Special Project Manager Jobs in Belfast

About us 

Myeloma UK is the only organisation in the UK dealing exclusively with the incurable blood cancer myeloma and related conditions. We are committed to bringing together the best and brightest people to help us ensure that every patient has an empowered present and a hopeful future.

Our ultimate goal is to find a cure and make myeloma history. Until then, our mission is to help every patient live well with myeloma for as long as possible. We are committed to diagnosing myeloma earlier, discovering and sharing knowledge, transforming the patient experience and influencing positive change in care.

About the role

 This is a new role within the Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships team responsible for developing and leading our major donor programme. Myeloma UK is embarking on an ambitious five-year income generation strategy, which aims to increase income from £5m to £10m by 2028. This position will play a critical role, working alongside the Head of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships to double the income we raise from major donors and family trusts by securing 5-6 figure grants for a range of innovative and life changing programmes – including patient and family support, research and advocacy. The Philanthropy Manager is also responsible for managing and supporting the Philanthropy Officer in securing mid to high level donations from individuals.

The major donor programme at Myeloma UK is established - we have a strong community of existing high-level supporters and have identified significant potential donors within our community - but these opportunities have not been fully leveraged in the past. Building on this foundation, and a major fundraising Gala planned for Spring 2024, there is a significant opportunity to transform this area of fundraising and this role will be instrumental in delivering a step change in our approach. The role requires outstanding relationship building skills, and the ability to work with high-net-worth individuals, to build credibility and trust and inspire them to support Myeloma UK.

About you

You will be an experienced major donor fundraiser with the ability to secure 5-6 figure gifts and lead others to do the same. You will be a strategic thinker, who is ready to lead and implement our major donor strategy alongside the Head of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships.

We need someone with exceptional relationship management skills with the ability to nurture high value relationships and also work closely with senior colleagues, Trustees and other volunteers to build deep and long-lasting donor relationships. It will be crucial to work closely with colleagues across the charity to identify fundraising priorities, develop fundraising propositions and involve them in the cultivation and stewardship of key relationships.

You will be a skilled communicator and negotiator with the ability to communicate complex scientific information in an engaging way. We need someone who can build relationships from scratch, uncover donor motivations and convey the importance of Myeloma UK’s work to inspire support.

 How to apply

 If you think you would be a great fit for this role, get in touch and tell us more about yourself by sending us a CV that sets out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements together with a covering letter telling us more about you and what you think makes you a good candidate for this role.

Applications close on Sunday 10 December. Interviews will be held remotely w/c 18 December 2023. You may be asked to do a task prior to your interview.

Myeloma UK is an equal opportunities employer and always welcomes applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Please note, you will be asked to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK prior to interview selection.

Skylarks charity is seeking a SENIOR SEND EDUCATION ADVISER who will be part of a small enthusiastic and growing team supporting children with additional needs and their families. This post will complement our existing services and grow our organisational capacity.

Since launching in April 2020, The SEND Advice Service has supported over 1000 families who need legally-based advice in relation to the education needs of their child or young person with SEND. We are adapting to meet demand. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your skills in a rewarding role and gain a strong sense of achievement.

As the Senior Send Education Adviser, you will provide high-quality information, advice and support to children and young people with SEND aged 0-25 years and their parents and carers in line with the SEN Code of Practice and associated legal framework. You will answer queries from the public and provide support in a range of areas relating to SEND education. Most of our queries are in relation to Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs)

You will manage a small team and oversee the caseload. Your line manager will provide support, guidance and additional training opportunities.

No two days are the same and this is an interesting and varied role that would suit someone who has a good working knowledge of SEN Legislation and the statutory guidance. You will have relevant experience providing support and giving legally-based advice to people seeking help in relation to EHCPs, SEND education and associated matters.

Ideally, the candidate would have completed all of the IPSEA SEN Law training levels 1-3.

The majority of the service is delivered via phone or via video call appointments across the working week during office hours. We also provide weekly in-person meetings which take place at our centre in Twickenham or occasional outreach centres, including our new centre in Hounslow opening next spring. The role will also involve providing training for parent-carers via F2F workshops and webinars.

You will be required to:

• interpret complex information;

• be able to explain complex concepts;

• record the advice given;

• liaise with other key professionals;

• compile formal letters;

• support parents in meetings with other professionals (usually via video call)

• deliver webinars to train parents/guardians on key topics.

Skylarks works in conjunction with a third-party organisation, AMC LTD, on occasion where more specialist advice is needed. Skylarks is looking to increase the knowledge and support offered in-house but will continue to utilise the third party for more complex cases. We also work closely with other education advisers, law firms and statutory services such as SENDIASS, to ensure the best possible outcomes for families and this role will involve building on those relationships.

We currently do not provide support with appeals to the SEND First Tier Tribunal, but we are looking to do so. It would therefore be an advantage if you had some experience in supporting individuals with appeals.

You will be responsible for overseeing the efficient and effective running of our three respite homes providing our wrap-round services:

• Stress busting Residential Respite Breaks, giving young carers the opportunity to make happy memories.
• Three- week SEAL education booster program including a four-day residential stay at Honeypot, to help young carers who struggle to progress in school due to poor confidence and self- belief that they can learn, to find the confidence that they can succeed in education.
• Wellbeing grants, for essential items no child should lack, such as a clean bed, or new school clothes.
• Face to face outreach including memory making days out at the beach, countryside, or fun park for young carers who never get this experience.
• Pastoral Care promoting the welfare of children and ensuring their needs are being met.
• Healthy Eating and Nutrition, for children who receive free school meals during term time but resort to sugary drinks and snacks during school holidays. Honeypot helps children to perfect a healthy signature dish and provides funds for the ingredients.
• Urgent Pastoral Care, for young carers and their families, who are struggling to cope.

