Student advisor jobs

Project Background

Come and join our award-winning place-based volunteering programme that works with residents living across Hackney and the City of London.

You will be based out in the community - the programme is based at GP practices - to engage, support and enable local residents and patients to deliver local services for themselves, to meet local needs. We support residents to come together, to share their skills and experience for the benefit of each other, to deliver local groups and activities such as a book group, film club, exercise classes or cooking group. Residents from diverse backgrounds and demographics attend these activities together and make new connections, building strong local communities, all working together to make their area a better place to live. People, many of whom are isolated across all ages, and who have difficult life circumstances, are brought together, providing each other with mutual support and encouragement to develop new skills and pursue life goals, and to feel better able to voice their concerns to services.

You will be joining a nationally recognised project - having won an award from the Royal Society of Public Health in November 2024 - to support residents to fulfil their personal goals, make connections with others, and design activities and services that meet local needs. You will also be supporting people to improve their mental and physical health through signposting them to appropriate services and encouraging them to talk to their GP if they have concerns; and will be working in partnership with GP practice staff to co-create volunteer roles to make the practice more efficient and a better place to visit.

Who are we?

Volunteer Centre Hackney is a medium sized charity (currently 30 staff) based in the London borough of Hackney, working to support local residents to realise their skills and passions through volunteering and social action, and to share these for the benefit of others.

Our mission is to build and strengthen communities across Hackney through supporting residents of all ages and backgrounds to volunteer and build projects together.

In 2021, we were awarded the Freedom of the Borough Award by Hackney Council for our efforts to support residents during COVID, which included mobilising over 2000 volunteers to deliver food, prescriptions and essential items, provide emotional support to isolated residents and support the vaccine rollout. 

We work with hundreds of diverse community organisations and deliver various programmes to help residents share their skills and deliver their own social action projects to improve people’s lives. These include a befriending programme, volunteering brokerage matching local people to volunteer roles based on their skills, interests and goals, a specialist mental health programme, peer research and multiple resident engagement programmes at GP surgeries and estates across Hackney.

Post holders need to be enthusiastic and engaging, bringing energy to the role, be self-motivating and confident to work primarily alone, albeit with some support from the team members based at other sites.

LMK (Let Me Know) Youth Leader (Freelance Educator / Youth Worker) 

• Across London boroughs, occasional travel outside London optional 
• £200 per 2 hour workshop 
• Sessional 
• Available for a minimum of one delivery per month, pending workshop demands

About LMK

Good relationships shape our health and happiness, yet we are taught so little about them. LMK is a registered education charity on a mission to change that. We run workshops educating young people about healthy and unhealthy behaviours, so that they can avoid abuse and thrive in relationships. 

Using film and guided discussions, our workshop Leaders support children and young people in honest conversations about relationships and leave them better equipped to spot the early warning signs of abuse, inspiring them to enjoy healthy, fulfilling relationships.  We explore the 10 signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships and include practical lessons young people want to learn about (like consent) and practice scenarios in a safe, supportive and non-judgmental environment. 

LMK is a learning organisation and prides itself in supporting leaders to develop their skills. We offer training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, as well as peer-to-peer learning and reflective practice sessions.

About LMK Leaders

LMK Leaders are passionate and organised educators who run community workshops, aimed at young people aged between 11 and 24. Through engaging, relatable workshops, Leaders help young people identify signs of healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviours, provide strategies for them to recognise the early warning signs of abuse and give them tools to keep themselves and their friends safe. 

