Program officer jobs in Birmingham

Social entrepreneurs scaling their ventures face a specific set of challenges including income generation, hiring, governance, hard calls about growth and risk, all alongside scaling their social impact. We’re recruiting learning and enterprise development managers who’ve lived that journey themselves, to bring first-hand credibility and challenge directly to the entrepreneurs on our scale-up and scale-up-plus programmes.

You’ll hold ownership of SSE’s scale-up approach, shaping our learning content on strategy, profitability and the systems that hold a growing venture together – grounded in what actually works, not just what’s written down. Facilitation sits at the heart of this role. You’ll design and deliver learning programmes and group sessions for cohorts of entrepreneurs as well as leading 1-2-1 coaching and diagnostics, and delivering Action Learning Sets, SSE’s long-standing peer-coaching method (training provided).

We’re looking for people who’ve founded or led a VCSE with an annual turnover of £100,000 or more and held financial accountability such as statutory reporting to the Charity Commission and, where relevant, Companies House, reporting to a board or funders, and making hard calls about growth, income and risk.

You’ll succeed in this role if you believe in what social entrepreneurship can achieve and want to turn your experience into supporting social ventures to scale and create more impact in their communities and beyond

Purpose of the Role

The Youth Insights Programme Lead is responsible for leading the effective design, planning and delivery of assigned Youth Insights panels and projects. The role bridges strategic leadership and operational delivery, ensuring that panels are well designed, well facilitated, well coordinated and deliver high-quality insight for partners.

The Programme Lead manages day-to-day partner relationships, leads delivery planning, supports facilitators, oversees programme outputs and ensures young people have a positive, inclusive and meaningful experience.

The role contributes to insight generation and reporting, working within the frameworks and quality standards set by the Programme Manager.

Key Responsibilities

1. Programme Design and Delivery

• Lead the design and delivery of assigned Youth Insights panels, within the methodology and standards set by the Programme Manager.
• Translate partner objectives into clear delivery plans, session structures and participant journeys.
• Develop and adapt session plans, materials and activities for assigned panels.
• Ensure sessions are engaging, inclusive, purposeful and appropriate for young people.
• Lead or support facilitation of Youth Insights sessions as required.
• Ensure delivery remains aligned with agreed outcomes, quality standards and partner expectations.
• Identify practical improvements to delivery and share learning with the Programme Manager.

2. Operational Partner Management

• Act as the primary day-to-day relationship manager for assigned partners.
• Lead operational planning meetings, delivery updates and routine partner communications.
• Manage partner expectations around timelines, outputs, session planning and reporting.
• Maintain strong working relationships with operational partner contacts.
• Identify risks, issues or opportunities in partner relationships and escalate appropriately to the Programme Manager.
• Support strategic partner conversations by providing delivery insight, evidence and learning.
• Where a partner contact holds both strategic and operational responsibilities, act as the primary day-to-day contact while ensuring the Programme Manager retains senior oversight.

3. Insight Generation and Reporting

• Analyse youth feedback and identify key themes, patterns and insights from assigned panels.
• Draft reports, summaries, presentations and recommendations for partners.
• Ensure reports go beyond description and begin to translate youth feedback into meaningful insight.
• Work within the reporting frameworks, standards and templates agreed by the Programme Manager.
• Incorporate quality feedback from the Programme Manager and strengthen outputs accordingly.
• Support the development of case studies, impact stories and evidence of partner value.
• Contribute learning from assigned panels into wider Youth Insights service development.

4. Delivery Quality and Facilitation

• Ensure all assigned programmes are delivered to a high standard.
• Brief, support and coordinate freelance facilitators for assigned sessions.
• Ensure facilitators understand the purpose, method, safeguarding requirements and desired outcomes of each session.
• Monitor delivery quality and participant experience.
• Provide feedback to facilitators and escalate quality concerns where needed.
• Ensure session materials, resources and activities are prepared and appropriate.
• Support consistency of delivery across panels, while adapting appropriately to different partner contexts.

5. Youth Engagement and Inclusion

• Ensure young people are meaningfully involved, listened to and supported throughout their participation.
• Work with the Programme Coordinator to support recruitment, onboarding, retention and engagement.
• Monitor participant experience and respond to issues or barriers to participation.
• Identify gaps in representation within assigned panels and work with the Programme Coordinator and Programme Manager to address them.
• Ensure delivery is inclusive, accessible and responsive to young people’s needs.
• Support young people to build confidence, skills and understanding through their involvement.

6. Programme Coordination and Project Management

• Develop and maintain delivery plans for assigned Youth Insights panels.
• Coordinate timelines, milestones, partner inputs, facilitator availability and reporting deadlines.
• Work closely with the Programme Coordinator to ensure logistics, communications and records are well managed.
• Ensure risks, actions and dependencies are tracked and communicated.
• Support effective use of HubSpot and other systems to manage participant journeys and partner activity.
• Ensure programme information is accurate, up to date and accessible to the team.

7. Team Support and Development

• Support and mentor the Programme Coordinator in relation to assigned programmes.
• Delegate appropriate tasks clearly and support effective workload management.
• Share learning, tools and good practice across the Youth Insights team.
• Contribute to training, reflection sessions and process improvement.
• Support a positive, collaborative and values-led team culture.
• Help build team confidence in delivery, facilitation, insight generation and partner communication.

8. Safeguarding, Compliance and Risk

• Ensure safeguarding, consent, data protection and risk processes are followed across assigned programmes.
• Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns or risks in line with S4TP policies.
• Ensure facilitators and delivery contributors understand relevant safeguarding and compliance requirements.
• Support accurate record keeping and documentation.
• Contribute to risk assessment and mitigation for sessions, panels and partner activity.

