Public policy officer jobs in Ealing, greater london

Seeking a person with a strong understanding of the UK Parliament and  how parliamentary processes can be used to support campaigning.

Job description

• Lead parliamentary engagement for the organisation, ensuring MPs and peers are briefed effectively and engaged at the right moments.
• Identify and engage the most relevant MPs, peers and parliamentary staff on key issues, reports, parliamentary moments and campaign activity
• Draft and circulate high-quality parliamentary briefings, email updates and other materials for MPs, peers and parliamentary staff
• Organise meetings with MPs, peers, advisers and parliamentary staff, including preparing agendas, briefings and follow-up actions
• Monitor parliamentary developments, including debates, questions, statements, select committee activity and relevant legislation, and advise colleagues on opportunities for engagement
• Support the planning and delivery of parliamentary events, roundtables, receptions and campaign actions
• Maintain accurate records of parliamentary contacts, engagement and follow-up
• Investigate the possibility of forming an APPG on the implementation of Covid Inquiry Recommendations with a suitable Member of Parliament as the chair.
• Support the development and delivery of campaign activity that advances the organisation’s objectives.
• Contribute to campaign planning around major reports, anniversaries, parliamentary moments and external developments
• Assist with drafting campaign materials, including action briefings, supporter emails, event materials and other public-facing content as needed
• Assist with press and media work where required, including drafting press releases, statements, media briefings and ops notes
• Assist with drafting clear and sensitive communications for members and supporters where needed
• Attend campaign activities where required, including meetings and events
• Work flexibly across a small team and support colleagues in different areas of work where needed

Person specification

Essential

• Strong understanding of the UK Parliament and how parliamentary processes can be used to support campaigning
• Experience of engaging effectively with MPs, peers and parliamentary staff
• Experience of drafting clear, persuasive briefings and other written materials for political or policy audiences
• Understanding of how to monitor parliamentary activity and translate it into practical next steps
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to prioritise a heavy workload and work to tight deadlines
• Ability to handle external engagement quickly, professionally and sensitively
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a small team
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends as required
• Knowledge of, and interest in, current affairs and public policy
• Flexible and willing to contribute across different areas of work in a small team
• Personal belief in and support for the aims of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice UK

Desirable

• Experience of working in a parliamentary, political, campaigning or policy environment
• Experience of supporting parliamentary events, briefings or stakeholder engagement activity
• Experience of working across campaigning, communications and policy in a small team

Covid-19 has affected us all, but some communities were disproportionately impacted, including Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities and disabled people, so we particularly welcome and encourage applications from candidates from those backgrounds. 

Please submit your CV and a covering letter explaining how you meet the essential criteria for this role.

Our Communications Officer will play an essential role at a key moment for IVAR, with communications at the heart of our new strategy. Charities are facing mounting pressures and ongoing complexities, and IVAR’s work has potential for the greatest impact. We are looking for someone who will help us meet this potential: working together with the Director of Communications to make our research clear, accessible and compelling; with the aim of sparking conversations; inspiring action; and strengthening movements like our Open and Trusting network. We expect you to bring creativity, energy and curiosity to how we tell stories, explore new tools and formats, and connect more people with IVAR’s mission.

This is a hands-on role in a small but mighty team. If you thrive on combining creativity with delivery, enjoy working collaboratively, and are motivated by strengthening the voluntary sector, we’d love to hear from you.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead CPAG’s strategic legal work at an important time in the organisation’s fight to end child poverty. As Head of Strategic Litigation, you will oversee and carry out CPAG’s work using legal cases for positive impact, to benefit families and children in poverty. You will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of CPAG’s legal work, in addition to managing CPAG’s legal practice and playing an active role in conducting high-profile litigation on a day-to-day basis.

We are looking for someone who is strategically minded and passionate about using the law to advocate for the rights of, and directly improve the lives of, families in poverty. The ideal candidate will be a solicitor (E&W qualified) with substantial post-qualification experience. You will have experience of conducting public law litigation and legal aid (publicly funded) work. You will be able to supervise the casework of colleagues, such as CPAG’s junior or trainee solicitor(s) and welfare benefit advisers, and support the professional development and wellbeing of your team. You may have experience of working with clients in vulnerable situations or with additional needs, for example, survivors of domestic abuse, refugees, disabled people or children and young people.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack. 

For more information about this post and to apply download the Head of Strategic Litigation job pack and application form. 

If you have questions or need specific arrangements or reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process please contact us.

To apply, please return to us the application form, taking particular care to provide full details of how you meet the person specification. 

Closing date for applications: 11.59pm, Wednesday, 15 April 2026

Interviews will be held at our London office: w/c 27 April 2026

Does this sound like you?

If you love being outdoors, enjoy talking to people and have amazing organisation skills, then our Events Fundraising Officer role is for you. Each year, almost 1,000 people take part in a Youth Adventure Challenge Event. We are looking for a dynamic Events Fundraising Officer to help recruit and support our fundraisers, assist with the organisation of events and help us to develop this significant income stream.

