Parent services administrator jobs in Birmingham, west midlands

About the role

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a full time Casework Administrator to join the Scottish Regional Office team at SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

You will be responsible for providing specialist administrative support and undertaking virtual telephone casework across the whole of Scotland, working remotely with SSAFA branch volunteers and Regional Office colleagues to ensure a consistent, timely, quality service is provided to SSAFA beneficiaries.

To help you establish yourself in this new post you will receive excellent training and induction to the Scottish Regional Office. You will work closely with the Regional Casework Managers and the Regional Manager.

The post is home-based and lone working with support from your line manager and team colleagues and you must have a fast, stable broadband connection in your proposed workspace. You may have to travel occasionally around Scotland or elsewhere in the UK; expenses will be paid.

About the team

In this role you will be working closely with volunteers from seventeen SSAFA branches across Scotland, supporting them to administer casework for SSAFA beneficiaries. The successful candidate will work as part of a larger team which includes 2 Casework Managers and a Regional Manager and a team of Regional Casework Co-ordinators.

About you

To carry out this role successfully you will have a track record of providing excellent customer service by telephone, e-mail and face to face. You will have used Microsoft Office 365 to a high standard. The successful candidate will have experience of using their own initiative, planning and managing their workload with minimal supervision. You should be experienced at writing descriptive reports following a recommended structure. This role requires you to be a resilient person and it would be advantageous if you understand the way of life for today’s Armed Forces, veterans and their families. An understanding of the voluntary sector and preferably the military charity sector landscape across Scotland would be valuable, but not essential.

About SSAFA

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is a trusted source of support for the Armed Forces community in their time of need. In 2024 our trained teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 53,000 people, including veterans, serving personnel (regulars and reserves) and their families.

SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. And we are here for that person and their family, any time they need us and in any way they need us.

Diversity and Inclusion at SSAFA

SSAFA exists to support a diverse range of beneficiaries within the armed forces community, and we believe diversity within our teams is key to ensuring we can deliver our services effectively. We thrive on differences and believe it is critical to our success as a worldwide charity. SSAFA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business.

SSAFA is committed to using the Disclosure & Barring Service to ensure we, as an employer, safeguard those we serve.

No agencies please. Any unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate and no fees will be payable.

SSAFA reserves the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. 

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 17 May 2026.

 Interviews:TBC

This is a grant funded role, fixed term for two years, with the opportunity for conversion to a permanent role should funding allow.

Main Purpose of the Role:

To provide proactive, emotional, and practical support to families and individuals affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) across Scotland. The role will focus on early engagement, wellbeing assessment, community building, and delivery of workshops and events, while ensuring accurate tracking of support outcomes and data.  
 
The successful candidate will also lead on support for young people living with Duchenne during 2 key transition points (primary to secondary school stage and moving into adulthood). They will work closely with the England-based Transitions Coordinator to deliver a joined-up programme of support across the UK. 

Specific Tasks:

1. Proactive Family Support 

• Initiate contact with newly registered families within agreed timeframes (email within 3 working days, call within 7–10 working days) 

• Contact to be made to all registered Action Duchenne members, knows to us in Scotland, to ensure the current support offer is clear  

• Provide ongoing support tailored to individual needs, including emotional wellbeing, physical health, housing, financial security, self-esteem and respect, decision-making, social engagement, quality of life, and access to care 

• Use the Action Duchenne Assessment Form and Action Plan to identify and respond to areas of concern 

2. Transitions Support 

· Lead transition support across all nations, with a focus on Scotland, for children and young people facing key life changes, including: 

· Moving between educational settings such as primary to secondary 

· Transitioning from paediatric to adult health services 

· Changes in mobility and independence (e.g. transitioning to using powerchairs)

· You will lead, but expected to work collaboratively with the England-based Transition Coordinator to ensure consistency and continuity of support across the UK 

· Develop resources, guidance, and workshops to support families through transitions 

3. Wellbeing Tracking and Outcome Measurement 

· Administer wellbeing questionnaires and record scores across key domains (e.g. physical health, emotional wellbeing, financial security) 

· Collaborate with families to co-create action plans and track progress 

· Ensure all data is entered into CRM (E-Tapestry or similar) within the allotted timeframe, i.e. immediately after or during the call. 

