Statutory Grants Officer Jobs in Birmingham

Bowel Research UK is looking for an interim Research and Grants Manager to coordinate and evaluate the management of the charity’s research activities. This role covers all aspects of pre- and post-award research management, impact reporting, grant finance management and governance, co-ordination of the Charity’s scientific committees and shaping external scientific communications to supporters and other stakeholders. Additionally, you will foster and maintain strong relationships with researchers, serving as the primary point of contact for engaging with the research community. 

The charity has approximately 50 active research grants to the value of in the region of £1.5 million. The Interim Grants & Research Manager will be responsible for managing these. 

Bowel Research UK are bringing this role in as an interim position rather than permanent, to support the day-to-day duties whilst this post holder also supports with reviewing the research and grants functionality within the organization, and help senior leadership decide on future requirements. You will act as an internal consultant, using your career experience to critically assess and analyze the charity requirements and provide guidance and direction.  

This role would suit someone looking for a fresh and exciting challenge, who would be energized by both providing internal consultancy and managing the day-to-day.  

If you feel you have relevant expertise and the motivation and enthusiasm the role needs, but perhaps don't have experience across all areas in the person spec, please do still express interest. 

As part of the process candidates will have a screening call with THINK Recruitment, and there is the opportunity for screened candidates to have informal calls with the CEO (the recruiting manager for this role) to find out more.  

This is an opportunity to work with the UK’s leading specialist bowel cancer and bowel disease research charity. Bowel research UK believe that a cure for bowel cancer and effective treatments to mitigate, or entirely eradicate, other bowel diseases is possible – but only if vital research is funded and investment made into the scientific and medical communities today, to see the benefits tomorrow. 

Bowel Cancer Research are a flexible employer, for this post they are looking for someone to be comfortable with joining the team in the London office once a month. If the post holder would prefer to work more regularly from an office base the charity has office space at Royal College of Surgeons in central London. Most team members work from here on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

The 21-hour week can be worked in the way that best suits the post holder, e.g. 3 full days or spread over 5 days.  

For further information relating to this position, please download the candidate pack.  The closing date is Sunday 6th April, however applications will only be considered from candidates who have had a screening call with THINK Recruitment, so please ensure you express interest by midday Friday 4th April to ensure time for a conversation. 

This is a new role to support Youth Futures achieve their ambition as part of their strategy to influence employer behaviour and practice to support more young people into employment.

• We are looking for a strong organiser, someone who can collaborate with members of the team and wider colleagues to ensure projects are delivered on time and to a high standard.
• Project management and co-ordination is key, helping to develop our internal processes to plan and manage our work and bring more transparency across the organisation.
• The role will also include engagement with employers and senior representatives from our employer networks, ensuring that we deliver end-to-end relationship management.
• This role will have some responsibility for partnership contracting and coordinating legal queries and responses, so attention to detail and accuracy is key and working collaboratively with colleagues in key directorates.

This role can be based at any of our hubs located in Birmingham, Leeds or London. We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.

For more information on this role, please download the Recruitment Pack.

A brilliant opportunity to lead a small charity delivering impact where it matters for people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions.

The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) exists to improve MSK services in the UK. We are a membership organisation which brings together patient, research and healthcare professional organisations working in MSK health. Working together as an alliance we have a powerful voice to influence policy and improve standards of care across the UK.

After an incredibly successful 8 years at the helm, our CEO Sue Brown will be stepping down at the end of May.

We are looking for someone with a strong background in healthcare policy and campaigning who is confident engaging senior stakeholders in the NHS, Government, arms-length bodies and industry. You should be a natural relationship builder who is comfortable working with member organisations.

If this sounds like you, then please get in touch. We would love to hear from you. Click the Quick Apply button below. You will need to submit your CV together with a two-page cover letter explaining your interest in the role - don’t forget to address the person specification in your letter. Deadline for applications 10am on 27th March 2025.

Interviews will be held as follows:

Stage 1 (In person, Central London location): Monday 7th April 2025

Stage 2 (Virtual): Monday 14th April 2025

The Benefits

· Salary up to £55,000 p.a. for 28 hours work per week

· Employer pension contribution of 5%

· 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays and 3 additional days leave between Christmas and New Year

 Thank you for your interest in ARMA! 

