Policy and advocacy jobs

The role is responsible for ensuring the charity operates within a robust governance framework and complies with all relevant statutory, regulatory, and internal requirements. This role requires the ability to operate, and pivot, between subject matter expert, strategic partner, advisor and team member - with hands-on delivery, supporting the Board of Trustees, senior leadership, and staff to embed a culture of good governance, risk awareness, and ethical practice across the charity.

The role line manages a small team (including two administrative assistants), and oversees the use of external experts to provide advice.

About us

A caring organisation with a rich history.

Friends of the Elderly is a charity dedicated to providing excellent care  and support to older people for over 120 years. We aspire to a society where all older people have the opportunity to live fulfilled lives. We do this via our grant giving service, which provides vital financial support to older people who are living in poverty. We also deliver services personalised to individual needs and integrated with local communities at our care homes and day centres.

About the role

This is a remote-first role open to candidates anywhere in the UK. You’ll join us in our Woking office just once a month for team collaboration days.

We are looking for an experienced trust fundraiser to join our small, busy fundraising team. You will:

• proactively nurture and grow our relationships with existing supporters
• develop relationships with new trusts and foundations, taking pride in excellent donor stewardship,
• create compelling funding applications, reports and communications which demonstrate our impact
• raise restricted and unrestricted money for our grant giving service and for enhancements to our care homes and day care services, which improve the lives of the older people.

Working partnerships

 Internal:

• Grants Team, Marketing and Communications Team, care homes and day care services, Estates and Facilities Team, Finance Team.

External:

• Consultants, agencies and suppliers.

Key objectives and responsibilities

• Be primarily responsible for researching and writing, prioritising, developing and submitting compelling proposals, updates and reports to trust donors.
• Maximise income by building and maintaining relationships with existing portfolio of trust donors through excellent relationship management.
• Use the database (Access Charity CRM) to maintain accurate and detailed records, manage relationships, and coordinate actions and deadlines.
• Research and identify new opportunities, and write and submit high quality, targeted proposals to secure support from new and lapsed funders.
• Prepare written reports on activities, progress and income against objectives.
• Ensure the impact of our work is clear, visible and effectively communicated in our social media, on our website and in our Impact Report.
• Liaise with internal staff to compile project information for funding applications, and build positive, professional relationships internally and externally.
• Gather case studies for use in fundraising communications, applications and reports.
• Undertake administrative duties such as thanking donors and other routine office procedures as required.
• Carry out other tasks as required by the Fundraising Manager and Fundraising Team.

Please note that the key objectives and responsibilities of this role describe the core output that should be achieved in this role.

All roles within the charity are required to be flexible and change as our strategy evolves, future policies are introduced and as the needs of our services users change. All staff are required to demonstrate appropriate levels of competence and behaviours in their roles, in line with our values.

Please see the full job description and person specification attached. 

No agencies, please.

Benefits: NOW! Pension scheme, flexible working/TOIL opportunities, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), 36 days holiday and additional for length of service, life assurance, eye test vouchers and training and development opportunities.

Hours: 36 hours per week, 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday

(This will include working some evenings to attend committee and Board meetings)

Location: Croydon, Surrey (some hybrid working opportunities, in line with the needs of the Charity)

Mind in Croydon (MiC) is a charity concerned with the welfare of people with mental health problems living in the London Borough of Croydon and the surrounding areas. MiC delivers Mental Health Transformation Program services alongside Croydon BME Forum, these include Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space and Mental Health Personal Independence Coordinators. Other services include Recovery Space (out of hours crisis alternative), Advocacy, Active Minds, Carers Support, Peer Support In Reach, Social Networking, Counselling.

We are seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Head of Finance and Resources to lead our financial and operational functions and play a key role in supporting the charity’s mission and long-term sustainability.

As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), you will oversee finance and facilities, ensuring robust financial management, compliance, and operational efficiency.

You’ll work closely with the CEO, Treasurer, and Trustee Board to deliver accurate reporting, strategic budgeting, and effective resource planning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day financial operations, including accounting, payroll, pensions, and reconciliations.
• Produce monthly management accounts and prepare annual financial statements in line with audit requirements.
• Manage the annual audit process and liaise with external auditors.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Treasurer to develop and monitor budgets and forecasts.
• Prepare donor financial reports in accordance with grant agreements and deadlines 
• Oversee the Finance Officer and Facilities Manager, ensuring smooth delivery of finance and premises support.
• Attend quarterly Finance and Risk sub-committee meetings, in addition to 3 to 4 full Board meetings annually.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Support strategic planning and contribute to organisational development through effective resource management.

We encourage applications from those with Lived Experience.

About You:

• Qualified accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with experience in charity finance.
• Proven track record in financial reporting, audit preparation, and budget management.
• Strong understanding of charity governance and financial compliance.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
• Experience managing staff and working collaboratively across teams.
• Highly organised, with attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines.
• First rate IT skills including Microsoft Office. Working knowledge of HRIS’ is preferrable (Staffology currently used).
• Self-motivated with an adaptable and flexible approach
• Good team player with a can-do attitude

Various locations across Liverpool

About the Role

• Work with a team of welfare benefit advisers to ensure effective support, supervision and appraisal

• Maintain effective admin systems and records, work cooperatively with colleagues, encourage good teamwork and clear lines of communication.

• Provide specialist welfare benefits advice in person and via digital channels to a small number of clients to support the team target and continuous development.