4. Community Engagement and Event Delivery 

· Organise and deliver regional meetups (minimum one per quarter) 

· Facilitate support groups (virtual and in-person) for parents, young people, and extended family 

· Support delivery of workshops and events aligned with programme schedule (e.g. music, life skills, employability) 

5. Stakeholder Collaboration 

· Liaise with external organisations including NHS care advisors and clinics, local authorities, counselling services, and other charities 

· Represent Action Duchenne in Scotland and build relationships with local networks 

6. Administration and Reporting 

· Maintain accurate records of all interactions and support provided 

· Contribute to quarterly reporting on activity delivery, capacity utilisation, and family impact 

· Support development of CRM processes and service delivery improvements 

7. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): 

· New contact acknowledgement email: within 3 working days 

· New contact follow-up call: within 7–10 working days 

· Families contacted per week: 12–15 hours of direct contact 

· Regional meetups: 1 per quarter 

· Support groups delivered: 9–12 per year 

· CRM data entry: within 24 hours of interaction 

· Family outcomes tracked: via wellbeing questionnaire and action plan 

· Transition support delivered: tracked through engagement, resources, and feedback 

NB This is not an exhaustive list, the role holder will be asked to carry out additional tasks as required for the Team’s successful service delivery. Such tasks will always be reasonable and broadly in line with current knowledge levels and skill sets.

Please find below the job specification, including required skills and qualifications.

Role Purpose

As Head of Creative & Content, you will shape and champion the creative vision of Child Bereavement UK. You’ll lead the development of a bold, purposeful content and creative strategy that brings our mission to life, ensuring every story, campaign and asset is high-quality, evidence-based, accessible and emotionally resonant across all channels.

You’ll set the creative direction and ensure everything we produce is consistently compelling, inclusive and impactful, delivering outstanding user experiences that truly connect with our audiences.

This role leads the full content lifecycle, from strategic planning and innovative production to governance and evaluation. You’ll drive creativity that supports income generation, strengthens service delivery and grows brand awareness, making sure our content doesn’t just inform, but inspires action and change.

Main Responsibilities

1. Leadership, Team Management & Administration

• Work alongside the Director of Marketing & Communications to lead the Marketing & Communications team, ensuring there is a clear direction of travel, an understanding of purpose and exemplary culture embedded to drive future success.
• Provide clear leadership and direct line management to the Brand Lead and Content Creator.
• Build a high-performing content function with strong planning, evaluation and cross-functional collaboration.
• Support and mentor a network of volunteer content creators.
• Champion innovation, best practice and a user-centred approach to content.
• Proactively formulate appropriate, strategic and creative responses and pitch new ideas for campaigns and activities.
• Oversee the content strategy for all level 1 output, and seasonal appeals and campaigns.
• Effectively manage expenditure across all content workstreams in line with agreed expenditure budgets.
• Ensure that the recording of permissions and consents is adhered to in line with our policies and procedures and in accordance with GDPR.
• Deputise for the Director of Marketing & Communications when required.

2. Creative and Content Strategy & Governance

• Set, implement and continuously evolve the organisation-wide content strategy, ensuring alignment with strategic aims and audience needs.
• Oversee content systems, processes, policies and tools to ensure consistency, quality, accessibility and compliance.
• Develop a sensitive and safe lived-experience content strategy, ensuring safeguarding standards are met and contributors are appropriately supported in partnership with service teams.
• Identify and pursue content collaboration opportunities to enhance reach, impact and brand visibility.
• Manage the content budget and ensure effective prioritisation and resourcing.

