Welfare benefits specialist jobs

BACKGROUND

Ashiana started operating in 1989 and specialises in helping young women, aged 16 - 35 years, from South Asian, Middle Eastern & Iranian communities who are at risk of domestic violence and sexual violence.

OUR SERVICES

Ashiana runs three refuges with a total of 29 bed-spaces; specifically for women aged 16-35 fleeing forced marriage. This multi award winning project is the only service of its kind in the UK and is highly innovative in terms of addressing an area of significant need not met in other refuge provision. Within these refuges we designate a number of bedspaces for women with no recourse to public funds. We offer an advice and support service to women and girls who are experiencing VAWG (Violence against Women & Girls), enabling them to make informed decisions and exit abusive relationships. We provide counselling for women and girls affected by domestic violence and sexual violence. We also deliver an immigration service to women who have insecure immigration status with the aim to support them with access to specialist legal advice in order to resolve their immigration status. .. We deliver harmful practices training to professionals from the statutory and voluntary sector in addition to awareness raising workshops for women and girls in the community.

PRIMARY TASK

To be responsible, alongside the Management Committee, the Senior Management Team and other workers for the effective running of the Project, in accordance with Management Policy. Ensuring that it meets the needs of South Asian, Middle Eastern and Turkish women and girls who have been made homeless as a result of VAWG (Violence against Women & Girls). 

Please see the attached the full job description

Community Fundraising Officer

Location: Remote (UK-based)
Hours: 30 hours per week, fully flexible
Salary: £27,000 FTE (pro-rata for 30 hours)
Contract: 1-year Fixed Term Contract (with possibility of extension subject to performance)

About Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP)

Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP) is a specialist animal protection organisation that investigates, disrupts, protects and rescues animals from organised animal cruelty.

We work through intelligence-led investigations and partnerships with law enforcement across the globe. Our work is unapologetically justice-led, outcomes-focused, and impact-driven.

AWIP is a remote-first, flexible organisation. We prioritise autonomy, trust, and clarity.

Values alignment

AWIP is a close-knit, mission-driven team working to end organised animal cruelty.

Because of the nature of our work, we are particularly interested in candidates whose personal values strongly align with animal protection. A cruelty-free lifestyle (such as veganism or vegetarianism) is therefore preferred, though we welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to protecting animals and is aligned with our mission.

About the role

We are seeking a Community Fundraising Officer to lead and deliver a small number of high-impact virtual fundraising challenges and supporter-led events each year.

This role exists to generate lumpy, time-bound income spikes through well-executed campaigns.

This is a delivery-focused, commercially minded position suited to someone who is comfortable working with data, managing budgets, and being accountable for results.

Key responsibilities

Virtual fundraising challenges (core responsibility):

• Designing and delivering 3–4 virtual fundraising challenges per year.
• Managing each challenge end-to-end, including campaign concept and structure, participant onboarding and journey, fundraising targets, timelines, delivery, and wrap-up.
• Running private Facebook Groups or similar community spaces during live challenge periods.
• Managing paid incentives and paid social advertising budgets.
• Ensuring challenges are repeatable, scalable, and cost-effective.

Supporter-led and external events

• Coordinating and promoting participation in:
• Run for Charity events
• Overseas challenge events (e.g. treks)
• Peer-to-peer fundraising (e.g. birthday fundraisers or evergreen P2P)
• Acting as the main point of contact for supporters taking part
• Providing clear guidance, materials, and support while keeping delivery light-touch

Income, data & performance

• Owning net income targets for each campaign
• Monitoring and analysing campaign performance
• Tracking: Spend, Cost per lead, Activation rates, Funds raised.
• Reporting clearly on outcomes, learning, and recommendations
• Continuously refining formats to improve performance year-on-year

About you

You will bring:

• Experience in community fundraising, events fundraising, or supporter-led campaigns
• Strong project management skills with the ability to deliver campaigns to deadline
• High-performance mindset with confidence working to clear income targets and demonstrating Return on Investment (ROI)
• Proficiency with digital platforms and tools such as:Meta Ads, FundraiseUp and/or Raisely, Google Analytics.
• Comfort interpreting data and adjusting campaigns based on performance
• The ability to work independently in a fully remote environment
• Alignment with AWIP’s mission and comfort working in a justice-led organisation

Experience delivering virtual fundraising challenges or digitally driven campaigns is highly desirable.