• Make home/outreach visits as necessary inc Torus Foundation and Citizens Advice buildings.

• Act for the client where necessary by calculating, negotiating, drafting or writing letters, negotiating with third parties as appropriate.

• Prepare and present welfare benefits cases to the appropriate statutory bodies, tribunals and courts as appropriate, up to and including level 2 tribunal.

• Provide advice and assistance to colleagues across the whole range of welfare issues.

• Maintain detailed case records for the purpose of continuity of casework, information retrieval, statistical monitoring, and report preparation.

• Carry out Quality of Advice Assessments and file reviews in accordance with agreed Advice quality standards and procedures

• Assist with social policy, providing information to inform CAL Senior Leadership Team

• Keep up to date with legislation, case law, policies and procedures relating to welfare and undertake appropriate training.

General

• Create a positive working environment in which equality and diversity are well managed, dignity at work is upheld and staff perform optimally.

• Ensure that all work meets quality standards and the requirements of the funder

• Attend relevant internal and external meetings as agreed with the line manager.

• Assist with initiatives for the improvement of services.

• Keep up to date with Citizens Advice Aims, policies and procedures and ensure these are followed.

• Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for your own health and safety and that of colleagues.

• Identify own learning and development needs and take steps to address these with your Line Manager

• Key holder responsibility, opening and closing the building where necessary.

• Carry out any other tasks within the scope of the post to ensure the effective delivery and development of the service.

Requirements

1. Minimum of two years experience in welfare rights advice work

2. Extensive knowledge and experience of welfare benefits legislation.

3. Effective oral communication skills with particular emphasis on negotiating and representing.

4. Effective writing skills with particular emphasis on negotiating, representing and preparing reviews, reports and correspondence.

5. Ordered approach to casework and an ability and willingness to follow and develop agreed procedures.

6. Ability to prioritise own work, meet deadlines and manage caseload.

7. Ability to use ICT in the provision of advice and the preparation of reports and submissions.

8. Ability to motivate and line manage staff

9. Ability to monitor and maintain own standards.

10. Demonstrate understanding of social policy trends and their implications for clients and service provision.

11. Understanding of and commitment to the aims and principles of the Citizens Advice service and its equal opportunities policies.

About us

Citizens Advice Liverpool in partnership with Citizens Advice St Helens and Citizens Advice Warrington are delivering a Welfare Benefits, Debt and Budgeting Advisory Service to Torus Housing tenants.

The Project Supervisor is responsible for supervising and overseeing the delivery of a Welfare Benefits Advisory Service. The supervisor will provide guidance, support, and leadership to a team of Welfare Benefits Caseworkers, ensuring the provision of high-quality welfare benefits advice to individuals and families in need. The role requires strong supervisory, communication, and organisational skills to effectively support the management of the project, monitor caseworkers' performance and adviser consultancy. The project supervisor will also be required to take on some casework for clients who require specialist advice regarding the review/appeals process, prepare clients for appeals tribunals and to represent at hearings where appropriate.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Department/Service:

The finance department is responsible for the overall financial management and administration of the 4million turnover at GSU. The department plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with statutory regulations, including HMRC, Charities Commission, Companies House, and pensions. This includes supporting our annual external financial audit.

The finance team act as Business Partners to the rest of the organisation ensuring they understand financial processes to aid effective working. The team also work alongside our external payroll provider and our external digital system provider to ensure smooth and effective working.

Job Purpose:

Provide a professional, accurate, and timely accounting service in respect to all management and statutory reporting. Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external support services to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Finance department, ensuring excellence in service delivery.

Reports to:

• Currently reporting to the CEO whilst the senior management role in the Finance Department is under review. The senior management post is currently vacant.

Responsible for:

• Supporting, managing, supervising, and developing one Finance Coordinator and one Finance Assistant.
• Temporary Interns and/or student staff supporting the Finance team as required

Duties and Key Responsibilities

1. Management and Statutory Reporting:

• Prepare accurate management accounts on a timely basis each month.
• Reconcile all balance sheet accounts monthly, including accruals and prepayments.
• Prepare and submit statutory reports, including VAT Returns, Companies House, and Charities Commission Annual Returns.
• Support the preparation of the annual accounts for the external financial audit and play an instrumental role during the audit process.
• Reconcile GSU bank accounts including PayPal online accounts weekly and monthly.
• Reconcile Commercial Income to Bank Accounts producing weekly sales and analysis reports.

2. Budgeting, Forecasting, and Cashflow Statements:

• Support in the preparation of the annual budget and reforecasts.
• Create forecast reports and statements as and when required.
• Produce monthly and annual cashflow and liquidity statements.

3. Business Partnering and Collaboration:

• Act as a business partner to all GSU staff members, providing financial insights and support to meet organisational goals.
• Work alongside external support services (e.g., payroll providers and digital finance systems) to ensure smooth operations and excellence in the Finance department.
• Collaborate with external auditors and other stakeholders to ensure compliance and effective financial management.

4. Managing and Supervisory Duties:

• Supervise and support the professional development of two GSU finance staff members.
• Foster a team culture that promotes accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
• Oversee the responsibilities of Finance Coordinator and Finance Administrator and ensure their tasks align with departmental goals.
• Supervise and support interns and student staff as appropriate.

5. Digital Systems and Processes:

• Maintain efficient digital finance systems and processes to streamline financial operations (Twinfield, Ezora & Basecone for example).
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of digital records and reporting systems.
• Evaluate and improve digital tools and workflows to enhance departmental efficiency.