Hours: Full-Time – 36 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Remote (travel to London, Birmingham and Forests required monthly) 

This is the opportunity to play an influential and impactful role in one of the most important causes of our generation – the climate emergency.  Trees will enable 25% of the UK's 2050 net zero ambition and this role sits at the heart of this, supporting one of the UK’s largest woodland creation partnerships, England’s Community Forests.

The Community Forest Trust (CFT) is a charity that supports, enables and champions England’s Community Forests (ECFs).  Across England there are 15 Community Forests that deliver social, economic, and environmental impact through woodland creation and restoration.  In 2024/2025 they will plant over 2.5 million trees, most of which are funded through Defra’s national tree planting programme, the Nature for Climate Fund Programme.

The Managing Director will have the drive, rigour, and organisational and stakeholder management skills to develop and deliver a new CFT Business Plan.  The current Business Plan was developed in 2022 and runs to March 2025.  It has now been delivered.

The Managing Director will be responsible for providing the overall leadership and management of CFT and ensure effective governance and compliance with all legal requirements. To fulfil this aim, the Managing Director must ensure that robust structures and systems are in place to deliver CFT’s strategic priorities and CFT’s charitable aims and objectives.

A few key responsibilities of the role include:

• Take ownership of delivering the future direction and shape of CFT and deliver the CFT vision
• Provide organisational leadership for CFT, establishing and implementing business objectives through a business plan
• Work closely with the Chair of the Board, Trustees and staff, building positive working relationships in a constructive and consultative environment
• Manage the agreements (service delivery) with the ECFs with who CFT has a specific and formal arrangement
• Deliver the services and outcomes to the ECF Network, the Forests that CFT supports and those Forests that CFT runs
• Support project development work taking place at local level to support the Northern Forest programme
• Develop and lead funding strategies and write or assist with writing funding bids when required

This list is not exhaustive, please access the full job description for this role attached to this advertisment.

To be successful in the role, the postholder must have previous senior management and leadership experience gained at an organisation of comparable scale and complexity. A track record of developing and implementing Business Plans is also a must, along with experience of representing an organisation to external stakeholders and forming effective partnerships, working effectively with a board of trustees or equivalent, and managing contracts and service providers.

The postholder will have outstanding leadership skills with the ability to develop strategic plans and motivate and inspire others, knowledge of financial management, including budgets/cashflow, income generation and writing successful funding applications, and knowledge of community engagement and mobilisation.

In return, you will receive some great benefits which include:

• Competitive rates of pay
• Remote and flexible working
• 25 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays
• An enhanced pension scheme
• Possible funded training opportunities

We welcome individuals with a general interest in the environment and its preservation.  We are also an equal opportunities employer who consider applications from all communities.

Should you be interested in this role we would be pleased to hear from you via a CV and a covering letter. Please submit this by the closing date of 18th April 2025.

Are you passionate about nature’s recovery in our cities and towns? Do you want to deliver conservation management that sees wildlife and habitats restored and created across our landscape?

We are currently seeking 2 x Conservation Officers to deliver vital work protecting and restoring nature in our region.

Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust is one of 46 local, independent Wildlife Trusts and is the charity that works to make the environment of Birmingham and the Black Country (Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton) a better place for wildlife and people. We do this through conservation management, environmental education, advocacy, and community involvement. We work with a wide range of partners, including local authorities, community groups, and corporate partners to deliver this work. The Trust has, for example, recently secured funds to deliver a major new nature recovery project entitled Wild Walsall.

We are recruiting two roles: one to develop and deliver management of land at our engagement sites and work with volunteers from corporate partners, and the second to deliver project-funded conservation works. These posts offer an exciting and rewarding opportunity to join the conservation team and make a real difference to nature’s protection and recovery in Birmingham and the Black Country. The post holders will undertake varied habitat and species work to protect and restore local wildlife. 

The successful applicants will be passionate about conservation practice, very well-organised, and used to prioritising a varied workload. They will have excellent practical conservation skills, along with the confidence and ability to support and guide partners – such as community members, corporate volunteers, and contractors – to deliver positive outcomes for nature. Above all they will be driven by a commitment to see nature’s recovery across Birmingham and the Black Country’s urban landscape.

These are flexible roles, based in our offices within Birmingham, with frequent travel regionally but with the option of working from home, where appropriate. Occasional travel nationally may be required.

Benefits include 28 days of annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata), a 7% employer contribution pension, flexible and hybrid working opportunities, an Employee Assistance Programme and working alongside a supportive and friendly group of nature lovers!

