Library volunteer roles

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

This role concentrates on building relationships with members of the public, encouraging them to consider alternatives to placing their cats up for adoption. You will focus on providing information and support to existing owners who may be experiencing issues with their cat. You’ll also help potential new cat owners who are seeking advice before getting a cat.

You’ll build relationships within the community to engage with cat owners and potential cat owners, for example with vets, other charities, Citizen’s Advice, local authorities etc.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Providing information and support to cat owners who may be considering rehoming their cat due to a change in circumstances or cat behaviour issue
• Offer a signposting service, using a comprehensive resource library, information, guidance and support
• Communicating with members of the public to offer support regarding cat ownership by using a variety of mediums eg email, video calls, social media
• Effectively use in-house systems to record outcomes and provide feedback
• Linking with community groups, partners and charities to share key messages about cat ownership
• Linking with other Cats Protection volunteers and employees to share key messages and experiences
• Attending community events (in-person and virtual) to promote key messages

Time expectation

Our supporting cat owners volunteers usually spend four to 10 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

About FirstGens 

FirstGens is a UK-based startup social enterprise on a mission to reduce the educational outcomes gaps in higher education by providing information and guidance to undergraduates who are the first person in their family to pursue university. Supporting students to complete their education through our royal award-winning Navigating University Programme and staff training. 

As we grow our impact, we seek to secure funding from trusts, foundations, philanthropists and private donors. To support efforts as a new organisation, we’re looking for a dedicated Grant & Application Review Advisor to strengthen our application review process and ensure strategic and compelling submissions. 

Role Purpose 
The Grant & Application Review Advisor will be responsible for reviewing written funding applications prior to submission on a monthly basis. This role ensures that all applications align with FirstGens’ strategic priorities, meet funder requirements and present a strong case for support. The individual will serve as a senior‐level reviewer, bringing social enterprise fundraising experience and constructive feedback, acting as a quality gate for our submissions. 

Key Responsibilities 

• On a monthly basis, review draft funding applications (typically trusts, foundations). 

• Using Google Docs comment section to provide detailed feedback on content, structure, logic, alignment with funder criteria tone and clarity. 

• Ensure each application: 

• Reflects FirstGens’ mission, strategic model and impact evidence (e.g., our programmes and research on first-generation student success) 

• Is tailored to the funder’s priorities and questions 

• Presents a compelling and coherent narrative, with clear outcomes, activities, budget alignment and measurement of impact 

• Is free of errors, is consistent in style and voice, and meets all submission guidelines (including deadlines, formats and attachments) 

• Work collaboratively with the CEO and finance coordinator, to ensure alignment between narrative, budget and monitoring plans. 

• Act as a senior quality assurance resource: challenging assumptions, raising questions, suggesting strengthening of logic or evidence and proposing ways to sharpen the “ask” and the case for support. 

• Advise on any gaps in our fundraising process to help us strengthen operations. For exmaple, suggesting the creation of application templates, standard content libraries (e.g., organisational overview, impact statistics, case studies) and “lessons learnt” logs to improve future bids. 

• Strategic oversight for quarterly grant applications. Checking in with CEO on a quarterly basis to discuss upcoming grants. 

• Help CEO to build quarterly reports to Directors on the health of the application pipeline, quality issues identified and improvements made. 
   

Essential Qualifications & Experience 

• Proven senior experience (minimum 5 years) in reviewing or leading grant applications for non-profit organisations (preferably UK funders). 

• Expertise in grant writing and submission processes, including trusts and foundations 

• Strong demonstrable track record of successful funding applications or as reviewer of such. 

• Strong organisational skills: able to manage multiple deadlines, work to a calendar of monthly reviews and ensure timely feedback loops. 
   

Desirable Experience 

• Experience in private donor and philanthropic giving (high-net-worth individuals, family offices) as well as institutional funders. 

• Experience working with social-mobility, higher-education access, student support or widening participation organisations. 

• Experience building standardised application toolkits, content libraries and “bid review” processes for an organisation. 

• Experience in working with budget alignment, monitoring & evaluation logic and impact measurement frameworks within funding applications. 