6. General Finance Department Duties:

• Oversee and assist with sales ledger, purchase ledger, and payroll functions as needed.
• Support the Finance Coordinator and Finance Assistant to issue and maintain records of purchase orders and associated invoices.
• Support the Finance Coordinator and Finance Assistant to maintain and post all petty cash transactions.
• Prepare ad hoc financial reports and information for the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Trustee Board, and other stakeholders as required.
• Respond proactively to financial queries from GSU staff.
• Support the ongoing review and development of Finance department systems and procedures.
• Maintain customer-facing systems and ensure smooth operations for Finance department stakeholders.

7. External Audit and Compliance:

• Prepare schedules and reconciliations for the annual audit.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including HMRC and Charities Commission guidelines.

General Responsibilities:

• Represent and be an ambassador for GSU.
• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position.
• Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional development.
• Abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct, and practices.
• Support and promote liberation, diversity, and equality of opportunity in the workplace.
• Treat with confidentiality any personal, private, or sensitive information about individuals, organisations, clients, or staff and project data.
• Adhere to the Sustainability Policy and strive to reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint.
• Actively seek better ways to assist GSU in becoming a more sustainable workplace.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Experience:

• Experience in preparing management accounts budgets, forecasts, and cashflows.
• Experience in preparing and reconciling VAT returns.
• Experience in reconciling balance sheet control accounts including salaries
• Proficiency in using accounting software and digital finance systems.
• Previous experience working in a Finance department.
• Experience in customer service and promoting financial literacy.
• Experience in payroll processes.
• Familiarity with supporting and developing team members.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong customer service focus and ability to build effective working relationships.
• Ability to engage, motivate, and support team members.
• Excellent communication skills (face-to-face, MS Teams, phone, and email).
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities.
• Proficiency in IT tools for report writing, email, and database management.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and methodical working.

Knowledge:

• Regulatory requirements and best practices in accounting and finance.
• Knowledge of HMRC, Charities Act, SORP, VAT, PAYE, and pension compliance.

Education/Training:

• Part-qualified ACCA or a training towards a relevant professional accounting qualification.
• Relevant practical experience in accounting and finance.

Personal Attributes and Other Requirements:

• Hybrid or office-based work with the ability to travel to other campuses when needed.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, or stay overnight as necessary.
• Strong team player with a flexible approach to work.
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.
• Awareness and application of diversity issues in all areas of work.
• Commitment to the values and ethos of the organisation

FearFree delivers services across the Southwest for victims, children and perpetrators of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking, with the aim to break the cycle of abuse and support all to live free from fear. We provide trauma responsive support, and this post will be fundamental to ensuring service users, stakeholders and partners experience this in our daily delivery.

Working within experienced and committed teams, the Behaviour Change Worker will deliver trauma responsive interventions including one to one support and group work to prevent harm.

FearFree is committed to flexible and hybrid working and this role will be a mix of home based and office based, alongside requiring travel for multi-agency meetings and other deliverables.

There is a requirement for evening working – approximately once per week to deliver group work interventions. There may be a requirement to work weekends. 

Key Responsibilities

• Complete specialist risk assessments according to service guidelines and Respect standards, alongside developing personalised safety and support plans for programme participants.
• Deliver one to one specialist behaviour change interventions for people with vulnerabilities, complex or multiple needs and those who require additional support to access our services.
• Co-facilitate short term and long-term group work, providing a Respect accredited DVPP (Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programme) programme.
• Promote the service externally and ensure our interventions are accessible.
• Provide proactive, trauma responsive and holistic support, with a focus on increasing victim safety and reducing the risk posed by a perpetrator.
• Work within a multi-agency framework to effect change, manage risk and ensure safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children is paramount.
• Offer professional consultancy, training and advice to other agencies on working with perpetrators.
• To work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the safety of the victim is held central.
• Represent the service user voice in a multi-agency context.
• Attend Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC) and Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) meetings as required.

General

• Live and embody the FearFree values – kind, receptive, open, pragmatic, robust and expert.
• To promote the service to external agencies where applicable.
• Give information and support to service users regarding their other needs and refer them to other support services as required.
• Ensure our service is widely accessible – adapting practice as required to suit individuals.
• Work across a large geographical area to ensure locality is not a barrier to accessing services.
• Deliver training and information sessions to promote our service, and increase awareness and understanding of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking for victims and those who harm.
• Have a responsibility around safeguarding of both adults and children, maintaining knowledge of appropriate policies and procedures and integrated working.
• Support other agencies in the identification and referral of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking issues, via promotion of service and institutional advocacy.
• Ensure all referrals are clearly logged on our database and all case records are kept fully updated, according to FearFree policies and procedures.
• Engage with case management supervision, reflective practice and clinical supervision as required, taking an active role in managing own wellbeing and supporting the wellbeing of your colleagues.
• Support colleagues in all services across FearFree as required.
• Support the sustainability of the organisation by participating in fundraising activities and sharing ideas and contacts for income generation,
• To engage in and contribute to effective team working with a flexible and pro-active approach, including cover for other team members’ holidays and sickness.
• Undertake all statutory and mandatory training, as required by the organisation.

To apply, please download the full job description/person specification along with the application and equality monitoring forms. Please send the completed application form and Equal Opportunities form direct to FearFree.

There is no specific closing date for this role and this vacancy will close once a suitable candidate is found, so early applications are encouraged. 