3. Content Creation, Management & Delivery

• Lead delivery of high-quality cross-channel content, including copy, editorial, design and audio-visual assets.
• Develop and provide creative direction for content-led campaigns.
• Grow and manage a library of level 1 and evergreen content.
• Identify new and emerging content opportunities appropriate content opportunities using market insight and analytics to continuously develop Child Bereavement UK’s content position.
• Create, assign, commission and manage a diverse range of evergreen and project specific multimedia content including but not limited to video, audio, design and copy.
• Maintain a robust content production schedule to support organisational priorities.
• Quality-assure and ensure all content meets visual identity, user experience, accessibility, safeguarding and GDPR requirements.
• Support colleagues with interviewing service-users, professionals, staff and supporters and producing high-quality case studies for use across channels including the Impact Report, website, publications, social media and fundraising materials.
• Support and guide colleagues with basic content production duties as needed.

4. Brand & Information standards

• Provide line management and leadership to the Brand Lead to oversee brand (design, editorial and audio-visual) standards across all key external communications.
• Support the Brand Lead to identify and steward brand opportunities and collaborations.

5. Insight, Evaluation & Reporting

• Lead ongoing insight and research activities to assess content effectiveness and identify gaps or opportunities.
• Monitor and analyse content reach, performance and effectiveness producing regular reports for senior leadership.
• Adopt test-and-learn approaches (e.g., A/B testing and insight sharing) to drive continuous improvement.

6. Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with the Directors of Marketing & Communications, Services & Service Transformation, and Income Generation to deliver strategic content needs.
• Partner with bereavement services, income generation and participation teams to identify and maximise high-value content opportunities.
• Collaborate with brand and marketing colleagues to deliver projects aligned to the marketing strategy and comms plans.
• Liaise with creative agencies, media partners and freelance suppliers.
• Foster strong cross-charity relationships to ensure coherent messaging and shared learning.

All Staff

• Contribute to the vision and mission of Child Bereavement UK; whilst embedding the values into your daily work activities.
• Promote equality of opportunity and diversity in accordance with Child Bereavement UK policy.
• Contribute to the overall success of the charity’s fundraising needs by providing case studies, attending events and adding value to the experience of our supporters as required.
• Contribute to the brand and reach of the charity by working alongside our Marketing & Communications Team when relevant press opportunities arise or when required for social media and online content (including the use of photography).
• Work to objectives, targets and work plans agreed with your line manager.
• Undertake specific projects and other ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager, fulfilling any deadlines, reviews and reporting procedures required.
• Take an active part in the Quarterly review process and participate in training agreed with your line manager.
• Recognise and champion the lived experience of children and young people with bereavement within your work.
• Ensure the health and safety of all colleagues, volunteers and visitors in accordance with Child Bereavement UK policy.

Person Specification

Essential

Experience & Knowledge

• Proven experience developing and delivering an organisation-wide content strategy.
• Experience leading a content or editorial function in a complex organisation (charity, health, social care or similar desirable).
• Proficient in graphic design and video editing skills (e.g. Canva, Adobe, CapCut).
• Strong track record for producing and overseeing high-quality written, digital, graphic and audiovisual content.
• Experience commissioning and managing agencies, freelancers and creative partners.
• Demonstrable experience creating or stewarding sensitive or lived-experience content, including safeguarding, trauma-informed practice and GDPR compliance.
• Experience of embedding and adhering to content governance and policy.
• Experience managing a team of content specialists and/or volunteers.
• Experience working collaboratively across multiple directorates and with subject matter experts.
• Experience using insight, analytics, testing and research to evaluate content performance and inform decision-making.
• Strong project management experience, managing multiple concurrent content projects and deadlines.
• Strong understanding of accessibility, UX principles, brand management and content governance.