Working Arrangements 

• Flexible, remote working

• This role will start immediately; initial period will involve review cycle for upcoming submissions, followed by ongoing monthly reviews. 
   

Our Values/ Ways of working together  

We strive for inclusivity, honesty, transparency and positive wellbeing to create an innovative and collaborative team environment. 

Recruitment Process Options 

• Interview formats include in-person for Bristol based applicants, video conferencing, phone interviews) to accommodate any needs. 

How to Apply 
Please submit your CV, a cover letter highlighting your relevant senior grant application experience, and one recent example of an application you have reviewed or led (or a summary thereof). In your cover letter, please outline your experience with monthly application review cycles (or equivalent) and any philanthropic/private donor experience. 

Why join FirstGens? 
Education has the power to transform people’s lives. You’ll join an innovative startup organisation, making real, measurable change for first-generation university students across the UK. You’ll be supporting young people to complete their education with confidence  and turn their dreams into realities. Your role will be pivotal in securing the social funding that enables us to deliver on our first 3 year strategy. 

Are you an enthusiastic volunteer looking for a new role where you'll be able to use your skills to really make a difference? Are you passionate about helping others? Could you use your literacy knowledge to support volunteers and readers?

Read Easy Sheffield is a successful local charity that provides free, confidential, one to-one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, affiliated to national charity Read Easy UK. We are currently looking to expand our work and for this we need some more volunteers to join our friendly management team, and we excited to be seeking a new Literacy Specialist.

The Literacy Specialist is a vital and interesting role within the Read Easy Sheffield Management Team to make sure that all readers get the support they need during their reading journey. You’ll provide literacy support to the volunteer coaches and give advice on specific challenges they may be facing. This voluntary position would be fantastic for someone who has experience with literacy and education, and can be patient and flexible. You will receive training and support from Read Easy UK to develop your skills, and get to work alongside an enthusiastic Management Team. You will play an instrumental part in making sure our group continues to thrive!

What will you be doing?

• Providing literacy support to the Coordinators and Reading Coaches.
• Visiting reading pairs to advise on specific situations and challenges that Readers and Coaches may be facing.
• Contributing to the content, delivery and organisation of coach meetings.
• Finding or creating useful activities and resources that Coaches can use to support and extend their Readers’ learning.
• Attending monthly Management Team meetings.

The role is flexible so you can choose your own hours – you might expect to spend 2 to 3 hours a week on this. To get the most from the role, we expect all Management Team members to support Read Easy Sheffield for at least one year.

What's in it for you?

• A rewarding role that has a positive impact on people's lives

• Opportunity to meet and work collaboratively with new people

• Training and support to develop your skills

• As part of the Management Team, you will help shape the direction of the organisation

The skills you will need:

• A background in teaching reading/literacy (preferably, but not necessarily, with adults).

• An understanding of the difference between the needs of adults and children in the learning process.

• A knowledge of the range of teaching resources that are available for adults, or a willingness to research them.

• Reasonable confidence in using IT.

• The ability to use initiative and work independently.

• A willingness to abide by Read Easy policies and procedures.

• An open attitude that encourages two-way communication and willingness to ask for and offer support to the Team.

• A non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included.

Please be aware that the reading coaching takes place in venues across the city, mainly in libraries and community centres. Bearing in mind that the role will involve occasional visits to pairs to offer support with their sessions when needed, you will need to be Sheffield-based and ideally able to drive or travel around the city.

Salary - Volunteer

35 hours per week (flexible working options available)

Remote/Hybrid/Flexible location

Ref: VCS-251 

Are you a creative, organised and collaborative communicator with a passion for digital content and social impact? If so, St Giles is looking for a Volunteer Communications Support to help strengthen our digital presence and support the delivery of high-quality communications across the organisation.

About St Giles Trust 

An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

About this key role

As Volunteer Communications Support, you will play an important role within the Fundraising and Communications team, working closely with the Senior Media and Publicity Manager and colleagues across St Giles. You will support the creation, scheduling and management of digital content that promotes our work, campaigns and values, helping us reach and engage key audiences. The role will also involve providing general support to the team. 

