Safe migration programme officer jobs

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Chief Executive to assume overall responsibility for the management of HMC. The purpose of this senior leadership role is to lead the organisation in fulfilling its purpose of supporting migrants in Hackney and the wider London community, ensuring they can access their rights and overcome injustices in the immigration and social welfare system.

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (with CFO responsibilities) 

Location: Rugby or Hybrid/ Home with ability to travel to meet the charity’s needs
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Salary: £68,000 - £75,000  
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Closing Date: 21st August 2026

About HCPT

HCPT is a UK-based charity that provides life-changing pilgrimage experiences to Lourdes for children and adults with disabilities, complex medical needs, and social challenges of all faiths, and none. Every Easter and Summer, HCPT brings together thousands of volunteers, medical professionals, and chaplains to support pilgrims in a joyful, inclusive, and faith-filled environment. Our work is rooted in Christian values, community, and the belief that every person is uniquely gifted and loved.

Role Overview

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of HCPT’s Senior Leadership Team, responsible for the effective delivery and high performance of all operational and business support aspects of the charity’s work. This includes leadership of all business support functions; Finance, HR, IT and Governance, working with and through internal teams and external business partners.  As such we are looking for an experienced chartered accountant who is also astute in leading the wider business operation of medium sized charity.

The postholder will have oversight of the quality and efficiency aspects of all that we do in planning and execution of pilgrimages, care & safeguarding, compliance and infrastructure and will support the CEO to develop a culture of accountability and high impact, whilst staying true to our values of: Compassion, Faith, Inclusion, Community and Celebration.

The COO will ensure that HCPT’s operations are safe, efficient, and aligned with our Catholic ethos and mission of inclusion and care, and that our performance is optimised to deliver excellence, which is:  THE BEST pilgrimage experience we can offer as defined and measured by our beneficiaries and volunteers.

This is a senior role in volunteer-led organisation and as such the successful postholder will be required to exercise flexibility with evening and weekend work to meet the business needs of the charity, given the availability of our volunteer leaders who have professional commitments during the day. The role also requires the post holder to travel to and work in Lourdes for two weeks over Easter each year, leading operational delivery of our largest annual pilgrimage.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Work closely with the CEO to implement HCPT’s strategic plan and vision.
• Lead and line manage internal business support functions and outsourced partners across; finance, HR and IT delivering excellence in our infrastructure.
• Support the CEO to realign the resources of the charity to improve performance, build capacity and increase impact, utilising the best in digital and AI tools to simplify complexity and create capacity.
• Lead on the development and tracking of departmental KPIs and dashboards, developing a culture focused on personal accountability, performance, quality management and continuous improvement.
• Support CEO to develop Operational Risk Register, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans.
• Line manage our Head of Care and Safeguarding, ensuring compliance with policies, procedures, and working as part of the wider care and safeguarding committees to anticipate legislative and other changes to how we deliver our mission in partnership with the CEO and Board of Trustees.
• Support CEO in project management of system migration and development of AI tools which drive efficiency and quality of service delivery.
• Support CEO in quality management and articulation of impact for all stakeholder groups.
• Deputise for the CEO as required.

Finance & Business Support Function Management

• Own and lead all financial strategy, planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting across the organisation. 
• Lead the internal finance team and external partners to deliver accurate, timely monthly and quarterly management accounts and financial insights. 
• Develop and implement HCPT’s long-term financial strategy, including reserves policy, sustainability planning, and scenario modelling. 
• Oversee cashflow management and liquidity planning in line with appropriate reserves levels, ensuring the financial resilience of the organisation. 
• Ensure robust financial controls, policies, and compliance with all statutory requirements, including VAT, Corporation Tax, and charity regulations. 
• Lead the organisation’s annual audit process and act as the primary finance liaison with auditors. 
• Drive value-for-money, cost optimisation, and financial efficiency across all operations and pilgrimage programmes. 
• Provide strategic financial insight, analysis, and challenge to the CEO and Board of Trustees, including leading financial reporting to the Board. 
• Partner with fundraising teams to support financially robust grant applications, pricing strategies, and impact reporting. 
• Oversee financial governance and reporting alignment across UK and French operations. 
• Lead and manage all business support functions, including HR, IT, and governance, ensuring effective integration with financial planning and control.

