Peer support jobs in manchester, greater manchester

Job purpose

This is an exciting time to join Action for ME. With developments in research and policy alongside delivering services which are in high demand, you will enjoy working in a fast-paced and continually changing environment. You will be responsible for overseeing operational programme design and delivery, reporting of progress, and measuring the impact of all Action for ME work to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow. You will also assist the Chief Executive in implementing the organisational strategy, and by adapting and evolving delivery models on the ground. As you will have operational management and oversight for our Healthcare Services and hold the Designated Safeguarding Lead role for the organisation, you will bring considerable services-related experience at a management and leadership level. The Chief Executive will focus predominately on external matters and therefore you must have experience of managing an organisation to achieve high quality programmes with evidenced impact and motivated teams. You will act for the Chief Executive on topics, as agreed, and deputise during their absence.

Key duties

1. Leadership

• Ensure that children and adults with ME are at the heart of everything we do through meaningful engagement and participation to influence all aspects of our work.
• Deputise for the CEO and represent and promote the Charity at national meetings and events.
• Deputise for the CEO during periods of absence, and in relation to specific matters, issues or elements of operation as delegated from time to time by the CEO, ensuring a consistency of approach and decisions aligned with the organisation’s objectives.
• With the CEO and HR Business Partner, lead on implementing the People and Culture Strategy and ensuring our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging plan is achieved.
• To provide support, leadership and coaching to the Management Team to ensure the smooth running of the organisation and development of the Charity.
• Contribute to the development of the overall strategy for Action for ME, ensuring that the best use is made of available resources within agreed priorities. Ensure that agreed strategy is delivered to target and in line with agreed budgets.
• Work closely with the Chief Executive and Trustees to ensure effective reporting to the Board and sub-committees.

2. Operations & management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Charity ensuring high quality service provision that meets all best practice, legal and regulatory frameworks and internal policies and procedures.
• Hold overall management responsibility for our Healthcare Services including the role of the CQC Nominated Individual, ensuring all regulatory requirements and compliance are met.
• Manage the staff and volunteer team, including holding regular meetings and ensure the efficient running of the office ensuring a culture that supports, inspires and motivates the team while ensuring required standards and quality are met at all times through effective performance management.
• Act as the organisational Designated Safeguarding Lead (children and vulnerable adults), working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Officers, colleagues and the Safeguarding Lead Trustee; facilitate the annual safeguarding audit (led by the Lead Trustee) and ensuring safeguarding standards across the organisation are maintained.
• Contribute to the learning and development of key personnel including coaching support (either directly or through the identification of external coaches) to enhance performance.
• Establish (where not already in place) and maintain a clear performance outcome-focused management system driving positive change and improvement across all teams.
• Ensure that policies and procedures are effectively implemented and kept up-to-date to enable the effective management of operations and support growth.
• Take the lead role for data protection, health and safety, compliance and risk management across the organisation and act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

3. Finance & income generation

• Hold financial leadership responsibility, working closely with the Finance Manager and the Fundraising Director to ensure sustainability for our work.
• Ensure effective financial management with procedures in place which are kept up-to-date and implemented accordingly.
• Provide support and engagement, where appropriate, to actively grow our income.

4. Working with others

• Lead, nurture and develop relationships with key stakeholder groups and partner organisations, both locally and nationally, supporting Action for M.’s place as the ‘go to’ organisation for people affected by ME
• Lead on new business ideas and pilot projects in line with the strategic objectives; with colleagues, develop the business case, identify and manage risks, lead implementation across teams, evaluate success and learning and make recommendations for future development.

5. Other key accountabilities

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting operations and maintain and improve personal competence through continuous professional development.
• Take direction on projects and priorities from the CEO, which may vary from time to time.
• To ensure best value in all service delivery.

Person specification

Experience and Knowledge

• Proven experience in an operations, leadership, or senior management role, ideally within the charity service delivery or healthcare sector, with the ability to develop and implement strategic plans that drive organisational growth and reporting that demonstrates impact delivered. If you come from outside a support services background, you must demonstrate sound understanding of the regulatory and best practice requirements related to delivering support and/or healthcare services.
• An understanding of ME and associated/overlapping illnesses, the impact on people affected by it or a commitment and ability to understand the illness and lead services to meet the needs of children and adults with ME
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams, including remote workers, and fostering a supportive workplace culture where change is a constant.
• Safeguarding understanding at a management/decision-making level.
• Proven experience of building and nurturing strong relationships internally and externally at all levels.
• A sound understanding of outcome-focused, effective performance management, quality assurance and risk management.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, financial planning, and resource management in the voluntary sector.