Expectations of LMK Leaders

• Always adhere to LMK and host organisations health & safety and safeguarding practices and procedures. 
• Capable of maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries with young people, peers, and professionals.
• Respond to comms (emails/WhatsApp) sent out by LMK team members in a timely manner, to support planning and organising of sessions.
• Plan and deliver interactive LMK workshops in educational and community settings in line with LMK delivery style and ethos. 
• Meet with co-facilitators to carry out pre-session planning, minimum three working days before delivery.
• Use your experience and knowledge of the issues affecting young people to tailor the workshops accordingly. 
• Ensure all youth participants and the adults in school/community organisations who attend a LMK workshop complete the post session feedback surveys.
• Complete a reflective post session Leader survey after each workshop to support practice and programme development.
• Debrief with LMK’s Programme Development Manager and provide ongoing feedback about your sessions through LMK’s reflective practice processes.
• Accommodate a maximum of two workshop observations by LMK staff/supporters per academic year, designed to bolster our funding and thought leadership strategy.
• Undertake relevant training associated with LMK’s work, including but not restricted to diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, violence against women and girls (VAWG).
• Undertake at least one quality assurance observation per year, completed by an LMK Programme Development Manager, and enhance practice via developmental feedback.
• Continue to learn about and develop your skills on the issues affecting young people’s relationships including domestic violence, abuse, adverse childhood experiences, trauma informed practice, gang culture and grooming, mental health, sexual exploitation, consent, sharing of nudes /sexting, bullying in person and online, tech and online safety, pornography.
• Share your knowledge and expertise by providing feedback and, where requested, co-designing training and educational resources on issues affecting young people and their relationships.
• Mandatory attendance of termly virtual Leader huddles and reflective sessions to remain connected to peers and organisational values, mission, purpose and operational matters.
• Contribute towards and keep up to date with LMK internal/external communications platforms, such as LMK newsletters and social media.
• Engage with LMK’s Youth Advisory Board Members, if and when invited to do so.
• Lead by example and promote healthy relationship behaviours in your own lives/communities and within LMK (team player; acknowledging and working with diversity; being receptive to new ideas and developmental feedback, etc)
• Use your own networks to recruit new schools and youth groups into the programme.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required

• Extensive experience of teaching or working with young people (10 to 24 yrs old) in educational or community settings.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience co-designing, delivering and evaluating group sessions, consisting of minimum of 12 and maximum of 30 participants.
• Experience or co-designing session plans and co-facilitating with others; able to collaborate equally with others.
• A strong commitment to young people and knowledge and understanding of issues affecting their relationships.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills with the ability to create a safe and non-judgmental space, that allows young people to speak freely about their relationships and experience.
• Able to adapt and be flexible in workshops to get the best engagement from a range of participants. 

Must also:

• Be entitled to work in the UK.
• Hold a DBS certificate or be willing to let LMK undertake a check on your behalf. 
• Have a recent safeguarding qualification from a recognised provider or be willing to undertake additional training in this area.
• Be flexible to work non-traditional, after-school and occasional weekend / holiday hours.
• Comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, confidentiality, data protection and reporting concerns to an appropriate person.

LMK values the differences that a diverse workforce brings and is committed to inclusivity. We welcome all applicants from any race, ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, age, sexuality, or any other protected characteristic.

We can make reasonable adjustments throughout the application process and on the job. Please let us know, by contacting us separately if you need any adjustments or changes to be made during the recruitment process because of a disability or long-term health condition.

You can learn more about how we handle your personal data and your rights by reviewing our privacy notice (see attachements).

Please note:

In-person interviews for this role will take place on 3rd June and a mandatory (paid) 2 day, in-person training will take place on 26th and 27th June. (Both will be held at Central London locations).

The London Metropolitan University Students' Union is looking to grow our team of dedicated Student Advisers. Our Student Advisers support students to navigate the university’s academic regulations, offering impartial advice, supporting with written submissions and attending formal hearings in support of students. 

We are looking for someone who is a good listener, is empathic and non-judgemental and who has a genuine desire to ensure that every student has the best student experience whilst studying at London Metropolitan University. The ideal candidate will be organised and efficient, confident in working with academic regulations, and excellent at communicating complex information clearly verbally and in writing. 

We are looking for a full time adviser, but we are open to applications from those seeking either full time or part time work, for a minimum of 2.5 days per week (please state your availability in your cover letter). 