Key Relationships

Internal:

• Youth Insights Programme Manager
• Youth Insights Programme Coordinator
• CEO where required
• Wider S4TP team
• Freelance facilitators

External:

• Operational partner contacts
• Strategic partner contacts where appropriate
• Young people and alumni
• Schools, colleges and youth networks
• Delivery partners and stakeholders

Success Measures

Success in this role will include:

• Assigned panels are delivered effectively, safely and to a high standard.
• Partners receive timely, useful and high-quality reports and outputs.
• Young people have a positive, inclusive and meaningful experience.
• Operational partner relationships are well managed.
• Programme delivery runs smoothly, with clear plans, timelines and communication.
• Insight reports demonstrate analysis, themes and recommendations, not just summaries.
• Facilitators are well briefed, supported and consistent in delivery.
• Learning from delivery contributes to wider Youth Insights improvement.

Location: Hybrid – Home-based with some regional travel in England

Reports to: Head of Programmes and Impact

Contract: Fixed-term/Temporary maternity cover, approx. 12-month secondment

Salary: £30,600 per annum

Application deadline: Thursday 27th August at 9am

Interview information: We plan to hold online interviews from week commencing 7th September

About The Girls’ Network:

The Girls' Network is a national charity with a mission to inspire and empower girls from the least advantaged communities by connecting them with a network of professional women role models and volunteer mentors. We believe no girl should have her future limited by her gender, ethnicity, background, or parental income. Our vision is a future where all girls are supported to realise their ambitions, discover their self-worth, and shape their own futures.

We partner with secondary schools and colleges across multiple regions in England, including London, Merseyside, Portsmouth, Southampton, Sussex, Tees Valley, Tyne & Wear and the West Midlands. We match girls aged 14–19 with trained volunteer mentors for one-to-one support. In addition to this core mentoring, workshops, and access to an Ambassador Community that provides continued opportunities for development, career support, and connection.

Role Summary:

The Programme Development Officer is responsible for ensuring that The Girls' Network develops high-quality, consistent, and impactful programmes for girls and young women across all regions. Working closely with the colleagues in the Programme team, volunteers, and education establishments, the post-holder will support the development and continuous improvement of our mentoring, workshop, and ambassador offer. They will ensure that programmes are grounded in best practice and aligned to organisational strategy. Key responsibilities include leading programme quality assurance, developing resources, and delivering staff and volunteer training, while embedding learning from delivery to strengthen outcomes.

Alongside programme development duties, the post-holder will also be a member of the safeguarding team, acting as a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO). In this capacity, they will support the organisation's commitment to providing safe and inclusive programmes to girls and young women. This role involves supporting delivery staff on day-to-day safeguarding issues, refining policies as required, carrying out risk assessments, and auditing procedures to guarantee that safeguarding frameworks are consistently understood, accurately recorded, and central to service delivery.

Key Duties/Responsibilities:

Programme Development

• Support the development and continuous improvement of The Girls' Network's programme offer, ensuring delivery aligns with organisational strategy and responds to the needs of the girls and young women we serve.

• Develop and maintain programme standards, frameworks, and guidance to drive consistent, high-quality delivery across all regions.

• Take ownership of The Girls' Network volunteering platform, ensuring it effectively supports volunteer engagement and delivery.

• Ensure mentoring, workshops, and wider programme activities are aligned with The Girls' Network Theory of Change.

• Work collaboratively with the wider programme team to identify opportunities to strengthen and evolve programme delivery.

• Stay informed of sector research and emerging practice on mentoring, youth issues, and girls' empowerment, embedding relevant learning into programme design.

• Collaborate with the Head of Programmes & Impact to ensure programme development activity reflects both operational needs and strategic priorities.

Quality Assurance and Improvement

• Design and implement robust quality assurance processes that underpin excellence and consistency across programme delivery.

• Conduct programme reviews, fieldwork, and quality assurance activities, identifying strengths, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

• Work closely with the National Programme Manager to embed programme standards in day-to-day delivery and support the sharing of best practice across teams.

• Produce actionable recommendations and improvement plans to enhance programme effectiveness and operational delivery.

• Ensure programme resources, guidance, and delivery materials remain current, relevant, and aligned to organisational priorities.

• Foster a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement across programme delivery teams.

Programme Resources and Training

• Support the development, review, and maintenance of programme resources, workshop content, and mentoring materials.

• Design and deliver training, guidance, and support for programme staff and volunteers to enable effective and consistent delivery.

• Facilitate learning opportunities that build programme delivery capability across the organisation.

Safeguarding

• Act as a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) and support the development, implementation, and regular review of safeguarding policies and procedures across the organisation.

• Act as a key point of contact for day-to-day safeguarding concerns, informing the Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) or relevant statutory bodies of situations/outcomes

• Provide quality safeguarding advice and guidance to staff and volunteers as required.

• Manage and respond to safeguarding concerns, disclosures and referrals, ensuring accurate documentation and appropriate action is taken in line with statutory requirements and The Girls’ Network policies. Initiate and coordinate referrals to external agencies and services, ensuring follow-up actions are carried out and monitored

• Contribute to the delivery of safeguarding training and the promotion of best practice across the organisation

• Keep abreast of safeguarding practice, making recommendations as appropriate, to ensure compliance with statutory and organisational guidelines

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation, emerging risks, and sector best practice.

• Collate and produce safeguarding reports, data, and narrative for Head of Programmes and Impact as/when required.

Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties required.
 

Person Specification:

Essential

• Qualified teacher or experienced trainer, with a proven ability to design and deliver engaging learning programmes.