For information about the processing of your personal data at FearFree, please visit our website. 

FearFree is committed to encouraging equality and diversity in the workplace.  We strive to be a diverse and inclusive place to work where we can all be ourselves and individual differences are recognised and valued. 

Head of Learning and Practice
Location: Leicester Office, Hybrid
Salary: £48,000 Per Annum
Terms: Full-Time, 36 Hours per week

Join Home-Start UK as Head of Learning and Practice to lead on the development, implementation and review of a high-quality practice, learning and development offer for local charities across the UK which make up the Home-Start network.

About Home-Start UK

Home-Start is a federated charity consisting of a central national office – Home-Start UK - and 178 geographically dispersed local Home-Start organisations, all working together under the same identity. We recognise that being a parent has never been easy. Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to work alongside parents to overcome the challenges they are facing. We work with parents to build on their strengths and give them the support that they tell us they need. We offer no judgement – just compassionate, confidential help and expert support. This peer-to-peer support is key to the difference Home-Start makes and often our volunteers have lived experience of the challenges their families are facing themselves.

About The Role

The Head of Practice and Learning will lead on the development, implementation and review of a high-quality practice, learning and development offer for local charities across the UK which make up the Home-Start network. They will ensure that local trustees, leaders, staff and volunteers are empowered with knowledge, skills and confidence in their roles to deliver impactful services. This is a key role on Home-Start’s Leadership Team, shaping the organisation’s approach to evidence-informed practice, learning and development, and capacity building.

The role sits within the Network Impact Team, which supports and enables the quality, safety, sustainability and impact of the Home-Start federation, while nurturing strong relationships and trust across the network. The role holder will lead the Practice Team and the Learning and Development Team, and work closely with colleagues in Volunteering, Quality and Safeguarding, and Data and Impact, as well as in the wider Fundraising, Marketing, Communications, Policy and Infrastructure teams.

As a member of our leadership team, they will provide inspiring, strong and supportive leadership to colleagues, ensuring strong operational management of ongoing activities and planned projects. They will foster cohesion and alignment across Home-Start UK and the Home-Start network. They will work across the organisation and with partners to ensure practice and learning programmes evolve to meet emerging needs and to deliver meaningful, measurable change over time.

Recruitment timeline:
Closing Date: Friday 5th September 2025
First stage interviews will be held virtually on the 1st October 2025 and the second stage will be an in-person interview at our Leicester office on the 9th October 2025.

Interested?

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

Home-Start UK is committed to Equality of Opportunity and Diversity. We wish to encourage applications from all parts of the community irrespective of gender, race, colour, age, sexual orientation or disability. Appointments will be based on merit, following an open and clear selection process.

The people at Home-Start are its most important resource. Home-Start UK has been accredited with Investors in People since March 2005, which recognises the commitment we give to developing our staff.

No agencies please.

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!

We are looking for a Housing Floating Support Worker

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Please note: Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.

About us

Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending.  We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.

We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.

Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability. 

About the role:

The Floating Support Worker will specialise in working with women for whom housing, and risk of tenancy breakdown is a priority. You will provide specialist housing and domestic abuse support to women aged 18 and over. The accommodation needs of the women you support will require you to advocate and support for each woman efficiently and empathically, whilst liaising with providers and stakeholders to ensure her accommodation needs are met. The role is dynamic and requires the post holder to respond to women with effective crisis intervention, advocacy and support. They will be required to coordinate the provision of multiagency support which focuses on working with clients to maintain their tenancies and prevent homelessness. The post holder will establish positive, proactive, and innovative working relationships with housing services and partner agencies.

The Floating Support Worker will ensure that the women survivors views and needs inform every stage of the process, and so the post holder will be empathic, empowering and able to advocate for women. You will also share your learning with your team, Advance and other stakeholders to ensure best practice is consistently achieved.

Working as part of a team of Floating Support Workers, you will make proactive contact and provide high quality non-judgemental advocacy and support based upon a client led needs and risk assessment. You will be responsible for a number of women at a time and you will be their designated and consistent support worker. You will also support women and referrers at the first stage of referral by completing assessments and providing crisis intervention support as part of a ‘duty’ team with designated days for you to do this.

The Floating Support Worker will have an excellent understanding of domestic violence and its effects on women and children and of best practice within the domestic abuse and the housing sectors. As an experienced domestic abuse advocate who has worked with complex and multiple needs, you will be skilled in risk management and safety planning, remaining calm in a crisis and in handling sensitive information appropriately.

Experience of supporting female survivors of domestic violence with housing and accommodation needs, in partnership with other organisations, and of safeguarding procedures is essential for this post.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

· Create effective working partnerships with housing service providers and the local council to promote the Floating Support Worker Service

· Provide information, guidance and support to referral stakeholders to enable them to identify women at risk of and experiencing domestic violence, enabling them to confidently respond and refer women to the service. This may include delivery of briefings and information sessions to upskill housing workers. To continuously build awareness of the service and confidence of stakeholders in order to ensure women in need are identified and supported

· Effectively support a number of women at any one time, undertaking case management activities such as excellent assessments, action planning, referrals, and record keeping

· Conduct comprehensive assessments of needs and risk for women experiencing domestic violence, carry out short- and longer-term risk management, safety planning and support; and identify and refer to services appropriate to their needs, including attendance at specialist/dedicated courts and MARAC as required