Performance Management & Growth

• Support the CEO with development and implementation of HCPT’s strategy for growth, ensuring all departments understand their roles and responsibilities, demonstrated by high performance.
• Lead on the development of HCPT-wide KPIs in the UK and French organisations and support the CEO to deliver the step change in a culture of accountability and leadership at every level.
• Devise and develop reporting frameworks and a dashboard for operational management reporting which links into the quarterly Board pack.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with UK charity law, care & safeguarding regulations, data protection requirements, and health & safety standards.
• Maintain risk registers and lead on safeguarding and incident response protocols, working with and through the Head of Care & Safeguarding.
• Support the CEO and Board of Trustees with operational reporting and risk management as the key point of contact with our volunteer leaders relating to the business operations of the charity.
• Assume Company Secretary duties and ensure all legal and fiscal records and annual returns are prepared on time to our regulators, working in partnership with our professional services advisers, CEO, SLT and Board of Trustees.

People & Volunteer Management

• Lead and support a team of staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of compassion, professionalism, and collaboration.
• Oversee HR policies, recruitment, training, and wellbeing.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across all operations.

Systems & Infrastructure

• Ensure our systems and infrastructure are fit for purpose and can enable positive customer service approaches and develop SLAs internally and externally and which include what the organisation needs from our volunteers.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of systems for group registration, medical records, safeguarding, and volunteer management, including disposal in line with information lifecycle management and legislation governing this.
• Ensure data security, operational efficiency, and user-friendly processes for data management in line with GDPR and applicable data protection law.

Person Specification

Essential

• Significant experience in a senior operational leadership role, ideally within a UK charity or faith-based organisation.
• Strong demonstrable financial leadership and management of a medium sized charity with a turnover of £4m plus, and a recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA).
• Strong experience of developing and delivering improvement methodology in change management programmes.
• Strong understanding of UK charity governance, safeguarding, and financial management.
• The ability to travel to Lourdes for two weeks each Easter to deliver the largest annual event for the charity.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• An understanding of HCPT’s spirituality, mission and values.

Desirable

• Experience working with Lourdes pilgrimages or Catholic diocesan structures.
• Familiarity with medical or care provision in a group travel context.
• Experience working in cross-cultural environments.

N.B. Please note the duties listed are not exhaustive and the charity may require different or additional duties to be undertaken depending on changing business needs.

What We Offer

• A meaningful leadership role in a mission-driven charity
• Flexible working arrangements and generous annual leave
• Up to 5% employer pension contributions, based on employee contributions
• Group life cover and healthcare benefits
• Opportunities for spiritual and professional development
• The chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and adults with additional needs

HCPT is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk. The successful candidate will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check before appointment, and references will be taken up prior to confirmation

About Hope for the Young

Hope for the Young removes the obstacles to young refugees and sanctuary-seekers’ education and wellbeing through mentoring, advocacy, and financial support.

The Mentoring Programme supports young refugees and sanctuary-seekers aged 16-25 by matching them with trained volunteer mentors who provide weekly one-to-one support tailored to the young people's needs. Mentors help with teaching English, enrolment advice, study skills, confidence and trust building, and provide emotional and practical support that helps young people access new services, adapt and settle into their communities.

The Grants and Advocacy Programme supports young people who, due to their immigration status, have no access to student finance or other financial support to enable them to go to college or university. We provide small grants to pay for tuition fees, living allowances and travel expenses, alongside tailored advocacy support to enable young refugees and sanctuary-seekers to access education in the UK.

About this role

Hope for the Young is looking for an experienced and proactive Head of Finance and Operations to lead the smooth running of our finance, systems, HR and office functions. This is a hands-on role at the heart of a small, ambitious charity, giving you the opportunity to shape how we operate as we grow our support for young refugees and sanctuary-seekers across London.

You will oversee financial management and reporting, ensuring accurate records, robust controls and clear budgeting and forecasting to support the charity's long-term sustainability. You will also lead on our Salesforce system and wider data practices, manage day-to-day office and operational matters, and take responsibility for HR across the organisation. You will also line-manage our Finance and Administration Officer.

This is a varied and rewarding role for someone who enjoys working across multiple areas of responsibility and thrives in a small team environment. Working closely with the CEO and Head of Programmes, you will play a central role in ensuring Hope for the Young has the systems, processes and people in place to deliver our mission effectively, efficiently and sustainably, helping us support more young people seeking safety to build safe, hopeful futures.