Job purpose for the role 

· To deliver a high-quality professional academic advice to students at London Metropolitan University 

· To provide independent, confidential and impartial advice and representation that has a positive impact on the experience of students 

· To ensure the advice service operates in line with best practice and that students and elected officers are well-informed on the issues affecting students 

· To support the Advocacy & Communications team in identifying and reporting on issues affecting the wider student body, providing evidence-based support for the Students’ Union’s representative work.

Application deadline: 1pm on 9th May 2025 
 
Interviews will take place on the week commencing 19th May 2025 

 
What's in it for you? 
 
Hybrid and Flexible working arrangements  
Learning and development opportunities  
27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, office closure and sick leave  
Cycle to work scheme  
DSE assessments and eye tests  
Free access to Gym & Classes

Competitive pension contribution scheme 
Interest-free loans - Seasonal ticket and tenancy deposit loans 

Other Standard employees’ benefits 
 
At LMSU we are committed to maintaining a diverse workforce, as we understand the importance of having staff with varied lived experiences and backgrounds that reflect various needs of our student community. We welcome applications from all interested applicants, and we strongly encourage applications from people of ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people with dependants and people who identify as LGBTQIA+. We conduct anonymous shortlisting, and ll of our interview panels have Unconscious Bias Training in order to support a fair recruitment process.

Purpose of role

In this unique role, you will support young people who struggle to thrive in the academic environment of school, to succeed and learn new practical and personal skills. This role is a valuable opportunity to develop young people and help create a positive outlook and attitude towards their future. To succeed, you will be confident and capable at engaging young people, who often have a past of being disengaged and disruptive, alongside strong practical skills. 

Skillway is unique in its style of teaching which focuses on hands-on learning in a low-pressure, supportive environment: our tutors treat our students as young adults and strive to develop a portfolio of work that demonstrates new skills and experience, alongside their personal character; fostering a sense of achievement and success.

What?

We are in need of 1x Metalwork tutor on a Monday and 1x Woodwork tutor on a Friday.

Where?

Godalming, Surrey (on-site) in our beautiful chapel workshops

When? 

6 hours a week (1 day) - term time only

Responsibilities include:

• Teaching basic skills and techniques required when working with metal/wood
• Lead and build positive relationships with small groups (four at a time) of 13 - 16 year olds
• Identify the needs of students and work towards progress, both in- and outside of the workshop
• Complete pupil AQA project sheets to record progress
• Work alongside and help support volunteers in the workshop
• Encourage positive morals and work ethic
• Keep an inventory and order materials and equipment as required
• Monitor and maintain machinery and equipment to a good working standard
• Comply with all relevant Health and Safety and Safeguarding requirements (DBS check required)

Skillway is a small, welcoming team of staff and volunteers striving to serve the young people in the local community. Each individual brings a wealth of diverse knoweldge and experience and no one's background is the same. If you'd like to add to our unique team, then we look forward to receiving your application.

Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) is looking to engage the services of a results-oriented consultant with great people skills to set up CAP projects in high harm areas.

About Us

CAP sets up and supports local partnerships that aim to reduce alcohol harm in children and young people, improve their health and well-being and enhance their communities. Our mission is to create an alcohol-free childhood for all children and young people.

Role Overview

The successful applicant will have a track record of building effective partnerships, the people and communication skills to involve and engage a wide range of local stakeholders and the leadership and project management skills to support projects through each phase of their lifecycle including baseline evaluation, action plan delivery, post intervention evaluation and maintenance/sustainment. After a short familiarisation period the successful applicant will be expected to oversee fast-track development of new CAPs in priority areas and take responsibility for all aspects of their management with minimal supervision.

A key requisite of the role will be the ability to forge effective public/private sector partnerships between statutory agencies, schools, youth charities and retailers following the CAP model and evaluation framework. The successful applicant may come from a police, public health, education, local authority or other relevant background.