Working alongside the Challenge Events Manager, the Events Fundraising Officer is instrumental in every step of delivering well-managed, fun and safe events for our corporate partners and event participants, as well as ensuring the fundraising success of each event.

Excellent communication and people skills will be essential as you will play a key role in building up relationships with the clients, the participants and their supporters. Furthermore, you will be involved in the whole process of event organisation, including developing the event, preparing the resources, helping with logistics, maintaining accurate records, reporting and banking and thanking. 

The Fundraising Officer must be self-motivated, well organised, able to multi-task, a strong administrator, a fantastic team player, have excellent inter-personal skills and enjoy being outdoors.  Paid or voluntary experience in a fundraising environment is essential.  This is a great opportunity for somebody looking to take the next step in their career, with plenty of scope to develop your skills and experience within a supportive team. Whilst the role is home-based you must live in the South West to ensure easy access for in-person meetings.

The Charity

At the Youth Adventure Trust, we use outdoor adventure to empower vulnerable young people from Swindon, Wiltshire and Somerset to fulfil their potential and lead positive lives in the future. We work with them to build resilience, develop confidence and learn skills that will last a lifetime, helping them to face the challenges in their lives. Dedicated support, guidance and mentoring from our staff and volunteers ensures young people receive the maximum benefit from our long-term intervention. Our aim is to make a lasting improvement to the lives of vulnerable young people. All our services are provided completely free of charge to the young people who are nominated by schools and other youth organisations to take part.

We’re proud to offer our programmes completely free of charge to participants which means the fundraising team is crucial. With ambitious plans to help more young people over the coming years, our Events Fundraising Officer role is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference. You’ll be well-supported as part of a small fundraising team with a big heart, with plenty of opportunities to visit our programmes and see the tangible impact of your work.

Safer Recruitment

The Youth Adventure Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and requires all employees to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance. 

Barnet Mencap is a charity based in Finchley that provides support and runs a multitude of projects for people with learning disabilities and/or Autism. We are dynamic, enthusiastic, diverse, and committed to equal opportunities and the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. 

There is currently a vacancy within our Project Support Team for someone with strong communication and IT skills, with a creative streak, who enjoys a challenge. Please view the Job Description and Person Specification for a better idea of what the role entails and what we’re looking for.

The successful candidate will have:

• good interpersonal skills working as part of the administrative team 
• high attention to detail and a high standard of literacy
• excellent organizational skills working in a timely manner
• be confident and flexible, acting as the public voice of Barnet Mencap

To apply, please send your CV alongside a covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria on the person specification. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service application in line with Section 115 of The Police Act 1997. 

Closing Date:Thursday 16th April 2026

Interview Date: Thursday 23rd April 2026

Are you an experienced Campaigner looking for a new opportunity? In this exciting new role, we are looking for a thoughtful and dynamic Campaigns Manager to join our Campaigns, Policy & Research team, with excellent experience of mobilising supporters, lobbying decision-makers and influencing policy change.

This is a newly created role with real scope to shape how we campaign, how we mobilise supporters, and how we deliver tangible change to improve the lives of the Armed Forces community. You’ll lead national campaigns that amplify lived experience, challenge and tackle disadvantage and inspire better provision — changing policies, influencing legislation and challenging decision-makers to ensure the voices of those who serve, and have served, their families, and the bereaved are heard where it matters most.

Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.

Key Responsibilities –

You’ll shape and lead RBL’s campaigning activity, working closely with colleagues across Policy, Public Affairs, Membership, Marketing & Communications and Services to deliver impactful, evidence-based campaigns.

· Leading compelling national and reactive campaigns that deliver real-world change.

· Developing creative, modern campaigning approaches across digital and in-person channels.

· Growing and energising RBL’s campaign supporter network.

· Using insight, evidence and lived experience to set clear campaigning priorities.

· Measuring, evaluating and communicating campaign impact.

· Building strong relationships with key stakeholders, coalitions and partners.

· Acting as a national spokesperson on campaigns when required.

· Line managing and supporting the Campaigns Engagement and Mobilisation Officer.

You’ll also work closely with local and devolved colleagues to ensure national campaigns resonate at every level and support the Head of Public Affairs & Campaigns with planning, budgeting and leadership.

You will either be contracted to our Haig House hub with a minimum expectation of two days per week working in person at the hub and flexibility for working remotely/at home when not on site. However, for the right candidate with the appropriate skills and experience, we are open to considering a remote working arrangement.

Employee benefits include –

· 28 day’s paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days

· Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 10%

· Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role

· Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice

· Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives

· Opportunities to volunteer

· Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!

For more detailed information about the role, please see our Vacancy Information Pack attached to our direct advert. Our shortlisting is performed on the evidence provided in your application against the Essential and Desirable criteria in the Person Specification.

RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.

