the IMSA Model and the IMSA Model Development Project, promoting the benefits of independent advocacy and the opportunity to reform responses to survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking across the UK 

6.Learning and Development:  

• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the changes in legislation and policy in relation to modern slavery 
• Adopt reflective practice approaches, identifying areas for improvement and seeking continued professional development opportunities 
• Monitoring policy changes, sharing and reporting on the impact of these changes on survivor outcomes 
• Successful completion of the Post Graduate Certificate for IMSAs 

7.For all roles: 

• Understand and uphold the standards outlined Hope for Justice safeguarding policies, acting with due care and attention to safeguard the wellbeing of anyone that comes into contact with our work and reporting concerns if they do arise 
• Work at all times in line with Hope for Justice and the IMSA Model policies and procedures and the wider strategy, culture, and ethos of Hope for Justice
• Uphold the IMSA Model values and governance structure
• Respond to ad hoc assignments requested from time to time

Key Result Areas

• Survivors receive expert independent advocacy to realise their rights and entitlements, overcome barriers, and move towards their self-definition of recovery
• Effective partnerships are maintained enabling positive advocacy outcomes for survivors
• Data collection and clients’ case notes are accurate, reaching organisational standards and enable analysis, supporting the on-going development and improvement of the IMSA® Model Development Project 

We expect all our employees to understand and uphold the standards outlined in the Hope for Justice Safeguarding policies, acting with due care and attention to safeguard the wellbeing of anyone that encounters our work and reporting concerns if they do arise.

As part of Hope for Justice/Slave Free Alliance, you will benefit from an excellent package including:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• 1 day Marriage Leave
• Birthday Day
• Enhanced employer pension contributions
• Company sick pay
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Access to our Employee Rewards Platform, providing discounts and offers for well-known retailers
• Free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme for staff and their family
• Professional development opportunities
• Professional memberships paid
• Flexible and hybrid working

Role Details

Job type: Full time

Salary: £28,500 pa, salary will increase to £30,000 upon successful completion of the IMSA® PG Certification

Closing date: 26th August 2026

Location: Hybrid – within UK, with travel to Manchester when required

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which include criminal records checks, in line with our Global background checks policy – to view this please click here. Hope for Justice participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme, as part of the referencing process 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.

Personal data of the selected candidate(s) may be transmitted to INTERPOL for a security check for the purpose of identifying threats the candidate could pose to children and vulnerable persons in regard to a sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment offences.

We would like to inform you that due to the high number of applicants we receive, we regret that we are not able to respond individually to all applicants. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps in the selection process, thank you for your understanding.

This exciting new role sits within REUK’s Education Pathways work which has been in a pilot phase for the last few years and is rapidly growing now that the UK government has made a commitment to expanding safe and legal routes to higher education in the UK for refugee students.

Higher education provides a transformative pathway for refugee youth, but establishing sustainable institutional access routes requires systemic collaboration. This role will lead the growth, formalisation, and management of university partnerships required to make an education pathway to the UK grow and flourish. You will oversee the complete partnership lifecycle: from university outreach and onboarding (including negotiating formal agreements at senior level), to enabling the formation of campus welcome groups, leading on initial and ongoing university and welcome group training and support, and monitoring and improving all university-facing processes within the pathway.

The postholder will work alongside a newly created Students Lead role, enabling you to focus on the institution-facing workstreams, while student-facing onboarding, welfare, and direct casework are handled by your counterpart.

This is a critical role within a small, high-capacity specialist unit within REUK. Because this is an emerging and new area of work you must be comfortable working with risk and ambiguity, refining and learning rapidly as parameters evolve. You will be an allrounder - as comfortable presenting to university executive boards and Vice-Chancellors as you are drafting MoUs, establishing Terms of Reference, organising and facilitating institutional training, and handling complex partnership operations independently.

Role outcomes

1. UK universities actively partner with REUK to create, expand, and sustain dedicated safe and legal education pathways for displaced students. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Developing and executing a national university engagement strategy to identify, pitch to, and secure new partner universities across the UK higher education sector.