Please note that we are not a UK visa sponsoring organisation. Therefore, you will need to be able to demonstrate that you have the right to work in the UK if you wish to apply for this role.

We are committed to ensuring transparent and non-discriminatory recruitment and employment. As a progressive charitable organisation, we champion equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristic.

Interviews are proposed for 9th and 10th April in person at Centre of the Earth, Winson Green, Birmingham.

Our partner is seeking an Interim Director of Finance to offer a 12 month maternity cover. Your appointment will come at an interesting time, and your leadership will support their expansion plans and new projects, whilst leading on business as usual activities.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the organisation’s scale and income-generation strategy. This includes developing flexible cost models, developing budgets for pilot projects and new projects, and identifying alternate funding opportunities.
• Lead in the development of the organisational wide budget, and budgets for donor/funder proposals.
• Provide oversight on the organisation’s systems, controls, procedures and policies; ensuring these are robust and strengthening them as required.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the finance function, and the production of monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports for the management team, donors and the board.  
• Lead on full grants cycle management from developing budgets for proposals, grants management and compliance, and reporting. This also includes supporting country offices and implementing partners in strengthening their processes and controls, and grants requirements.
• Lead in the preparation of statutory accounts for the UK and overseas entities; and lead in the organisational and project audits.
• Ensure that the UK and overseas offices remain compliant with tax, legal and regulatory compliance.
• Attend trustee and board meetings .

Requirements

• Qualified accountant with at least 5 years post qualification experience. Finance leader, with a strong all-round technical background in developing and strengthening controls, financial accounting, management accounting & reporting, forecasting/modelling and offering financial advisory support to the senior leadership team and board of trustees.
• Experience in managing a complex multi-currency, muti-year, multi-country grants portfolio and in fund accounting for charities.
• Experience of leading the finance function of a charity working internationally.
• Advanced MSExcel skills, including a high proficiency in financial modelling.
• Wiling to be hands on, working effectively with staff based in overseas and offering guidance and mentoring as required.
• Strong communication skills (oral and written) catering to a range of finance and non-finance audiences.
• Willing to travel to the overseas offices; there will be at least 2 trips a year.

This is a 12 month fixed-term contract that offers remote working from anywhere in the UK. Please note, that the successful candidate will need to be based in the UK and work from the UK for the duration of the contract, and therefore would need the right to work in the UK.

CEO

We’re looking for a new Chief Executive Officer to lead our vital work, bringing their expertise in data and technology and their passion for nature to drive the NBN Trust forwards.

Position: CEO

Salary: £65,575 – £68,854 depending on experience. 

Location: Fully remote, working from home, with some travel. 

Contract: Permanent. 

Hours: 35 hours per week.  Flexibility regarding working pattern. 

Closing date: 9am, Friday 11 April 2025 

Interviews: 1st round, week commencing w/c 28 April. 2nd round, week commencing 5 May. 

The NBN Trust is a nature charity with a difference. Our mission is making data work for nature. The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth and, if we’re to stand any hope of fixing it, we’re going to need data. Lots of data. “What gets measured gets done”, as the saying goes. We need to understand what we’ve lost and what remains. We need to set targets for nature’s recovery. And we need to measure success as nature turns the corner and starts to make a comeback.

That’s where the NBN Trust comes in. We support the entire UK conservation movement by providing public access to the wildlife data that’s needed to make good decisions for nature. We’re a conservation charity, tech charity and people charity rolled into one – a unique combination!

You’ll be responsible for: 

· Driving the delivery of our strategy and vision of making data work for nature.

· Developing and maintaining excellent relationships with our partners, funders and stakeholders.

· Overseeing the day-to-day management of the NBN Trust, ensuring financial sustainability, staff performance and wellbeing, and good governance.

We’re looking for someone with a data or digital background, with a track record of overseeing the delivery a high-quality user experience through digital products and commercialising data or digital services. Passion for nature conservation is essential, as well as a desire to engage with the many natural history specialists who contribute data to the NBN Atlas. We’re looking for an ambitious individual with an agile, entrepreneurial mind-set, who can drive income generation and growth.

The ideal candidate understands what an excellent data platform looks like and how to continually evolve this to keep up with trends and developments. Attention to detail and ability to horizon-scan is key in overseeing the Trust’s projects and key work streams and ensuring good governance. The NBN Trust is a small team, with a big responsibility, undergoing a period of change, and your role will be to steer the staff through this change and deliver the NBN Trust’s strategy.

