Political research officer jobs

UK Feminista is recruiting for a Director.

Hours: full-time, 35 hours per week
Salary: £53,130 per annum
Location: Flexible (home working, based in our coworking space in London or hybrid). Regular office attendance required (minimum once a week). 

Role Overview

The Director of UK Feminista plays a pivotal role in driving forward the organisation’s mission to advance sex equality through strategic leadership, operational oversight, and external advocacy. They are responsible for shaping and delivering UK Feminista’s long term vision, ensuring that its work remains bold, effective, and rooted in feminist principles. Working closely with the Board of Directors, the Director leads the organisation’s strategic planning processes, oversees programme delivery, and ensures compliance with all legal and regulatory responsibilities.

The role requires strong financial stewardship and a proactive approach to income generation, including fundraising from trusts, foundations, and supporters. The Director also manages a small staff team, fostering an inclusive and empowering organisational culture. As a visible leader and public representative, the Director builds relationships with stakeholders across civil society, education, media, and politics to maximise the organisation’s influence and impact. This is a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic organisation that challenges systemic inequality across the UK.

2. Application process

Documents

Please apply via CharityJob, including your CV, covering letter, and Recruitment Monitoring Form.

The covering letter should include answers to the following:

• Tell us about your background and experience
• Why are you interested in the role and how do you meet the requirements?
• What is your approach to feminist campaigning? 

The Recruitment Monitoring Form is available to download from the UK Feminista website. This will not be viewed in conjunction with the application.

A copy of UK Feminista’s HR Privacy Notice can be provided upon request.

We are committed to increasing diversity in our team and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants from underrepresented groups who meet the essential criteria for the role. If you wish to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application.

Deadline and key dates

The deadline for applications is 9am Saturday 10th May 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

Applicants must be available to attend a face-to-face interview in London week commencing 19th May 2025. This will include a short task about which you will receive information when offered an interview. 

Candidates shortlisted for interview will be notified by Tuesday 13th May 2025. If you have not heard from us by that time your application has been unsuccessful. 

3.  About UK Feminista

UK Feminista is a feminist campaigning organisation working for a society in which women and girls live free from sexism and violence. We campaign for systemic change so that women can enjoy their rights as enshrined in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. We exist to tackle the root causes of sex inequality.

As part of our vision and in line with our partners, UK Feminista recognises prostitution, pornography and lap dancing as forms of commercial sexual exploitation. We further recognise a woman’s right to access a legal, free, safe abortion as fundamental to women’s reproductive rights.

Our values: 

• Feminist  We are a feminist organisation which recognises and actively works against discrimination. 

• Collectivism – We are compassionate and acknowledge our mutual responsibility to support one another, stay connected, share knowledge and contribute to collective efforts.

• Adaptable – We work flexibly and dynamically, taking initiative and staying curious so we can learn from each other and respond to our changing environment. 

• Professionalism – We are a passionate team of experts motivated to deliver high quality, evidence based campaigns with integrity. We are committed to collaborating with other experts and working to amplify the voices of survivors. 

• Ambitious – We are bold and ambitious for change in society. We are also ambitious for our people, who we support to develop and thrive. 

Our current strategic priorities:

1. Combating commercial sexual exploitation – our long term goal is that the government adopts laws to effectively combat commercial sexual exploitation and support victims survivors. 
We work with survivors, policy makers and practitioners to combat commercial sexual exploitation. We provide the Secretariat for the UK Parliament’s AllParty Parliamentary Group on Commercial Sexual Exploitation. We also provide the Secretariat for A Model For Scotland and the CoSecretariat for Not For Sale.
 

​2. Tackling sexism and sexual harassment in schools and colleges – our longterm goal is that all schools and colleges take effective action against sexism and sexual harassment.

We conduct research, provide training and resources to schools, and run a national award scheme which recognises schools that take outstanding action against sexism. 

UK Feminista is a not for profit company limited by guarantee, established for charitable purposes. Our work is governed by a Board of Directors.

4. Job description

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement UK Feminista’s strategic vision and business plan.
• Ensure operational efficiency, compliance, and financial sustainability.
• Represent UK Feminista externally and engage with key stakeholders.

2. Fundraising & Financial Management

•  Identify and secure funding from trusts, foundations, and other sources.
•  Manage funder relationships, applications, and reporting.
•  Manage financial processes, including budgeting, payroll approvals, and compliance.

3. Governance & Compliance

• Serve as the main liaison with the Board of Directors, preparing papers and reports.
• Ensure compliance with legal, financial, and safeguarding regulations.
• Act as the organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead and Data Protection Officer.

4. People & Operations Management

• Lead and support the staff team, ensuring effective recruitment, onboarding, and performance management.
• Maintain and implement HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure staff have the necessary resources and support.

5. Communications & Public Engagement

• Act as the organisation’s spokesperson, managing media relations and public representation.
• Oversee external communications, including the website, press releases, and advocacy efforts.

6. Programme & Campaign Oversight

• Provide strategic oversight and management of UK Feminista’s Programmes, ensuring effective delivery and advocacy.
• Lead policy and campaign work on commercial sexual exploitation 
• Represent the organisation in advocacy networks and campaigns.

The postholder will manage a small team, and report to the Board of Directors. 

Notes

This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within the post at various times and the postholder will be expected to carry out other duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with those in this document.

5. Person specification

Skills, knowledge and experience 

Essential 

• Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, advocacy, or public affairs sector.
• Strong fundraising and financial management skills.
• Experience in strategic planning and organisational development.
• Strong people management and HR experience.
• Knowledge of governance, compliance, and safeguarding.
• Excellent communication and media engagement skills.
• Commitment to feminist principles and gender equality.

Desirable

•  Experience in political lobbying and public affairs.
•  Knowledge of gender equality in education.
•  Background in campaigning or policy development.

Personal qualities 

• Commitment to the aims and values of UK Feminista
• Teamplayer:

• • Happy to regularly provide and receive constructive feedback in support of achieving organisational objectives 

• • Collaborative and able to work flexibly in a small team to deliver shared priorities 

• • Supportive and eager to help colleagues develop and grow

• • Keen to proactively contribute ideas and knowledge in team meetings

• Proactive:

• • Enthusiastic, self-motivated and happy to work independently

• • Able to organise, plan and deliver work under pressure and ahead of time

• • Able to take responsibility and ownership over own work, including through applying a high attention to detail to ensure accuracy and quality and asking for support when needed

• • Willing to learn and develop

• Resourceful and adaptable: 

• • Solutions-focused, a ‘can do’ attitude and able to demonstrate initiative when facing challenges

• • Creative and able to maximise outputs from a small budget and limited time

• • Happy to work responsively to a changing context and to the timelines of external stakeholders 

Note: UK Feminista is committed to safe and fair recruitment, safeguarding and protecting those who come into contact with the organisation. We ensure all our staff are vetted to the appropriate standard for the role undertaken, and that staff are supported and trained to undertake safeguarding responsibilities to a high standard. 

Due to the nature of the role, the successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check before an offer of employment is confirmed. UK Feminista is committed to equality of opportunity for all and welcomes applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records. UK Feminista undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a criminal record check on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. We would be very happy to discuss the nature of convictions if applicants have any concerns. To arrange a confidential phone call, please contact us.