Team assistant jobs in london, essex

The Public Fundraising Administrative Assistant is key to the smooth running of the team. They’ll work closely with every person in the team to provide effective and efficient administrative support and ensure our supporters have an excellent experience of fundraising for us.

The right candidate will have excellent attention to detail and enjoy working through processes. You’ll be able to manage a busy workload which depends on meeting deadlines, and be a team player with excellent communication and people skills. Above all you’ll have a real desire to make a difference to the lives of people affected by bowel cancer.

Harris Hill is excited to be working with the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen industries (film, TV, VFX, animation and games) helping to grow and future-proof the sector by investing in a skilled and inclusive workforce.

We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Personal Assistant to provide first-class support to the Chief Executive Officer. This pivotal role will play a key part in ensuring the smooth running of the organisation, combining traditional PA responsibilities with governance and administrative support for the Board and Finance & Audit Committee.

If you are an experienced PA or EA with excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a busy and dynamic environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Role: Personal Assistant
Location: London (minimum 4 days per week in the office)
Salary: £30,000 - £35,000 per annum
Contract: Full time, permanent

Amongst other criteria, the successful candidate will have:

• Proven experience in a PA/EA role supporting at least one Executive Director.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and stakeholders.
• Excellent diary and email management, with a proactive and professional approach.
• Experience minute-taking for senior-level meetings, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
• High proficiency across Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and collaboration tools (Teams, Zoom, SharePoint).
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to build positive relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with meticulous attention to detail.

Desirable experience includes:

• An interest in the screen sector and/or skills and training.
• Familiarity with governance processes and company secretariat duties.
• Event coordination and project support experience.

If you are an efficient, confident, and motivated individual who can provide outstanding support at the heart of a busy organisation, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact.

For more information and details of how to apply, please contact Giuseppe Di Maria at Harris Hill - [email protected].

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 22nd September

Harris Hill is a certified B Corp™ and a leading charity recruitment agency, committed to equitable and inclusive recruitment practices. Applications from all sections of the community are actively welcomed, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality, or other protected characteristics.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and well-organised Events Assistant to support the planning and delivery of ABN’s events programme. This varied and rewarding role is ideal for someone looking to gain hands-on experience in events and stakeholder coordination within a national medical membership organisation. The successful candidate will work closely with the Events & Business Development Manager and wider ABN team. The position is offered on a fixed term basis for 12 months.

The ABN is the professional body for neurologists in the United Kingdom. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of people with neurological disorders by advancing the knowledge and practice of neurology in the British Isles. The ABN is a dynamic membership society with over 2000 members, working hard to raise the voice of neurology at a national level.

About the role

This role supports the planning, coordination, and delivery of ABN events such as conferences, webinars, and training sessions, ensuring smooth logistics for both virtual and in-person activities. Key responsibilities include managing delegate and speaker administration, maintaining accurate event records, preparing event materials, and handling post-event feedback and reporting. The position also provides general administrative support, assists with website updates, sponsorship information, and CPD requirements, while ensuring accurate membership and event history records are maintained.

About you

We are looking for someone with the following skills:

Essential 

• Previous experience (voluntary or paid) in an administrative, customer service, or eventsrelated role.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
• Confident communicator (written and verbal), with a polite and professional manner
• Able to work independently, manage priorities, and respond calmly to deadlines
• IT literate, including Microsoft Office Suite and online platforms (e.g. Zoom, Teams, EventBrite)
• Willingness to work occasional early mornings, evenings, or travel within the UK

Desirable

• Experience using CRM systems, membership databases, or event registration software
• Interest in health, science, or the medical charity sector
• Experience supporting virtual or hybrid events

Why work with us?

This is an exciting time to join the ABN as we undertake a digital transformation project with a growing team. We offer a collaborative and friendly working environment, with lots of opportunity for professional development.

Benefits

28 days annual leave + 8 public holidays (pro-rata)
Generous pension contributions: you put in 1%, we’ll put in 10%
Professional development programme including regular 1:1s, appraisals and training opportunities
Hybrid working and flexible hours
Time off in lieu for ABN event attendance

About Us

The Association for Post-Natal Illness (APNI) is a national charity that provides information, support, and advice to women experiencing post-natal depression. We also support partners, friends, and family members.