We offer a flexible and hybrid working environment, however you will be expected to come to our office in Brixton for a minimum of 1 day per week (on a Wednesday, which is our office team day).

Key responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

· Lead and oversee the charity's financial management, ensuring robust controls, effective processes and compliance with financial policies and procedures.

· Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and financial planning in collaboration with the CEO and Head of Programmes to support organisational sustainability.

· Oversee the delivery of day-to-day finance operations, including bookkeeping, payroll, accounts payable and receivable, and financial record-keeping, delivered by the Finance and Administration Officer, providing guidance, training, and support as necessary.

· Monitor income, expenditure, reserves and restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring accurate financial reporting and effective resource management.

· Prepare and present monthly management accounts, financial reports and analysis to support decision-making by the CEO and Board.

· Maintain and strengthen financial controls, delegated authority arrangements and audit processes to ensure strong financial governance.

Leadership, Governance and Organisational Management

· Lead organisational operational planning and risk management, ensuring systems, processes and resources align with and support delivery of the strategic plan

· Sit as a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), contributing to organisational strategy, cross-team planning and key decision-making alongside the CEO and Head of Programmes.

· Maintain the organisational risk register, working with the CEO and Board to identify and mitigate strategic and operational risks.

· Own the organisation’s policy framework, maintaining the policy register and ensuring the timely revision, review and compliance of all policies.

IT and Office Management

· Lead the development, administration and optimisation of Salesforce, other fundraising platforms and related system integrations to support fundraising, donor engagement and programme delivery, liaising closely with the Salesforce consultant to implement system enhancements and resolve issues.

· Drive the continuous improvement of Salesforce systems, processes and data management practices, ensuring high standards of data quality, security and operational efficiency.

· Oversee the IT infrastructure, managing the procurement and ongoing maintenance of IT hardware, systems and software with support from the external IT provider.

· Provide training, guidance and user support on Salesforce, Sharepoint, and all related platforms to maximise staff capability and system adoption.

· Ensure a fully functioning office base which enables Hope for the Young to deliver its operational activities in the most efficient and effective manner.

Human Resource Management

· Lead and oversee HR operations, including the recruitment, onboarding and retention of staff and volunteers

· Oversee employee lifecycle processes, including inductions, appraisals, performance reviews and professional development planning

· Ensure compliance with employment legislation and organisational policies through effective management and administration of contracts, HR records, employee benefits and people processes

· Lead on team wellbeing, fostering a supportive, inclusive, and resilient working culture across the team

The job description as described will be reviewed on a regular basis to respond to any changing needs of the post.

Benefits

• 25 days' annual leave (pro rata), excluding bank holidays, plus additional time off over the Christmas period

• Flexible/hybrid working arrangements

• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – a confidential counselling/support helpline

• Regular development opportunities to support professional development

• Quarterly wellbeing afternoons – group outings or activities to relax and unwind

Further Information

• You must have the right to work in the UK to apply for this job.

• You must adhere to Hope for the Young’s Equal Opportunities Policy at all times.

• Your employment at Hope for the Young is subject to two satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.

• There is a 3-month probation period for this role.

To Apply

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those with lived experience of forced migration. If you think you have the skills and experience to be our new Head of Finance and Operations, we would love to hear from you.

We understand that AI can be a helpful tool when writing job applications. However, our advice is to not over-rely on AI and ensure your application is a true reflection of you and your voice. We can often tell when AI has been over-relied on and, in many cases, this is not giving applicants the best chance of success.

To submit your application you will need to send your CV and supporting letter, outlining how you meet the person specification for this post and explaining why you would like to work for Hope for the Young.The deadline to apply is 9am Thursday 3rd September. Interviews will take place on 10th and 11th September. If successful, you will be invited to a second interview the following week.  

This exciting new role sits within REUK’s Education Pathways work which has been in a pilot phase for the last few years and is rapidly growing now that the UK government has made a commitment to expanding safe and legal routes to higher education in the UK for refugee students.

Once a student is selected for participation and offered a university place, this postholder becomes their core anchor and primary REUK point of contact. This role oversees the entire student journey—from pre-departure preparation and arrival orientation to ongoing academic support, psychosocial wellbeing, community building on campus and monitoring of student outcomes.