As Operations Director you will be an integral part of the Senior Leadership Team with the responsibility of developing and embedding the new 3-year plan and the Charity’s values, ensuring service delivery supports the overall business strategy and plans of Honeypot, whilst meeting budget guidelines.

Please see the JD for full details.

Job Description

Job Title: Education Officer

Department: Services

Reports to: Early Intervention Project Manager

Hours:  21 hours (over three or four days a week, days to be confirmed)

Location: Home-based, with travel across England and occasionally Wales and Northern Ireland

Salary: £29,870 (pro rata)

Purpose of the role

To lead on Shine’s exciting and innovative Education Project supporting our young members to have the best opportunity to achieve their potential within education. Whilst raising also awareness within schools and education settings of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus

Shine delivers support, information and advice to individuals and families whose lives have been affected by Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, or associated conditions, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Shine’s Corporate Plan (2022 to 2027) sets out seven ambitious strategic goals. This role will focus primarily on supporting the delivery of:

Goal 1: Enabling babies and children with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus to achieve their potential

Goal 2: Empowering young people with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus through knowledge, confidence and skills to manage their conditions and thrive

Both goals drive Shine’s ambitions to provide the foundations for improved health, equal access to educational opportunities, social and emotional outcomes for babies, children and young people living with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus, and associated conditions and they grow and develop, and journey through key stages of life.

Shine is uniquely placed to listen to the needs expressed by children/young people with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus, and their families, to offer early intervention strategies for these specific educational needs.

Project Delivery

Shine has a clear vision for the Education Project and a framework in place to take the project to the next phase.

We are looking for an exceptional team member who will be able to continue with the progress we have made over the last year and ensure delivery of Shine’s education project: supporting children and young people aged 2 to 25 years.

The project activities will include:  

● Lead on the development and delivery of Shine’s education service for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.

● Provide condition-specific information and advice relating to education to our members, parents and support groups

● Be the ‘knowledge expert’ for Shine staff for complex education referrals

● Maintain knowledge of changes in education legislation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and how these relate to children/young people with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus

● Organise and facilitate Shine education-related member events (online and face to face)

● Develop and deliver presentations and training, raising greater awareness of Shine and Spina bifida/Hydrocephalus across the education sector

● Provide training to Shine’s Services and Health teams to upskill them around issues affecting our members in educational settings i.e. access to EHCPs, managing personal care in school, school transport etc

● Review existing and develop new education resources for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in partnership with others where appropriate

● Working with other national charities, expand Shine’s educational offer to include co-morbidities affecting our members such as epilepsy, ASD and ADHD, learning disability etc, and how these conditions may impact on hydrocephalus and learning

● Actively promote Shine membership to prospective new members, parents, education professionals and education settings, whilst developing a clear understanding of parents’ increasing expectations of their child’s education, addressing learning, equal access, rights and inequality issues

● Review and further develop the recording of education information, statistics and records on Shine’s membership database

● Develop and maintain an education service evaluation process that captures the positive impact that Shine’s interventions have

● To support any funding application highlight case studies, maintain data and record monitoring and evaluation as required

● Identify fundraising opportunities for Shine across education settings and liaise with appropriate Shine Fundraising team members

● To ensure that Shine’s safeguarding policies and processes are followed and

staff are aware that it’s ‘everyone’s responsibility’

Any other duties in line with the job role.

Person Specification

Experience – essential

● Qualification in relevant discipline - teaching, psychology, special educational needs

● At least 3 years’ experience of working in an education/learning setting

● A clear understanding of current education legislation in England, and awareness of key differences in Wales & Northern Ireland

● Experience of working with neurodiverse children/young people and how living with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus might affect learning and behaviour

● Evidence of presenting at regional/national events and facilitating training to professionals and parents

● Clear understanding of the importance of working within safeguarding policies and procedure and GDPR

● Proven ability to work alone, remotely with others and as part of a national team

● Have the vision to review, develop and transform Shine’s education services, maintaining the focus specifically on Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus

Experience – desirable

· Working with children and young people with disabilities, particularly Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus

· Developing and delivering opportunities to enable and empower people with Spina Bifida and / or Hydrocephalus to achieve their developmental goals

· Multi-disciplinary working and advocacy

· Successfully developing a base of local, regional and national contacts/partners who can enhance delivery of Shine’s Strategic Goals

· Evidence of marketing education services to individuals, schools and professionals

· Evidence of CPD within the education sector

Knowledge, skills and abilities – essential

· Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written

· Ability to develop and deliver professional presentations and training in a variety of settings

· IT literate with a good knowledge of Microsoft 365 and databases

· A non-judgmental approach to working with people

· Enhanced DBS/Access NI check

· A sound knowledge of both child and adult safeguarding policy, procedures and reporting

· Willingness to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends

To apply, please submit your CV and supporting statement (your statement should be no more than 2 pages A4), which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria.

CVs without a supporting letter will not be considered.

Closing date: Thursday 7th December 2023

Interviews (online): Friday 15th December 2023

Shine is a Disability Confident employer and will offer guaranteed interviews if a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the job.

Please note we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date, therefore we encourage applications as soon as possible.