Skills

• Excellent copywriting, editing and storytelling skills across multiple formats and for diverse audiences.
• Skilled in producing high-quality video and audio content, including hands-on skills in filming, recording and editing.
• Ability to translate complex or clinical information into clear, engaging content. Ability to set strategic direction and translate it into actionable plans and workflows.
• Strong ability to prioritise, allocate resources and manage competing demands.
• Ability to balance creative ambition with commercial or organisational objectives.
• Skilled in coaching, mentoring and motivating individuals and teams.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret data, identify insights and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to editorial quality.

Attributes & Values

• Compassion, emotional intelligence and ability to work respectfully with bereaved children, young people and families.
• Collaborative, approachable, and able to build trust across teams.
• Creative, innovative and proactive, with a solutions-focused, self-starter mindset.
• Highly organised, resilient and able to work independently in a remote environment.
• Strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and ethical storytelling, including amplifying lived experience safely and respectfully.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training and development opportunities.
• Willingness to be flexible work to meet organisational need.
• Ability to undertake periodic UK travel and represent the charity at meetings and events.

Desirable

• Experience working within the charity/third sector, particularly in bereavement, mental health or social care.
• Understanding of bereavement and the needs of bereaved children, young people and parents.
• Previous experience in a Head of Content or similar leadership role.
• Experience of leading in-house and external creative teams.
• Background in storytelling, editorial or publishing environments.
• Experience of delivering large-scale content programmes across multiple channels.
• Familiarity with CRM systems such as Salesforce.
• Experience managing or supporting lived-experience contributors, ambassadors or volunteers.
• Knowledge of digital marketing principles (e.g., SEO, user journeys, content optimisation.
• Active engagement with creative or content industry networks

Recruitment Timetable

Application deadline: 27th May 2026 at midnight

First Stage Screening Interviews – on-going

You may be asked to attend a 10-minute Screening Interview on MS Teams with the Hiring Managers for the vacancy, to assess your suitability for the role. During the interview, you will be asked two skills-based questions.

Second Stage Interviews – Friday 5th June

If you are progressed to a second stage interview, you will be invited to attend a 1-hour formal interview on MS Teams with the Hiring Managers for the role. It is our policy to share the role-specific interview questions with applicants ahead of the interview, to aid their preparation. You may also be asked to complete an interview task, which will also be shared with you in advance.

*Please note that by completing your application, you consent to Parenting for Lifelong Health using AI-assisted tools to help review and shortlist applications. See our Privacy Statement for more information. 

About Parenting for Lifelong Health:

Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) aims to empower parents to improve child development, reduce family violence, and promote mental health. We give parents the support they need, the skills that work, and trusted advice they can count on to protect and support their children’s health, safety and development. Our parenting courses are developed with families, powered by low-cost and accessible technology, backed by rigorous evidence, and delivered within systems. Originally founded as an initiative in 2012 in collaboration with UNICEF and the WHO, Parenting for Lifelong Health was established as a UK charity in 2022 and since then has reached over 8 million families in more than 35 countries. 

PLH Values  

• Courage We have the courage to design for the big picture and complex problems with a commitment to creating sustainable solutions that last.
• Evidence We believe our work transforms the lives of children, families, and communities. Evidence of impact guides every decision, and we are relentless in pursuing the greatest impact with the least investment of time and resources required for parents and providers.
• Playfulness Parenting and child wellbeing thrives on play — and so do we. We experiment, learn from each other, as well as from parents and children, and create playful and engaging products and programmes that inspire joy, curiosity, and connection.
• Respect Everyone brings something essential. We show kindness in our team, honesty with our partners, and deep respect and empathy for parents and children, and those who are on the frontline of providing services for them.

PLH has a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity in how we work, who we work with, and what we do. Candidates from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

PLH also has a strong commitment to the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). All candidates considered for the role will be subject to background and reference checks in their country of residence.

Benefits: Flexible remote-working, home office set-up, unlimited annual leave, professional development opportunities, enhanced pension contributions, enhanced statutory leave provisions including maternity and paternity leave.

About the role:

The Finance Manager is responsible for PLH’s financial systems, controls, and compliance. The role is responsible for ensuring smooth financial operations, accurate and timely reporting, and full compliance with UK Charity Commission requirements and donor regulations.