Are you a brilliant communicator and collaborator who loves getting into the nitty-gritty of logistics and organisation? Join a passionate team working to end inequality in education through the power of Classics.

We’re looking for a Fundraising and Events Officer to help devise, organise and deliver a variety of events, seek sponsorship opportunities and grow our membership base. From managing systems and data to coordinating logistics and analysing results, every day can be a little bit different. You will be the first point of contact for many of our event attendees, donors and supporters and will enjoy building relationships and improving and maintaining systems to ensure that people have a positive interaction with Classics for All.

Diversity and inclusion

As a social mobility charity, being inclusive is a fundamental value of Classics for All. We welcome applications from all eligible people and are particularly keen to receive applications from those who are from communities that are less represented within the Classics community, such as those from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and those with disabilities.

It does not matter if Classics was offered at your own school, and you do not need to be a classicist to join our team – there are no Latin tests!

CEO

• Salary for FTE: £62,000 - £75,000 dependant on experience
• 38 hours a week over 5 days (flexibility for right candidate)
• Home-based with travel for events and meetings

Reporting into the Board of Trustees, we are seeking an inspirational CEO for the PDA Society, who can lead with humility and curiosity, empowering and supporting our staff along the journey. They will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the charity and its staff and volunteers, and will oversee the development of our training products, research and support services, whilst ensuring sustainable growth in impact and income.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a trusted enterprise within the PDA community with a strong mission and a committed, values driven team. The successful candidate will be passionate about improving the lives of PDAers and their families. You will be energetic, creative and bring new ideas for enhancing the charity’s reputation, through nurturing existing relationships and developing new ones to achieve the charities goals. Our ideal candidate will have lived experience of autism, PDA or other neurodivergence although this is not essential.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on 22nd April 2026

Interviews with Trustees:  April / May 2026

About the role
The Chief Programmes and Communities Officer will lead the charity’s Programmes and Communities Division. This division oversees our work with pupils, university students and parents, so that we can support young people from less-advantaged backgrounds to access and thrive at competitive universities. It is also home to our Research and Impact team, who ensure that our programmes are making an impact on the lives of young people and that our expertise is utilised externally to enhance best practice in the sector.

The Chief Programmes and Communities Officer will be responsible for ensuring high quality delivery across our programmes, ensuring we maximise our impact on the young people and communities we support. They will also bring our programmes and communities work closer together to strengthen the impact we have in the places of greatest need. They will represent The Brilliant Club externally, leading the Programmes and Communities Division to sustain and build partnerships with schools, universities and other stakeholders to enable the organisation to meet its growth targets.
This role holder will also be a member of the Executive Leadership Team. They will be collectively responsible for driving forward our strategic priorities, building our organisational culture and supporting the charity’s financial and reputational success. The role holder will report into the Chief Executive Officer and work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Engagement Officer, as well as engaging with our Board of Trustees throughout the year.

About you
This role will suit a strategic leader with a demonstrable passion for furthering The Brilliant Club’s mission. You will thrive in a fast paced, values driven environment, balancing big picture thinking with a focus on strong operational delivery to ensure programmes achieve measurable and sustainable impact.
The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience of programme leadership across a large, multi-disciplinary team.
• An in-depth understanding of the education and social mobility policy agenda.
• Experience of designing, delivering and evaluating impactful programmes within the education or charity sector.
• Experience of working closely with communities to drive change.
• A strong track record of managing complex, multi-partner initiatives, using data and evidence to drive decision making.
• Exceptional relationship development skills, and a track record of forging partnerships with stakeholders in the education and/or wider social mobility sector.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to identify partnership opportunities and secure new support for our work.
• Experience of public speaking and representing organisations at a local and national level.
• Experience on an Executive or Senior Leadership Team, reporting to a Board of Trustees.

Do you enjoy using evidence and judgement to manage risk and raise professional standards? Looking for a senior regulatory role with real impact and public value?
 
TPP is recruiting a Senior Regulatory Officer (Supervision) on behalf of a national regulator working in the public interest. This is a 15-month maternity cover position within a values-led organisation, focused on risk-based supervision, relationship management and improving compliance outcomes.
 
Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of regulated individuals, organisations and training providers
• Conduct desk-based reviews and on-site visits, agreeing and monitoring actions
• Lead compliance testing, regulatory returns and thematic reviews
• Maintain accurate case records and produce high-quality reports
• Contribute to regulatory policy development and continuous improvement
• Support and mentor junior colleagues 

About You

Essential:

• Strong understanding of regulatory or quality frameworks
• Experience assessing risk and making evidence-based decisions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work at pace

Why Apply?

• Senior role with real influence on standards and public protection
• Flexible hybrid working (2 days in the office, 3 from home)
• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful, public-interest regulation

We are reviewing CV’s as they come through. If this is of interest, please don’t delay in applying.