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop or apply their communications, digital and storytelling skills in a supportive, values-driven environment.

What you’ll be doing:

• Creating digital assets to support St Giles communications campaigns and projects
• Writing engaging, audience-focused digital copy
• Using design software (e.g. Canva and AI tools) to produce content in line with brand guidelines
• Uploading and scheduling digital content across relevant platforms
• Supporting the maintenance and development of the St Giles website
• Researching and sourcing photography through stock image libraries
• Using analytics to help measure performance and engagement
• Assisting with organising events, where required
• Attending meetings relevant to the role and working collaboratively with colleagues
• Ensuring confidentiality, data protection and information security policies are upheld
• Promoting sustainable working practices and environmental responsibility

What we are looking for

• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, SharePoint and Teams
• Experience of producing digital written content
• A sound sense of design and the ability to work within brand and photographic guidelines
• Experience using digital design tools such as Canva (and interest in AI tools such as ChatGPT)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong storytelling ability
• Experience uploading, scheduling and managing digital content
• Knowledge of producing email marketing copy
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities and collaborate effectively as part of a team
• An understanding of, and sensitivity to, the issues faced by people with lived experience and the barriers they may encounter

A Basic DBS check is required for this role.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

Closing date: Friday 6th February 2026 at 9am. We will be reviewing applications as they are received and reserve the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is appointed. We therefore strongly encourage early applications to avoid any disappointment.

Beacon for Rare Diseases hosts The Resources Hub, a 100% free and accessible e-learning platform created to support the rare disease community, including:

• Patient groups, patients and families
• Researchers and life science professionals
• Rare disease advocates

The Resources Hub brings together over 100 free resources, including written courses, video guides, webinars and recordings from events and conferences. These resources are designed to support people at every stage of their rare disease journey, whether they are just getting started or are part of a well-established organisation.

We are incredibly proud of the breadth and quality of what’s available on the Hub. However, much of our long-standing content is under-promoted, meaning that people don’t always find the right resource at the right time.

“The Resources Hub provides invaluable resources to help patient group leaders navigate challenges such as caring responsibilities, health issues, and employment.”

“It breaks down topics relevant to the rare community in a way that's easy to digest and empowering to take action!”

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About the role

We are looking for a social media volunteer to help us shine a light on the wealth of content already available within the Resources Hub.

In this role, you will:

• Spend time exploring our existing Resources Hub content
• Write 1–3 social media posts per resource, tailored for different platforms
• Help us build a reusable library of social media posts that we can draw on to promote resources when they are most relevant

This role is about helping people discover support that already exists, making it easier for patient groups and advocates to find information that could make a real difference to their work.

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Who this role would suit

This is a specific, project-based placement and would suit someone who already has experience in communications, social media or content creation.

You’ll be someone who:

• Enjoys writing clear, engaging social media copy
• Understands how to adapt messaging across different platforms
• Is comfortable working independently and managing their own time
• Can take guidance on tone and branding and run with it

While we don’t have capacity to provide training, you won’t be left on your own. We will:

• Provide clear direction on priorities and approach
• Share brand guidance and examples
• Review initial work to make sure everything feels aligned
• Have routine check-ins, provide feedback, and an end-of-placement review

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Time commitment and flexibility

​This is a fully remote volunteering role, which we ideally hope can be completed within around three months. We anticipate a minimum commitment of approximately two hours per week, though a shorter, more intensive placement could also be arranged to suit the volunteer. We are open to having more than one volunteer on this project and do not expect a single person to work through the entire Hub.

Please note: we are looking for this placement to begin as soon as possible. 

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Why volunteer with Beacon?

By volunteering with Beacon, you will:

• Help improve access to free, high-quality resources for the rare disease community
• Support patient groups, patients and advocates to build confidence and capacity
• Gain experience working with a well-established national charity
• Take on a clearly defined project with flexible working

We are looking for a Treasurer with an accountancy background and Board level experience to join our Board to support our small but mighty charity to bring the joy of reading to primary school children across the country.