Skills and Behaviours

• Experience of governance, risk management, and compliance, including within regulated services, ideally within a charity and/or service delivery setting.
• Proven ability to think strategically, balance competing demands, use initiative to solve problems and actively seek innovative approaches to problem solving and delivering results.
• Strong interpersonal skills including motivational, negotiating influencing and networking skills which build strong internal and external relationships.
• An ability to understand, analyse and make effective use of data across all of our work.
• A proven ability to coach and motivate staff and to build and lead teams reflecting organisational culture and values, a respectful, constructive and energetic style.
• Proven, strong MS Office skills that supports writing, email, internet and database use.
• Demonstrable ability to work within our organisational values

Interview: The first round of panel interview scheduled to take place in Bristol on the 24th of June 2025.

Introduction to the Role

We are seeking a results-driven Development and Fundraising Officer to lead our grant applications, trust initiatives, and donor engagement efforts. In this international role, you will work closely with our team to create compelling proposals, coordinate fundraising events, and secure essential funding. Reporting directly to the Interim Director, you will play a vital role in shaping our fundraising strategy while working within a flexible, remote environment.

General Details

• Title: Development and Fundraising Officer

• Salary: £28-35,000 per annum based on experience and training

• Reporting to: Interim Director

• Contract: One-year renewable, Full-time (35 hours per week)

• Location: Remote

• International scope: Engage with international donors, trusts, and grant-making bodies

Core Responsibilities

1. Grant & trust applications

You will drive the research, development, and management of grant applications and trust funding. Your role involves identifying funding opportunities that align with Hong Kong Watch’s mission and preparing detailed proposals that secure essential resources for our projects.

2. Fundraising campaigns & donor engagement

In this responsibility, you will design and execute targeted fundraising campaigns and events. You will work to cultivate and maintain relationships with individual donors, trusts, and institutional funders, ensuring a consistent flow of financial support that underpins our advocacy and community work.

3. Coordination & communications

This responsibility centres on effective internal collaboration and external representation. You will coordinate with our communications teams to ensure consistent messaging, manage donor communications, and report on the impact of our fundraising efforts.

Key Tasks

• Research and application development:
  Identify suitable grant opportunities, trusts, and philanthropic funding sources both in the UK and internationally. You will draft, refine, and submit proposals that reflect Hong Kong Watch’s strategic priorities, ensuring compliance with each funder’s requirements.

• Campaign strategy and event coordination:
  Develop integrated fundraising campaigns in collaboration with our communications team. This includes planning virtual and in-person events, managing donor appreciation sessions, and ensuring that each campaign aligns with our overall mission and values.

• Donor relationship management:
  Build and nurture relationships with a diverse range of funders. This task involves regular communication, organising meetings and presentations, and providing clear, detailed impact reports that demonstrate the effectiveness of our initiatives.

• Internal collaboration and reporting:
  Work closely with the operations team to ensure that all fundraising efforts are fully aligned. You will attend monthly strategy meetings, coordinate updates, and produce comprehensive reports on campaign performance and donor engagement.

• Digital and social media integration:
  Collaborate with the communications team to create engaging online content that supports fundraising efforts. This includes drafting newsletters, managing social media updates, and developing digital materials that promote events and initiatives.

• Monitoring, evaluation, and strategic review:
  Continuously track key fundraising metrics and donor engagement levels. You will evaluate the success of fundraising initiatives, adjust strategies as needed, and prepare strategic reviews that inform future plans and objectives.

Essential Skills & Behaviours

• Grant-writing expertise:
  Proven track record of researching, drafting and submitting successful grant and trust applications.

• Excellent written & verbal communication:
  Able to craft compelling narratives and present confidently to donors, partners and colleagues.

• Relationship-building & stakeholder management:
  Skilled at cultivating and maintaining donor relationships, with strong interpersonal presence.

• Project & time management:
  Highly organised and able to plan multiple bids, campaigns and events to tight deadlines without oversight.

• Attention to detail & accuracy:
  Meticulous in proposal compliance, budgets, reporting and data entry.

• Analytical & outcomes-driven:
  Tracks fundraising metrics, evaluates impact, adjusts tactics to hit targets.

• Team-player & collaborator:
  Works seamlessly with communications, operations and senior leadership to align messages and priorities.

• Self-starter & remote-working discipline:
  Proactive, resourceful and able to manage your own workload in a flexible, home-based role.

• Cultural sensitivity & political awareness:
  Strong understanding of Hong Kong’s human rights context and respect for diaspora communities.

Desirable Skills & Behaviours

• Language skills:
  Proficiency in Cantonese.

• Event planning & virtual engagement:
  Background in coordinating both in-person and online fundraising events, webinars or galas.

• Digital fundraising & social media integration:
  Know-how in peer-to-peer platforms, crowdfunding tools and integrating campaigns with social channels.

• Budgeting & financial literacy:
  Able to draft, monitor and report against budgets for grant-funded projects and campaigns.

• Network in philanthropic/trust circles:
  Existing contacts or familiarity with UK and international grant-makers, foundations and trusts.

• Human rights or advocacy sector experience:
  Prior work in NGOs, think tanks or advocacy that demonstrates commitment to civil liberties.