Working pattern & flexibility

• 30 hours per week, fully flexible
• Fully remote (UK-based)
• Occasional evening or weekend work around campaign launches
• Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) provided for any additional hours worked during peak periods

Salary & benefits

• £27,000 FTE (pro-rata for 30 hours = £23,142.86)
• 8% employer pension contribution with NEST Pensions
• Private healthcare and dental insurance with Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Training and development opportunities
• Fully remote, flexible working environment

Contract details

• 1-year fixed-term contract
• Possibility of extension subject to performance and organisational needs

How to apply

Closing date: ASAP

Expected start date: January 2026
This role requires urgent placement and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The vacancy will close once a suitable candidate is appointed.

Please send:

• Your CV
• A covering letter explaining your relevant experience, values alignment, and interest in the role

Any applications without a covering letter will be not considered.

We are recruiting for two opportunities: one Permanent position and one Fixed-Term (12 months) position.

This role sits within our Connecting Communities service, which is an element of the larger Mental Health and Wellbeing Service in Tower Hamlets. The post holder will be committed to supporting our clients through their recovery and developing greater resilience and wellbeing. This role will offer a personalised approach to accessing welfare and housing-related advice and information, through casework, workshops and advice surgeries.

What you’ll do 

• Provide welfare benefits and housing advice to support people with mental health challenges to live independently in the community.
• Help clients understand and resolve issues related to welfare benefits and ensure they receive their correct entitlements.
• Run workshops, groups, and advice surgeries on welfare benefits and related topics, such as money management.
• Work collaboratively with the Connecting Communities team, mental health services, housing associations, and other providers to support welfare benefits enquiries, referrals, and training needs.

For 140 years, the Forces Employment Charity has proudly supported Service leavers, veterans, and their families in building successful civilian careers.

We provide veterans with life-long, life-changing support, jobs, and training opportunities, regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

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Brief role description:

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The Specialist Employment Consultant will be working as part of a national, decentralised, cohesive team, supporting Armed Forces Veterans with (multiple) barriers to employment, to build confidence, gain new skills, and enter sustainable employment. 

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Interested? Want to know more about the Charity? Check out our Website

​Eager to know more the role? Have a look at the Job Description attached

​What’s in it for you? Check out our Benefits.

​Have we convinced you to apply? If so, submit your CV and Covering Letter by closing date Tuesday 23 December 2025 

​Got questions about the role? Get in touch with the People Team

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Please note: Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert; therefore, we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.

If you are an internal applicant, please ensure you have made The People Team aware before applying. 

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff by fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone, including those with disabilities, can thrive, develop, and achieve their full potential. We actively encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and ensure reasonable adjustments are made to support candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. 
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process.

For 140 years, the Forces Employment Charity has proudly supported Service leavers, veterans, and their families in building successful civilian careers.

We provide veterans with life-long, life-changing support, jobs, and training opportunities, regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.

​

Brief role description:

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The Specialist Employment Consultant will facilitate and co-ordinate employment case-working support for CTP (Assist) Service Leavers and Veterans up to 2 years post-discharge in order that they find appropriate and sustainable civilian employment or other appropriate vocational outcomes. 

​Interested? Want to know more about the Charity? Check out our Website

​

Eager to know more the role? Have a look at the Job Description attached

​

What’s in it for you? Check out our Benefits.

​

Have we convinced you to apply? If so, submit your CV and Covering Letter by closing date Tuesday 23 December 2025

​

Got questions about the role? Get in touch with the People Team 

​

Please note: Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert; therefore, we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.