The postholder will work alongside the newly created Education Pathways Universities Lead. While the Universities Lead focuses on institutional partnerships, you will focus on the student support side of the pathway: equipping university welcome groups to develop integration plans, pairing scholars with academic mentors (with support from REUK’s educational mentoring team), building a vibrant national student network, and providing hands-on casework escalation when complex issues arise.

This is a critical role within a small, high-capacity specialist unit within REUK. Because this is an emerging and new area of work you must be comfortable working with risk and ambiguity, refining and learning rapidly as parameters evolve. You will be a versatile practitioner - equally skilled at designing cohort orientation programmes and delivering student workshops as you are at managing administrative workflows, tracking student outcomes, and delivering compassionate, individual casework support.

Role outcomes

1. Refugee Education Pathway students transition smoothly into UK higher education through comprehensive pre-departure guidance, arrival orientation, and holistic onboarding. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Serving as REUK’s primary point of contact for scholars in the months immediately preceding travel, delivering pre-departure briefings and managing expectation-setting.

• Supporting the Education Pathways Lead to recruit, select and match eligible students.

• Coordinating arrival logistics and initial orientation in close collaboration with partner universities and campus welcome groups.

• Establishing clear, trauma-informed onboarding protocols to help students adapt quickly to the academic and cultural environment of UK universities.

• Designing and delivering (in collaboration with young refugees who participated in the pilot pathway) high-quality orientation resources, toolkits, and interactive induction sessions tailored to the unique practical and psychosocial needs of newly arrived refugee students.

• Working alongside the Universities Lead to conduct campus visits to ensure scholars are safely settled and Welcome Groups are offering appropriate integration support

2. Scholars thrive academically, socially, and emotionally through tailored REUK-added support structures, mentorship, and peer networks. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Supporting the Universities Lead in training campus welcome groups (staff, student unions, and peer volunteers) and maintaining ongoing liaison to ensure high-quality local support.

• Overseeing REUK’s added-value support framework, including:

  • Sourcing, matching, and managing academic mentors for students on the programme;

  • Facilitating a vibrant, national network for education pathway students, organising regular in-person and online meet-ups and peer connections, as well as referrals to REUK’s refugee student leadership programme;

  • Providing occasional direct, high-level casework support and conflict resolution when complex student welfare, academic, or integration issues are escalated from universities to REUK.

• Fostering an empowering community environment that prioritises student agency, mental health, and long-term wellbeing throughout their studies.

3. Student support operations, cross-team coordination, safeguarding and administrative processes are managed efficiently and self-sufficiently. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Managing all student-facing administrative processes, communication channels, and record-keeping systems independently without junior administrative support. 

• Working in close alignment with the Universities Lead to ensure institutional arrangements and campus support delivery are fully synchronized.

• Maintaining robust safeguarding and data protection protocols across all student casework, communications, and interactions. 

• Liaising with external specialist organizations (e.g., legal advisors, healthcare providers, mental health services) when complex casework exceeds standard university support.

4. Student progress and outcomes are robustly evaluated and clearly communicated, contributing to programme learning and REUK’s wider mission. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Reporting directly to the Education Pathways Lead and Chief Executive on cohort wellbeing, retention rates, academic progress, and key student outcomes.

• Designing and implementing (with the support of REUK’s Research Manager) student feedback mechanisms, regular check-ins, and longitudinal evaluation frameworks to track scholar progression.

• Supporting grant reporting and contributing qualitative impact stories and student reflections for funders, communications and organisational learning.

• Working alongside the Youth Advocacy Manager to provide Education Pathways students opportunities to engage with our Refugee Changemakers team

• Feeding student-led insights and operational learning into REUK’s broader research, policy, and systemic change work to improve refugee education nationwide.

Person specification

Although each role requires particular competencies, we seek staff members - irrespective of role - who are willing and able to demonstrate core competencies related to 1) character and values, 2) personal working style and 3) team working. Please see the applicant pack for more details. The competencies required for this specific role are:

• Student support and safeguarding: Proven track record of delivering direct support, pastoral care and complex casework for displaced young people or international/refugee students in higher education and supporting others to do the same.

• Training and resources: Experience designing and delivering transition, orientation, or onboarding programmes that support cross-cultural adaptation and academic readiness.

• Volunteering management: Strong experience in recruiting, training and supporting volunteers and volunteer groups (e.g., akin to academic mentors or campus welcome groups).

