Specialist support worker jobs in harlow, essex
Location (UK): Office Hybrid* - London
Hours: Full-time, 35 Hours per week
Salary: £55,155 per annum (London)
Benefits: Read more about the excellent benefits we offer on our website
Contract type: Fixed-term - 2 years
Travel: Occasional travel across the UK including Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Closing date: 23:59 hours, Sunday 4 January 2026
Join us and use your skills, knowledge, passion and energy to help us achieve a future free from arthritis.
You will join the UK Advocacy and Health Intelligence Department within the Chief Executive's Directorate. The team is responsible for leading UK strategy development and delivery across advocacy (policy, public affairs, campaigning) and health intelligence, working closely with colleagues across the UK to ensure effective delivery of the strategy in each nation. The department sits in the Chief Executive's Directorate to ensure driving positive change with and for people with arthritis is at the heart of the organisation.
The Department works closely with colleagues across the charity, including Services, Research and Income and Engagement to ensure we are joined up in our approach to arthritis.
About the role
The Researcher is a new, important post at Arthritis UK. Working within our Health Intelligence team, you will lead on providing expertise on the latest relevant research evidence, providing a responsive, robust and balanced assessment of the available evidence and any key gaps to shape the charity's UK advocacy agenda, and drive organisational priorities. Working across a range of issues you will play a crucial role in ensuring that the experiences and needs of people living with arthritis are understood and acted upon, and that arthritis is taken seriously across the UK.
About you
If your knowledge, skills and experience include the following then we'd love to hear from you:
- In-depth knowledge and experience in working in health-related, research.
- Experience in the synthesis and evaluation of research evidence across a range of sources (including grey literature), including in the design and delivery of rapid reviews.
- Experience in communicating clearly and succinctly to non-technical and non-expert audiences, through both written formats (e.g. briefing papers) and verbally (e.g. via presentations and meetings with senior stakeholders), with a robust approach to accessibility throughout communication.
- Demonstrable understanding of how research can be used to shape policy and practice.
- Experience of consistently applying a range of techniques and research methods applicable to framing research questions, evidence review and research evaluation.
- Able to communicate findings and conclusions clearly to non-specialist and specialist audiences.
- Educated to at least master's degree level or equivalent.
*As a hybrid worker the expectation is that you will spend around 40% of your working time in our office spaces or working in community settings. As an inclusive employer we will consider home-based working for anyone where office-based hybrid working would be a barrier to being able to work for us, for example for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability.
Benefits
Your excellent benefits include:
- Flexible hours, environments and working practices to promote a healthy work/life balance.
- Health and wellbeing support - including the Employee Assistance Programme (free confidential 24/7 support with mental health, legal and financial queries).
- Simplyhealth cash plan.
- Supportive and inclusive culture, with a wide range of employee networks and support groups available to join.
- Learning and personal development opportunities.
- Competitive annual leave, with the option to buy/sell up to five days per year.
- Generous pension plan, with employer contribution of up to 10%.
- Life Assurance plan (4 x salary).
Application deadline and shortlisting
We advise candidates to apply early as we reserve the right to close applications ahead of this date.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
We do not wish to receive contact from agencies or media sales.
Please note that we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) during our recruitment and selection processes, and we would respectfully ask that you also refrain from using AI during the selection process. Whilst we do recognise that AI may be a beneficial tool for some when aiding research and preparation for an application or interview, we want to maintain a fair, inclusive and positive recruitment experience at Arthritis UK where candidates can feel supported to demonstrate their experience, knowledge, and skills without the use of AI generated answers.
Interview
Interviews are expected be held Thursday 15 January 2026, Arthritis UK London office
As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee you will be offered an interview if you disclose a disability and demonstrate sufficient evidence within your application that you meet the essential criteria for this role. We will also make any reasonable adjustments you may require for your interview.
About us
We have made a commitment in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy to increase the diversity of our charity and we welcome candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We want our employees, volunteers and trustees to represent the broad diversity of the communities of which we are a part.
There are over 10 million people living with arthritis. That's one in six, with over half of those living in pain every single day. The impact is huge as the condition slowly intrudes on everyday life - affecting the ability to work, care for a family, to move free from pain and to live independently. Yet arthritis is often dismissed as an inevitable part of ageing or shrugged off as 'just a bit of arthritis'. We don't think that this is OK. Arthritis UK is here to change that.
Arthritis UK is committed to keeping children, young people and vulnerable adults safe from harm. During the recruitment process we will undertake safer recruitment practices and relevant checks to ensure applicants are suitable to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Arthritis UK is a Registered Charity No: 207711 and in Scotland No. SC041156.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The Organisation
A not-for-profit association with an annual income of approximately £3 million. Their work includes events, learning, networking, and research, delivered in collaboration with leading partners and academic institutions. Operating primarily from the UK with a growing presence internationally, all team members contribute to the successful delivery of their flagship Annual Conference & Exhibition.