The position acts as:

• the primary point of contact between PLH and its outsourced accounting firm;
• the operational counterpart to a strategic Senior Director of Finance; and
• the primary source of financial support for programme teams. 

Responsibilities:

Financial Operations

• Act as the primary organisational contact for the outsourced accounting firm, setting expectations, reviewing performance, and ensuring service quality.
• Oversee the monthly financial close process, reviewing outputs from the outsourced accounting firm and producing management reports and key financial insights, including:

○ Cash flow and liquidity position

○ Income recognition

○ Restricted vs unrestricted funds

○ Project-level budget variance and cost recovery

• Maintain and update PLH’s Financial Model to reflect actuals, updated revenue and expense projections, and key variances against the approved annual budget, highlighting any significant issues or risks to the Senior Director of Finance.
• Regularly update forecasts based on actual performance and current assumptions within PLH’s Financial Model.
• Manage PLH’s project budgets and work closely with project managers, enforcing consistent standards of budget management, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Oversee the monthly payroll process, ensuring accuracy, compliance with local regulations, and timely coordination with external providers.
• Manage internal accounts payable and receivable processes, ensuring appropriate controls, approvals, and segregation of duties.
• Manage and maintain PLH’s expense management and banking systems.
• Oversee PLH’s donation processing systems, with a strong focus on fraud prevention, anti-money laundering, and donor due diligence. 

Financial Compliance

• Review accounting records and supporting documentation prepared by the outsourced accounting firm.
• Ensure compliance across all donor-funded projects, in line with donor regulations and PLH’s internal financial policies.
• Enforce and evaluate strong financial policies and internal controls, regularly reviewing and aligning these systems with UK Charity Commission guidance and reporting requirements.
• Lead audit preparation, coordinate internal inputs, and act as primary day-to-day contact for external auditors.
• Organise the completion and submission of PLH’s annual return and HMRC corporate tax return.
• Monitor exchange rate fluctuations and advise the Executive and Operations teams on mitigation measures (including approved salary adjustments) to buffer sharp decreases in currency value, in line with organisational policy. 

Essential criteria:

• Fully or part-qualified professional accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CPA, or equivalent), or demonstrably equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in a finance role, including at least two years in a finance management or senior finance position.
• Demonstrable experience overseeing monthly close processes and producing high-quality management accounts and financial reports.
• Strong experience monitoring budgets, maintaining rolling forecasts, and updating financial models based on actuals and revised assumptions.
• Experience preparing for, coordinating, and supporting audits, including liaison with external auditors.
• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills, including complex formulas, linked models, and scenario-based inputs and assumptions.
• Strong experience working with cloud-based accounting systems and the ability to rapidly become fully proficient in PLH’s finance systems.
• Strong understanding of internal financial controls, segregation of duties, and financial policy compliance in a regulated environment.
• Ability to work with outsourced accounting or payroll providers, ensuring accuracy, quality control, and timeliness.
• High attention to detail, analytical rigour, and ability to interpret financial data to support evidence-informed decision-making.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues and support budget-holder capacity-building. 

Preferred criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, or a closely related quantitative discipline.
• Experience working within a UK-registered charity and familiarity with Charity Commission guidance and reporting requirements.
• Experience implementing or maintaining financial policies and procedures aligned with UK charity governance standards.
• Experience managing multi-currency transactions and foreign exchange exposure, ideally using Xero or comparable systems.
• International donor compliance experience, particularly with institutional or multilateral funders (e.g. UNICEF, UN agencies, WHO, major foundations). 
• Demonstrated success working in early-stage or scaling organisations, with the ability to operate both independently and collaboratively.
• Experience working with globally distributed teams and multiple country contexts.
• Confidence delivering financial guidance or training to project managers and non-finance staff.
• High level of proficiency in written and spoken English. 