Location: Online
Salary: Voluntary with reasonable expenses reimbursed
Deadline for applications: 31st January 2026

About Us:

The Children’s Bookshow is a national charity that inspires children with a love of books and reading through an annual programme of inspiring theatre and digital performances and engaging creative workshops. We showcase some of the best authors and illustrators of children’s books from around the world, and celebrate children’s literature in translation. 

We are an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation that has been running successfully for 23 years. Each year, we deliver 15 events in venues ranging from iconic theatres such as The Old Vic in London to community spaces and smaller scale theatres such as the New Wolsey in Ipswich, plus a programme of 60 creative workshops in primary schools. We target areas of high socio-economic deprivation, support environmental sustainability through our programme, and partner with local authorities, libraries and education providers. Every child who attends our theatre performances receives a free copy of the author’s book to take home and keep. This is integral to our offer - putting excellent books directly into the hands of children.

“Having Frank Cottrell-Boyce in for a free workshop really did make such a difference to our school and to our children. Frank was able to inspire every single child to write, no matter their need or ability, and children who would normally be reluctant to share their ideas in front of the class were confident to do so. Every single one of them went home talking non-stop about the amazing author they had met - with many now inspired to become authors. I can't put into words how grateful we are or how much of an impact those couple of hours have had on both the children and staff.” 
Teacher, Winyates Primary, Peterborough 2024

The opportunities:

If you think you have the expertise and passion to support our work and help us to deliver the kind of impact and change experienced by Winyates Primary, then we would love to hear from you!

Thanks to successful fundraising The Children’s Bookshow is financially stable for the next two years. Iterative growth and continued financial sustainability are crucial for us to fulfill our aspirations for the future: 

• Give more primary school children the invaluable experience of a live author event at a local theatre
• Enable children to work creatively with a world class artist in their own classroom 
• Increase book ownership by putting a free book into the hands of every child who attends one of our performances

We are recruiting a Treasurer to join our Board of highly-skilled, committed and friendly Trustees to guide and support us in achieving these aims.

The Role:
Trustees share oversight of The Children’s Bookshow’s artistic programming, operations, fundraising and finances, to ensure good governance in compliance with our governing document and with UK charity and company law.

Time commitment: around 4-6 days per year.

Treasurer:
We are seeking a new Treasurer to ensure high standards of financial governance and decision-making, and to act as a key sounding board for the Co-Directors in the financial planning, management and reporting of our charity. This will include overseeing our annual budget and cashflow and quarterly management accounts, and advising on how best to invest our reserve fund. 

We are looking for a qualified accountant with Board level experience with a UK charity and an interest in our work.

A background in children’s literature, publishing or theatre would be an advantage, but not essential.

The Children’s Bookshow is committed to creating a collaborative Board of Trustees that is inclusive and representative of our society. We actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and from all sections of society to apply. 

Meetings:
There are typically four Board meetings a year lasting around an hour. Three of these meetings take place online and we endeavour to meet in person once a year in central London for a meeting followed by lunch. We welcome Trustees to attend our theatre performances and online events wherever possible to directly experience our work. 

We also have a Finance and Operations Committee that occasionally meets online and reports to the Board, which Trustees are invited to opt into to share their expertise in specific areas such as Finance, Fundraising and Development. 

How to apply

Please email your CV and a covering letter (each a maximum of 2 sides of A4) detailing your relevant expertise and experience for the role of Treasurer, and why you would like to be part of The Children’s Bookshow. We look forward to hearing from you. 

We’re looking for someone who believes deeply in the power of creativity and who can help steward the organisation with care, imagination and strategic oversight. It’s a voluntary role, but a hugely meaningful one and a chance to make a lasting difference to the future of the Super Power Agency.