We are seeking a Trainee Administrative Assistant to join our small and supportive team in Fulham.

The Role

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to gain hands-on experience in the charity sector. In this role, you will:

• Provide frontline support by answering our helpline, emails, and letters (with full training and supervision).
• Maintain contact with volunteers, supporters, and beneficiaries.
• Learn to use our internal database and support profile-raising activities.
• Help with communication to health professionals (midwives, health visitors, etc.).
• Occasionally liaise with journalists to provide general information.

Training & Support

We’ll provide full training during the first six months with ongoing support from experienced colleagues.

Benefits

• £15/hour during training, rising to £17/hour after probation.
• 4 weeks’ paid holiday per year (pro rata), plus long office closures at Christmas and Easter.
• Sick pay after two weeks of illness.
• Flexible working options after initial training.

Who We’re Looking For

This role would suit someone who is organised, empathetic, and eager to learn. No prior charity experience is required. Some knowledge of post-natal depression would be helpful, but it is not essential. A positive attitude towards people experiencing mental illness is essential, along with enthusiasm and a genuine commitment to our mission of supporting women through one of the most challenging times in their lives.

We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or pregnancy/maternity. Please note, due to circumstances beyond our control, candidates must be able to climb and descend two flights of stairs to access the charity office.

Personal Assistant (PA) to the Directors of Strategic Partnerships and Performance & Insight

Contract type: Permanent, Full Time – 35 hours per week

Location: London, United Kingdom. Subject to right-to-work.

UK hybrid working – a minimum of 40 % of working time is spent face-to-face (London office, external meetings or travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person.

Salary: £39,358 – £42,500 per year with excellent benefits.

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the team

This role sits across two key departments within the Communications and Fundraising Directorate —Strategic Partnerships, which drives transformational partnerships to achieve our mission and Performance & Insight, which ensures our work across fundraising and campaigning is insight-led, data-driven, and delivering maximum impact.

About the role

As our PA to the Directors of Strategic Partnerships and Performance & Insight you will play a proactive and central role in enabling effective leadership and operational delivery across two high-impact departments and work closely with both Directors, senior stakeholders, project teams, and administrative colleagues to drive sustainable change.

In this role, you will:

• Proactively provide executive support to both Directors, anticipating needs, and managing diaries and preparing high-quality materials for internal and external engagement.
• Coordinate departmental and leadership meetings, ensuring agendas, logistics and follow-up actions are delivered efficiently and reported to key stakeholders including Board and Committee members.
• Support the delivery of strategic initiatives and transformation projects, maintaining oversight of priorities, deadlines, and departmental records, and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Lead internal communications planning and collaboration across SP and PID, managing SharePoint sites, induction programmes, and collaborating with other PAs to align processes and share best practices across the organisation.
• Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding.

Requirements

To be successful, you will need:

• Significant experience as a PA or high-level administrator in a complex organisational setting, with a proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure.
• A proactive, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused approach, with excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Strong collaboration and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and build effective working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting high-quality briefing papers, presentations, and correspondence on behalf of senior leaders.

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• Experience in the charity or international development sector.
• Familiarity with project management tools and techniques.
• Understanding of data protection principles and experience managing intranet content.

Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on 29 September 2025. Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 13 October 2025.

How to apply: Click Apply to complete the pre-screening question and upload your CV and cover letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

• 36 days’ holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days’ annual leave
• Employer pension contribution up to 10 %
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Season ticket loan
• Free annual eye tests
• ‘Give as you Earn’ charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity)
• Sabbaticals
• One paid volunteer day each year

Our Global Commitment:

Our people promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change !

Are you passionate about delivering outstanding supporter experience and operational excellence?

Sue Ryder is seeking a proactive and experienced Supporter Services Team Leader to join our dynamic team. If you have a strong background in donation processing, financial reconciliation, and managing a team, this is your chance to make a real impact.