If you are an internal applicant, please ensure you have made The People Team aware before applying. 

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff by fostering an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone, including those with disabilities, can thrive, develop, and achieve their full potential. We actively encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and ensure reasonable adjustments are made to support candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. 
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process.

Location: Remote, in the UK (mandatory to travel to London once a month, at own cost)

Line Manager: Executive Director

WHO WE ARE

Animal Equality is an international animal protection organisation working with society, governments and companies to end cruelty to farmed animals. Animal Equality has offices in the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and India.

Animal Equality releases investigative materials captured from inside factory farms and slaughterhouses, exposing the conditions that farmed animals face around the world. We publish our findings on television, in newspapers and online. We routinely secure mainstream media coverage, including on the BBC, ITV, Sky news, The Times, the Guardian, New York Times and many more.

Animal Equality also advocates for political change. Our current campaigns include a UK ban on foie gras imports, increased enforcement of existing animal protection laws, legal protections for farmed fish, and Government subsidies for transitioning towards a plant-based food system.

We focus on farmed animals because of the scale and severity of the issue. More than a billion animals are confined and killed for human consumption every year in the UK. Farmed animals also often suffer in some of the worst ways: pigs typically endure painful mutilations, many chickens die of heart attacks, fish are confined in underwater cages, and some farmed animals are victims of deliberate abuse and neglect. But the problem is solvable! By utilising effective campaigning strategies, Animal Equality is having an impact for animals around the world and building a future where all animals are respected and protected, and are no longer exploited for human consumption.

Animal Equality UK’s current key campaigns include:

• Strengthening enforcement of animal protection laws
• Halting the expansion of Scotland’s salmon farming industry
• Achieving a ban on foie gras imports
• Securing species-specific slaughter legislation for fish
• Inspiring the public to eat plants, not animals

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a strategic, personable, persuasive, and policy-savvy Food Policy Specialist to spearhead Government relations and stakeholder outreach. This highly impactful role bridges high-level advocacy with on-the-ground influence, and involves advising Government Ministers, politicians, expert bodies, and sector stakeholders to promote policies that support plant-forward dietary shifts aligned with the UK’s sustainability, public health, and animal welfare commitments and priorities.

The Food Policy Specialist will report to the UK Executive Director and oversee our diet change (‘Love Veg’) programme and team members working on diet change campaigns, with the objective of encouraging the public to eat plants, not animals. 

ABOUT YOU

You are a thoughtful communicator, tactically agile, and confident in high-level engagement – both in person and through written reports. You are strategic, evidence-driven, and ready to shape policy narratives that positively impact animals with proactivity and integrity.

You actively seek constructive feedback and use it to continuously improve your work. You show ownership and a growth mindset that is focused on improving the world for farmed animals. Knowledge of farmed animal issues and alignment with Animal Equality’s mission is a must, as is professionalism, adaptability, and discretion.

You must have a minimum of four years’ experience in public affairs, Government relations, policy advocacy, or food systems policy. You are expected to have a strong understanding of UK political structures and policy-making dynamics, excellent analytical written and presentation skills, and an ability to simplify complex research into persuasive policy messages. You must be a confident problem-solver, with a solutions-focused attitude and a collaborative spirit.

BENEFITS

• Holiday entitlement equal to 33 days per year (including standard public holidays).
• Personalised Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): an Animal Equality-funded benefit that offers employees confidential counselling and advice on a wide range of work and personal issues. The programme offers several services, such as a 24/7 confidential helpline and expert Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
• Flexible hours, with the option to start between 8am-10am and finish between 4pm-6pm.
• Able Futures Support: The service is a nine month, practical and confidential support service for employees whose circumstances or mental health may impact their wellbeing or work. Employees can work with a mental health professional to deepen their understanding of how their mental health may impact them and will build coping skills and resilience to thrive at work.
• Yearly stipend to access learning and development resources, to help employees further grow their personal and professional skills.
• A free vegan lunch every month at the Animal Equality monthly meetups.

