Senior social worker jobs in fort william, highland council
Purpose of the post
The Engagement and Involvement Lead will engage with young people, families, schools and other interest-holders in the process of designing, delivering and ensuring the best outputs from the Adolescent Health Study, and is critical for the success of the project. We are at the early stages of laying the foundations for this and in this new role we are seeking an experienced and passionate individual to co-ordinate and lead AHS’s cross-UK participant and public involvement and engagement activities.
This is a role that requires high levels of confidence, autonomy, enthusiasm and skill. The postholder will be responsible for delivering the project’s new Engagement and Involvement Strategy, including: establishing and coordinating a Young Persons’ Advisory Group for AHS; developing and delivering AHS public engagement and involvement activities; outsourcing and supervising engagement and involvement activities that are better provided by external partners; scoping and advising on which routes for involvement and engagement activities are best suited to different tasks.
Main responsibilities
Planning & strategy delivery
· Ensuring the study delivers the values and approaches set out in the AHS engagement and involvement strategy
· Planning, delivering and reporting on an ongoing, regular and important programme of engagement events and activities
· Reviewing/revising/adding to existing policies, processes and procedures to support effective working together with people and communities (such as reimbursement, compensation, making reasonable adjustments)
· Developing and implementing appropriate evaluation, monitoring and reporting of Community Engagement & Involvement
· Keeping up to date with good practice & sector advances and sharing these with the AHS team.
Practical engagement and involvement
· Developing methods to enhance engagement and involvement, and helping to build positive relationships with young people and stakeholder groups, including charities, third sector & advocacy groups
· Overseeing day-to-day planning & delivery of a high-quality engagement and involvement programme. To include, for example:
o Managing and supporting Youth Advisors
o Recruiting and running a standing Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG)
o Organising & delivering other ad hoc engagement activities as necessary
· Securing external partners where necessary, and managing contracts and delivery of their work across the UK
· Ensuring that any external parties (e.g. organisations, freelancers, consultants) supporting AHS’s involvement and engagement work have clear roles, responsibilities & goals
· Working with the Head of Communications to develop and manage provision of relevant information to members of the public, teachers, young people & researchers
· Keep clear records of involvement and engagement activities, ensuring results are used to inform the study and the wider research community.
Team support
- Checking for and capitalising on possible opportunities for engagement and involvement to be embedded in the work of the wider team
- Ensuring appropriate induction, training, mentoring and support is organised for the research team and communities involved
- Sharing examples of emerging good practice and CEI (Community Engagement & Involvement) impact across the research team.
Wider
- Contributing to shared learning and future sustainability as part of wider CEI communities of practice
- Acting as a key point of contact for community members and partners involved in the research
- Representing and presenting the AHS study’s engagement and involvement work to the wider research community at a senior level, including in national engagement & involvement networks as necessary.
Knowledge, skills and experience
Essential criteria
· Undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
· Experience developing and delivering engagement and involvement activities with young people and other relevant interest-holders (such as parents, families, teachers and schools)
· A proven track record or professional background in working with young people – such as in youth work, counselling, mentoring, education, or a related setting
· Understanding and experience of good practice in youth engagement and involvement, including the principles and implementation of safeguarding, data protection, and inclusive practice
· Awareness of culturally sensitive approaches and methods to be inclusive of all relevant perspectives, including marginalised and vulnerable groups
· Experience of successful project management and ability to deliver, working independently.
· Ability to design and deliver workshops, focus groups or meetings that encourage open dialogue and collaboration
· Ability to manage a budget and report on financial activity accurately
· Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, with experience of working alongside and influencing senior level professionals
· Research literacy, with a clear understanding of large UK-wide research initiatives and the various competing demands and pressures the study will face
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills - able to communicate effectively and confidently with a range of stakeholders and to summarise and report key information clearly and accurately, both verbally and in writing
· Demonstrated commitment to youth participation and the meaningful inclusion of young people’s perspectives.
· Confident using online tools (e.g. MS Teams, Zoom), and collaborative platforms (e.g. SharePoint, Microsoft 365)
Desirable criteria
· Relevant qualification in engagement and involvement
· Post-graduate degree or equivalent experience
· Understanding of key concepts and challenges in young people’s health and wellbeing and the transition to adulthood
· Familiarity with health research and data governance frameworks
· Understanding and knowledge of key potential partners across the UK for delivering youth engagement in the sector.