The Job
You will be a key part of a small Finance team, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, managing the Accounts Executive and working collaboratively within the wider team. The Head of Finance will be responsible for delivering accurate and timely financial data, and monthly reporting, budget monitoring and year-end accounts.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing invoicing, payments, and reconciliations
- Preparing UK and Irish VAT returns
- Supporting the annual audit and year-end accounts
- Producing monthly budget reports and management accounts
- Monitoring cash flow and liaising with asset managers
- Deputising for the COO when required
- Contributing to system improvements
- Acting as Secretary to the Finance and Audit Committees
The Person
We're looking for a qualified accountant, ideally immediately available or on short notice.
You'll bring:
- Strong financial systems and Excel skills
- Excellent attention to detail and analytical thinking
- A methodical, organised approach and strong time management
- A collaborative mindset and high-level communication skills
- A proactive attitude to improving systems and processes
What's in it for You?
Salary: £70,000
Contract: Full-time, 9 months - 1 year (35 hours/week)
Location: Hybrid - 2 days/week in their City of London office, with Tuesday as a core office day
Employee Benefits Package:
- 12.5% bonus (pro rata)
- Annual Leave: 27 days (rising to 30 days with service)
- Pension: 7.5% employer contribution, with a minimum 5% employee contribution
- Life Assurance: 4x salary
- Income Protection: Up to 75% of salary after 6 months' incapacity
- Private Medical Insurance: Bupa
- Dental Cover: Bupa dental plan
- Wellness Programme: Discretionary benefits
What to Do Now
If you're interested in joining a purpose-driven organisation with a collaborative culture, please apply now.This role is being managed by Peter O'Sullivan at Hays Senior Finance.
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
East End Homes is partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Group Financial Accountant.
East End Homes is a leading housing provider dedicated to building sustainable communities through high-quality homes, exceptional services, and operational excellence. Every member of the team shares a common mission: to improve lives through quality housing and outstanding support. Their strategic vision focuses on developing sustainable communities, increasing operational efficiency, and fostering innovation and community engagement.
They are now seeking a highly skilled Group Financial Accountant to take full responsibility for delivering accurate financial reporting, supporting compliance, and providing key insights to the organisation. This pivotal role will ensure robust financial controls, effective statutory and management reporting, and continuous process improvement across the finance function.
Key responsibilities include:
- Preparing and delivering accurate group financial statements in accordance with statutory and accounting standards.
- Supporting the production of management accounts, with detailed analysis to support decision-making.
- Ensuring compliance with all financial regulations, including VAT, tax, and other statutory requirements.
- Assisting with year-end processes, audits, and liaising with external auditors.
- Maintaining and improving financial systems, processes, and controls to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
- Supporting the finance team with technical accounting queries and process improvements.
- Contributing to the organisation’s financial planning and forecasting processes as required.
The Ideal Candidate Will Demonstrate:
- Proven experience in financial accounting, ideally within the social housing or a similar sector.
- Strong technical accounting knowledge, including IFRS and UK GAAP.
- Experience preparing statutory financial statements and managing audit
- Ability to work accurately under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of liaising with external auditors and internal stakeholders.
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
- A proactive, detail-oriented approach with a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Experience in leading or supporting on the implementation, enhancement, or integration of finance systems to improve reporting, automation, and data quality.
The role offers a generous 33 days on annual leave, highly competitive pension, and a flexible hybrid working model, requiring a minimum of three days per week at the head office located at 3 Resolution Plaza, London E1 6PS.
The closing date for applications is 7th December, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis—early submission is highly recommended.
Please submit your CV to Robertson Bell, East End Homes’ exclusive recruitment partner.
East End Homes is partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Senior Finance Business Partner.
East End Homes is a leading housing provider dedicated to building sustainable communities through high-quality homes, exceptional services, and operational excellence. Every member of the team shares a common mission: to improve lives through quality housing and outstanding support. Their strategic vision focuses on developing sustainable communities, increasing operational efficiency, and fostering innovation and community engagement.
They are now seeking an experienced Senior Finance Business Partner to take full accountability for delivering strategic financial insights and support across the organisation. This pivotal leadership role will enable the Financial Controller to focus on broader strategic priorities, while ensuring robust financial management, insightful analysis, and effective governance throughout the organisation.
Key responsibilities include:
- Partnering with budget holders across the organisation to develop budgets, forecasts, and reports that inform strategic decision-making.
- Enhancing the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of financial data to create a more forward-looking, insight-driven finance function.
- Lead on the production of end-to-end management accounting.
- Leading ongoing improvements in financial systems, processes, and reporting to drive efficiencies and foster better collaboration.
- Providing financial leadership during key projects, including refining forecasting accuracy and streamlining year-end procedures.
- Acting as a trusted adviser to the senior leadership team, clearly communicating financial risks, opportunities, and insights.
The Ideal Candidate Will Demonstrate:
- Proven experience working directly with budget holders and engaging senior stakeholders.
- Strong expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning & analysis
- The ability to manage and develop a finance team, with a focus on process improvements.
- Experience in the social housing sector
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
- A collaborative, proactive approach with the resilience to work effectively under pressure.
The role offers a generous 33 days on annual leave, highly competitive pension and a flexible hybrid working model, requiring a minimum of three days per week at the head office located at 3 Resolution Plaza, London E1 6PS.
The closing date for applications is 7th December, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis - early submission is highly recommended.
Please submit your CV to Robertson Bell, East End Homes’ exclusive recruitment partner.