We’re a 100% remote-working charity, so you’ll need to be comfortable and effective working from home. The whole team meets up four times a year for in-person team meetings (in London and other locations around the UK).  The post holder may be required to work occasional weekends and evenings. 

Applicants must reside in the UK and be eligible to work in the UK. 

We’re an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer. We welcome all applicants, and we’re striving to create an inclusive and diverse team. If you’re interested in joining us, please read the Job Pack – and get in touch if there’s anything you’d like to ask.   

When applying, if possible, please also complete and return the EDI Recruitment Questionnaire.  This is not mandatory but will ensure we can gather information across a range of questions such as ethnicity, religion, working background, etc. to monitor the diversity of applicants.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

As Bid Writer, you will work with the team to identify funding opportunities, and craft compelling bids and proposals that clearly articulate our vision, services, and value to commissioners and funders. This will include bids and applications to trusts and foundations, tenders for statutory funding, compiling reports to funders, and other organisational reports as needed.

This role is a part-time permanent position for a minimum of 15 hours per week but we are open to additional hours up to four days per week. The salary for this role is £40,560 FTE. You will be based at home but available to travel to our office in Vauxhall, London occasionally as needed.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly, supportive and dynamic team, and play a pivotal role in supporting Housing Justice’s work. You will make a real difference to those we serve by securing vital funds to provide services for those experiencing homelessness. Your ability to create engaging, well-crafted proposals will be instrumental in helping Housing Justice to fulfil our Mission to mobilise Christian action on homelessness and housing need through love, justice, advocacy and nurture.

We are recruiting for a Director of Finance who will also act as Company Secretary; based at our office in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the financial operations of the charity, whilst leading the development of our financial strategy and aligning it to our objectives. It’s a really exciting time to join us as we begin to embed our new five-year strategy and the successful candidate will be part of this transformational change. You will also liaise closely with the Board of Trustees being responsible for financial planning, oversight and reporting regulatory compliance.

Our ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills and a strong finance business partnering approach. You will have a continuous improvement mindset with the drive to make a difference and a proven track record of bringing people on a finance transformation journey. You will be sufficiently self-motivated to learn and improve processes to enhance efficiency.

This is a highly rewarding role working within a charity committed to keeping children safe from sexual harm. It is anticipated that this role will commence 1st October 2025; however, there is scope for an earlier induction period to work alongside the current postholder.

If you want to work with people who care about making a difference and have a can-do attitude, we would love to hear from you - please contact us for an application pack.

We offer hybrid working, a NEST pension, 33 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays (rising to 38 days after 5 years’ successful service), charity discounts, Employee Assistance Programme and Benenden medical cover.

Inclusion North is a Community Interest Company which exists to make inclusion a reality for all people with a learning disability, autistic people, and their families. We are looking for an experienced and motivated professional to lead our fundraising efforts and drive impactful campaigns that raise awareness and increase financial sustainability.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Inclusion North at a critical time. We have a strong reputation, a dedicated team, and a clear vision for growth. However, we need to diversify our income streams and strengthen our campaigns to ensure long-term sustainability. This role will be instrumental in securing vital funding, developing partnerships, and amplifying our voice.

As a values-led organisation, it’s not just what we do that matters, but how we do it. Inclusion North is built on an equal partnership between people with lived experience and professionals committed to making inclusion a reality. We are looking for a Campaigns & Fundraising Manager who embodies these values and can bring creativity, strategic thinking, and fundraising expertise to our team.

If you are passionate about social change, have experience in securing funding, and want to lead campaigns that make a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

Hours, Contract, and Location

• Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (flexible working requests will be considered).
• Permanent contract.
• Home-based, with occasional travel across the North East, North Cumbria, Yorkshire, Humber, and Derbyshire.
• Salary: £40,000 per annum.

Closing date for applications: Friday 28th March.

We are a Disability Confident Employer.

To apply, download our application pack we do not accept CVs or covering letters

**Please find the applicant pack with full details of the role in the documents section.***

LTSB has grown significantly over the past few years. Our work is only possible with the generosity and commitment of our supporters. You will be joining our fantastic Fundraising team who work with trusts, foundations, institutions, companies, and individuals to ensure the charity has the funds and relationships necessary to achieve our aims.