· Experience using digital engagement and facilitation tools for online workshops (e.g. Miro, Mural, Mentimeter, Canva, PowerPoint)
Dimensions
· This has been designed as a full-time role, although part-time work could be considered for the right candidate.
· Flexible working across several geographical locations in the UK. Travel may be required to AHS locations and partner organisations.
· AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.
Application Process
This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available). Please apply with a CV and a covering letter (of no more than two pages) explaining what you can bring to this role, and including your current salary.
The closing date for this position is midnight on Sunday 17 August 2025.
Interviews are currently expected to be held during the week commencing 08 September, tentatively scheduled on Thursday 11 or Friday 12 September 2025.
Equal Opportunities Policy Statement
AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.
Values
It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.
Application Process
This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available). Please apply with a CV and a covering letter (of no more than two pages) explaining what you can bring to this role, and including your current salary.
The closing date for this position is midnight on Sunday 17 August 2025.
Interviews are currently expected to be held during the week commencing 08 September, tentatively scheduled on Thursday 11 or Friday 12 September 2025.
The Organisation
We're recruiting on behalf of a prominent UK charity in the health and social care sector, with an annual income exceeding £100 million. Funded through a mix of voluntary donations, grants, and commercial partnerships, the organisation delivers nationwide services, campaigns for change, and invests in research to improve lives and drive long-term impact. The Finance & Assurance directorate is entering a transformative phase - redefining its structure, culture, and leadership expectations. Finance is evolving into a strategic corporate function, focused on insight, process excellence, and enabling impact through effective resource planning.
The Role
This is a pivotal leadership role, reporting to the Associate Director of Finance and managing the Financial Partnering, Planning & Analysis Team. As part of the Finance & Assurance Leadership Team, you'll be instrumental in leading cultural change, embedding collective leadership, and shaping the future of financial partnering across the organisation. You'll define and deliver a consistent, high-quality approach to financial planning and analysis - balancing strong relationships with analytical rigour. This role is about codifying what FP&A means in practice: not just being "all things to all people," but establishing clear standards, tools, and expectations across directorates.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading financial planning policy and engaging senior stakeholders.
- Driving process excellence in budgeting, forecasting, and modelling.
- Building strong relationships while maintaining analytical depth.
- Equipping the organisation with the tools and capability for sophisticated financial planning.
- Leading a team through change with clarity, compassion, and ambition.
The Person
We're looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) with significant post-qualification experience at a senior level. You'll bring:
Proven leadership of high-performing teams through change.
Deep experience in strategic financial planning and analysis.
A track record of effective business partnering with senior leaders.
Strong communication, influencing, and engagement skills.
A passion for continuous improvement and innovation.
You'll be a finance expert - but first and foremost, a leader.
Someone who can drive consistency, clarity, and excellence in financial partnering across a diverse organisation.
What's in it for you?
This role offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and work-life balance, including:
- Double-matching pension scheme (up to 8%)
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising to 30)
- Flexible working options, including condensed hours and a 9-day fortnight
- Health and wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services
- Employee recognition and discounts platform
If you're ready to lead a strategic finance function through transformation - and help shape the future of a high-impact organisation - we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now to be part of a team that's making a real difference.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk
Legal Casework Manager (Helpline)
Are you aware of the significant health inequalities that people with a learning disability face in the UK and levels of avoidable deaths? Are you passionate about access to justice for the families of people with a learning disability who have died avoidably in acute healthcare settings?
We’re looking for a dedicated Legal Casework Manager (Helpline) to join our committed information and advice team covering England at Mencap on a full time (37.5 hours per week) fixed term contract for 2 years.
Here at Mencap we are a leading charity providing advice, support and opportunities to people with a learning disability across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The role will lead on supporting families to get answers about how their loved ones died and change across the healthcare system to prevent future deaths.
The role is flexible in terms of location, which can include home working, using Mencap’s office bases, such as in London and Peterborough, and will include some national travel, for example to inquest hearings or to meet families when needed.