Closing date is 13th April
Interviews to take place week commencing 27th April 2026
  

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

About the Role

The primary focus of the Grants Officer is to support schools and youth organisations to operate the Jack Petchey Achievement Award scheme effectively and to promote, grow and deliver this and other Jack Petchey Foundation (JPF) grant programmes across London and Essex. This role will be responsible for Districts across Essex and act as the lead for specific uniform groups who deliver their activities in Essex.

This is a new role created following a recent restructure of the Grants team. It is offered initially as a 12- month contract (0.6 FTE / 22.5 hours per week) to support the growth of our Achievement Award scheme across Essex, with the potential of an extension, following review and subject to available funding. The working days and working pattern will be discussed with the successful candidate, however, it is worth noting the role will require evening and weekend work, so we are seeking someone who can be work flexibly.

The Achievement Award Scheme is the Jack Petchey Foundation’s flagship programme, with more than 2,000 schemes being operated in more than 1,400 schools, colleges and youth organisations across London and Essex. Through the programme, we invest millions of pounds each year to support young people and youth work. This is an amazing chance for you to have a big impact across a large number of organisations.

The Achievement Award Scheme enables schools, colleges and youth organisations to recognise, reward and celebrate young people’s achievements. At the Jack Petchey Foundation, we are passionate about encouraging young people to raise their aspirations, believe in themselves and make a positive contribution to society. Our Achievement Awards are designed to recognise a wide range of achievement, not just those achieving academically but are also aimed at young people who are ‘doing their best’ or demonstrating leadership skills, resilience and determination.

The post holder will manage delivery of the scheme and associated small grants in an assigned area of Essex. They will be responsible for maintaining and developing positive relationships with schools and youth organisations. The role will involve regular travel to visit schools and youth organisations, as well as outreach and community engagement work to identify and support new groups to apply to join our scheme. This work will also require evenings and occasional weekend work, especially to carry out assessment and review visits with youth organisations and to participate in our Achievement Award celebration events.

The successful candidate would therefore be someone who has flexibility to travel, work out-of-office hours, enjoys building relationships and public speaking, as well as navigating a busy grants and assessment caseload (desk-based processing, telephone calls/emails, and daily use of a database). You will need to be happy to travel regularly around Essex and one day per week to our office in Canary Wharf.

The Jack Petchey Foundation is an Equal Opportunities Employer, and we seek to build a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic candidates as they are currently under-represented in our team.

Key Priorities of the Role:

• To promote and strengthen the Jack Petchey Achievement Award scheme and associated programmes (Leader Award Grants, Educational Visits and Learning Experiences, Environmental Awards and Partnership Programmes) in schools and youth organisations.

• To support schools and youth organisations to administer the Jack Petchey Achievement Award scheme to a high standard and maximise the positive impact it has on young people.

• To ensure that schools and youth organisations make maximum use of the small programmes and partnership programmes associated with the Jack Petchey Achievement Award scheme.

• To ensure that accurate data is recorded on all Jack Petchey Foundation systems. • To support programme growth, impact and reach by building stakeholder relationships in your assigned local area.

• To assess new applications and monitor the impact of the Achievement Award scheme and small grants awarded.

• To work with your colleagues in the Grants Team to deliver excellent grant making, review and improve processes, and strengthen relationships with all Jack Petchey Foundation stakeholders.

About You

This is an exciting time to join us as we grow our work as a charitable Foundation. You will have an opportunity to use and develop a wide range of skills in a friendly, dynamic and supportive team that is committed to growing our positive impact on young people.

The Grants Officer role demands a wide range of skills and a high degree of autonomy, reliability and flexibility. You will need to be an efficient, highly organised team member with excellent communication skills and a passion for our work. You will need to be able to manage your own workload within agreed targets and maintain a programme of planned visits, while creating new development opportunities.

You will possess an eye for detail, good administration skills and the ability to communicate confidently and present a positive external profile for the charity. Evening and weekend work is a requirement to meet the demands of this role. This is a busy and satisfying role, with each Grants Officer leading relationships with between 350-400 organisations. You will have strong planning skills and the ability to deal efficiently with regular grant applications, and with busy grant reporting periods twice a year.

Evening and weekend work is a requirement of this role, which on occasion can require up to two to three out-of-hours events in one week, depending on the event schedule. These are seasonal events, primarily during term-time and time off in lieu will be granted for additional hours worked. This role could offer flexibility around school holidays.

This is a perfect time to join the Foundation to support us to deliver our strategic plan – while we also streamline our processes, improve our support to our grantees, and review our grant-making criteria and guidance. This is your chance to make your mark within a motivated and ambitious team and help us to reach even more young people with our funding.