I’ve attached our Chair of Trustees recruitment pack, which gives more detail about the role, the moment we’re in as an organisation and the kind of person we’re hoping to find . You might know someone brilliant who would be a great fit – or you might even feel curious yourself, please get in touchle

Location: Remote (with optional annual in-person strategy day in London)

Commitment: Approx. 4 days per year (including quarterly board meetings and Resource Committee meetings) plus an optional all day Vision Day

Remuneration: Unpaid (Travel expenses reimbursed)

The Work Rights Centre is looking to widen its Board of Trustees. As we bid farewell to our Treasurer, who has reached the end of her six year maximum mandate, we are seeking a Finance Trustee (Treasurer) to join our Board.  This is a unique opportunity to support a growing and highly ambitious charity, and join a dedicated Trustee Board of experts from across employment, immigration and public law, communications and academia. You will play a vital role in ensuring that our resources are managed effectively to maximize our impact. Above all, you will have an opportunity  to make real, lasting social change.

About us

The Work Rights Centre (WoRC) is a frontline charity dedicated to ending precarious work and social exclusion. Since 2016, we have supported thousands of migrants and disadvantaged Britons to recover unpaid wages, fight workplace discrimination, and secure their immigration status.  We don’t just handle individual cases; we use our frontline evidence to advocate for systemic change through research and policy engagement. In 2025 alone, we recovered over £170k for exploited workers and supported hundreds in understanding and securing their status in the UK.

What time commitment is expected?

The Board of Trustees meets four times a year. The meetings are held online, typically lasting 90 min. Our annual Vision Day is held in person, with some sessions that Trustees can join remotely. It is a precious opportunity for trustees to join all staff in reviewing key achievements, reflect on the year ahead, and begin formulating strategic objectives. Once a quarter before every main board meeting, a small Resource Committee (including theTreasurer and Deputy CEO) meets to review the charity’s financial position and fundraising targets.

About You

We are looking for a qualified finance professional with:

• Charity Finance Experience: A solid understanding of charity SORP, restricted/unrestricted funding, and voluntary sector governance.

• Strategic Vision: The ability to translate financial awareness into strategic advice for non-finance board members.

• Passion for Justice: A genuine commitment to the rights of migrants and workers in the UK. We particularly welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of the issues we tackle.

How to Apply

Please dow send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining why you are interested in joining the Work Rights Centre’s Board to Kasia Figiel, Deputy CEO by Sunday, February 8th. We will acknowledge and review all applications. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet the Chair of Trustees, Rob McNeil. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to write to us.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Do you have accountancy or finance skills and experience that you could use to support a charity? Would you like to help make sure people have the right information and support to make informed decisions about their health, wellbeing and care?

Patient Information Forum is looking for a new Trustee with finance skills to join our Board. You could play an important role in shaping our future and strengthening our work.

WHO IS PATIENT INFORMATION FORUM?

The Patient Information Forum (PIF) is the membership body for people working in health information and support. We are the independent voice of UK health information. PIF runs the only quality mark for print and digital health information – the PIF TICK.

WHAT MATTERS TO US

Access for everyone to personalised health information and support so that people feel enabled to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

We believe high-quality information is key to reducing inequalities in health literacy, and we are strongly committed to inclusion. We also tackle misinformation, helping people to recognise trusted, credible sources and tell them apart from misleading or false information.

IF YOU JOIN US…

You'll play an important role in overseeing PIF’s financial health and ensuring that the Board and senior team can make informed, responsible decisions.

The Treasurer’s role is to provide financial leadership and oversight for the charity. This includes reviewing, approving, and presenting budgets, accounts, and financial statements, as well as preparing and delivering clear financial reports to the Board.

You’ll have the opportunity to work with a team of fellow Trustees who bring a wide range of professional experience.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for individuals with an accountancy qualification or equivalent finance knowledge gained by experience. You’ll have high levels of integrity and an eye for detail.

Previous trustee experience isn’t required, and you will be supported into the role through an onboarding and induction process.

We are particularly seeking someone to:

○ guide and advise the Board on the approval of budgets and annual accounts within current legislation

○ keep the Board informed of its statutory financial duties and responsibilities

○ commit to PIF’s, vision and goals. Honesty, integrity, and a commitment to transparency.

Please make sure you read our Candidate Information Pack before applying. It contains important details about the role and our organisation.

Don’t think you quite meet all the specifications? Please don’t count yourself out. We’d still love to learn more about your interest in joining Patient Information Forum!

WHAT’S NEXT?