About the Role
As Legal Casework Manager (Helpline), you’ll provide advice, support, and casework assistance to families facing complex legal issues, specifically relating to people with a learning disability who have died in avoidable circumstances across England, mainly within the healthcare system. Working within a small, supportive team, you’ll manage your own caseload, contribute to the body of knowledge about avoidable deaths and help empower families to understand and exercise their rights and get answers through the inquest and other investigations processes.
Key Responsibilities
· Provide clear, accurate, and timely legal advice and casework support for families.
· Work closely with clients, many of whom will be distressed, ensuring a sensitive, trauma informed and professional approach
· Maintain up-to-date case records and comply with quality and regulatory standards
· Support strategic litigation and advocacy efforts where appropriate
· Liaise with other charities, coroners, legal professionals, and agencies to support families to get answers
· Work towards a world where people with a learning disability are no more at risk of death in hospitals, than any other person
· Manage a team of caseworkers working across different areas of advice.
About You
We’re looking for someone:
· Legally qualified in the UK or similar jurisdiction with at least 3 years post qualification, working in either clinical negligence, inquests or inquiries. Or similar number of years working as a senior case worker in an inquest/clinical negligence/inquiries advice role.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a non-judgemental and empathetic approach
· Ability to manage a varied workload, prioritise effectively, and work independently
· Ability to travel effectively to support families at inquests, and to attend meetings
· A clear understanding of the importance of professional boundaries and in maintaining their emotional wellbeing in distressing situations
· Strong management skills and ability to supervise, coach and mentor colleagues.
· Experience of accurately recording client case records and use of CRM/client database system
What We Offer
· A meaningful role supporting families and delivering change in a values-driven organisation
· Supportive and collaborative team environment
· Professional supervision
· Flexible working arrangements
Please see attached the full job description for further information on the role.
Closing date: Monday 18th August 2025
Interview date: Thursday 4th September 2025
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace.
Benefits
Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.
Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.
For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!
About Mencap
Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.
At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues. Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.
· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.
· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes
· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.
We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies. We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.
The Organisation
We're recruiting on behalf of a prominent UK charity in the health and social care sector, with an annual income exceeding £100 million. Funded through a mix of voluntary donations and grants, as well as NHS and local authority contracts, the organisation delivers nationwide services, campaigns for change, and invests in research to improve lives and drive long-term impact.
The Finance & Assurance directorate is entering a transformative phase - redefining its structure, culture, and leadership expectations. Finance is evolving into a strategic corporate function, focused on insight, process excellence, and enabling impact through effective resource planning and control.
The Role
This is a pivotal leadership role, reporting to the Associate Director of Finance and managing the Financial Accounting Team. As part of the Finance & Assurance Leadership Team, you'll play a central role in shaping the organisation's financial control, compliance, and reporting strategy.
You'll lead the development of a robust financial control environment, ensure the delivery of high-quality statutory accounts, and build strong relationships across the organisation and with external partners. This role is about defining what financial accounting means in a modern, impact-driven charity - establishing clear standards, tools, and expectations that underpin trust, transparency, and performance.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the preparation of statutory accounts and annual reporting in line with regulatory requirements.
- Ensuring a single point of credible, reliable, data-driven financial truth across the organisation.
- Developing and maintaining effective internal controls and risk mitigation strategies.
- Building strategic relationships with auditors, tax advisors, and banks.
- Driving continuous improvement in financial systems, processes, and reporting tools.
- Leading a team through change with clarity, compassion, and ambition.
The Person
We're looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIPFA, ACMA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience at a senior level. You'll bring:
- Proven leadership of high-performing teams through change.
- Deep experience in financial control, statutory reporting, and compliance.
- A track record of building collaborative relationships across finance and wider organisational boundaries.
- Strong communication, influencing, and engagement skills - including with senior executives and board members.
- Experience working with ERP systems (Unit4 ERPx or similar).
- A passion for continuous improvement and innovation.
- The ability to foster a high support, high challenge culture.
You'll be a finance expert - but first and foremost, a leader. Someone who can drive consistency, clarity, and excellence in financial accounting across a diverse organisation.
What's in it for you?