APPLY NOW

To read the full job description and apply, please visit our careers page.

Closing date: 5.00pm on Friday 9th January 2026

The interview process comprises a multiple-stage interview and skills test. The appointment process will run throughout December and January, with Animal Equality UK making an offer to the successful candidate shortly after.

Specialist Debt Adviser

£38,000 • 12-month FTC (potential to become permanent) • 35 hours • Hybrid (3 days on-site in NW London)
Start: ASAP 

I'm partnering with a well-established community charity in North West London to recruit a Specialist Debt Adviser for an impactful, resident-focused project. This is a brilliant opportunity for an accredited adviser who wants to deliver high-quality, FCA-regulated debt advice as part of a supportive, community-centred team.

Working on-site three days a week, you'll provide comprehensive casework support to local residents - helping people stabilise their financial situation, maximise income, negotiate with creditors and access the wider wellbeing, training and support services available through the charity and its partners.

You'll be employed on a fixed-term contract with the potential to become permanent (subject to funding), and will benefit from dedicated professional supervision from a specialist debt-advice organisation.

The role

As the Specialist Debt Adviser, you will:

• Deliver full, regulated debt advice in line with FCA standards and the Debt Advice Quality Framework

• Manage a varied and ongoing caseload, conducting weekly face-to-face appointments

• Prepare detailed financial statements, negotiate repayment plans and advocate for clients

• Support income maximisation (benefit checks, grants, vouchers, DHPs, etc.)

• Maintain high-quality case records and ensure compliance with FCA, GDPR and internal standards

• Work closely with the wider team to provide holistic, joined-up support

• Contribute to reporting, audits and service quality improvements

• Provide guidance to junior staff or trainees where required

About you

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• Accreditation as a Debt Adviser (CMA/IMA/Wiser Adviser/Citizens Advice or similar)

• At least 1-2 years' experience providing comprehensive, regulated debt advice

• Strong casework skills and confidence handling complex, sensitive cases

• Excellent communication skills and a non-judgemental, empathetic approach

• High levels of accuracy, organisation and the ability to work independently

• Solid understanding of legislation, case law and policy affecting debt advice

• Experience using case management systems and analysing financial information

• Commitment to continuous professional development

A DRO Intermediary accreditation is desirable but not essential.

Benefits

Location: Camden Foodbank/with some hybrid working available

Start Date: Immediately

About Citizens Advice Camden

Citizens Advice Camden, part of the national Citizens Advice network, is a thriving local advice charity that provides information, advice and casework support to 10,000  individuals and families per year.

Role Purpose

The Income Maximisation Adviser role has been developed in partnership with Camden Foodbank and the Trussell Trust, to provide tailored advice and support to individuals accessing food assistance from Camden foodbank, and those identified as at risk of destitution.

The service aims to tackle the root causes of financial hardship and help households maximise their income. This includes delivering specialist welfare benefits advice to ensure clients receive all entitlements, supporting them through mandatory reconsiderations and appeals, and assisting them with applications for grants and other financial support.

Key elements/Tasks 

• Interview clients sensitively and effectively to deliver individually tailored advice which empowers clients, whilst providing in-depth casework support when needed.
• Provide information, advice and casework through face-to-face meetings, by email and telephone to ensure clients’ needs are met.
• Conduct benefit entitlement checks, assist clients in claiming their full entitlements, and provide support to challenge incorrect benefit decisions.
• Support clients in claiming grants and discounts to maximise income and help stabilise household budgets.

To apply complete our application form and online application process via the link.

Closing deadline for applications is: 9.00am on Monday, 12 January 2026.

CVs are not accepted. 

Interview date:14/15 January 2026

Citizens Advice Camden is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from all sections of the community.