• Experience of developing, implementing, and improving youth, mentoring, education, or employability programmes.

• Experience of quality assurance, programme reviews, or service improvement activities.

• Experience developing resources, frameworks, guidance, or training materials.

• Experience using feedback, learning, and evaluation findings to inform programme development.

• Strong organisational and project management skills, including accurate record-keeping, case management, reporting and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across a wide range of internal and external partners.

• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, with a clear understanding of the barriers faced by girls and young women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Strong knowledge of child and adult safeguarding legislation, risk assessment, statutory guidance, and best practice.

• Experience managing safeguarding disclosures and referrals, including liaison with statutory agencies (e.g., social care, police, safeguarding boards).

• Ability to handle sensitive and complex cases with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgement.

• Ability and willingness to travel across our regions, as/when required (travel expenses will be reimbursed).

Desirable

• A full, clean driving licence.

• Experience working within the charity, education, youth, or mentoring sectors.

• Experience developing youth participation and voice programmes.

• Experience designing and implementing quality assurance frameworks, including evaluation approaches focused on outcomes and engagement.

• Knowledge of social and emotional learning, employability, or youth development approaches.

• Experience facilitating training and professional development for staff or volunteers.

• Experience using digital platforms or developing digital resources to support learning, engagement or programme delivery.

• Understanding of charity sector governance and the specific safeguarding considerations when working with volunteers.

• Knowledge of current trends and best practice in mentoring, education, or youth development programmes.

How to apply

Please apply as soon as possible. You will be asked to complete your application by submitting your CV and answering a few application questions.

Appointees are subject to a DBS check. You must have the right to work in the UK to apply.

The deadline to submit your application is 27th August at 9am. Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Use of AI in applications

AI can be a helpful tool for inclusivity and accessibility, and we recognise that it may support applicants with spelling or grammar. However, when it comes to our selection process, what matters most to us is hearing your authentic voice and personal experiences. We're not looking for polished answers — just your own experiences, in your own words.

Diversity at our core

The Girls' Network is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating discrimination. In line with the Equality Act 2010, if you require any reasonable adjustments to support you with any stage of this recruitment process, please contact the HR team.

Our Benefits

• 27 holiday days per year, plus public holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff)

• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days of annual leave every year

• Gifted birthday leave

• 3 days volunteering leave per year

• Extended and comprehensive sick pay policy

• Enhanced Family Leave pay policy

• Pension scheme

• Annual professional development fund to help you grow

• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support

• Benefit from flexible, remote working options with a full suite of home office equipment.

• A dedicated Girls’ Network buddy, available beyond the induction period for ongoing support

War on Want is a radical charity working in solidarity with grassroots movements and organisations around the world to fight the root causes of poverty, inequality and injustice. We campaign against corporate power, economic exploitation and systems of oppression that drive poverty and human rights violations.

We are seeking a consultant with significant experience in partnership-building, programme design and development and resource mobilisation to support the growth of our international partnerships and movement-building work.

Working with War on Want staff and our existing partners, the Consultant will identify opportunities for collaboration with labour, feminist and social movement organisations in the Global South (primarily South Asia and Africa). They will develop partnership-centred programme concepts and position these to  fundraise with relevant philanthropic donors and identify  funding opportunities.

The Consultant will be part of the International Partnership Programmes Team, working closely with our Senior Fundraising Officer and, where relevant, Senior Campaign Officers. We are looking for a consultant who can commit to working alongside the team on a part-time (2 to 3 days per week average as a guide) basis for between four to six months.

If you are excited by the opportunity to work with War on Want and our international partners to develop collaborative programme ideas that will help mobilise resources for justice struggles, please apply by submitting:

• A covering letter outlining your most relevant experience for this role, your proposed daily rate, and your preferred pattern of working days.
• A detailed CV.

This is a self-employed consultancy engagement and does not constitute employment with War on Want.

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

Deadline for applications: 6.00pm on Wednesday, 2 September 2026.

The Opportunity 

As a key leader within our Partnerships and Income Development team, you will be responsible for creating, developing and delivering the Social Mobility Foundation’s Employer Programme – how we inform, influence and positively impact employer-led social mobility, and a source of income generation.

You will champion the Employer Programme internally, forging effective collaborations with colleagues across the organisation to ensure that our work with employers is understood and celebrated, and that opportunities to promote, develop and grow are maximised.

Reporting to the Head of Partnerships and Income Development, you’ll be the custodian of the Social Mobility Employer Index (SMEI) – our annual benchmarking and assessment tool for how UK employers recruit, retain and develop talent from all socioeconomic backgrounds and build inclusive workplaces. A key priority for this role will be a strategic growth plan for the Employer Programme that focuses on growing Index entrants, diversifying employment sectors, progressing employer best practice and maximising revenue.

By collaborating with internal teams and existing partners who offer pro-bono consultancy, you’ll scope, develop and deliver new products, resources and services that equip employers with the knowledge and practical tools to improve social mobility in the workplace.

We’re looking for someone who is willing and able to move easily between strategic thinking, marketing and hands-on delivery, and is excited about taking full ownership over this important work. Combining a passion for delivering our mission with keen commercial acumen, high attention to detail and project management skills, this is a unique chance to make a big impact on social mobility in the UK.

Location: We operate a hybrid model of work i.e. a combination of in-person and remote, with flexible days in the office depending on business need and your preferences. We would typically expect in-office attendance an average of one day per week.

When in the office you will be based in one of our regional offices (either Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Manchester or Newcastle – depending on preference and accessibility). This is where you will usually attend in-person events, training sessions etc. though some travel, to other offices and other locations, will occasionally be expected.