This role offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and work-life balance, including:
- Double-matching pension scheme (up to 8%)
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising to 30)
- Flexible working options, including condensed hours and a 9-day fortnight
- Health and wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services
- Employee recognition and discounts platform
If you're ready to lead a strategic finance function through transformation - and help shape the future of a high-impact organisation - we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now to be part of a team that's making a real difference.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Grade: Manager
Job Title: Grants Programme Manager, Europe
Type: Fixed Term Contract until 31st December 2026
Location: This job is open to candidates living in France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Please note that we currently do not have the infrastructure to support visa sponsorship and you must have the relevant right to live and work in your country of residence.
Reports to: Senior Programme Manager, Europe
Direct reports: Grants Officer (Associate)
Hours per week: 35 - 40 hours/week (depending on local labour laws)
Compensation: Salaries are benchmarked to the country of residence and mapped to years of experience. Please note that to counter inequity, salaries at CPI are non-negotiable.
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France: €74,482 - €86,896
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Germany: €86,395 - €100,794
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Spain: €76,766 - €89,560
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Sweden: 860,190 kr - 1,003,555 kr
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UK: £68,770 - £80,231
Closing Date: Sunday 24th August 2025, 23:59 (11:59pm) British Summer Time
About the Centre for Public Impact (CPI):
At the Centre for Public Impact, we believe in the transformative potential of government to improve lives and create better outcomes for all. Yet, we recognize that many of today’s government systems, structures, and processes are not yet designed to address the complex challenges of our time. That’s why we are committed to reimagining government- working towards systems that truly serve everyone, equitably, and effectively.
As a not-for-profit organization founded by the Boston Consulting Group, we act as a learning partner for governments, public servants, and a diverse network of change makers. Though we are a small organisation, our global footprint is expansive. We have dedicated and innovative teams in Asia, Australia/ Aotearoa New Zealand, Europe and North America. We are all aligned by our Global Hub operational team who provide people & culture, operational, finance, and communications partnership across the regions.
CPIE was founded in 2020 and our culture is founded on the values and principles within our vision for government. So in everything we do we aim to be humble, open, empathetic, authentic, trusting and trustworthy, curious and to champion diversity and inclusion. We continually experiment with ways to embody our values, striving to share power and devolve decision-making to those best placed to make the decision. We challenge traditional hierarchies, adopt a strengths-based approach, and prioritise mutual support.
Our Values:
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Curiosity - We champion exploration and creativity.
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Courage - We are authentic and brave in our decisions and actions.
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Collaboration - We share power and work together.
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Empathy - We embrace others’ perspectives and experiences.
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Equity - We disrupt systemic barriers to shift power.
The AI Opportunity Fund:
The AI Opportunity Fund, led by the Centre for Public Impact with support from Google . org, is currently a €16 million initiative aimed at empowering underserved workers across Europe with essential AI skills. The programme has selected 73 organisations from hundreds of applications to provide tailored AI training to at least 20,000 workers across 24 European countries. These organisations focus on diverse communities, including rural job seekers, underemployed women, and public sector workers, aiming to bridge the digital divide and promote economic resilience. The initiative underscores AI's potential to drive social mobility and equitable growth across the continent. We are also hoping to scale our work in this area in the future.
Position Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Grants Programme Manager to ensure the successful delivery of the AI Opportunity Fund. This role is responsible for the operational leadership of the programme, ensuring that it is planned and executed effectively on time, on budget and within scope. A key focus of the role is ensuring that the grant-giving component of the programme is designed and stewarded diligently.
This is a middle management role that is primarily operational with some elements of strategic leadership. It requires strong project management skills, good grant-making practice and the ability to manage relationships with diverse partners. We’re looking for someone who is comfortable working with considerable scope and complexity; and who embraces the challenges and opportunities of a startup environment where learning, adaptability, and building the plane as we fly it are central!
Responsibilities and Competencies:
Programme Development and Delivery
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Lead on shaping the design and execution of the AI Opportunity Fund utilising appropriate project management frameworks.
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Coordinate high quality project deliverables including implementing an AI training programme at scale and convening peer learning and knowledge sharing workshops.
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Collaborate closely with Finance and Senior Leadership to manage and monitor the programme budget and expenditure.
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Identify, escalate and contribute to addressing programmatic risks to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory and donor requirements.
Grant Making and Management
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Lead the design and implementation of the AI Opportunity Fund grant making function, embedding good grant making practice whilst adhering to donor expectations.