Main Areas of Responsibility

1 Develop, manage and promote the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme and other JPF opportunities

1.1. Identify schools and youth organisations not currently running the scheme and proactively promote the Achievement Award (AA) scheme to them, following up as required

1.2 Receive, assess and process all grant applications to join the AA scheme, in accordance with Jack Petchey Foundation policies and procedures

1.3 Attend, participate and assist with delivery of Achievement Award celebration events (usually evenings with some weekend events), including making a speech to congratulate the young people

2 Quality Assurance for the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme

2.1 Develop relationships with and support schools, alternative provision, and youth organisations on the Jack Petchey Achievement Award (AA) scheme to operate the scheme to the highest possible standard

2.2 Provide timely support to such organisations to enable them to run the AA scheme effectively

2.3 Implement a strategic approach to conducting face-to-face and digital assessment and monitoring visits to schools and youth organisations in your area on the Jack Petchey Achievement Award scheme, to ensure our funding is well spent and to identify opportunities to improve delivery

3 Administer the Jack Petchey Foundation grant making process

3.1 Ensure accurate records are kept on the Foundation’s database (Salesforce), including up-to-date contact details and records of communication with groups in receipt of or applying for grants

3.2 Approve/authorise payment of AA grants and related programmes in accordance with our policies

3.3 Ensure appropriate grant reporting by schools and youth organisations and negotiate return of funds where a grant has not been used in accordance with conditions

3.4 Proactively manage risk, being alert to potential fraud 3.5 Ensure that clubs and groups receive all necessary materials to operate the Achievement Award scheme effectively

3.6 Assess and approve Leader Awards and Environmental Awards in accordance with our policy

3.7 Assess applications for Leader Award Grants, Educational Visits and Learning Experiences Grants and Environmental Award Grants in accordance with our policy, with recommendations put forward to senior staff

3.8 Provide regular updates on your work and Grants Officer patch during monthly one-to-ones

4 Promote the wider work of the Jack Petchey Foundation to schools and youth groups

4.1 Identify case studies and other stories and material that can be used for our communications, supporting communications team colleagues to raise awareness of our opportunities and impact

4.2 Represent the Foundation at digital and physical events, local networks, funders’ fairs, and community or young people’s forums to help promote our Grant Programmes and other opportunities

4.3 Assist with digital and face-to-face monitoring and reporting in relation to groups that have received a Jack Petchey Foundation Project Grant or other funding Promote the wider work of the Jack Petchey Foundation to schools and youth groups

Other Responsibilities

5.1 Actively contribute to Grants team and Jack Petchey Foundation team meetings

5.2 Take a lead on specific projects and undertake other tasks as agreed with Grants Manager

5.3 Provide telephone/email support and advice about our funding streams to existing grantees or potential applicants

Please note these are the normal duties which the charity requires from the position. However, it is necessary for all staff to be flexible, and all employees will be required from time to time to perform other duties as may be required by JPF.

The postholder will be required to work at all times within the policies, procedures and values of the Jack Petchey Foundation, in particular safeguarding, health and safety, and data protection and consent policies.

Title: Policy and Social Change Manager
Contract: Full time, 12 months FTC, possibility to extend subject to mutual agreement
Location: Hybrid, with regular travel to our London offices
Reporting to: Partnerships & Impact Director
Direct report/s: None
Salary: £47,000-£50,000 per annum
Deadline: Midday, Tuesday 7th April 2026

About In Kind Direct

For 30 years, In Kind Direct has been at the forefront of product distribution in the UK, ensuring that no one misses out on life’s essentials. Think toiletries, period products, clothes, toys, and technology, donated by leading brands and retailers. Founded by HM The King, we are a practical response to the widening gap in society, alleviating immediate need and pushing for systemic change through new research and advocacy. We work with a UK network of over 9,000 local charities and community groups. Together, we reach 930,000 people with essentials every week and unlock almost £30m in savings for the charitable sector each year. 

Our mission and values

We know long before people go without food or heating, they forfeit feeling clean. This has a huge impact on confidence, wellbeing, and engaging with learning or work. By 2030, we are on a mission to double our impact, to meet the growing need in communities. Increasing our voice and influence is a key pillar in our new strategy. In all things, we live our values of kindness, togetherness and integrity, driving innovation.

The role

We are looking for a passionate change-maker to be our Policy & Social Change Manager, building the roadmap for strategic programmes that raise awareness, reduce stigma, and generate systemic change. The role will involve movement building and close collaboration, working with our charitable network to raise our collective voice at a national level. You will represent us in the policy and advocacy environment, holding relationships with government departments, civil servants and cross-sector alliances.

Your efforts will particularly focus on our End Hygiene Poverty campaign, working in partnership with The Hygiene Bank, and our coordinating role for the Period Equity Alliance. We believe no one should have to face the choice to heat, eat or feel clean. These two programmes tackle different parts of the systems that keep too many people going without or feeling ashamed. The scale of poverty in the UK is simply too big for any one organisation to solve. You will develop a coordinated advocacy approach to build alliances for change.