Contract: Full-time/Part-time, Permanent

Hours: We are looking for the right candidate and while we envisage this being a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) we are open to flexible working arrangements such as part-time, compressed hours, flexitime and job-shares. 

Occasional/frequent evening or weekend work may be required, for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be given. 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Customer service and value proposition

• Develop value propositions for the SMEI and other employer products and services to help employers understand and improve social mobility in the workplace 
• Create and develop assets and activities to market the Employer Programme to employers across a range of platforms 
• Define the customer journey for the SMEI and ensure seamless customer experience, with clear and proactive communication and relevant content and resources 
• Actively manage and steward the customer pipeline for the SMEI and broader Employer Programme, reporting on prospects, acquisition and conversion 
• Gather customer feedback and market insights to help improve and develop products and services  

 2. Product ownership and project management 

• Project manage the Programme, with responsibility for key delivery areas yourself, as well as working with the Senior Index Coordinator / Policy Officer and other colleagues/external suppliers to deliver 
• Oversee the day-to-day delivery of the Programme and the annual Index scoring and feedback cycle, working with the Senior Policy Officer to ensure a smooth experience for employers  
• Lead the annual cycle for the SMEI product and other employer products as they are developed: defining the scope of work and setting priorities, survey review and design, data collection, overseeing marking and reporting, product review and evaluation 
• Manage all aspects of the Employer service, including the ongoing development of the digital platform, employer resources and online content   

3. Product and service development

• Develop the Employer Programme by scoping, developing and delivering new products, resources and services that equip employers with the knowledge and practical tools to improve social mobility in the workplace, e.g. a consultancy offer, events, webinars, staff training and off-the-shelf resources  
• Work with pro-bono supporters and existing partners to scope need, and test and pilot new products and services 
• Responsible for the annual evaluation of the programme, drawing on data and policy evidence, customer feedback and sector insights to inform development  

4. Stakeholder Management

• Champion and represent the Employer Programme externally, including attending and presenting at events, acting as spokesperson, meeting prospective entrants and other opportunities to grow connections and reach 
• Engage with external stakeholders, such as employers, policy experts and social mobility practitioners, to understand key issues and trends relevant to workplace and employer-led social mobility 
• Scope and create an external advisory group to support the development of the products and services that form part of the Employer Programme 
• Seek opportunities to collaborate with external partners to share relevant content and tools, and co-create and develop new products and services 
• Ensure that insights and impact from the Index and the SMF’s work with employers are communicated internally and externally 

5. Systems and Processes

• Work with internal and external partners to ensure the Index is as technologically efficient as possible, e.g. automating aspects of the marking and feedback process, ensuring quality monitoring, evaluation and reporting and identifying and progressing other ways to drive efficiency and maximise reach, whilst retaining the quality of the programme 
• Drive best practice and set a culture where digital tools are used effectively for relationship management and fundraising, including Salesforce 
• Maintain accurate and up to date records, using SharePoint and our Salesforce CRM to support pipeline management, income tracking and partner record 

6. Leadership and Development

• Play a proactive role in leading and inspiring the team, fostering a collaborative and creative culture of fundraising, income and product development 
• Champion the Employer Programme internally, forging effective collaborations across the organisation to ensure that our work with employers is understood and celebrated, and that opportunities to promote, develop and grow are maximised. Key relationships will include colleagues working in communications, campaigns and advocacy, data, finance and programme development.  

7. Line Management (Matrix Structure)

• Day-to-day people management  
• Identify training and development needs; employ a coaching approach, and clarify opportunities for skill enhancement and career growth  
• Recruit and induct new team members, and oversee the separation process for any leavers   
• Reasonably support well-being; provide a supportive work environment, and address any issues that may impact the well-being and morale of your reports   

Please see full job description attached for more details. 

Person Specification:

We need someone who will demonstrate our organisational skills-based competencies - as listed below: 

1.  Leadership
2.  Communication
3.  Adaptability
4.  Professionalism 
5.  Decision-making

Technical knowledge, understanding and experience required:

Commercial and customer service:

• Demonstrable experience in managing pipelines and/or stewarding customers, demonstrating excellent customer service skills and a high attention to detail
• Confidence in public speaking, presenting or facilitating workshops with professional audiences 

Project management and product development:

• Demonstrable experience designing, delivering and developing programmes, products and/or services that meet organisational needs 
• Demonstrable experience in project management, shaping long-term strategy while managing day-to-day operations and delivery 

Project management and product development:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with experience building and managing relationships 

IT skills:

• Experience using Microsoft Office
• Experience of using or understanding of CRM software to effectively support pipeline and partnership management e.g. Salesforce
• Experience of or understanding of managing and using digital platforms for programmes, products and/or services 

Policy and data skills (desirable):

• Understanding of issues related to social mobility, diversity and inclusion, or workforce development
• Understanding of and/or experience in benchmarking tools, indices or assessment frameworks 

See attached job description for more detail on the person specification

Ways of working:

• Most of our work is office based, but you will spend a lot of time collaborating with other teams and clients via email, telephone and other communications channels such as Teams or Zoom. 
• Some travel will be required as part of this role to other offices and locations, as needed for events, work placements and meetings.

Benefits

• 36/37 days' annual leave (England & Wales and Scotland respectively - includes bank and public holidays), with 3 of these days reserved for the annual end of year office closure.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• 5% Salary sacrifice pension scheme with enhanced matching employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme available to staff and their family
• Flexible work options such as hybrid working, flexitime, part-time
• Regular staff team building and business planning “away days”

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please head over to our website by 23:59, Thursday 3rd September and provide the following information:

1)    An outline of your previous relevant job roles (job title and dates only)

2)     A cover statement outlining your suitability for the role, with particular emphasis on how your experience, skills and knowledge meet the person specification (max. 750 words)

Thinking of using AI to help with your application? AI tools (such as Chat GTP, Gemini and Copilot) can help you research the SMF and the role you're applying for. They can also help you structure your application. The applications that stand out most are the ones that feel genuine and reflect your unique self and experiences.