Supporting our Fundraising Directorate, you'll play a vital role in ensuring donation compliance, driving income processing efficiency, and leading a team to success. You'll work closely with the Supporter Services & Standards Manager to deliver strategic initiatives that support our mission.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead donation compliance: Oversee best practices and Gift Aid operations, ensuring donations are processed in line with standards, including for third-party platforms.
• Manage income processing & financial reconciliation: Take ownership of the financial reconciliation process, ensuring accuracy and transparency in income management.
• Team Leadership: Line manage the income processing side of the Supporter Services & Standards team, supporting their development and fostering a high-performance culture.

What we're looking for:

• Experience in supporter or customer care, particularly in donation processing and financial reconciliation.
• Leadership skills: Proven ability to manage, inspire, and develop a team to achieve goals.
• A passion for impact: A desire to contribute to the success of our fundraising efforts, and to help deliver strategic goals that support Sue Ryder’s mission.
• Proactive mindset: Ability to take initiative, solve problems, and drive continuous improvement in donation management.

At Sue Ryder, we’re committed to making a real difference in people's lives. By joining our team, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to our incredible work while advancing your own career in a supportive and rewarding environment. If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you.

Competitive Benefits Package

• Company pension scheme
• 27 days holiday - rising to 33 with length of service plus bank holidays
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Enhanced sick pay
• Employee Networks - LGBTQ+, Ethnic Diversity and Equality, People with Disabilities, and Women and Non-Binary Individuals
• Refer a Friend scheme - £250 payment
• Inclusion passports
• Free Period Products
• Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Death in Service Benefit
• Staff discount of 10% on new goods online 
• Structured induction programme and learning and development opportunities.
• and lots more. Please visit our careers website for the full list.

Closing date: 25th September
Interview date: w/c 6th or 13th October (inc test)

We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds to help us to provide the best possible experience for the people who use our services and continue to make Sue Ryder a great place to work, and attract and recruit the best, most diverse workforce possible. We are particularly interested in increasing applications from the global majority, LGTBQIA+ and people with disabilities as they are currently underrepresented in our organisation.

Please let us know if you have any feedback to make our recruitment processes more accessible and inclusive or if you require any adjustments made to your application or interview process 

If you want more than just a job, we want you.
Join the team and be there when it matters.

Sue Ryder is here to make sure everyone approaching the end of their life or living with grief can access the support they need. There is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need, but with our support, no one has to face dying or grief alone. We are there when it matters.

 

Key responsibilities:

• Support the securing of income opportunities by providing financial information for bids, grants, and applications.

• Work with project leads and the senior team to ensure the effective management of funds, including tracking and reporting expenditures. 

• Develop and deliver financial performance information to assist the senior team and trustees in running the charity, providing valuable financial insights to help make better decisions about formulating and executing the charity's strategy.

• Assist the CEO and Senior Leads in the business planning and budgeting/forecasting processes.

• Support the Director of Services, to manage and review contract rates to ensure competitiveness and maximize income generation.

• Manage the year-end independent examination by liaising and engaging with the external auditor. 

• Monitor and evaluate Hooyo Eas Food Enterprise & Chicksand Preschool  Business Model.

• Work with the Senior Team and Finance Sub Committee to provide adequate procedures, measures, and systems of internal control appropriate for the nature and size of the charity and meeting statutory obligations.

• Produce accurate monthly/quarterly Management Accounts for the CEO and Senior Management Team, including commentary on significant areas and variances from budgets and Update monthly the cash flow forecast. 

• Manage the complete payroll process through QuickBooks and submit relevant deductions. 

• Complete monthly payments to HMRC, and year-end submissions in a timely, proactive and accurate manner and deadlines are met. 

• Manage accounts receivable and payable, ensuring authorised bills and invoices are recorded and processed on time.

• Enhance income streams, such as registering for Gift Aid and VAT etc. 

• Ensure adherence to legal and regulatory requirements, identify and manage financial risks. 

• Undertaking administrative tasks as required, being hands-on and fostering a collaborative working environment. 

• Proactively monitor and evaluate activities within services business through the development and delivery of effective cross-service monitoring and evaluation, responding to issues and identifying and following-up on opportunities.