Key Responsibilities

· Proactively identify opportunities for new CAPs and facilitate set up of new CAPs in priority areas.

· Ensure that all new CAP projects carry out appropriate and timely interventions and evaluate all activity in line with the CAP evaluation toolkit – including a baseline and post intervention evaluation.

· Raise the profile of CAPs in Scotland and ensure that their impact is recognised by key stakeholders.

Specific duties to include the following:

o Represent CAP at all operational meetings.

o Ensure that Retail of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG) member companies play a full delivery role in each CAP where they operate as businesses.

o Liaise as appropriate with strategic leads within local enforcement authorities and other partner organisations to initiate and complete agreed actions.

o Encourage all projects to achieve positive local media coverage including via social media and regional news/broadcast media.

o Ensure that all projects carry out as a minimum a baseline (pre-CAP) evaluation and post intervention evaluation following the CAP evaluation framework and project management survey tools.

o Produce a monthly progress report on all schemes and pipeline activity.

o Attend and participate in regular CAP update meetings on Microsoft teams (x12 pa).

o Assist with event planning and profile-raising opportunities such as MSP visits to CAP projects.

Skills, attributes and experience

• Essential to the role will be the ability to persuade key stakeholders at local and national level of the need to address underage drinking problems and to facilitate effective and dynamic local partnerships involving any/all of the following sectors: local authorities, education, child protection, social services, public health, Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, police, retailers and licensing.
• Excellent organisational and sound project management skills.
• Great people skills with the ability to build consensus and motivate partners to play a role in timely delivery of an agreed action plan.
• Act as an ambassador for CAP at meetings and events including parliamentary events.
• Excellent presentation and all-round communication skills.
• Capable administrator with the ability to keep accurate records including data collection around outputs and impact evaluation.

Remuneration: Consultancy fee of £320 per day depending on experience. Work will depend on ability to generate interest in setting up new CAPs but we anticipate as a guideline engaging a minimum of 2.5 days of consultancy per week or around 100 days per annum. All reasonable and agreed travel expenses will be paid in line with invoice arrangements.

About the roles:

Are you a persuasive and compelling communicator? Are you an individual with a strong track record of negotiating and managing relationships? Do you have an interest in Higher Education and in making a difference? If so, this could be the perfect career opportunity for you.

The Advancement Division is in search of a tactful, and diplomatic Development Manager to join their ambitious team to help maximise philanthropic income opportunities for the Business School. 

The overarching strategy of Advancement is to raise philanthropic funds for scholarships, academic positions, research centres and capital projects, securing donations and financial support from those who are committed to our academic mission and building Imperial’s global reputation. The Division oversees a wide programme of events that seek to expand the Imperial’s reach, strengthen and enlarge our supporter base, increase philanthropic support and engage alumni, friends and other stakeholders in the life of the College. This is a high impact and high visibility division which relies on extremely motivated and skilled fundraising professionals to deliver a quality end-to-end gift giving experience.

In addition to supporting College-wide fundraising objectives, the post will support the Business School to deliver their mission to provide the highest quality teaching, learning and research environment.

What you would be doing:

This career opportunity promises to be varied and will utilise your experience gained in roles such as a Development Manager, Major Gifts Officer, Development Officer, Fundraising Specialist or similar.

Key duties will include:

• Managing high priority donor and prospective donor relationships and strategic projects, with the aim of soliciting major gifts (£50k+) in support of the Business School, as well as the wider College’s fundraising objectives.

• Developing and delivering on key areas of major gifts fundraising strategy.

• Being a trusted advisor both within and outside the Advancement Division for identifying innovative ways to capitalise on fundraising opportunities.

This career opportunity will suit an individual with drive and a keen interest in higher education and the fundraising space.

What we are looking for:

• Educated to graduate level of equivalent.

• Evidence of success as a professional fundraiser in personally securing major gifts (£50k plus), preferably at the six-figure level.