• Strategic thinking & innovation:
  Creative in identifying new funding streams and piloting novel campaign approaches.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary: £28-35,000 per annum

• Flexible working: Enjoy a remote working environment with one monthly in-person meeting in London if you are based in the UK

• International exposure: Engage with a diverse network of global donors, trusts, and philanthropic partners

• Professional development: Opportunities for training and growth in the field of international fundraising

• Collaborative culture: Join a dedicated team committed to making a tangible impact for Hong Kongers and their communities

Interviews

First-round interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, both before and after the application deadline.

One of our fantastic clients is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of External Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive external affairs strategy. This pivotal role will be instrumental in strengthening societies and changing lives, working closely with senior leadership to lead government relations across the UK and cultivate relationships with elected representatives, the Civil Service, and key partners within the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sectors.

The successful candidate will lead a team of public affairs, policy, and influencing professionals, contributing to the wider communications strategy. They will leverage an extensive network of stakeholders and a deep understanding of policy and public affairs to stay abreast of significant developments, ensuring the organisation remains proactive in its positioning and sensitive areas.

This role requires a leader who can inspire and develop a team of External Affairs professionals, devising and executing projects in a fast-paced environment while ensuring alignment with strategic goals. The External Affairs mandate is exceptionally diverse, spanning devolved governments across the UK and increasing regional devolution within England. Regular travel to attend meetings and spend time with colleagues across the UK will be required.

The Head of External Affairs will provide a professional, consistent, and expert service, supporting strategic activity across the organisation. They will oversee tailoring outputs to effectively reach key external affairs stakeholders and play a senior role in assessing areas of reputational risk.

Key responsibilities

• As a member of the communications leadership team, take ownership of, create, and implement a comprehensive external affairs strategy to deliver the organisation's missions and strategic objectives, including significant activity in the national portfolios, integrated and aligned to its communications strategy.

• Provide strategic oversight of government relations, public affairs, and strategic engagement across the UK, including relationships with sponsor bodies, working closely with the CEO Office and Portfolio Directors. Offer strategic guidance, sound judgement, and advice to senior leadership and other teams, driving a consistent organisational approach to relationship management.

• Take responsibility for strategic horizon scanning for external affairs activity across the mission areas, ensuring information and advice is shared directly with the CEO and senior colleagues, and opportunities for stakeholder engagement and influencing are maximised.

• Devise and lead a programme of external engagement with key policy, political, and mission-related stakeholders for the Chair, CEO, Board Members, and other senior leaders. This includes owning and coordinating key messages and briefings, attending meetings as appropriate, and ensuring actions are followed up.

• Oversee the design and delivery of engagement programmes that measurably increase engagement with key political and other audiences. Identify and manage risks, trends, or opportunities to protect and enhance the organisation's reputation and ensure successful influencing among key stakeholders.

• Plan and deliver a continuous review and evaluation of activities, including external benchmarking, measurement of engagement levels, and performance standards to ensure effective delivery of the External Affairs strategy across the four nations.

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, delegating work effectively, ensuring appropriate use of resource across the team, and providing and commissioning external suppliers and internal stakeholders to deliver high-quality plans.

Person Specifications

• Substantial experience leading government relations, public affairs, policy, and advocacy in a large, matrix organisation, ideally interacting with devolved administrations (national and mayoral).

• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with senior political and other stakeholders, fostering collaboration across diverse communities and perspectives.

• Experience of planning and executing strategic engagement across a range of high-profile audiences and activities, including responsibility for Chair/CEO/Board-level engagement.

• Experience of strategic planning and decision-making at a local, regional, and national level, including with peer organisations and local governments.

• Excellent interpersonal, networking, and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences with clarity and inclusivity.

• Experience of briefing and working with senior leaders in support of organisational and engagement objectives, often at short notice, including providing counsel in times of reputational risk and navigating complex organisational dynamics.

• Demonstrable leadership and project-management ability, with experience developing high-performing teams, resource management, and working in a matrix-management and collaborative environment.

• Experience commissioning agencies and third-party suppliers to work with internal stakeholders to deliver high-quality plans.

• Experience of continued professional, managerial, and personal development within the relevant discipline.

• If this role is based in Wales, or supports customers or colleagues in Wales, an understanding of Welsh language legislation and the Welsh Language Standards of the organisation is required.

What’s on Offer:

• Salary of £54,277-£60,000 outside London or £59,000-£66,500 inside London 

• Full time role 

• 12 month contract

• Immediate start 

How to Apply: To apply, please submit your CV demonstrating your suitability for this role by clicking the “apply now” button via our website.

The process: If your experience aligns with what we're looking for, a member of our team will be in contact to discuss the role with you in more detail before presenting your profile to the client. We will also ensure that all applicants receive an email to inform them of the outcome of their application.

To avoid any potential delays or your application being missed, please apply solely via the 'Apply Now' button.

Commitment to Diversity: The Talent Set and our partner organisation are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practices, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants regardless of race, sexual orientation, disability, age, or gender. We actively encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and are always happy to make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair recruitment process.