Policy and practice lead jobs in london, greater london

Job Description 

Role title

Operations Officer 

About Us 

Spring Community Hub exists to ensure that no one in our Southwark community goes hungry. But we don’t just provide food:

We work alongside people to help them escape poverty, build confidence, and find community.

Our principal activity is the prevention of food poverty and food insecurity by offering culturally appropriate food, fresh fruits, and

vegetables as well as dietary and religiously appropriate food which we have continued to run at our five-week sessions to local people for as long as they address the underlying cause.

We also provide a range of wraparound support, including advice services, particularly around employment and immigration through our Back2Work Team, Holiday Clubs for Children, Youth Groups, a Clothing Bank and our Spring Up Women’s group.

Mission 

The mission of SCH is that through a 'Community Hub’ and full activity programme, local people in or at risk of crisis will be supported along their journey to move on and achieve full social, economic and emotional independence to live healthy lives in a community which supports each other.

Vision 

Our vision at Spring Community Hub is to tackle food insecurity and hunger before people find themselves in crisis. We want to see equality in our communities and be a vehicle for positive and lasting change in our clients so that they never need a Food Bank again. 

Values 

These are our Principles, ideals, and characteristics that define the culture, standards and aspirations of the organisation. 

An organisation that is driven by people with integrity and commitment to the cause.  We believe in leadership, development, growth, and continual learning.Ensuring fairness, equity and equality. Creating a place of respect, kindness and dignity for all.  A healthy environment where people have fun and can be creative.

Salary  £12, 979.20 per year

Permanent Contract. ( Subject to further funding ) 

Part-Time,  16 hours over 4 days 

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9 am - 2 pm ( With 1 hour Unpaid Lunch Break ) 

5-week Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays.

Working from our offices & Centres across Southwark/ Lewisham and  Havering and in the community/outreach locations

Hybrid can be discussed during an interview, and Flexible Hours are Also Available. There will be work/ training outside of office hours, with time off in lieu given

Main Purposes of Job and Key Tasks

We are seeking a highly organised and quick-witted Operations Officer to join our dynamic team at Spring Community Hub. The ideal candidate will have experience in operations or project management and excel at managing multiple priorities simultaneously. This role is crucial in supporting the day-to-day operations of the organisation and ensuring smooth workflows across various departments.

In addition to their primary operations duties, the Operations Officer will also play a key role in recruiting and managing volunteers, organising events, and assisting with fundraising activities. The Operations Officer will support impact, monitoring, and evaluation tasks to help demonstrate the effectiveness of our programs to funders and stakeholders.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced candidate, preferably from a project delivery or impact measurement and evaluation background.

Primary duties include:

• Administrative and Office Support: Provide daily administrative support to the Operations Manager and team, including scheduling meetings, managing calendars, coordinating logistics, handling correspondence, and overseeing general office administration functions such as phones, mail distribution, supply orders, and facilities management.

• Project Management Support: Assist with project planning and execution, ensuring that timelines and deliverables are met. Help prepare project documentation, track progress, and provide updates to stakeholders. This includes running reports via our CRM system and other tools.

• Process Improvement: Identify areas for process improvement within the operations team and assist in implementing new procedures to increase efficiency and productivity. Contribute to maintaining a quality assurance schedule and support various business support functions.

• Communication and Collaboration: Act as a liaison between different departments to facilitate smooth communication and collaboration. Provide timely updates on project status and operational activities, ensuring transparency and alignment across the organisation.

• Problem Solving: Address operational challenges promptly and effectively, demonstrating quick thinking and resourcefulness to resolve issues as they arise.

• Inventory and Resource Management: Assist in managing inventory and supplies, ensuring timely procurement and distribution of resources to meet departmental needs.

• Volunteer Recruitment and Management: Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and management of volunteers, building strong relationships and fostering a positive and inclusive volunteer culture. Recognise and appreciate the contributions of volunteers and provide them with support and training as needed.