• Persuasive and compelling approach to asking for donations face to face and in writing effective proposals and applications for funding within a not-for-profit setting (preferably higher education).

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to demonstrate tact, diplomacy and thoughtfulness when dealing with sensitive matters.

• A knowledge of fundraising best practice in the higher education sector.

What we can offer you:

Candidates will need to complete an online application to be considered for this role. This is a full time and open-ended position (permanent). The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate relevant experience in building strong relationships, good attention to detail and a can-do attitude.

Imperial College London employees enjoy a range of benefits, including generous annual leave, subsidised leisure facilities and an excellent professional development programme.

Our Advancement Division has set out to define the values and behaviours we aspire to uphold, so as to create an inclusive, collaborative and successful working culture.

Further Information

If have any questions or would like to have an informal, confidential chat about a specific role, please contact: Alessio di Capua, Head of Development.

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us. We're here to help.

Closing date: 11th May 2025

To apply, please click “Apply Now”.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.

Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, we navigate some of the world’s toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you’ll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.

This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you’ll join us at Imperial.

Our Culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, eliminating discrimination and creating an inclusive working environment. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do and everyone in our community is expected to demonstrate respect, collaboration, excellence, integrity and innovation.

Ivy Rock Partners is delighted to be partnering exclusively with King’s College London to recruit a new Finance Business Partner. This is a fantastic opportunity for a proactive, analytically minded finance professional to join an ambitious and collaborative team supporting Estates & Facilities — an integral function underpinning King’s world-class learning environment.

King’s College London is internationally renowned, ranked among the top universities globally, and recognised for delivering exceptional education, pioneering research, and a vibrant student experience. With over 800 staff dedicated to managing and expanding the university’s physical estate, the Estates & Facilities team plays a vital role in shaping the future of King’s. This role will put you at the heart of that work, supporting a complex portfolio of capital and operational projects that ensure King’s continues to inspire and innovate.

The Role

As Finance Business Partner, you will work closely with senior leaders across King’s to deliver high-quality financial insight, challenge assumptions, and ensure robust financial decision-making. You will play a key role in shaping the financial future of Estates & Facilities, providing strategic analysis and guidance on both operational performance and capital projects.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Business Partnering: Develop trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across Operations and Faculties, becoming their go-to financial advisor
• Financial Planning & Analysis: Lead budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting processes, ensuring accuracy and clarity in financial narratives.
• Decision Support: Deliver insightful financial analysis to support strategic planning, scenario modelling, and risk management.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Confidently communicate complex financial matters to non-finance colleagues, helping them to understand performance and drive accountability.
• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to process improvement initiatives within the Finance Business Partnering team, sharing best practice and helping to build financial capability across the organisation.

You’ll thrive in this role if you enjoy working in a fast-paced, intellectually stimulating environment, are confident balancing multiple priorities, and are motivated by the opportunity to drive real impact in a values-led organisation.

About You

We are looking for someone who brings:

• A professional accountancy qualification (or is part-qualified with strong relevant experience).
• A robust background in management accounting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Confidence in communicating complex financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Strong Excel and financial systems skills.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to work independently.
• Experience of working in a complex organisation or with Estates Management teams (desirable).
• You’ll also have the interpersonal skills to build trusted relationships, the curiosity to keep learning, and the passion to play an active role in shaping the future of one of the UK’s most prestigious universities.

Why Join King’s?

Working at King’s means being part of an institution with a proud history of making a positive difference in the world. You’ll be joining a community that values diversity, promotes inclusion, and is committed to delivering excellence in everything it does.

In return, King’s offers:

• A flexible hybrid working model (two- three days a week onsite at Lavington Street).
• A supportive, inclusive workplace culture.
• 30 days of annual leave (not including bank holidays) and a competitive pension scheme as well as other fantastic benefits
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• The chance to contribute to high-profile projects that will shape the university’s future.