Chief Executive Officer - The Brain Charity
Location: Liverpool-based - occasional travel across Merseyside and the UK
Salary: £75,000 per annum + 10% company pension
Contract: permanent, full-time

Are you ready to lead a values-driven charity that supports people affected by neurological conditions and their families across Merseyside and nationally?

The Brain Charity is a Liverpool-based national charity supporting adults, children and their families affected by any of more than 600 neurological and related conditions. Founded in 1993 by neurologists at The Walton Centre, we have grown a centre-based offer, hospital liaison roles and a national information, training and support service - from practical welfare and legal advice, counselling and rehabilitation (Neuro Gym) to peer connection via The Brain Food Café and employer/school training. We put lived experience, co-production and neuro-inclusive practice at the heart of everything we do: more than half of our staff and many of our volunteers have lived experience of neurological conditions.

As our next Chief Executive, you will:

• Strategic leadership: Develop and deliver a 3–5 year strategy and an operational plan with clear priorities that secures the charity’s long-term impact and sustainable growth.
• Values leadership: Model and embed the charity’s person-centred, inclusive and co-productive values across services and culture.
• Growth & income diversification: Lead development of diverse income streams — fundraising, legacies and commercial activity — to strengthen financial resilience.
• Partnerships & advocacy: Strengthen senior relationships with NHS partners, local authorities, commissioners and wider stakeholders; amplify the charity’s voice in neuro-health and community settings.
• Service quality & impact: Embed rigorous outcome measurement, quality assurance and contract compliance so our impact drives commissioning and service development.
• People leadership: Stabilise staff morale, lead and develop a high-performing Senior Leadership Team, and promote wellbeing and inclusive working practices.
• Governance & financial stewardship: Provide timely, high-quality reporting to the Board; oversee budgeting, forecasting and risk management to safeguard financial sustainability.

Who you are:
 

• An experienced Chief Executive or senior director with a minimum of three years’ experience at CEO or equivalent level.
• Proven track record of winning and managing commissioned contracts and delivering against local authority or health contracts.
• Skilled at building strategic partnerships and commanding credibility with senior stakeholders across health, local government and the voluntary sector.
• Confident at leading turnaround and financial sustainability work - experienced in budgeting, forecasting and making difficult decisions when needed.
• A values-led, collaborative leader with high emotional intelligence, resilience and a commitment to co-production and inclusion.

Why The Brain Charity?

• Lead a respected, person-centred organisation with a unique, wide-ranging offer across advice, emotional support, rehabilitation, social connection and national training.
• A high-impact role where you can stabilise the organisation, professionalise fundraising and scale services strategically.
• Liverpool-based centre with hybrid working and national reach — a chance to influence neuro-health practice and commissioning across the UK.

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via the apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 19th January 2026

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Circa £32,300

Hours: 37 per week

Department: People Culture & Leadership

Directorate: Continuous Improvement

Location: Working from home, with occasional UK travel

Reports to: Senior PCL Specialist

As part of the NFCC People Culture and Leadership (PCL) Hub this post plays a key role in supporting and enabling fire and rescue services (FRS) to drive organisational and culture change.

The postholder will use their subject matter knowledge, skills and experience alongside the principles of project management to support the design, development and implementation of a range of PCL products and services. Whilst the role supports all PCL activities, the role will have a focus on Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)-related projects, therefore experience in this area is particularly desirable. Moreover we require someone with relevant knowledge and experience in one or more fields of the people/HR/OD/EDI profession.

Evaluating the effectiveness of the NFCC’s PCL products and their benefits to FRS’s will be a key aspect of the role and the postholder will undertake a range of evaluation activities to identify improvements and make recommendations for improvement. They will be responsible for implementing agreed changes and maintaining PCL products to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.

Stakeholder engagement is a key element of the role by building effective relationships and establishing networks to improve the uptake/adoption of PCL products and drive culture change.

If this sounds like the kind of opportunity that you would be interested in; please have a look at the detailed Job description on the NFCC website and apply.

How to apply:

Please complete the application form linked from the ‘apply now’ button on the NFCC website. CV’s will NOT be accepted for this position.