• Deputise for Director of Service and the CEO when necessary including attending meetings and preparing and presenting reports. 

• Proactively monitor and evaluate activities within services business through the development and delivery of effective cross-service monitoring and evaluation, responding to issues and identifying and following-up on opportunities. 

• Support/seek new business opportunities, develop, and draft funding bids, and produce and lead on tender responses, and produce progress reports For the fundraising team. 

• Develop business case funding/tender reports for funders, commissioners and the Board of Trustees. 

• Support the CEO strategic leadership role as an active member of the Senior Management Team, including being proactive in providing solutions to strategic issues with and for colleagues.

• Participate actively in strategic planning process in the following ways: 

- Leading /inputting on the planning and development of projects (both existing and new); and 

- Proactively alerting staff and trustees to potential opportunities and threats to the charity. 

• Lead on the delivery of a sustainability plan, evidenced by Monitoring and evaluations outcomes. 

• Oversee designated project budgets for services and produce reports related to these.

Join Us in Bringing Stories to Life at Union Chapel!

Are you passionate about arts, culture, and community?

Do you thrive in creative spaces and love supporting people to get involved?

We’re looking for a motivated and organised individual to join our Sunday School Stories Project team as Administrative Support to the Participation Manager.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a project that celebrates heritage and empowers communities—from refugees and asylum seekers to local families, young people, and older residents.If you’re ready to make a difference, gain hands-on experience, and be part of an inspiring, supportive team, check out our job pack for full details and how to apply!

Location: FARA East Sheen, SW14 7DH
Type: Full-Time, 5 days per week (Tuesday - Saturday)

About Us:
FARA East Sheen is a vibrant charity retail shop that has been at the heart of our local community for over 30 years. With 40 charity shops across the UK, we are dedicated to helping disadvantaged children and young people in Romania. Join us and be part of a team that makes a real difference every day!

The Role:

We are looking for a motivated and friendly Assistant Manager to support our Shop Manager and team in the effective running of our busy shop. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys a dynamic work environment where no two days are the same. The Assistant Manager’s main role is to support the Shop Manager and the team in the effective running of the shop while maintaining high levels of service for our customers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assisting the Shop Manager in organising and planning daily strategies
• Assisting the Shop Manager with team building
• Helping implement Company Policies and Procedures
• Networking with customers and the local community
• General admin
• Sort and prepare donations for sale
• Steam and price clothing items
• Create eye-catching shop displays
• Handle cash and operate the till
• Foster a welcoming atmosphere for customers
• Address customer queries and resolve issues
• Build connections within the local community
• Stay informed about our products and current promotions

The Candidate:

• At least 1-year experience as a Team Leader / Assistant Manager
• At least 1 year of Retail or Hospitality experience
• Excellent customer service skills
• Interpersonal and great communication skills
• Problem-solving attitude
• Organised and efficient
• Hard-working
• Positive approach
• Great at multitasking
• Lives within 45 minutes of the store
• Able to assist the team with all shop duties e.g. lifting/ handling of loads/crates/sacks

Working times:

• Shop Opening Hours: 09:30-17:30
• 8-hour shift/ 30min paid break
• 5 days per week rota (Tuesday - Saturday)

What We Offer:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Enhanced sick pay (subject to conditions)
• 28 days holiday, including bank and public holidays
• Employee discount (subject to conditions)
• A birthday day off after 2 years of employment

How to Apply:
If you are passionate about retail and want to make a difference, we would love to hear from you!

Join us at FARA East Sheen and be part of something special!

37.5 hours per week

Hybrid role - up to 1 day a week from home

Job Purpose

As a central part of the HR team, the HR Administrator helps keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Acting as the first friendly face for staff and managers, from supporting day-to-day administrative operations to partnering with HR Business Partners, the postholder helps create a positive, people-first experience across the organisation aligned with the Hospice’s values.

About Us

St Joseph’s Hospice was founded in 1905 by the Religious Sisters of Charity who retain an interest in the oversight of the Hospice. Our mission is to provide compassionate, specialist palliative care to people in the diverse community of East London who are living with life-limiting illness. The Hospice seeks to be an outstanding provider of palliative and end-of-life care. Each employee is critical to delivering and maintaining those standards in accordance with the Hospice’s core values.