· Develop and deliver support plans that include delivery of high-quality face to face or telephone crisis intervention, information, advocacy and support, in respect to criminal and civil remedies, housing, health, welfare rights, children’s legislation and other appropriate interventions. Ensure that focus on safe tenancy sustainment and homelessness prevention underpins all work

· Advise women of their rights and options for seeking help and support from other agencies, making referrals and co-ordinating the provision of multi-agency support where necessary, and proactively advocate ensuring barriers to accessing support and protection are minimised

· Proactively assess the needs and safety of any children that women using the service may have, ensure that any risks/needs identified are addressed directly with the woman, and take appropriate action to safeguard them

· Proactively assess the needs and safety of women at risk proactively following Adult at Risk policies and procedures

· Participate in multi-agency conferences in respect of children and adults at risk as required, providing reports and undertaking actions as necessary

· Ensure all monitoring and evaluation for each woman, all cases and the project overall is accurate and up to date. Work in partnership with your team and the Advance Insights and Evidence team to ensure all reporting requirements are met. Highlight issues and successes in a timely manner

· Ensure that agreed case recording and monitoring systems are kept up to date and secure, and write internal and external reports where required, including for safeguarding conferences, team meetings, managers and other appropriate partners and stakeholders

· Participate in multi-agency working and focus groups when requested to do so and follow through on agreed appropriate actions that arise from these

· Work effectively as a member of your own team and as a team member of Advance supporting all organisational objectives

· Work in partnership with housing staff and provide institutional advocacy to maximise positive outcomes and use the appropriate reporting mechanisms to highlight persistent or recurring issues that arise

· Be responsible for your own personal learning development and keep up to date on research, relevant legislation, policy and practice, and other literature relevant to the role

· Participate in supervision, training and meetings as required, and assist in the development of services in line with agreed development plans

How to apply:

Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.

· Closing Date for Applications: *Sunday 31st August 2025 @23:59

· Interviews are taking place on a rolling basis

*Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits: 

A 35-hour working week

An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!) 

Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home

Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more

Pension scheme

Enhanced maternity/adoption provision

Access to our Employee Assistance Programme

Employee eye-care scheme

Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles

Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation

Organisation wide away days

Thorough induction and training

Career development pathways 

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Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team who will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe.  We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks.  We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity providing free and independent legally-based information, advice, and casework support to help children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law. We also deliver training to parents, carers, and professionals to improve understanding of the SEND legal framework.

With the Government expected to publish a White Paper that could significantly alter the SEND legal landscape, IPSEA is undertaking two major campaigns: one to protect existing legal rights, and another to make SEN Support a legal requirement.

IPSEA is co-leading the Save Our Children’s Rights (SOCR) campaign alongside Special Needs Jungle, Learning Disability Today, SEND National Crisis, SOS!SEN, SEND Rights Alliance and others committed to defending children's rights. This campaign was launched in response to reports that the government is considering reforms that could weaken the legal rights of children and young people with SEND; particularly the right to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan in mainstream schools. It calls on the Government to retain the current legal framework, ensure the SEND system is properly funded and accountable, and avoid any rollback of statutory protections.

In parallel, IPSEA is working in partnership with the charity Contact to advocate for placing SEN Support on a statutory footing. Currently, schools have limited legal obligations to support pupils with SEN who do not have an EHC plan.

This campaign seeks to establish stronger, enforceable duties on schools to provide SEN support, alongside increased investment, so that more children can have their needs met without requiring an EHC plan

Consequently, we are seeking an experienced and strategic Campaigns Manager to coordinate this work - working with our IPSEA teams, amplifying our voice, and supporting our fundraising efforts during this critical period. The Campaigns Manager will play a key role in driving forward this initiative, engaging stakeholders, mobilising public support, and influencing policy outcomes.

Who are we looking for?

You’ll need substantial experience in planning and delivering successful high-profile campaigns, managing campaign budgets and evaluating impact. With strong project management skills, you’ll be able to manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines. You’ll also have an in-depth understanding of public affairs, media relations and/or fundraising campaigns in the charity or not-for-profit sector. Using digital tools and platforms for campaigning and supporter engagement, you’ll be able to translate complex issues into accessible messages.

IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

To apply 

​Please visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form. 

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Friday 5 September 2025 
First-round interviews: week commencing 15 September 2025

Location: Home based, UK
Job type: Full time
Salary: Salary Plan, 39,500.00 GBP Annual
End Date: September 8, 2025 (30 days left to apply)
 
We're seeking an enthusiastic Education Coordinator to help shape the future of chemistry education.
 
With a focus on Northern Ireland, you'll lead regional initiatives, tailoring them to local needs and supporting teachers through workshops and online sessions. You'll build strong partnerships with local education authorities, schools, and teacher networks, and collaborate with national organisations to advance our education policy across the UK and Ireland. You’ll monitor educational developments, contribute to policy-influencing documents, and share our views with policy makers and other stakeholders.
 
This role will require extensive travel throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, including attending and running events for teachers and student teachers, working with members, and meeting key education contacts. Expect to travel about twice a week, depending on the academic timetable, and occasionally work weekends and non-core hours.
 
Responsibilities:
 
Regional engagement and delivery: Lead the project management and delivery of education initiatives tailored to the needs of the local education community, aligned with our strategy. This includes understanding teacher needs, delivering direct support (e.g, workshops, online sessions), advising on the use of our resources, and commissioning internal support to enhance the impact of our services.
 