Closing Date – 4 January 2026 with interviews being conducted on the 15 January 2026.

PLEASE NOTE - THIS VACANCY WILL CLOSE BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE IF WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS.

NFCC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and will require a DBS check to be completed prior to commencing in post.

NFCC is committed to being an inclusive employer. We comply with the Equality Act 2010, and we believe that everyone deserves to work in safe environments that are free from bullying, harassment and discrimination, abuse, and harm, where they feel supported, welcome, and able to thrive.

NFCC acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice, all staff are expected to share this commitment.

Position: Community Support Senior Officer x 3
Type: Full-time (35 hours a week), permanent
Location: Homebased (1 x with access to North West England, 1 x with access to East Midlands and 1 x with access to West Midlands). Must have access to a car with clean driving licence
Salary: £33,044* per annum plus excellent benefits
Salary Band and Job Family: Band 2, Charity

*you’ll start at our entry point salary of £ 33,044 per annum, increasing to £35,109 after 6 months service and satisfactory performance and to £37,174 after a further 6 months.

About us

We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.

Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.

Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.

Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.

About this job

Please note, you must have access to car with a clean driving licence for this role.

Join us as a Community Support Senior Officer and make a real difference!

In this pivotal role, you’ll provide high-quality support to volunteers, volunteer managers, and service providers across our community networks. You’ll help ensure enquiries are resolved promptly, guide volunteers through their journey, and work collaboratively to maintain well-governed, compliant groups that meet local needs. If you’re passionate about empowering volunteers, skilled in communication and planning, and eager to contribute to positive change for people affected by MS, we’d love to hear from you.

Closing date for applications: 9:00 on Monday 5 January 2026

We anticipate interviews will take place week commencing 12th January 2026.

Interested?

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Equal Opportunities 
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application. 

Disability Confident Employer 
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.

If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.

More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to): 

Encouraging work life balance

• 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us) 
• Flexible working options 

Caring for you and your family 

• Generous sick pay entitlement
• More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment 
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year 
• Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis 
• Enhanced leave for new parents 
• Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
• 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Death in service scheme
• New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
  • In the event of miscarriage or still birth 
  • To support fertility treatments
  • For antenatal appointments for both parents

Thinking about your finances 

• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing

Enriching your life at work

• Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely 
• Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups) 
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community) 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal

Safeguarding 
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.

This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.

We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.

We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.

Your right to work in the UK 
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.

You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.

No agencies please.

Policy Specialist (children and young people)

Are you interested in improving the lives of children and young people with a learning disability? Can you turn complex ideas into evidence-based policy? Are you a skilled communicator able to influence decision-makers? If so, we would love to hear from you!

We are currently looking for a Policy Specialist to join Mencap. This position sits within the Policy and Public Affairs teams of Mencap’s Campaigns, Advocacy and Activism Directorate (CAA). You will work closely with our influencing, information and advice, campaigning, and research work, as well as sector partners like the Disabled Children's Partnership.

This is an exciting new role to deliver policy change and enhance the rights of children and young people with a learning disability. At a key time to influence Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) education reform, we are seeking a policy specialist to shape policy work that reflects the needs and experiences of children, young people, and their families. Working within the policy team, you will be responsible for developing evidence-based policy work and influencing decision-makers. 

This is a full time position (37.5 hours per week). We are flexible with your work location, but there may be some occasional travel needed to our London office or Westminster.

You will:

· Translate complex work into clear and persuasive policy briefings, consultation responses and reports.

· Work within wider coalitions of charities, building collaborative relationships and ensuring that the needs and priorities of our community are addressed.

· Develop and expand Mencap’s ‘Policy Shapers’ work, ensuring our work reflects the experiences of children and young people with a learning disability and their families.

· Support our information and advice team, briefing them on important developments, inputting into casework discussions relevant to your areas of work, and supporting the creation of public information resources.

