Senior youth employment officer volunteer roles in Manchester

Description
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Direct Working Relationships: C-Level Executives, National Research, Policy, Ethics, Research Reporting, and Local Operations
Location: Remote, UK-based
Time Commitment: Part-time | Flexible hours | Long term commitment

About the Role
We are seeking a volunteer Chief Operating Officer (COO) to provide strategic and operational leadership across our national and local operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the COO will play a pivotal role in ensuring effective delivery of projects and research, maintaining ethical and operational standards, and driving continuous improvement across all organisational systems and processes.

This is a senior voluntary position ideal for an experienced operations or strategy leader who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to make an impact in the not-for-profit or research sector.

Please note: This is a voluntary and unpaid role. There is no direct financial compensation or future paid opportunity attached.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight of Policy, Ethics and Research Reporting, National Operations, and Local Operations (including projects and research).

• Oversee operational delivery to ensure smooth, ethical, and effective implementation of all projects.

• Lead the optimisation of systems, structures, and processes to maximise organisational efficiency.

• Ensure resource allocation is effective and aligned with strategic goals.

• Support and collaborate with C-Level colleagues to drive organisational progress.

• Attend high-level meetings and provide regular operational updates and recommendations.

• Act as a key decision-maker in operational strategy, compliance, and performance management.

• Support and coach department heads and senior managers to strengthen internal leadership capacity.

• Step in to provide hands-on support to other C-Level officers and direct reports when needed.

What We're Looking For
We’re looking for a confident, experienced, and adaptable leader who can bring structure, strategy, and calm to a dynamic environment. You’ll be most successful in this role if you have:
• Significant experience in operations management, project delivery, or organisational leadership.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple teams or departments in complex environments.
• Strong ethical grounding and commitment to compliance and transparency.
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• A hands-on, solutions-focused approach with the ability to balance strategy and execution.
• Experience mentoring or managing senior leaders or functional heads.
• Comfort working remotely with cross-functional, volunteer-led teams.
• A collaborative, supportive leadership style and openness to learning and adaptation.
• An understanding of the not-for-profit, research, or policy sectors (advantageous but not essential).

What You’ll Gain
• The opportunity to lead national operations for a values-led organisation making a tangible impact.
• Executive-level experience within a collaborative, mission-driven C-Suite.
• The chance to refine strategic and operational leadership skills in a complex, real-world setting.
• Recognition through:
o LinkedIn testimonial and reference
o A public thank you post
o Permission to list the organisation as an employer on your CV/LinkedIn
o A written reference upon completion of your commitment

Important Information
This is a voluntary position. There is no financial payment, benefits, or employment status. This opportunity is ideal for seasoned operations leaders or executives seeking to contribute their expertise to a meaningful, values-driven mission and support the growth of an impactful organisation.

Apply Now
If you’re ready to help shape the strategic and operational backbone of a growing organisation and support our mission through effective leadership, we’d love to hear from you.

Be Part of Meaningful Change

Rape Crisis South London (RCSL) is entering an exciting new chapter. With a new CEO, refreshed Senior Leadership Team, and an ambitious vision for the future, we are laying the foundations for a bold new organisational strategy.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. 

About the Role:
In addition to the statutory duties of a Trustee, the Treasurer Trustee provides strategic financial oversight to support the organisation’s sustainability and effective governance.

The role is responsible for advising the Board on its financial duties, the implications of strategic decisions, and ensuring that appropriate financial policies and procedures are in place. It includes oversight of financial reporting, such as management accounts, budgets, and forecasts, and working in close collaboration with the CEO and Director of Finance and Resources.

The Treasurer Trustee also acts as a key liaison with external auditors, presents the annual report and accounts at the AGM on behalf of the Board, and chairs the Risk and Finance Sub-Committee.

Our vision:
A world free from sexual violence, where survivors are believed, respected and supported.

Our mission:
To provide high‑quality, specialist support and to challenge the structures that enable sexual violence.

What You Will Do

The specific responsibilities of the Treasurer Trustee are:

• Keeping the Board informed of its financial duties and responsibilities.
• Providing the Board with advice on the financial implications of their decisions and strategic plans.
• Ensuring RCSL has the appropriate financial policies and procedures.
• Having oversight of the preparation of regular financial reporting including the management accounts, forecasts and budgets.
• Liaising with and supporting the CEO and the Director of Finance and Resources.
• Liaising with the auditors and presenting the annual report and accounts to the AGM on behalf of the Board.
• Chairing a Risk and Finance sub-committee 

About You

Person Specification - Essential
Experience of being a Trustee

• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities, and liabilities of trusteeship.
• Significant experience of charity human resources including at a strategic level.
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• An ability to challenge current thinking, the method of governance and management of the organisation in a constructive manner.
• Ability to evaluate and interpret management information and other data/evidence.

Note:
This role is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 201. All Trustees are required to complete an enhanced DBS.