• Engaging directly with key university representatives - including Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Heads of Admissions, Sanctuary staff and key academics - to build institutional buy-in and secure long-term commitment to refugee education pathways.

• Negotiating university support packages, including as appropriate fee waivers, scholarship or bursary structures, and accommodation commitments.

• Nurturing and strategically managing existing university partnerships to ensure institutional sustainability, high-level engagement, and year-on-year growth in pathway placements.

• Representing REUK where appropriate in sector-wide higher education networks and working groups on displaced student pathways.

2. Partner universities establish institutional frameworks, well-trained staff networks and campus welcome groups to receive refugee education pathway learners. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Guiding universities in establishing and structuring sustainable on-campus welcome groups (bringing together university staff and students) to support the welcome and integration of education pathway students.

• Designing and delivering high quality training sessions for on-campus welcome groups and other key staff members.

• Developing practical toolkits, guides, and frameworks for university staff to accompany above training.

• Collaborating with the Students Lead to ensure campus welcome structures integrate with REUK's student support mechanisms.

• Advocating within partner institutions for structural policy improvements (e.g. contextual admissions and flexible documentation policies).

3. University partnership governance, agreements, and operational systems run effectively and efficiently. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Drafting, negotiating, and finalizing formal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Terms of Reference (ToRs), and operational service agreements with partner universities. 

• Managing all administrative and governance aspects of university partnerships independently, including contract tracking, partnership reviews, and operational timelines without junior admin support.

• Coordinating institutional admissions frameworks and placement quotas with university registry and admissions departments.

• Serving as the primary point of contact for senior university leads when strategic, structural, or other partnership challenges arise

• Maintaining robust data systems and records relating to university commitments, funding allocations, and institutional agreements.

4. REUK’s Education Pathways university partnerships work is robustly evaluated, financially sustainable, and aligned with REUK’s broader strategy. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Reporting directly to the Education Pathways Lead  on partnership growth, institutional engagement metrics, and strategic pathway goals.

• Working in close alignment with the Students Lead to ensure institutional frameworks effectively support cohort needs and programme delivery.

• Collecting sector data, university feedback, and institutional metrics to demonstrate impact to funders, university boards, REUK’s board of trustees, and government stakeholders.

• Supporting grant reporting and budget management related to university pathway expansion and partner development.

• Feeding operational insights from university partnerships into REUK’s broader research, policy, and systemic change initiatives.

Person specification

Although each role requires particular competencies, we seek staff members - irrespective of role - who are willing and able to demonstrate core competencies related to 1) character and values, 2) personal working style and 3) team working. Please see the applicant pack for more details. The competencies required for this specific role are:

• Higher Education sector expertise: Deep understanding of UK university governance, executive structures, admissions procedures, international frameworks, and sanctuary initiatives.

• Senior stakeholder engagement and negotiation: Proven track record of engaging and influencing senior decision-makers within universities.
   

• Partnership governance: Demonstrated experience drafting, negotiating, and executing formal and operational agreements, including MoUs and ToRs.
   

• Facilitation and training: Strong training and facilitation skills, with a track record of designing and delivering workshops and guidance, ideally within the higher education or refugee education sectors

• Operational self-sufficiency: Outstanding organisational skills with the ability to manage high-level administration, systems setup, and contract management independently without administrative support.

• Knowledge of education pathway models: Familiarity with international refugee education pathway models (such as Canada’s WUSC; Australia’s RSSP/SkillPath and or others operating in Japan, Italy, Ireland etc).

• Knowledge and understanding of refugee tertiary education: Strong understanding of the systemic barriers faced by refugee students in higher education both in the UK and in first countries of asylum. 

• Interpersonal skills: An ability to build and maintain positive, warm and confidence inspiring working relationships with internal colleagues and external partners and stakeholders, including in complex situations.

• Communications: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including ability to appropriately communicate nuance and complexity; confidence communicating with and presenting to high level audiences.