Corporate Fundraiser (Maternity Cover - 12 months FTC)
12 Months | Full Time
35 hours per week to include occasional evening and weekend work to suit the business needs of the role
£27,000 - £29,000 per annum, depending on experience
 

We’re looking for an ambitious Corporate Fundraiser to join our friendly team based at our Coventry hospice on a one-year maternity cover contract. If you’re looking for an exciting and rewarding role, this could be the position for you. You’ll be joining the team at an exciting time, having lots of new fundraising opportunities crammed into the next 12 months.

Overview

We’re incredibly proud of our hospices. We provide respite, palliative and end of life care to babies and children from birth to five years old with life limiting or life-threatening illnesses, with our team of specialist nurses offering round-the-clock care and support. We’ve created a safe, caring and fun place, where parents know that their child will receive the best care possible - a home away from home.  In order to continue with our specialist work, we need to ensure the charity continues to raise the funds we need. 
 

About the role

Supporting the delivery of Zoe’s Place overall income generation strategy, by developing a portfolio of corporate supporters at Zoe’s Place Coventry to deliver long term sustainable income growth. 
 

Key Responsibilities:

Account manage corporate relationships 

• Account manage newly established and existing corporate relationships, ensuring that each one is appropriately supported and is reaching its full potential, through charity of the year partnerships, sponsorship, staff fundraising, payroll giving and event participation.
• Work with the Head of Fundraising to ensure corporate fundraising offering is consistent across all relationships.
•  Plan and execute events to steward current supporters.
•  Meet and exceed agreed fundraising targets for corporate supporters at Zoe’s Place Coventry.
• Identify potential new opportunities to grow current partnerships, including identifying potentially useful networks within each partner organisation, developing powerful ideas, pitches and tailored proposals.

Re-engage past Corporate supporters. 

• Undertake research to identify past corporate supporters using our CRM and devise/implement plans to re-engage their support. 
• Plan and execute events to re-engage past supporters.
• Devise new products to re-engage past corporate supporters.

Networking and Representation 

• Represent Zoe’s Place at external corporate functions to promote the work of the Hospice by giving presentations, articulating a clear and compelling case for support.
• Attend networking events such as the Chamber of Commerce as required.

Administration and pipeline 

• Use our fundraising CRM and in line with GDPR to ensure accurate and timely recording of stewardship. 
• Working with an income pipeline, ensure accurate and timely financial forecasting, identifying risk to income and mitigating accordingly. 

Collaborative working

• Work closely with staff across the charity to maximise opportunities to engage with high-value audiences, ensuring accurate sharing of information, such as case studies, is relevant and timely.
• Develop strong working relationships with the wider Coventry marketing, fundraising and Coventry clinical team. 
• Maintain effective communication and collaboration with other members of staff in order to ‘cross-sell’ and maximise fundraising opportunities. 
   

How to apply

To apply, please send a cover letter and current CV stating how your skills align with the job description

Applications close 5pm Friday 15th May 2026
 

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) (Registered Charity Number 1213337) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records.

There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

The Engagement and Involvement Lead will engage with young people, families, schools and other interest-holders in the process of designing, delivering and ensuring the best outputs from the Adolescent Health Study, and is critical for the success of the project.  We are at the early stages of laying the foundations for this and in this new role we are seeking an experienced and passionate individual to co-ordinate and lead AHS’s cross-UK participant and public involvement and engagement activities.

This is a role that requires high levels of confidence, autonomy, enthusiasm and skill. The postholder will be responsible for delivering the project’s new Engagement and Involvement Strategy, including:  coordinating a Young Persons’ Advisory Group for AHS; developing and delivering AHS public engagement and involvement activities; outsourcing and supervising engagement and involvement activities that are better provided by external partners; scoping and advising on which routes for involvement and engagement activities are best suited to different tasks. 