If you’re ready to play a pivotal role in the continued success of King’s College London, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information, or for a confidential discussion, please get in touch with Megan Hunter at Ivy Rock Partners.

We are seeking a full-time Primary Science Mentor to join our team of experts. Through your knowledge of and passion for primary science education, you will inspire transformational change in schools.

You'll be home based and able to support schools in one of the following regions: East Midlands, North East England, North West England or South Wales Valleys.

About the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT)

PSTT is a registered charity with a clear vision – we want to see excellent teaching of science in every primary classroom in the UK. We believe it is vital that children are engaged and inspired by science from an early age. We want to draw on their natural curiosity to help them explore, understand and ask questions about the world around them.

We’ve built a Primary Science Teacher College of over 200 outstanding teachers; each helping to shape and influence science teaching across the UK. We produce great resources that improve how science is taught and planned. We organise engaging professional learning events for teachers, and work with partner organisations to further enhance how science is taught. Our 2023-28 strategy is building on these strengths to reach more teachers across a more diverse range of schools.

We’re dedicating our most intensive efforts to areas of the UK requiring most development in primary science. Our Priority Areas initiative is being piloted in 30 schools, and in September 2025 we plan to launch this programme in a further 30 schools. Our Regional Mentors have worked with more than 3,000 schools across England, with exceptionally positive feedback.

Job summary

There are two parts to the Primary Science Mentor role. The majority of the role will focus on strengthening primary science teaching and leadership by leading our second Priority Areas initiative. Through their knowledge of and passion for primary science education, the successful candidate will inspire transformational change in schools taking part in this project. They will build close working relationships with participating schools and create a vibrant and exciting learning community based on mutual support and the sharing of expertise.

The remaining hours in the role will be as a Regional Mentor: joining PSTT’s growing team of primary science experts who provide bespoke support directly to individual schools, multi-academy trusts and other school groupings and organisations. This includes developing and delivering training in a variety of contexts, including online; working individually with Science Leaders; being a leading voice, expert and advocate for primary science (both regionally and nationally); and creating partnerships with other organisations that support science within the region.

A crucial part of the role is to ensure collection of appropriate data for both Priority Areas and Regional Mentor activities, so that we can evaluate our work against intended outcomes.

Key facts about this role

Salary

PSTT band E(ii): starting salary £49,149. A cost-of-living increase will be applied on 1 September 2025; amount TBC.

Pension and benefits

Employer pension scheme, sick pay and maternity/paternity/adoption pay as detailed in our pay and reward scheme

Location

Home based in either the East Midlands, North East England, North West England or the South Wales Valleys.

Travel

The job requires extensive travel to schools within the Primary Science Mentor’s working region, and sometimes beyond that region (including occasional meetings at PSTT’s Bristol office). Expenses will be reimbursed.

Line manager

Director of Regional Programme

Start date

1 September 2025. Potential for some work prior to 1 September to support with identification and recruitment of schools (to be discussed at interview).

Contractual basis

2 years

Hours

35 hours per week (full time), usually worked between Monday-Friday. You may occasionally be required to work during evenings and weekends.

Annual leave

28 days (of which 3 must be taken during the Christmas closure period) plus public holidays

Reporting to: Director of Policy and Engagement 

Direct reports: 1 x Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager and Legislative Lead, 2 x Policy and Public Affairs Officers, 1 x England Policy and Public Affairs Manager 

Location of work: Home-based. The post holder must be easily and quickly commutable to London and will require frequent meetings in London. The role may involve some irregular travel throughout England and Scotland to attend events and meetings.

Contract type: Full-time, 35 hours per week,  flexible hours may be considered. The role may require occasional evening and weekend work 

Contract Length: Permanent 

Salary: £54,500 - £56,500 

BACKGROUND

Our work has never been more needed. The latest research suggesting that the number of children and young people at risk of hunger has rocketed to 2.6 million* means that one in five children don't have enough to eat.When a child is too hungry to learn, when they’re aching for something to eat, they can’t concentrate. They can’t absorb information. Big feelings and worries can be impossible to control. They fall behind in their studies.