Eastside People is supporting Patient Information Forum in the recruitment of this role. You can apply today by submitting your CV and Cover Letter.

The closing date for applications is Fri 20 February.

Longlisting interviews with Eastside People will take place shortly after and shortlisted candidates will have an interview with PIF during the week beginning 9 March.

PIF is an equal opportunities organisation. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and lived experiences. We strive to reflect the diversity of the population and are committed to equity and inclusion at every level of our governance.

We acknowledge every application. You’ll always hear from us after taking the time to apply - we look forward to hearing from you!

The Africa Health Organisation (AHO) seeks to engage in bidding and tendering to deliver health and social care services effectively.  Our goal is to ensure sustainability and positively impact the lives of more people.  We want assistance in developing an ambitious strategy.

What will you be doing?

We are excited to announce an incredible opportunity for a talented Head of Bids and tenders to join our passionate team at the Africa Health Organisation (AHO)!  Since 1999, we've been dedicated to delivering health and social care to millions across Africa and the Diaspora, and now we're ready to further elevate our impact.

This year, we're embarking on a mission to broaden our funding strategy by incorporating bid and tender submissions.  Our goal is to engage with governments in Africa and the UK, the public sector, and the public, providing essential, practical, and emotional support to those facing chronic conditions.  We need a visionary like you to help us achieve our goals.

We're seeking a dynamic, experienced Head of Bids to develop and execute a winning strategy to secure the necessary financial backing.  There are numerous exciting possibilities ahead, including central government tenders, local and statutory opportunities.  We're eager to explore them all.

In this pivotal role, you'll plan and execute our bids and tender writing efforts, ensuring that our bid proposals not only shine but also come to life in meaningful ways.  If you're a bid writer who thrives on creativity and collaboration, we want to hear from you!  Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to inspire and mentor volunteers within our bid and tender team, making a positive impact together.  Join us on this exciting journey!

Key Duties and Responsibilities will include:

• Overall responsibility for delivering high-quality, accurate, compliant and commercially sound proposals on time, to budget, with inputs from key stakeholders.
• Responsible for the coordination and management of all Bid activities, for ensuring that Bid Plans are put in place and that all internal inputs are received promptly to meet Bid submission timescales.
• Responsible for the receipt, management, control and coordination of all external and internal information and documentation with respect to the enquiry and for the team acting as custodian for Bid documents, including all approved internal documentation signed by the Organisation.
• Responsible for compliance with all internal Bid policies and procedures and for passing internal and external audits.
• Contribute to the overall Bid strategy alongside other stakeholders.
• Responsible for the overall leadership of the team and ensuring that individuals within the team are given appropriate opportunities to grow and develop, and that the team maximises performance by creating and fostering a positive, can-do attitude and outlook on an ongoing basis.
• Responsibility to ensure that improvements are identified and those agreed upon are implemented continuously to support the growth and development of the team and those within it.
• There is a need to keep good records and to create and measure metrics on bidding performance to both review performance and drive continuous improvement in a key area of the business.
• Responsible for mentoring and training Bid Managers and Bid Writers to ensure they are up to date with bid requirements and improve their competence.

What are we looking for?

Education, Skills and Experience: Requirements

Essential:

• At least three years of experience in successfully leading teams within a bid environment.
• Proven track record of improvement and achievement - processes and people
• Keen understanding of numbers, spreadsheets, VOP/invoices, rates, cash flow, milestones, negotiations, and pricing audits.
• Ability to write strong proposals and experience as an estimator
• Excellent communicator (written and verbal) with local and international customers, and with an appreciation of cultural differences
• Ability to persuade and influence others
• Ability to lead team by example, with the ability to foster and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Strong business/commercial acumen
• Keen attention to detail
• Commercially sound judgement
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Strong financial skills

Desirable:

• Leadership qualification (CMI or ILM)
• Experience with an integrated project management / ERP system (Enterprise Resource Planning)
• Experience in bidding roles in the Medical, Biochemistry, Biomedical, Public Services, Global Health, Humanitarian, NGOs, Public Health and Social Care industry
• MBA, Professional Qualification or formal leadership Qualification (CMI, ILM)

What difference will you make?