You will work closely with our marketing team to develop our voice, and our impact team to maximise our strong evidence base. Ideally you would have experience of narrative change, political advocacy and systemic thinking, but if you’re passionate about ending poverty and have led successful collaborations, delivered social change or run brilliant campaigns then we would love to hear from you. You will work closely with the Partnerships & Impact Director and CEO, with the autonomy to help shape our direction. 
The role is based out of our London Bridge office. We operate a hybrid working practice and expect the individual to be in the office for two days each week, and working remotely, usually from home for up to three days a week. This role is subject to DBS checking.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage the development and implementation of a fully integrated advocacy strategy, aligning key objectives of more influence, more products and more impact. 
• End Hygiene Poverty campaign - utilise and support delivery of new research to develop our activity roadmap, build a cross-sector coalition for change, and unlock new funding.
• Period Equity Alliance – provide coordination including drafting letters, chairing meetings and efforts to grow the wider membership. Lead delivery of funded events that embed lived experience in developing resources and policy positioning.
• Keep a watching brief on relevant areas such as child poverty, women’s health, devolution, and the VCSE sector. Create and share regular internal and external briefings, and lead on submissions to government calls for evidence.
• Develop our position on relevant advocacy issues, understanding where In Kind Direct is best placed to lead, and where we can ally and amplify the work of others.
• Proactively develop relationships with key stakeholders, representing us in the policy environment and potentially with media, to grow our voice and visibility. 
• Work with colleagues to shape organisational messaging and inform funding proposals. 
• Maximise the value of our existing evidence base and commissioned research.

To succeed in this role, you will be able to demonstrate: 

• Experience of developing effective influencing strategies that deliver real change.
• Experience leading complex projects or campaigns across multiple teams and partners, able to balance priorities, manage stakeholders and make decisions.
• Strong facilitation and convening skills, adaptable to diverse backgrounds, expertise and seniority. Comfortable speaking and presenting to different audiences. 
• Experience of successful collaborations; engaging, influencing and mobilising senior external stakeholders, ideally including corporate partners.
• A natural curiosity, able to connect information and identify gaps and trends. 
• An alignment with IKD values of kindness, togetherness, integrity, and innovation. 
• An interest in the charity sector, corporate responsibility, and In Kind Direct’s area of work 
• An understanding or experience of systems change practices is desirable, for example systems mapping and storytelling.

In Kind Direct is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in our sector. We want this to be reflected in the diversity of the people who join us and are interested in applications from people from all backgrounds.

Working at In Kind Direct

As well as having the chance to work in a charity that helps thousands of people each year, our team benefits include volunteering days, 28 days holiday each year (including 3 days between Christmas and New Year, excluding public holidays), an interest-free travel loan, and a generous pension scheme entitlement. We are an equal opportunity employer and support our team to succeed in their roles through training, adaptations, flexibility in working, access to our Employee Assistance Platform, and a range of policies to support people in their personal, family and care responsibilities. 

We are an accredited Great Place to Work – and have additionally been recognised as a Great Place to Work amongst small Charities and a Great Place to work for Women. 

We seek to challenge discrimination and are committed to our values of kindness, togetherness, integrity, and innovation. We are on an organisational journey to achieving our EDI vision and welcome any questions about our progress and aspirations. 

We especially welcome applications from anyone with lived experience of being on a low income or working with smaller charitable organisations. 

We will meet all reasonable expenses that will support anyone invited to interview to be able to participate. If there's anything such as a disability or other circumstance that might affect your ability to take part in any stage of the application or interview process, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly. We’ll do our best to provide any support or adjustments you may need to take part fully and comfortably. Sharing this information will not affect your application in any way.

How to apply
The deadline for application is midday, Tuesday 7th April. We ask all applicants to complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring form, available on our website.

To apply, please send your CV and a brief supporting statement (max. 600 words), through our online applications portal. Applications submitted without a supporting statement may not be considered. 

Interview dates: first interviews Tuesday 14th April, second interviews Tuesday 21st April.

REF-227 512

Social Finance is an ambitious non-profit that designs, funds and scales solutions to complex social problems. Our vision is a fairer world where together we unleash the potential of people and communities. We work with governments, funders, communities and the social sector to tackle some of the most persistent challenges facing society in the UK.

Our multidisciplinary team brings together experience from the public, private and charity sectors. We are known for our collaborative and intellectually curious culture and for delivering systems change, improving how entire systems operate so they produce better, lasting outcomes.

One of our most significant initiatives is IPS Grow, which supports the national expansion of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment services across England. IPS is an evidence-based approach that helps people experiencing severe mental illness, addiction and other health challenges find and sustain competitive employment with tailored support.

IPS Grow works with commissioners, healthcare providers and delivery partners to expand high-quality IPS services, improve quality and learning across the system, and ensure the data and evidence behind IPS continue to demonstrate its impact. Scaling IPS has been a priority for Social Finance since 2015 and continues to be an integral part of our work today.

With IPS Grow transitioning from a fast‑growing initiative to a mature organisation with expanding reach and influence, we are now looking for an experienced Chief Operating Officer to join the IPS Grow and Social Finance Senior Leadership Team.