The Fundraising Manager - Trusts and Foundations is a brand new role will be responsible for a portfolio of trusts and foundations and you will be required to develop and grow the number of trusts, foundations and institutions we are working with. 

Income from trusts, foundations and statutory sources is an important income stream for the charity and you will work closely with the Head of Fundraising to develop and execute a strategy in order to grow and retain our existing funders, as well as bring new ones on board. You will work with a range of funders including corporate and family foundations as well as institutional funders. 

We’re looking for someone who has experience of a similar role/s and you must have experience of grant writing. You will have great writing skills and experience of building and maintaining strong relationships and searching for new ones, whether online or in person. You will be enthusiastic, driven and creative with a can-do attitude. This role will have periods of high intensity. Being able to manage the highs and lows of trust and foundations fundraising is key.

As we all work remotely, you will also need to be a self-starter and be able to work independently. We would expect a thorough understanding and commitment to LTSB’s vision, mission, and work.

To apply to be our Fundraising Manager - Trust and Foundations, please submit a CV and a personal statement (no more than two page personal statement) outlining how you fit the person specification and why you feel you can contribute to LTSB’s work. 

Apply by 9.00 am 26th March 2025. Interview dates are likely to be 1st and 2nd April, and will be held online. Second interviews will be scheduled for the following week (if required).

LTSB’s vision is: a world where all young people can choose their careers, with an emphasis on improving the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The successful candidate will have a proven commitment to improving the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and they have an excellent understanding of social mobility, diversity and inclusion issues, and how these factors impact young people.

LTSB does not have its own offices - so you will work remotely, but occasional travel to our city hubs Birmingham, Liverpool, London, and Manchester will be required. 

If you would like to discuss the role, please contact Nic Skipwith, our Director of Income Generation on nic @ ltsb.charity.

As the deputy to the Director of Finance, the Financial Controller is a key finance leadership role responsible for the financial integrity of the organisations finances.  Leading on the financial reporting, forecasting and budgeting for the DBF, Coventry Cathedral and Together for Change, this role will ensure compliance with Charity, Company and Ecclesiastical legislation. Leading and guiding a team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Main Activities and Duties 

1. Reporting, Budgeting, Financial Management, Accounting processes and systems

• Overall responsibility for the production of the DBF monthly management accounts to budget holders by working day 8. Ensure that monthly reviews with budget holders take place; to monitor financial performance & recommend corrective action to budget holders when needed. Provide training & development opportunities to budget holders.
• Working with the Director of Finance to prepare  financial reports and commentary for the various  diocesan committees.
• Preparation of the annual report and financial statements for the DBF. Ensuring compliance with accounting standards & regulations. Liaise with auditors during the external audit ensuring all reports and supporting documentation are available.
• Develop & manage the annual budget for the DBF; in collaboration with budget holders. Provide financial forecasts & analysis to support strategic decision making.
• Maintain accurate records of all funds, ensuring proper allocation & usage. Preparation & submission of timely & accurate financial reports to donors & budget holders of these funds. Monitor & report on restricted & unrestricted funds.
• Lead change management initiatives to improve financial processes & systems. Identify opportunities for process improvement & implement best practices throughout all three organisations. Engage with stakeholders to ensure successful adoption of changes. Monitor & evaluate the impact of changes on financial operations.
• Implement & maintain robust internal controls. Ensure compliance with financial policies & procedures. Conduct regular reviews and audits of financial processes.
• Oversee the calculation, collection & reporting of Parish Share contributions. Ensure accurate & transparent reporting for the Deanery Share allocations. Communicate with parishes to provide guidance & support on Parish Share matters.

2. Leadership

• To provide leadership and clear direction to the team ensuring appraisals with SMART objectives that form the basis of regular monthly meetings reviewing individual and team performance. 
• Working closely with the Director of Finance providing regular updates on the finances of each of organisations that the finance team supports.
• To attend training courses and events to maintain the professional accountancy qualification and competency to ensure that the post holder is aware of best practice and upcoming developments affecting the DBF, Cathedral and TFC.
• Developing relationships with budget holders to understand the drivers for expenditure, proactively providing advice and guidance to build commercial awareness.
• Providing advice and support to parishes on basic queries relating to finance and charity reporting matters.  Using the data available in the department from Parish Finance returns and accounts to understand the impact of the financial health of the parishes on the DBF.
• To deputise for the Director of Finance

We are looking for a Senior Employer Engagement & Partnerships Manager to support Youth Futures with achieving their ambition as part of their strategy to influence employer behaviour and practice to support more young people into employment.