Please note that generic applications and CV’s will not be considered.

We can’t fix issues like poverty, inequality, health and climate change alone. We are fully conscious of the scale of the challenge that faces the country and the urgent need to respond. That’s why the School for Social Entrepreneurs exists, to empower and equip people with entrepreneurial ideas and solutions to grow the social economy. The social economy is a movement of organisations and enterprises that prioritise people and planet. Together, we are committed to tackling the greatest social and environmental challenges of our time.This is a new and exciting role at a significant time of growth for the School for Social Entrepreneurs. In the coming year. we are developing new programmes, working with leaders who are developing small community led social and environmental projects as well as leading larger charities and social businesses developing social investment and housing solutions.

We’re not a traditional funder. Our grants tend to be small, but they punch above their weight, helping social and environmental entrepreneurs take the next step to grow their organisations. Our grants run alongside learning programmes, challenging and supporting leaders. We’re innovative in how we do this, through both traditional and enterprise grants. We lead on Match Trading™, a grant that challenges leaders to grow their trading income, and we are working on further grants innovations.

You will work with our Grants Team, Project Co-ordinators and Assessment Lead to develop and support grant management across a range of programmes. Your role will be to lead on specific programmes, including supporting assessment, onboarding and grant management. You will ensure that grantees are fully supported to manage their grants and ensure that grant management is compliant, auditable, efficient, and timely. You will support the development of grant policies and processes, writing grant paperwork and documentation, overseeing payments, and reporting to the wider Programmes Team and others about our work.

You don’t need to have managed grants before, but you do need to have a good understanding of a wide range enterprises and charities, gained through experience of training, business consultancy or development support. You will have a good understanding of business models, legal structures and financial systems that social and environmental organisations and community run and owned businesses may use. You will need to understand social enterprise finances, be able to read accounts, budgets, cashflows and have a good knowledge of social enterprise income streams.

We need someone who understands how hard it is to start up and grow social and environmental enterprises and can support people from diverse backgrounds in managing their grant, finances and growing their business.

Are you up for the challenge?

Interviews: Friday 18th and Friday 25th September (online)

Thames Rivers Trust (TRT) is part of The Rivers Trust movement. We focus on the promotion and delivery of an ecosystem-based approach to improving the River Thames, working with partners including Thames Water, The Rivers Trust, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and a network of Catchment Partnerships across the Thames Basin, to deliver an integrated approach to managing the river basin for people, biodiversity and the environment.

We are recruiting a Programme Manager to lead day-to-day delivery of the Water Company Partnership: a developing arrangement between TRT, The Rivers Trust, Thames Water and ZSL that works alongside and helps coordinate support for the 27 Catchment Partnerships of the Thames Basin. You will oversee delivery across all five of the Partnership's workstreams and be accountable to the Partnership Board for progress, combining day-to-day programme management with support to the Board's strategic oversight.

In practical terms, this role exists to help integrate Catchment Partnership hosts and partnership members with Thames Water's delivery programme, and to upskill those partnerships so they are equipped to plan, fund and deliver more on the ground themselves, building the same kind of productive relationships with other funders and partners too, not just Thames Water. It is a genuine opportunity to shape how a major water company and its environmental partners work together, and to help turn that partnership into real, measurable improvements for rivers and the wider environment across the Thames Basin.

Your responsibilities will span five workstreams:

● Governance: catchment partnership maturity and tiering, network structure and governance models

● Monitoring and Evaluation: river health scorecards, monitoring standards and evidence for investment decisions and Thames Water's PR29 submission

● Capability and Capacity, including CaPS: TRT's own Catchment Partnerships Support Programme, learning and development, and running the Thames Catchment Forum

● Catchment and Nature-based Solutions: supporting delivery of wetland, river restoration and storm overflow projects

● Blended Finance: developing environmental market mechanisms and diversified funding for Catchment Partnerships

You will also service the Partnership Board, coordinate quarterly reviews with individual catchment hosts, and act as TRT's key liaison with Thames Water, The Rivers Trust, ZSL and Catchment Partnerships across the region.

We're looking for someone with experience delivering environmental, catchment or nature-recovery programmes, strong partnership working and facilitation skills, and the ability to coordinate complex, multi-organisation programmes through influence rather than line management. Knowledge of the water sector, WINEP or AMP planning, nature-based solutions or blended finance would be an advantage, as would a project or programme management qualification.

Please note that we are interested in receiving and considering applications from candidates who may not tick every box. You may be just who we are looking for.

The details

Salary: £40,000–£42,000 per annum, dependent on experience

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Initially funded for one year, with planned funding for a further two years

Location: Thames Basin, home-based, with regular travel across catchments and to partner offices in London

Reports to: Chief Executive, Thames Rivers Trust

How to apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter, explaining why you're interested in the role and how you meet the person specification. More details in the full job description is available.

Closing date: 10pm, Sunday 30th August 2026

Interviews: Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th September 2026

Job Title: Programmes & Funding Officer

Location(s): Home-based with attendance in the AUK’s London office or at meetings as required

London office: AdviceUK, 83 Victoria Street, London SW1

Status: Permanent

Reporting to: Programmes & Funding Manager

Responsible for: N/A

Pay scale: £30,000 to £32,000 dependant on experience, full time equivalent. £24,000 to £25,600 actual salary, depending on experience.