Key Responsibilities

1. HR Team and Service Support

• Act as the first point of contact for all HR queries (phone, email, in person) escalating where necessary.
• Monitor shared and team inboxes, providing administrative support to the HR team.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships across the hospice.
• Support the HR Business Partners in all areas of HR delivery including policy updates and audit process.
• Coordinate, arrange and take minutes at key meetings.
• Manage stationery and stock supplies for the HR team.

2. Recruitment and Onboarding

• Draft and publish job adverts and vacancy packs to internal and external platforms.
• Assist hiring managers with shortlisting, interview scheduling, and candidate communications.
• Carry out all pre-employment checks, including references, DBS, right-to-work, and Occupational health.
• Prepare offer letters and contracts of employment.
• Add new starters to the HR System and order fobs and name badges.
• Organise and deliver new starter HR inductions.

3. HR Systems and Administration

• Maintain accurate personnel records in line with GDPR and hospice procedures.
• Manage key compliance tasks including DBS renewals, right-to-work checks, and professional registration monitoring.
• Report on HR metrics.
• Maintain the HR Portal and rota management system.
• Process payroll changes including starters, leavers, absences, contractual changes and other miscellaneous updates.
• Produce and issue routine HR communication (maternity, leaver, probation letters).
• Manage employee benefits and general employee administration queries.
• Track and support performance review and probation processes.
• Support managers with absence management administration, escalating complex matters to the HR Business Partners.

Further information about the role can be found in the Job Description.

To apply, please click the Apply button to visit our website.

Closing date: Wednesday 8th October 2025

Interview date: Thursday 16th October 2025

Unique opportunity to join a fast-moving, values-led organisation.  The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the accurate and timely data processing of the sales and purchase ledgers for both our organisation and those we outsource our services to.  Teamwork is central to the ethos of our work and staff are encouraged to work collaboratively and supportively.

Executive Assistant | £35,000 - £38,000 + benefits | London | Hybrid | Permanent

On behalf of a nationwide faith-based charity based in London, we are recruiting a permanent Executive Assistant to support the Company Secretary and other Executives. The Executive Assistant with work with a wider executive support team to provide PA support and to ensure the smooth-running of the day-to-day administration, dairy management and travel bookings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as first point of contact for the Company Secretary
• Manage the Executive's diary, in confidence, including appointments and travel
• Act on behalf of the Company Secretary, interpreting and prioritising requests via email, written correspondence and by telephone
• Provide documentation and schedules are required
• Organise and execute key events and meetings and arrange bookings of venues, overseeing arrangements with support colleagues - act as host for meetings as appropriate
• Provide support for the wider senior management group, arranging arrangements for regular meetings including booking meeting rooms, preparing agendas and supporting documents, liaising with guests and taking notes
• Supporting the work of the Conference Office
• Managing the processing of expenses and invoices against budget codes
• Compliance and data protection legislation and associated regulations

What you'll offer us:

• Proven experience of providing EA / PA and diary support to senior executives
• Able to juggle the requests from competing deadlines and senior executives
• Experience of managing and organising a wide-ranging workload
• Ability to read budget spreadsheets and prioritise invoices
• Ability to manage complex diaries
• Experience of dairy management and travel booking systems

What we'll offer you:

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays, plus three extra closure days over Christmas
• Contributory pension scheme
• Season ticket loans and cycle to work scheme
• Desirable Central London office

________

As an employer, we are committed to ensuring the representation of people from all backgrounds regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps, we can take to ensure that your recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable.

To support the PA to the CEO and Office Administrator, by running efficient and effective systems for front office and office operations. To support the Head of HR and work closely with the HR Officer in HR Administration. To cover for PA duties to the CEO when the PA to the CEO and Office Administrator is not available. This support and coordination role will help the office as a whole to sustain high professional standards and effectiveness.

The Office & HR Assistant is responsible for: office administration (50%), HR, Health& Safety & security administration (40%), finance administration (5%) and IT administration (5%). 