This role is suited to someone who can demonstrate a strong ability to influence employer behaviour and practice change, working directly with employers or through stakeholders with experience of, or a passion for tackling youth unemployment.

We are looking for someone who is a natural communicator, relationship builder, good problem solver and excellent at managing people and performance to achieve goals and targets.

This role can be based at any of our hubs located in Birmingham, Leeds or London. We currently operate a hybrid model of two-days per week in the office and three-days from home.

For more information, please download the Recruitment Pack.

Deaf Unity is seeking an Organisational Development Consultant with experience of successfully supporting small charities through growth and change.  

We are planning the transition from a freelance to a PAYE salary structure and require support with: 

• Designing an appropriate staffing structure 

• Benchmarking salaries 

• Business and financial planning 

• HR/employment systems and policies, related training 

• Governance 

The overall aim of this commission is to establish an effective and well-managed staffing structure for the organisation, with strong systems and policies embedded across our teams. Ultimately this will build Deaf Unity’s stability and resilience for the long-term. 

Deaf Unity: mission and purpose 

Deaf Unity is a deaf-led charity (CIO), based in London, that works to empower, nurture and train deaf individuals. Our particular focus is on three main points of transition that are pivotal in enabling deaf people to realise their potential – and to thrive within and contribute fully to society. These transition points are: 

• leaving school to enter further/higher education 

• entering the workforce 

• progressing in the workplace 

We work with our community in London to identify the barriers deaf people face at every stage of this journey, empowering them to make informed choices and to succeed. We partner with stakeholders (universities, employers, voluntary sector partners) to decrease, overcome or eradicate these barriers altogether. 

From our home base in London, we work alongside our community and partners to develop and deliver new initiatives in response to clearly identified needs. We directly engage 300+ deaf people each year: inspiring and supporting school-leavers to take their first steps into higher education; empowering graduates and employees to navigate the world of work with confidence; and connecting deaf people with each other to build community, tackle isolation, mobilise around key issues and break down barriers to learning and employment. Sharing and dissemination of our work (including online to reach the national community) goes on to engage far greater numbers. 

Deaf Unity generates much of its income from providing interpreting and consultancy services and delivering training (British Sign Language and deaf awareness courses).  This activity fully aligns with our charitable mission and generates essential unrestricted funding to support our wider activities. Income in the year ending December 2023 was £115,316, of which over 80% was generated from course delivery and interpreting services. That year we generated a surplus of £11,102. 

Context for the commission 

To date, deaf Unity’s programmes have been delivered entirely by a freelance team: CEO, administrator,  tutors and project managers/coordinators leading on different streams of activity.  We have recently recruited a Training and Operations Manager (freelance) to lead on training and interpreting services. 

Activity continues to grow. Turnover in 2024 was c. £175,000 (final accounts are currently being produced), demand for courses is strong and we have had a successful year of fundraising. 

Our activities engage a broad range of beneficiaries, participants and stakeholders: deaf students and employees; our local deaf community in London; and many different stakeholders – universities, employers and local councils – working with us to remove the barriers that disadvantage deaf people and prevent access to opportunity. We are proud of a track record of impactful interventions that have made a real difference in the prospects of deaf learners, jobseekers and employees. 

This said, we have not reaped the full benefits of the partnerships and experience that have contributed to this success. A wholly freelance workforce means skills, knowledge, relationships and learning are regularly lost. We now wish to bring a core team into a salaried, PAYE structure to assure greater stability and continuity. We wish to invest in our people and demonstrate good employability practices, as champions of Deaf parity in the workplace. Specialist support is needed to ensure a good process, an affordable structure, and that appropriate systems, policies and structures are in place to support future work.

In late 2023, the Board of Trustees agreed a forward plan, setting out the charity’s objectives and the activities we plan to deliver over the next 3-5 years. Our work is guided by 5 high-level, strategic objectives. We aim that by 2028:

1. Deaf Unity will have created in partnership with London schools a high-quality, effective careers advice pack/toolkit which can be accessed digitally by schools across the UK to inspire and support deaf learners on their FE/HE/vocational journey.

2. Deaf Unity will be providing a comprehensive package of support around employability, that is recognised and in use by 5 leading nationwide employers and by the National Union of Students (NUS). 