• Event and Fundraising Management: Organise and manage events and fundraising activities, including planning, logistics, coordination, and execution. Work with the team to develop and implement strategies to achieve fundraising goals and ensure successful events that engage the community and stakeholders.

• Customer and Stakeholder Support: Provide exceptional customer service by responding to inquiries and resolving issues with professionalism and efficiency. Represent the organisation at external meetings and events with community partners, local authorities, funders, and other key stakeholders.

• General Office Administration: Support the smooth running of the office by handling routine executive support tasks, event planning, and general office administration. Assist with recruitment processes for staff and volunteers, including job postings and duties related to new hires.

• Compliance and Safety: Ensure adherence to Health and Safety guidelines, risk assessments, and safeguarding measures. Comply with SCH policies and procedures regarding the operation of services and policies.

• Supporting Impact, Monitoring, and Evaluation: Occasionally assist the impact, monitoring, and evaluation (IM&E) function by supporting data collection and analysis, preparing reports, and contributing to the development of data collection tools. Help with the production of reports for internal and external audiences as needed.

• There will be some out-of-hours working occasionally for Events / Development/ Training sessions according to the needs of the business - which you will be able to arrange time off in lieu with your Line Manager.

• The post holder will be required to be flexible to the changing needs of the organisation and as such undertake tasks and responsibilities not specifically listed here but relevant to the smooth running of SCH, including general office and administrative tasks and aspects of service delivery, as directed by the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Trustees.

Person Specification

• Organisational Skills: Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.

• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of articulating ideas clearly and concisely.

• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to think on your feet and adapt to changing circumstances.

• Attention to Detail: Keen attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy and thoroughness.

• Technology Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft/Google Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with project management software (e.g., Zoho, Trello) is a plus.

• Team Player: Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment while also being capable of working independently and taking initiative. A self-motivated, organised, and methodical approach to work with excellent time management skills.

• Interpersonal Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to engage appropriately with a wide variety of people, including colleagues, volunteers, partners, and stakeholders.

• Event and Fundraising Skills: Experience in organising events and managing fundraising activities, including planning, logistics, and community engagement.

• Adaptability: Open to change and continuous improvement, with a proactive approach to learning and training as required by Spring Community Hub.

Additional Requirements:

• Flexibility: Willingness to occasionally work outside standard hours for events, development sessions, or training, with time off in lieu of arranged with your line manager.

• Compliance: Understanding of confidentiality, GDPR implications, and the importance of record-keeping and other safe working practices..

• Personal Attributes: Compassionate and empathetic, with a genuine interest in the well-being of others. Ability to remain calm in challenging situations and reinforce boundaries.

This role is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Commitment to Equal Opportunities 

All Staff, Contractors, Freelancers, and Volunteers have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that Spring Community Hub is free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications regardless of sex, gender, and race, age, belief in any religion and none, gender identity, ethnic origin, class, sexuality, nationality, appearance, unrelated criminal activities, disability, responsibility for dependents, part-time or shift workers, being HIV positive or living with AIDS, lived experience of Significant Poverty or Inequality and any other matter which causes a person to be treated with injustice.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that SCH reflects the communities we serve. 

SCH is consciously working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can bring out their skills and talents and make their best contribution to our mission to support our guests along their journey to move on and achieve full social, economic, and emotional independence to live healthy lives in a community that supports each other.

We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of Significant Poverty and Inequality and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.

Responsible for staff/equipment 

Volunteers/Phone/Laptop

Reporting to…

• Operations Manager 

Why Join Us / Benefits 

• A warm, welcoming, and passionate working environment.

• People-focused with a friendly and supportive workplace culture

• We are a London Living Wage Employer

• An active commitment to equality and diversity

• We offer continuing opportunities for learning, and personal and Professional development together with regular supervision, training, and support for all our staff and Volunteers.