Office administration (50%)

• Answer the AKF UK main phone line and pass on messages to AKF (UK) employees as appropriate

• Open and process the post at the Aga Khan Centre and deliver to the relevant AKF (UK) employee

• Manage the “front office” email account and ensure emails are replied to or forwarded to the relevant AKF (UK) employee

• Support the greeting and receiving of AKF (UK) guests at AKC

• Book meeting rooms at AKC for colleagues and external partners and arrange catering as required

• Support AKF(UK) events, facilitate and support hosting of meetings and events for partners, including travel, visas, accommodation, and catering; this may require some out of office duties

• Manage the meeting schedule for All Staff Meetings and ensure that colleagues are confirmed for the presentation slots

• Support the management of the organisation’s travel agent

• Support the management of the organisation’s mobile phone provider

• Arrange couriers for AKF (UK) employees as required 

• Collect and maintain a detailed inventory of office equipment, IT equipment (mobile phones, laptops, desktops etc) and supplies

• Maintain the equipment purchasing guide with input from the IT Department

• Support the management of GDPR data lists and data requests

• Keep the Administration Manual up to date at all times

HR, Health, safety & security administration (40%)

• Maintain a detailed contact list for all AKF (UK) employees and keep it up to date

• Keep the AKF (UK) Emergency WhatsApp group up to date and share emergency messages as required

• Support recruitment processes by placing job adverts internally and externally as directed by the Head of HR

• Preparing and sending out offer letters and contracts as directed by the Head of HR

• Support the onboarding process including sending reference requests and background check requests

• Arrange induction and logistical arrangements for new employees including setting up phone, email, mobile, laptop, etc and purchasing new equipment as necessary

• Add new members to benefit schemes such as the private healthcare plan as directed by the Head of HR • Arrange leaving process for AKF (UK) employees and ensure all equipment is returned

• Draft responses to reference requests

• Support the Head of HR with the administration of the HR Management System (MyAKF) including updating it for joiners and leavers

• Troubleshoot any issues or problems with the MyAKF HR system, working with the MyAKF helpdesk

• Provide MyAKF system training to new starters.

• Draft visa sponsorship letters for all AKF (UK) employees and submit for approval and signature

• Provide Visa invitation letters to visiting delegates/employees.

• Coordinate with our travel insurance providers to arrange additional coverage for employee travel where required.

• Maintaining our training systems including allocating courses, adding new hires and removing leavers and running reports as required

• Support the Head of HR to ensure that employee health and safety and workstation tests are up to date

• Act as a Health and Safety Officer and Fire Marshal for AKF (UK)

• Act as a AKF (UK) First Aider including obtaining annual certification

• Create and cultivate an office culture that contributes to the happiness and well-being of all employees, including arranging birthday celebrations, celebrating unit milestones, arranging quarterly and year-end activities, and creating a space and place employees enjoy working in and feel positive about

Finance administration (5%)

• Assist the finance officers with the company credit card processes

• Scan and file bank statements

• Scan and file purchase invoices

IT administration (5%)

• Liaise with internal IT support as necessary to trouble-shoot issues and order equipment

• Work with IT services to ensure that all software is updated and maintained on individual’s computers and hardware on a regular basis (e.g. regular back up of all system software and protocols, including latest updates of virus software)

Other

• Cover the PA to the CEO and Office Administrator’s workload during periods of sickness or annual leave 

• Undertake tour guide training so that visiting delegates and VIPs can be shown around the Aga Khan Centre and its internal Islamic gardens and courtyards.

• Carry out any other duties as assigned by the PA to the CEO and Office Administrator, Head of HR, Head of Finance and Operations, or the CEO.

Qualifications

• Educated to A-Levels desirable

• Qualified First Aider desirable

Skills

• Highly organised with strong logistical skills and proven consistent attention to detail

• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, patience and ability to work in a cross-institutional, multicultural environment dealing with senior and high-level officials/persons and VIPs

• Excellent written communication and presentation skills and ability to draft and write effective copy and present to a range of audiences from senior-level to partners and suppliers

• Comfortable working independently and under minimal supervision but also forming an essential component of a team

• Strong operational and IT skills as well as an openness to learning new software and tools

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Apple applications

• Keen interest in international development and improving knowledge of these issues will be a distinct advantage

Experience

• Proven strong experience of office administration

• HR administration experience is desirable.