• Network and community building: Skills in facilitating student-led networks, organizing cohort events/meet-ups, and building inclusive peer-to-peer support spaces.

• Operational self-sufficiency and willingness to travel: High level of personal organization, ability to manage admin independently without junior support, and willingness to travel regularly across the UK.

• Knowledge of education pathway models: Familiarity with international refugee education pathway models (such as Canada’s WUSC; Australia’s RSSP/SkillPath and or others operating in Japan, Italy, Ireland etc).

• Knowledge and understanding of refugee tertiary education and the needs of resettled refugees more broadly: Strong understanding of the systemic barriers faced by refugee students in higher education both in the UK and internationally in first countries of asylum, as well as the support needed on resettlement to a third country.

• Student participation: Deep understanding of the principles of youth or student leadership and co-production, with the ability to embed these meaningfully across the education pathway 

• Interpersonal skills: An ability to build and maintain positive, warm and confidence inspiring working relationships with internal colleagues and external partners and stakeholders, including in complex situations.

• Communications: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including ability to appropriately communicate nuance and complexity; confidence communicating with and presenting to a variety of audiences.

Boaz Trust relies on the generosity of trusts and foundations to provide accommodation and support for people seeking sanctuary, and to challenge and change the unjust systems that cause destitution, both locally and nationally. We are looking for a Fundraising Officer (Trusts) who can help us sustain and grow this vital income by building positive, long-term relationships with funders, delivering high quality applications and reports as needed. 

The money raised through this role will support Boaz’s work with people who are facing or experiencing homelessness because of their insecure, changing or uncertain immigration status. Our work includes providing safe accommodation and person-centred support, while working towards our mission of ending destitution among people seeking sanctuary.

Day to day, you will research prospective funders, prepare persuasive applications and cases for support, and produce accurate, engaging reports showing what funders’ support has achieved. You will manage a pipeline of applications and reporting deadlines, keep our fundraising database up to date, and work closely with colleagues across Boaz to best communicate the stories, outcomes, and impact from our work. You will communicate directly with existing and potential funders by email, telephone and, where appropriate, in meetings.

We are looking for someone who enjoys building interpersonal relationships with both funders and supporters and team-mates, is skilled at communicating through writing, can turn detailed information into a clear and compelling case for support, and is organised enough to manage several deadlines at once. You will already have experience of trusts fundraising or bid writing. Most importantly, you will be thoughtful, curious and collaborative, be aligned with Boaz’s values and our commitment to the dignity and rights of people seeking sanctuary.

AFRIL is recruiting for our next Casework Manager, following the advancement of the current post holder into another role within the organisation. We are looking for a hard working and dynamic person who can balance the operational demands of casework and managing frontline services, with excellent HR skills and a keen interest in policy and developing partnerships. This is an exciting and integral role within a supportive and dynamic team at AFRIL, which would be ideal for a highly experienced caseworker or solicitor seeking to gain leadership experience in a community led organisation.

The successful candidate will lead a team of 3 Caseworkers (as well as a team of volunteers) in the delivery of AQS casework in the areas of housing, asylum support, welfare benefits and community care, and the provision of Immigration Advice Authority Level 2 advice. The post holder will also hold key funder and partner relationships, oversee compliance, safeguarding and support the Executive Director with AFRIL's external policy work. 

This exciting new role sits within REUK’s Education Pathways work which has been in a pilot phase for the last few years and is rapidly growing now that the UK government has made a commitment to expanding safe and legal routes to higher education in the UK for refugee students.

Higher education provides a transformative pathway for refugee youth, but establishing sustainable institutional access routes requires systemic collaboration. This role will lead the growth, formalisation, and management of university partnerships required to make an education pathway to the UK grow and flourish. You will oversee the complete partnership lifecycle: from university outreach and onboarding (including negotiating formal agreements at senior level), to enabling the formation of campus welcome groups, leading on initial and ongoing university and welcome group training and support, and monitoring and improving all university-facing processes within the pathway.

The postholder will work alongside a newly created Students Lead role, enabling you to focus on the institution-facing workstreams, while student-facing onboarding, welfare, and direct casework are handled by your counterpart.