Local curriculum expertise and relevance: Champion and advise on local curricula to ensure our education programmes remain relevant and impactful for all teachers across the UK and Ireland. This includes providing guidance and advice to colleagues and partners on best practices for local curricula.
 
Partnership and stakeholder engagement:

• Develop and maintain successful partnerships and relationships with organisations and education stakeholders in the region (including local education authorities, schools, and teacher networks) to support the effective delivery of our programmes and initiatives. This also includes engaging with local members to act as advocates for chemistry and showcase best practice in school engagement activities.
• Build and maintain strategic links and collaborations with national organisations, government agencies, sister societies, and other policy influencers to inform the development and advancement of our education policy and resources.
 
Contribution to education policy and intelligence: Contribute to our education policy activities by monitoring educational developments, compiling and analysing relevant information, and drafting policy-influencing documents such as consultation responses and position statements. 
 
What we are looking for:

• A degree in science, preferably in the chemical sciences, or an equivalent qualification, together with evidence of working with schools, ideally with a teaching qualification.
• An understanding of school level, further and higher education and a breadth of knowledge of the education systems in the UK and Ireland together with a deep knowledge of the local curricula.
• Experience of stakeholder relationship management and an understanding of customer requirements, including those of: school teachers; FE teachers, HE academics and support staff; careers advisors; employers; governments and its agencies, and non-government bodies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including a proven ability to write effectively for different audiences and deliver clear and engaging presentations both online and in-person.
• Good project management and team working skills and experience, with the ability to work independently.
 
At the RSC we embrace flexibility and offer hybrid working, which means our teams come together when they need to collaborate. This role is home-based with the expectation that you will attend the office as needed for your role. If you need flexible working arrangements, please outline this in your application.
 
If you are interested in this role, please apply before the end of the closing date. When applying, you will need to provide an up-to-date CV and as a cover letter (in no more than 500 words) telling us about your relevant knowledge, skills and competencies and why you are applying for this role.
 
About the RSC
 
An organisation with a heritage that spans over 175 years, the RSC has an ambitious international vision for the future. Around the world, we invest in the education of future generations of scientists. We raise and maintain standards. We partner with industry and academia, promoting collaboration and innovation. We advise governments on policy, and we promote the talent, information and ideas that lead to great advances in science.
 
We provide advice, resources, and practical support to learners and educators in schools, colleges, and universities around the world. In the UK, we are the largest non-governmental funder of chemistry education and we influence government policy to ensure that opportunities to develop skills meet the unique needs of chemistry
 
Visit our Work For Us website to learn more about us, our benefits, equal opportunities statement and inclusive culture pledge.
 
At the RSC, we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce and welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds to apply. We particularly encourage applications from disabled and ethnic minority candidates.
 
As a part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we endeavour, where possible, to offer an interview to candidates meeting the essential criteria of the role, who has a substantial physical/mental impairment which impacts their ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
 
You may also have experience in the following: Chemistry Teacher, Science Teacher, Science Teaching Assistant, Chemistry Lecturer, Science Lecturer, Chemistry Academic, Science Academic, STEM Teacher, STEM Coordinator, Education Advisor, Education Coordinator, Teacher Training, Community Development
 
REF-223125

Spotlight on Corruption has an exciting opportunity for someone who identifies with Spotlight’s core mission of fighting corruption to join us in a critical role. We are looking for a highly numerate, super efficient, and enthusiastic Head of Finance and Operations with excellent budgeting skills, and strong people skills, who will be a core part of our senior management team.

Deadline for applications is 23.30 on Sunday 17th August

About Spotlight

Spotlight on Corruption is a small team with outsized impact that shines a light on the UK’s role in corruption at home and abroad.

We build the evidence base for reform through investigative research and extensive engagement with experts and frontline staff, and act as policy entrepreneurs, developing innovative and pragmatic solutions. We disseminate our work through hard-hitting reports and briefings for decision-makers and the general public and follow through with dogged advocacy to shape the narrative, as well as working in a highly collaborative manner to build consensus for reform.

The charity’s staff and budget has grown significantly in the last five years. In addition to this role, the current team consists of an Executive Director, Deputy Director, Senior Policy & Campaign Lead, Senior Advocacy Adviser, Senior Communications Advisor, and Senior Policy Researcher. We anticipate that a Senior Fundraiser and a Legal Researcher will join the team in the next few months. 

What we are looking for

We are looking to recruit an experienced individual with a strong background in financial management, strategic planning and operational management, to play a central role within our small but dynamic team. The role involves helping the organisation implement our strategic plan and ensure our financial sustainability, as well as developing and overseeing the smooth running of our internal systems and processes, including our governance.

This is a busy and varied role which involves working closely with the Executive Director and other senior staff, leading on all aspects of financial management, governance and HR, line managing Spotlight’s senior fundraiser, and helping with operational delivery and administration. 

We are looking for an all-rounder with excellent financial skills, who will be able to support the implementation of Spotlight’s future growth and organisational development, ensuring we have in place the right policies and processes, help us meet our donors’ requirements, and trouble-shoot operational issues for our team.