The COO will provide strategic leadership across IPS Grow’s operational infrastructure, ensuring the organisation has the systems, processes and capabilities required to deliver impact at scale. You will strengthen financial oversight, resource planning and risk management while helping develop IPS Grow’s data and digital capability. The role will also help shape the organisational structures and culture needed to support sustainable growth.

We are looking for a senior operational leader with experience in finance and the non-profit or publicly funded sectors, ideally with a track record of helping organisations scale. You will bring strong financial literacy, sound strategic judgement and the ability to build effective operational frameworks in complex environments.

You will be a collaborative partner across IPS Grow and the wider Social Finance organisation, building trusted relationships, bringing clarity to operational challenges and fostering a strong “one team” culture across a distributed team.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the next phase of IPS Grow’s development. If this resonates with you, we would be delighted to hear from you.

To download a full copy of the candidate brief and learn more about the role, please click the ‘Apply’ button, where you will be redirected to the website of our recruitment partner, Tall Roots.

Applications should include a CV and covering letter responding to the following questions:

1. What is motivating you to become our new Chief Operating Officer for IPS Grow? (200 words)
2. Given what you have read about us so far, what do you believe would make an effective Chief Operating Officer for IPS Grow? (200 words)
3. Please describe your experience ensuring an organisation had the right systems, processes or capabilities in place to use data effectively. What was your role and what difference did this make? (250 words)
4. Please tell us about a time when you built strong partnerships across teams or organisations to deliver a shared goal. What approach did you take and what was the outcome? (250 words)

Context and Purpose of the Role

After five years of dedicated leadership, GROW’s Managing Director is moving on. We are now seeking an exceptional, values-led leader to guide GROW through the next phase of our 2030 strategy and help realise our ambition to become a movement-shaping force within agroecology.

GROW is entering a pivotal stage of growth. Our focus now is on strengthening team capacity, centring community voice, developing pathways to leadership and employment, deepening hyper-local networks, and contributing more visibly to the agroecology sector.

With strong financial foundations, a committed team, and a long-standing partnership with a progressive secondary school, this is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation uniquely positioned at the intersection of farming, education, and community action.

The Managing Director will provide clear strategic direction and overall leadership, ensuring GROW remains responsibly-governed, financially resilient, and grounded in its agroecological values. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, they will nurture and inspire a multidisciplinary team of 16 employees and freelancers, strengthen key partnerships, and guide the organisation’s continued development and impact.

Job Title: Managing Director
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Salary: £48,000-£53,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 40 hours per week (9am-5pm with 1-hour paid lunch break)
Location: Hybrid. Minimum 3 days a week on site at The Totteridge Academy, Barnet Lane, N20 8AZ (more days on site expected for the first 3-6 months)
Pension: GROW participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 30% off all GROW Farm produce, annual training budget, subsidised lunches, and a generous holiday allowance of 28 days plus bank holidays.
Probation period: 6 months

GROW is a site-based organisation, and our farm sits at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for a Managing Director who is as comfortable talking with students, volunteers and visitors as they are shaping strategy and leading the organisation’s future. This is a role for a thoughtful, adaptable and hands-on leader who can hold the big picture while staying closely connected to our farm, outdoor programmes and the communities we work alongside.

Leadership at GROW is practical, relational and rooted in place. One day you might be gathering feedback from our Student Board of Advisors, listening to how our programmes are working for the young people who shape them. The next, you might be at the farm stall chatting with local community members selling jars of GROW’s homemade pickles. The Managing Director helps ensure that these everyday moments remain central to the organisation.

The successful candidate will lead a small, committed team of 16 staff, nurturing a culture that is collaborative, knowledgeable and grounded in our values. They will guide GROW’s strategic direction while staying attentive to the daily rhythms of farm and school life that make it a vibrant place for learning, growing and connection. 

Trustees recognise the breadth of this role and are committed to strengthening the organisation’s operational capacity. An early priority for the new Managing Director will be to shape and secure support for an additional capacity-building role that complements their leadership and enables GROW to thrive in the years ahead.

1. Strategy, Governance & Risk

• Provide overall leadership and strategic development of the charity.
• Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Trustees quarterly.
• Ensure charity policies and legal guidelines are up to date, clearly communicated, and embedded in everyday culture.
• Ensure statutory filings (e.g. Charity Commission, Companies House) are accurate and timely.
• Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including charity law, employment law, data protection, health & safety, safeguarding, and environmental regulations.
• Lead on crisis management and serious incident reporting.
• Prepare high-quality written reports for Board and sub-committee meetings.
• Advise Trustees on strategic opportunities, risks, and sector trends. Support Trustee recruitment, induction, and development.
• Enable Trustees to fulfil their governance responsibilities effectively.
• Engage relevant professional expertise where appropriate to support decision making. 