Main responsibilities

 Planning & strategy delivery

•  Ensuring the study delivers the values and approaches set out in the AHS engagement and involvement strategy
•  Planning, delivering and reporting on an ongoing, regular and important programme of engagement events and activities
•  Reviewing/revising/adding to existing policies, processes and procedures to support effective working together with people and communities (such as reimbursement, compensation, making reasonable adjustments)
•  Developing and implementing appropriate evaluation, monitoring and reporting of Community Engagement & Involvement
• Keeping up to date with good practice & sector advances and sharing these with the AHS team.

Practical engagement and involvement

• Developing methods to enhance engagement and involvement, and helping to build positive relationships with young people and stakeholder groups, including charities, third sector & advocacy groups
• Overseeing day-to-day planning & delivery of a high-quality engagement and involvement programme.  To include, for example:
  • Managing and supporting Youth Advisors
  • Running a standing Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG)
  • Organising & delivering other ad hoc engagement activities as necessary
• Securing external partners where necessary, and managing contracts and delivery of their work across the UK
• Ensuring that any external parties (e.g. organisations, freelancers, consultants) supporting AHS’s involvement and engagement work have clear roles, responsibilities & goals
• Working with the Head of Communications to develop and manage provision of relevant information to members of the public, teachers, young people & researchers
• Keep clear records of involvement and engagement activities, ensuring results are used to inform the study and the wider research community.

Team support

• Checking for and capitalising on possible opportunities for engagement and involvement to be embedded in the work of the wider team
• Ensuring appropriate induction, training, mentoring and support is organised for the research team and communities involved
• Sharing examples of emerging good practice and impact across the research team.
• Line managing an Engagement and Involvement Officer

Wider

• Contributing to shared learning and future sustainability as part of wider communities of practice
• Acting as a key point of contact for community members and partners involved in the research
• Representing and presenting the AHS study’s engagement and involvement work to the wider research community at a senior level, including in national engagement & involvement networks as necessary.

Knowledge, skills and experience

 Essential criteria

Engagement and involvement

•  Experience developing and delivering engagement and involvement activities with young people and other relevant interest-holders (such as parents, families, teachers and schools)
•  A proven track record or professional background in working with young people – such as in youth work, counselling, mentoring, education, or a related setting
• Understanding and experience of good practice in youth engagement and involvement,  including the principles and implementation of safeguarding, data protection, and inclusive practice
• Awareness of culturally sensitive approaches and methods to be inclusive of all relevant perspectives, including  marginalised and vulnerable groups
• Ability to design and deliver workshops, focus groups or meetings that encourage open dialogue and collaboration
• Demonstrated commitment to youth participation and the meaningful inclusion of young people’s perspectives.

Other essential criteria

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
• Experience of successful project management and ability to deliver, working independently.
• Ability to manage a budget and report on financial activity accurately
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, with experience of working alongside and influencing senior level professionals
• Research literacy, with a clear understanding of large UK-wide research initiatives and the various competing demands and pressures the study will face
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills - able to communicate effectively and confidently with a range of stakeholders and to summarise and report key information clearly and accurately, both verbally and in writing
• Confident using online tools (e.g. MS Teams, Zoom), and collaborative platforms (e.g. SharePoint, Microsoft 365)

Desirable criteria

• Relevant qualification in engagement and involvement
• Post-graduate degree or equivalent experience
• Understanding of key concepts and challenges in young people’s health and wellbeing and the transition to adulthood
• Familiarity with health research and data governance frameworks
• Understanding and knowledge of key potential partners across the UK for delivering youth engagement in the sector.
• Experience using digital engagement and facilitation tools for online workshops (e.g. Miro, Mural, Mentimeter, Canva, PowerPoint)

Dimensions

• This has been designed as a full-time role, although part-time work could be considered for the right candidate.
• Flexible working across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations and partner organisations.
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.

Application Process

This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available).

Please apply via CharityJob, making sure to answer the screening questions in full.

The closing date for this position is midnight on Sunday 31st May. 

Interviews are currently expected to be held Wednesday 1st/Thursday 2nd July.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.