Spotlight on Corruption is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all staff feel respected and valued. We conduct anonymous long-listing to help promote fairness and diversity, and encourage candidates from different backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Key responsibilities:

The Head of Finance and Operations will:

• Ensure that senior management and the Board can make strategic decisions on budgeting and organisational development by providing strong advice on finance and governance

• Maintain effective budgeting and financial management processes, manage our restricted and unrestricted funding, lead on the year-end accounts and ensure that we meet our statutory reporting requirements

• Line manage Spotlight’s senior fundraiser and manage relationships with operational consultants (bookkeeper / payroll provider, IT provider and HR consultant)

• Lead on the financial aspects of grant management including writing and monitoring project budgets, optimising grant terms and conditions for Spotlight, and contributing to our Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning processes

• Support operational implementation across the organisation, including smooth day to day management of the administrative needs of the team

• With the support of the HR consultant, ensure that key aspects of HR such as recruitment, induction, appraisals, staff development and pay reviews are conducted effectively and that Spotlight has in place and implements appropriate people policies

• Ensure we meet our obligations as a charitable company, and facilitate the effective governance of the organisation through close liaison with the Board and management and administration of Board affairs

Person specification - Essential:

• Previous work experience in a finance and operations management role, and an ability to apply it to a small charity like Spotlight

• Demonstrable ability to produce appropriate organisational (£700k+) and project-level budgets, provide strategic financial analysis and advice, and oversee the meeting of statutory reporting requirements 

• Clear ability to manage and make the most of grant opportunities, including optimising grant application budgets, and managing restricted and unrestricted funds

• Demonstrable ability to provide wide-ranging operational support including preparing and managing contracts

• Experience of working closely with a Board on governance and strategic delivery

• Proven track record of working across a range of finance and operations tasks in a busy and fast-moving environment

• Highly organised with the ability to plan, prioritise and manage deadlines, with high standards and an acute eye for detail 

• Demonstrable interpersonal skills and a track record of strong team working skills and managing a large workload independently

• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate complex financial and operational information clearly

• IT proficiency and knowledge of CRM systems (Spotlight uses Beacon CRM)

• A commitment to fighting corruption

• Automatic right to work in the UK

Person specification - Desirable: 

• Knowledge of charity audit processes

• Experience of supporting organisational development during a period of growth

• Experience of line management and/or working with HR, finance or IT consultants

• Experience of working with a fundraiser

Working arrangements:

Full-time or 4 days a week (35 or 28 hours) subject to discussion with the suitable candidate. 30 days of annual leave plus public holidays (pro rata if part-time). Remote working from home required, with regular meetings in London. Flexible working, including a nine-day fortnight. 

Responsible to: Executive Director

Start date: Beginning of January 2026 

Who we are

Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) is an international NGO that has been working with indigenous peoples and forest peoples since 1990. We work in 18 countries across South and Central America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, with around 50 partner organisations based in the tropical forest belt.

We work directly and in solidarity with communities and peoples, supporting them to secure their rights to their traditional lands, territories, and resources, protect their forests and ways of life, and choose their own futures.

The role

Consistent with our Theory of Change, Forest Peoples Programme’s advocacy and communications strategies are diverse and decentralized. They are generated in a largely bottom-up way with our partners, via our program staff (organised in country and thematic teams). This allows us to be sensitive to local social, political and legal contexts, and partner priorities. It also guides our highly collaborative approach to communications. 

Communications at FPP is as much about facilitating exchanges among partners and between Indigenous peoples and forest peoples, as it is about communicating with policy makers, academics, and a broader public. FPP’s core principle of the right to self-determination means that we strive to ensure that FPP’s own ‘voice’ is consistent with the priorities and aspirations of Indigenous peoples and forest peoples. That we compliment and amplify, but neither diminish nor eclipse, the voices of Indigenous peoples and forest peoples themselves. 

FPP’s communications team is embarking on a period of restructuring and reorienting. The goal is to become better placed to support a strategic approach to communications in our programmatic and country-focused work, while retaining a core function of handling FPP’s central/organizational communications needs.

As part of that restructuring, this new post of Senior Media and Communications Officer will serve a dual purpose of providing additional capacity in the day-to-day activities of the department, and taking a leading role in rolling out our restructuring plans. There may be some responsibilities around cultivating media relations, and/or line management responsibilities, depending on the profile of the successful candidate. The role reports directly to the Communications Coordinator, who will be working restricted hours for the first 10 months of this appointment.

FPP works with 52 long-term partners and allies, across 18 countries. The Senior Media and Communications Officer will gain a good working knowledge of the entire landscape, and intimate knowledge of some specific contexts in which FPP teams are focused. Fundamentally of course, we are all accountable to the Indigenous peoples and forest peoples we work with and for.

Initially, the role is likely to have a heavy focus on rolling out the new team structure and strategy, transitioning within a year to focus more on media relations or advocacy-linked strategic communications, depending on the profile of the recruit.

About you

This post would suit an experienced practitioner with a good understanding of communicating in a multilingual, cross-cultural, and highly consultative environment. Additional languages (especially French or Bahasa Indonesia) are a distinct advantage.