Magic Breakfast provide a nutritious and filling breakfast to over 300,000 children and young people every school day. We work with schools in areas of high disadvantage, helping staff target the children most in need without barrier or stigma.  Magic Breakfast are ambitious to grow our impact to remove hunger as a barrier to learning for all children and young people in the UK.

 This is an exciting time to join Magic Breakfast if you wish to make a difference to the lives of children as we work to influence both policy implementation, with the national rollout of primary-aged universal school breakfast, and legislative change, through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. There has also been commitment from the Scottish Government for a national breakfast scheme and we are seeking to expand our advocacy work into Wales. Magic Breakfast’s influence will be instrumental to ensuring school breakfasts are implemented in a way that is hunger-focused and barrier free.

In addition, thousands of secondary school children are at risk of losing their free school breakfasts from September next year. For many of these students, this is their only opportunity to have a nutritious meal before facing a demanding school day, including taking exams.  And for the very youngest, we know that the disadvantage gap begins before they even reach reception. With the Government commitment to another 100,000 places in school-based nurseries, early years is also a critical part of our advocacy work.

 Being part of the work of Magic Breakfast is your chance, together with parents, teachers and people across the UK, to demonstrate the power of school breakfasts and to shape the way forward to end morning hunger for good.

*Food Foundation Insecurity Tracker Jan 2025

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Policy & Public Affairs will review, develop and implement our advocacy strategy and lead a team to influence the devolved legislatures across the UK to address child morning hunger, with a view to the underlying systemic causes of child poverty and hunger, by driving change through policy and legislation. The role operates at our ‘Head of level’ which is the most senior operational specialist level and provides both operational and strategic leadership.

This role will also provide wider leadership across the charity and input into organisational strategy development and planning as part of the Core Management Group. This role will ensure that the Policy and Public Affairs function is aligned to the wider strategic aims and outcomes of Magic Breakfast as well as the internal operational systems and delivery.

The strategic leadership will ensure an external and long term view, with an outward looking and forward thinking approach that builds thought leadership, relationships and partnerships, with positioning to anticipate and build on new opportunities to end child morning hunger for good.

It will require an experienced Policy and Public Affairs professional, with significant experience of high impact and demonstrable outcomes at a senior level in the field. The postholder will lead the policy and public affairs team to influence the Early Adopters Scheme, the national rollout of primary school breakfast provision in England and breakfast legislation in the Children’s Wellbeing Bill (CWB).

They will also develop, guide and lead plans to influence the Scottish government, particularly in the run up to the election in May 2026 and the influencing of manifestos; and will lead Magic Breakfast’s upcoming influencing work in Wales. 

In the external leadership that the role provides they will build relationships with politicians, political influencers, special advisors and civil servants to establish long-term, sustainable solutions to child morning hunger in the UK.

As a compassionate, people centric and inspiring leader they will work to enable their team to grow and develop in their skills ensuring they can step away from the detail whilst retaining accountability, build effective resource management and progression pathways. This role may manage external consultants where necessary, and work collaboratively with external organisations to amplify our voice and asks and strengthen our position as a thought leader. 

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Review and define the advocacy strategy for 25/26 in line both with moving political environment and Magic Breakfast’s influencing agenda, considering the systemic barriers to ending child morning hunger for good.

· Develop and maintain close relationships with the Department for Education and other key departments including Department for Health and Social Care and Treasury, to secure hunger and child focus as key priorities for breakfast provision.

· Develop, monitor and evaluate influencing plans for each devolved nation

· Support the development of influencing plans with coalition groups and organisations to influence school breakfast policy, commitments and implementation

· Review policy positions in Wales and Northern Ireland and define our advocacy approach, gaining external insights and analysing available research and data to shape the plan

· Develop a vision for advocacy beyond current demands, considering political appetite and gaining insight from lived experience communities and relevant sectors, to ensure that we are clear on future asks, and can build the foundation towards them.