Working hours: 28 hours per week (35 hours full time equivalent) within normal operating hours. (Normal operating hours are 8.00am - 6.30pm, Monday – Friday.) Lunch & other breaks are unpaid.

Special conditions: Some evening work may be required for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be granted. Some travel will be required.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly encouraging those from underrepresented groups. If you require any accessibility support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

CHARITY OVERVIEW

Since 1979, AdviceUK has been supporting advice organisations by helping them to be efficient, competent and effective, and by campaigning for a policy environment that supports advice agencies and people needing advice.

We are both a membership body and charity. We support our 700+ members to provide advice to around 2 million people every year.

We are working towards a world in which every individual, regardless of means, is able to access the advice they need to exercise their rights and deal with any legal and social welfare challenges they may face.

JOB PURPOSE 

To assist the Programmes & Funding Manager in coordinating the day-to-day delivery of AdviceUK's funded programmes. The role will keep projects running smoothly, maintain accurate monitoring data, and be a reliable first point of contact for members and delivery partners. The Programmes & Funding Officer will also assist in maintaining stakeholder relationships and ensuring that AdviceUK members have the practical support needed to access and sustain advice services.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

1.Programme & Project Support

·Assist the Programmes & Funding Manager in the delivery of AdviceUK's funded programmes and contribute to their design and development where required.

·Coordinate the day-to-day delivery of funded projects, keeping track of timelines, milestones and actions in line with agreed project plans.

·Support the coordination of AdviceUK staff and external associates/trainers involved in programme delivery.

·Maintain project governance processes and practical workflows to ensure funder requirements are met.

2.Development & Funding Support

·Conduct research on potential funders and commissioners at local and national levels to identify new opportunities.

·Provide administrative support during the drafting of funding bids, tenders, and proposals.

3.Relationship Management

·Liaise with members, stakeholders and partners to maintain positive working relationships.

·Support the Manager in organising meetings and events with key stakeholders in the advice sector.

·Ensure AdviceUK’s vision and values are reflected in all external communications and interactions.

4.Monitoring, Data & Evidence

·Maintain and update CRMs and other reporting tools to ensure accurate programme progress tracking.

·Collate monitoring data and project evaluations to help demonstrate performance against KPIs.

·Assist in the preparation of financial and non-financial reports for funders and stakeholders.

·Help identify and share impact studies and good practice case studies from projects with the wider membership and sector.

5.General Responsibilities

·Ensure you effectively communicate AdviceUK’s vision, mission and objectives to staff, members and external stakeholders.

·Ensure you demonstrate AdviceUK’s values and behaviours in all aspects of your work

·Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders including staff trustees; members, partners and suppliers

·With support from your manager, deliver your agreed personal objectives and undertake any agreed development or training

·Maintain a strong understanding of our members and the advice sector more generally, by reading internal reports; accessing relevant data reports; following our social media channels and, where possible, attending member and other relevant events. With the agreement of you line manager, ensure you make time to speak to members and visit their           services.

·Adhere at all times to AdviceUK’s policies and procedures

·Carry out any reasonable duties compatible with the post assigned by your line manager

Background

The Lily Foundation is the UK's leading charity dedicated to advancing research, raising awareness, and providing support for individuals and families affected by mitochondrial disease ('mito'). Our vision is for a world in which every mitochondrial disease patient has a voice and access to treatment, support to improve their life and, ultimately, a cure.

We currently raise around £1m each year, with community fundraising, challenges and special events generating the majority of our income. With a new fundraising strategy in place, exciting plans for growth and increasing opportunities to engage supporters in different ways, we're looking for someone to bring these programmes together into a joined-up public fundraising portfolio.

This is a fantastic opportunity to help shape the future of public fundraising at The Lily Foundation, building on our strong foundations while developing new ways to inspire supporters, grow income and maximise long-term engagement.

About the role

This is an exciting new role with responsibility for leading and developing Lily's public fundraising programme, bringing together our sports events, special events, community fundraising and emerging individual giving activity.

Reporting to the COO, you'll provide leadership across the public fundraising team, ensuring our programmes work together to deliver an outstanding supporter experience and sustainable income growth. You'll line-manage three colleagues, helping them succeed in their roles while creating a joined-up approach to planning, delivery and stewardship across the portfolio.

Alongside overseeing one of Lily's largest fundraising income streams, you'll also play an important role in developing our Individual Giving, Regular Giving and legacy fundraising activity, helping turn these emerging programmes into strong and sustainable sources of future income. If you're someone who enjoys developing people, spotting opportunities and bringing different strands of fundraising together, this is a brilliant opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the delivery and ongoing development of Lily's public fundraising programme, ensuring community fundraising, sports events, special events and individual giving activity work together to maximise income and supporter engagement.
• Line-manage, support and develop the two Events Managers and the Community & Individual Giving Officer, providing clear direction, regular feedback and development opportunities, and carrying out formal performance reviews
• Work closely with the Head of Fundraising to translate Lily's fundraising strategy into practical annual plans, priorities and targets for the public fundraising portfolio.
• Oversee the performance of the public fundraising programme, monitoring income, expenditure and KPIs, identifying trends and opportunities, and taking action where required.
• Support the continued development of Lily's Individual Giving, Regular Giving and Legacy fundraising programmes, helping to test new ideas, improve supporter journeys and build long-term sustainable income.
• Ensure supporters receive an excellent experience across all public fundraising activity, developing joined-up stewardship journeys that encourage long-term support.
• Work collaboratively with Marketing colleagues to develop engaging fundraising campaigns, products and communications that inspire supporters to get involved.
• Encourage innovation and continuous improvement across the team, using insight, evaluation and supporter feedback to inform future activity.
• Ensure accurate use of the CRM system (Donorfy), promoting good data management and using reporting and insight to support decision-making.
• Prepare regular reports and updates for the Head of Fundraising and COO, highlighting progress, opportunities, risks and recommendations.
• Work collaboratively across fundraising, marketing and operations to ensure public fundraising activity is well planned, well supported and aligned with organisational priorities.