· Represent Mencap at meetings and events, with MPs, civil servants, and sector partners.

· Identify and analyse relevant research to develop evidence-based policy recommendations.

You will bring to this role:

· Experience of working on public policy issues.

· Strong communication skills: experience tailoring your messaging to a variety of different audiences and representing an organisation.

· Experience building positive relationships and working collaboratively to achieve outcomes; able to positively challenge, negotiate and compromise.

· The ability to work on your own initiative while contributing to team priorities and sustain enthusiasm under pressure.

· Experience analysing evidence to develop recommendations.

· Knowledge the issues facing children and young people with a learning disability and/or the SEND system, as well as the wider parliamentary system.

· Passion about making the world a better place for people with a learning disability.

If you're passionate about driving meaningful change for children and young people with a learning disability and you're ready to use your policy expertise to make a real impact, please apply now with an up-to-date CV. This advert has been extended and will now close on Sunday, 4th January, 2026. Interviews are scheduled to take place via Microsoft Teams during the week commencing 12th January 2026.

Benefits

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.

· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes

· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.

We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.

Harris Hill is delighted to be working with the Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home (CDCH) to recruit its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).

The CDCH has been providing care and support to vulnerable animals in our community for over 80 years. We work across Gloucestershire and support over 1,000 animals each year living in our community.  We find wonderful families for pets who need a new home and provide access to veterinary treatment for pets living with financially vulnerable families through our subsidised veterinary clinics, ensuring no animal suffers because of cost.

As COO, you will:

• Oversee operations, including the CDCH centre, retail and fundraising as well as project delivery, finance, human resources, IT, customer service, and facilities.
• Translate the Board’s strategic vision into actionable plans and upgrade daily procedures.
• Lead a high-performing team.

If you are inspired and excited by what CDCH does, we’d love to hear from you.

Job title: Chief Operating Officer

Salary: Up to £75,000 p.a.

Location: Gloucestershire

Employment term: Permanent / Full Time

Please review the Recruitment Pack for further information about CDCH, the COO position and for details on how to apply.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 5th January 2026

Both CDCH and Harris Hill operate an equal opportunity policy and commit to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnership.

Position: Volunteering Development Officer (Recruitment)
Type: Full-time (35 hours a week), permanent
Location: Office-based in London with flexibility to work remotely
Salary: £26,384* per annum plus excellent benefits  
Salary Band and Job Family: Band 1, Charity

*you’ll start at our entry point salary of £26,384 per annum, increasing to £28,033 after 6 months service and satisfactory performance and to £29,682 after a further 6 months.

About us

We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.

Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus. 

Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information. 

Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.

About this job

We’re looking for a passionate and organised Volunteering Development Officer to ensure every volunteer has a positive first impression of the MS Society. You’ll play a key role in managing volunteer recruitment and induction processes, supporting volunteer managers, and helping us develop new opportunities that make a real difference.

What You’ll Do

• Support volunteer managers and internal teams to meet volunteering recruitment goals.
• Deliver high-quality operational support for volunteer recruitment and induction.
• Review and improve recruitment processes and develop new volunteering opportunities.
• Collect and report on data to inform continuous improvement.
• Provide guidance and support to staff and volunteers on recruitment operations.

Closing date for applications: 9:00 on Monday 5 January 2026

Interested?

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Equal Opportunities 
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application. 

Disability Confident Employer 
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.

If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.

More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to): 

Encouraging work life balance

• 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us) 
• Flexible working options 

Caring for you and your family 

• Generous sick pay entitlement
• More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment 
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year 
• Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis 
• Enhanced leave for new parents 
• Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
• 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Death in service scheme
• New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
  • In the event of miscarriage or still birth 
  • To support fertility treatments
  • For antenatal appointments for both parents

Thinking about your finances 

• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing

Enriching your life at work

• Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely 
• Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups) 
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community) 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal

Safeguarding 
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.

This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.

We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.

We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.

Your right to work in the UK 
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.

You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.

No agencies please.