You will demonstrate:

• Proven experience in a relevant role or environment, with the ability to apply your skills confidently and effectively
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage professionally with a range of stakeholders
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines
• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• The ability to work independently while also contributing positively as part of a team
• A proactive, problem‑solving approach and a willingness to take ownership of tasks
• Competence in using relevant systems, tools, or software required for the role
• A professional, confidential, and ethical approach to your work

Desirable
What You Bring

• Commitment to feminist, survivor‑led practice
• Anti‑racist and anti‑discriminatory values
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Commitment to learning, reflection and self‑care

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

Rape Crisis South London is committed to safeguarding survivors, children, young people and adults at risk. All staff have a shared responsibility for promoting safety and wellbeing.

This includes:

• Promoting the safety and wellbeing of service users
• Identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns
• Following organisational safeguarding policies and procedures
• Supporting a culture where everyone feels safe, respected and supported

Our safer recruitment processes include:

• Values‑based interviews
• Verification of identity, qualifications and employment history
• Reference checks
• DBS checks (enhanced or basic, depending on the role)

Safeguarding training and ongoing supervision

Interview Process:
Candidates will be required to attend a 3 stage interview:
Stage one: phone call
Stage 2 MS Teams Call with CEO and Board of Trustees
Stage 3: Interview with CEO and Trustee / or Director 

The interview will explore experience and approach to:

• Safeguarding
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Feminist and trauma‑informed practice
• Role‑specific responsibilities
• Role‑specific assessment details 

Post holder will be required to undertake either Enhanced DBS

Equality, Feminism and Inclusion

RCSL is an equal opportunities employer. Our work is rooted in feminist principles that recognise sexual violence as both a cause and consequence of gender inequality. We centre survivor voices and prioritise empowerment, inclusivity and intersectionality.

We particularly welcome applications from women who are under‑represented in roles within the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), charity, social impact sector.

Intersectionality and Reasonable Adjustments

We recognise that experiences of sexual violence are shaped by intersecting factors including:

• Race and ethnicity
• Disability
• Sexuality and gender identity
• Socio‑economic background
• Immigration status
• Faith and culture

We are committed to removing barriers and creating an inclusive workplace.

Applicants are encouraged to tell us if they require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process,
such as:

• Alternative interview timings
• Additional time for written tasks
• Support relating to disability, neurodivergence or health needs

Learning and Development

As a charity undergoing growth and transformation, we welcome colleagues who are committed to ongoing learning and professional development. We provide induction, supervision, and development opportunities appropriate to the role.

This post is open to women only and is a Genuine Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010 (where applicable). 

How to Apply 

Please submit:  

• Your CV 
• A cover letter outlining why this role appeals to you 
• A supporting statement demonstrating how your experience meets the skills and requirements outlined in the person specification
• Applications should be sent in PDF format 
• Closing date:  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 
• Interview date(s):  Two-stage process consisting of an informal conversation followed by an interview with the CEO and Chair. 

Thank you for your interest in RCSL. If you have not heard from us within one month of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
 

AI in Job Applications

We understand that some candidates use AI tools when applying. While we welcome technology to support clear communication, your application should reflect your own skills, knowledge and experience. 

Help us support families to get the right education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

We are seeking new people to join our Board of Trustees to support the good governance of our charity. It is an exciting time to join us as we work to launch our new strategy; an important timeframe as we review the Government’s White Paper on SEND and consider how best to adapt our services to ensure we reach those who need us most.

Who we are

Founded in 1983, IPSEA is a leading national charity focussed on supporting families to ensure that children and young people with SEND receive the education they are legally entitled to. Since our formation, we have actively helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people with SEND. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

Who are we looking for?

We wish to recruit a number of new trustees who are committed to our vision and values and who bring complementary skills to those of our current Board members.

Trustees are expected to gain an understanding of the organisation’s purpose, and to contribute their own expertise, ensuring IPSEA fulfils its objectives, and in accordance with our charitable objects and Articles of Association

Whether you’re an experienced trustee or wanting to take your first step at Board level, we are particularly interested in hearing from people with expertise and skills in one or more of the following areas:

• IT / Digital transformation / cyber security
• Governance
• Marketing and social media
• Equality, diversity and inclusion

Please note: a lack of expertise in these areas does not mean that an application will not be considered.

Our Board should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

• an in-depth induction programme, training and reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
• the opportunity to be involved in making strategic decisions and developing new skills
• the opportunity to apply your knowledge and experience to an important cause
• a buddying system for new trustees as you settle into the role

The expected time commitment is six trustee meetings per year (meetings are held on weekdays in central London or at IPSEA’s office in Takeley, Essex with the option to join some meetings virtually), usually one strategic planning/training day and some other ad hoc time for occasional meetings and events.

To apply 

​Please visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form. 

Closing date for applications: 5pm on 29 May 2026

First-round interviews: week commencing 29 June 2026