In this exciting role, you will lead the strategic process for winning new business through competitive bids, tenders, and proposals, ultimately elevating AHO's success. Your specialised knowledge of bids will enhance our win rates and maximise revenue by bringing clarity, quality, and coordination to what can be a complex, high-stakes journey.

Your primary mission is to boost AHO's tender win rates and strengthen our strategic advantage.  By diligently overseeing each step of the bidding process—from initial evaluation to final submission—you will significantly improve the quality and persuasion of our proposals, directly increasing our chances of securing valuable contracts.

You'll provide key insights to help AHO target the most promising opportunities by implementing a thoughtful "bid/no-bid" process.  This approach will ensure we focus only on lucrative and winnable contracts that closely align with our strategic goals, ultimately saving time and resources and allowing us to prioritise high-potential projects.

In this role, you will orchestrate a well-coordinated process that drives operational efficiency.  As the central point of contact, you will gather input from diverse internal teams—sales, finance, legal, and technical—ensuring everyone collaborates smoothly to meet critical deadlines.

As a leader, you'll elevate the quality of our bid content.  By overseeing the creation of compelling, polished materials, you'll ensure our final submissions are professional, cohesive, and error-free.  You will utilise a centralised content library containing valuable resources, such as case studies and CVs, to streamline efforts and enhance our proposals.

You will keep projects on track by developing detailed project plans and timelines, ensuring all tasks are completed on time—especially critical in the fast-paced environment of tender submissions.  Your effective management will ease colleagues' workloads, allowing the entire team to shine.

To foster long-term business growth, you'll create a wealth of knowledge around our tenders and bids. By conducting insightful post-submission debriefs and analysing feedback, you will capture invaluable lessons from both successes and setbacks.  This ongoing improvement process will enhance our bidding capabilities for future opportunities.

You also have the opportunity to enhance AHO's brand reputation by submitting well-organised, accurate, and compliant bids.  By doing so, you'll showcase our professionalism and reliability to clients, building trust and solidifying our credible standing in the market.

Strategic alignment is vital for sustaining consistent, stable business growth.  Together, we can make a remarkable impact on development.

We’re a not-for-profit landlord who have been having a positive impact on young people’s lives for nearly 100 years, by addressing the shortage of affordable rented housing for those working in London.

We’re the only organisation in London that specifically offers accommodation to working young people, many of whom are key workers, in entry level employment who have no other means of support and are unable to stay within their family networks.

Our current flagship residence, HYELM-Old Street, opened in 2008 and provides 125 young workers who cannot afford to rent or buy properties through the private sector, with contemporary, secure, hassle-free accommodation.

This is an exciting time for us. In response to the considerable and growing demand for high quality affordable accommodation, we are exploring several development opportunities to increase the number of young workers who we are able to house.

The Role of a HYELM Board Member is to:

• Play a key role in helping to shape the direction of our organisation. In the shorter term this will include supporting the review of our future strategy, the delivery of new housing and the implementation of our commitment to put our people at the heart of our business.
• Work collectively, with other Board members, oversee our compliance with relevant regulations; quantify & manage current, new & emerging risks that the organisation faces and regularly review our performance and delivery against our Strategic and business plans.

You will be valued for

• Your entrepreneurial spirit to drive HYELM forward whilst also keeping keen prudent control and avoiding any conflicts of interest.
• Your understanding and/or experience in the small charity/business environment.
• Your commitment to work with our very small team to further evolve our organisation to provide a better living environment to young people and key workers.

Ideally, you would be able to support us in bolstering our Board representation with knowledge and experience of finance and accounting as well as IT and Technology.

You’ll be contributing to a great cause.

• You’ll be able to develop and hone your critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills as well as develop and gain additional experience in strategic planning.
• You’ll grow your professional networks.
• You’ll be able to access complimentary training, support and attend industry events, conferences, and seminars. If this is your first trusteeship, we will design a bespoke development package to help support you in your new role.

Skills sought: Charity Finance, accounting, AI/Tech

Commitment: 6 meetings per year (4 in person, at our Old Street scheme)