This is a critical role within a small, high-capacity specialist unit within REUK. Because this is an emerging and new area of work you must be comfortable working with risk and ambiguity, refining and learning rapidly as parameters evolve. You will be an allrounder - as comfortable presenting to university executive boards and Vice-Chancellors as you are drafting MoUs, establishing Terms of Reference, organising and facilitating institutional training, and handling complex partnership operations independently.

Role outcomes

1. UK universities actively partner with REUK to create, expand, and sustain dedicated safe and legal education pathways for displaced students. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Developing and executing a national university engagement strategy to identify, pitch to, and secure new partner universities across the UK higher education sector.

• Engaging directly with key university representatives - including Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Vice-Chancellors, Heads of Admissions, Sanctuary staff and key academics - to build institutional buy-in and secure long-term commitment to refugee education pathways.

• Negotiating university support packages, including as appropriate fee waivers, scholarship or bursary structures, and accommodation commitments.

• Nurturing and strategically managing existing university partnerships to ensure institutional sustainability, high-level engagement, and year-on-year growth in pathway placements.

• Representing REUK where appropriate in sector-wide higher education networks and working groups on displaced student pathways.

2. Partner universities establish institutional frameworks, well-trained staff networks and campus welcome groups to receive refugee education pathway learners. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Guiding universities in establishing and structuring sustainable on-campus welcome groups (bringing together university staff and students) to support the welcome and integration of education pathway students.

• Designing and delivering high quality training sessions for on-campus welcome groups and other key staff members.

• Developing practical toolkits, guides, and frameworks for university staff to accompany above training.

• Collaborating with the Students Lead to ensure campus welcome structures integrate with REUK's student support mechanisms.

• Advocating within partner institutions for structural policy improvements (e.g. contextual admissions and flexible documentation policies).

3. University partnership governance, agreements, and operational systems run effectively and efficiently. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Drafting, negotiating, and finalizing formal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Terms of Reference (ToRs), and operational service agreements with partner universities. 

• Managing all administrative and governance aspects of university partnerships independently, including contract tracking, partnership reviews, and operational timelines without junior admin support.

• Coordinating institutional admissions frameworks and placement quotas with university registry and admissions departments.

• Serving as the primary point of contact for senior university leads when strategic, structural, or other partnership challenges arise

• Maintaining robust data systems and records relating to university commitments, funding allocations, and institutional agreements.

4. REUK’s Education Pathways university partnerships work is robustly evaluated, financially sustainable, and aligned with REUK’s broader strategy. To this end, key responsibilities include: 

• Reporting directly to the Education Pathways Lead  on partnership growth, institutional engagement metrics, and strategic pathway goals.

• Working in close alignment with the Students Lead to ensure institutional frameworks effectively support cohort needs and programme delivery.

• Collecting sector data, university feedback, and institutional metrics to demonstrate impact to funders, university boards, REUK’s board of trustees, and government stakeholders.

• Supporting grant reporting and budget management related to university pathway expansion and partner development.

• Feeding operational insights from university partnerships into REUK’s broader research, policy, and systemic change initiatives.

Person specification

Although each role requires particular competencies, we seek staff members - irrespective of role - who are willing and able to demonstrate core competencies related to 1) character and values, 2) personal working style and 3) team working. Please see the applicant pack for more details. The competencies required for this specific role are:

• Higher Education sector expertise: Deep understanding of UK university governance, executive structures, admissions procedures, international frameworks, and sanctuary initiatives.

• Senior stakeholder engagement and negotiation: Proven track record of engaging and influencing senior decision-makers within universities.
   

• Partnership governance: Demonstrated experience drafting, negotiating, and executing formal and operational agreements, including MoUs and ToRs.
   

• Facilitation and training: Strong training and facilitation skills, with a track record of designing and delivering workshops and guidance, ideally within the higher education or refugee education sectors

• Operational self-sufficiency: Outstanding organisational skills with the ability to manage high-level administration, systems setup, and contract management independently without administrative support.

• Knowledge of education pathway models: Familiarity with international refugee education pathway models (such as Canada’s WUSC; Australia’s RSSP/SkillPath and or others operating in Japan, Italy, Ireland etc).

• Knowledge and understanding of refugee tertiary education: Strong understanding of the systemic barriers faced by refugee students in higher education both in the UK and in first countries of asylum. 

• Interpersonal skills: An ability to build and maintain positive, warm and confidence inspiring working relationships with internal colleagues and external partners and stakeholders, including in complex situations.