• Generous annual leave entitlement: 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays)

• Company pension scheme.

• Frequent Team Away Days and Celebrations, as part of a friendly and collaborative team

How to Apply 

Fill in the application form. You will then be asked to submit your CV.

Please also include the names of 2 referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer (references will not be taken up until after the interview for the successful candidate)

Closing Date:  Interviews to be held Virtually: 

Application process:

1. Complete our Application form 

2. Submit your CV with a Supporting Statement.

3. Initial Telephone interview - shortlisted candidates will be invited for a Telephone interview

4. If you are shortlisted from the Telephone Interview, you will be invited to a formal interview, which will consist of the following: 

• A  Presentation topic will be shared with you in advance

• 60-minute Panel Interview with members of the SLT / Board of Trustees - Questions will be shared with you before the interview so that you can prepare. 

• Role-specific Practical Task 

Accessibility

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please contact our Head of  Compliance and Development to discuss how we can help.

The Role:

You will be joining at an important time for our team, covering a crucial role in ensuring accurate income processing, reporting, and financial management across the organisation. As part of the Finance team, you will work closely with colleagues across departments, particularly alongside our fundraising team, to ensure income is correctly coded and reported efficiently. 

With responsibility for month-end and year-end processes, as well as maintaining accurate and timely financial data, you will play a vital role in supporting decision-making across the organisation. Your work will ensure colleagues have the financial insights they need, enabling strategic planning and effective resource management. 

Strong communication skills are essential for this role, as you will liaise with teams across the organisation to provide clear financial updates, answer queries, and ensure income is accurately coded and reported in line with financial procedure. Your clear communication of financial information will support informed decision-making and ensure compliance with procedures. 

To succeed in this role, you will have strong financial processing experience, excellent attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. You should be comfortable working with financial systems and software, with the ability to efficiently manage data, generate reports, and ensure accurate income tracking.

Our Finance team provides vital support to the organisation, ensuring robust financial systems, compliance, and efficiency across all areas. You will be joining a collaborative and dedicated team committed to delivering high-quality financial management and support to colleagues working across a wide range of impactful projects. 

Location:

Hybrid Work Culture. We are proud to promote a truly hybrid work culture, recognising that every role is different, and everyone has unique needs and preferences. Our Hybrid Work Arrangement empowers each team member to work with their manager to choose the most effective way to work that balances your needs and Hospice UK’s. 

Our office is a short walk from King’s Cross station in London. For this role, you’ll need to come into the office as required to deposit cheques. While there isn’t a set day for this, all cheques should be paid in within a week of receiving them. Additionally, the team comes into the office during busier periods, such as financial year-end and audit, to collaborate with auditors (June/July). You can work remotely for the rest of the time. Equally, you may prefer to work from the office full-time. We encourage all colleagues to visit member hospices to help inform our work and you may be able to work from there.  

Contractually this role is London-based. 

Contract: Fixed Term Maternity Cover

Benefits: 

25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 2 years (+ an extra 10 days on each 5th year). Pro rata for part time hours 

Matched pension scheme up to 7% of salary 

Support for staff with caring responsibilities 

Family-friendly culture 

How to Apply:

If you would like to apply for this role, please send the following documents to recruitment by 20 June 2025 

Your CV. Ideally in Word format. 

A completed supporting statement form  

A completed equalities monitoring form 

Interview dates taken place via teams: 1st and 2nd of July 2025. We’ll send questions and assessments to you in advance so that you can prepare. Let us know if you have any specific needs to be able to fully engage with the process. 

We believe in fair recruitment and working to remove bias, so all applications will have identifying indicators removed before being submitted to the shortlisting panel 

Please make sure you provide your contact details in your email.  We’ll contact you to let you know whether we would like to meet you. Please do note the interview dates above

To be considered for this role you must have the right to live and work in the UK for your application to be progressed. 

Hospice UK is an Equal Opportunities Employer.