• Proven ability to multitask in a busy, open-plan office environment; ability to work under pressure, juggling various requests and deadlines

• Proven ability to deliver a consistently high level of accuracy in preparing and entering information

• Flexible approach to working, able to pick up a variety of tasks/projects with minimal supervision; ability to anticipate issues or scenarios when planning calls, meetings, or business trips, and to address them proactively

Application Details:

• Must have right to work in the UK.

• Must include CV and a supporting statement that outlines why they want the role, why they want to work for AKF(UK) and how their experiences and skills to date will make them the most suitable applicant for the role.

• Closing Date: 9 th October 2025; must be available for interview w/c 16th October 2025. Ideal start date 8th December 2025

Job Title: Senior Programme Officer, Active Fellows

Line Manager: Team Leader, Active Fellows (Deputy Fellowship Programme Manager in Team Leader’s absence)

Salary: £36,062

Start date: 1 November 2025

Contract type: Permanent

Application deadline: 16 October 2025. Please note we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis

Benefits:

• Challenging and rewarding work, always life-changing, sometimes lifesaving

• Competitive salary

• Team and individual training opportunities

• Commitment to performance and personal development

• Hybrid working, home and office (minimum 2 days each week in the office)

• Eight hours each day Monday – Friday, with flexible working by arrangement around core hours of 10am – 4pm

• 25 days plus Bank Holidays annual leave entitlement

• 8% employer pension contribution

• Convenient office location at Elephant and Castle, close to Tube (Bakerloo and Northern lines) and bus routes

Role Purpose Statement

The Senior Officer, Active Fellows plays a key role in delivering high-quality support to Cara Fellows. This includes leading casework, coordinating Cara’s mentoring scheme to support Fellows’ placements, and contributing to strategic improvements across the Fellowship Programme. The role combines direct support to Fellows, operational oversight and delivery of casework, and collaborative leadership to support Cara to uphold its mission.

Organisational Background

The Council for At-Risk Academics is a UK-registered charity founded in 1933 under the leadership of William Beveridge, to rescue academics suffering persecution under the rise of Nazism and facilitate their continued work in safety. Sixteen Cara Fellows from the 1930s and 1940s became Nobel Laureates, and many more innovators in their fields, including, Nikolaus Pevsner, Lise Meitner and Karl Popper. A number of Cara’s founders and Council members also personally provided places and/or funds to help individual academics; and Cara, known in the 1930s as the AAC, later the SPSL, was closely involved in the successful effort in 1933 to bring to London the Warburg Institute art library, which had been prohibited by the Nazis, and six of its staff. The Fellowship Programme is the continuation of the rescue mission operation started in 1933.

Cara has been a lifeline to academics at risk for over 90 years, as and when world events have placed them in the line of fire: Hungarian Uprising, Cold War, Apartheid South Africa, Iran, Latin American Juntas, Vietnam, Kosovo, DRC, Rwanda, Sudan, Zimbabwe etc. and, more recently Iraq, Turkey, Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Cara support is typically framed as temporary sanctuary offered at times of heightened risk.

Cara Objectives ‘To assist academics who have been, or are, or are at risk of being, subject to discrimination, persecution, suffering or violence on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, to relieve needs among them and their dependants and ensure that their specialist knowledge and abilities can continue to be used for the benefit of the public.’

‘To advance education by supporting academics and their educational institutions in countries where their continuing work is at risk or compromised, to ensure that such academics and institutions can continue to fulfil their critical role as educators for the public benefit.’

This is a critical time to join our dedicated and friendly Fellowship Programme team as we expand our capacity to support at-risk academics from the Middle East, Sudan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Russia and many other countries.

Key Responsibilities

Fellowships

Casework

· Manage a caseload of up to 50 Cara Fellows, providing tailored support.

· Maintain accurate and GDPR-compliant records of casework activity.

· Liaise with Fellows to coordinate support and escalate complex cases to the Team Leader as required.