• Communications: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including ability to appropriately communicate nuance and complexity; confidence communicating with and presenting to high level audiences.

IT Manager

Contract: Permanent 

Salary: £36,000- £40,000 per annum, pro rata depending on experience (based on a full-time equivalent salary of £45,000–£50,000) 

Hours: Part-time, 30 hours per week 

Location: Hybrid working with a minimum of one day per week at our Putney, London (SW15) office plus regular travel to our services across London and the Midlands 

About Us 

Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, achieve their potential and have a bright future. 

St Christopher's is a leading children's charity with a long history of providing high-quality fostering services, children's homes and innovative leaving care support across the UK. 

Everything we do is centred around helping children and young people build brighter futures. We are particularly committed to supporting those who cannot remain with their families or foster carers, ensuring they have the opportunities, stability and support they deserve. 

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ages and faiths. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

About the Role 

We are looking for an experienced IT Manager to oversee and develop our IT infrastructure, ensuring our systems remain secure, reliable and fit for the needs of the charity. Following a significant organisational structural change, you will have the opportunity to input into a review of the IT resourcing and will support the implementation of any resulting changes. 

You will be responsible for maintaining and improving our IT and communications infrastructure while delivering an excellent service to colleagues across the organisation. Working closely with your team, external managed service provider and stakeholders, you'll ensure technology enables our staff to provide the best possible support to children and young people. 

This is a varied role combining operational oversight, supplier management, cyber security, infrastructure management and service delivery.

Your key responsibilities will include: 

• Managing and developing the organisation's IT infrastructure across multiple UK sites.

• Ensuring colleagues have reliable IT equipment, connectivity and systems to work effectively.

• Supporting technology that enables young people in our homes to safely access education, communication and online services.

• Leading the IT helpdesk to deliver an excellent customer-focused support service.

• Maintaining robust cyber security, disaster recovery and business continuity arrangements.

• Managing IT budgets and ensuring value for money from suppliers and technology investments.

• Supporting ICT projects and driving continuous improvement across the organisation.

• Providing occasional out-of-hours support for critical ICT incidents. 

Our IT Environment: 

You'll oversee and support an established Microsoft-based infrastructure including: 

• Windows Server (physical and virtual VMware environments, to be retired)

• Hybrid Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD migration)

• Windows 10/11 laptops and desktops

• Multi-site WAN infrastructure across the UK

• Microsoft 365, including Exchange Online and SharePoint

• WatchGuard firewalls

• DrayTek routers and web filtering

• Unifi network switches

• Mimecast email security and archiving

• 3CX VoIP telephony (currently under review) 

• Third-party applications including ADP, Raiser's Edge, ClearCare, Charms, Access Finance and SolarWinds Service Desk

About You 

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical expertise with excellent leadership and communication skills. You should have: 

• Experience managing an IT department or IT infrastructure.

• Experience administering Active Directory (on-premises), Microsoft 365 and Azure, including Exchange.

• Experience managing multi-site IT environments and WAN connectivity.

• Knowledge of business continuity, disaster recovery and cyber security best practice.

• Experience managing an IT helpdesk, ideally using SolarWinds or a similar service desk platform.

• Experience leading and developing staff.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Experience managing IT budgets and delivering value for money.

• A flexible approach with the ability to travel occasionally to services across London and the Midlands, and provide out-of-hours support for critical ICT incidents when required. 

What we Offer 

• Competitive salary: £36,000- £40,000 per annum. 

• A friendly working environment at a values-led charitable organisation.

• 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.

• Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.

• UK Life Assurance (Death in service) to the value of 3 times your annual salary.

• BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.

• Cycle to work scheme.

• Bluelight card; discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK both in store and online.

• Discretionary funded training programs for you to explore and attain new and relevant skills.

• Employee awards based on performance and length of service.

How to Apply 

To apply, please complete our application form  along with a supporting statement outlining how you meet the criteria listed in the Person Specification. Please note that applications without a supporting statement will not be considered. 

Please note we review applications as they are received, so early application is encouraged. 

Safer Recruitment 

St Christopher’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to thorough screening, including DBS checks. 

Please note that it is against the law to apply for work with Children/Young People if you are barred from working in Regulated Activity and if your name is added to a Children Barred List. 

All shortlisted candidates invited to interview will be asked to submit a Self-Declaration and Disclosure form which will need to be returned prior to an interview being booked.