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Develop and implement robust grant-making systems, processes and structures to successfully execute each stage of the grant lifecycle.
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Provide excellent stewardship of a large portfolio of grants, providing technical support and effectively managing escalated issues to ensure the programme achieves its strategic objectives.
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Build the capacity of the wider AI Opportunity Fund team in grant making skills and capabilities.
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Manage and coach the Grants Officer, ensuring they deliver their grants administration responsibilities effectively.
Partnerships and Stakeholder Management
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Provide excellent donor stewardship of Google . org, securing their confidence in CPIE as a thought and delivery partner.
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Cultivate, maintain and oversee strong relationships with wider stakeholders on the programme including service providers and evaluation partners.
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Support senior leadership to position the programme strategically internally and externally in order to advance CPIE’s reputation and offer.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
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Ensure that CPIE prepares and submits accurate, timely and high quality programme and grant reports to Google, CPI’s Board and other key audiences.
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Collaborate closely with the Communications Team, Senior Leadership and external providers to ensure robust impact measurement of the AI Opportunity Fund.
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Identify and leverage opportunities to share insights from the AI Opportunity Fund to a range of stakeholders including broader CPI teams, wider civil society and current and potential clients.
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Embed a culture of learning and reflexivity in the team, utilising insights from the Programme to shape project management in an iterative way.
DEIB & Collaborative Working
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Actively contribute to a diverse, equitable, inclusive and belonging (DEIB) culture by embracing different perspectives and fostering an environment of respect.
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Dedicate time to continuous learning about DEIB and how it informs our mission, and commit to disrupting white supremacy in the workplace.
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Demonstrate empathy for government and the communities they serve to advance DEIB within systems that government influences
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Embed DEIB within the AI Opportunity Fund design approach and team.
This job profile isn’t intended to be an exhaustive list of your duties, rather it gives an outline of what your role will involve.
Skills & Qualifications:
We expect applicants for this role will generally have 5-8 years work experience.
Essential
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Significant project management knowledge and experience, with demonstrable application of project management methodologies and frameworks.
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Proven grant making experience including designing, developing, implementing and monitoring sizable portfolios, and maintaining good grant making practice.
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Proven experience of identifying, assessing, prioritising, and managing risks when executing programmes.
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Proven experience of building productive relationships with external parties, including in convening stakeholders for learning or wider objectives.
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Intercultural competence, experience of managing high performing teams. and proven commitment to advancing DEIB.
Desirable
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A recognised project management qualification e.g. PRINCE2, Agile Certifications etc.
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Experience of successfully delivering complex contracts for high value donors/clients e.g. third party grant programmes.
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Experience or understanding of AI or related technologies.
Salary, benefits, and how to apply
At the Centre for Public Impact, we are committed to countering pay inequality and have conducted a global compensation benchmarking process to ensure that we're paying our staff fairly and well for the roles that they hold. Therefore, salaries at CPI are non-negotiable.
CPIE offers comprehensive benefits to its employees including a range of high-quality health, dental, and vision plans; employer’s contribution to pension/retirement as applicable; dedicated professional development funds; generous paid leave and public holidays; short/long term disability, paid parental leave and extended illness leave; and a year-end organisation-wide closure. We anticipate this position will require approximately 10 - 15% domestic and international travel.
We use a structured review process to ensure fairness in our hiring. Please note that we are collecting CVs and cover letters.We understand applicants may use tools like ChatGPT as thought partners; however, we are looking for original work that reflects your unique perspective, skills and reflections. Please do not submit content that is directly copied or heavily reliant on AI as these will be flagged and marked down. We have a team of real people who review and score your CV and cover letter and a system that helps us ensure applications maintain authenticity. Please apply by Sunday 24th August 2025, 23:59 (11:59pm) British Summer Time, the portal closes automatically and we will not be able to reopen it. Please note: We may close the application window early if we receive a high volume of applications.
To advance our purpose of reimagining government so that it works for everyone, CPI seeks to attract and support a diversity of backgrounds, experience, talent and thought. For this reason, we encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. You can read our full Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy here. CPI is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, colour, caste, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
We're a learning partner for governments, public servants, and the changemakers leading the charge to reimagine government.