2. Operations, Education & Farm

• Ensure operational resilience, deputising and covering critical functions during staff absence.
• Work closely with Education Leads to develop the quality of our educational
• programmes, ensuring they align with agroecological principles.
• Ensure thorough Risk Assessments are completed, communicated, and
• implemented for all activities and programmes.
• Support the income generation strategy for the Farm.
• Support the Farm Manager with infrastructure development, including planning permission applications.

3. Finance & Fundraising

• Act as the main point of contact for the charity’s accountants.
• Develop and oversee organisational budgets, leading annual budget-setting and ongoing monthly, quarterly, and forecast reviews.
• Develop and deliver the annual income generation and fundraising strategy with the Head of Fundraising.
• Oversee effective impact reporting with the Head of Fundraising.
• Develop and implement plans to improve cost-efficiency.
• Support the completion of large and complex fundraising bids.

4. Partnerships

• Act as the main point of contact for GROW’s key partner, The Totteridge Academy (TTA), and the Academy Trust, United Learning, to ensure the partnership is effective and positive.
• Build and develop partnerships with schools, youth services, local authority, community growing networks and organisations to support the long-term development of educational programmes and participant recruitment and local environmental impact.

5. Marketing & Profile

• Oversee the charity’s overall marketing and communications strategy.
• Retain strategic oversight of all core marketing and communications, including the press opportunities, charity’s website, printed materials, and promotional content, ensuring that GROW’s voice, values, and impact are communicated clearly and consistently.
• Build and enhance the charity’s public profile through events, speaking engagements, and external representation.

6. People, HR & Safeguarding

• Manage and support the team to effectively perform their roles and develop within GROW, ensuring staff are fully trained and confident with organisational policies.
• Lead the recruitment and onboarding of all staff in line with Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Safeguarding policies, and Safer Recruitment best practice.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensure compliance with any safeguarding requirements set by partner school, The Totteridge Academy.
• Be rigorously mindful of child safeguarding at all times, embedding safeguarding policies in everyday culture and remain up to date with relevant legislation and training.
• Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.
• Develop progressive internal systems, policies, and training that promote a fair, inclusive, and supportive workplace, grounded in our agroecological principles.
• Ensuring the organisation is GDPR compliant and acts as the Data Protection Lead.

7. Values & Culture

• Act as a role model for GROW’s guiding agroecological principles and organisational values in all internal and external relationships.
• Create a supportive, nurturing, high-trust culture in which staff and freelancers can thrive.
• Champion a culture of reflection, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Centre community voice in decision making, governance, and organisational strategy

Direct reports:
Farm Manager
TTA Education Lead
Senior Facilitator
Head of Fundraising
Freelance Programme Leads

This job description is not exhaustive; as a small and evolving charity, flexibility is essential and all staff are expected to take a hands-on approach and support wider organisational needs where required.
 

Person Specification

Essential Personal Qualities

• Strong alignment with GROW’s mission, agroecological principles, and organisational values.
• Ability to lead and nurture a strong, cohesive, and collaborative team intuitively
• and with empathy.
• Resilient and adaptable.
• Calm under pressure.
• Collaborative by nature and solution-focussed in approach.
• Strong commitment to inclusive working practices and social justice.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience working in a Senior Leadership role within a not-for-profit,
• education, and/or environmental sectors.
• Experience of building and maintaining successful partnership work, for example
• with farms, schools, local authorities, funders, and/or community organisations.
• Significant experience of managing and developing staff and freelancers in a
• small team.
• Proven ability to lead organisational strategy and translate it into operational plans.
• Experience working with, and reporting to, a Board or governing body.
• Experience of financial management, including budgets, forecasting, and working with accountants.
• Track record in contributing to fundraising, including securing major bids.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and risk in a regulated environment.
• Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth, or community context.
• Understanding of legal, progressive and inclusive HR systems and policies.
• Ability to develop and oversee marketing and communications that clearly articulate organisational mission, build community engagement and support financial sustainability.
• Demonstrable experience handling and reviewing legal documentation, including contracts, leases, and formal agreements.

Essential Skills & Abilities

• Strategic thinker, able to see and drive forward the “big picture” while managing operational detail.
• Skilled and inclusive people manager, able to motivate, develop, and challenge others.
• Excellent, adaptable and confident communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a broad and competing workload.
• Effective decision-making and ability to work independently with accountability.
• Strong relationship-builder with credibility across diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to lead teams through change and uncertainty.
• Strong organisational and administrative capability.
• Sound judgement and a high level of discretion when handling confidential or sensitive matters.

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of agroecological farming.
• Experience working with local councils, schools, academy trusts, and authorities.
• Knowledge of charity and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of the local Barnet area.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

At GROW we’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified and eligible applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, gender identity or expression, race, national origin, religion or belief,
disability, age, sexual orientation or pregnancy and maternity. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, especially those who are under-represented in the charity and food growing sectors. This includes, but is not limited to, people from the global majority, neurodivergent individuals, and those with a range of lived experiences. 

We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and brings a rich mix of perspectives, skills, cultures, and ways of thinking.