Background

The Lily Foundation is the UK's leading charity dedicated to advancing research, raising awareness, and providing support for individuals and families affected by mitochondrial disease ('mito'). Our vision is for a world in which every mitochondrial disease patient has a voice and access to treatment, support to improve their life and, ultimately, a cure.

Community fundraising is at the heart of Lily's success. Every year, hundreds of families, friends and local communities come together to raise funds in support of loved ones affected by mitochondrial disease. Alongside this, we're beginning to grow our Individual Giving, Regular Giving and Legacy fundraising programmes, helping more people support Lily in ways that suit them.

As we continue to grow, we're looking for someone who can build strong relationships with our supporters, help bring fundraising ideas to life and ensure everyone who chooses to support Lily has an outstanding experience.

About the role

This is a varied and rewarding role supporting the delivery of Lily's community fundraising and individual giving programme. You'll be the main point of contact for many of our amazing supporters, helping individuals, families and community groups make the most of their fundraising. You'll also play a key role in developing Lily's Teams initiative, which brings together families and friends fundraising in honour or memory of someone affected by mitochondrial disease.

Alongside community fundraising, you'll support the delivery of Lily's emerging Individual Giving, Regular Giving and Legacy fundraising activity, helping to develop and deliver supporter journeys, campaigns and communications that encourage long-term engagement.

Working closely with the Senior Public Fundraising Manager and colleagues across fundraising and marketing, you'll play an important part in helping more people discover, support and stay connected with The Lily Foundation. If you're someone who enjoys building relationships, getting things done and making supporters feel valued, we'd love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of Lily's community fundraising programme, supporting individuals, families and community groups to organise their own fundraising activities.

· Develop and grow Lily's Teams initiative, supporting families and friends fundraising in honour or memory of someone affected by mitochondrial disease with sensitivity, empathy and excellent supporter care.

· Build strong relationships with community fundraisers, providing practical advice, encouragement and fundraising resources to help maximise income and supporter satisfaction.

· Support the planning and delivery of Lily's community fundraising campaigns, appeals and fundraising products, working closely with colleagues across fundraising and marketing.

· Help develop and deliver supporter journeys for community fundraisers, regular givers and other supporters, encouraging long-term engagement and repeat support.

· Support the development of Lily's Individual Giving, Regular Giving and Legacy fundraising activity through campaign delivery, stewardship and donor communications.

· Identify opportunities to grow community fundraising & individual giving income by encouraging repeat fundraising, in-memory giving, Regular Giving and other longer-term ways of supporting Lily.

· Maintain accurate records on the CRM system (Donorfy), ensuring supporter information is up to date and using data to monitor activity and improve performance.

· Prepare regular reports and updates for the Senior Public Fundraising Manager, identifying trends, opportunities and areas for improvement.

· Work collaboratively with colleagues across fundraising, marketing and operations to deliver joined-up campaigns, communications and supporter experiences.

· Represent The Lily Foundation professionally and enthusiastically, acting as an ambassador for the charity and building positive relationships with supporters and partners.

SOS UK is looking for a Project Manager to deliver our engagement work with a focus on our Climate Action Fund programme – Student Energy Action for Life (SEAL).

Role details

Location: Home working in (or close to) London, Midlands or Manchester

Working patterns: 1 FTE (35 hours per week) with typical working times between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. The role includes weekly travel with early starts and late returns, and approx. 6 overnight stays a year. 

Salary: Starting salary £32,289 per annum, rising to £36,843, plus London Weighting of up to £3,655 pro rata where applicable. We also provide up to a 6% pension contribution and life assurance.

Contract: Fixed term until December 2029

Closing date for applications: 31st August 2026 at 11.59pm

Interview dates: 14th September 2026 (TBC). All interviews will be held online.

About the role

This role will be primarily focusing on our Climate Action Fund programme – Student Energy Action for Life (SEAL), with opportunity to contribute towards our wider engagement programmes. SEAL has a twofold vision; to support students navigating the home energy system and to improve access to student energy efficient properties via landlord engagement and student campaigning. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Engage, maintain and develop strong relationships with key stakeholders particularly landlords and students' unions, as well as students, volunteers, universities, local authorities, and other key organisations. 
• Support landlords, student letting agencies and students’ unions to improve the energy efficiency of student accommodation, focusing on implementing energy efficiency initiatives, advice and support.
• Plan, design, and deliver engaging training sessions to a variety of audiences.
• Provide support for students’ union officers and other student campaigners working on housing energy efficiency campaigns, including the design and implementation of a national student home energy campaign.
• Support with the creation and management of sector wide student energy efficiency advisory groups including a home energy efficiency network, student advisory group and stakeholder advisory group.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of programme resources and communications, including social media and website updates. 
• Recruit, coordinate, and support student volunteers including line management of student staff when required.

Please read a full description of the role’s responsibilities and person specification (knowledge, skills, attributes, qualifications and experience) in the role profile.

Introducing SOS UK

SOS UK is a UK based charity transforming education so people protect the climate and nature.

Our education system helped cause the climate and nature crisis, but now we’re making it the solution. We are fighting to make sure everyone develops a commitment to protecting the earth and puts it to work – whether it’s at school, university or in their careers.