· Work with Impact and Insights team to define future research needs to meet our longer-term advocacy plans

· Enhance and establish internal processes and ensure good internal information dissemination 

· Work closely with key internal stakeholders to shape advocacy work and support broader organisational objectives

· Embed learnings and develop a fail fast, learn fast culture in the team

· Coach, support and lead direct reports enabling increased professional development, strategic decision making, proactive project management and robust political influencing

· Contribute to and help shape the work of the Core Management Group to ensure ongoing alignment for in year implementation of the strategic plan and create integrated future year plans which meet organisational goals

· Monitor and review KPIs to monitor and measure both team and cross organisational performance, using the results to guide teams and surface learnings

· Assess areas of risk and escalate where necessary and according to policy

· Develop and monitor annual team budgets

General

• Work collaboratively across the organisation, building good working relations and providing ad-hoc support to other teams and members of staff

• Passion and commitment to Magic Breakfast’s aim of alleviating morning hunger as a barrier to learning for children in the UK.

• Help to maintain a positive working environment; keeping the vision of Magic Breakfast at the heart of everything we do. 

• Share Magic Breakfast’s commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

• Establish and ensure existing Ways of Working are adhered to across team

• Adhere to all Magic Breakfast policies and procedures and ensure that all activity is compliant with current legislation, GDPR, data protection and child safeguarding requirements

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role

 PERSON SPECIFICATION

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

· Strategy development, demonstrating a deep understanding of how to craft, implement, and evolve strategies that align to operational outcomes for the Policy and Advocacy function as well as enabling our organisation strategy in our aim to end child morning for good.

· Stakeholder management and partnership building with extensive experience of engaging, influencing, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including senior political figures, policymakers, funders and sector leaders.

· Ability to confidently and flexibly deal with volatile political environment, anticipating potential developments and adapting to emerging situations to meet aims

· Highly experienced in developing and shaping policy positions, using insights, research and data sets to inform and guide decision-making

· Understanding and experience of the role of the broader external environment to shape policy asks and political influencing, including the implications of a policy ask in one sector on another.

· Experience of influencing key political events such as budgets, national elections and the legislative process.

· Significant experience of coaching, supporting and managing the development of a team, with the ability to make difficult decisions and challenge where needed to deliver the organisational strategy.

Desirable

· Experience of education, food insecurity, child poverty or childcare sectors

Skills and Abilities

• Effective leadership mentality with confidence to step away from the detail and delegate responsibility, enabling others to use judgements, make decisions, learn from failures and continuously improve.

• Analytical and evidence based decision making, with the ability to turn data and analysis into policy and advocacy related recommendations or outcomes for action.

• Effective planning, prioritisation and project management skills. Able to organise self and team to meet planned objectives and strategic direction with the ability to pivot and manage the unexpected.

• Strong, influential and impactful interpersonal and communication skills and to advocate for own specialism, department and Magic Breakfast's mission, effectively conveying the organisation's impact and needs to a wide range of audiences.

• Operational and financial acumen and analysis: understanding and practical application of knowledge as required around funding considerations, budget development and management, risk management, and ensuring systems in place for efficiency by setting and maintaining policy and procedural frameworks.

• An outward looking and forward thinking approach that drives a sense of curiosity, innovation and continuous improvement. Always thinking what can we learn from others, what new developments can be explored and what are the opportunities for the function to improve and grow with others too.

WHAT WE OFFER

At Magic Breakfast we value our employees and work hard to develop offer a supportive, respectful culture which enables everyone to bring their whole self to work.

Please find attached our job pack

APPLICATION PROCCESS

Should you wish to discuss the role before applying please email our People and Culture Team, recruitment @ magicbreakfast. com

Shortlisting - w/c 5th May

Interview 1 - 15th and 16th May

Interview 2 - w/c 21st May

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.