Essential requirements:

• At least 5 years’ experience in communications work in an international, collaborative, and advocacy-focussed environment. This will have ideally been within an indigenous peoples’ organisation, or NGO, advocacy or international context.
• Experience of work in multilingual and cross-cultural contexts and environments, preferably with indigenous peoples or local communities.
• Strong alignment with FPP’s vision, mission and values, including commitment to human rights (in particular the rights of Indigenous peoples and forest peoples), as well as interest in the interface between the rights of Indigenous and forest peoples, biodiversity and climate protection, political economy, and international affairs. An unwavering commitment to the self-determination of all peoples.
• Demonstrable experience of strategic thinking regarding advocacy, communications and media, and in planning and implementing projects in a collaborative way.
• Demonstrable experience of communicating complex advocacy issues and grassroots experiences in compelling, creative ways, to a wide range of audiences across a wide range of media.
• Strong media relations experience, at national and international levels. An existing network of relevant media contacts is a distinct advantage.
• You must be able to manage your own workload, and set your own limits. You will need to have the confidence to say no to colleagues, and the people skills to maintain positive working relationships while you do so. A positive attitude, and an ability to be sensitive, flexible and adaptable to changing contexts and evolving strategies, is vital.
• Excellent written and spoken English, with demonstratable experience of writing copy, editing and publishing for print and digital media. Experience in producing multimedia products (films, animations, graphics, podcasts, websites etc) is also highly desirable.

Applicants based in the UK or seeking to be based in the UK must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application as FPP is not in a position to sponsor visa applications. Applicants based outside the UK may be considered for the role on a consultancy basis, subject to local employment and tax regulations. 

Benefits

We offer a flexible, inclusive, and supportive work environment. Our benefits include:

• 25 days’ annual leave (full-time equivalent), plus public holidays, and additional days off between Christmas and New Year
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Flexible working arrangements to help staff maintain a healthy work-life balance

We value collaboration, diversity, and the unique contribution of each individual, and welcome applicants from indigenous peoples and other backgrounds.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website.

Closing date: Midday on Friday, 5 September 2025.

Could you be our next Trainee Housing Adviser?! 

Are you passionate about helping people through difficult situations? Are you a ‘people person’, with good computer skills and a strong attention to detail?

Maybe you’ve lived through housing stress yourself? 

We’re looking for someone with great potential and a commitment to learning. 

 

Benefits include: 
25 days holiday, flexible/hybrid working, pension scheme, employee wellbeing support. 

Public Affairs Manager (Fixed term contract)

Salary: £34,237pa

Your purpose 

This is a critical role in the Communications, Campaigns and Public Affairs Department. As Public Affairs Manager, you will support the Head of Communications, Campaigns and Public Affairs to make oracy education ordinary, co-ordinating and  project managing and delivering public affairs work as well as leading public relations work that increases our profile with policy makers. In doing so, you will play  an integral role in ensuring all children, regardless of their background, find their voice for success in school  and in life.

Your responsibilities 

This is a senior role in the Communications, Campaigns and Public Affairs Department, as part of the wider Learning, Impact and Influence Directorate 

Public Affairs (80%)

• Drive forward Voice 21’s public affairs strategy, building key relationships, understanding and momentum that develops Voice 21’s influence with Government and non-parliamentary policy makers, ensuring that we have a meaningful role in shaping an oracy entitlement for every child, and appropriate mechanisms for its implementation

• Deliver Public Affairs business as usual work, for example; organising school visits, leading political and parliamentary monitoring, stakeholder mapping and horizon-scanning and organising events in parliament and at party conferences

• Work with policy makers on local, regional and national level to influence those responsible for the delivery of education at primary and secondary level

• Engage and manage stakeholders and other key people across and beyond the organisation who work with the Learning, Impact and Influence directorate to leverage relationships in pursuit of our organisational strategy and mission

• Lead on Voice 21’s role as secretariat to the Oracy All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) 

• Produce/co-produce consultation responses, blogs, internal and external briefings, parliamentary questions and other related communications in line with our content strategy

• Act as an internal expert consultant on public affairs, decision makers and implementation of our agenda

Public Relations (20%) 

• Deliver public relations activity to raise our profile and support our brand, including through awards, events and speaking engagements 

• Spotting reactive communications opportunities in line with the public affairs strategy 

Your progression

Within 1 month, you’ll have:

• Started building strong working relationships with the team, warm policy makers and sector partners

• Created a database of influential head teachers

• Helped refine our policy asks in key areas into easy-to-communicate goals

Within 3 months, you’ll have: 

• Used analysis and polling to build reports on key advocate groups who can help spread our messages

• Launched our Oracy APPG

• Refined our monitoring and reactive opportunity spotting systems

From 6 months onwards, we expect for you to be:

• Have worked with our research team to develop a literature review of oracy education policy at local and national level

• Migrated our contract tracking to Salesforce and expanded it to capture relationships help at local and national levels

• Having developed a public profile among education policy makers 

This job is for you if you… 

Have experience in these areas

• Creating tangible policy impact through public affairs activity 

• Building and nurturing relationships with policy makers at national, regional and local levels

• Creating public affairs strategies with clear objectives and KPIs

• Delivering eye-catching PR work such as award entries, speaking events and receptions

• Using research to create strong and compelling narratives

• Communicating externally about policy positions

• Ability to form excellent working relationships, internally & externally with sector colleagues 

You may also have experience in these areas 

• Relevant experience in and a strong understanding of the education sector 

Reporting lines 

Reporting to: Head of Communications, Campaigns and Public Affairs 

Managing: None 

Where you’ll work: Remote, with travel to our London office and elsewhere for meetings. Occasional  overnight stays may be required depending on where you are based. 

Contract: 12 months

Application details

To apply: 

Closing date: 25th August 2025

Interview date:

First round interview: 3rd - 5th September

Second round interview: Week commencing 8th September

Start date: ASAP 

Questions:  Head of Communications, Campaigns and Public Affairs, Elizabeth Somerville;

Valuing every voice

Voice 21 believes that every voice should be heard and valued. We are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Voice 21.