By empowering students and educators to build a better world, we can transform the lives of generations to come. In just a few years we have developed unstoppable student leaders. Behind these leaders every step of the way is the SOS UK community making sure students don’t have to fight for change alone. We unite people from every background, inside and outside education, because protecting our earth matters to each and every one of us.

The young people, children and families that we support are at the heart of everything we do at Mermaids. We have ambitious plans to expand the reach and impact of our youth work. To support this growth, we are recruiting an Interim Youth Officer who will play a key role in overseeing our youth programmes and activities. The successful candidate will help increase our capacity to engage with more young people, provide high-quality support, and ensure the continued delivery of our core youth services while contributing to the development of new opportunities for young people. This role is fully remote, full time with a four day working week (32 hours).

Mermaids is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from those with lived experiences (directly or indirectly) and/or close ties to the LGBTQ+ community. We actively support and encourage people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us and shape what we do. We are particularly keen to receive applications from BPOC (black and people of colour) and/or disabled and trans candidates.

We are recruiting multiple Funding Officers to support a range of initiatives across England, including Community Wealth Fund, National Lottery Awards for All, Programme Funding and Every Child Can. A mixture of permanent roles and fixed term contracts on a full or part-time basis are available.

As outlined in our It Starts with Community strategy, we are committed to placing community agency, power, and control at the heart of our England funding portfolio. We aim to stand alongside communities, supporting them as they tackle challenges and fulfil their potential. This is a great opportunity to take a mission-driven approach to funding while working flexibly across different programmes and priorities.We are looking for people who are collaborative, adaptable and passionate about putting communities first.

You will be expected to work on different initiatives across our England portfolio. This covers a broad range of thematic areas, from small grant funding up to larger scale projects, working with a wide range of different customers.As a Funding Officer you will work alongside fellow Funding Officers, supported by a Funding Manager.

We have a hybrid approach to working. Successful candidates will be required to attend meetings and training at our Birmingham or Newcastle offices.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals with lived or working experience within under-represented communities.

Responsibilities & Expectations of the Role

• You will assess applications for funding and manage grants using best practice, thematic expertise and the experience of customers and stakeholders to improve our grant making and inform our decision making.
• You will provide clear, constructive feedback to applicants. 
• You will manage your own caseload, liaise with grant recipients, undertake project visits, identify and manage risk, support organisations to meet their grant requirements and measure their impact.
• You will ensure that grant management and assessment play an effective part in contributing to the Fund’s knowledge and learning as a grant maker.
• You will be a proactive member of the England Funding Team. You will contribute your skills, knowledge and expertise to a range of work and programmes as need arises. Within an organisation and sector experiencing on-going change, an agile & flexible approach to the role will be essential for success.
• You will need to work within the Fund’s policies and procedures, and relevant legislation in a way that is in line with our vision and values.

Interview Details:

• Dates: w/c 14 September 2026, w/c 21 September 2026 & w/c 28 September 2026
• Format: Microsoft Teams
• Location:England with regular travel to Newcastle and Birmingham 

How to Apply:

Upload your CV in word format and write a supporting statement (max 1,000 words) to align with the criteria below. We will use this to score your application. 

If you have any questions on the process, please email us

Essential Criteria 

• Communication skills: Strong listening, written and verbal communication with an emphasis on written communication for assessment purposes.
• Analytical skills: Ability to assess a high volume of applications, make good judgements, challenge when appropriate and manage risk.
• Relational skills: Ability to build, develop, and promote effective relationships with colleagues and community organisations, with a strong commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Organisational skills: Ability to use your initiative and manage your workload and time, juggle competing priorities and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt and respond to changing organisational priorities, working flexibly across a number of workstreams adapting quickly to new processes and ways of working.
• Demonstrable sound IT skills, in particular Microsoft Office products and the ability to learn detailed processes quickly and accurate.
• Values driven and passionate about the Fund’s purpose.

Desirable Criteria  

• Understanding of financial planning and business plans, ability to analyse accounts and numerical data.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.) 

Overall job purpose

The Estate Officer will ensure the delivery of the regional maintenance programme, comprising routine, periodic, planned and urgent works, and the delivery of time limited maintenance consultancy and estate management projects. Working alongside the Conservation Projects Manager, the post holder will ensure regional estate compliance with CCT policies.

The post holder will be the main contact for all maintenance related matters and will maintain the property management records for the estate, develop volunteer projects and training on maintenance reporting and conservation cleaning and will assist with fundraising.

We have recently published our TRUST values, which outline the behaviours and expectations that act as our foundations at CCT. We have attached the pack, outlining each value, which we will also be using as part of our shortlisting and interview process to find the right candidates that align with our values.

If you would like to apply for this role, please visit our recruitment portal to begin your application. You will be asked to submit a CV and a short supporting statement (max 2 sides A4) outlining why you’d like to apply and how you fulfil the person specification for this post, so you’ll need to refer to the job description.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 8am on Monday 14th September 2026.

The interviews will take place in Manchester on Thursday 24th September. Please note that the interview date and location have been specifically chosen according to the availability of the panel.

Please note: As part of our recruitment process, we undertake candidate psychometric testing. If your application is successful and you are invited to interview, you will receive an email asking you to complete a series of activities, these need to be completed at least 2 days before your interview.

All successful applicants will be subject to a basic DBS, credit check, references and right to work checks.

We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer. Candidates who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the job will be offered an interview.

If you have any queries about this role, or if you have a disability and wish to request a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.

We are an inclusive employer and offer equal opportunities to all regardless of an individual’s age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are not a licensed sponsor at this time. Any offer of employment will be made subject to valid right to work in the UK being provided.