· Monitor, research and update visa guidance to reflect changes in complex immigration regulation.

· Keep up to date with relevant information regarding immigration laws, e.g. visas, legal procedures, etc.

· Liaise with independent legal advisors where necessary.

Finance

· Work with colleagues in finance to ensure accurate and timely payments to Cara Fellows and non-Fellowship related payments.

· Promptly issue relevant invoices.

· Understand financial processes – on Salesforce and Pleo – and update systems appropriately.

· Contribute to robust financial processes.

Support Mechanisms

Mentoring Scheme

· Project Lead for the Cara Mentoring Scheme.

· Coordinate rounds, delegate tasks to the team as required, and oversee delivery.

· Recruit mentors and mentees, and decide on a cap on number of participants if required.

· Lead on partnerships with organisations working in the mentoring world.

· Monitor the relevant budget and flag issues to the Team Leader.

· Lead on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for the Scheme, suggesting improvements to this, and ensuring accurate data collection and reporting.

Webinars and Workshops

· Lead on developing ideas for webinar topics relevant to the needs of Cara Fellows.

· Organise these webinars, contacting speakers and attendees, all with the close support of the Programme Assistant.

· Monitor and evaluate the success of these events, through clear feedback mechanisms.

· Aim to deliver approximately three webinars per year, subject to team capacity.

· Lead on the delivery of workshops for Cara Fellows with external partners, managing Fellow participation.

· Contribute to the development of accessible resources to share openly within the Cara network.

Strategic Development

Alumni Engagement and Impact Reporting

· Play a key supporting role to the Team Leader in improving Cara’s alumni engagement.

· Contribute to developing Cara’s alumni network, with involvement in strategic discussions on interacting with alumni.

· Keep track of Cara Fellows’ media preferences and support the Team Leader in inviting relevant Fellows to participate in public events and media engagements.

Monitoring and Evaluation

· Support M&E activities across the Fellowship Programme, suggesting improvements to data quality and reporting.

· Ensure accurate data entry on Salesforce and flag inconsistencies to relevant team members.

· Assist with compilation of required information, statistics and reporting to Cara’s Council & F&GPC meetings.

Management Responsibilities

Deputise for Team Leader

· Cover for the Team Leader when required – lead team meetings, make decisions on cases for the team, provide general guidance and leadership.

· Assist the Team Leader with line management within the team, mentoring junior staff and contributing to continued team development.

· Approve the Active Fellows team’s working hours.

· Provide input on policy and process improvements.

· Show adaptability and willingness to take on additional work when needed.

Training/Inductions

· Play a leading role on inducting new staff to the Active Fellows and wider Cara team.

· Train new staff on key processes and offer continued guidance on difficult/complex cases and tasks.

Partnerships

· Support key strategic partnerships in Cara’s Universities and Research Network.

· Support the Team Leader in organising webinars and events for Cara’s network representatives at host institutions across the UK.

Ad Hoc Responsibilities

· Show adaptability and willingness to take on additional work when necessary.

· Support Fellowship Programme with ad hoc responsibilities.

Responsibilities also include related activities that might arise in relation to the Fellowship Programme as required by the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive & Fellowship Programme Manager, Deputy Fellowship Programme Manager, or Team Leader, Active Fellows.

Person Specification – Senior Programme Officer, Active Fellows:

Qualifications

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Strong analytical and numeracy skills

Desirable:

• Master’s degree or equivalent

Knowledge & Experience

Essential:

• Understanding of UK immigration options for displaced academics
• Experience managing sensitive casework and maintaining accurate records
• Experience coordinating projects, events, or support schemes
• Familiarity with basic financial processes (e.g. payments, budget tracking)
• Confident use of Microsoft Office and Salesforce or other CRM systems

Desirable:

• Awareness of global issues affecting at-risk academics
• Experience coordinating mentoring programmes or similar initiatives

Skills & Attributes

Essential:

• Cultural sensitivity and commitment to Cara’s mission
• Ability to supervise and mentor junior staff
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong attention to detail and time management
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Adaptability, integrity, and problem-solving ability

Desirable:

• Foreign language skills (e.g. Arabic, Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Russian)