3.  We will be hosting in London a highly respected, impactful annual event for deaf people in work that is reaching 100 deaf people each year, directly or indirectly 

4. Deaf Unity will be able to evidence that the CIO is making a substantial positive difference in the lives of learners, students and employees - through quantitative and qualitative feedback including testimonials and case studies 

5. Our organisation will be stable, financially secure and resilient, supported by strong governance and management systems and effective partnership networks

This commission directly supports objective 5. 

In parallel with this: 

1. Deaf Unity will work with an Evaluation specialist to develop a practical, effective evaluation framework and plan enabling us to capture and analyse our impact across the full range of our activities. This will enable us to improve the design and delivery of our services and activities, on an ongoing basis and to better evidence the charity’s impact and the difference we are making in people’s lives. 

2. Staff and Trustees will undertake training to address identified skills and knowledge gaps (a modest budget is allocated for this) 

This programme of development activity is kindly funded by Trust for London. 

In the course of the year Deaf Unity will also be working with a corporate partner offering pro-bono support to redevelop the website and advise on online course delivery. 

Overview of role 

The consultant will be required to lead and support Deaf Unity’s CEO and Board through a systematic approach to agreeing, implementing and embedding the new structure. We currently envisage that this will include: 

• A review of the functions, skills and competencies required to deliver Deaf Unity’s forward plan 

• Producing a proposed, costed staff structure, with salaries, rates of pay and conditions that are benchmarked against the sector and meet good practice e.g. in terms of Living Wage parity 

• Business planning to include producing a revised budget for 2025 (currently indicative only) and an indicative budget for 2026, based on current levels of activity/growth, to ensure that the new structure is affordable. (An in-depth business development process is planned for a later stage, separate from this commission) 

• A review of governance and existing policies

• Support with the transition process e.g. ensuring that the moving of any freelance staff to salaried contracts is compliant with the law and with good employment practice

• Development of a training plan (spanning the Board, staff and freelance team) to address identified skills gaps 

We will however welcome alternative proposals for how this work might most effectively be structured.

Schedule 

We aim to start work in mid April 2025, completing by end October 2025 (7 months). The consultant will be required to work flexibly throughout this period and this will be negotiated with you on appointment, bearing in mind your other commitments. 

Time commitment: estimated 15-20 days over a 7-month period 

Fees: Fixed fee is £8,250 inclusive of VAT and expenses 

Specification 

The consultant will - 

• Inform and guide the transition to this new staffing model and way of working, to ensure the resulting structures are effective, affordable and compliant with statutory requirements and with best practice 

• Provide hands-on practical support where necessary e.g. benchmarking salaries, drafting job descriptions, reviewing and updating budgets, reviewing policies 

• Be aware of and alert to Deaf Unity’s ongoing, parallel streams of activity (e.g. evaluation work, development of website) and strive to maximise synergies and added value linked to these 

• Have due regard throughout the process to Deaf Unity’s charitable objects, so as to ensure that all progress is made with these and the good of our beneficiaries in mind 

Person specification 

Essential 

• Evidenced skills and experience in supporting projects of this nature for third sector organisations that have limited capacity and resources 

• Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of employment/HR law and practice 

• An understanding of the operating context of a charity such as ours, that is reliant on mixed income streams including fees, public grants and charitable grants. 

• Experience of business planning for the voluntary sector 

• Exceptional communication and strong facilitation skills, coupled with sensitivity and a commitment to confidentiality 

Desirable 

• Some knowledge of British Sign Language 

• Familiarity with the XERO accounting system 

• Commitment to values of social justice and equity 

• Experience of working with the deaf community 

It is anticipated that you will work remotely: Deaf Unity currently does not use a main office. 

How to Apply 

To apply for this role, please submit an application of no more than 1000 words detailing your relevant experience and qualifications; two or more examples of past, comparable roles you have successfully completed and your interest in the project.  Please provide details of two referees.

Please submit this by 5pm on 7 April 2025.  Please use “Organisational Development” as your title.

This will be a Freelance contract. You will be responsible for paying your own Tax and NI contributions.

Interviews will be held online in the week commencing 14th or 21st April 2025 

Deaf Unity celebrates diversity and opportunity. We strive to ensure the deaf Community and its members have access to the same opportunities as those in wider society and the same chances to contribute their talent and skills to the workforce. We will guarantee an interview for all deaf applicants to this role who meet the essential criteria.